Holiday Stress

The December rush is a stressful days for me this year. Unlike the previous years wherein I have felt its spirit and importance, now, I can't even so sure to myself if its really christmas time. Last year, it was meaningful as I have managed well my time and have prepared for it spiritually.

This year was a tiring experience. I was engaged with some projects that involves mental torture and braincell swelling where deadlines should be met at all cost. The shortest is just a week to complete while preparing yourself for another deadline to beat.

Would you believe that I have even forgotten to shave my face and cut my nails? It's also my first time to miss mass for my birthday thanksgiving and even failed to attend a single "Misa de Gallo". It's a working birthday for me as my drinking buddies starts giving gestures for a night of celebration.

Well, this is my life in 2006. I was involved in a very hectic deadline driven website wherein our American-trained publisher is pushing us to our limits. Simultaneous presentations are being prepared and scheduled so as to introduce it to the netizens and its target audience. Our site's presentation is for high caliber historians, researcher and filipinist that's why we are pushing ourselves to come up with his expected results in our database.

A few days before christmas, still we are on the rush and simultaneous meetings are being held because we also have a print publication project that is ongoing, video presentation and podcasting projects. Now, you can tell me how busy this simple man whose trying to find a space to breath :)

My godson's are already expecting this christmas and I haven't prepared their gifts yet or went into shopping at least for myself. My wife, is already complaining about my coming home late. Though, she understood, I still feel some guilt. My little prince was already asleep when I come home and still asleep when I report to the office. My God, I have to do something for them too.....

When Typhoon Strikes

Its the worst typhoon that hit the Bicol region for decade. Sad to say that its prominent landmark "Cagsawa Ruins" was totally vanished after the scourge of "Reming" that visited this region and created havoc to its path.

Many lives was taken and millions of damages was created by the aftermath of this super typhoon that any Bicolanos would consider as worst since the eruption of Mt. Mayon in 1814. Mudflows devastated many agricultural and residential areas in Albay and heavy floodings was experienced in the City of Legaspi. Malls and small commercial complex was wrecked and total blackout was experienced in Bicol's key cities and nearby municipalities. They are expected to regain its power after or before christmas.

Some says that Christmas is no longer in their vocabularies. They can't afford for a celebration. Ours were also affected but not as worst as in Albay. I have no news of a friend who lived by the Volcano and till now, I have no idea if they survived the fiasco. The typhoon really created an anguish to every Bicolanos and they have suffered so much after the typhoon "Milenyo" dropped by last month. Now, another news of a low depression is creating another scare to all of them.

They need your help... we need your help to make us put those pieces back to its norms again. Supply of construction materials has become so scarce due to immediate demands. Ours, was also devastated with strong winds that flatten parts of crops and leveled parts of our house. Trees were downed and lots of highways are unpassable for commuters. Communication was also downed for a week and I have only contacted my family and relatives several days after the typhoon.

I feel it, and I can't do anything for now, we're in the big city and I can't just go home to comfort them and assure them that everything will be fine. Some roads are still unpassable...only God knows what will lies ahead for this region.

The national government is now moving its way for relief and other infrastructure projects. But this could not help everybody, they need more volunteers and kind hearted people to help them generate their lost. They need something to rebuild their souls..they need your prayers..please help me pray for them, too.