My Lovely Philippines

Sharing pictures of my lovely country, the Philippines, a tiny archipelago of 7,107 islands. We are descendants of the Malay race, colonized by the Chinese, Spanish, Dutch, Americans, British, and Japanese to name a few. I have to admit, I am a tourist in my own country, however, I do not consider that as a hindrance to share the beauty of these islands I call HOME. Happy viewing!

Boracay Island

The crater lake of Mt. Pinatubo

The Filipino custom of "Bayanihan" (Brotherhood)

A house in the Metro beautifully decorated with Christmas lights

Beach fun!

A boat ride to explore the underground river in Palawan

Beautiful sunsets

The cobblestone road and old Spanish houses in Ilocos

Swim with the gentle whale shark

Centuries old structure

Traffic is never boring when you get to watch the famous "Dancing Policeman"

I have found these pictures on the web and would want to thank the owners for giving me a chance to share them in my blog. Their watermarks have remained intact.

Mabuhay, Pilipinas!

The Two Faces of a Clown

I am always the jolly person, ready with a smile, a joke, a funny sarcastic remark. Most of my friends tell me that I am the funniest person they have met.

Not exactly true. I am just good at hiding my emotions. 

Truth of the matter is, I am dead tired. I have belly pain that I worry about. I occasionally feel numbness in my hands and feet. I have weird headaches crawling down to my nape followed by short stabbing pains to my chest. I may be sick, but who cares? 

There are more important things that need my immediate attention.There's my 9 hour night shift job, a house to keep tidy, a family to look after. I worry about a husband who is constantly in pain. I worry about finances. I am sad that my sons do not take their studies seriously. One enrolls only in 3-4 subjects per semester because of the conflict with his extra-curricular activities. One rarely stays home to study, although he does not have any failures. I miss my daughter. We rarely see each other. Wonder if she misses me too? 

I cry when no one sees me. I need to see my endocrinologist but I do not have time. I wish my sons would be done with school before I die. I wish for my husband to be well. I miss having to be able to go places with him. 

I pray for health and happiness for my family. I wish all the good things for them. 

One day, I will have a chance to be served breakfast in bed - - as I lay in a hospital bed, perhaps?

That will be the day when the clown will have to hang up the mask and reveal its sad, sad face.

A Filipino Tradition

Flowers on every grave at the Loyola Memorial Park

Every 1st and 2nd day of November, we Filipinos honor our dearly departed. It is a tradition that shows how much we love and respect those who have gone before us.

Earlier this morning, as I was looking for a pretty flower bouquet to take to my father's grave, I heard a voice inside my head saying.. "Don't spend your money on flowers for me. Feed a hungry child instead." All I could think of is "Daddy, is that you?"

I will be going to the cemetery tomorrow. I will still bring flowers, but I will remember to feed a hungry child, just as I was instructed.

Sharing this poem with you.

Do not stand at my grave and weep

by Mary Elizabeth Frye (1932)

Do not stand at my grave and weep.

I am not there, I do not sleep.

I am a thousand winds that blow,

I am the diamond glints on snow,

I am the sun on ripened grain,

I am the gentle autumn rain.

When you awaken in the morning's hush

I am the swift uplifting rush

Of quiet birds in circling flight.

I am the soft starlight at night.

Do not stand at my grave and cry,

I am not there; I did not die.

Missing you Daddy.

My daddy

I'm a Sports Mom and I am loving it!

I am an avid sports fan. Basketball, volleyball, baseball, to name a few. In my country, the Philippines, we have a lot of basketball competitions, professional and college leagues. Our two major collegiate sports leagues are the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) and the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA), although I watch the UAAP more than the NCAA. The UAAP's member schools are the top eight universities in the country, my Alma Mater included. The professional league has the the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) and the Philippine Basketball League (PBL). Basketball IS big in this country. Some may find it amusing, because Filipinos are not meant to be really tall. 

The UAAP Men's Basketball season ended a few weeks ago. My Alma Mater, The Royal and Pontifical University of Santo Tomas (UST), founded in 1611 is the oldest Catholic University in Asia. In sports circles, we are called the "Growling Tigers" with a never-say-die attitude. In this past season, the Men's Senior Basketball Team went from the brink of elimination to beating Ateneo University for a slot in the Final Four. We put an end to the 12-year consecutive finals appearance of the Ateneo University. From 4th seed, we went on and beat the top seeded team to gain entry into the Championships. Another record broken. Game 1 of the Championships was a big boost to the Tigers, however, we were unfortunate to snag the championship. Our opponent, the Dela Salle University (DLSU) won the championship this year. Oh well, as previously mentioned.. Never Say Die.

Jeron Teng (R) and Jeric Teng(L)

This year's basketball finals was particularly interesting. The two schools, UST and DLSU had brothers competing against each other. UST had Jeric Teng, and DLSU had the younger brother, Jeron Teng. Can you imagine how their parents felt? They could not side with any team. I could not even imagine how they were interacting at home after a game. I salute the parents, though. They raised their boys well. The minute the final game ended and DLSU was proclaimed champion, Jeron Teng left his overjoyed team mates to look for his brother in the crowd. He was overheard saying "Where's my brother?" When he found him, he took him to center court and raised his brother's hand in victory. I was teary eyed. Now that's love and respect.

On the 3rd of November, the draft for the professional league will start. Most of the graduating basketball players from the UAAP have filed their application. It will be a very interesting professional league this time. These college boys will be out of their comfort zone and will have to learn team play with former opponents. I am looking forward to the new recruits for both the professional and collegiate leagues.

Thousands of miles away, the NBA will start on October 29. Whoopie! Another sporting event to look forward to. Thank you to cable television, I can watch the games live. I am torn whether to root for Chicago Bulls - for Derrick Rose, or for Miami Heat, mentored by a Filipino, Eric Spoelstra. They are both strong teams and anything can happen. As with all sports, may the best team win.

I love sports and actively participated in it when I was young. I was a member of the Pepsi Skateboard Team and it was such a good experience for me. I played basketball with my boys when they were growing up. I engage in a "scream fest" with my daughter whenever we watch games on TV. Haha. Being a big sports fan gives me and my kids valuable bonding time. We sit and watch, heckle and jeer, jump and body slam... and of course, I don't forget the popcorn. :)

Happy Monday to all sports moms!  

The Women in my Life

Today I honor the women in my life. These are the strongest women I have shared a part of my life with. They have imparted knowledge and experiences that have been laid down as cobblestones in my path of life. I would never have been what I am now if I had not been part of their lives.

My Mom

My very first teacher. The very first woman who loved me even before I was born. She gave up her career in banking when I came into her life. She is a woman of strength. Her devotion to the Catholic faith is beyond compare. She gave me the best a mother can give a child. We may have had misunderstanding when I was growing up, but now I understand. She was molding me to be a responsible adult. Now my mom is nearing 75 years of age. She's not old, mind you. She still attends aerobic classes in the mornings, gets around pretty well by walking and goes ballroom and belly dancing during the weekends. She enjoys the occasional stroll in the malls. "Love yourself so that you may be able to love others too," is her most famous advice. Thank you, Mama.

Mama in her bright colored dress with frilly collar

Ms. Ramos

My kindergarten teacher. I simply adored this woman. She never had an evil cell in her. She was so caring to each and every little girl in her class, just like a mother would care for her own children. She taught us how to be obedient little girls. She taught us about God and the power of prayer. Ms. Ramos is now a nun, and our kindergarten batch plan to visit her at the convent one of these days.

Me and my Kindergarten classmates with our teacher, Ms. Ramos at Maryknoll College (now Miriam College)

My daughter Kristine

My first born is now a full grown woman. She was the darling of the family, the first grandchild. My mom held a significant role in her upbringing which turned out very well. Kristine never gave me any problems while she was in school, she breezed through college and is now gainfully employed in one of the largest banking institutions. Level headed and grounded, Kristine makes me proud of her achievements in life. Now 27 years old, I have no other dream but to see her marry and start a family of her own.

My pretty little girl who's not so little anymore

My sister Heidee

My frugal and practical sister. She was the one who urged me to pick myself up from the rut I was in. If it were not for her, I would not have gotten into the call center industry. I would have probably ended up a bum if she did not burst my bubble. From her, I have learned that I should not be content with working 9 to 5. Despite her high position in a banking instution, she still has small businesses on the side. "A few pesos earned, when put together is a significant amount."

My "practical lifestyle" sister

My sister Rochelle

This quiet little kid who'd spend hours playing with her dolls turned out to be a purpose driven mom of two. A practicing orthodontist, my sister did not end up with just that. She enrolled in Nursing school and earned her second degree. She is preparing to land a job either as an Orthodontist or as a Nurse in the United States. With two professional degrees, the future is bright for her.

My sister Rochelle who never grows tired of perfecting her craft

My cousin Joyce

My very first best friend. Joyce and I are almost the same age and we had our first borns months apart. Unfortunately, Joyce's first child was not able to live longer than 5 days. The only one among her siblings who was not able to finish college, Joyce is a pillar of strength. She never took it to heart, and with the support of her husband, she found herself engaged in small business to help sustain the family. Joyce is now battling breast cancer, and all I ever pray for is for her to recover from it.

My very first best friend - my cousin Joyce

I am so blessed to have these women in my life. They have taught me to be strong, to go for my dreams, to be practical and to never stop learning. 

Do you have women like these in your life?

Perfect Wine Everytime

The holidays are fast approaching. It is that time of year when family and friend gather together around a good home cooked feast, sharing stories, and enjoying a good bottle of wine. A few more weeks and we will be looking at receiving guests for Thanksgiving dinner.

In this busy age, it may be stressful to prepare for such events. Long lines in the grocery are not very enjoyable, coupled with the fact that it is not that easy to find the perfect meat we have been planning to prepare. Surpassing this initial hurdle, we come across the difficult task of finding the perfect wine to serve our guests. Wine stores would be busy and it would be difficult to have a store clerk to attend to your questions.

I have started planning early this year. I have taken note of when poultry, beef and pork are delivered in our local grocery store. I have learned to purchase veggies in a small produce stand that sells organically grown goodies. But what is so great is that I found out that I could purchase quality wine online. I was in such a joyful state when I learned about Inclub by Invino.

Inclub is a wine club that offers its members quality wine matched with their personal preferences. Acquiring membership online is quick and easy, giving new members a chance to take a quiz to determine the type of wine that would provide the best experience. Inclub uses algorithm based data to tailor-fit the wines that would be shipped to the member. As a member, we can get to choose the amount, quality and frequency of delivery based on the budget that we set. The wines are sourced from labels around the world by a panel of experts and we can be assured that we are offered only the best at an unbelievably affordable price. Other than that, we can also change our preferences anytime online.

Invino and Inclub co-founder and CEO Tony Westfall is proud of this endeavor, allowing the company to reach out to wine connoisseurs and enthusiasts alike. To ensure that members will receive, the company provides members a 100% Palate Guarantee. According to Mr. Westfall, "Our satisfaction guarantee encourages adventure. Wine discovery should be without risk."

Thanks to Inclub, I can now be assured that I would be getting the wine I need for any occasion. I can be confident that my guests would enjoy it. This is exactly how purchasing wine should be - tailor fit to my needs, affordable, and of high quality. I can simply go online and have the best wine experts working to provide 100% customer satisfaction.

I am now confident that I will be the perfect hostess this holiday season. You can be one too.

Inclub by Invino.

Perfect Wine Everytime.

This is a sponsored post for Invino. I have been compensated for my time. All opinions are mine. 

Call Centers 101

The Call Center industry in the Philippines has shown enormous growth in the past decade. Fresh graduates of any course are eligible to apply and have a high chance of eventually getting hired. There are some centers that are "equal opportunity employers," meaning they hire undergraduates or middle aged people as long as they have exemplary English communication skills coupled with a great personality. The job offer usually consists of an above average salary, performance based incentives, and comprehensive HMO benefits, making it very difficult for an entry level applicant to resist.

Before you submit your resume, there are some things you need to consider if you are thinking about building a career in the Call Center Industry. Here are some of the few:

First, you need to have really good written and spoken English communication skills. You have to make English your native language while in the workplace. The very first rule you would have to take to heart is "EOP," or English Only Policy. Speaking in the vernacular may get you into trouble.  

Second, you have to learn to work around the Circadian rhythm, meaning you have to learn to stay awake at night to take calls or respond to email. You will have to give up your late night parties and find some time to sleep in the mornings. Your reward: A night differential pay that ranges from 10-20% of your hourly rate.

You may want to take into consideration getting as much sleep as you can during the day, because the third requirement is that you have to have good health. Getting sick is not an option in this industry because an unplanned absence will hurt the business. In the same light, tardiness is not acceptable.

Me and my sarong at work

The fourth thing to consider is the ability to blend in with the culture, with employees' ages ranging from 18 or 19 to mid-50s. You learn to tolerate the rowdiness and happy go lucky attitude of the young ones, and have patience with the meticulousness of the older group.

Fifth, you have to learn to spend 9 hours of your day in freezing temperatures of centralized air conditioning, so invest in two or three good jackets to keep you warm. Kindly refer to the third requirement discussed above - you are not allowed to get sick. You can go see a doctor if ever you catch cold. However, it has been an outstanding joke in call centers that "if you are well enough to see a doctor, then you are well enough to go to work." Your reward: Monetization of your sick leave days at the end of the year.

Sixth, you have to understand that security measures have been put in place to protect sensitive customer information therefore cellphones are not allowed in the work place. Keep your smartphones in your lockers or deposit them with the guard on duty. Other centers allow Team Leads to collect the agents' cellphones for safekeeping. Inform your family and friends that you can only reply to their messages during your breaks. It is wise to give them the land line number of your office, in case an emergency comes up and that they need to speak with you ASAP.

The seventh thing to consider is you may be required to do overtime whenever the need arises, so it would be best to educate your family that you may miss certain school activities or family gatherings from time to time. Your reward: Recognition for your dedication to work and overtime pay

Vendo coffee at P10 per cup

Eighth factor to reckon with is that you will literally learn to love coffee. This brown liquid will eventually replace your blood, making it earn the title "The lifeline of call center workers." Your reward: Unbelievably alert at 2am.

Commuting to work at ungodly hours is the ninth thing call center workers have to deal with. You are lucky if you were given a shift corresponding to the opening of business hours in the US. However, there are "closer shifts" which start at 2am-3am. Taking a cab everyday will drain your finances, so taxis are not an everyday luxury. Take public transportation. Carefully map out your route, and take the well-lighted path if you need to walk. Keep in mind that you will be the target of robbers, so always have some kind of simple weapon (like a pen or a long umbrella) with you or enroll in a martial arts class. Your reward: You learn to be streetwise.


Lastly, succeeding in a call center environment is not an easy task as others perceive it to be, because there is a high demand for dedication, however, at the end of the day, you will still be earning more than an average employee will. Watch out for the brown nosers and their cohorts. These people initiate the ugly, ugly practice of office politics. If you can sway to their music, then good for you. Give yourself a pat on the back. Your reward: Possible promotion

Me and my fellow Quality Coaches

Call centers are a way of life. You gain deep friendships. You don't care if the top seller in the group has a college diploma or not. You get to speak with people halfway around the globe and learn about other cultures. You will understand that in order for you to be more fluent in English, it is important to think in English too. Your daily sustenance will consist of junk food from 24 hour fast food chains - burgers, pizzas, and microwave dinners.


So, if you think you are up to it, come and join the bandwagon for a ride you'd treasure your entire life.

Real UnliCHAT Experience with Globe’s GoUnli30

Stretching the family budget to get to the next paycheck can be utterly stressful. I am always on the look out for special offers in the supermarket - those 10-30% discounted goods, the buy one get one deals and the bundled offers are the ones that get my immediate attention. Frugality is the new norm in this day and age.

I have three children. My eldest, a girl is gainfully employed in a large banking institution. My two younger children are both boys, currently enrolled in college. My elder boy is the Head Drummer of the UST Yellow Jackets, while my youngest child is studying to be a chef. All three of them have smartphones which makes it easier for them to communicate with their peers. At first, I wasn't sold on the idea of them having smartphones, thinking that I would be spending more for their prepaid load. I worried that all those texting, chatting and calling would wreck havoc on my budget (and my daughter's as well).

Technology and social media has brought people together, allowing us to share the warmth of family and friends without having to spend so much. With the introduction of messaging apps on smartphones, connectivity got even better. Me, my children and my entire family can easily keep in touch with our loved ones here and abroad. My daughter can constantly stay in touch with her high school best friend now living in the United States. My eldest son can now easily provide updates on college sports to his best buddy who recently migrated to Canada, while my youngest son is constantly "brainstorming" with his group mates for new recipes to try. All of these would not have been possible without the innovation of Globe's GoUNLI30 and UNLICHAT25.

With GoUNLI30, subscribers can get unlimited texts to all networks, unlimited calls to Globe/TM and unlimited access to messaging apps like Viber, Kakao Talk, Facebook Messenger, WhatsApp, WeChat, Line, and the telco's very own messaging app GMessage without the need for Wi-Fi or additional data charges. Available for only P30 valid for 1 day, GoUNLI30 gives you no excuse to stay out of the loop and connect with more than 1 billion users around the world regardless of mobile network or connection. 

All these for only P30! But then, there is one more! If your child is only interested in exclusive chat service via the apps, you can save P5 more by availing of the UNLICHAT25 service! This provides the subscriber with uninterrupted and boundless access to Viber, Kakao Talk, Facebook Messenger, WhatsApp, WeChat, Line and GMessage. All for only P25 a day! Its just like a blessing just fell down from heavens for the millions of budget-conscious mothers.

Availing of the service is a breeze. There are no long codes to type and confirmation is received within seconds. Go all out unlimited with GoUNLI30 and UNLICHAT25 now. Register by dialing *143# and then choosing GoSAKTO on your Globe mobile phone or by texting GOUNLI30 or UNLICHAT25 and send to 8888.

My family has been Globe subscribers for as far back as I can remember and with all these consumer friendly deals that they are offering, our loyalty is theirs - for life!

Kids with Tantrums Equals Parents with Trauma

The next door apartment where I live is occupied by a single mom and her 6 year old daughter. Every morning at around 6:30, the mother and child get into a screaming match. The mother gets pissed when her daughter is slow in finishing her breakfast. The child would start yelling that she wants hot dogs. The mom shouts at her child to hurry up getting dressed because the school bus will be arriving soon. The child would not budge because she's still watching cartoons. A screaming match would ensue, doors would slam, the child would match her mother's yells with her own loud crying.

And this goes on every single day.

Tantrums. Oh, am I so lucky that none of my children gave me this kind of stress. 

For the last 2 years I have been observing the mother-child relationship of my next door neighbor. The mom has to work to support her child. She's still pretty young, I would say late 20's to early 30's. She has a live-in nanny to look after the child while she's at work. There are no young children in our apartment complex so the child usually stays indoors. During weekends, I would hear her drilling her daughter over spelling lessons, grammar lessons and forcing her to come up with artwork. Lately, I have learned that the child is doing poorly in school and that she has to repeat Kindergarten class.  

One day, the child was screaming at the top of her lungs - "All I want is a hug!!!" and the mother's same decibel response was "I have to take a shower, I will be late for work!!!" Can you imagine the child's frustration over that? I would throw a tantrum too, if I were her child.

What exactly are tantrums? They are temper flares usually seen in children less than 4 years old. Early manifestations may be triggered by an unsatisfied want - like a toy, a preferred food or playtime. Contrary to belief, it is not about getting attention. Studies have shown that tantrums are the result of a child's inability to handle strong emotions like anger or frustration.

As a parent, dealing with a child with tantrums can be stressful. The most common advice passed down from generations is to ignore the child when the screaming starts. We should let the child know why they can't have what they want when they want it and then let them vent out their anger. After their fit, parents need to provide the child reassurance by telling them what needs to be done and when it should be done. If, out of frustration, a parent gives in to the child's demand, the child will recognize this as a manipulative tactic to get their way every time. We must look out for "trigger factors" to address the tantrum even before it starts.

We should also consider other factors that affect the child's behavior. Are they getting enough attention? Do they have a good relationship with their peers at school? Is the child stressed over something? Are we pushing the child too hard to excel in something beyond their capabilities? Tantrums are usually lesser in occurrence as the child gets older, however, if the child is over 4 years old and poses danger of hurting themselves or others, it might be time to seek professional advice. 

Photo courtesy of www.visualphotos.com

Our primary role as parents is to provide love, care and understanding to our children. Maintain a happy, healthy home where our children can learn independence, patience and respect. Be generous with the hugs, the kisses, the cuddling. Provide quality time. A simple "How was your day, sweetie?" would be enough to start a conversation. Read them a book, watch TV together, tuck them in at night and never forget to say "I love you" every time, all the time.

Before I end, I want to share this beautiful poem by Dorothy Law Nolte entitled "Children Learn What They Live"

CHILDREN LEARN WHAT THEY LIVE

Dorothy Law Nolte

If a child lives with criticism, he learns to condemn.

If a child lives with hostility, he learns to fight.

If a child lives with fear, he learns to be apprehensive.

If a child lives with pity, he learns to feel sorry for himself.

If a child lives with ridicule, he learns to be shy.

If a child lives with jealousy, he learns what envy is.

If a child lives with shame, he learns to feel guilty.

If a child lives with encouragement, he learns to be confident.

If a child lives with tolerance, he learns to be patient.

If a child lives with praise, he learns to be appreciative.

If a child lives with acceptance, he learns to love.

If a child lives with approval, he learns to like himself.

If a child lives with recognition, he learns that it is good to have a goal.

If a child lives with sharing, he learns about generosity.

If a child lives with honesty and fairness, he learns what truth and justice are.

If a child lives with security, he learns to have faith in himself and in those about him.

If a child lives with friendliness, he learns that the world is a nice place in which to live.

If you live with serenity, your child will live with peace of mind.

WHAT IS YOUR CHILD LIVING WITH?

Happy Monday to all the parents around the world! Blessings of love and peace!

A Letter for Daddy

Dear Daddy,

How are you? Its been a while since I asked you that even if I very well know you are happy and doing good. 

I just wanted to catch up with you and let you know how much I miss you. A few hours ago, while I was making dinner, an image of you flashed through my mind. It was that time when you asked me to accompany you to the recruitment agency. You remember that, Daddy? You said you were ready to take on an overseas assignment so that you could secure our future. I patiently waited for you to be done with speaking with the recruiter. I silently wished your application would get disapproved. I'm sorry, Daddy. I just was not sold on the idea of growing up with you being miles away.

Eventually, things did not turn out the way you wanted. It turned out better. You and Mama started a business which took off like crazy! There was no need for you to leave. But it was me who left. I abandoned the dreams you had for me. The main reason you wanted that overseas job was to save enough money to send me to medical school. 

I ask for your forgiveness, Daddy. I did not turn out to be the doctor that you have wanted me to be. I know how devastated you and mama were when I quit during my junior year. I am so sorry.

Life has been hard, it has been a continuous struggle for me to make ends meet. I am still working so hard to make you proud of me. Your grandchildren are all grown. I raised them all by myself. At this point, I would like to thank you for teaching me to have faith in God, that every thing will be okay if I just sit still and pray. Do you know Daddy that I look up to you every time I come face to face with adversity? You were my pillar of strength. You still are.

My parents

Daddy, lately I have took up writing. Remember the time when I asked permission from you if I could enroll in Journalism? You said that writers do not have a future, and that you worried that I would end up to be a contributor for a comic strip. It was my passion, Daddy. I am now living that dream. I ask you to understand. I promise that this time, I won't let you down. You're going to be proud of your little girl. 

I will be visiting soon. I'm sorry I haven't been there in such a long, long time. But that doesn't mean I have forgotten you. How can I do that when part of me is you? I would have never walked this earth if it were not because of you. We may no longer talk, but I know words are not important now. It is through the heart that we communicate. I wish I could still feel your touch, hear your laughter, even cut your toe nails! I miss those weekends when we'd all have dinner somewhere fancy. I miss the out of town vacations, the lavish Christmases, warmth of being a family - a complete one. 

When I come to visit, I will bring you your favorite Sampaguita flowers. I'm sorry I can't afford to buy the really thick lei. I know you'd appreciate what ever I could give. I will tell you once again how much I love you and that I miss you so much and then I would lay those fragrant little white flowers on your tombstone and pray to God to give you a hug for me. 

Your little girl,

Eileen