The Entrepreneur

OCTOBER 23, 2008

I received an email from WAYN regarding Global Entrepreneurship Week. In response to this letter, I wrote an article about Entrepreneurship in my own views.

Money, Fame, Freedom and Power – 4 major aspirations of every breathing individual in this planet. Are you one of them? If we you will be honest and true to yourself, then the answer would simply be YES.

Who wouldn’t want money anyway? In fact money alone can give you freedom, fame and power. These needs and wants are traces and manifestations of entrepreneurial spirit in us. The drive to make it happen is a clear instinct of an Entrepreneur. The definition per se may vary but I am digging deeper into the essence of the word.

Class Struggle

The dream of every man to have money, fame, freedom and power in his possession gave birth to a society divided by class struggles. Prior to this, we were living in a classless society with equal opportunity to all resources around us. But man is a born warrior and so his whims and caprices brought him to pedestal, wars & chaos and the rest is history.

The era of classifying people by what he is through what is in his mind and in his pocket opened us to the world of governance and economy. Every people have been classified as worker, farmer, businessman, artist, politician and so on. The name is vast and broad but one thing is definite, in every man’s heart dwells the aspirations for Money, Fame, Freedom and Power. Politics has been a swift way to achieve these dream. Politicians have easy access to many businesses, news and justice.

The Birth of the Entrepreneurs

For a common man who has the same dream but has no chance to walk in the arena of governance and politics made his way to the business world. They started out as simple merchants in early times and now tagged a new name; “The Entrepreneur “

We are all entrepreneur. Each and everyone of us has been an entrepreneur in our own odd ways. The drive to have that money land in our hand and to have a decent living is entrepreneurial. When a common factory worker allocates a little amount of money and capitalizes it to sell something so he can extend his budget is doing an entrepreneurial stuff thus making him an entrepreneur.

Classifications of Entrepreneurs

Entrepreneurs can be classified as small time, big time, successful, risk taker or even a loser.

Of course this is how we handle our entrepreneurial skill. Business is a vast world of competition and only the mighty and the wise will reign. This arena has put many entrepreneurs in fame, freedom and power. Some even made it bigger than the government itself. They are the fulfilled and powerful entrepreneurs and we start to call them as Businessman to give distinction from the rest.

Do you have what it takes to be an entrepreneur?

Yes. As I said earlier, we are all entrepreneur. But we are differed by our drives and performance. Put out 100 dollar from your pocket and buy a pack of onion. Repack it into 5 packs and start selling it at $25 per pack, at the end of the day, you are $25 dollar richer than when you are starting. Duplicate this process everyday, add some lists, targets or buy a cart as your first asset and Bingo! You are now a certified entrepreneur. The key to be a successful entrepreneur is simple. Be consistent and innovative. These two powerful characters have lead many people to success.

Okay, now you know that you have what it takes to be an entrepreneur, so what’s your plan now?

Of course you don’t have to rush to the department of trade to register your business. What will you do? For a positive start, go to a high location, maybe a second floor of a building, a field or any place where you could see the ground and the buildings around you. Look down, smile, stand firm and tell yourself: “Yes I have the Potential!” No, I’m not kidding, this is developing self confidence. You have to arm yourself with confidence so you will have the drive and strength to go beyond.

When you think you are ready to start, define what’s on your mind.

What do you want to do?

What do you want to sell?

What do you want to share?

Of course business and entrepreneurship is not all product selling. Look at yourself.

What are your skills?

Your strengths?

Your talents?

You can offer these as services without monetary capitalization. Yes, we can always be entrepreneurs minus the financial capital. I am writing and earning decent money from thinking and writing and sharing these secrets to you. I may not be a powerful entrepreneur but I have the freedom to work and earn in my pajamas.

My objective in writing this article is to waken your entrepreneurial being which maybe drowning from a lot of frustrations and disappointments.

Com’on, you’re an entrepreneur man! Go find the right product and services for you and start earning. There simply no boundary for the word called: Success.

That’s all for now readers, I hope my writing has awaken your entrepreneurial spirit 🙂

For further info about Global Entrepreneurship Week click here or google it 🙂

Til my next post! Kita-kits! 🙂

Blogging, PageRank and PageViews

OCTOBER 22, 2008

This is my second month here at WordPress.

Before i moved my blog from blogspot, I have fear if I will gain readership here. I’ve stayed with yahoo and google services for many years and I never really engage myself from blogging. But in my short stay here, the response of my readers is amazing. I only plan to write at least one post per week but the active participation of my readers urge me to write more. I even find myself scooping events, taking pics and videos so I can cope up with friends and reader’s request. Private inquiries find its way to my inbox and most of all, writing jobs flourished and filled my idle time. When I finished installing google toolbar yesterday, I was even more surprised seeing a google rank of 1 considering that the birth of my blog has just arrived in a short period of time. I also have seen many sites linked to me. And for this, I want to give my sincere thanks and appreciation to my regular readers and friends who added me in their contact list and included me in their bloghopping schedules. These are the faces you often see in my widgets in my sidebar and some who requested for a link, I put their link in my side bar as well.

These developments taught me how to love my blog and find ways on how to improve my page views.

Years ago, I put my mind in learning many programs so I can start a homebase business. I learned all the programs needed to create company and student identification cards, business cards, tarpaulin, stickers and many printing related projects. I also learned installing biometric and school management system to some of my client who required me to setup and install those services.

I learned the basics of adobe dreamweaver and flash and started designing static webpages for my clients as early as 2002. At first, I set my mind in developing my skills in web development but the fact that I’m a mommy working homebase, I can’t deal with the huge demand of my service. I can’t cope up since I don’t have employees to work with me. It’s been my dream to put up and establish an IT company but the struggle for capitalization is always there. I can’t resort to financial sharks here since I know I’ll just end up drowning with debts.

But blogging find its ways to my blood. Another source of income have flowed in our hands and I am very thankful to God that in the midst of our crisis, He bestowed a fine blessings to us.

I always want to share these good things to you readers so join with me as I discover ways on how to improve our blogging activities. We’re all in this together and I want you to know some of the things I did to improve our blogging skill.

I created some KeyPoints for you:

1. Improve the look of your site. Make it relevant to your content. Since I am from the Philippines, I used a picture of our park, The Luisita Park in my header to conform with my title, “A Glimpse to the Pearl”. I’ve chosen this title because I want other people from other countries to have a glimpse  to a Filipino way of life, not only the bad side of politics but the good heart of its citizen as a whole and the abundance that  Mother Nature bestowed on us.

2. Stick to your theme. If your content is about making money, or computers, be sure that you can sustain it so reader wont get bored and will find your topics exciting and informative so reading your site will be worth of their time. Since I am not geared to a particular topic, I am trying to discuss diversified issues on governance and social issues, parenting, online earning, current events and IT related topics. I want this blog to be a magazine type not just confined in fashion and politics.

3. Try to share some useful informations. If you really want to monetize from your site, don’t make your blog just a place where you can shout your ravings and rantings. Remember, your readers have enough of their own. Of course we have the freedom to express it here but don’t do it everyday 🙂 Sharing what you learn and how you earn will be an interesting topic as it will help other newbie bloggers who are just starting their way.

4. Give a prompt response to inquiries. Give your readers a feel of your personal touch. They are happy when you personally response to their query. That will leave a mark on their mind, not just a bookmark on their toolbar.

5. Watch your statistic. Observe your trend, when is the time that your site is at its peak or when  is the time that you have few visitors. I usually look at the keyword which my readers used to find my page. If I don’t have the topic, I’ll try to create one like when I wrote a post about Mount Pinatubo. Since  one of my tag is Tarlac, searchers for Mt. Pinatubo Tarlac always lands in my page so i decided to write about it and it become one of my top post. (POST UPDATE AS OF AUGUST 14, 2012: NOT ONLY A TOP POST BUT WE ARE NOW RANKED AS ONE OF THE MOST TRUSTED TRIP ORGANIZER ARRANGING MOUNT PINATUBO CLIMB 😉 AND THIS IS JUST BECAUSE OF THAT POST)

6. Try to add some widgets to know your visitors. I joined MyBlogLog, a yahoo service which also track your visitors. It’s a cool service which gives you the opportunity to add contacts and join communities. I also joined Blogcatalog and Technorati which also offer the same service. When you avail their service, you will have the chance to monitor your visitors and readers and you will have the opportunity to communicate with them. Joining Blog directories will be a great help to increase your traffic.

7. Give some love. Visit their blogs too. Remember, it must be a mutual relationship not a one way mirror. My community member is my priority. I am doing a regular round of visit to their blogs, when I started doing this, I noticed that they are doing the same. My contact is my second priority, when I still have time, I will also visit the blogs of my contacts who are also active and visiting my blog, I am doing this at least 2 to 3 times a week.

8. Acknowledge your new visitor. When I see a new face in my widget, I usually visit their blog, say a thank you note and ask them if you could add them. That would open a way for another blogger friend.

9. Don’t flood yourself with so many ads and buttons especially pop ups. Sometimes this scare our visitors away. Try to limit those and just use the ones which is useful to you. I am creating a page intended for links so I can really have a place  where I can post the links to my accounts and communities. It’s still under construction but I noticed that my visitors are clicking on that page. I realized that readers are also interested with your links and what is your favorite site. So it’s really a good place for your affiliate market.

10. Make posting a daily habit. Of course it’s a constant change, readers want to read new post everyday. Let’s try to make at least 2 to 3 posts a week.

11. Advertise your skill. Yes! why would you just let other advertiser monetize from your site? Add your own advertisement too! I have new clients when I posted my ads and services. I included the link to the fun quizzes and Odesk. This pave way to other writing offers. Employers are hiring me directly thru my blog. oDesk even sent me an oDesk T-shirt and featured my blog in their September newsletter.

12. Watch your targets and turn around time. Beat the deadlines. Well, it’s one of the trade offs lol! 🙂 Earning your dollar is not easy. We really have to make an effort if we really want to earn more. But the fun is still there since I am doing it in my pajamas or I may say underwear haha! 🙂

That’s all for now guys, I hope you learn something here. Till next post. Paalam! hanggang sa Muli! 🙂

{paalam: goodbye} {hanggang sa muli: Til next post}

File Back-ups and Bookmarks

This is related to my previous post about Hackers and Virus attacks

Because I had encountered a problem with my PC, I am still in a start up stage. Meaning, installing programs, toolbars, utilities, categorizing my recovered files, backing up, creating restore point, etc… and everything I need to work comfortably.

I can’t remember when was the last time I formatted my PC because of a virus problem. My files had been intact for almost 10 years until that horrible experience. Yes, I upgraded my PC and even bought a new one but then, its not big deal since I have my files in my back up drive and all I need for installation; drivers, programs and utilities are all intact. I even have a complete list of links of important websites that I need in case I need support. Although, its really hard to start again because I have deadlines to cope up with, I am taking this time to share with you what I had learned from this experience.

Back up your Files

As I mentioned in my last post regarding hacker and virus attacks, backing up your files is very important. Yes, I also have a back-up drive for my files but what I learned now is that it’s not enough. Why? Backing up your file in USB drive or extra hard disk is not safe. Since it’s a rewritable storage device, it can be infected with a virus, worst, files can be deleted or modified.

Now I do recommend to back-up your file by burning them in a high quality CD and make at least 2 copies. One for safekeeping, meaning you can keep it in a safe cabinet in case you lost the duplicate that you’re using from time to time. The files that are ideals for CD burn are important videos especially those family gatherings and special events, Audio files, Pictures, Programs, Utilities, drivers and downloaded programs, games etc… For a designer like me, you also have to back up your designs, formats, forms, logos and other important things that you need in your daily activity as a designer. I

Protect your passwords

Important links, bookmarks and passwords are also important. You must have a back up copy of these because if you have many accounts, there is a tendency that you may forget those. But be sure to keep it in a very safe place or maybe encrypt it. What I did is that I created my own alphabet and numbers only known to me and my hub and I am using it when writing confidential files and passwords. You can do it by learning a Fontography program so you can upload your secret files and password without any fear that somebody might steal it. I included a search link for you for easy start.

Bookmarks are also important

I have a document file of very important links that I need and categorized it according to their use. Say, IT  Links, when I need to look for IT resources, Money online Links for earning purpose, Social Networking Links, Blog Links, Download Links for games, programs, patches, drivers and utilities etc.. you can also burn it in a CD and save it in yahoo bookmark, delicious, google bookmarks etc.. There are many websites offering a bookmarking service. Just google it to find what is suits you best or you may  click here for Top 30 Bookmarking sites.

File Sharing

Files can also be save in the internet in case you don’t have the necessary space. In fact you can also share your documents, files, photos and pictures. There are many Photo sharing sites for your pictures. Picasa, Flicker and Photo Bucket are just one of the many websites offering this service. WordPress is giving you 3gig photo space, one of the reason why I moved my blog here.

Of course, videos can be saved anywhere, and mine are placed in YouTube. I am also a google fanatic and I am using most of their services, Gmail, You Tube, Reader, Blogger, Orkut, etc..  I am using Google document for my word and spreadsheet files. It’s very important especially when you’re working online. Since I am writing articles and fun quizzes for some websites, the documents are shared between me and my collaborators like my employer, their managers and editors who will check the document before I submit it. Your word and spreadsheet documents can be uploaded to google document and you can share it to anybody without having to send it as attachment. If you have a gmail acount, you can use that for all google services. To see all google services, click here…

That’s all for now folks, I hope this discussion will help you somehow. Just ping me for your questions. See you in my next post 🙂

Health and Wealth Summit 2008

FREE FOR 737 PEOPLE

This was e-mailed to me by my contacts and I think its worth sharing.

>>>It’s not always that we bring in successful Filipinos abroad to speak on stage to share their success story in Manila. After a couple of meetings and exploratory talks, we finally convinced ourselves that “this is it”–this is one opportunity where they can teach us what they’ve learned over decades of struggles and achievements.

Health and Wealth Summit intends to gather businessmen, entrepreneurs, corporate executives, managers, supervisors, community and church leaders, and students in a four-hour seminar conducted by Dr. and Mrs. Cris Enriquez, an epitome of a Filipino Dream in America.

In four hours, we expect you to learn how to become wealthy and healthy in our very own country. We’d like to see you growing by listening and understanding some principles that our speakers will embark once they go on stage, live!

We simply want you to learn from them as they speak in-person. We want you to gain significant information on how good health and enduring wealth are built.

In his own words, Dr. Cris said, “Filipinos are rich. They don’t have to go abroad to make a abundant, quality life. They just have to adjust their level of thinking.”

Dr. Cris is recognized as the only medical doctor in the world practicing in four fields of medicine simultaneously. He’s the author of “The Healthy Life” published in the United States. His wife is as equally successful and active as he is in teaching and providing trainings in corporate America.

As we prepare this event, there have been a mix of emotions among us. We are excited and afraid at the same time. We’re excited because here comes another opportunity for us to help a person like you and afraid because you may deny this invitation because of time constraint among other excuses.

But we trust that you will enthusiastically join us this time. Remember that we’re staging this for FREE. And we’re doing all these because we wanted to provide you with another learning venue where you can bring in your family, fellow workers, and friends.

But we can only accommodate 737 people. So, we strongly advise you to confirm your attendance as soon as you receive this invitation by calling the following number:

Tel/ 729.9541; 482.6927 or Mobile/ 09276603920 and look for me (Aila).

If you want to sponsor this event, you can contact us.

You can also send an email to eventsengineer@gmail.com with Subject Line: Health and Wealth Summit 2008 and give us the following details of participants that you’re sending:

Name:
Email:
Mobile:
Company Name:
Designation:
Tel/Fax:

Alternatively, you can download a registration form by clicking this link and fax it to 729.9541.

Online Registration

Creating event inside a big event,Aila Comla-Tibayan
Event Engineer
Health and Wealth Summit 2008

PS. It is important that you will keep your commitment to this event as your seat is as valuable as one life deprived of an opportunity to learn when you confirm and fail to attend.

So my dear readers, if you are interested to attend in this event, make your reservations ASAP as seats are just limited. I can’t attend this because of my tight schedule but, I’m usually present in this gatherings. I was there when EBAY held its first gathering in 2006 at Shangri la Makati and it’s also free 🙂 I had many freebies from that event.

I also attended a 2 days advance IT training at UP Diliman sponsored by Japanese chambers of Commerce and UPITTC and it’s also FREE. Training kits and goodness, the food, we’re all full 🙂

These are just one of the free events and gatherings I attended, of course the fare is yours:) But it’s really worth it as it enhances your knowledge and you will also have the opportunity to meet new contacts.

So if your interested, just contact them at the contact info they provided above 🙂

Hacker, Viruses and other Threats

I had a serious problem with my computer this week. Somebody is trying to hack my account.

I am an IT literate, I am teaching and holding IT seminars for school and even private tutorials but these are all basics. I’ve been in IT world for almost a decade now but this week was the worst experience I ever had.

Whenever I had virus threats, spyware, adware or worms and my anti-virus failed to resolve these issues, I simply format my PC and setup my hard disk drive and its done! I can start working again. But last Tuesday, Oct. 14, when I opened my PC, I noticed that something is wrong during the start up process as it’s very slow than usual. I thought it was just a registry issue, so I run my registry cleaner to fix it but it failed.

Let me give you an idea about your PC and what PC registry is…

Your PC has many parts, input & output devices (monitor, keyboard & mouse), processor, motherboard, plug-in devices, storage devices and accessories. These are hardware.

Hardware – Physical Parts of the Computer

Software are the programs which control and manages your computers operation and it has 2 types;

1. The Operating System (OS) which is either XP, Vista or linux. This OS controls and manages the operation of your hardware and application programs.

2. The Application Programs. These are office programs such as MS word, excel, powerpoint, drawing etc… in which you create and perform your tasks.

These programs are stored in a storage device.

Storage devices comes in different forms, the hard disk drive, CD-rom and USB drives. So when you install these programs in your PC, it is saved in the hard disk drive (HDD).

Once these data is saved, we call it FILES. There are 2 file types; the system files and the user files.

User files are those files which you created yourself. These maybe document files for your blog posts, research, letters or maybe drawing files you created in adobe photoshop, videos, and other files you created and saved in the My Document folder which you arranged according to different category. You can modify it or delete it anytime you wish. Deleted user files are thrown in the recycle bin and can still be restored as long as you never click ’empty recycle bin’

On the other hand, Systems files are those files which has something to do with your PC operation. you can find it in drive C, at program files and windows folder. These can’t be modified as this will affect your PC’s performance. Some files and folders are usually hidden by the system itself to prevent newbie users from modifying it.

Programs cannot be modified manually. It has its own updates and it will run and download updates depending on your preferences. When you want to get rid of  a particular program because you want to acquire the space its is occupying, you never delete it manually but remove it using your control panel. Just go to you control panel folder and click add/remove program icon. It will show you all the programs installed in your PC. Just click it and it will be removed.

The programs that we installed in our computers has setting configurations which are stored in your PC Registry.

Programs has registry keys which controls the operation of your PC. Everytime you change your profile setting or change PC configurations, it is always saved at the PC registry. Have you experience installing a program but failed? or uninstall a program but unsuccessful as well? these unsuccessful installations left marks and traces in your registry file. Even when you removed virus and adwares, it also left its marks and trace in your registry. Over the years, especially when you failed or never defragment your PC and you continue to install and uninstall programs, the invalid registry keys and outdated files in your registry increases and these will flood the system causing it to slow down.

But don’t worry, these issues are usually resolved by using a registry cleaner. You can avail of a free online registry scan at reliable websites like Microsoft or you can google and read reviews of the best online registry scanner and cleaning software.

Knowing this, I fixed my PC using registry cleaner but this doesn’t resolve the problem…

In fact, as the day is progressing, my PC is becoming more and more sluggish and windows are popping and programs are automatically opening and closing. Dialog boxes are opening too and flooding my desktop.

I am running after my deadline so it really bothers me and I really need to fix it immediately or else, I’ll lost my clients and employers! Since my anti virus and registry cleaner does not fix the issue, I tried online full scan in at least 3 reliable sites, Microsoft, Kaspersky and Panda. But these process failed as well.

Now my last option is to format my hard disk. I checked and save all my files in my back up drive and detached it. Back up drives are also called slave disk. When you check your Bios setup, it will show your hdd as master and the rest as slave or secondary slaves.  Back up drives that are attached to your pc can be seen  once you click ‘my computer’ icon. It will appear as another drive; drive C for your existing drive (another drive if your hdd has a partition), drive D, drive E, drive F for your cdrom and so on…

What I did was I removed all the attached slave disk and started formatting and setup. After setup, I expect or anyone would expect that the virus is gone, well its the normal outcome at least. But in my case it’s not. I just used my PC for 2 hours but when I connect to the internet, the same thing  happen.  My start button was opening automatically and a lot of dialog box is appearing. I don’t know what’s the cause so I downloaded YM to ask for friends’ advice.

These friends are telling me the same assessment. Virus cannot stand formatting. No adware and spyware will survive formatting. To be sure, I reformat again and I did it 4 times! But to no avail, I have the same result. The thought of an external threat flashed my mind. My friends agreed with my assessment. ‘Maybe somebody is trying to hack you’ they told me. ‘It maybe possible because you are working and earning online, maybe that hacker want to steal your password to have access on your accounts’

Those thoughts made me check my accounts; paypal, odesk, emails etc… But it’s still safe for now at least. I went to my relative’s PC and changed all my passwords using their computers. If somebody is hacking me, using another IP address to change my passwords will be the best thing to do so he can’t track any changes. I spent 2 days researching and reading reviews for reliable firewall programs and latest virus threats. I purchased a new reliable anti virus for security measure and firewalled my PC. .

But the next horrifying event shocked me…

When I attached my back up drive to check my files, I almost fell in my chair… My files were all gone! My back up drive is empty. Free! My 50 gig files were nowhere to be found! I thought I’d die at that moment. The articles which are due the following day, My clients designs, web designs, ID pictures, ID designs…. 10 years files… All of the pics, family gatherings, videos of different events, my serials, installers…My daughter was so worried as she has so many files and researched reports in that drive. Those are all gone in a blink! I can’t believe it. Those were very important. It’s where I am earning a living.

But I don’t believe I lost those files in an instant. Formatting even takes hours to erase all its contents. How can a 50 gig files be erased in a blink?

I spent the whole day researching for file recovery. And with the help from reliable friends, especially to Mike, thank you Sparkman, you really rock! I was able to recover 80% of my files. Yes, 80%. Well that’s fine for me, documents, designs, images and videos are my priority. Recovery programs has options only for document, images, zip files and videos. so I was not able to recover my installers, but  l was able to recover my serials so at least, I can still download it online.

Whew! That was a great lesson!

I felt 5 years has been added to my age. I was so tired but relieved. And to you, whoever you are who’s trying to hack me, sorry to disappoint you but YOU FAILED..

Yes, you may have succeeded to interrupt my activity but I am thankful, you know why, this made me more wiser and cautious. You taught me to learn more. Thanks, I learned a lot this week.

The lesson here is that we must be very cautious and protect our files. I started to burn my files in high quality CDs in duplicates and keep it in different categories. This way, I wont worry if the same thing happened again.

And the great thing is:

I learned that when you empty your recycle bin, or if you accidentally delete files in your flash or USB, drives, you can still recover it.

Now, I recovered the MP3s and videos from my old USB drive which was accidentally deleted by  a client when he borrowed my USB drive 🙂 Thank you Hacker. This new knowledge is fun and worth the mess you caused me 🙂

So my dear readers, protect your files before the same thing happen to you. This is a very long post indeed but I had to write it down so I can warn you and at least give you an idea of what to do in case the same thing happen to you. Just ping me if you need some particular name of the programs I used as I dont want to display it here coz it would look like an advertisement.

Thanks for reading my novel 🙂

Girl Scout of the Philippines

Coping up with my posts, I’ll be sharing with you one of my daughter’s activity last September 30. It’s a delayed post but I have many article rewrites and paid blogging work lately so I kinda neglected my blog. Sorry guys, I need to prioritize my earnings since 70% of our income comes from online work and 30% comes from my field work and homebase biz. I have 4 kids to feed and 1 niece to send to school that made 5 kids to grow. We’re a big family indeed and we really have to work overtime to cope up with our daily expenses.

I am always active and supportive to my kid’s activities and one of this is GSP activity. GSP means Girl Scout of the Philippines. Last September 30, 2008 Tarlac South District Elementary schools from different  barangays of Tarlac South celebrated Escoda Day. Sapang Tagalog Elementary hosted the event.

GSP Theme

It started at 6am so my kids woke up early to prepare. It was a whole day activity which includes formation, Marching, Yelling competition and parlor games. The activity ended at 3pm and San Miguel Elementary school was the overall champion in Yelling Completion.

Hub took this picture before they go to the Formation area. He said the morning was so pleasant and he can’t help but take this picture.

I also made a research about the brief history of GSP to give you a clear idea why they are celebrating Escoda day. What or who is Escoda anyway?

Research from Wikipedia.com

The Girl Scouts of the Philippines (GSP) is the national Guiding association for girls and young women of the Philippines. Its mission is “to help girls and young women realize the ideals of womanhood and prepare themselves for their responsibilities in the home, and to the nation, and the world community. The girls-only association serves 671,267 members (as of 2003).

Lone Girl Scout troops were organized in the Philippines as early as 1918 by American missionaries and servicemen. These Scout troops were directly registered with the Girl Scouts of the USA.

Pilar Hidalgo-Lim and Josefa Llanes Escoda spearheaded the organization of a Scout movement for girls, and requested the assistance of the Boy Scouts of the Philippines (BSP). In 1939, Mrs. Escoda was sent to the United States and Britain for training through the help of Joseph E. Stevenot of the BSP. Upon her return to the Philippines, she immediately started to set up the GSP with the help of other civic organizations.

On May 26, 1940, the GSP was chartered under Philippine Commonwealth Act No. 542.

In 1946, the GSP was accepted as a tenderfoot member of the World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts (WAGGGS) during the 11th World Conference held at Evian, France. In 1948, the GSP became a full member of WAGGGS during the 12th World Conference held at Cooperstown, New York.

Since 1995 the organization lost nearly half of its members; the membership number shrunk from 1,275,113 in 1995 to 671,267 in 2003. In reaction to this, the BSP opened the Senior Scout Section for girls in summer 2006 which led to a public conflict about the focuses of both GSP and BSP.

Program

The GSP’s program focuses on “well-being, family life, heritage and citizenship, world community, preparedness, economic self-sufficiency, arts and environment. Center of the program is the “eight-point challenge”, a merit-badge program. The highest award is the “Chief Girl Scout Medal” which was introduced in 1976.

The Girl Scout emblem incorporates elements of the flag of the Philippines.

Sections

The association is divided in five sections according to age:

* Twinkler Scout – ages 4 to 6

* Star Scout – ages 6 to 9

* Junior Girl Scout – ages 9 to 12

* Senior Girl Scout – ages 12 to 15

* Cadet Girl Scout – ages 15 to 21

Scout Promise

Filipino:

Sa aking karangalan, gagampanan ko ang aking tungkulin

sa Diyos at sa aking bayan;

tutulong ako sa aking kapwa sa lahat ng pagkakataon

at isasabuhay ko ang Batas ng Girl Scout.

English:

On my honor, I will do my duty:

to God and my country;

to help other people at all times;

and to live by the Girl Scout Law.

Scout Law

1. Ang Girl Scout ay mapagkakatiwalaan (A Girl Scout’s honour is to be trusted)

2. Ang Girl Scout ay matapat (A Girl Scout is loyal)

3. Ang Girl Scout ay matulungin (A Girl Scout is helpful)

4. Ang Girl Scout ay kaibigan ng lahat at kapatid ng bawa’t Girl Scout (A Girl Scout is a friend to all and a sister to every other Girl Scout)

5. Ang Girl Scout ay mapitagan (A Girl Scout is courteous)

6. Ang Girl Scout ay magalang sa lahat na may buhay (A Girl Scout respects living things)

7. Ang Girl Scout ay disiplinado (A Girl Scout is disciplined)

8. Ang Girl Scout ay may sariling paninindigan (A Girl Scout is self-reliant)

9. Ang Girl Scout ay matipid (A Girl Scout is thrifty)

10. Ang Girl Scout ay malinis sa isip, sa salita at sa gawa (A Girl Scout is clean in thoughts, words and deeds)

Sapang Tagalog Elementary School Stage

Girl Scout Formation – Sapang Tagalog Gym

The big GSP Crowd includes the parents as audience

GSP Patrol Leaders holding the GSP Flags

Star Scout Yell presentation – San Miguel Elementary School

My daughter Rajisha is included in this presentation under my Best friend Liza’s sister Madam Susana Tam. They were awarded as Yell Champion

My daughter Rajisha and her friends – She’s in grade 4

My daughter Sabrina: they are reciting Girl Scout Law

My daughter Sabrina – She’s in 5th Grade

My daughter Sab and her friends. They also won the Yell Competition

Sabrina & Rajisha – My 2 daughters

One positive experience they have experienced transferring to a public school is this GSP activity. They never have a GSP activity when they were studying at Tarlac Montessori School.

Naalala ko tuloy nung bata pa ako, I used to go on camping and jamboree from one place to another, my dad is allowing me to do so but todays generation is different because of many dangers in todays environment so I’m always hesitant to allow them to join camping in far flung areas. My kids, especially my 14 years old daughter Jessica is asking for permission in their forthcoming camping activity outside Tarlac, on November but I said I’ll think about it 🙂

How about you? do you still remember your great experiences during GSP & BSP campings? 🙂

Thoughts on Parenting

Before September ends, we attended a General PTA meeting for my eldest daughter Jessica. It was a whole day affair. The morning activity includes a Parenting seminar hosted by TSU Lab School’s Office of the Students Affairs Guidance and Placement Unit. The speaker of that seminar was Mr.  Raffy Paredes, brother of APO group singer Jim Paredes from CEFAM – Center for Family Ministries – Ateneo De Manila University. The seminar focused primarily on teen’s behavioral changes. I am discussing parenting and even teaching it when I was still active in community organizations but this is different as I am sitting there as an audience and absorbing all the necessary inputs so I can fully understand my daughter’s behavior.

I am a mother of four kids and parenting is one of the hardest work any person can have in his entire life. It takes a lot of patience or I may say sacrifice, dedication, finance, time and of course love. Parenting means growing a person and guiding them to be a responsible member of society. This is the perfect goal for each parent but we all know that during this process, a lot of struggle may sets in. This struggles may lead to worst misunderstanding and most of the time, if not handled with proper attention will end up in a big mess.

Generation Gap. This is one of the culprits of misunderstanding. Parents are having a hard time coping up with their children especially when “technology” sets in. I have my share of unhappy memories as well.

I was born to a disciplinarian family. My dad is an army officer and so he marked a big “D” on my forehead. That big D stands for discipline. Every mistake will earn me a good spanking. I had so many tearful thoughts on that lol! But I never take it against my dad, I love him so much and thankful that he made me for what I am now.

But of course those experiences served as my guidelines. I need to understand that discipline is an important part of parenting. Though, I made some modifications. Being an activist plays an important factor too. Hub and I imposed a regular meeting in the family. We are discussing rules, tasks, targets and output and of course rewards. I don’t want to be a perfect parent but I dream to be the best mom for my kids.

To cope up with my kids, I see to it that I set my foot in the computer world first before they do. I was the one who taught them their first lessons in windows. This will narrow the generation gap as they know that you know what they know.

But this is not enough. There goes the bad moods and peculiar behaviors. Have you experience talking with your teens, and they would just turn to you with puzzled look?

In front of the dining table, we are sharing some funny incidents in a days work and I turned to my daughter. I asked her something about her project and she said “ha?” I repeated the word 3 times and she replied with “ha?” 3 times too. I was irritated because she was just in front of me so I asked her “what’s the matter with you? Have you cleaned your ears lately?” and she replied again with “hah? OMG! You’re possessed or maybe your spirit is traveling to Norway.

Attending this seminar cleared my mind. The speaker said that there is a scientific explanation about these behaviors. He shared to us some facts about it. According to him, study shows that during puberty period, the development of the brain is much slower as the physical aspects are fast developing. These explain why my smart daughter suddenly becomes forgetful and have hearing problems 🙂 But the speaker said we have to be patient because this will just pass.

The seminar lasted for almost 4 hours but it’s worth the time.

The afternoon activity was a PTA officer election and releasing of grades. I am holding my breath before I peep in my daughter’s card. Well, I smiled and hug her because she has good grades and included in top 8 students. Congratulations Baby! Keep it up 🙂

Online Work Updates

OMG! I am more than a week late. It’s October 9 and I never make a single post yet for October.

Sorry guys, this month seems like a marathon for me. I am running after my deadlines. Online writing jobs are coming in and I have to cope up. The inquiry of Colorado based publishing in my author page was added in my daily schedule. Hi Brad! You’re in my first post for October 🙂 I’m glad to be a part of your team and of course I am ready for head bashing lol! I guess I have to start looking for a new helmet 🙂

…and Before I forget….

I would like to thank oDesk team for featuring my blog in their September Newsletter. I am excited for the oDesk T-shirt that you sent me.

To give you an idea about the shirt, I included it in my post. It’s not in my possession yet as oDesk team just sent it the other day. I guess I need to wait for a couple of week before I receive it.

Once again Thank you oDesk Team! You guys really rock! and I am proud to be a part of your growing family 🙂 Two Thumbs Up!!

Zone ABC: We are facing Demolition Issue

Zone A, B and C of Barangay San Miguel, Tarlac City are facing Demolition issue and this is a very crucial matter for us. It means there is a threat that we will lose the very home that we have now and it is very eminent lately. There have been a series of meetings between the Zone association and the NOLCOM – Northern Luzon Command and Nolcom issued a proposed MOA (Memorandum of Agreement) which in my assessment is very unfair on our part.

I met my husband in Tarlac when I was relocated here 18 years ago. I am a daughter of a military, Col. Aureo B. Bustinera, a US WWII veteran. I was raised to embrace home and family and my dad taught me to be righteous and loyal. My husband’s father and 4 brothers served the Armed Forces of the Philippines as well and 2 had died in active duty. This is the reason why my hub’s family is residing here. The lot where our house was built had been awarded to his father more than 50 years ago. This serves a permanent home for my hub’s family for many years. I never had the chance to meet my father-in-law since he was already deceased many years before I meet my husband. We were both military children so we knew the essence of discipline and loyalty to home and family which our dads taught to us. When I married hub, 15 years ago, we embraced the same principle of raising our kids in the light of loyalty and discipline. My kids are growing with leadership yet, very loving and homebody.

When I read the MOA from Nolcom last week, I had a hard time getting a normal sleep. My kid’s future is at stake. There is a threat that one day we shall wake up homeless. It is so unfair. How can the government tolerate this? For more than 50 years, people are living here peacefully, soldiers served their purpose and some even died like my 2 brothers-in-law, tilled this land and made it a home. Now that progress is coming to our place, will it be the same progress that will make us homeless and poor? How about our house that we built for years? We were in debt for many years to build our house so we can provide our kids a decent home.

Is this the Strong Republic that the government is flaunting in their speeches? How sincere is the call when they are threatening us to take our home instead of providing it to its constituents? I can say that everytime the government is taking steps like these, they are creating enemies and waging war against the very people that have been very loyal and dedicated.

As I write this post, I know it will add another danger in our lives but I cannot rest and wait for that day that I will wake my kids homeless. I am asking the Government to take a second look and pay attention to people’s issues. I am lobbying this in behalf of my 4 kids and the rest of the small children in our neighborhood. Please don’t make them homeless… Please provide us a home… don’t take it away from us.

Robin, Juliet, Jessica, Sabrina, Rajisha & Robin Jr.

Calamansi Street Zone C San Miguel Tarlac City Philippines

The same place where my husband robin and my kids grew and experienced their childhood

This is the MOA from NOLCOM. Please read it tell me if this is just and right….

MOA – Page 1

MOA – Page 2

MOA – Page 3

Another Project from Calbayog Samar

My friend Liza arrived from Calbayog, Samar last September 17, 2008. May pasalubong syempre, malagkit na duman sa dahon, pili tart at fresh tuyo. Is there such thing as fresh tuyo? Lol 🙂 Liz thank you ha. Very late na tong post ko.

Her present partner Riz is a native of Calbayog and Liz went home to join her on their fiesta celebration. Liz, if you’re reading this, you owe me some photos okay? The good news is, they were able to close a deal at Samar Agricultural High School with almost 240 students. It’s an ID contract with free web presence.

I was surprised when I received a text message from Liza asking me for detailed instructions about ID pictorial. I remember the very first time we took photos for elementary students in one of the Public school at Tarlac, it was such an unforgettable experience. That was almost 1,000 students and I was so exhausted on our first day. After that, I created a comprehensive plan and procedure with complete forms and materials that will help us facilitate a speedy pictorial.

I gave Liza some inputs thru YM and amazingly, they managed to finished the pictorial in one day without any hassle. Congratulations Liz & Riz for a job well done! Any birthpain? 🙂

Heres some of the photo of the place…

Hanep sa pose ha, parang babarilin sa Luneta hehehe 🙂

Typical provincial look

Na miss ko tuloy my homeland Bikol ganitong-ganito yung itsura ng school ko nun 🙂

O, sa gitna ng parang yan 🙂

Imagine di mo na kailangan mag trek, papasok ka pa lang sa school parang trekking na 🙂

Happy Birthday Daddy

September 19: Happy Birthday Daddy!!

Ayan po, sunod-sunod ang celebration sa family. Mejo me tampo nga si Sabrina at Jessica kasi wala silang pictures at video nung birthdays nila last July 15 kay Sab at August 28 kay Jek. That’s why wala silang birthday posts. Anyways, Happy birthday pa din mga anak!! Mwah!! 🙂 Dina bale, Nagluto naman ako ng mga favorites nyo diba nagkataon lang talaga na busy si daddy at dala ang gadget natin dahil sa project natin sa Xevera remember? at sobrang gabi na dumating si daddy at tito Bong that time at no time for charging pa ng mga cams. Si Jek naman, me klase ka at wala din si daddy pero ang laki naman ng cake na regalo sayo ni Ate Cherry. Nabusog din ako dun ha 🙂

And we also celebrated hub’s birthday last September 19, Late na din tong post dahil sa mga scheds. Naghahabol talaga ako bago magsarado ang September. With matching snacks and dinner ang handa mo daddy ha, in fairness napagod ako magluto buti na lang wala ng duman request from the kids haha 🙂

The birthday celebrant 🙂 Isang banat naman ng Nirvana jan 🙂

Ang pinaghirapang handa 🙂 Walang kamatayang spaghetti, Hotdog, Adobong Liempo, Lechong Manok, Loaf bread na may chiz wiz at chocolate cake. Syempre, nagkanin kami nina Liza, pinoy eh 🙂

Birthday ni daddy pero bakit happy birthday Isha ang cake?

Si Isha lang kasi ang nag birthday na walang cake. Very tight kasi ang budget kaya pambawi sa kanya yung cake ngayun. Isha anak, magpakasawa ka sa paborito mong chocolate cake 🙂

O ayan, ginawa na pong tabako ang hotdog… sindihan ko na daddy? 🙂

O, nagtuturuan pa sila kung sino ang kakanta, duet na lang kau mga anak para mas masaya 🙂

Syempre di mawawala ang mga kaputol pusod sa kabilang bahay 🙂

Mga ate at kuya nabusog ba kau? Bakit walang pics si ate Eves?

Ah, nasa video daw 🙂

O ayan ang paboritong pamangkin, mala stolen shot and dating. Ayaw pa nyang magpakuha ng pics at mag pa post sa internet. Dont worry Che, cute pa din naman ah 🙂 coming soon Mommy po yan mga readers, malapit ng manganak kaya madadagdagan na naman ang maingay dito sa house 🙂

Diko alam kng serious sa pagkain o panunuod si ate Luz, ano sa tingin nyo? 🙂

After a days work 🙂 madaming lutuan at kainan ang naganap… ayan kantahan na 🙂

Protected: Happy Birthday CJ

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Thoughts on Friendship

More than 2 weeks had passed since my last post and its because of my flooded scheds lol. I had so many activities to post and I have to do it now before September ends.

My last post was Sept. 14, about San Francisco Daycare Center blogsite and I’m still working for 3 more blogsite for my other clients and some ID projects on the side added by my online job deadlines, these made me wish to have more than 2 hands 🙂

My 3 precious days from September 15-17 has been wasted settling a financial dispute at CIDG (Criminal Investigation Detection Group. I filed a case against my “friend” who owe me a good some of money for more than 3 years now. It really saddens me that I need to bring this issue to this venue since she’s one of my close friend. Decades of friendship was trashed just because she betrayed my trust. Maybe one of the hardest lesson I had handling friendship. That money was allocated for the payment of my hub’s motorcycle but because of negligence on their part, that motorcycle was relinquished by the motorcycle dealer. That made our life harder since we cannot go far and have to turn down clients from far flung areas. One of the reason why we are struggling now, thanks God I am blessed with some work online so we can survive our daily need.

She used to be the first person that I put my trust since I set my foot in Tarlac. We had good times together but I may say that from the very first time we met, that friendship has always been a one way street but I never noticed it then.

She used to borrow money from me for their farming needs and I need to go on sleepless nights solving her sibling’s projects and assignments. I still remember a day that I saw his brother, the one who owe me the money, He was standing at the gate waiting for his interview result at IWSPC. I managed to ask the guard on duty to allow him to go inside the canteen so I can help him have his lunch. That’s how I accommodated her family. You know why I can’t forget that incident? Because my hub (my boyfriend during that time) seen us eating and talking at the canteen and I learned from his bestfriend’s (bong) niece, Gigi that he was so mad confiding to his uncle Bong that he saw me with a guy. He thought I was still entertaining suitors! My God, lol! Inside the company premises? At the canteen in broad daylight 🙂

Well, those were my younger years. I may say that I managed to show her and her family how I love and trust them. In fact I treated them as my second home in Tarlac. I even help her father work in a good contract with one of my friend when she asked me to help her look for group of people to build her house, and of course, instead of giving it to Manoy Guito, I recommended her father. I’ve lost count on how I managed to show her that I’m always there for her and her family til one day after my retirement that her brother borrowed a big sum of money. With a promise that he will return it after a month. I was an idiot that  I gave my full trust and gave him my retirement pay and alas! 3 years had passed and they never settled it. I was forced to take the necessary steps to elevate the matter. That’s a big lesson for me.  My kids have the right to that money and I just gave it to strangers? That’s from my retirement pay and it’s too late to know that we cannot really trust people as far a money is concerned. Friendship must have its limitations… I learned it the hard way.

Seeing her at CIDG office, I feel I am looking to a total stranger. No sign of gratitude. No sign of friendship. I wonder why I cannot feel anything but anger. Where did my love for her goes? I don’t know… But one thing is clear to me now, it will take sometime on my part to forgive her. Maybe if I am still single, it will be different. Seeing my kids deprived from some of their needs because the money was never returned on time made the issue more complicated. The effect of that negligence is so crucial and my kids had suffered because of my irresponsible decisions. Thanks God my hub didn’t take it against me.

Now I am very cautious because of that experience. It’s really true that years of experiences made us wiser and tougher. I am grateful I still have one precious friend left… Liza. She’s a friend, sister and comrade rolled in one. One of my best trophy joining a union struggle. I met her. I may say that our friendship is never a one way street. She’s the kind of friend that can hear your woes even in a complete silence… who would always give up her activities just to listen to me when I need her. She’s always my first visitor at the hospital if I am sick or delivering my babies, the first person I always turn to if I am far away and I got to have someone to fetch my kids, or if they need money and I am not there but Liz is always on the rescue. Liz has been with us, see us in our worst and it’s good to know that you have a friend who will pat your back with a tearful look and reassuring embrace and will whisper in your ear: “don’t worry, things will change eventually… and hey! We’ll celebrate okay”.

January 11, 2021 update for this post…. I just ended my friendship with Liza. 

San Francisco Day Care Center

I just finished creating the blogsite for San Francisco Day Care Center. This is one of our 3 day care center projects. They have almost 70 day care students. I designed and printed their student ID cards and as you can see the number of students does not give us enough profit but we are giving them free web presence.

Giving out free IT trainings and web presence are my bid for social responsibility. I always believe that education plays a major role in nation building. For this reason, I am sharing my skill to achieve these goals. I already conducted several free IT trainings in the past and this is my contribution to bridge digital divide in my own way. I am encouraging organizations and public schools in my province to avail the advantages of having web presence which shall benefit the students, the parents & the school. It will enhance communication because the school will have a good venue to post current activities and upcoming programs.

Excerpt from San Francisco blogsite:

Social Workers are also considered as “Living Heroes” because of their unceasing effort to help and serve the community. Running and teaching a public day care center requires patience and passion. Mrs. Rebecca Manalang is one good example, she is not just teaching the kids but she’s extending motherly love as well.

The concept of daycare program is to help the working parents and prepare the children for formal education. Attending daycare center will enhance good behavior as the children learns to play within the spirit of cooperation and teamwork. Although, children are not graded academically, they still have writing and reading sessions. They are taught how to draw and create projects which improve their learning skills…. More click here…

Tarlac City Schools’ Division Press Conference 2008

This is a yearly activity for public and private High School and Elementary Schools in Tarlac City. It was held at San Miguel Central Elementary School (SMCES) on September 11 and 12, 2008. Delegates from different schools participated for the following categories;

Day 1

Editorial writing – English and Filipino

Feature Writing – English and Filipino

News Writing – English and Filipino

Editorial Cartooning – English and Filipino

Photo Journalism – English and Filipino

Day 2

Sports Writing – English and Filipino

Script Writing – English and Filipino

Broadcasting – English and Filipino

The activity started at 8 a.m. with a short program facilitated by Tarlac South District and SMCES. Some expected speakers didn’t show up in this activity.

My daughter Jessica from TSU Lab School was one of the participants in that activity but according to her, they never had enough time to prepare unlike other schools which are preparing months prior to this event. I know this because she only just told me last week that they have to practice. TSU Lab School didn’t participate for the past 2 years and my daughter said that Mr. Dungca have done an effort so they can join. She asked me for 200.00php registration fee but fortunately, it was returned to me after the event. According to her, TSU shouldered the expenses but she was so disappointed by the certificates. I understand why, it was printed in a half bond paper printed in economy mode. My daughter is compiling all certificates for every activity that she attended and this is the worst certificate that she received.

Tarlac Montessori and Maliwalo National High School bagged most of the awards. TSU Lab School had managed to get 4 slots for Regional School Press Conference.

Jessica told me that most of the winners came from public schools wherein they really expressed their innermost feeling towards poverty and other political and economic issues. Of course, these students are directly affected and can express their emotions whether in writing or drawing unlike students from private schools who never really experience the real face of poverty and oppression.

Here are some of the photos that my hub was taken during the press con.

San Miguel Central Elementary School Front Gate

San Miguel Central Elementary School “Bahay Kubo”

Day 1 – TSU Lab School Participants

Day 2 – TSU Lab School -Jessica with her friends

Jessica – Feature Writing

Masakit na ata ang ulo mo anak… kaya mo yan 🙂

Editorial Cartooning Entries

My daughter is extending her warm gratitude for their Trainer Mr. Jayson Bernardo Dungca for his patience and support for the entire team of TSU Lab School. Salamat Sir!!

Job Search in Tarlac

Job searches for Tarlac always goes to my landing pages. I’m sorry guys that you can’t find Job Posting in my blog because I don’t have contact with the establishments here. I’m just a typical mommy working online and homebase. Most of the events in Tarlac that I am featuring in my blog are the activities that my kids attended. They are the one who gather data and photos for those events.

 

Please check our local website at http://www.tarlaccity.gov.ph/local_employment.htm. They are also posting current events and job vacancies. But if you have writing skills and you want to work online like me, I can give you tips on how to start. Just leave a message in my comment box and we can PM.

Thanks for the regular readers of my blog, you’re always in my widget, gorgeous faces 🙂 I really appreciate it.

 

CorpuzPowerPrint Latest Projects

Aside from Martinet School and Montessori de Xevera, We also have ongoing projects with the following schools and establishments:

RECON Security Agency

I just finished the design for their ID and pictorial is ongoing. If we reach the target of at least 300 security guards, we will provide them a free web design for their local website in Tarlac Branch.

Part of our promotion, we are giving free web designs and IT training for schools and companies that will avail any of our services for at least 300 students/employees and up. We also have free computer and printer for 3 years contract. Please click this link for further details: CorpuzPowerPrint

We also have an ongoing pictorial for students’ ID at Maligaya Daycare Center, Paraiso Daycare Center and San Francisco Daycare Centers. These are Public daycare centers funded by Government under the administration of DSWD- Department of Social Workers and Development, Tarlac. I will also create a free website or blogsite for these 3 daycare centers so they can post photos of their school activities and programs.

These are my designs of their student IDs

We also closed the deal for Big 5 Fitness Gym, Mc Arthur Highway, Maligaya, Tarlac City. I designed their business card and membership card and we still have an ongoing negotiation for their ID and free website design.

And lastly, we just finished printing the stickers for TBC – Tarlac-Bamban-Capas Jeepney Operators and Drivers’ Association. They are considering to hire our service for their ID to avail of free IT Training and website design.

Giving free IT training and Free Website design are part of my bid for social responsibility. I am also giving free IT trainings for the kids in our neighborhood every summer vacation and my eldest daughter Jessica is helping me out with this project. We are also planning to organize a youth IT Club in our community. I don’t have enough money to give out but we have skills to share and in our little ways, I know we are doing our share in nation building and I’m glad that my kids are joining me in realizing these goals.

Working & Earning Online

I received an inquiry about odesk.com the other day. I was asked how I managed to get projects at oDesk. It may sound doubtful but I know why. I joined many websites for freelancers but I may say that oDesk is different. I need to pass the oDesk readiness test and complete my profile or make it 100% before I became a verified provider. I also took other qualifying tests like English Proficiency and XP skills. Taking and passing test at oDesk will increase your chance to be hired.

Working with oDesk is secured as employers send payment thru them. You can also apply for oDesk card to receive your payment. In my case, I demand payment thru PayPal and for those who are starting, I recommend that you open a PayPal account and get verified.

It’s not easy to be hired though; you still need to go on a series of biddings to get a project. You really need a good track record & good writing skill to qualify and this blog serves as my portfolio. My chance to get good projects increased since I started blogging. I also meet contacts who refer me to employers scouting for freelancers. And the last but not the least, I found reliable financial institution where I can run for fast cash payday loans during emergencies.

Financial Matter

There’s a scarcity of job in the first world. Not because they have economic problem but because companies cuts costs and opt to outsourcing and offshoring. If you do a company hopping you’ll find out that within huge buildings and establishments are just a few numbers of employees. This is not good for the workers and job seekers but for us who lives in the third world country, we find it helpful since we are given an opportunity to compete and prove our worth.

I am one of the many Filipina freelancers working online. I do most of the work during night time when my kids are already in bed. Most of the time I am writing till dawn to meet deadlines. I joined many websites for freelancers and started bidding jobs at a very cheap price. After sometime, I found employers who pays reasonable price. One of the companies who hired me is devbook.com. I am writing fun quizzes and I really enjoy the job.

But working online cannot be a main source of income. It is only an extra income where we can have an extra budget for family expenses. I still run a family homebase business wherein we can have fix earnings on daily basis. Running a family of four kids is not easy and there are times that we are really on a tight budget and needs extra cash for unexpected expenses. When we are in the midst of crisis wherein we need additional fund, it’s good to know that there are financial institutions that we can run to and I will mention at least 2 in my lists, fastcashonline and pacificadvance. They are reliable if you are in need of cash advance during emergencies.

My Naruto Quiz: Included in Top 10

Today is Maintenance day for me. This is my schedule to log to my accounts, blogs, client’s websites and other club memberships. I am doing this once a week, but I’m checking my mails on daily basis.

Currently I am writing entertaining quizzes for devbook.com which is posted at boredquiz.com. I posted some of the links of my quizzes in here and you can find it in my fun quiz page. When I checked my account at boredquiz, I was amazed by the result of one of my quiz. It’s on the top lists. I am very pleased and of course proud that among the thousand quizzes posted at bored quiz, I managed to be included in the top ten and the amazing part is that it was taken by more than 40,000 and still counting.

What’s the title of the quiz?

What female Naruto Character Are You?

This quiz is conceptualized by my eldest daughter, Jessica since she is an Avid fan of Naruto. She has vast collection of Naruto pictures and many more. I scolded her for that habit since she was in her grade school and now that she’s in Junior high, her fondness for Naruto never ceased. She’s still at school and I know she will be glad to know that the quiz that we created is in the top list.

If you’re a Naruto fan and you want to try the quiz, just click here. The results will be nice looking female Naruto character pix which you can imbed in your blog, website, facebook or myspace page.

The quizzes I created are all original and passed copyscape. If you can create original quizzes like these and you want to earn an extra money out from creating quizzes, please contact me by leaving a message here or email me: redwarriorheart@yahoo.com

Men and Women: The Strong & the Weak

Whenever I hop from one forum to another, I often see discussions regarding differences of men and women, battle of the sexes, why men can’t understand women? etc…

Hmmm… because I’m an activist, I always have a different perception of these concepts. I learned that men and women are partners and co-creators of this world. The women being weak have changed when the world recognized the important role of women in achieving workers’ right to just wages, humane environment, right to vote and many important benefits that we have today especially if we are unionized. In honor of this important impact of women to global arena of Peace and War, we are celebrating March 8 as International Women’s’ Day.

For further info of March 8: http://www.un.org/cyberschoolbus/days/women/how.asp

But to add fun to stereotype thinking of men and women of the modern world let me share this poem to you:

I JUST CAN’T UNDERSTAND WOMEN

If you’re well dressed, she thinks you’re playboy

If you’re not, she thinks you’re rugged

If you kiss her, you’re not a gentleman

If you don’t, you’re not a man

If you praise her, she would say that you’re lying

If you don’t, you’re as good as nothing

If you visit her very often, she claims it’s boring

If you don’t, you are cold and dry

If you make love to her, she’ll accuse that you’re an experienced guy

If you don’t, you’re an innocent man

If you failed to assist her in crossing the streets, you lacked ethics

If you do, she would say it’s just one of man’s tactics

If you give her gifts, you’re spoiling her

If you don’t, you don’t love her

If you say you truly love her, she won’t believe you

If you don’t she’ll break up with you!

Whew!!

Oh Women!!

You are so simple

Yet so complex to understand

So weak

Yet proven conqueror

So confusing…

But desirable

See, that’s how men perceives us women, feeble minded…

The only way that men can truly understand us, women is to embrace our world wholeheartedly. This would only happen with real patience and love. When we made that solemn bow “till death do us part” we have to comprehend the meaning of the word forever; no amount of differences must separate us. It’s a package deal; we have to accept all strength and weaknesses.

But beyond the bounds of love, relationship and marriage, men and women will remain different, competitors and friends. It’s the law of balancing the weak and the strong. But as the famous saying goes: “Behind every man’s success is a woman”

Let’s just put it this way: These differences colors our world🙂

Health and Poverty

It’s very surprising how different websites and health magazines are flaunting how they are geared to promote modern health and lifestyle. They claim to understand the needs of families, men women, teens and children when in fact they are just promoting artificial foods, books, vitamins, dietary pills and other forms of products.

Digging deeper on the issue, we know the real score, they are there for one reason…Profit not Health. Are they really serious that our health is their main concern? I doubt it.

Health is a worldwide issue and it’s agonizing to know the sad truth that the very people that we’re depending on to promote and create programs for a healthy living and environment are the one who are destroying it. They are the one who are launching war from one country to another leaving thousand of casualties.

Philippines is one of the poorest country in Asia, despite of its richness in natural resources, millions of Filipinos are surviving hunger everyday. While the present government is claiming that health and other social services is one of their priorities, records will not conform to it.

Based on statistical data, the United Nations ranked the Philippines 90th out of 177 countries for the Human Development Index (HDI) in 2007. The HDI is a survey on the quality of life of citizens in UN member countries. It measures life expectancy, educational attainment, and GDP per capita. It was developed by the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) as a standard means of measuring human development, a concept, which according to the UNDP, refers to the process of widening the options of persons, giving them greater opportunities for education, health care, income, employment, etc. It was also reported that in 2006, infant mortality rate in the Philippines is 24 per 1,000 live births.

According to the Health Alliance for Democracy (HEAD), ten mothers die daily of pregnancy-and child-related causes. The group also said that seven out of ten Filipinos die without medical attention. Malnutrition and hunger is one of the major problems in our country and it is escalating everyday. A survey by IBON Foundation in April this year showed that 75.3 percent of families could not buy enough food.

Despite this devastating fact, The Department of Budget and Management (DBM) showed its budget allocation for health.

Year	Health	Debt Interest Payments	Defense
2001	13.64 B	181.60 B	32.78 B
2002	14.49 B	185.86 B	38.91 B
2003	12.40 B	226.41 B	44.42 B
2004	12.88 B	271.53 B	43.85 B
2005	12.93 B	301.69 B	44.19 B
2007	11.66 B	318.18 B	49.34 B
2008	19.77 B	269.85 B	50.93 B
Average allocation per year	13.84 B	257.10 B	43.58 B

While I was typing this article, the news airing on our TV caught my attention and stopped me. 24 Oras, a news and current affairs program of GMA 7, one of our local TV is making a report about the poorest municipalities in the Philippines and according to Philippine National Statistical Coordination Board (NSCB) NCR is on top of the list. Very poor families are scattered in different places of Manila, considering that Manila is one of the most modern places in the Philippines.

My hub took these photos today, while he is on his way to school to deliver students’ IDs. His way was blocked by these people swarming around the corner, curiously, he made his way to know what’s going on, and it’s the same scenario that we see on TV everyday, these people are patiently waiting to buy NFA rice. I told him jokingly why he didn’t buy a kilo for our dinner. Well it’s not a really a joke as we are also surviving hunger everyday. We are having hard time to make both ends meet.

Due to continuous oil price hikes which trigger unstoppable price increase in commodities, we are poorer now than we were 2 years ago. We can’t even buy a half cavan of rice unlike in the past that we already have a sack ready even before our rice dispenser runs out of rice. We are already using coal to save gas and my kids are complaining of eating noodles for their breakfast.

The only luxury that we have in our house now is my internet connection because I am using this to earn a living. But the kids are having a hard time in adjusting but I always console them that things will get better soon and I know that we have to double our work and I have to spend sleepless nights in my online works to do this.

Just like the many poor families in the Philippines, I am taking my sincere call to the government to prioritize health and employment, for a strong republic will remain a dream if these issues will not be properly addressed. And lastly, how can it be a strong republic when its people are weak, sick and dying of hunger?

 

 

 

PayPal Verification Process: Philippines

How to become a verified PayPal Member

You must have a credit/debit card with Visa or MasterCard logo. If you don’t have a credit card, I recommend that you apply for a CyberEon card. The last time I checked, it only costs 350.00Php (Annual Fee). You can apply online or visit Union Bank branch near you. Bring 2 valid IDs and picture and also photocopy of your 2 valid IDs. It will take more or less 2 weeks before you receive the Eon card. Deposit an amount equivalent to $1.95 or maybe at least 200Php to your Eon Card. This will be used for PayPal verification but will be returned to you after you are verified.Your card will be activated within 24 hours. You can also enroll it in Union Bank online banking. After activation, you can link your Eon card to your Paypal account. The CCV code is the last three numbers at the back of your Eon card.

Paypal will charge $1.95 to your card but don’t worry it will be returned to you. Check your card to see if you are already deducted with the said amount. It may take 2-4 business days for the code to appear on your online account statement. If you are enrolled in online banking, you can log to see your credit card statement and get your code. If you can’t access your credit card statement online, you can call and ask a Customer Service for your Expanded Use Number (or in short, your Paypal code – EXPUSE)

Once you retrieved your PayPal code, log-in to your PayPal account and click “confirm my debit or credit card” link on the Account Overview page to enter your code.

After Verification Process, you can now add another bank account and withdraw from any Philippine Bank Account.

How to add another Bank Account

Log into your PayPal account,

Click the ‘Profile’ tab and then click ‘Add or Edit Bank Account’

Add your bank details

Note:

Your First name and Family Name on your PayPal account must match the name on your bank account, if it doesn’t match, your withdrawal request may be rejected by your bank.

Review your bank account information

Add your Bank Code. Bank codes can be found in my previous post.

Click ‘Add Bank Account‘ to confirm

Click the ‘My Account‘ tab and then click the ‘Withdraw‘ sub tab

Select the ‘Withdraw funds to your bank account’ option

Note:

Withdrawals equal or more than PHP 7,000 are free.

For withdrawal amounts of less than PHP 7,000, there will be a fee of PHP 50

Select the bank account and amount to withdraw

Confirm the transfer

It typically takes 5-7 business days. However, depending on your bank’s policies, it may take longer

Bank Codes of Philippine Banks

Some of my friends who are applying for PayPal verification are calling me and asking for Philippine Bank codes so I decided to post it here. I hope this will help you too.

I know some of you fellow freelance Pinoys and Pinays who are working online are still in the process of creating PayPal Account and experiencing some problems on verification process. I know it because when I was processing mine, I visit so many forums and discussion groups just to get the proper procedure and now that I am blogging, I will post the entire procedure here in my next post.

Teaching and Activism

I am holding tutorials both online and offline. I am not a teacher by profession but Teaching is one of my passions. My mother is a grade school teacher and she used to tell me that teaching is a very fulfilling profession. Some of her students are already holding government positions and some have decent jobs and she’s happy everytime she meets them at the mall with their families and would stop and say hello and would acknowledge her wisdom and patience.

I am helping her to fix her visual stuffs since I was in grade school and I remember that my first experience in teaching was when I was in grade 5. They had an emergency conference, she went to my room and asked me to watch her grade one class. I was very hesitant at first but she told me to just give them some task so they won’t go out of the room. She endorsed me in her class and warned them that I would record the names of the noisy students and they will be punished when she return.

When she left the room, one student raised her hand and asked me, “What is our lesson for today ma’am?” I was surprised and I stood infront of the class and told them I will be reading a short story and they must listen carefully because I will ask them afterwards. I was amazed how they listen silently until I finished the story. After that I asked them to draw the characters on the board. It was fun how they gave me their own interpretations and I really enjoyed it. After that day, my mom usually asks me to watch her class everytime there is an emergency conference. Some of my mom’s students even call me madam during recess or even outside the school.

That was a great experience and maybe you would ask me why I didn’t take her field. Well, that’s another story lol 🙂 But it seems that I was destined to teach. When I was working at Japanese Corporation, I was assigned to conduct trainings for newly hired employees, that was before I became a labor union leader. When I ran for the position of Union Vice President of our worker’s union, IWSWU (International Wiring Systems Workers Union), I gained an overwhelming votes and it was surprising because I was just a stranger in Tarlac during those time. Maybe, my church activity has helped me a lot. We had 4 thousand members then. My 5 years as union vice president were spent educating my members about their basic rights as a workers. We formed an Education Committee and we held continuous labor educations.

I was also the Chairman of the Broad Alliance of Trade Union in Tarlac then. These photos are my guests from ISA, International Solidarity Affairs. Most of them are journalists and Trade Union leaders from different countries, Germany, Australia, Indonesia and US. They usually integrate with us to learn our culture and trade union struggles. I usually narrate the actual trade union situation in the area and we usually share each other’s experiences on how we resolve issues and grievances. This is a very rewarding activity to both of us as we are able to learn from each other.

I was 7 months pregnant in this photo. I was with Japanese Trade Union Leaders and Journalists and we had a local village immersion at Hacienda Luisita. These are farm workers who are facing land issues and we gathered them after their work so we will be able to know their issues.

I had my share in grievances, court battles, rallies, walk-outs and other forms of collective struggles to stand for workers’ right both inside and outside the company premises. This has led me to the streets walking with clenched fists, shouting and asking for a change. Years of my stay as a union officer has changed me and I emerged as a fearless leader doing my speeches during rallies which is usually held in the middle of the streets and trucks serves as our stage.

Those were the years that we topple Estrada Administration. But the succeeding years after a new president was put in power, series of political killings has been exercised killing many of our allies. Most of the active leaders in different organizations which are radically fighting and stands for the call of decent wages and humane working environment were shot to death.

Some of them were tagged as terrorists when in fact they were just simple workers who are just fighting for workers’ rights. I myself was included in 10 leaders in OB Hit list in 2005 and sad to say that most on that list were already in their grave. My father who is a retired military advised me to slow down and leave my job because my life will be in great danger. I am a mother of 4 kids and in as much as I want to serve the people, I knew that my kids are waiting for me at home everyday hoping that they will see me alive.

Leaving my job which I spent half of my life and the people who are defending on my leadership was the hardest part of my life. Seeing their tearful faces while I was submitting my resignation was so hard to endure. Even the tough guys who used to accompany me were crying and I was so stunned for their love and support. It took me more than a year to recover that loss and the internet has served as my healing balm.

Some photo of my Trade Union Struggles

Now, I am teaching again. I am holding IT trainings either free or paid depending on the arrangement. Recently I conducted an IT training for Martinet faculty and that was in my previous posts.

I will be creating online tutorials here but it will be in Tagalog language. I will add another page for that. Why Tagalog, because it’s for my fellow Pinoys both here and abroad. There are already a lot of trainings here in the internet for you guys who are in foreign countries.

At para sa mga kababayan ko, gagawa ako ng mga modules para madali nyong maintindihan. Magsisimula lang muna tayo sa simple o basic IT Skill. Antayin po lamang ninyo sa mga susunod na araw at ipo post ko ang mga paunang lesson natin.

Okay guys, till here and see you in my next post. Thank you for reading.

Aro Cup – Tarlac City Philippines

August 23, 2008

Aro Cup is a one of the project of our present city mayor in Tarlac City, Genaro “Aro” Mendoza. The title has been derived from his nickname Aro. It was now a yearly activity participated by different schools and colleges of Tarlac city.

The activity has started at 1:00 p.m at Tarlac State University Gym. My 2 daughters, Jessica and Sabrina were present in this activity and I asked them to jot down some important notes, pictures and videos of the said event. I also uploaded some videos in my account at U-Tube under REDWARRIORHEART.

Here are some of the list of the winning team. I lost track of the other but if you have the names and want it to be included here you can email me: redwarriorheart@yahoo.com or simply leave the names at my comment section. There are many searchers in my landing page searching about Aro cup . I tried googling it but there’s no pics and info bout this recent activity. I’m sorry guys I kept this for more than a week because of my busy schedule. I am trying to cope up  with all my works and to update my blog as well.

CHEERLEADING COMPETITION – Elementary level

Champion – Tarlac West Elementary School

2nd Place – College of the Holy Spirit (Elementary)

3rd Place – Sapang Tagalog Elementary School

4th Place – Matatalaib Bato Elementary School

HIGH SCHOOL LEVEL

Champion – Tarlac National High School

2nd Place – Tarlac State University Laboratory High School

3rd Place – Osias College

Martinet School IT Training

August 18, 2008

I conducted an IT Training at Martinet School Inc, a private grade school at Maligaya, Tarlac City. The training was attended by 17 participants, composed of faculty and staff of Martinet school.

Among the participants were Mrs. Josefina B. Tolentino, Martinet’s principal and Mrs. Amanda L. Reyes, School’s Board of Director.

The Training was focused on Computer Fundamentals, Internet and the World Wide Web. The faculty and staffs were actively participating in the discussions. The training started at 9am and has ended at 4pm.

I was very pleased with the warm accommodation of Mrs. Tolentino and Mrs. Reyes. They are still looking forward for continuous training in the future.

IT Training and seminar is one of my bid for social responsibility. I believe that the key to progress is to help the country in nation building, and one important factor is education.

Since, Philippines is one of the third world, the digital divide is so prominent. Most people in key cities are still left behind as far as IT is concerned.

In my experience, people are just using computers for documentation and internet is just for email, chat and research. This little knowledge goes for many years as there are so few institutions giving out free IT Training.

In this training, I gave emphasis in integrating IT in educating students. I am urging them to go out from traditional blackboard and chalk and maximize the use of computer and create interactive materials as aid in teaching.

Most of the teachers agreed to this call but they raised the problem that they need to understand and learn further the use of presentation programs.

We agreed in continuous training and support. I know this will add up to my busy schedule but I am happy to impart my knowledge and help them enhance their skill.

I just hope that someday, I can find people to support me to organize an institution wherein we can give IT training for free. We really need this in my country.

Rajisha’s 9th Birthday

August 16, 2008: Rajisha’s 9th Birthday

Rajisha is the youngest among my 3 daughters. We celebrated her 9th birthday at home together with the rest of the family, Her dad, Robin, her 2 elder sisters Jessica & Sabrina and her young brother Nonoy. Her cousins were also present in this simple occasion, Cherry, their favorite “ATE”<a Tagalog term for female relatives> was also with us. And of course, their nieces, KB and CJ.

This is just a very simple celebration, with spaghetti & sandwiches courtesy of my sister in-law Ate Evelyn.

We have a very tight budget so, for you Isha: I’ll make it up to you okay? When I received my payment from Odesk, I’ll treat you with cake and ice cream, promise:)

Family Updates: KB’s Birthday

I was so busy this past weeks I had no chance to post recent family activites and they are asking me to post it.

Makulit na sila… Yung mga pics daw hehehe

E2 na yung mga updates. Minsanan na lang.

August 8, 2008 – KB’s Birthday

KB is my nephew’s eldest daughter. She’s close to us especially to my son Nonoy. They are buddy. She celebrated her 5th birthday on Friday of August 8.  Nabusog ako ha, in fairness (I was full)

To KB: Wishing you a happy happy birthday!! Thanks for the cake & ice cream:)

Luisita Mall to Robinson

I checked my dashboard for my statistics and I noticed that most of the tags used in the search are Luisita Robinson. So I decided to take a walk this afternoon to give my readers some update about it.

Luisita park is a few minutes walk from home. I usually walk here when I need some stretching from long hours of sitting infront of PC. Way back when I first came in Tarlac, as discussed in my previous posts, this area is full of tall grasses, carabao and trees; a typical provincial  scenery. After 5 years of my stay here, this place has turned into a modern park with Hispanic touch. In my previous post, you will see some of the establishment such as Jollibee, Pizza Hut, Max’s and Starbucks. And if you will scroll below, you will see that Luisita Mall building is under construction.

Soon this building will be one of the many branches of Robinsons Mall. Well that will be good news to some of the families who can afford to shop here, but then, with the rising prices of basic commodities & devaluation of peso made us incapable to shop an extra aside from our basic needs.

Luisita Park is  located at San Miguel, Tarlac City Philippines, 2 hours drive from Manila. If you are traveling to Baguio City, you will surely pass at this area.

Some of you who left last year, you will see a lot of changes when you go back. Last summer vacation, road widening has been implemented.

So folks, just stay tune and I’ll keep you informed with all the changes and update in our area.

Mabuhay!

Luisita Park – Tarlac City Philippines

I am not a Tarlaquena by blood. I am here because I was relocated here by the company where I worked 18 years ago.

I am a Bicolana by blood and left my hometown to work in Manila. My 3rd job was at Kawasaki Motors Philippines and after 2 trainings in Japan, I was transferred as pioneer employee to Tarlac to train the newly hired employees. I was only 20 years old then and single, probably that was the main reason why I accepted the relocation; I have no family to worry of.

Tarlac then was a typical province, no sign of progress. The road to my company- IWSPC (Int’l wiring Systems Phils. Corp) was a rough road. IWSPC was one of the first locator at Luisita Industrial Park, it is a Special Export Processing Zone located at San Miguel, Tarlac City Philippines. In my previous post about Mt. Pinatubo, I shared my experiences regarding my first days in Tarlac. I deal with loads of ashes lol!

It’s a new adjustment and I have to deal with it. I was cut from city life, no movies, no disco, no parks and I have to walk more or less 3 kilometers to reach the highway. I lived in a dormitory provided by the company beside the company premises. Transport are all inbound. No outbound transport and you have to walk if you want to reach the nearest town.

I don’t know how I endure living here, maybe because I met my hub here lol! But Progress came to us after 5 years and the old place with tall grasses and trees turned into a beautiful park. And the pictures below will show you the progress of once a sleeping province.

This is the famous Jollibee, a pure Filipino food chain. This has many branches nationwide and already reached the tongue of different countries including America. My kids loves this place. Sabrina, Rajisha and my youngest son Nonoy celebrated birthdays here.

This is Luisita Mall. I took some pictures for souvenir. You’ll never see this building again in the coming months for it is undergoing construction. Robinson Mall will occupy the site.

These picture were taken inside Luisita Park. That building is Max’s restaurant, one of famous Filipino restaurant that specializes in fried chicken. I love that place. Rajisha and Nonoy’s baptismal party were held here.

This is Starbucks, yes we also have a branch of that famous cafe here. This is a hotspot so if you want to enjoy free unlimited internet surfing while sipping your favorite blend of coffee, this is the place to go. I bet you also love this place.

This is Pizza Hut. In case you want a delicious pizza, that is also available at LIP park and of course, there is Greenwich too but because Luisita Mall is under construction, they moved temporarily near Maligaya Variety Store beside 7 eleven, infront of Camp Servillano Aquino.

Yes, this is a genuine train. A century old train used at the Sugar cane Plantation owned by Cojuangcos. It now turned as one of the Park’s attraction.

WordPress: PinayKeyPoint, you’re one of us!

HELLO WORDPRESS!!

YES! I’VE CROSSED OVER! XD!!!

I moved here last night. I’ll watch my new baby grow here.  This blog will be turning 2 months old on August 14, 2008. This is the first time that I will be blogging seriously:) I was so busy with other IT related activities in the past that I never had the chance to create a blog. I was so pre occupied with different projects for my clients that I deprived myself in doing the thing that I really love, writing..

I stayed with google & yahoo for many years and now I want to explore other horizon. I heard a lot of good comments about WordPress and now as I am organizing my old posts, I find it easy and user friendly.

I’ll be moving around in the next days to visit my neighbors here and I hope to find friends & bloggers from all walks of life. Please feel free to leave a comment & your link here as I will start filling up my blogroll.

See you around folks. Happy reading & Happy Posting:)

Ingat! > (a tagalog term for “take care”)

I Joined MyBlogLog Last Night

I just joined MyBlogLog last night and its cool. It’s a new Yahoo Service and you don’t have to sign up. We use our own yahoo account and password but we can make a new username. If you already have a blog, you will just have to add it and verify. MyBlogLog is where blogger of different communities meet. You can have instant friends and members. widgets are cool too. I just have mine on the right and you can easily track who visited you and who joined your community. MyBlogLog features your own blog for your members to read. If you’re a yahoo user, then give it a shot. IM me if you want me to guide you. No blog yet? It’s okay, MyBlogLog will be your startup blog and later you can make blogs from other hosts and get it linked to MyBlogLog.

Juliet Corpuz CorpuzPowerPrint Tarlac City, 2301 Philippines	julietcorpuz@gmail.com
Visit MyBlogLog and get a signature like this!

I’m Joining Technorati

My blog will be 2 months old next week and I just started sharing my link to friends last week. I also post it in my IM Accounts and other community. I am glad to see some of my friends visiting my site. Some are peeping, leaving a message, some are requesting for pictures and new topics. I’m glad for the warm response coming from my friends. Today I started to join other blogging communities to enroll my blog. Technorati.com is included in my list and I’m joining tonight.

Joining Technorati will give me the opportunity to claim my blog and be listed on their site. Part of the condition is to post the link below for their spider to see. After this I will be declared as certified owner of my blog.

Technorati Profile

MOUNT PINATUBO: One of Philippines Tourist Attraction

Today,  I  want to share my experience in Tarlac, how I reached this place and witnessed the horrific eruption and  how this  turned  me into a Pinatubo Tour Operator.

Philippines, though categorized as a third world country, is very rich in natural resources. We have extensive sea coast with good bays and harbors, navigable rivers and lakes, mountains and caves, land rich in minerals and agricultural products. Back in 70s, Philippines is one of the richest countries in Asia.

There are many factors why we are one of the poorest now. The Government seat has full of corrupt officials who never serve the interest of the Filipino people. Our Political system is one of the the few  things that I can never proud of.

As requested by some of my blogger friends and readers, I will be featuring one of the most visited tourist spot in my place, Mount Pinatubo. This mountain is an active volcano located in the island of Luzon and can be found at the intersection of the borders of the provinces of Zambales, Pampanga and Tarlac. The volcano’s recent eruption in June 1991, two weeks after I was transferred here from Manila (I’m not a local here, I was assigned to work here). This eruption came after 500 years of dormancy and produced one of the largest and most violent eruptions of the 20th century. This resulted to dislocations of thousands of families, destroyed many towns, houses, churches and millions worth of properties and resources. One of our indigenous people, the Aetas, who were living peacefully at the foot of the mountain, were evacuated against their will but some stayed in the caves and just waited there to die.

I was sleeping peacefully on that early morning of  June 15, 1991  when my room mates woke me up  and told me that Mt. Pinatubo had erupted and when we go out we saw that big smoke of clouds circling the part where Mt. Pinatubo is located. The next days were storms of ash falls and we had to wear masks. Our company, International Wiring Systems Inc. (IWSPC), a subsidiary of a Japanese company Sumitomo Wiring Systems stopped its operation and sent us home. Most of us were pioneer employees of Kawasaki Motors Philippines from Sucat, Paranaque. We were offered a relocation to Luisita industrial Park to man and train the newly hired workers from  different municipality in Tarlac province.

After a week, we were back to work but we have to sweep and help clean the ankle deep ashes surrounding the entire building. Those were the unforgettable story of my first weeks in Tarlac.  We spent almost a month of clean up operation. This really sadden me but not as bad as those who lost their families and loved ones. Most of them never had the chance to recover even the remains as the ashes wiped out the entire towns and buried the houses turning the place into desert-like area.

More than a decade after, the trees started to grow, people started to build their houses again. That raging volcano turned into a beautiful tourist spot that is now visited by many tourists from parts of the world.

A local tourist from Manila will reach Mount Pinatubo in 5 hours depending upon the traffic and trekking speed. 2 hours  travel time via private car, more  than 1 hour off road ride and 2 hours  trekking.

There are public bus going to North. To name a few are; Victory liner, 5 Star, Dagupan Bus, Philippine Rabbit heading to Dagupan or Baguio City. The exact destination is Capas, Tarlac. That is at least 200php- more or less $5.

If you are interested to book a trip, just visit my business  website,  www.pinaykeypoint.org.

When our  company offered  an  early retirement program, I  immediately grabbed it on October 2005. I started  to work online and open a home-based printing  shop. I personally designed the ID card of  almost a hundred  Mount Pinatubo Tour Guides and most of them were Aetas.

Pinatubo Local Tour Guide ID

Where to eat and stay at Tarlac

There are low cost hotels and transient houses at the adjacent areas surrounding Mount Pinatubo. Some range from 1000php/day- or at least $25/day but first class hotels range from $50 and up. Food from local food chains & restaurants like Jollibee, Max’s, KFC, Shakeys, Pizza Hut, & Mc Donalds range from $3-5/meal per person.

Another attraction is the Mud Spa, Hot Spring, Volcanic Sand Spa and Massage  Spa

Our services were availed by different establishments here such as

advertisement banners, flyers, tarps & posters.

Because of the overwhelming response of my readers here, I included Mount Pinatubo Tour Guiding as part of our services.

Update 2/8/2009

Please click the link to see our First Mount Pinatubo Trek

December 2008 

February 6 & 7 2009

For further inquiries, detailed info, trek schedules and itineraries please visit my other blog:

HTTP://PINATUBOTREK.BLOGSPOT.COM/

RECENT UPDATE: AS OF AUGUST 13, 2012

WE ARE NOW ONE OF THE MOST RESPECTED GROUP IN THIS FIELD.

SINCE I POSTED THIS POST, I WAS ABLE TO ARRANGE NUMEROUS TRIPS TO THIS DATE 😉

BLOGGING is  indeed a  very fulfilling activity. This blog has  given  birth to PINAYKEYPOINT.ORG 

Though,  am am  guilty that I almost abandon this blog. Each time I log in, it seems that this blog  stared at me asking  WHY DID YOU ABANDON ME?

I replied:  NO! I WAS JUST BUSY GROWING OUR KID 😉

A BIG HUG TO MY BLOG! 😉

JULIET

Tarlac Milo Marathon Update

My kids were home before lunchtime tired & hungry. They headed to bed complaining muscle pains. I knew this lol!

I was laughing out loud hearing their stories about the Marathon. Jessica arrived at the starting point, which is infront of Tarlac City Hall. The total participants according to them were more than 12 thousand on different categories, 21k; 5k; 3k & cheerdance competition. More than 50% were students from Tarlac State University, this is where my eldest daughter Jessica and my niece Jane were studying. According to Jessica, she was at the first line because she was one of those early riser.

She was so excited, on her feet ready to take off but when she heard the big bang she hardly remember what happened. She find herself kissing the pavement lol! together with almost a hundred who were pushed by the runners behind them. She said it was like a stampede but she gather all her strength to stand up and run fast. It was her first time in this kind of activity. She has many bruises on her elbow when she got home, her jogging pants was torn on the knee part but she was laughing at herself while narrating what happened. But she said proudly that she managed to reach the finished line in 32 minutes. According to record  at nestle.com.ph she’s no. 481 out of almost 5,000 runners… Hmmm, not bad for a  starter 🙂 very good anak! Keep it up!! That was a 5 kilometer run and she handed me the certificate.  Jane had managed to reached the finished line in 40 minutes .  Tarlac State University bagged most of the prizes on different categories.

My daughter Sabrina who is in her 5th grade was more happy and proud that they won the 2nd Place in Cheerdance Competition. According to her, it was a very tight fight. I was glad seeing the lights shone in her eyes. Her everyday practice prior to that event has paid off and shes looking forward for their next competition, The Aro Cup sponsored by the Mayor of Tarlac City, Aro Mendoza. How I wish I was there to take the pictures but I have a small son to attend to, and since they are all there, I can do nothing but to stay home and wait for their news.

I am glad and proud of my kids. I am doing all I can to support their activities although life in the Philippines nowadays is very hard. We’re surviving the unstoppable Oil Price Hikes that triggers price increases in basic commodities and services making us to tighten up our belt to make both ends meet.

I just wish we can survive all these and hope that the Government will be sensitive enough for the needs of the common people.

32ND MILO MARATHON IN THE PHILIPPINES

Today is a big event for my kids. I usually sleep late as night time is best for my pc and online work but today I never dare close my eyes till dawn coz my kids asked me to wake them up at exactly 3am. This fuss is all about the 32nd Milo Marathon in the Philippines. Yearly, this event is being conducted at different major places nationwide. This event is hosted by Nestle Philippines and hundreds of thousand of Filipinos has already joined the race.

Manila, Tarlac, Cebu & Davao will fire off at 6 a.m. According to Sec. Neri, a total of 70,000 runners from different walks of life are expected to see action in all four legs, including 21,000 entries in Manila, 20,000 in Cebu and another 12,000 in Tarlac and this includes my two daughters, Jessica & Sabrina and my niece Jane.

This year’s edition of the National MILO Marathon will be staged in 25 cities nationwide with 4 races to be staged simultaneously in Manila, Tarlac & Cebu – a first in the distinguished history of the National MILO Marathon.

Jessica is so excited that she was already up before 3am. I just dont know if they will survive this race lol! Anyway, I will have to wait home to attend to my youngest son hoping that they could at least finished the line:)

Here are some of the pictures I1ve taken early this morning while they are preparing for the race:

Jessica, Sabrina & Jane – The Milo Racers:)

My eldest daughter Jessica
Next to Jessica is Sabrina. She’s in the cheerdance competition

…and my niece Jane

My Home Land Philippines

At a brief glance at the map, you will notice how strategically my country is located with reference to Southeastern Asia and the Indonesian Islands.

Our Archipelago guards the approach to these regions by sea from the North and from the East. This is both a handicap and an asset to us Filipinos.

A Handicap to us in case war involves nearby countries, as powerful nation with plans to launch war against them may attempt to conquer our country first so they can use us.

We had learned this disadvantage during the second world war. At the same time, the Philippines strategic control over the northern approaches to the China Sea, and indirectly over the eastern approaches to the Straits of Mallaca, has advantages too. It adds to our Political importance among the nations of the world and above all, it makes Philippines commercially, an ideal center for the distribution of goods throughout Southeastern Asia. The Philippine archipelago comprises 7,107 islands. The total area of the Philippines is 115,600 square miles. I will share to you the poem I composed for my homeland.

A TRIBUTE TO MY DEAR LAND PHILIPPINES

By Juliet B. Corpuz 122096

We were living peacefully in this land called ‘Pearl of the Orient’

Our land was so rich and green
We have our gold, our seas and mountains
We have nothing to ask for
Everything is provided by mother nature
Then a galleon came with these foreign men

By their power, they took everything
Our land, our gold, our freedom
Our forefathers were divided
By their sword and cross, the Pearl was conquered

For 300 years they had stayed
Our ancestors became slaves
Our great grandmothers were raped
Millions of our fellowmen were killed
And all over the land, their blood had been scattered!

Then a cry of freedom rang In the ears of Balintawak!
Our Great father had stand and urge us to fight
With his bolo and great bravery,
He shouted:”We have to fight for our freedom!
We have to freed our land!”

We were almost there but then we were divided again
Some of our forefathers stood
On the side of these foreign men
By their selfishness we were weaken
Until we were conquered again.

The kind of sufferings that we experienced from these Whites
Will never be forgotten as long as we live
Millions of casualties, cities were destroyed
Their flag were victoriously hanged
Above the Pearl that mourned

While the Pearl was mourning
Another battle hits again
This time the Tiger Japs
Snatched the Pearl from Whites
By their bayonets, the land was bathed by blood.

The exploitation and slavery of our motherland
Seems like heavy rains storming its inhabitants
Freedom was just a dream
To a poor Filipino man

Then the movement had risen
To fight for our freedom
They were tag as “Huks” heroes of Japanese times
The struggle continues
We have to topple these men

As the Japs were cornered, the Whites suddenly entered
Because they claimed that it was their promise
To return as Mc Arthur said
The wise whites had shared with us
The victory that must be ours.

That was the great history of our Mother Pearl
With her beautiful feature
She is always jailed
In as much that she longs for freedom
But she was always conquered

My dear fellowmen Do we really gain the freedom?
Which been long so much by our motherland?
Do we really escape from the clouts of these Whites?
Who conquered us during those early times?

The Echo of Balintawak
Can still be heard in the wind
The way they shouted for freedom
Was like a thunder in the mountains
The cry of our forefathers were like a storm and hurricane!

How long shall we sleep?
How long shall FREEDOM be a dream?

Did you feel my anger in this piece?

This poem was posted in our company newsletter and a local magazine.

I was very active as a labor union leader when I composed this piece. I was one of those who march on the street with clench fists asking to make a difference…

JBCPEN

CAMP AQUINO LEARNING CENTER ID PROJECT

Camp Aquino Learning Center (CALC) is a pre-school located inside Camp Servillano Aquino, San Miguel, Tarlac City, Philippines. CALC is managed by Northern Luzon Command (NOLCOM) Management. To date, it has 50 students and still counting, divided into 3 sections, Nursery, Kindergarten & Preparatory. CALC is closer to my heart as this is where my kids had their preparatory education. The place is cool and safe as it is situated inside a military camp. It has beautiful field and & playground surrounded by trees.

Below are some pictures I’ve taken to show the place, the camp & the school.

Camp Aquino Learning Center

If you are interested to see the beautiful spots of Camp Aquino,

please click here for a CAMP TOUR

This is my sample design of their ID. It’s not final yet and still under negotiation. NOLCOM Management has to approve the design.

This my design of CALC Logo

MONTESSORI DE XEVERA PROJECT

We bagged the contract for Biometric System in Montessori de Xevera, Bacolor, Pampanga. The project includes Identification Cards (ID) for pre-school students and faculty. Montessori de Xevera is one of the most advanced pre school in Pampanga equipped with the latest interactive instruction materials, computers, advance modules and professional faculty. Montessori de Xevera is one of Mr. Delfin Lee’s prides.

Mr. Delfin Lee is the President and Chief Executive Officer of Globe Asiatique, builder of the sales record-breaking Xevera community in Bacolor, Pampanga. Mr. Delfin Lee is the same guy you see so many times on television giving out condo and residential units to winners in “Pinoy Big Brother”, “Pinoy Dream Academy”, and “Wowowee”. Globe Asiatique is the same group behind GA Twin Towers, Edsa Mandaluyong; Chateau Valenzuela, a 5-star condo complex in Valenzuela City; Sta. Barbara Villas, a modern community overlooking mountainside of San Mateo, Rizal; and St. Monique Valais – a 200-hectare classy residential area in Binangonan, Rizal.

This is my design of Montessori de Xevera Student and Faculty ID

Busy day!! Enrollment @ Montessori de Xevera School. Taking Pictures for ID and fingerprint for Biometric System. With me is Sir Bong Gallo, my Project Associate.

Theme Park of Xevera Subdivision, Bacolor, Pampanga, PhilippinesRobin infront of Montessori de Xevera (Temporary) Faculty Office

Sir Bong with Montessori de Xevera Faculty

With me is Liza & Robin, My Project Associates. This picture was taken infront of Xevera Elementary School.

Liza, Bong and yours truly. Entrance of Xevera Theme Park
After a days work…. Relaxing @ sunset

Martinet School Project

One of my project this June: Martinet School Inc.

This is a private elementary school situated at Brgy. Maligaya, Tarlac city, Philippines. Included in this project is a School Website, Student and Employee’s Identification Cards and one day IT training.

I designed the ID card using adobe photoshop. I had a hard time with the logo coz I made it from scratch.

Below is the front view of the school. Actually the green grass infront is just a graphic design for the actual location is congested and full of commercial stalls.

For more details about Martinet School Inc., please visit their website at http://martinet.webonsites.com/

I just finished this website last week. They opt to upload it in a free web hosting site.

What is left is the IT training which is scheduled on August 2, 2008 and that will be 2 weeks from now. I will fascilitate the training and participants will be composed of the entire faculty and staff. The primary topic of the training is about the Internet and how they can utilize if for educational advancement.

I will give you an update of the training and post some pictures in my future posts.

My Birthday:)

July 6, my natal day. I’m already 38 but I’m 10 years younger at heart lol!! With me here is Liza, my bestfriend. Of course she’s already a part of every celebration in the house .

I started the day with my pc and after finishing some of the works that needs to get done in the morning, I hurriedly went to grocery to buy something for my day. It’s so timely that my advantage card at Magic Star Mall was due and time to claim my points so most of the grocery were free of charge. Great!!

I cooked spagehetti which is my children’s favorite, macaroni salad, chocolate cake, hotdogs and pan. So that’s it and were all full.

My kids gave me a surprise gift, hmmm… Chocolates!! they told me they save their “baon” so they can buy me those sweet chocolates. My kids knows me well lol! Hub gave me a pack of chocolates too! ohh, I hope I my teeth wont ache after eating these chocolates lol!

This is my eldest daughter Jessica, busy with her spaghetti, beside her is my daughter Sabrina. Can you see the “Puto” beside her? that’s from Liza. She’s running a Homebase Puto business and she gave me 3 packs of puto in this occasion. It’s not an ordinary puto. She calls it “Puto Pao” as it has some meat inside just like “Siopao”.

This is my niece, Jane but we call her Denden. She’s been with us for the past years and she helps me with my kids and in return I am sending her to college.

Our friend Bong. He’s my hub’s bestfriend. They were friends since grade school. Like Liza, Bong has been a part of every celebration as well.

and look at me, I’m so hungry I didn’t bother to look at the cam lol! after a long day of grocery, preparing and cooking.

This is our grand daughters, KB and Honey. daughter of my hub’s nephew, cezar and niece, sharon.

This is Sabrina. pa cute di ba 🙂

That’s all folks! Till next post 😉

FRANK hits Philippines

Hey guys, I’m back after 12 days lol! (sigh) I wish I can do blogging religiously but I can’t go beyond my strength.. I was working late.. so late almost until dawn…

We have a bad weather lately. The Philippines was hit by storm Frank and destroyed many provinces and left an increasing death toll. 2 ships sunk, MV Princess of the Star and MV Papa of the Orient. It really saddens me to see these tragedies that had taken many lives. This can be avoided if we only have the right equipment and technology. Unfortunately, the Filipino people have a government seats full of corrupt officials.

Now they are blaming each other, the Weather Bureau (PAGASA) because of inconsistent weather forecast, the shipping line, Sulpicio because of the poor communication, the coast guard and Maritime Agency for not responding immediately. These are but mere alibis at the expense of many lives of our poor kababayans. My heart is really aching for those people crying and begging, hoping to see the remains of their loved ones. As I was watched the late night news, it shows rescue operations, but the officers assigned were complaining about their gadgets… and what angers me, they have no budget and just waiting to hitch. Indeed! We really have a beggar government.

Many years had passed and it’s still the norms in politics. They can fund personal propagandas, they pocketed government budgets, they conducted series of investigations to different issues but most are “unfinished business”.

Storm Frank is gone now and so the lives, houses and resources of many Filipino people. There are many appearances on TVs and a lot of dole out to distressed areas but the root cause are not addressed yet. One of these days, another storm will come which may take many lives again and yet, we are not prepared because of our government’s poor services. It is high time indeed that we learned from this lessons.

JBCPEN

INJECTION? Oh Nooooo!!!!!

Hmmm, I’m back! My last post was June 14 and today is 17! I knew it… I owe you. Sorry! I’m busy with Montessori de Xevera ID Card, Biometric Sytem & Fingerprint device setup added by another School, Martinet School’s ID Card. Pasensya na, trabaho lang.. Super busy, on the side I’m designing Martinet’s website. I only have two hands, I wish it’s 4 lol! But since I started this blog I need to post. I owe this to myself and to you guys out there.

So what’s my topic for today? The last time I discussed some of my Promdi life and promised to post some photos and details bout my hometown but then… Sorry, I never do my homework huhuhu…

Wait! I will tell you an interesting story when I was a kid. I was afraid of Vaccine, nah! actually not vaccine but the injection. When I was in Grade school, I had a friend, Jocelyn Castro. We grew up together. She’s an only child, as I was my dad’s only daughter. My mom and her mom are both elementary grade teacher in the same school. We always have the same bag, the same shoes, the same shirts as if were real sisters. When we heard about the upcoming vaccine campaign in our school, we agreed to go to the public clinic and had the vaccine in advance. We were not afraid of injection then so we voluntarily go and asked our local health doctor to perform the vaccination. We’re giggling while were doing this and plan to brag the following day that we already done we will be free watching the cryings and wailing of our classmates and other students who are afraid of injection. But unfortunately the following day, I can’t move my other hands. I can feel the pain from my shoulder, my forearms to the tip of my finger. We had a fever the following night. Our parents were very angry and almost sued the doctor. It was a week of agonizing pain and we stayed home for a week and wasn’t able to go to school. Our plan of bragging was spoiled.

That was a very traumatic experience for both of us. So the following year, another vaccination program was implemented. You know what we did? While the entire class was busy, we throw our bags outside the window and asked permission if we can go to the toilet. Then we hurriedly picked our bags and run home! Both our moms were worried when we left the school so the following year, each time there is a vaccination program, they go to our room and simply help us out, exempting us from the injection. Whew! that goes til I graduated my elementary years.

Of course I’m a mommy now and glad I already overcome my fear of needles lol :). I had some stitches when I gave birth and I encouraged my kids to be strong and accompany them to the doctor.

I wish that someday, Jocelyn will be able to read this post and we will be able to see each other again…

JBCPEN

PROMDI from Pasacao

PROMDI is a Pinoy Lingo which means “From the Province” or “Probinsyano/Probinsyana”, any person from who lived and spent most of their lives in the province. Promdis are oftentimes the subject in a Philippine TV sitcom and movies. They always portray the character of a particular promdi who just arrived in the city with a very ignorant and amazed face. That Promdi is looking here and there, pointing at buildings and billboards and staring at the people that are so busy walking and crossing the streets. They are always wearing a traditional old fashioned clothings with old native bags and sometimes carrying chickens. What a reputation!

I myself is a promdi. I was born and spent my childhood years near the beach at the foot of a mountain. Compared to my city life now, it was one of my great years. Sometimes, I wish that I can turn back time and be a kid again climbing trees, riding a carabao, rock the beach and hike the mountains. The serenity you’ll find in the province is incomparable and such kind of life is just a history now for those who live in the city sorrounded with noise and air pollutions.

I grew up with lots of friends, the field and the sea was an extension of our playground. The photo above is an old picture of our barrio, Caranan. I am planning to visit my hometown before the year end and I promise to take some photos so I can share with you the beauty of that place. This little barrio where I came from is called Pasacao located at the province of Camarines Sur (Bicol Region), Southern part of the Philippines. It is just a tiny dot in our map but now it is already tagged as the Summer Capital of Camarines Sur. Recently, as I watched the TV, I learned that it is beginning to attract tourists because of the Dolphins. Many local and foreign tourists are starting to crowd the area for Dolphin watching. I never experienced it yet and I’m looking forward to watch it myself.My hometown is almost 10 hours drive from Manila. You can reach it by bus, train and airplaine (45mins). The fare from Manila is around 700 to 1000php depending on the Bus service. Aircon buses with CR and Snacks are much higher. It would take at least 8 to 12 hours drive depending on the traffic. Train is the cheapest, just around 450php but because of its poor services and maintenance, the government closed the Bicol Trip temporarily and promised to rehabilitate it.

Most of the Bus heading to Bicol region can be found at Pasay area, Alimall Cubao and along the EDSA. To name a few, Penafrancia Tours, Executive Carriers, Philtranco, Raymond, Amihan and many more.. You can book anytime or just walk in. But during peak season, especially on November (all saints day), Christmas season, New Year, Holy Week, Penafrancia Fiesta and school opening, I advise you to book your trip in advance.

I’ll tell you some of the famous landmark in my province in my future posts.

JBCPEN

MY FIRST POST

Warm greetings to you! yea, you who exert an effort and time to visit my blog. Whatever is your purpose of reading this post, I want you to know I’m glad and appreciate that out millions sites in the cyberworld, you stop here to read my posts.

You see this is an overdue account… yea overdue because, I’ve been writing since grade school, composing poems, drawing and writing… writing a lot! school organ, diary, journal, newsletter… writing on a tissue paper while waiting on an appointment… I am writing in any sheet of paper at any moment in my time. Why? because I love to write.. It’s my outlet.. my bestfriend.. my tears when I’m sad, my laughter when I’m happy.

Why overdue? because I started using PC in my first job in 1988 but then I never save anything in that hard drive. I bought my first PC in 1996 and learned internet browsing the year after, and yet I never created my blog. I learned photoshop, flash, frontpage, dreamweaver and designed websites for my clients but still I have no blogsite. The first time I browse the internet 10 years ago, I told myself, oh well, now I have my chance to write everything that I want to… my poems, my opinions, my articles, my activities, my feelings… my anger!

But then I was so preoccupied of learning different programs that I forget my dream to write, not to mention my job, my family and other activities that I’m into. Those things ate my time and let me forget my passion in writing.

Last week I’ve been posting a lot of ads for my IT business and I came across this interesting blog that I read until midnight and that’s it! It makes the fire burning! I told myself, hey! that’s what you want all these years.. why can’t you stop and write your thoughts?

That’s why I’m here writing. An oldie in PC but newbie in blogging lol!

So to fulfill my innermost passion, I will write today. I’ll write tomorrow and the day after and until the day that I die. (I just hope I can really sustain this despite of my busy schedule:) But I have to! I owe this to myself!

So what shall I write?

Based on my title, A Glimpse to the Pearl, I will discuss diversified issues on parenting, relationship, activism, health, social issues, poverty and governance. These are all in the context of Philippine setting because I want to give my readers a glimpse to the Filipino way of life. Some posts may be an occasional discussion about my personal experience in the past, my jobs & struggles, local current events and tourist attractions.

I also hope to gain a fair number of readers and thank you for being one 🙂

JBCPEN