Pictorial and a Party

It's a busy day again. I took a four-hour overtime at the office last Saturday. I had to think and move fast because I need to go to the penthouse of Pacific Plaza in Fort Bonifacio. I committed a pictorial with a former actress turned stylist, Ms. Rachel Lobangco whose figure had never faded after a decade. She made a stir as the Shh-Boom girl of a popular beer commercial.


We started at 3 pm and I was late for my 1:30 schedule. Heavy rains and traffic cause a delay with my appointment to Rachel. Though I felt I was unprofessional, I don't want her to think that I was like that. To pay for the lost time, I was able to make it up to her by giving out my best shots during the pictorial.

We chose the pool, the long winded stairways, and the very cozy jacuzzi as the best ideal locations. Some who were fortunate to take a look might be expecting for some hot and exciting scenes beside the skimpy swimwears Rachel and Honey wore. By the way Honey Samia is a friend of Rachel who graced the pages of FHM magazine many times before. These two gorgeous ladies both have great bodies that made men sigh.:)

RELATED LINK: The Pacific Plaza w/ Ms. SSH-BOOM

















After the pictorial, I had to go to a party thrown by my boss Gus before he go back to New York for a business trip. I was so lucky that these activities were held in one place. So, I went to his unit late again. My officemates and other bosses have started to arrive at 4pm and they were having dinner when I got there along with Lito, my office buddy. I was unaware that my boss had made the announcement earlier about my pictorial and they were all expecting me to bring in my two models. I was hesitant because Lito told me that our bosses who are a bit conservative might not like the idea and would received negative feedback and comments afterwards. Instead, its the other way around. My boss Gus scolded me by not doing so. He said it was his party and everyone is welcomed even if its not an employee of the company. When I submitted the CD (models' photos) to them the following night, I brought my boss along and they have a brief chat. That's how I make peace :)

Home for Romi

Finally, its home sweet home for Romi Graduce after his successful adventure on Mt. Everest. His eyes were sparkling with excitement as you could see on his trademark smile.

With him on the convoy were the UP Mountaineers and support team of Northface. It was a lucky day for me since I was with him to cover his return to Bataan.

The adoration of the crowd was truly a sight. He was flocked with his kababayans and supporters. The same scenario with Pacman Pacquiao when he won a war with a Mexican boxer last year. His "kababayans" lined up on the street just to have a glimpse of him and everyone chanted his name. School children are also waving their flags to show support and admiration for an achievement of a Filipino in the international arena.

Romi is home. And with the status quo of an instant celebrity he gained from his quest, the people await him for another extra challenge that would befit him and might surpass what he had already attained. The public is now all eyes on his every move and look forward to what he is capable more of doing.

RELATED LINK: From Everest to Bataan

PHIL. HISTORY TREASURE

It's been an honor and privilege to hold and scan the pages of "Noli Me Tangere", one of the works of our greatest hero, Jose Rizal. Although it was just a replica of the original book, its a rare find and collection of a man who's nationalistic spirit was resurrected while in abroad for over 20 years.

The book was reprinted here in the Philippines decades ago and when you browse its pages you feel as if you are reading the original manuscript. As we all know, it is the novel with the greatest impact on the Filipinos' political thinking in the 19th and 20th centuries.

This book was written by Rizal not to attack the Spanish regime but the ruthless Friars who have made the Catholic religion an instrument for enriching themselves and perpetuating themselves in power by taking advantage to the ignorant Filipino in fanaticism and superstitions instead of teaching them true Catholicism.

This book is a charter of nationalism. It calls on the Filipinos to recover his self-confidence, to appreciate his own worth, to return to the heritage of his ancestors, to assert himself as the equal of the Spaniards.

Rizal finished the Noli in 1887, and published 2,000 copies in Berlin. Thousands more have since circulated in the original Spanish and translated in other languages such as German, French, Chinese, English and Tagalog. The book that I have seen was from the original manuscript (penmanship and pen correction).

Now, as we celebrate the 108th Anniversary of our Independence, this book is something that we should reminisce and take pride for the bravery and patriotism Dr. Jose Rizal and other martyrs have shown and done for the country to achieve our independence and freedom from the oppression of the Spaniards for almost 300 years.

"Touch Me Not, I am not yet ascended to my Father, but to go to my brethren, and say unto them, I ascend unto my Father, and your Father, and to my God and your God."

Bonded@the office

My boss has arrived from abroad and simultaneous meetings of various projects follow suit. I have several concerns (some of them are not already connected to my present appointment) are on my backlogs and he needs updates of them.

So, after a meeting with others, I have to stay put since the next discussion also involves my presence. We started with the updates of the structure of our room. Well, as i've mentioned, we work on moving wall. The network cables has to be place with the telephone lines and electrical outlets. Good thing is that I have already anticipated the scenario that during my hardware purchase requirements, I see it to it that our computers (Mac and PC) are all wireless capable. So , any time there's a need to move, our work can cope up fast. Even, our tables, i have to customized the design as one package. Only the outlet of your UPS will be upluged and everything is under one place.

The next project are the websites that are under development. Some of them are still on its infancy stage and some needs to be polished. Three of them needs to be up at the end of the month and one more is for conceptualization and should be up before the launch of the product on the 15th of July. Maybe you would ask me what are those sites but sorry to tell you that I cannot announce it here. To give you a hint, one is related to upcoming teleserye on TV, the other tackles on Philippine History, next one talks about romance and the latest is the achievement of another Pinoy as contribution to our history.

Another project concerns on the infrastructure of the new business we are starting. This is more on the technical matters since we have to work from the ground up (see my other blog). We are still learning while on the process and little by little i'm positive that we can achieve our goals.

So, until this time, while I'm waiting to for the network installers to finished their termination at the Data Center, I'm writing this blog. I cannot easily leave them and endorsed them to the roving guard because I have promised that tomorrow morning the network will be ready.

Btw, I still have to reconfigure the Internet connection. I have to dedicate one direct internet access for him since he does't want to be included in the bandwidth of those guys who loves to download porn , as he usually kid me :). Good thing is, I have a back-up solution for that, so by tomorrow he has his own surfing line.

So, tomorrow.. another round of meeting with our consultants

The Palace Has Closed

Consider it corny, but I was a regular "tagasubaybay" or follower of the very popular Korean telenovela which captured and attracted many Filipino audience because of its unique plot and play of stories.

Although I have missed some of its episodes, I can still update myself because I have so many offices mates who are also an aficionados of "Jewel in the Palace". That's why, i was inspired to write this blog before it closes today at 10:00 PM on GMA7.

What I really like about the story is their attack on many aspects of life that when reflected, it has an attack on personal character. You would consider yourself to be as one of its villain or would like to be admired as the Great "Jang-geum." Its unique combination of two themes: the successful rise of a female, which is rarely covered in historical genre, and the elements of traditional food and medicine gives a remarkable ratings to the show.

For almost eight months, it become number one telenovela to its time slot in the Philippines (Ups, sounding like Kapuso?). But seriously, it has something to brag about because the show had gained popularity among Asians and America.

I am facinated with the way the costume was represented in their society, a very traditional yet so elegant and gorgeous to look at. The hairstyles of the higher-status women are also cleverly portrayed by the cast. And what i love most of the character of Jang-geum' is her remarkable determination and wisdom, she takes on even greater odds, challenging numerous foes and even society to achieve a position never-before-held by a woman in Korean history!

Now, as the show "Jewel in the Palace" closes its doors to many Filipinos who watched the show, Let it give us something to think of....ourselves and our politics.












How i wish too, that our own film industry would come up with something like this in the future. We have so many historical figures that can be made and worth to film. But I think, It's up for the creativity and intensive research work of the writers to come up with something like the true story of Jang-geum.

MOVING WALLS

"Nothing in this world is permanent... our office"

The building post in our office is permanent, the rest are moving. You know why? Every time the owner arrives, everything change after a week. That's how she loves changes :)

I don't think she is a fung shui believer because some of our office structures are against its rule. Well, i think she has it and as long she wanted it, no one can stop her.

Every time walls moved, everything has to move, too. Its just alright if it doesn't affects us employees. We have our own deadlines to beat and a day of unfinished job means a lot to us. Well, as she said always "Masanay na kayo sakin". Telephone cables, network cables, chairs, tables, printers and faxes are moving. Whew! what a life.

There's one time that she called my attention over her concern on the telephone system. After that conversation, I'm hoping that she understood my predicament over the moving walls in our office. But after a week..the carpenters are on their gears again..

Sidetrip to Everest

June 7, 2006
__________

The hype over the climb to Mt. Everest continues and everyone were so excited to get the latest update that leads to some sort of network war on their coverage of the 1st Philippine Expedition to Mt. Everest.

Well, at first, I'm not interested to the news when it was first announced. But when the news broke up that Filipino made it to the summit. I have this deep admiration and sense of pride realizing that a Filipino can make it.

Actually, as the news broke out about the climb, we have conceptualized a book on Mt. Everest quest by Filipinos. Our writers starts to gather the news and starts on their research while on the wait for the actual events of the said ascend. My only role is the conceptualization of the book design and help the writers for the possible title.

I started my research by downloading some images i found on the net for my visual concept presentation. During this course, i have seen and appreciated the beauty of Everest from countless stock photos available and feel the drama behind those who had earlier conquest of the Summit.

Then, here goes the chance to meet one of the conquestor—Mr. Romi Garduce, a veteran climber, member of the UP Mountaineers and the third Pinoy who had reach the Big E.

We had an interview with him at a Cafe' in Greenbelt 3 last June 7 and were so lucky to hang with him in spite of his countless visitors at the adjacent table. His schedules are hectic and talking to him about his quest is like a Side trip to the Summit and much excitement awaits us when he showed to us his personal photos of the great Everest. He's very accommodating and very funny, just like any other mountaineers who always crack a joke to relieve their exhaustion during climb.

I don't want to elaborate more on our conversation but one thing for sure, Mr. Garduce is in love with his passion more than anything else. His quest for the seven (7) peaks in the world is his ultimate dreams and you can stop this man with great determination and passion.

AGAIN, CONGRATULATIONS ROMI, Mabuhay ang Pinoy!

(from http://chardsg.blogs.friendster.com/my_blog/)

Home Alone Working

I'm alone at home because my wife and son went to my in-laws in Laguna. They were fetch by her cousin last friday and my son will be staying there for two weeks.

Although its Sunday, i have to work on some backlogs and good thing i have my laptop at home and can easily update some websites that i manage so my boss would be happy when he returns from abroad next week.

Its good that i have a dsl connection and accessing my cpanel is fast and i can easily monitor my virtual server and manage the stats of the sites i maintained. I'm just having some trouble configuring the forum page of two sites that i have created, konting tyaga pa kuha na rin ito..
but wait i have to continue tomorrow because the "Garduce Docu on his Mt. Everest climb is about to start via GMA 7. By the way i have a book to process about him : )

Start Blogging my iLife!

Welcome to my little world. A day to day account of my activities will be posted here (if not busy) and just a place to jot something from my brain.

I have some other blogs that i can't update and now, here i am creating another blog with a hope that i would be able to continue what i have done. Let me start thinking of something i can write. so hold on ....