The Man Behind The Façade is a blog about me as a son, brother, friend, lover and a worker. I would like to post and share with you all the ups and downs of my life. I will be brutally honest in writing my entries and will accept all your comments, suggestions and even criticisms whole-heartedly.
I WELCOME you all to my virtual reality.
Another year has passed and a new one has come. 2010 has been a memorable one for me. T'was the year I found love and lost it at the same time. I win some and I lose some.
2010 seems like the beginning and the end for me. It has been a roller coaster ride but eventually, the ride is still worth while. It's now the right time for me to say goodbye to you 2010. Thank you for all the memories!
Welcome 2011!!! I know that it's gonna be challenging for me to face you but I'm all geared up and ready to collide with you head on! I just hope and pray that you've instored lotsa good things for me. SURPRISE me 2011! Surprise me!!! =)
I'm uber excited for next month coz I'm gonna get myself, my first ever DSLR camera. Since it's my first, then I should have the best and most convenient and easy-to-use camera for me. As I gather information through words of mouth and online information, I have come to a decision to get the Canon EOS 60D.
Been reading reviews and forums about it and I'm totally convinced to get it. Hopefully, if my budget permits me, I'll buy this camera before January 2011 ends. Still keeping my fingers crossed.
My friend, Joanna gave this to me as a pasalubong from her Christmas vacation in Baguio. These are Ube Jams from one of Baguio's finest, The Good Shepherd. One of my all-time-favorites from the City of Pines.
I ordered this Liempo Rice from Bacolod Chicken Inasal Restaurant. Choy, Ellen and I went out for a coffee last night and decided to eat a late-night dinner after.
The best-seller Pork Sisig of Bacolod Chicken Inasal. Choy ordered this one. Looks yummy, right?
Ellen decided to have a Salisbury Steak for herself. Looks delicious but Ellen wasn't able to finish it all.
This is our Noche Buena from the office last Christmas Eve. Everything on the plate is very delicious. T'was the first time, the caterer delivered a good food. Maybe it's a different caterer this year? I just don't know and I care less as long as the food is GOOD!
Another milestone for Manny Pacquiao after winning the fight against Mexico's pride, Antonio "The Tornado" Margarito. The fight has been sought everywhere and by everyone. No traffic in EDSA at all coz all drivers took off to watch the said fight and the restaurants which offered a pay-per-view inclusive of a lunch buffet... all of the tickets were sold out.
The fight was so intense and would need others a breather for them to calm down. If you'll look at the streets, noone's there coz everyone's infront of their tele watching and cheering for the "Pambansang Kamao". Physically, you can say that the Mexican fighter has all the advantage coz of his weight, height and long reach. Pacman had a hard time knocking him out but definitely, Pacman pulverized Margarito at the end of the fight. Pacman has a good hand and foot works. He has an overwhelming speed when it comes to throwing punches. Pacman threw 411 power punches and one of those punches gave Margarito a swollen eye.
During the events like this, all Filipinos unite and stand firm in supporting their fellowmen. For Pacman, you made us all proud being a Filipino. You've brought honor to our country and to all Filipinos around the world. Another highlight in Philippines' history for winning 8 titles in a row.
Once again, this is Gilbert saying, "You've been synchronized!".
We all carry our mobile phones with names & numbers stored in its memory but nobody, other than ourselves, knows which of these numbers belong to our closest family or friends.
If we were to be involved in an accident or were taken ill, the people attending us would have our mobile phone but wouldn't know who to call. Yes, there are hundreds of numbers stored but which one is the contact person in case of an emergency? Hence this "ICE" (In Case of Emergency) Campaign
The concept of "ICE" is catching on quickly. It is a method of contact during emergency situations.. As cell phones are carried by the majority of the population, all you need to do is store the number of a contact person or persons who should be contacted during emergency under the name "ICE" ( In Case Of Emergency).
The idea was thought up by a paramedic who found that when he went to the scenes of accidents, there were always mobile phones with patients, but they didn't know which number to call. He therefore thought that it would be a good idea if there was a nationally recognized name for this purpose. In an emergency situation, Emergency Service personnel and hospital Staff would be able to quickly contact the right person by simply dialing the number you have stored as "ICE."
For more than one contact name simply enter ICE1, ICE2 and ICE3 etc. A great idea that will make a difference!
Let's spread the concept of ICE by storing an ICE number in our Mobile phones today!
Please forward this. It won't take too many "forwards" before everybody will know about this It really could save your life, or put a loved one's mind at rest .
Remember: ICE will speak for you when you are not able to.
I don’t know if it’s a good thing or not… but I’m kinda pre-occupied in the office lately. I’ve been in this situation for almost a month now. Reports, reports, and more reports are coming in to my way. I’ve been doing everything I could to deliver everything on time. Is this what we call “dedication”? Or I’m just simply doing it for the sake of work? Actually, I don’t know anymore. But if you’ll ask me if I’m still happy with what I’m doing… as a matter of fact… I am!
Maybe, I’m just experiencing too much stress due to excessive workloads. But how can I cope up with it? I can’t even go on leave for a day because we’re shorthanded in our manpower. My colleague resigned last month so basically I’m the only one doing the reports. Good thing, my supervisor took the liberty in doing some of the reports left by my ex-officemate.
Right now, I really want to unwind and would like to go somewhere else where I can relax and get away from the hustle and bustle of the urban area. I know that it sucks to be like me sometimes but that’s just how the way life goes. Sometimes you have all the good things within your reach but there are times that you feel like you’re at the bottom of the food chain.
For now, I’ll just have to go with the flow and see what’s in it for me for the coming days. I hope and pray that it should be something big that would change my life. Still hoping and praying for it but I’m not totally expecting it. Just surprise me Lord… and I know you will. =)
This is Gilbert. Another day has passed and you’ve been synchronized.
I woke up at exactly 7:28 this morning to prepare myself coz I need to be in Shangri-la at exactly 10AM. My friends and I will go to Tagaytay just to hang out and unwind. We left Manila at around 10:15AM. Headin' south via Sta. Rosa exit. We dropped something in Paseo Laguna (Apple delivered something for her project in their barracks). Then headed directly to Tagaytay. We went directly to Leslies to take our lunch since it's already quarter to 1 when we arrived there. We ordered the sumptous bulalo, buttered crab and sizzling gambas. We had fruit salad and leche flan for desserts. We stayed for a bit in the resto after eating to take a rest and enjoy the scenery. After awhile, we decided to go back to manila so we can rest early. While on our way home, it just came up and has been decided that we'll go to Starcity to play lazer blazer. Since we're already out, why not we should take all the time we have and make the most of it? So we did play 1 game of lazer blazer and then roam around the place. While enjoying by just looking at the rides, I came across this stall of hats. I saw two beautifully designed fedora hats. I never hesitated in buying them... it was the first time I bought this kind of hat eventhough I'm not really a hat person.
We really had a blast today. It's one of the most enjoyable roadtrips I had. I just hope that more trips to come with the same group of people.
I am so happy today coz my application for the broadband which I waited for a very long time has been approved and was confirmed that the installation was scheduled for today. From the office I went home directly and waited for the Manong Installers. At first I was a bit skeptical if they'll come or not coz the customer service rep who called us the other day told us that it was scheduled in the morning.
The 2 Manong Installers came at almost 4PM already but the heck I care! What's important now is they're here to set everything up. It was almost dark when they're done. Now that I have my own internet connection... I hereby proclaim that The Synchronizer will be here, will get connected to the world any second, any minute and any hour of the day.
This blog is just a collection of pictures of all kinds of food I ate and would like to eat.
The cassava cake was given to us by our friend, Gerald. Ate Lina and I enjoyed it very much! We shared some of it with our friends in the office. Thanks to Kuya George for taking this picture.
Menudo - diced pork with carrots, potatoes, sayote, baguio beans and raisins.
We had these during a conference meeting with the clients and executives in the office. Roast Chicken, tuna belly, roast beef, pineapple and grapes for dessert.
It's one of those days that I don't have anything to eat. I would prefer Maling or Luncheon meat other than any other canned goods.
These are the foods we had on our 2009 Christmas party in Antipolo. T'was so much fun!!!
The Hungarian Sausage from Earle's Delicatessen... YUMMY!!!
Valenciana - it's like Paella minus the seafoods. =)
I know it's kinda funny looking... but c'mon! Clear up your dirty mind. LOL
The chocolate fondue
Monte Cristo Bites, Tuna Carbonara, Shanghai Rolls and Crispy Fried Kangkong
The Monte Cristo Bites
These foods were prepared by Meg and Tax for the baby shower party.
I've been browsing YouTube from time to time and I chanced upon this one music video, which is one of the sensations and most viewed videos in the site right now, of Just A Dream cover created by Joseph Vincent and Jason Chen. I am so amazed with the voices of these guys! I downloaded their music cover online and I'll try the video next time. The song, Just A Dream was originally sang by Nelly. =)
Here's the version of Joseph and Jason;
Just A Dream
I was thinkin about her, thinkin about me. Thinkin about us, what we gonna be? Open my eyes, yeah, it was only just a dream. So I travel back, down that road. Will she come back? No one knows. I realize, yeah, it was only just a dream.
Let me tell you about a girl who changed my world I don't know just how she's doin that She on my mind, she taking my time I'm losing my way but now she's bringing me back
She's my ipod I got her on replay I love the way she lies and she's making me wanna say the DJ got us fallin in love We're like dynamite and I just can't get enough
What goes up must come down Now baby you're not around Im laying all alone in the middle of the night
I was thinkin about her, thinkin about me. Thinkin about us, what we gonna be? Open my eyes, yeah, it was only just a dream. So I travel back, down that road. Will she come back? No one knows. I realize, yeah, it was only just a dream.
Let me tell you about a girl who changed my life She's a triple threat and she's just my type Voice of a goddess can dance to this flow She be turnin' heads everywhere she goes
She's my ipod I got her on replay I love the way she lies and she's making me wanna say the DJ got us fallin in love We're like dynamite and I just can't get enough
What goes up must come down Now baby you're not around Im laying all alone in the middle of the night
I was thinkin about her, thinkin about me. Thinkin about us, what we gonna be? Open my eyes, yeah, it was only just a dream. So I travel back, down that road. Will she come back? No one knows. I realize, yeah, it was only just a dream.
If you ever loved somebody put your hands up. If you ever loved somebody put your hands up. And now they're gone and you wish you could give them everything. If you ever loved somebody put your hands up. If you ever loved somebody put your hands up. And now they're gone and you wish you could give them everything
I was thinkin about her, thinkin about me. Thinkin about us, what we gonna be? Open my eyes, yeah, it was only just a dream. So I travel back, down that road. Will she come back? No one knows. I realize, yeah, it was only just a dream.
I don’t have anything in mind yet… but I know that by and by… an idea will just pop out and I can create another story for my blog site. I’m fond of blogging whenever I have a free time. It helps me know and express myself and let my brain practice for awhile as well. I’m not really good in technical writing but at least I’m trying… I know it’s hard but I don’t wanna give up. I know that a time will come that I’ll be good in doing this craft.
(After a few minutes)
I went to the CR inside the clinic to take a leak, and after, I had a little chat with the office nurse (Ate Lina). She told me that her co-nurse’s uncle passed away due to a lung cancer. T’was really a sad story, and suddenly, I remember my uncle who also passed away due to a colon cancer. His death anniversary was just last month, August.
Seeing them suffer because of the pain brought by this sickness is really, really hard to bare. I’ve seen my uncle (younger brother of my mom, +Uncle Doy) living like this before. He can barely breathe, peeing blood instead of urine, a very, very hard cough and a swollen body. I was crying everytime I see him like that… I prayed and asked GOD to take away all the pains he had. It also came to a point that I questioned GOD, “Why him? He’s been good and followed everything YOU asked him to do. He did lotsa good things for his family, brothers and sisters, nephews and nieces and even to his friends.” I know that it’s not right to question GOD’s capabilities and I knew from the start, that this is a part of HIS big plan for my uncle. Everything happened for a reason and GOD only gives GOOD reasons.
Everyone in the family seems to be devastated at that moment because of a great loss of a good father, husband, brother, uncle, cousin, nephew and a friend. My Uncle Doy is one of the best! He was the one who helped everyone in the family to work abroad… because of his help, my dad was able to work in Brunei for several years (a decade maybe?) and I was able to live an abundant and happy life. I can’t thank him enough for what he did to our family. His goodness and memories will be treasured forever. We love and miss you, Uncle Doy!
As of now, his 3 kids are still going to school. I made a promise to myself that whenever they need help, I will be there for them, no matter what!
I watched the season 2 premiere of GLEE last Wednesday. I was a bit surprised that Charice was the first "celebrity" guest to appear in the pilot episode of the latest season. She's playing the character of Sunshine Corazon (t'was believed that the character was inspired by the late Pres. Corazon Aquino), a filipino exchange-student who wants to join the glee club. She showed them what a true filipino can do. I may be biased-sounding but she can belt out more than Rachel can do. She sang a good version of Listen (Beyonce's song in Dream Girls) and Telephone (duet with Rachel inside the CR). I am not a Charice fan, but I give my applause to this girl. I thought she's gonna be a part of the Glee Club under Mr. Schuester but due to the selfishness of Rachel Berry, Sunshine joined the rival team instead which is the, New Directionals.
Well, I guess... let's just find out what will happen soon. Another must-watch TV series on my list. I'll try to observe and follow the progress of her role on her first ever international tv show.
Goodluck to you Charice! Make all Filipinos proud!
It has been a while that I wasn't able to update my blog. I'm quite busy for the past 2 months, work, personal life, work and work again. LOL. Well... lotsa things happened lately... with my work, social life, at home, relatives and even with friends, both outside and inside the office.
Lemme start with… my sister went here last July to enroll for her nursing licensure review. Unfortunately, she didn't make it on time. She just had her vacation here instead and after almost 2 months, she decided to go back in Bacolod coz she might be able to enroll there.
Secondly, my nephew went here just this month to look for a work. He quit school coz his dad lost his job and they can no longer send them to school. After staying here for almost a month now, his auntie from the states called and told him that she’ll help him with his schooling. So now, he will go back to the province to continue his schooling again, hopefully this coming second semester. His mom sent him some money just last day for his plane ticket but unfortunately… what a misfortune for this kid… according to him, he was held up last night on his way back home in Pasig. All of his money was taken but he was able to keep his cellphone by just simply hiding it inside his brief. I was a bit skeptical about his story so I just give him a benefit of a doubt. I’ll try to find out later whether he is telling the truth or not.
Then, after more than a year of working with him, my colleague (Carlo) will be resigning (YES he is!!!), and his last day of duty will be tonight (September 24, 2010). He was given a good opportunity outside and I believed he was offered twice of what he's getting here right now... in short a greener pasture for him. Well, I'm happy for him (seriously) coz the man needs a much higher paying job coz he has a kid and a wife. Nonetheless, we will remain as good friends eventhough we will not be working together anymore. I'll just wish him "GOODLUCK" and "GOD bless"!
Lastly, I just can't believe with what's going on right now... it's much better not to say it here... there are things better left unknown to others.
My apologies for the last statement, I have noone to trust here right now. I don’t want anybody to hear me rant of what I’m feeling right now. I just hope that anyone who can read this will understand of what I’m talking about… sometimes, it’s better to be left alone than to be with somebody else who doesn’t care about you.
I still remember the day I’ve met you, T’was the right time I’ve felt love so true. Been thinking of you all night and day, Time just passes by and seems to fly away.
Now that we have separated our ways, You took yours, but I seemed to have gone astray. Since then, my life has never been the same, I am a complete wreck because of this game.
I’m starting to pick up myself once more, Trying to go back from where I was before. Even my heart’s bruised, scarred and torn, I get back up and have decided to move on.
Now I am standing here all alone, Lonely yet, I need to deal with this on my own. Tears falling and the pain still remain, Yet I need to keep on with my existence again.
I just want to thank you for all the memories, Definitely, forever I will treasure and cherish. I will now face the world and continue with what I have By starting over, I will now bid farewell to love.
