Lakbayan Grade: "C-"

Seems like I have not visited (or even passed through) much of Philippine's locality.

How about you? Check out here.
 

Career Opportunity: ODT Specialist

Projects' Team Building I

With the completion of the MEP Rebuild project, and the plant already in full operations, retreat to Agalon Beach (~55km from Isabel) was the most prudent thing to do. The relaxing ambience of Agalon Beach suits best the goal of our team-building acitivity: restore and increase camaraderie among Projects' personnel.

Thanks to ODT (Ms A and Ms Liezel) who enthusiastically prepared the program despite the short notice.The activities boosted our energy along with sweaty shirts and happy countenances. In the end, we gained a better apprehension of each one's personality. All in all, a wonderful and worth remembering experience.

See you all again on Project's Team Building II, puhon!^_^

Must Read

Last week, my office mate suggested me to follow the blog: Everything in Budget
Since then, checking this site is in my to-do list every day.

Today, as I opened the site, the first post caught my attention.

Man Searches for the Owner of a Lost Wallet

The entry goes as follows:

As I walked home one freezing day, I stumbled on a wallet someone had lost in the street. I picked it up and looked inside to find some identification so I could call the owner. But the wallet contained only three dollars and a crumpled letter that looked as if it had been in there for years.

The envelope was worn and the only thing that was legible on it was the return address. I started to open the letter, hoping to find some clue. Then I saw the dateline--1924. The letter had been written almost sixty years ago.

It was written in a beautiful feminine handwriting on powder blue stationery with a little flower in the left-hand corner. It was a love letter that told the recipient, whose name appeared to be Michael, that the writer could not see him any more because her mother forbade it. Even so, she wrote that she would always love him. It was signed, Hannah.

It was a beautiful letter, but there was no way except for the name Michael, that the owner could be identified. Maybe if I called information, the operator could find a phone listing for the address on the envelope.

"Operator," I began, "this is an unusual request. I'm trying to find the owner of a wallet that I found. Is there anyway you can tell me if there is a phone number for an address that was on an envelope in the wallet?"

She suggested I speak with her supervisor, who hesitated for a moment then said, "Well, there is a phone listing at that address, but I can't give you the number." She said, as a courtesy, she would call that number, explain my story and would ask them if they wanted her to connect me. I waited a few minutes and then she was back on the line. "I have a party who will speak with you."

I asked the woman on the other end of the line if she knew anyone by the name of Hannah. She gasped, "Oh! We bought this house from a family who had a daughter named Hannah. But that was 30 years ago!" Would you know where that family could be located now?, I asked. "I remember that Hannah had to place her mother in a nursing home some years ago," the woman said. "Maybe if you got in touch with them they might be able to track down the daughter."

She gave me the name of the nursing home and I called the number. They told me the old lady had passed away some years ago but they did have a phone number for where they thought the daughter might be living. I thanked them and phoned. The woman who answered explained that Hannah herself was now living in a nursing home.

This whole thing was stupid, I thought to myself. Why was I making such a big deal over finding the owner of a wallet that had only three dollars and a letter that was almost 60 years old? Nevertheless, I called the nursing home in which Hannah was supposed to be living and the man who answered the phone told me, "Yes, Hannah is staying with us."

Even though it was already 10 p.m., I asked if I could come by to see her. "Well," he said hesitatingly, "if you want to take a chance, she might be in the day room watching television." I thanked him and drove over to the nursing home. The night nurse and a guard greeted me at the door. We went up to the third floor of the large building. In the day room, the nurse introduced me to Hannah.

She was a sweet, silver-haired old timer with a warm smile and a twinkle in her eye. I told her about finding the wallet and showed her the letter. The second she saw the powder blue envelope with that little flower on the left, she took a deep breath and said, "Young man, this letter was the last contact I ever had with Michael." She looked away for a moment deep in thought and then said Softly, "I loved him very much. But I was only 16 at the time and my mother felt I was too young. Oh, he was so handsome. He looked like Sean Connery, the actor."

"Yes," she continued. "Michael Goldstein was a wonderful person. If you should find him, tell him I think of him often. And," she hesitated for a moment, almost biting her lip, "tell him I still love him. You know," she said smiling as tears began to well up in her eyes, "I never did marry. I guess no one ever matched up to Michael..." I thanked Hannah and said goodbye.

I took the elevator to the first floor and as I stood by the door, the guard there asked, "Was the old lady able to help you?" I told him she had given me a lead. "At least I have a last name. But I think I'll let it go for a while. I spent almost the whole day trying to find the owner of this wallet." I had taken out the wallet, which was a simple brown leather case with red lacing on the side. When the guard saw it, he said, "Hey, wait a minute! That's Mr. Goldstein's wallet. I'd know it anywhere with that bright red lacing. He's always losing that wallet. I must have found it in the halls at least three times."

"Who's Mr. Goldstein?" I asked as my hand began to shake. "He's one of the old timers on the 8th floor. That's Mike Goldstein's wallet for sure. He must have lost it on one of his walks." I thanked the guard and quickly ran back to the nurse's office. I told her what the guard had said. We went back to the elevator and got on. I prayed that Mr. Goldstein would be up.

On the eighth floor, the floor nurse said, "I think he's still in the day room. He likes to read at night. He's a darling old man." We went to the only room that had any lights on and there was a man reading a book. The nurse went over to him and asked if he had lost his wallet. Mr. Goldstein looked up with surprise, put his hand in his back pocket and said, "Oh, it is missing!"

"This kind gentleman found a wallet and we wondered if it could be yours?" I handed Mr. Goldstein the wallet and the second he saw it, he smiled with relief and said, "Yes, that's it! It must have dropped out of my pocket this afternoon. I want to give you a reward." No, thank you, I said. "But I have to tell you something. I read the letter in the hope of finding out who owned the wallet." The smile on his face suddenly disappeared. "You read that letter?" "Not only did I read it, I think I know where Hannah is."

He suddenly grew pale. "Hannah? You know where she is? How is she? Is she still as pretty as she was? Please, please tell me," he begged. "She's fine...just as pretty as when you knew her." I said softly. The old man smiled with anticipation and asked, "Could you tell me where she is? I want to call her tomorrow." He grabbed my hand and said, "You know something, mister, I was so in love with that girl that when that letter came, my life literally ended. I never married. I guess I've always loved her."

"Mr. Goldstein," I said, "Come with me." We took the elevator down to the third floor. The hallways were darkened and only one or two little night-lights lit our way to the day room where Hannah was sitting alone watching the television. The nurse walked over to her. "Hannah," she said softly, pointing to Michael, who was waiting with me in the doorway. "Do you know this man?"

She adjusted her glasses, looked for a moment, but didn't say a word. Michael said softly, almost in a whisper, "Hannah, it's Michael. Do you remember me?" She gasped, "Michael! I don't believe it! Michael! It's you! My Michael!" He walked slowly towards her and they embraced. The nurse and I left with tears streaming down our faces. "See," I said. "See how the Good Lord works! If it's meant to be, it will be."

About three weeks later I got a call at my office from the nursing home. "Can you break away on Sunday to attend a wedding? Michael and Hannah are going to tie the knot!" It was a beautiful wedding with all the people at the nursing home dressed up to join in the celebration. Hannah wore a light beige dress and looked beautiful. Michael wore a dark blue suit and stood tall. They made me their best man.

The hospital gave them their own room and if you ever wanted to see a 76-year-old bride and a 79-year-old groom acting like two teenagers, you had to see this couple. A perfect ending for a love affair that had lasted nearly 60 years.

*******

does time need to take away all those years  just for two passionate beings to be together?

Dalmatians

According to my Dashboard, I have already posted 100 entries.
So this makes my 101st post, calling it Dalmatians (based on the hit movie: 101 Dalmatians).

-------------------------
Just some news.


Last June 23-24, 2012 was the stake conference of Ormoc Philippines Stake.
During the Adult Session, Youth Session (I'm still a youth at heart.*_*) and Conference proper, I had the wonderful privilege to listen to Elder Manuel Agustin of the Area Seventy. Good thing I always have my journal and power pen with me, I was able to write the inspirations I've received while he delivered his message.



Think I might share my notes with you, once I got more time.
Surely my big sis would love it (his inspiring messages), for she still haven't seen/listened to Elder Agustin, who is a great servant of the Lord.



President Andaya (Mission President of Tacloban mission) and his wife was also there during the Saturday and Sunday sessions. Sis Andaya stated that "Parents should spend quality time with their children." President Andaya, on the other hand, expressed his appreciation to the Primary who sang "If the Savior Stood beside Me" and asked us, "What kind of person do you want to be?" He emphasized that we must show good examples to other people.


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


That's it for now.


More blogspot entries soon ^___^

with Love comes Wealth and Success

A woman came out of her house and saw 3 old men with long white beards sitting in her front yard.


She did not recognize them. She said “I don’t think I know you, but you must be hungry.


"Please come in and have something to eat.”
“Is the man of the house home?”, they asked.
“No,” she replied. “He’s out.”
“Then we cannot come in,” they replied.


In the evening when her husband came home, she told him what had happened.
“Go tell them I am home and invite them in!”


The woman went out and invited the men in.
“We do not go into a House together,” they replied.
“Why is that?” she asked.
One of the old men explained: “His name is Wealth,” he said pointing to one of his friends, and said
pointing to another one, “He is Success, and I am Love.” Then he added, “Now go in and discuss
with your husband which one of us you want in your home.”


The woman went in and told her husband what was said. Her husband was overjoyed. “How nice!,” he said. “Since that is the case, let us invite 
Wealth. Let him come and fill our home with wealth!”
His wife disagreed. “My dear, why don’t we invite Success?”


Their daughter-in-law was listening from the other corner of the house. She jumped in with her own suggestion: “Would it not be better to invite Love? Our home will then be filled with love!”
“Let us heed our daughter-in-law’s advice,” said the husband to his wife.
“Go out and invite Love to be our guest.”


The woman went out and asked the 3 old men,
“Which one of you is Love? Please come in and be our guest.”
Love got up and started walking toward the house. The other 2 also got up and followed him.


Surprised, the lady asked Wealth and Success: “I only invited Love, Why are you coming in?”
The old men replied together: “If you had invited Wealth or Success, the other two of us would’ve stayed out, but since you invited Love, wherever He goes, we go with him. 


Wherever there is Love, there is also Wealth and Success!!!”


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


TRUE!
With ♥, everything else follows.^_^
So, in order to attain all the wealth and success that we desire, start by giving and sharing ♥ to everyone.


So, here's my ♥♥♥♥ for you.
Thank you for reading my post.*_*

Newfound Love

Well, it's not really new.
I've known it for so long.
It's not really newly discovered.

Unsa kaha na?
Wanna know?
READ below.^_^

Background sa.hihi

----

Sa una, pirmi na ako makadungog ng conversations in Bisaya.
Gikan sa Iligan ang akong mama, mao na bisaya sya.
Ang akong Papa, Ilokano pero nagtrabaho sya sa Mindanao for how many years  mao na iya nakat-on ang bisaya.
Ang akong ateng magulang, kabalo sya magbisaya kay ning-dako man sya sa Iligan. Nag-stay pud sya didto nung 20+ gulang na sya.
Ang ika-duha nako nga ate, kamao pud. Nag-serve sya ng mission sa Butuan Mission for 18 months, mao na master kay sya.
Si Alberto Jr, didto pud nag-eskwela sa Iligan. Nag-stay sya didto for 1 year. Hilomon man gyud to sya, ambot lang if master na sya mag-bisaya.

Ako? ^_^

Tungod sa akong pamilya na kabalo mag-bisaya, nakasabot na kog bisaya sa una pa. Pero kanang bisaya na "tsismis" ra. Kay mao man ang pirmi nako madunggan sa among silingan. Sa balay, dili man sila mag-usap in Bisaya, pure Tagalog and salita sa balay. Naa pud koy mga kaklase na gikan sa Vis-Min. Malingaw kog maminaw sa ila na nag-istorya kay nindot paminawon para sa akong dalunggan ang Bisaya. Usahay kay magsulti pud ko ng uban nga expressions sa Bisaya:

"Unsa man na uy!"
"Pastilan"
"Pag sure diha uy!"
"Dugaya nimo uy.."

Makasabot man jud ko, pero kanang "tsismis" type conversations ra.

--

So, balik na ta.
Nganung newfound love nako ang Bisaya?
Ambot.hihi
Pero ganahan kog makipag-istorya in Bisaya.
Sa una kay maulaw man ko na sayop ang akong mga isulti unya pagtawanan ko ng mga tao. Pero ayos ra, part man talaga yun e.
Nalipay pud ko sa akong mga kauban sa METP na sila ang pirmi magtudlo sa akoa, lalo na sa akong roommate na gihimo pa niyang business ang pagtudlo sa akoa: PISO per TAGALOG WORD.
Maruis kaayo. Pero ayos ra. Mas naningkamot ako na magkat-on ug todo.
Karon, Bisaya na kay ko.hihi
Dili ko maulaw na magsalita in Bisaya kahit nasa Manila ako.

Kabalo ko na blessings ni, na paspas ko nakabalo unsaon mag-istorya in Bisaya.
Never ako maulaw na mag-istorya in Bisaya kay nindot ni nga language.
My newfound love: Bisaya. ^_^
Ikaw, unsay imong newfound love karon?=)

Mandarin Chinese Translator

For those who are willing to apply, kindly send your CV and recent 2X2 picture to pcbd@pasar.net.ph

I guarantee that despite being located in a rural area, LIDE Complex as well as the municipality of Isabel  is a very wonderful place.

See you at PASAR!=)

Ola Manila!^_^

It's almost 36 hours to go and I'll soon see Manila again.

Tomorrow, I'll be in the office half-day.
Afternoon, I'll travel to Ormoc then to Tacloban.
Upon arriving at Tacloban City, I'll check-in to my reserved room in an Inn somewhere near the airport.
I'll suroy-suroy a little till around 8pm.
Sleep at the Inn till  4am.
Travel to the airport.
Travel to Manila.
Arrive at Manila.

Welcome to Manila!

See my family again and friends.
Would love to see the temple and walk around the grounds, but it's closed and will be opened again on the 10th.
So from 5 to 6, I'll suroy somewhere, itinerary not yet sure.
7-8 is General Conference. Might spend my day at Pasig Chapel.
9 is Family Day. Not yet sure where we'll be going.=)
10 is Temple Day! Since I'm not yet endowed, I'll just enjoy the peace and calm feeling at the grounds.
11, travel back to Leyte.

Good bye Manila!

See you again soon!^_^

Board Exam 2011

It's been more than 7 months since our deadly Metallurgical Engineers Board Examination; where out of 40 examiners, 33 successful young minds passed the exam.

I have received a lot of blessings since then. A LOT.

About a week after our Oath Taking, I started my work as a Management Engineer Trainee at Philippine Associated Smelting and Refining Corporation (PASAR Corp.). The training lasted for 6 months, which passed by so quickly. By February, after our training, we were assigned at our respective departments where we would be extending our service for the next years. We have to stay in the company for at least 2 years--BOND.

With my work here at PASAR, I was able to help my family, financially. Despite missing them and a lot of other close acquaintances in Manila, I accepted the work here. Well, it's my choice. Even though my parents somehow disagreed with me taking up higher studies (which was my greatest desire while in college) and encouraging me to have an "experience" first, it was still my decision. I can't blame them. Any result of my decision I made last year would be under my accountability. I think grad studies would be out of my plans na..
=(( [not yet sure]

Anyway highway, why did we arrive there?hahaha

Well, I just wanted to post these articles I have seen in the internet.
The following are just some blessings for me and an inspiration for others, I hope.

From Tuklasin Natin:

From Ugnayan:

Published in People's Journal:

Truly, college life is not easy. I'm done with my 5 years in undergraduate schooling. I'm not sure if I'll be pursuing graduate studies in the next years.

I hope my younger bros (who are bugoys) will also excel in any field that they love. I won't be forcing them to take up Engineering also, any course that they want, I will support them.=)

Hope I would continually be an inspiration to other people. I just have to be myself (who I really am) and be the best that I can be. I'm sure, that's what matters the most.

Have a nice day.^_^

Tac-Mla-Tac ticket

Remember my post the other day?

Where I stressed at the end of my post that I will be spending my Holy Week here at Isabel, Leyte?

Well, sometimes girls change their mind suddenly because they realize that they made their decision too quickly. That's what happened to me the moment I published my post last time.

Despite having my decision written down, I still felt something that pushes me to think about it all over again: what would I be doing there? will my travel expenses compensate the things I'll be doing there? would my vacation at Manila be all worth it? Et cetera.

During the night that same day, while consulting my peers, my initial decision was slowly fading away and my desire to go to Manila was strengthened. I wanted to book a ticket that same moment, but I can't so I waited till the next day.

Early morning the next day, I did it. I booked a round trip ticket: Tac-Mla-Tac. At lunch, I went to the municipal proper to pay the booking but the people at the establishment said that their cut-off time for payments is 1100H. I pleaded them to accept my payment since it's the only time of the day that I can go out from the Plant. They did not accept my payment and advised me to ask someone to pay at the other branches. I did not feel sapot coz I know someone could help me: Moms!

I immediately texted Moms to pay my booking at Manila. I sent to Moms my supposed payment thru a money courier so she'd have money to pay for my ticket.

In less than an hour, Moms texted me the confirmation # of my ticket and Voila! Welcome to Manila! =))

How fast does a girl changes her mind? I also don't know the answer. 

I would just like to advise the people out there:

Be cautious in dealing with girls coz even I don't know how their mind goes.=))

Holy Week

Di na lang sa ko muoli karong Holy Week sa Manila.

Wala mi pasok from 5 April to 9 April 2012.

That would be paid holidays..

Nakakuha na ako ng ticket sa Cebu Pacific, I'll just have to pay the bill at LBC later.

But I felt something ganiha, which made me finalize my decision na sa June na lang ko muoli.

Ig June, medyo dugay ang akong ma-file nga leave. Maka-tigom pa ko para sa kaarawan ng akong inahan.

Now it is written: I will be spending my Holy Week here at Isabel, Leyte.


I'll just have to think of something that will make my 5 days of no work productive.
Can you suggest something?=)

just missing the Old Days..

Well, I'm almost done with my part for our case study and I was kind of bored from all the encoding and  presentation making that I did since early this day.

So I browsed thru my FB pics and smiles shaped my lips as I saw some pictures showing events in my life, especially during College. Oh, I miss school, I never thought I would miss UP.hahaha

I remember myself a year and a half ago, often thinking when could I start working coz I got really bored (or maybe excited coz soon I could have my own income na) during my final year in college. 

Presenting..

Oath Taking 2011. I got a polymer (I think) medal!
I thought I won't get any medal in college..but I did!
Good job..=)
Thanks to my parents, they're my inspiration.^_^

Me at the center, Pops at my right and Moms at my left.
Board officials are wearing coat.=)
Congratulations to myself and my parents.^_^

Plant Design presentation.
We were so late this day..no proper time budgeting.tsk tsk
ning-hilak ko while explaining to Doc Judge why we were late.
I was afraid he'd scold me..but NO..he's so nice.
He said IT'S OK and I must not worry.
I miss UP..

with my groupmates. tadaa..
Jerrick Dizon, Jerome Bantang, Annie Bullecer and Cel Gumban.
Presenting our 3D output of Copper-Lead-Zinc Processing Plant.
way tulog tulog the night before.haha
truly college: procrastination.=)
I miss Cel's house..and the yummy biscocho!^_^ plus Eve's (Cel's cat) fiery eyes.haha

last pahirap before we had our vacation.haha
but still enjoyed it especially with my groupmates:
Philip Tejerero, Sasa Aguila and Jerrick Dizon
I miss you guys!=)) Sorry for my attitude (sometimes) hehe

University Project Competition 2011.
Proudly, the AMD group..aka the Green Team!haha
sayang, di gaanong pronounced ang costume namin.hehe
One of the best experiences I had during college..
di ko akalaing makakatayo ako sa gitna ng Engg Theater..haha
gikulbaan padin ko kahit na dii ko nagsalita.haha
Thank you Jerrick for being so brave representing our group.=)

These are just some.. More to come once my CQ is already fixed.hehe