chillout sessions

Don't expect i'd be nice to you!

2010-08-31T22:15:00.000+08:00

Don't expect i'd be nice to you! It will never happen.

Can I still claim my prize?

2010-08-03T22:08:00.000+08:00

Googling my name I stumbled upon my name at FHM's website.

I never thought I'd win in that photo contest way back in 2007. Three years passed, only today I found out about it.

Belo Care Center’s Glythone Body?

Wahahahaha!

CEBU ♥ GIBB!

2010-07-27T19:42:00.000+08:00

Got myself a spoof tee from a friend. Making a better statement by wearing this.

MOVE ON! GET A LIFE!

2010-07-11T21:19:00.003+08:00

Halad alang sa Gabii sa Kabilin

2010-05-28T03:05:00.000+08:00

Baby talk is a big no-no for me

2010-05-12T20:00:00.001+08:00

isn't it frustrating when you exchange dull pleasantries with a person you seem to know for long?

when you do all the talking and the usual response you get is pure baby talk.

who likes talking to a bland person? boring, right?

from a TRUE friend

2010-03-09T01:25:00.000+08:00

The world's happiest friends never have the same characters. They just have the best understanding of their differences.

a tiny glimpse of Glimpses

2010-03-05T13:33:00.002+08:00

This is what I've been busy at the past few weeks. Old photos, postcards, stories and Cebu, is what you will see, come launch date. I'm so eager to finish this.

Why fight?

2010-01-30T20:31:00.003+08:00

When reasons can't be understood.

When words are not enough.

When pain is not as painful as it seems.

When everything's not falling into the right places.

When you think you've done what you can.

When it's lost already.

When everything has been said and done.

When it's no longer worth fighting for.

Why fight?

Beautiful morning

2010-01-20T06:56:00.001+08:00

Woke up to the sound of birds chirping by the window. The sun's shining bright and I'm so full of energy.

It's gonna be a good day.

Don't you hate it when one pleasant conversation ends up in a bad mood?

2010-01-14T01:05:00.003+08:00

One minute it's all about general life topics, to dreams and to supernatural experiences. Then later on everything just gets ruined by a single statement that's unduly assumed and outrageous.

I remain cool-headed but these thoughts keep bothering me, why should it be this way.

Katapusan

2010-01-08T08:17:00.003+08:00

Kiting.
Nabati ko ang kainit sa balas
ug kabugnaw sa gagmayng balud.
Gitawag ko niya
sa iyang kasingkasing sa kinailadman.

Tuhod.
Nahinumdoman ko ang mga pahiyom.
Ang mga malipayong higayon
nga kami nagkauban
paglakaw sa dalan sa gugma.

Hawak.
Murag kidlat!
Nisantop sa akong utok
ang mga kaguol sa kinaadman
nga walay paghupay.

Liog.
Nadungog ko ang haduol nga pagpitik.
Daw awit sa pagdani.
Nagpaduol ko kaniya
dayon bugwak sa katapusang ginhawa.

Luha

2010-01-06T17:00:00.003+08:00

Bugnaw nga huyohoy nilabay,
giduyogan og tingog sa kaguol ug kasakit.
Pagbakho sa kangitngit,
sa kagabhion nilungtad pa.

Nangulba ug nagpanuko.
Dayon gipaduol ko ang nangamig kong palad
sa hamis niyang panit.
Ug natagamtam ko ang kainit
sa iyang luha nga nalumsan sa luha.

Finally

2010-01-05T20:00:00.003+08:00

Surprise, surprise!

Tendered my resignation today to the surprise of everybody.

Will finally regain the normal life I so long desired.

Many things await my return to humanity.

Good luck to me.

Day 2

2010-01-02T20:04:00.003+08:00

I'm kinda used to whiling away hours in bed. Waking up so late is what I have missed the past few years.

It has been two days since but I fairly had a productive day at home. I haven't been through though editing photos from last Christmas. In between these Photoshop sessions I'd go downstairs to get a drink, munch on leftovers on the fridge or watch a program on TV. It may sound so boring, I missed it a lot.

Just had a long shower and now I'm back post-processing photos. This time my sister's wedding photos that I have always forgotten. Six months after her wedding, I haven't even touched any single photo to edit.

I am...

2010-01-01T21:24:00.004+08:00

...going

make

very

BIG

decision

this

week.

Wish for...

2010-01-01T06:00:00.010+08:00

Time to make new goals, another chance to break them again.

I want to get more than 8 hours sleep daily.
I really want to clean up my room. Junk once more piled up during the holidays.
I want to exercise again and get the weight I used to have 2-3 years ago. I look fat, I feel fat and unhealthy already.
I want to consume less coffee, less sweets, less calories. No more binging, no more frenzy over junk food.
I want to read more. I have collected so many books but haven't had the chance to read them.
I want to go to church more often. I missed out many Sunday masses in 2009.
I want to travel wide and see the rest of the world.
Lastly, I want to pray more. Before I sleep, after I wake up.

Which ones to break? We'll see. I wish I couldn't.

Loud welcome for 2010

2010-01-01T00:05:00.003+08:00

Despite the rain, our spirits were never dampened. The show must go on, as they say.

Right this very minute I can still hear the sounds of welcome. As loud as they can be, our neighbors banged the largest kettle they could find, my family's outside lighting the one small firecracker they bought earlier. I am here turning the radio the loudest dial possible.

Cars are still honking. Even sirens. Lady Gaga's music now back on the playlist.

Let me share the video I took the moment the clock struck 12.

Happy new year to one and all!

Backtrack 2009, looking forward to 2010

2009-12-31T23:59:00.005+08:00

12/31/2009 11:59pm

A minute to go before a new year starts. The countdown begins.

While I may not have all that I wished and hoped for in 2009, I could say I still had the things that I never imagined doing and achieving. There were a lot of surprises as the months passed, there were heartaches and frustrations as well.

2009 was one of the best I had. Travel, big projects & friends.

The new year is going to be more challenging for me. I don't know what those are. I hope nothing more but good health for myself, my family and friends.

Cheers to more good things in 2010!

Pasalamat sa mga nadawat

2009-12-29T00:35:00.002+08:00

It's three days past Christmas but it's still the season of giving. Let me take this opportunity to thank everyone who made my Christmas extra special. Friends and family who took time and effort to send mi little somethings. The presents I received from those very special people are very much appreciated. I love all those. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.

Merry Christmas everyone!

2009-12-24T08:09:00.003+08:00

Christmas rush here and there. Chaos everywhere!
Let's not forget the reason for the season.
Forget the hurts of the past.
Treasure the moments of now.
Spend more time with your family and cherish memories with friends.
Give not only material things... but time and effort
Love more and more...

Wishing a fruitful year ahead!

K

2009-12-22T02:01:00.004+08:00

Kalipay...

Katawa...

Kasuko...

Kaguol...

Kung bisan unsa pa...

Kay sa dagway mailhan ko na.

Pula para sa gugma=problema

2009-12-17T00:32:00.003+08:00

Gipaningot. Nagtulo-tulo. Nagbula-bula.

Dayon nanug-ab.

Ang pula, sa kanunay ikauban mo.

Sama sa higala.

Friday the 13th craziness

2009-11-13T19:56:00.003+08:00

Naunsa na ning world ron oi?! Puro pamantay na man lang, puro kasina, puro libak!

Kung maghilomhilom ta buhatan dayon og istorya, karon nga mustorya na ta pakasad-on pa ta!

Wala untay hilabtanay kung unsa man gani gibuhat sa uban. Sa ininglis pa mind your own business. Kay wala man ko nanghilabot ninyo, kay wala man na nako buhatag dakong isyu ang inyong kinabuhi ug kay wala pud na nako gipanabi ang akong naobserbaran. Busa wala tay hilabtanay ha!

Ayaw ipakita ang inyo pagkamabaw nga pagkataw. Edukado man kaha mo.

Deluded

2009-10-26T00:23:00.002+08:00

So who's doing it now?

Deluded as I am.

Sublime you dare say you are.

You are like everybody else.

Goodbye sadness

2009-10-13T08:02:00.002+08:00

Brushing off the memories of the worst days.
It's as if I felt so much pain that it hurts no more.
I feel better now. Goodbye sadness.
Welcome the new me.

Stop and smell the flowers

2009-10-12T00:44:00.002+08:00

One of life's simple joys. I like!

Around town

2009-10-04T17:50:00.007+08:00

Just like the old times. It's been a while and finally was able to do what I love.

Many things have changed though. The once rugged and dusty road is now covered with fresh asphalt. The bridge, only supported by rusty steel beams, got a new lease on life. I got surprised how big the hospital is. It once can accommodate a few patients. The building today, equaling that of bigger hospitals in the city, is very much welcomed by those in need of medical attention. They need not go to the city to get treatment.

This I realized, when things change, some stay the same maybe for now or forever.

Cold as ice on this very hot day

2009-10-04T15:25:00.004+08:00

Early morning today I sent a message.

the reply I got: Hi, k ra man

then I responded: K

made me think...

Pourquoi?

2009-10-01T17:43:00.002+08:00

Why must we feel this way?
Why must a smile turn into frown?
Why do we have to go down?
Love turned to hate,
Hope it's never too late.
So many questions why?
Why? Why? Why?

Sick again...

2009-09-01T00:44:00.003+08:00

I am nursing a cold that I hope won't progress into something aggravating like sinusitis.

I have taken more than maximum doses of vitamin c and plenty of fluids to aid the discomfort.

I feel so drowsy with the medication I'm taking.

I'm finally paying the price of staying up too late.

Better rest for now.

Mind off matters of the world.

Just a dream

2009-08-28T11:00:00.006+08:00

I dreamt somebody gave me a smile, instead of tears... that was the day I left from wandering in a faraway land. Had it happened that there was a smile, today wouldn't what it is. It was just a dream and I long for it to come true.

Somebody pinch me.

Cory-Gloria confusion goes on and on...

2009-08-11T23:00:00.008+08:00

Here's the text from ABS-CBNNews website uploaded today. A few days ago a newspaper headline run a mislabeled a photo where military honor guards brought Cory's coffin outside the Manila Cathedral. Then a TV ticker message of a government-owned station broadcast a similar mistake. While TV coverage went on days before her burial, a veteran anchor also got confused on who's going to be buried. The list just goes on.

Another bishop on Tuesday pushed for the late President Corazon "Cory" Aquino's sainthood, believing that her canonization would encourage Filipinos to do good.

"Being a saint is for everybody. If she will be saint, more people will be encouraged to do good," Maasim Archbishop Precioso Cantillas said.

Cantillas said the late president is very much qualified to be declared a saint for living "a saintly life."

Various groups and even several bishops have supported proposals to declare Mrs. Aquino a saint. The proposals came as millions of Filipinos mourn the death of the former president, who died of complications from colon cancer last August 1.

In a most recent news item posted on the Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines' website, Archbishop Ramon Arguelles said Mrs. Aquino is "definitely a saint."

Arguelles, however, clarified that to become a saint, the Vatican must verify two miracles attributed to Mrs. Arroyo. He said declaring someone a saint may take centuries.

“It’s not bad (Aquino as a saint). One who declares someone to be a saint is God and then the church will only affirm. Definitely she’s a saint,” Arguelles said.

The bishop said if ever Vatican rejects proposals to declare Mrs. Aquino a saint, she would always be a "model," not only by Filipinos, but other people around the world.

“That would be enough. In God’s own time, if God wants her to be a symbol for many people, then we can say that she’s really a saint on her political life... Saint of People Power,” he said.

looking back...

2009-07-22T01:01:00.003+08:00

The video below isn't in any way connected with the post here.

The music in the background just makes me think all of the things that happened the past few days. My life has been like a roller coaster ride. I just want to remember all those times, happy memories... simple joys...

I am very sad at this very moment. Tears are almost falling but I'm holding it back. I want to be strong. I want to recover.

I so miss Manila now

2009-03-24T22:59:00.004+08:00

This is the ultimate pasalubong I ask when someone comes home from Manila.

Pecanbon, chocolatey goodness swirls over freshly baked cinnamon rolls topped with crunchy-chewy pecan bits. Goes so perfectly with coffee.

Complete-the-sentence tag

2009-03-19T04:56:00.004+08:00

here's another of those tags... addicting

1. my last kiss... was boring

2. i'm listening to... acoustic music. again?!

3. i talk... and i listen

4. i love... the beach

5. my friends... are a noisy bunch

6. my first real kiss... is memorable

7. love is... love

8. marriage is... a bad decision

9. somewhere, someone is thinking... about me

10. i'll always... be here for you

11. the last time i really cried was because... i thought i'm gonna lose someone

12. my cell phone... is new

13. when i wake up in the morning... i check my phone

14. before i go to bed... i check my phone

15. right now i'm thinking... of the weekend ahead

16. babies are... cuddly

17. i get on facebook... to check my friends' stats

18. today i... realized i need to clean my room

19. tomorrow i'll be... a one day millionaire

20. i really want to be... a superhero

Tagged: What comes to mind 1ST at the mention of these words

2009-03-18T02:09:00.015+08:00

tagged by my cousin to type what comes to mind 1ST at the mention of these words:

1. beer: Redhorse
2. food: breakfast meal, esp. longganisa
3. relationships: happy
4. your crush: ?
5. power rangers: yellow ranger
6. life: short
7. the president: the updo and the funny grin
8. yummy: chocolate
9. cars: shiny when waxed
10. movie: night of the living dead
11. halloween: orange
12. sex: Male!
13. religion: i'm becoming less prayerful
14. hate: cats
15. fear: clinical settings & spiders
16. marriage: long long way
17. blondes: Paris Hilton
18. slippers: weekend wear
19. shoes: comfy Vans
20. asians: hairstyles
21. pastime: sleeping
22. one night stand:
23. my cell phone: R306
24. smoke: sinusitis
26. college: all school work
27. high school life: fun
28. pajamas: init
29. stars: are blind (Paris Hilton's song)
30. fitness center: Slimmer's World
31. alcohol: germs
32. the word "love": is love
33. friends: happy friends
34. money: need more
35. heartache: many times
36. time: concious
37. divorce: don't know
38. dogs: falling hair
39. undies: tight
40. parents: strict?
41. babies: folds on skin and baby powder scent
42. ex: whatever
43. song: The Ocean Dreams
44. color: blue for life
45. weddings: tiring and stiff
46. pizza: Mom's pizza
47. hangout: beach
48. resto: Casa Verde
49. goal: more projects
50. inspiration: love of my life

It all starts with letter J

2009-03-13T04:31:00.007+08:00

Another incident hounds me. This is another photo controversy involving yet another business enterprise using my photo for profit.

The first one involved a certain Jo*m G*viola. Photos I took and some from others appeared as part of the designs of t-shirts they sold at the market.

The recent one involving a Marketing firm. The company used on their website my photo of Cebu Hilton Hotel in September 2007. JoPam, the web designer, apparently got the photo from my flickr account.

So far, there have been various comments on the photo page condemning this kind of act. An account by the name of lappym50 could be JoPam. Read his comments on the link below.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/lorensgibb/3346562252/

Must have coffee

2009-03-06T02:08:00.001+08:00

Had only 3 hours sleep today

2009-03-04T01:29:00.011+08:00

What my day was like...

09:00 went out from the night shift
09:30 I had a sudden craving for a Jollibee breakfast but ended up with the 2-piece chicken instead. Blamed it on the service crew that was damn slow. I waited 15 minutes in line just to get an order. Met Terai & Yoyong (the former is a childhood friend & classmate, the latter a college batchmate), who I thought were together as a couple
10:00 went to school to submit photos to a photo exhibit which was postponed to a later day
11:00 went home to Carcar (that's 40kms from the city)
12:00 arrived home and had a quick lunch. Had a quick chat with a neigbor before getting a shower
13:15 left home for the city
14:30 arrived in school ( 1 hour late) for the required attendance to a lecture series.
16:30 lecture ended. I finally decided to go to the mall instead of going home AGAIN!
17:00 arrived in SM, grabbed an early dinner
16:30 watched The International alone
20:00 did rounds at the supermarket to buy food
20:45 took a jeepney to office
21:00 Zzzzzzzzzzzzz in the office
23:58 woke up
24:00 shift started again

looking forward to taking a longer rest... I'm feeling so sick now I think I'm gonna puke.

Baynte

2009-02-10T00:05:00.041+08:00

Sa pikas nga lingkuranan adunay tigulang nga babaye. Nagkagidlay, dala ang duha ka payong, bangko og buyot nga puno sa sapot. Sa tuo niyang kamot ang iyang sungkod, sa wala, usa ka kinumot nga baynte pesos. "Wala na jud koy laing kwarta dong," pakiluoy niya sa konduktor dihang gitiketan na siya. Ang konduktor nitubag, "usa ka gatus na ang akong natapal lola! Pun-an pa jud nimo?"

Ang ilang kusog nga panaglalis maoy akong namatikdan samtang ako gaduka-duka dihang gabyahe padulong sa trabaho. "Diay baynte o," maoy ako gisulti sa konduktor dungan kablit sa iyang bukton. Gitunol paghuman nako gikuot ang upat ka tag-singko gikan sa pitaka sa akong bulsa.

Nahilom silang duha.

Ug ako nibalik sa akong pagduka-duka. Nakapamalandong. Kung ako kaha ang tigulang, makapauli ba kaha ko sa amoa?

Ghost in the office (The Story)

2009-02-08T20:10:00.022+08:00

I always take the 2nd to the last bus to work, just in case I miss it I still have one last chance to arrive on time.

As usual, I arrived very early, actually 2 hours before the shift started at 12mn (that's 8am in California, where our head office is). As required by our company, all employees have to clock-in using a company software for attendance monitoring. So there, I prepared my station, went ahead booting the computer and arranging my things.

Our room is about twice the size of a container van. It is also divided into 3 sections, one small office, a conference area, and the main area where I am stationed. I sit on the second station right from the only entrance/exit to all sections in the office.

And so there I was all ready to clock-in when a shadow swiftly moved its way to the doorway. Even though I did not turn the light in the room yet I could clearly see it from the left corner of my eye. In just a matter of seconds it vanished. I never got to see it when I turned around.

Several occurences already happened to me and my colleagues in that room. I have been all alone many times there and have heard so many things. One instance, the computer keyboard and mouse would just make sounds. The telephone would ring. Another one heard chairs dragged back and forth. There's the peeping ghost. The playing child by the window.

The list just goes on. Who's next?

(Posted my first entry about this story in Multiply Feb. 7, 2009 at 12:39am California time Friday, Feb. 8 in the Philippines. The incident happened at around 10pm Philippine time. The room used to be occupied by a recruitment agency and was only open during the day. Only 2 companies are open at night.)

So many to thank for

2009-01-27T23:03:00.021+08:00

Monday of last week, a minor (but could have gone worse had the fire trucks arrived late) fire broke out at 7:30pm behind our house. Just when everybody in the neighborhood started to settle in to watch telenovelas, while some got ready for bed.

Then a loud cry was heard and fire started to spread.... Minutes later 6 firetrucks arrived and and controlled the fire. For those who don't know, our house was built around 1957, and made 98% of wood so it is a fire hazard.

But there's one fatality though, a young man got electricuted after he tried to stop the fire by pouring a bucketful of water on the burning electric fan.

Thanks to those who helped put out the fire. The istambays, neighbors, firemen from Barili, Sibonga, Argao, San Fernando, and Carcar (good you had water in your truck and working hoses too. The last time Carcar had a major fire incident you had to draw water from the river, as the nearest fire hydrant didn't have enough pressure. Your hoses were old and crumbling already and had to wait for the other firetrucks from nearby towns to put out the fire), etc.

oOo

Got so sick when I arrived in Malolos, Bulacan last weekend. My over sensitive sinuses got in the way of everything. They say that the Malolos Sto. Niño image is so miraculous. I didn't have second thoughts, I was in dire need of healing.

Normally my sinusitis attacks would persist to about 3 weeks. It's my second day today without the pain in the forehead and behind the eyes and cheeks. What a miracle!

oOo

Allow me to become materialistic this one time. Wasn't able to thank enough these generous people for the gifts I received in the past 3 weeks.

Glen, Dubai - Patchi chocolates & H&M scarves

Tarto, CDO - CK Eternity for Men

Honey, Michigan - boardshorts & Hersheys

Tita Potskie, Manila - Canon book

James, Manila - Old Navy Tee

Manny, Manila - Giordano Tee

Raffy & Manny, Manila - hosting us in Manila

Vote for Ethel: Miss Cebu 2009

2009-01-06T03:35:00.003+08:00

Vote Now!

Goodbye Uncle Plene

2009-01-02T09:53:00.006+08:00

Death is just so painful and moreso saying goodbyes, I can't even put it into words. This is my tribute.

related news:

Retired cop killed, 6 others injured in freak accident

Retired cop rams colleagues

Party toll: 1 dead

Maayong Pasko!

2008-12-24T00:33:00.003+08:00

And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch of their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord.

Luke 2:8-11

Carcar City Museum

2008-12-16T01:24:00.009+08:00

A copy-proof photo of the Carcar City Museum, oh I forgot, Carcar is back to municipality after the supreme court decided to suspend its cityhood status.

"They copied all they could follow but they couldn't copy my mind so I left them sweating and stealing a year and a half behind.”

-Rudyard Kipling

Haom kaayo nga mga pulong alang lamang sa mga sad-an. Sa ginaingon pa nga ang Ginoo na lang ang mag-igo sa iyang buhaton ngadto sa mga nilalang nga nagpahimulos sa mga hinaguan sa uban.

Pahimangno

2008-12-12T03:45:00.007+08:00

Kanunay sa pagbantay. Ayaw gayud kamo sulod sa laang sa mga tao nga mapahimuslanon.

Daghan kana sila, sa bisan asang dapita kanunay nga nagpaniid sa sunod nga biktima.

Busa ikaw pagpaniid pud sa imong palibot basin mahasmagan ka nga wala nimo damha.

Gift

2008-11-29T09:39:00.004+08:00

A token from the Balay na Tisa.

Ethel for Miss Cebu 2009

2008-11-20T19:41:00.003+08:00

Here's another shot of Ethel taken the last day of screening for Miss Cebu.

Ethel makes it to Miss Cebu 2009

2008-11-20T00:13:00.014+08:00

The long wait is over, 12 lovely Cebuanas will be revealed very soon. Ethel Bitoon, a Certified Public Accountant, passed the grueling test to become the next Miss Cebu. Early today I received a text message from her agent/trainer that she's one of the final 12.

Ethel as Miss Cebu 2009? Very Possible.

Congratulations!

The shots below were the ones she submitted for the screening. The main photo above was taken on the last screening day.

Dili na ciudad ang Carcar (Apil ang Bogo ug Naga)

2008-11-19T03:00:00.002+08:00

Supreme Court strikes down cityhood of 16 towns

By MARIETON PACHECO, ABS-CBN News 11/18/2008 9:43 PM

The Supreme Court (SC) declared as unconstitutional the laws converting 16 municipalities into cities because Congress did not follow the "criteria established in the Local Government Code (LGC)."

Voting 7-5, the SC en banc granted the petition and petitions-in-intervention filed by the League of Cities of the Philippines and several provincial government officials seeking to nullify 16 cityhood laws in a decision penned by Associate Justice Antonio Carpio

The 16 laws cover the laws on the cityhood of the following municipalities: Baybay in Leyte; Bogo in Cebu; Catbalogan in Samar; Tandag in Surigao del Sur; Borongan in Eastern Samar; Tayabas in Quezon province; Lamitan in Basilan; Tabuk in Kalinga Apayao; Bayugan in Agusan del Sur; Batac in Ilocos Norte; Mati in Davao Oriental; Guihulngan in Negros Oriental; Cabadbaran in Agusan del Norte; Carcar in Cebu; El Salvador in Misamis Oriental; and Naga in Cebu.

According to the high court, the cityhood laws violated Sections 10, Article X of the Constitution as well as the equal protection clause.

Section 10 provides that "no province, city, municipality or barangay shall be created, divided, merged, abolished or its boundary substantially altered, except in accordance with the criteria established in the local government code and subject to approval by a majority of the votes cast in a plebiscite in the political units directly affected.

The high court also said that the cityhood laws also violate Section 6, Article X of the Constitution as it prevented a fair and just distribution of the national taxes to local government units.

Chief Justice Reynato Puno, Senior Associate Justice Leonardo Quisumbing, Associate Justices Ma. Alicia Austria-Martinez, Conchita Carpio Morales, Presbitero Velasco, Jr, and Arturo Brion concurred with the ruling.

Associate Justices Ruben Reyes, Teresita Leonardo-De Castro, Minita Chico-Nazario, Adolfo Azcuna and Renato Corona dissented, while Associate Justices Dante Tinga and Antonio Eduardo Nachura took no part in the deliberations. Associate Justice Consuelo Ynares-Santiago is on leave.

During the 11th Congress, the House of Representatives enacted into law 33 bills converting 33 municipalities into cities. However, Congress did not act on bills converting 24 other municipalities into cities.

“Mad rush”

In the 12th Congress, both houses of Congress passed into law Republic Act No. (R.A.) 9009, which took effect on June 30, 2001, amending Section 450 of the Local Government Code by increasing the annual income requirement for conversion of a municipality into a city from P20 million to P100 million.

The amendment was made to restrain the "mad rush" of municipalities to convert into cities solely to secure a larger share in the Internal Revenue Allotment (IRA) despite the fact that they are incapable of fiscal independence.

After the effectivity of R.A. 9009, the House of Representatives during the 12th Congress adopted Joint Resolution No. 29, which seeks to exempt from the P100 million income requirement the 24 municipalities whose cityhood bills were not approved in the 11th Congress.

But only 16 out of the 24 municipalities filed through their respective sponsors their respective cityhood bills.

Both houses of Congress later approved the cityhood bills which lapsed into law on various dates from March to July 2007.

Constitutional criteria

In declaring the said cityhood laws as unconstitutional, the 15-member tribunal stressed that the Constitution requires that Congress shall prescribe all the criteria for the creation of a city in the Local Government Code and not in any other law, including the cityhood laws.

"The Constitution is clear. The creation of local government units must follow the criteria established in the Local Government Code and not in any other law. There is only one Local Government Code. The Constitution requires Congress to stipulate in the Local Government Code all the criteria necessary for the creation of a city, including the conversion of a municipality into a city. Congress cannot write such criteria in any other law, like the Cityhood Laws," the SC ruling pointed out.

Besides, the SC said the cityhood laws failed to adhere to the provisions of Section 450 of the LGC, as amended by R.A. 9009.

The SC stressed that Congress, in enacting RA 9009, did not provide any exemption from the increased income requirement, not even to the respondent municipalities.

"Since the law is clear, plain and unambiguous that any municipality desiring to convert into a city must meet the increased income requirement, there is no reason to go beyond the letter of the law in applying Section 450 of the Local Government Code, as amended by R.A. 9009," the high court said.

"Furthermore, limiting the exemption to the 16 municipalities violates the requirement that the classification must apply to all similarly situated. Municipalities with the same income as the 16 respondent municipalities cannot convert into cities, while the 16 respondent municipalities can. Clearly, as worded the exemption provision found in the Cityhood laws, even if it were written in Section 450 of the Local Government Code, would still be unconstitutional for violation of the equal protection clause," the SC said.

as of 11/18/2008 9:43 PM

http://abs-cbnnews.com/nation/11/18/08/supreme-court-strikes-down-cityhood-16-towns

Another case of intellectual property theft (Part 1)

2008-11-14T06:59:00.026+08:00

Two years ago my Carcar chicharon entry in this blog ended up in another Cebu blog under another name.

Yesterday when I arrived home a similar kind of shock struck me. Not deja vu. My mother who's not knowledgeable in the internet nor my flickr photos on the web brought a shirt with a familiar photo printed on it. Her being an ignorant in computer technology didn't hinder her ability to recognize the photo on the shirt. I remember showing her the photo once when I was postprocessing it for a Cebu Daily News feature on the Carcar City Museum.

The t-shirt was borrowed from a colleague who bought it from the store in the market. It had three very recognizable Carcar landmarks printed in front: the Rotunda, Balay na Tisa and the Dispensary building which is now the museum.

To be 100% sure I then rummaged my original files for comparison. Indeed I validated my mom's claim.

Carcar traffic situation worsens

2008-11-03T23:06:00.012+08:00

Does this piss you off?

The Terraces

2008-10-31T06:18:00.006+08:00

Finally, the long wait is over. We got a glimpse of the newest enclave at Cebu's premier business address. The Terraces which used to be the the lagoon opened its door to the public with a spectacular show by international RnB artist Billy Crawford along with Joanna Ampil and Rowena Vilar (pronounced as roweena) who I learned has a Carcaranon blood running thru her veins. Vip Aleonar who I bumped at the venue mentioned that Rowena's mother is from Carcar.

I was with Jenny and Markiiboi the whole time but got to rub elbows with the SSC-Cebu guys namely Arnold, Rau, Adrianville, Pinoymeat, Dongroy & Jarenz.

Onli in da Pilipins

2008-10-23T07:50:00.008+08:00

Two Horses, originally uploaded by GIBBster.

A monument dedicated to a hero who fought for independence is a beerhouse. Only seen in the Philippines.

Sayo ang pasko

2008-10-22T02:49:00.024+08:00

Dili na hulaton pa ang Disyembre alang sa mga lumulupyo sa Barangay Bolinawan, dakbayan sa Carcar. Usa sa malampusong panaghiusa sa duha ka grupo gikan sa siyudad sa Sugbo. Sa kasikbit sa tunghaan diin gihimo ang paghatag og sayong gasa nga tambal ug libre nga konsultasyon sa bisan unsang matang pamati sa lawas.

Ang Bachelors-Femina nga usa ka dakong hugpong sa mga batan-on nagpasiuna niining kalihukan nga dugay-dugay napud gipangandoy sa mga kabus natong kaigsu-onan. Ang International Pharmaceuticals, Inc. sa ilang bahin nagapud-apud sa nagkadaiyang tambal kauban sa ilang mga doktor aron mahatagan og igong serbisyo medikal ang mga lumolupyo didto.

Alas-9 pa lang sa buntag nagsingabot na ang taga-Bolinawan aron makunsulta ang ilang mga gipamati sa panglawas. Gawas ana, aduna pay laing mga serbisyo sama sa libreng ibot sa ngipon, tupi og masahe.

Hangtod sa alas-3 sa hapon diin natapos ang tanan sa ilang pagtabang sa kadaghanan. Dakong pasalamat sa mga tao gipaagi didto sa ilang barangay kapitan ug uban pang mga opisyales sa barangay.

Bisan Oktubre pa mura'g pasko na. Sa sunod higayon naglaom pa sila.

Ang kabangis ni Frank

2008-10-17T05:59:00.006+08:00

Ang isla sa Bantayan usa sa mga gipasigarbo ug nag-usbong nga lugar diin nagsingabot ang daghang mga turista langyaw man o lokal. Ang puti nga balas sa baybayon ug ang asul nga tubig sa dagat maoy sagad makapadani sa mga turista labi na matag Semana Santa kung diin hapit tanang mahilig sa tubig moapil man sa kasadya nga sa isla lang sa Bantayan matagamtam. Mao ra ni lugar sa Pilipinas diin mahimong mukaon og karne bisan Biyernes Santo pa.

Ang industriya sa turismo dili man lang ang gisaligan aron mulambo ang panginabuhian sa mga tao kay nailhan man pud ning islaha sa danggit nga mapalit sa Taboan sa dakbayan. Apan ang wala kaayo mailhi sa kadaghanan, ang isla ang gasupply og itlog nga gamit bisan unsang matang sa pagkaon. Mukabat og 2-ka million ang masupply nila matag adlaw dili lang sa Sugbo lakip na ang uban pang mga lugar sa Visayas ug Mindanao.

Daw ang kalibutan nabali niadtong naghinapos na ang buwan sa Hunyo kay usa ka mabangis nga bagyo nga ginganlan og Frank nagdala man og taas nga bawod ug baga nga mga panganod. Ang hangin nga naghampak sa tibuok isla makapakugang, kay ang barko gani sa Sulpicio naunlod man sa mabaw nga dagat sa Romblon.

Ang kadaot dili matukib. Hangtod karon padayon ang mga tao sa isla sa pagbangon.

Mulatuk

2008-08-23T00:59:00.004+08:00

One new word I learned in Cebuano Heritage class today. Mulatuk means getting a tan. A word in the Visayan language that's long been forgotten. Some variations of the word exist in Southeast Asian countries and Polynesia.

Badian, Cebu, Philippines

The "GUCCI GANG" in our lives

2008-04-30T01:14:00.014+08:00

Brian Gorrel's exposé has made him a celebrity of some sort. From the cyberworld through his blog he eventually crossed over to radio doing a weekly show in Manila. His blog has created a cult following that I too became hooked on.

Reading his blog made me realize that I do have my own "Gucci Gang" as well which I have to deal with every single day. We all do whether you admit it or not. The "Gucci Gang" I have may not be the ones Gorrel branded as those cocaine-sniffing high society individuals who think the world is their own. They can be ordinary people too who make your life miserable. It could be your mom, your sister, your girlfriend, your bestfriend and his alcoholic friends and even your entire family too. The truth is that they come in all imaginable forms and would really create havoc in your once peaceful life.

I am no Brian Gorrel and will never dream of becoming one. What impresses me most is his intrepid way of exposing the facts earning him the support of his readers. I pray he'd find justice soon.

Surviving

2008-04-26T05:53:00.007+08:00

This photo just doesn't fit here... but this was one of the happiest days of my life... and it was with you...

a few seconds ago i made this comment to my cousin's blog entry.

"don't ever think the entire world is against you. Look at the brighter side of the things happening around you. There is a purpose to all of those. One thing's for sure, good things are yet to come. Cheer up!"

made me think i needed some cheering up too. the past few days have been not so good to me either. the past 2 days have been the worst this week.

Call it lovers quarrel. My gf and I have been exchanging messages the past 2 days. Hurtful exchanges in a general sense. I have not gotten over the causes of these LQs have been recurring for the past year of being together.

"Even steven"

the most painful words I received last night. I was en route to work then and she was in a drinking spree with some "gay friends" i barely know of. I was supposed to meet her last night for that long overdue date that was supposed to be on the 23rd. Our anniversary that is.

Earlier in the afternoon she texted that she meet me that day after as she is going do some things for her volutary work. It turned out that she was out for the night and that kinda made me furious learning very late that she's out and havin' fun. There's nothing wrong with that, I believe that we should at least have a day in the week to unwind.

I have always stressed to her that I am transparent with everthing that I do. There is never a single instance that she is uninformed of the goingson with my life. I see to it that she knows everything. I keep no secrets from her and recieving an "even steven" reply is just so hurtful.

I will not cry as I have done that so many times in the past. I even cried in front of her.

Well, I am going somewhere this weekend to clear things from my mind...

On Sabbatical (a repost from Flickr)

2008-03-04T20:11:00.001+08:00

I have been lurking here since I went on Sabbatical. Many have asked, here are the reasons. First, I have to deal with some personal matters (love life included). Second, I have to concentrate a bit more on what flickr has opened for me (more projects to complete). Third, I plan to back to school but the next school year (that would be a full year of masteral studies).

Honestly, I cannot just leave flickr and the people I have built friendship with. So I have posted some today.

My absence is not a permanent thing.

This is my evolution.

Neglected: The Carcar Dispensary Building

2007-06-17T13:49:00.001+08:00

2nd Place Winner Contingent Category, Sinulog 2007 Photo Contest

2007-02-06T15:41:00.001+08:00

It's a new year!

2007-01-02T15:58:00.001+08:00

Happy New Year!

2006 was a great year for me. looking back brings happy memories. i look forward to a more fun-filled year and more dreams and goals realized. more learning experiences, more friends, good health for my family and more opportunities.

Delightful Carcar Crunchies

2006-09-22T14:28:00.001+08:00

Tempting and utterly sinful golden delights that pack a powerful crunch with every bite. The choice pork skin that is seasoned with select spices and deep-fried to perfection, flavorful and truly satisfying, these goodies have come to be known as Carcar chicharon.

A gastronomic trip to the historical town of Carcar would not be complete without sampling its mouth-watering delicacies, including the all-so-famous chicharon.

The chicharon industry started way back in the 1900's when Patricio and Anuncion Paras started selling the pork crackling to the townspeople. Several years later, their children and their children's children have made their own version of this famous delicacy thus transforming a family enterprise to a huge business known throughout the country. Today, dozens of stores have sprung up everywhere within the center of the town, even in the buses going in and out of Carcar vendors literally bring it up right to your very eyes. Proof indeed that the industry is alive.

Little is known that every pack of Carcar chicharon comes from the choicest ingredients and a meticulous process giving it a distinct flavor that everyone loves. In fact every maker has kept some techniques a family secret thereby making the Carcar chicharon tastier compared to other chicharons.

The people in the factories are usually up and about at dawn daily. Here at Hermes and Uvy's, workers prepare the pork as early as 5 in the morning. The pork skin is cleaned and cut into similar sizes, it is then placed inside a large pot. Spices, salt and water is added and half-cooked.

Meanwhile, a large pondido or carajay is filled halfway with oil. Ma'am Uvy has created an innovation that she considers the only one existing as of this time in the whole of Carcar. A stainless stove fired with gas. Other factories up to now have resorted to the traditional way, using wood to fire the stove.

Chicharon undergoes a very long process through deep frying. Three stages of the deep frying process create the crunchy feel and the texture that slowly melts in your mouth. The first stage involves frying in medium heat, cooking the skin but still retaining some moisture. It is allowed to cool down before storing in large plastic containers, covered until the entire batch is finished.

The second step is like warming up the stored cooked skin, by dipping it in oil that has just started to warm up. It is then set aside and allowed to drip of its excess oil.

When the rest of the batch is done the stove is fired up to a high temperature. "Right temperature is crucial, it ensures the skin puff to the right size," Ma'am Uvy revealed. Once hot enough, the skin is then deep-fried for the last time. One by one each piece start to float up the surface. One complete stir and out comes the crispy golden brown product.

The cracking sound and the aromatic scent of freshly cooked chicharon truly overpowers all your senses and little by little makes one salivate to hunger.

Still a warm loads and loads of chicharon make their way to the packing room where it is weighed and sealed inside several sizes of plastic. Then from there it journeys to the market and to other outlets in Cebu.

Eating crunchy chicharon is one irresistible experience, dip it in vinegar, ketchup or take it as it is. With puso and an ice-cold drink. There are endless possibilities.

So on your next trip to Carcar; see the sights while munching on a bag of crispy chicharon and other goodies. Now that's one gastronomic trip you will certainly enjoy.

Ang Tindero

2006-09-19T13:50:00.001+08:00

"Pao pao pao!" matod pa ang usa ka lalaki nag nikabyon samtang nagdagan ang bus padulong sa lungsod. "Pila na?" mitubag ang usa ka dalaga. Gitunol dayon ang putos, "baynte pesos ra miga, tulo pa kabuok ang sulod." Tuod man nipalit ang babaye tungod sa kalayo pa sa biyahe sa sunod nga lungsod. Menos kinse para mag alas-dose niadtong higayona. Init ang panahon, apilan pa sa kaabog sa dalan nga among giagian. Pun-an sa kaaso sa sigarilyo nga gibulhot sa mga panday nga nia atubangan nako sa pinaka likod niining bus. Mao kini ang kanunay nga sitwasyon matag Sabado. Ang nagtrabaho sa siyudad magdali og pamauli sa ilang tagsa-tagsa nga lungsod.

Taud-taod sa may eskina nihunong ang bus og nanaog ang manag-uyab. Klaro sa mga bulsita nga ilang dala namalit sila gikan pa sa Colon. Dihay putos nga puno og mansanas og ang usa puno sa mga beste og sapatos. Bisan panaog na naggunitanay gihapon sa ilang kamot. Nabakante dayon ang akong tupad, samot og untol ang lubot sa bus samtang nagkagamay na ang pasahero.

Daghan pang mga kabalayan og daghan pang tao among nalabyan. Ang mga panday padayon gihapon sa pagpanigarilyo og samot kasadya dihang daghang chicks nga nag atang daplin sa dalan. "Hubagang ate oi!" siyagit sa usa. Dayon pangatawa, hasta ako naapil sa agik-ik sa makatakod nga bahakhak nila.

Ang namaligya og ampao mitupad nako dayon gipangutana ko siya, "dako'g halin noy?" "Sus intawon murag gilangaw," tubag dayon niya. "Dad-i og ampao imong mama dong. Baynte pesos ra ang putos." "Taga Carcar ra man pud ko noy oi," maoy akong sulti niya. Nipahiyom siya, nilingi og naglantaw sa gawas.

Nikanaog pa ang ubang pasahero duol sa dakong tindahan. Ala-una y media na. Init gihapon ang panahon, misidlak pa gihapon ang adlaw, og sadya gihapon ang mga panday.

"Lugar lang!" og dungan tuktok sa puthaw gamit ang piso. "Diri ra ko noy," katapusan kong gisulti ngadto sa tindero og ampao dihang niambak ko gikan sa pultahan.

On the trail to bliss...

2006-09-16T13:03:00.001+08:00

A three-hour ride from the city will take you to a place of serenity and pure bliss. Long as it may seem but the picturesque places you pass by make travel so worthwhile.

On the southwest side of Cebu lies the idyllic coastal town of Badian. Unknown to many the town is a treasure trove of natural wonders, there's Badian island whose surrounding water is perfect for snorkeling and diving, and then there's enchanting Kawasan falls - the backpackers haven.

Your travel by bus ends near a church beside a river that embraces the sea. A short walk and you will see fishes swimming around. Your journey is on the other way, where Kawasan falls beckons.

Trekking along the river is one relaxing experience. Sounds of water crashing onto rocks and birds singing along as the wind make the leaves rustle and the tree branches sway. Towering trees hold onto large boulders and young ferns grow on its cracks. Butterflies too hover from blossom to blossom.

Halfway an old stone bridge comes to view. Stone after stone and an immense structure was formed to withstand the trials of nature.

Further along the path the waterfall slowly reveal itself.

Yet another bridge to cross, small and fragile-looking because it's made of wood. This structure makes a good point to savor the surrounding scenery, more importantly the beauty the lies in the distance.

A few steps more and you are there. The majestic body of water right in front of your very own eyes. Tempting and peaceful. Time seems to stand still in this secluded paradise.

No wonder many are lured by this breathtaking beauty. People flock into this oasis to soothe their bodies and to cleanse their souls.

The experience of walking along the path to the beautiful Kawasan falls is something that leaves a distinct mark in our memories. Having been to this place many times makes one relive the past. Every visit is indeed different.

Ghost Tales

2006-09-13T13:32:00.002+08:00

I have one office mate who sees what we do not see. I guess because his grandpa is an albolaryo from Mindanao. Perhaps it runs in the family.

The office we are in is between several offices. To go in/out you must pass through other offices. The building used to house several companies but since they transferred to other buildings the other rooms became vacated.

Our room is occupied by the IT and the Design department. Next door is the Drafting room. If you want to go out you must pass through this room, then through another door again which leads you to a vacant room. Then again another door towards the stairs going down.

Seldom you see people in the drafting as they are always in the workshop constructing and doing repair work.

This office mate of mine is from the IT dept. He was the one left as we left earlier than him that afternoon. After checking if all the workstations have been turn off he decided to finally leave for home.

Passing through the drafting room he noticed something near the table. A boy happily dribbling a ball. He asked the boy what he was doing there. It turned and looked to him. It just stared at him then it disappeared.

He described the boy as tall as a 4 year old. IT HAD NO EYES!

He explained that it was a spirit. If it had eyes it was an elemental.

Everytime I walk pass the room in the morning or in the afternoon, I always try to glance at the table to see if it is there. I haven't seen it but swear I feel it roaming around.

This happened much earlier than above.

Another officemate from the IT department was left alone in the room. The phone rang, he went to answer it. Later he heard noises from the other cubicle. He was sure nobody's there.

He checked who's making the noise.

He saw 3 ergonomic chairs aligned and all turning altogether.

Malapascua Island...Wow!!!

2006-06-13T13:32:00.001+08:00

What a great vacation it was! One which I can say as more than truly memorable. Activities that make you say WOW!

Snorkeling in the Japanese shipwreck was so exhilarating. I felt like a National Geographic explorer making discoveries along the sea bed. I did not find any treasure though but the wreck itself and the creatures that abound was something any treasure wouldn't equal.

Next stop was Carnaza island but before we reached the place we were treated to the beautiful scenery any photographer would like to capture. The lighthouse on the cliff overlooking the sea and Cebu island from afar. It looked small in the night as it beamed out its light yet a very tall structure when you see it closer. There were more rock formations, several cliffs and caves along the coastline while we passed along on the western side of Malapascua island.

The sea was so calm that day, the sun shone its brightest, perfect weather indeed. Several sea gulls flew over our boat while fishes jump over the surface escaping from the predators lurking underwater. This is life at sea.

Half an hour later, a small speck of islands started to appear in the horizon. Still a distant location but still our excitement was fever pitch.

Then Carnaza Island came into view. Revealing a small community of sea loving people. Fishing boats docked on the beach, fishermen resting from last night's fishing activity, and a large drove of children welcoming us upon our arrival. Soon they came up on our boat, perhaps checking on the new arrivals.

The signal from the captain hinted the stop. More and more children came aboard. Seizing the opportunity of seeing new faces, I then took hold of my camera and took pictures of the children flashing their "Island Smiles". Several clicks after I soon found myself included in he pictures.
Tanned from being under the sun and sea all day they still showed me their cutest "Island Smile".

We stopped over this place to buy seafood for lunch. Since Carnaza is a fishing community seafood is less of a problem. The calm waters made available a bountiful lunch. A large pail of an assortment of shellfish and five big squids was what my tummy was grumbling for. Grilled seafood was all in my mind.

It was time to say goodbye to the children time was something we don't have and there was still so many places to go. Sadly we bade farewell.

Off to a cove not far from the community, a well kept place indeed with a long stretch of white sand and a small island in between. A place to take a nap under the coconut trees while waiting for lunch to be cooked.

Paradise was a fitting title to name it. Like we own the place. The only visitors priviledged to be there that day.

Lunch was then served. As fast as we could we consumed half of the shellfish and the squid.

Time to go. The captain signaled again but the boat got stuck in the sand. The ebbing tide made it impossible to move back. We had to push the boat far to deeper water.

Later we arrived on another cove. A mouth of a cave can be seen from the beach. Inside it were traces that somebody lived there long ago. A skull believed to be one that belong to someone was enough proof. We learned it belonged to a leper restricted from spreading his disease.

Last signal from the captain, we are going back to Malapascua Island. Still a long way to go that I felt sleepy on the way back. The front portion of the boat was a nice place to take my much needed sleep.

Malapascua island once again but on the other side. Large colonies of corals in all colors but the most striking is the blue one. Never in my whole life have I seen such color. No wonder many resorts name their place after the blue corals.

It was dusk when we headed back to catch the sunset from the island's west side. Indeed I was awed by such sight. The golden rays slowly fading away into the horizon. A perfect view to end the day.

If you will ask me if I would go back to this place. I definitely will.

Malapascua Here I Come!

2006-06-10T09:18:00.001+08:00

Then again the rain last night seemed to dampen my spirit. Rainy season it is. What can I do?

But nevertheless Malapascua, the dream would soon realize! The white sand, the sun and the endless blue sea is what my heart desires. The sun has begun shining now, slowly taking away the traces rain from last night.

Tonight we depart to paradise.

Tomorrow the beach bum will be unleashed.

18th Avenue House - True Tales

2006-06-09T14:58:00.001+08:00

The following are just some of the tales told by those who have lived in the house...

Not so long ago, a group of people came to live in the house. They were from the province to be in Manila to do business. A week seems so short one of them thought. There's so many things to in Manila after work, bars, shopping and all.

As traffic jam and the chaos of this metropolis requires one to be ahead of time. So everyone in the group had to leave early. They have to arrive at the destination on time. But one got a high fever that she had to stay in bed all day. Unaware of what may happen she decided to be left behind.

And so everyone left without her. The house was all hers to enjoy, the airconditioned room, TV and unlimited use of the computer. "Freedom!", she yelled.

Bored after a few hours alone, she headed back to bed. The fever is making her dizzy once again.

The moment she started to fall asleep she heard talking from outside the window. "Who could it be when everyone's still somewhere far?", she thought. It was a voice of a child calling out her name. A few times it called out. She tried to ignore it but it sent chills down her spine. She went out of the room.

***

Ella just arrived from Cebu. She was sent to Manila to do just like what her other officemates did before. She's hesitant because stories have already been circulating within the office which she didn't like. Glad she had an officemate to join her.

Fear was overshadowed by excitement, her first time to travel by plane. But it turned the other way once she stepped into the gates of the house. Fear struck her though she arrived early Monday morning. She thought her work would keep her from thinking about the terrifying things her officemates told her. She assured herself that she will be able to asleep sound after going around Manila the entire day.

Just as she thought she would be tired from her travel within the city. She then prepared to got to bed after a light dinner. She occupied the women's room while her officemate, Gabby, stayed on the men's room which was just on the other side.

She couldn't sleep, images keep haunting her. She went to the other room to ask her officemate to accompany her in her room. Still the thoughts keep circling her mind. She tried to pray to get it off her mind. At last she felt relieved. She could sleep now.

Then her phone rang. She ignored it at first. It also woke Gabby. It's almost 11:00pm, it was her friend. They talked for sometime when she heard a voice singing from her interrupting her conversation with her friend. A voice of a child. Then it giggled and faded. She asked her friend if she heard it but did not.

***

Scared and out of breath Ella asked Gabby that they sleep instead in the living room which already served as the office. They had with them all their cushions and pillows. Her mind could stay at ease, hair on her arms kept on standing.

Gabby assured it was nothing and her imagination was just playing tricks on her. He then went to sleep leaving Ella frozen with fear under the sheets.

An hour later Ella woke Gabby she could not sleep still. She felt something stepping on her foot. Which made her unable to move. She dragged Gabby outside the house toward the sleeping guard stationed near the gate. To no avail they went back inside and tried again to sleep.

Suddenly the phone rang once then after an hour it did again which woke Gabby. He woke Ella, who also noticed it ring.

They went outside again and asked the guard to stay with them. Nothing happened again 'til the sun came up.

More stories yet to be told by those who come to live inside...

18th Avenue House

2006-06-08T13:43:00.001+08:00

I guess many people do not know that at least a house in their neighborhood has a story to tell. An ordinary looking house with extraordinary things perhaps waiting to reveal to those who come to live inside.

This following accounts are true, based on the people who have experienced the most bizarre, the spine chilling events in the house along 18th Avenue.

The house serves as residence for the company's employees doing business in Manila. With three rooms, for the men and the ladies and a servants quarter. The living room now serves as an extension office. A duplex type, the other unit is now being rented by a priest.

A decade ago a family moved to one of the units, with them a nanny.

Love seems to find its way that it put one of the occupants of the house into a very complicated situation. A romance between the nanny, the security guard and the caretaker of the duplex house. And a tragedy will surely be one of its end.

Jealousy prevailed on the security guard's side. He confronted the caretaker on the blooming romance with the nanny. He pointed his gun at the caretaker and blew him up on the face. Not knowing the nanny witnessed the event, the security guard eventually shot her too fearing the consequences he will suffer by killing the caretaker.

Desperate and out of his mind, he killed himself leaving a mark that until today exists.

Years passed by, vague memories remain but it did not hinder a Japanese from living there.

The house once again was alive, girls from different places come over and stay. Hopefully to get to Japan and work for big bucks. Japanese men stayed there too. It was the right place to conduct business. Away from the prying eyes of authorities and the seclusion from the nearby district made the place a better option.

Girls come and go, some get lucky while others not. The unlucky ones' hopes fall apart, their future shatter and so the lives of the unborn they flush out in the toilet. Poor babies.

After a long day at work Samson (not his real name) proceeded to the ladies room. Since it is furnished better than the men's he finally decided to sleep inside alone. A mirror is palced on one side along the door to the bathroom. Opposite is the bed facing the closet. Tired and weary traveling and even more navigating in the traffic jams in Manila's major roads he eventually fell into sleep.

The flourescent light though was disturbing so he proceeded to turn off the switch and decided instead to turn on the light in the bathroom. He thought it was better.

Silence fill the room and his aching body put him to sleep in a matter of minutes.

A few hours passed he was still in deep slumber.

Splashing of water from the bathroom woke him. He then stood up to check. A little boy was enjoying himself! Surprised, he tried to pinch himself. The boy was still there. He mumbled, "Just enjoy!" Then he tried to turn off the faucet. The boy just quickly disappeared.

He ran outside catching his breath 'til the sun came up.

Ulan na Sad!

2006-05-18T12:35:00.001+08:00

Naunsa na ang kalangitan,
Nagpunay na man og minatay
Naguol siguro, ambot ngano
Nagbanaw na og tubig sa kayutaan

Ang akong hinayhay
Basa na lang kanunay
Dili na mo-uga
Kay gihilakan man

Kanus-a man ka moundang?
Dugay na man ko naghulat
Sa adlaw nag nagbantang
Sa dakong langit

Undang na intawn ulan
Undang na sa pagbanwas
Sa tanan nakong kaguol
mohanaw sama kanimo.

USA Sports Building

2006-05-06T08:42:00.001+08:00

usa sports building
Originally uploaded by Gibbster.

Totally love this shot. The blue building and sky. It's very interesting to look at.

My office is on the second floor. This building can be seen in Talamban, Cebu City.

Kawasan Falls Adventure April 30, 2006

2006-05-03T16:23:00.001+08:00

Adventure ni namo niadtong Dominggo sa buntag kuyog ang mga kauban sa trabaho. Nindot na man diay ang Kawasan sukad pa sa katapusan nakong bisita didto. 1994 man siguro to. Dugay-dugay na sad. Ang naka apan lang kay daghan kaayong tao, nagpunsisok sa tanang bakante sa lugar. Taas man gud ang bakasyon mao nga puno jud kaayo.

Katapusan sad nakong bisita sa Badian 2003 pero wala ko nisuroy sa Kawasan kay layuan man ko.

Tin-aw gihapon ang tubig, pwerte pang bugnawa.

Makita dinhi sa mga hulagway namo si julius og gina, ang wala naapil diri si dr. calderon, sir gerry og si joy.

Plano nako nga mobalik dinhi sa dili pa mahuman ang Mayo.

Sa wala pa mi nisuroy didto mi nag overnight sa Alegria kay napuno na man ang tanang resorts duol sa Kawasan Falls. Nindot baya sad ang resort nga ginganlan og Batong Malunhay Beach Resort sa Malabuyoc, Alegria. Tupad ani ang usa ka simbahan. Ika-tulo na man diay nakong adto atong lugara kay sa bata pa mi mag stopover man sad mi kay hilom man ang lugar.

Alegre ang among pag-istar didto kay nag karaoke man mi og sayo. Daghan kaayo kog kanta. Pista man sad sa lugar, naay disco maon nga nisamot kaalegre.

Dihang nagkalawon na ang gabii, dihay tulo ka bayot nga niduol ni julius. "Daddy, daddy, taga asa diay ka daddy?" matod pa sa usa ka bayot. Tubag sad ni julius, "Ayaw ko daddy-daddyha kay dili tamo mga anak!" "Kinsay kuyog nimo daddy?", pangutana na sad sa bayot. Hangtod nga nisulti na lang si julius kung taga asa siya nga opisina. Taud-taud nanlingkod ang mga bayot duol sa among table sa karaoke og nag hulat sa mga sunod nga panghitabo.

City Garden Memories

2006-01-03T16:47:00.001+08:00

These are just some of the fun happenings in our daily visits to City Garden Coffee near our office. I simply love the mudslide and after 8 coffee concoctions. We just keep on going back to that place.

Movie Review: King Kong

2005-12-22T16:39:00.001+08:00

Peter Jackson lives up to the expectations of many as someone who makes the viewers sit on the edge of their seats as far as action sequences is concerned. Being the director of such bigtime hits as The Lord of the Rings trilogy he proves that his movies are really worth watching.

King Kong however was not at par with LOTR. While watching that movie you to think if you really are watching King Kong. As it progress through the long 3-hour stretch you get flashbacks of other movies. Seem like you are watching Godzilla or Jurassic Park. The movie is packed with the elements of those familiar movies.

The story is really confusing. First you get similar scenes from Titanic to Godzilla. In the middle you get bored when the movies shows scenes of the abduction of Ann Darrow until she amuses the big old 8th wonder King Kong. It really took time.

I read it's not doing well in the US box office.

It's just so-so, like watching Titanic meets The Gos Must Be Crazy meets Jurassic Park meets Jumanji meets Madagascar meets Alien vs. Predator meets Godzilla. Great attempt.

Krisismas 2005

2005-12-22T15:26:00.001+08:00

Pwerteng lisora kung wala kay kwarta karong panahona, labi na kung ang Pasko moabot na tulo ka adlaw gikan karon. Tanan mga palitonon mahal, ang gasolina ug uban pa. Bisan dakong krisis ang giatubang sa tanang mga Pilipino karon, ang mga tao nag dugok man gihapon sa mga tindahan.

Mingaw kung imo lang maobserbahan ang pasko sa 2005. Wala kaayoy suga nga maaninaw, menos sad ang mga daygon sa mga kabalayan og sa umaabot nga pasko hawan sad ang lamesa nga sa ubang katuigan abunda man og lami nga pagkaon. Bisan sige lang og party ngari og ngadto. Pastilan ang krisis!

Sunod semana, liwas sa tanang mga kasaulugan mobalik na sad ta sa ordinaryo natong kinabuhi. Balik sa trabaho, balik eskuyla para sa mga estudyante.

Balik sa mga problema, nga sa bag-ong tuig man unta nakita na ang mga sulbad niining mga problemaha.

Balik paminghoy na sad tungod sa kadaghan sa utang nga nisamot pagdako.

Tungod lagi kay krisis.

Hinaot unta sa tuig nga umaabot makatilaw sad unta tag hayahay nga kinabuhi, dili lang pulos kalisdanan.

The Miracle Worker

2005-12-15T16:29:00.001+08:00

A disability will really put a very huge challenge not only on the person bearing such but on the family as well. The challenge comes in many forms and degrees.

And to counter that challenge, I think that the greatest that we can do is give the person with a disability an unending support.

Special Education is a way of supporting these people, and we who advocate for them are called upon to make life better for them.

After watching the movie about Hellen Keller and Annie Sullivan, I felt that world can sometimes be unfair. More so if ther is no family, relatives and friends to help them go through the challenges in life.. Though these people have disabilities they are also blessed with talents and abilities like normal people have. Our role as teachers of special education make them like normally, we help open doors for them, and most of all we help them achieve their dreams.

Like Hellen Keller, her disability did not prevent her from becoming what she was during her time. Instead it made her an inspiration to many.

She made a difference in this world.

2005 TEACHERS BOARD EXAM RESULTS

2005-10-14T10:36:00.001+08:00

At last the long wait is over! Congratulations to all who made it. Hardwork, patience and lots and lots of prayers helped.

The new teachers...

Philip Anthony Go

Leah Telesfora Suganob

Esmael Codilla

Philip Hernandez

Christie Munda

Charlane Arciete

Paul Mongas

Ervin Poquita

Adele May Alburo

Ma. Celeste Rentillosa

Leila Remo

to everyone who made it ...

CONGRATULATIONS!!!

that includes me.

Newest Member in the Family

2005-09-19T11:02:00.001+08:00

We welcome the newest member in the family.

Johannes Paulus Ducay Capitan

Sept. 14, 2005 @ 0142 hrs

6 lbs, 10 0unces

19. 5 inches

A VIVA HOTBABE in the FLESH!!!

2005-09-16T17:05:00.001+08:00

Happy Happy Happy ME!!!!

YIPEEEEEEE!!!!
YAHOOOOOOO!!!!

Fashion Wednesday

2005-07-21T08:24:00.001+08:00

The most happening places was on the Sundance Court last night, Fashion Wednesday took the limelight as the must-see event of the season.

Of course in attendance were Cebu's "in" crowd. Not to mention the the night owls who flocked to the event which ended midnight.

One model caught our eyes, the very tall and drool-worthy Elvira. She was more than drop-dead gorgeous! In fact we drooled over her the whole night. There were so many pretty girls but Elvira was the best among all.

The gay host was not to be outdone, he/she wore the most outlandish outfit that night. A vixen meets Madonna meets Imelda Marcos outfit, plus a holster and a gun to match. Couldnt describe more.

Met some old friends there. Thanks to Mai-mai for the invite. Her sister was there too! As one of the models of course.

Spooky Tale #1

2005-07-20T15:05:00.001+08:00

For the third time, the latest happened last night, my grandmother appeared in my dream. The first time was 3 days after she died, then the second happened a few days after the first. All I have are fuzzy memories of the first and the latest.

The second which I could clearly remember she said, "Dili lang ko makig-istorya sa lolo nimo." She was in my sister's room, looking down from window facing the sunset. I was below looking up to her.

She also made her presence felt to my sister. She called up my sister's name 3 times. It was 2a.m. then, a day after her burial. No other one was awake, the sound came from the part of the living room where she died. The voice was my grandmother's.

My tita knew of my grandmother's death in a way of appearing in a dream, when she was never informed that my grandmother died. In the dream she said she is no longer coming back and death is really a different thing, and prayer does help when we are still on earth.

Last night's dream was different, I just saw her inside a white coffin, all people were gathered around her in a perfect circle. She was just like someone sleeping. She was very thin when she died, but not as I saw her. She was younger. Someone was even touching her hand.

I'm expecting that soon she will appear to me.

What could it mean? She has a message which little by little is being revealed. I'm sure this won't be the last.

When I was in Kindergarten...

2005-07-19T11:18:00.001+08:00

- 1st day of school I cried out, I didn't want my mother to leave me, I was afraid of the substitute teacher's piercing eyes
- I was on the afternoon session
- I remember a sandwich would cost me only P1.75
- I didn't join the Hawaiian dance during intramurals because I was ashamed to dance
- For Christmas party I got a pack of OTAP during the exchange of gifts
- My best friend was Clint Rojo, he'd always help me in my coloring book
- I was 2nd in rank, according to my teacher Mdme. Estrella Adlawan
- Graduation, I was the reader for the offertory during mass
- I stayed in front in the class picture

Cebu is GLORIA country

2005-07-16T08:15:00.001+08:00

In response to the massive protest made in Manila a few days ago, the Cebu Provincial Governmet made their own gathering of sort. Totally different, it had a more lively atmosphere, not just a rally to support Gloria Macapagal Arroyo but also a streetparty attended by an estimated number of 10,000 people. Live bands, fireworks, food and even free transportation for those coming from neighboring town who wished to join the festivities.

The impact of the gathering last night overshadowed that anti-Gloria rally made in the "Malacañan sa Cebu" Tuesday afternoon.

It really was more than a rally to me. As I happened to pass by 7pm last night, supporters staying until everything ended. Traffic jam affected the nearby streets, proof that Cebu is Gloria Country.

P.S. I am pro-Gloria myself. Even if she has committed a big mistake, nobody is better capable than her. Who would want Susan Roces to be president? She just like all other actors and all the other traditional politicians who have personal intentions, not for the whole nation.

DAGHANG MGA ASYOSO

2005-05-12T11:11:00.001+08:00

"You cannot use the computer because it is out of order."

"If you want to use the TV use the one upstairs, by order of the homeowner."

Sus! Ang pagka asyoso niandar na sad. Adtong una ang iyang sakyanan. Mura na man siya nisamot. Mao lagi ning pobre makatilaw lang og kadato, magka asyoso man. Wala ra bay angay. Unya daghan pa jud ang nangaliwat niya.

These Happened 2 Weeks Ago

2005-03-30T13:24:00.001+08:00

Graduation last March 9. At last we made it through, after several months of class reporting, exams and bearing with Angelita Rosales' bad temper.

Unwinding during Muffet's birthday last March 19. Finally letting out the Karaoke King inside after a very long state of hibernation.

GRADUATION NA NAMO UGMA!!!

2005-03-08T09:44:00.001+08:00

heheheh!!! graduation na intawn namo. wala na classes after. pahulay na jud mi tanan!!!

The HOLY CHILD in the Flesh?!

2005-02-01T10:10:00.001+08:00

Doesn't he look like the Holy Child? He seemed tired and sleepy that night. After all the dancing in the basilica the whole afternoon. I was there too! Tired like the child but the experience was invigorating!

EDUC 100 Class in Kalunasan, December 18, 2004

2005-01-04T22:37:00.001+08:00

Outreach Program: Trip to Kalunasan

2005-01-02T16:53:00.001+08:00

The facility, located in Kalunasan, sits on a top of a hill with a good vantage point of the city of Cebu. Looking on one side, the dome of Guadalupe church can be clearly seen much more visibly the people down below in their normal daily activities. Another landmark is the Lucky tableware factory with its chimney soaring up to several feet from the ground.
On the opposite side tall skyscrapers of the Cebu Business Park and all the other tall structures and landmarks remind of the accessibility of the place.

Going there is a little more of a bumpy ride because parts of the road have been asphalted though some have already shown attrition since many vehicles pass by the road constantly. It is very much a challenge for the first-time visitor. Roads slope very sharply to the extent of being vertical. Maneuvering to get there will really necessitate good driving skills and so much experience.

Our transportation, a jeepney plying the usual route from downtown Cebu City to Kalunasan, typically used by the folks living there to bring their goods for sale in the city’s markets.
It took us less than thirty minutes to arrive. We were greeted by rows of houses surrounding the facility, making it a like suburban residence than a rehabilitation facility.

The place is really good since it provides a good view of the city day and night. It also is ideal since the temperature is cooler there thus minimizing exhaustion.

A boarding school is more befitting description than a facility for delinquent minors. It really feels like it once inside the building, you will see none of those that you see in prison cells. Sleeping quarters can accommodate 13 beds. Though occupants are padlocked in those rooms they are given freedom to roam within designated areas at certain times of the day.

Within the walls of the facility is two-story structure a school where they are taught as they are reformed, a kitchen, a small garden and a basketball court. There’s also a small gathering area where meetings are held everyday. Kids take turns in the 5 departments they are assigned in: Housekeeping, Grounds, Kitchen, Business and Expediters.

A separate building was principally constructed to accommodate the small population of females.

If these children will be house in penitentiaries catering to offenders above legal age, it will be harmful for them as they are prone to being abused. With the environment in those places there would be no reform, instead they will get worse. This place in Kalunasan was specially constructed to cater to minor offenders.

It currently houses less than a hundred minors and a number of personnel tasked to handle the management of the place. Three agencies work hand-in-hand: the Department of Social Welfare Services, the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology and the In-House Parents.

I was enthralled at the place upon arriving. One thing I noticed instantly was the serenity of the place with its cool climate and the 360° views of the entire city and the surrounding mountains.

We got inside the building; its staff and its director welcomed us warmly. No uniformed policemen he stressed it out. There are actually authorities but they are not in uniform thus minimizing the atmosphere of a penitentiary, which could put a stigma on the “Children in Conflict with Law.”
They are not prisoners or detainees but they called “Children in Conflict with Law”. The name implies hope, as there is optimism and confidence in those kids that they will do better once they are reconciled with their families and their community.

Taking pictures inside the facility is prohibited to protect the identity of the kids so also doing interviews with them one must have permission.

We were brought to the topmost floor of the building. There we interviewed the director, asked questions about their daily activities and information about all the other agencies collaborating in the operation of the place.

We interacted with some of the kids through the small windows of their rooms. We learned that some of them were never visited by their parents or by any of their relatives. Sad for them but it really gives them joy when people come to visit them even for a limited time.

Most of them are below the legal age, the youngest is 12 years old youngest and the oldest is 18 years old. Of the 93 kids 4 are females. Crimes they committed ranged from robbery to murder. They are too young to be in that place, too young to endure the hardships of being away from their families and being in conflict with the law.

One kid told us that he doesn’t have a family to live with anymore. He added that being there was already a blessing in itself. Being away from the influences and the environment he used to be in makes him already satisfied with life inside.

For a brief time we witnessed how they go about their daily activities. How it is to be inside their world. How life goes about in such a confined environment.

The song “Somewhere Over the Rainbow” inspired me while writing this. It sends a message of hope, like the hope that I have to the kids in Kalunasan, that they would have a better life ahead of them. A life away from what caused them to go against the law.

There is so much to learn from the experience of visiting the kids in Kalunasan. One important thing is that we should value our family. They got there because they did not have much support from their families. When they had problems, they had nobody to confide with, nobody to talk to.

We all come to a point in our lives when we think that the world is against us. We are fortunate that we have our families on our side. To walk with us as we go through the obstacles.
The kids need our support in any way we can.

Butt EXPOSURE!!! SRP becoming a nudist paradise.

2004-11-20T23:17:00.001+08:00

At the South Reclamation Project one sunny day, we came upon a group of "basureros" frolicking on the beachfront. I presumed they came from the Inayawan Landfill as they had their garbage truck empty of its usual contents. I was right, they just came from work. It was nice seeing them enjoying the beach picnic. SRP was the best place, perfect setting.

I always bring a camera with me. Anything I see will surely get to be photographed, the "basureros" were no exception to the shutterbug on the loose. I got out instantly from the car then took a few pictures! One willingly & happily exposed his fat ass! Good I was far away, seeing it up close would be a stupid idea. Not a sight to behold.

There really was a merman in the shallow waters that day. Hahaha!

PRINCE CHARMING!!!

2004-11-19T23:12:00.001+08:00

Extraordinary thing happened to me in class, something I never expected to happen in my entire life. I thought I'd have more bad luck to experience since I had plenty this morning. This is no good luck actually but just a funny thing that I thought made my day.

Well I was simply elected class Prince Charming. Wwwwhhhhaaaaat!!!??? Better the class mascot! Am I really a charming one or deserving of the title? I have yet to find that out myself. I'm sure the class had no other choice. Hehehe! Or there could be no other person who is daring enough.

Not something worth bragging about. I couldn't believe after all these years, people have actually noticed me. Hahaha!

Just see for yourself if you find me charming enough for your taste.