An Ode to Cebu City

Cebu City, the home for me
My province my City my Home
Though imperfections abound in every sight
And corruption holding your upward flight
I still choose you over any other city

Coz, its in you I feel proud to be within

It is where I was born
Nurtured and gain insights about the world
Educated, gained friends and feel love
Nothing is more precious
Is anywhere than in Cebu

From Magellan's cross
To the Basilica and the other churches
Of Spanish times and historic past

To the recently modern
Malls, Parks, highways and bridges
Of todays mighty buildings

You shine in the night
Maybe not the brightest of all cities I've seen
But you shine differently in my eyes
Especially here in my heart

Another Place to Discover! Soon...08/27-30/2011

Happy 4th Birthday Lance!

My nephew turned 4!
Time really flies.

He now has a personality, at four he knows what he wants and what he doesnt want. He knows how to navigate the internet for his games and youtube videos that he likes.

Just this school year he had been enrolled in kindergarten.

As always, I always wish for your health, and well being Lance.
Be a good kid and grow up to be a good person.

Our family is always at your side to guide you in every way.

Doubts

I am doubting my skills again. 

Can I do this? Last week I felt like Im on the right way, but now? Im totally lost.

An alarm is now slowly awakening inside me. Im starting to get scared.

I have many things I want to try and accomplish, but my mind is not cooperating. Lately I feel weak and just want to sleep. Not that I dont get enough sleep at night, I do, but I still get sleepy in the morning specially right after lunch. 

I have lots of ideas I want to try, new technologies and tools I want to learn. The problem is Im not driven to excel. That's the problem.

And I don't have a solution yet. 

Hoping that this is just a temporary lull and will fade away soon.

The Feeling is Universal

I don't want to tell my disappointing story about immigration!

Now let me share about Singapore.

Singapore! I arrived at midnight and while travelling all I can say is "wow" this and "wow" that! That is how much I appreciate its beauty while Im inside the taxi. I was blown away by how clean and modern it is. Not that I dont have an idea, but seeing it right through my own two eyes is just surreal.

I love cities. The urban jungle as they say. I was born and raised in a city so Im no stranger to the city life. Years ago I saw this documentary about what they called Mega-cities. Cities with millions and millions of people in them. Surprise! Manila is one of them. That was also one of the reasons why I pushed through with my plan to work in Manila, to experience how to live in a crowded, urban jungle, a mega-city! Singapore is one of these mega-cities too! I had plans to be there but I was having these other plans but I digress.

Singapore is far-far away compared to Manila, and I don't mean the distance! I meant the progress! Manila (and the Philippines in general) is this tax burdened place with poor service and inefficient government with corrupt politicians in the mix. Singapore looks flawless in my eyes (I dont know its internal politics) but as someone new, I know that they are progressive and is continuing to do so.

Their transportation is very efficient and clean. One card for all payments. Their MRT is very clean and safe and also very cold. Their buses are clean and stops only at designated bus stops. Taxi drivers are polite and issues receipts. Did I mention that everywhere is clean?

My Singapore stay is too short to be conclusive that it is perfect, but for me Singapore is everything I dreamt of as a perfect city. Should be back. Soon. Hopefully.

Universal Studios Singapore.

My inner child surfaced! Thanks to the newly weds they treated me to USS. It's quite expensive but I got it for free! Life is wonderful!

There are many rides and attractions but I will never forget the Battlestar Galactica, Human and Cylon roller coaster rides! They were just breath taking! It's a must to ride them. After riding the Cylon coaster I just felt off. My head spins and I felt like fainting - and I was so pale they were alarmed. After sipping hot noodle soup and changing my sweat drenched shirt, my color re-appeared. And all was well.

Waterworld, Jurassic park's rapids ride, Shrek's Castle 4D show and other fun adventures and sights filled my day and my senses.

One of THE BEST Days of my life.

The Feeling is Universal

I don't want to tell my disappointing story about immigration!

But first let me share about Singapore.

Singapore! I arrived at midnight and while travelling all I can say is "wow" this and "wow" that! That is how much I appreciate its beauty while Im inside the taxi. I was blown away by how clean and modern it is. Not that I dont have an idea, but seeing it right through my own two eyes is just surreal.

I love cities. The urban jungle as they say. I was born and raised in a city so Im no stranger to the city life. Years ago I saw this documentary about what they called Mega-cities. Cities with millions and millions of people in them. Surprise! Manila is one of them. That was also one of the reasons why I pushed through with my plan to work in Manila, to experience how to live in a crowded, urban jungle, a mega-city! Singapore is one of these mega-cities too! I had plans to be there but I was having these other plans but I digress.

Singapore is far-far away compared to Manila, and I don't mean the distance! I meant the progress! Manila (and the Philippines in general) is this tax burdened place with poor service and inefficient government with corrupt politicians in the mix. Singapore looks flawless in my eyes (I dont know its internal politics) but as someone new, I know that they are progressive and is continuing to do so.

Their transportation is very efficient and clean. One card for all payments. Their MRT is very clean and safe and also very cold. Their buses are clean and stops only at designated bus stops. Taxi drivers are polite and issues receipts.

My Singapore stay is too short to be conclusive that it is perfect, but for me Singapore is everything I dreamt of as a perfect city. Should be back. Soon. Hopefully.

Universal Studios Singapore.

My inner child surfaced! Thanks to the newly weds they treated me to USS. It's quite expensive but I got it for free! Life is wonderful!

There are many rides and attractions but I will never forget the Battlestar Galactica, Human and Cylon roller coaster rides! They were just breath taking! It's a must to ride them. After riding the Cylon coaster I just felt off. My head spins and I felt like fainting - and I was so pale they were alarmed. After sipping hot noodle soup and changing my sweat drenched shirt, my color re-appeared. And all was well.

Waterworld, Jurassic park's rapids ride, Shrek's Castle 4D show and other fun adventures and sights filled my day and my senses.

One of THE BEST Days of my life.

My Best-friend's Wedding

Another one down! In a good way.

Marriage they say is one of the things people who are in love enter and never get out of (supposedly) until they die. In a world of billions, finding the ONE by yourself is kind a hard if you really think about it. That person you will stick like glue for the rest of your mortal life. The person you will look at every waking day, be at each other's side for richer for poorer, in sickness and in health, 'till death do you part. Such a big promise to make. (I know divorce, annulment exists but I am looking at the best case scenario).

So I am very happy when I hear my friends are getting married for the right reasons, not because they already have children or is pregnant or got someone pregnant (I am not saying having children before marriage is NOT a good reason to marry). We are now in a certain age (late twenties) where our society expects us to either have children or married or blessedly single and not just singly alone.

It makes me believe that love is still alive. Love is still a choice someone made and not forced by someone else. That love, no matter the past mistakes and the hurts conquers all. That love is truly what the bible say it is.

So I say kudos to my best-friend that she found her THE ONE and say my congratulations to the both of them! May they live happily forever ever after.

To You Back When

Would we be still together
If I just gave you everything?
The time, the feelings
That your heart yearns

Could we still be humming love songs
In each other arms right now
If I just gave you my all
My whole affection somehow

The truth is, if you did not felt it
You failed
For I have given my everything
To you back when

The laughter shared is still fresh
Time makes it rusty and old
Even if there's newer laughs
I still keep yours here

The sun we shared in our days
The rain we showered
The wind we tasted
All witness to the truth 

So, ask this, did you remember
How it used to be
Did you felt the warmth
The burning passion from me?

Coz if you dont
Then you've failed
Because, I have given
My everyhthing to you back when

A Child Once More

Seeing 3 Idiots inspired me. Even with its song and dance numbers, and sometimes obvious and unrealistic plots, the core story is really great! I teared and laughed, and was very touched emotionally. A movie about friendship, life struggles, your place in this world, romance - comedy and drama rolled into more than 2 hours of epic (mis)adventures. All is well, if you follow your passion and not live in fear.

-- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- --

I live life full of dreams
When I was little
A child of wonders and no fear

The world then was a simple place
In my mother's arms I'm secure
No monsters can scare me anymore

I own the world, I have my place
In my home, Im loved
What's more to ask for?

Yet time goes by and I grew up
Innocence is lost
My heart is but not pure

Time is a trickster
When we're young we wanted to grow old
But then when we mature
We look back, the way we were
And wished we could have a little more

Now that Im a grown man
I remember that child
Can't help but smile
To see that little boy had grown

Though not perfect
And not as happy as can be
He knows he can reach the stars
If he wants it to be

From time to time
I live in that child's world
For I kept the child within
Deep in my heart, deep in my soul
I'm a child once more

Videoke Afternoon

Amongst the five of us, Mike is the only one whose got a decent voice to showcase, but as they say majority wins!

Mike "roel santiago" the cheetah-balladeer. He also got the "cheetah" moves, thus the moniker. Videoke plus a little bit of macho dancing is somewhat interesting.

Madz is the new Charice. Released the new single "Tiramid" with high critical acclaim from various peers.

Amabelle "the songstress". Songs are free to admit that they are stressed and worn out, this includes but not limited to "the man who cant be moved", "still loving you", etc.

And lastly but certainly not the least...

Vella the "endangered songbird". You cant blame anyone who tries to hunt them to extinction because of such amazing powers to alter notes. Good that Vella says she "doesnt want to sing".

Until then!