Saturday, December 3, 2011

Lost and Found

I've been out for quite sometime and it's time for me to go back and be active again. For the past few months, my life, career and lovelife(?) have been the same. I want some change! Change to be BETTER.

2011 is not really a bad year for me despite of some disappointments and failures.

I would like to make some changes in my life and would love to start a few new beginnings as this year ends. I'm giving my career until the first quarter of next year and if nothing happens, then, it might be the right time for me to move out and find a greener and more secure pasture. Part of my goal is to save some money for my future. I've been working all my life but never saved even a single cent, which I know is bad.

Wednesday, August 3, 2011

GOD'S "PHONE" NUMBER

Hello God, I called tonight
To talk a little while
I need a friend who'll listen
To my anxiety and trials.

You see, I can't quite make it
Through a day just on my own...
I need your love to guide me,
So I'll never feel alone.

I want to ask you please to keep,
My family safe and sound.
Come and fill their lives with confidence
For whatever fate they're bound.

Give me faith, dear God, to face
Each hour throughout the day,
And not to worry over things
I can't change in any way.

I thank you God, for being home
And listening to my call,
For giving me such good advice
When I stumble and fall.. !!!!!!!

Your number, God, is the only one
That answers every time.
I never get a busy signal,
Never had to pay a dime.

So thank you, God, for listening
To my troubles and my sorrow.
Good night, God, I love You, too,
And I'll call again tomorrow!

P.S. Please bless all my friends and family too.

Thursday, April 14, 2011

Government Agency Experience... BAD!!!

I went to DFA earlier today to finish my passport application. It just took me 25 minutes to finish everything. DFA's process has never been a problem to me. Everything went smoothly and I didn't expect it to be that fast for a government agency. KUDOS to DFA for such a very impressive improvement with their process.

After my business with DFA, I decided to head directly to the Bureau of Immigration to submit my final clearance from DOST. I know the address but I don't know how to get there, so I just follow my instinct (as always) in going there. I took a bus going to Lawton but I alighted in Quirino Ave coz I was thinking that it might be too far if I'll drop off at the Lawton station. I took another jeep in Mabini and eventually I arrived at the place safe and sound. Can't believe my eyes that this agency is so chaotic! There are so many foreigners and locals as well who wants to migrate. I went to the information center directly and asked for assistance on where to go and whom to talk to about my business. They pointed me to different rooms and people, all in all, everything is a mess... a very BIG mess!!! They're not as organize as DFA. The staff especially the man assigned at window 17 is so BASTOS!!!

I just hope that BI should at least make room for improvements when it comes to their process.

Another bad experience for me... this is Gilbert once again and you've been synchronized.

My "Sagad Ah!" Trip

I would say that the April 1-4 travel was the best travel I've had in my entire life. I enjoyed most of my stay in the Ifugao region together with my new found friends. It was the first time that I was able to join the Lakbayees group and t'was my first to visit the northern region (farther than Baguio I mean…) of the Philippines.

I was able to see the majestic sceneries of the famous Banaue Rice Terraces. The view is really breathtaking and jaw-dropping. It’s the living legacy of our ancestors that until now, the new generations were able to preserve. I’m just sad to see that some parts of the rice fields were being used as a residence of the locals now.

After a few hours of stay in Banaue, we then moved on to our next destination, Sagada. It took us at least 4 hours to reach the place. Sagada is known for its picturesque nature, grandiose mountains, unbelievable hanging coffins, underground caves, inviting falls and they also have their own rice terraces, which you will see up-close when you go to Bomod-ok falls. Sagada is worth to be called the Shangri-la of the Philippines. You can do so many things when you’re in Sagada; like a 4-hour hike to Mt. Ampacao, trekking in the rice fields going to the ice-cold Bomod-ok falls, spelunking at the Sumaguing underground cave, sunrise viewing at Kiltepan and visiting the hanging coffins at the Echo Valley. You should never miss their delicious delicacies as well. Most of the visitors want to try the infamous yoghurt from Yoghurt House (as the name implies.☻) but unfortunately, they really lack manners and good customer service. We’ve been to that place twice and we’ve been treated badly by the staff, twice as well. It was not a good experience for us first timers to be treated that way. One of our colleagues blurted out that the yoghurt is not that good at all. He said, “Para ka lang naman palang kumain ng panis na Nestle cream.” I would suggest, that instead of Yoghurt house, why not try Lemon Pie House where they serve freshly-baked Blueberry pie, Egg pie and Lemon pie matching with an aromatic Sagada brewed coffee. The service is superb, the staff is so friendly and accommodating and the place is cozy.

On the last day of our tour, we tried catching the sunrise in Kiltepan but due to the heavy fog that day, the sun is nowhere to be seen. We just enjoyed the view instead, took some pictures, took a little hike and finally went back to the guesthouse to prepare for our departure. We took off from the place at around 11AM and went our way directly to Cordillera of the Mountain Province, where we were able to reach the highest point of the country’s highway system. From there, we went straight to Baguio as the last pit stop of the tour.

In totality, the tour is really one of a kind. It brought me closer to our roots and culture and made me proud that our country has more than it can give to the world.

This tour has been made possible through the efforts of our organizer, Miss Mira Donna Belialba. Also, we would like thank our tourguides, Mr. Gareth Likigan, Erik Son (its his FB name), Edwin and Lester, who patiently helped us in everything.

To all Lakbayees, thank you for this once in a lifetime experience!!! More travels for us!!!!

Thursday, March 31, 2011

Mom and Dad's 31st Anniversary

On the verge of this modern time, it is very inspiring to know that some marriages still survive through the test time. March 29, 2011 was the 31st wedding anniversary of parents. They've been together for 31 years and yet I can see that they don't (to be continued)

15th Sinigayan Festival

I went home last March 17 to witness the 15th Sinigayan Festival of my hometown, Sagay in Negros Occidental. For almost a decade now, it's the first time I was able to join and witness the street dancing Mardi Gras style. The streets and the plaza were filled with very energetic people. The party never ceases, day and night for 3 consecutive days. Live bands, beauty pageants and teachers night are some of the activities/programs of such a momentous event of the city.

I took the liberty to capture those moments. Please enjoy the pictures I've taken because it's the only proof that Sagaynons still manage to smile amidst the adversities in life.








Thursday, February 24, 2011

25th Anniversary of EDSA People Power

Today's the 25th anniversary of the EDSA revolution. T'was in 1986 when the revolution arises and the people of the Republic of the Philippines became one and marched to EDSA to fight for their freedom from the dictatorship of the late president; Ferdinand Marcos and to free the country from martial law. The country was under Marcos' regime for 23 years and it has ended when the late first female president; President Corazon Aquino, stepped up, took the challenge and fought the Marcoses and she successfully brought them into their knees. This was the only bloodless revolution ever recorded in the history of the world. Prayers, faith to GOD and faith to the power of the people were the only weapons they've used against the then administration.

We are now celebrating and commemorating the said revolution which gives us the opportunity to enjoy our freedom.



We should be thankful to those who bravely gamble their lives back then by barricading their selves in front of the war tanks and in front of hundreds of soldiers who are just waiting for the orders from their then commander-in-chief.

Thank you very much! Your efforts have paid off and all of us are enjoying the freedom that we have right now.

To all Filipinos out there, "Isapuso at isadiwa natin ang alaala ng unang EDSA people power. Tayo'y tumayong muli at isulong ang pagbabago. MABUHAY TAYONG MGA PILIPINO!"


This is Gilbert and once again, you've been synchronized.

Wednesday, February 23, 2011

My Experimental Shots

I'm so excited and motivated to use my camera(Ayumi). Been practicing for awhile on how to take good pictures with great angles and subjects. Here are some of the pictures I took using Ayumi.


These are the red Jelly Fish at the Ocean Park.


And these are the blue jelly fish.


A glimpse of Luneta Park at night. Took a picture of the Jose Rizal monument at a different angle just to avoid mediocrity.


The musical fountain of Luneta. Most people gather around it and watch it till the ungodly hours of the day.


The Manila Post Office... kinda creepy though. =$


Catching the sunset by the bay.

More photos to come and more to post!

This is Gilbert and you've been synchronized.

MY DREAM CAME TRUE!

I'm so happy now because after a very long time, I finally got my dream camera, the Canon EOS60D. Thank you GOD for all my efforts have paid off.




It's clicking time bloggers!!! =)

Tuesday, January 25, 2011

2011 New Year's Resolutions

These are the things I wanna do this 2011.



I hope that I can finish everything on time.
Time, dedication and hard work are the things I need to put everything into reality.

Monday, January 24, 2011

Experimental Photos

I'm studying on how to edit photos, a self-study though, and I'm trying to apply it on to some of my favorite pictures taken by myself of course! Please see photos below and leave comments on how to improve it.


This was taken yesterday at the seaside of Mall of Asia while waiting for the sun to set.

Another view of the sea.

Me multiplied by three.

The pooping Doraemon.

The ripe one!

Friday, January 7, 2011

WTF!!! TAX???


I thought I started my day right yesterday. I felt like I woke up at the right side of the bed coz everything seems to be OK... but unfortunately at the end of the day, I was wrong.

I was so frustrated and disappointed after checking my pay for the last cut-off. I was expecting it to be somewhat big since I worked my ass off during the holidays and I have some overtime as well. I learned that I have a very huge amount of deduction due to tax deficit for last year. Never crossed my mind that it will come up to that certain amount. It all ruined my plans and budget. Everything has been divided before I got my pay. Now... I don't know what to do.

Since I already made some commitments, I must go on with it coz its hard for me to hold back. I will just try to sacrifice a little and will tighten my belt until the next payday.

I just hope that I'll be satisfied of what I'll be getting for the next salary period.


This is Gilbert and you've been synchronized!