sarisaring kwento

sarisaring kwento http://bulagblog.multiply.com/ Thanks for checking out my site. I am not really sure what I can offer here...I am still trying out how blog works, I am too shy to share what I write, so I am not really sure what can be left here for readers. So whatever you find here, I hope you'll find it worth your while! Enjoy! Fri, 5 Dec 2008 02:49:47 -0000 Sun, 16 Nov 2008 09:29:36 -0000 sarisaring kwento http://images.bulagblog.multiply.com/logo http://bulagblog.multiply.com/ 100 100 Sorsogon (14 - 15 Nov 08) I went down to Sorsogon for a project with two other members of the team. We visited two barangays in Gubat, and later went to Bulusan Lake to enjoy the view Too bad it was getting dark when we got there, but the drive through the rainfrorest at that time was mystical - had that surreal feel. To cap the day, we went to a hot spring resort in Irosin where we also had dinner of adobong pusit and halabos na hipon. http://bulagblog.multiply.com/photos/album/36/Sorsogon_14_-_15_Nov_08 Sun, 16 Nov 2008 09:29:36 -0000 The Perfect Getaway, El Nido (oct 29 to nov 4 08) Made a trip to El Nido two weeks ago. It was just perfect - relaxed and easy pace, no schedules to catch, lots of siesta, a bit of adventure, good food, nice and affordable resort, and the easiest person to get along with for company. On our way back to Puerto Princesa, our van got stuck in the ground made soft by the rain, so we had to get down and walk barefoot in the mud. Even that, was fun! I was resigned to miss our flight back to Manila that day, when voila, another van comes along. It was owned by a couple that we made friends with in the resort, and they offered us a ride! They were heaven sent. El Nido is the most beautiful place I have been to in the Philippines. It is relatively unspoilt and hopefully would stay this way for a long, long time. I hope that the town would remain intact, too because it adds a special feel to the place. http://bulagblog.multiply.com/photos/album/34/The_Perfect_Getaway_El_Nido_oct_29_to_nov_4_08 Wed, 12 Nov 2008 14:11:16 -0000 Mga Halaman sa Palawan (at iba pa...) August 2008 http://bulagblog.multiply.com/photos/album/33/Mga_Halaman_sa_Palawan_at_iba_pa..._August_2008 Sun, 5 Oct 2008 10:33:33 -0000 Marikina River We went down to the river to take some water samples. Kids were swimming in the murky waters, and were more than happy to have their pictures taken. Two sisters went down to collect water from a hand-dug well. I asked them if they didn't have brothers to help them - they had five but according to them, were at home and lazy to help them. Tsk, tsk... http://bulagblog.multiply.com/photos/album/31/Marikina_River_ Sat, 19 Apr 2008 11:23:00 -0000 Daing Galore Shopped for daing at Taboan Market in Cebu City. http://bulagblog.multiply.com/photos/album/30/Daing_Galore Sat, 19 Apr 2008 05:41:42 -0000 Byaheng Bicol 28 March 2008 http://bulagblog.multiply.com/photos/album/29/Byaheng_Bicol_28_March_2008 Tue, 8 Apr 2008 13:22:27 -0000 La Luz Beach Resort (Batangas) 15 Mar 08 Spent a relaxed weekend at La Luz, together with Mama, Bea and Mai. It's a good destination - short drive from Manila (check their site, the directions are detailed), very good food (nothing fancy but tastes good and is worth the price), and snorkelling area which is teeming with varied species of fish is right in front of the beach. No unneccesary artificial structures which ruin the seascape...The best thing pala, is we were there for free, thanks Weng and Lando! I hope to be back to do more snorkelling, try the halo halo which I heard is good, and take a better photo of the sunrise. http://bulagblog.multiply.com/photos/album/28/La_Luz_Beach_Resort_Batangas_15_Mar_08 Mon, 17 Mar 2008 00:07:53 -0000 Hope for humanity! I went to Sta. Lucia Department Store last Sunday to buy a thousand and one picture frames (ok 60 lang naman, hahaha) to hold a certificate that we are giving out to donors of our alumni association (cheap! but dont tell the donors). That was quite a lot for me to bring to my car, so the clerk together with two others carried my stuff for me to the parking lot. I handed my tips to them. The first two who were new in their jobs readily accepted, while the last one who was also the one who attended to me while i was choosing and who has been with the store for quite some time refused to get my tip. He said it was enough that i bought from his section and that he was getting commission for them. I tried to insist but he wasn't persuaded. I asked for his name because people like him should not be forgotten. Roldan was solicitous while I was choosing and I could really tell he knows his job. He asked me what I was using the frames for, and advised me not to buy a certain type because ... http://bulagblog.multiply.com/journal/item/14/Hope_for_humanity_ Mon, 10 Mar 2008 14:25:59 -0000 Official Website of UP Alumni Engineers http://bulagblog.multiply.com/links/item/2/Official_Website_of_UP_Alumni_Engineers Sun, 9 Mar 2008 06:57:24 -0000 Grand Canyon May 07 Finally, was able to see one of my dream destinations. http://bulagblog.multiply.com/photos/album/26/Grand_Canyon_May_07 Sat, 8 Mar 2008 15:19:57 -0000 Akean, Caticlan 11 Aug 2007 This is the take-off point to Boracay. No tourists yet in this http://bulagblog.multiply.com/photos/album/25/Akean_Caticlan_11_Aug_2007 Sat, 8 Mar 2008 14:33:47 -0000 Seething One afternoon last week I went to Payatas to follow up on some requests regarding my research. We went up the heap to see some new development with the methane gas collection pipes. I chatted a bit with an old man scavenging for cardboards. He said a kilo could fetch 50 pesos, and a kilo is all he could get in a day. He won't be able to sell it that day since he had to dry it first. He looked old to me, perhaps in his late 50s, but might just be a lot younger. He looked so gaunt, his eyes sad and empty. What a disturbing reality. On my way back to UP, I was listening to the radio as it aired the Senate hearing of the ZTE scandal. Our politicians trying to get 139 million USD in kickbacks for a project that is really not necessary (that is another scandal which is not being discussed), and I thought of the Old Man working the whole day to get 50 pesos. Their greed makes me seeth.    http://bulagblog.multiply.com/journal/item/13/Seething Sat, 1 Mar 2008 15:34:02 -0000 Changing the World with Ninety Pesos a Day The other day I met with a donor for student scholarships and he shared with us the stories of their scholars. Their foundation visits the family of the students to see their living conditions and also helps in the formation of the personality of the students. Although it is not my first time to hear of abject poverty, what he told us still touched me. He told us of a girl who lives in the cemetery, of a boy who was battered by his own father because he wouldn't give his allowance (given by the scholarship) to his father who wanted to use it to drink, of a mother who refused to send her daughter to school because she needs help selling fishballs, of students who had to go to a barangay hall to study or to a nearby street lamp because there is no light inside their house. Thank God for people like this donor, for believing that education does change lives. There should be more people like him who are willing to invest in our poor youth. Education is the way out of the cycle o... http://bulagblog.multiply.com/journal/item/12/Changing_the_World_with_Ninety_Pesos_a_Day Sat, 1 Mar 2008 15:16:01 -0000 Bag of Beans (Tagaytay) 6 January 08 Had breakfast here the Sunday after Vince's wedding with Gay and Mama. Very close to the Mendez intersection, it has a relaxed feel, and is not as pricey as the other eating places serving good food. http://bulagblog.multiply.com/photos/album/24/Bag_of_Beans_Tagaytay_6_January_08 Sun, 13 Jan 2008 11:34:36 -0000 UP at 100 (Jan 8, 2008) More photos and stories http://bulagblog.multiply.com/photos/album/23/UP_at_100_Jan_8_2008 Thu, 10 Jan 2008 15:15:27 -0000 tonitanch100's photos and albums on webshots http://bulagblog.multiply.com/links/item/1/tonitanch100s_photos_and_albums_on_webshots Wed, 26 Dec 2007 04:43:19 -0000 Yogyakarta 16 - 19 Dec 2007 We were billeted at the Grand Mercure for the conference. I like the homey, lived-in feel of the hotel despite having a lot of antique fixtures. It is well-appointed without being ostentatious. Not so good with architectural styles, but I think this is what is called colonial (tama ba Dayo?). I imagine this as built by the Dutch but I guess it has a lot of the Indonesian traditional style integrated with it. http://bulagblog.multiply.com/photos/album/22/Yogyakarta_16_-_19_Dec_2007 Wed, 19 Dec 2007 00:42:32 -0000 Inspiring words from the President Of UP, that is. In a small gathering at Quezon Hall to officially announce the endowment of Professorial Chairs, President Roman shared something about the faculty. She said that the highest paid faculty member (with around 30 years experience, and a PhD degree) receives 31K. Yes, that's right, 31K pesos a month. So, why do they stay, people would ask her. They must be mad for staying when they can command much much higher outside UP. And yes, she agrees, we have to be a little mad to be here in the university. Although we may not be materially wealthy, there are so many other non-material things that we gain from being here. True. I was seated across the window facing the University Avenue. It was a little past 5PM and I can see the red blazing sun setting in the horizon. It was a beautiful sight. I felt at peace. What a privilege to be working for the university.   http://bulagblog.multiply.com/journal/item/10/Inspiring_words_from_the_President_ Thu, 13 Dec 2007 14:20:36 -0000 Dining at Abe Mars, Prima and I got together for dinner at Abe (where good friends dine, sabi sa kanilang karatula) in Trinoma. It was a cool night so we took a table outside to eat al fresco. This restaurant is highly recommended - nice location, good food, tastes lutong bahay, homey ambience. We had a very healthy dinner - kilawing tanguige, paco fern tomato salad, and sinigang na bangus using guava (not sure if it's really sinigang because it's sweet). http://bulagblog.multiply.com/photos/album/21/Dining_at_Abe Wed, 12 Dec 2007 00:20:09 -0000 Celebrating Life I read about the death of the playwright and UP professor Rene Villanueva in the Inquirer today, and looked up his blogsite that was mentioned in the article. i have read a few of the posts, and there is one <A href="http://renevillanueva.blogspot.com/2007/11/tasa-tasang-ligaya.html">(http://renevillanueva.blogspot.com/2007/11/tasa-tasang-ligaya.html</A>) that particularly moved me. To quote my favorite part: (have to copy them here lest the blog will be removed): Kaya dapat kong ipagdiwang ang araw na ito: Ang unang linggo ng muli kong pagtuturo. Ang unang linggo ng muli kong pagbabalik sa tanging mundong nais kong kabilangan. Maari ko na lamang ipagdiwang nang munti at unti-unti ang galak na nadarama ko sa maliliit na tagumpay. Saka na tantusan ang malalaki at malalawak na pagwawagi. Ang unang buwan, Ang unang semestre. At ang unang taon. Kung palarin akong abutin pa iyon. Samantala'y dapat lamang na maging kasiya-siya para sa akin ang unang linggo. Unang apat na araw ng pagkakaroon ng pagkakataong maging bahagi ng karanasan at kamalayan ng halos limampung k... http://bulagblog.multiply.com/journal/item/9/Celebrating_Life_ Sat, 8 Dec 2007 01:33:16 -0000 One of my many why's.... 29 November 2007  2:05 AM, Marco Polo Hotel, Cebu Why do people go to casinos to play slot machines? Slot machines are the most mindless games I have ever seen. No mental input required, no physical skill necessary --- we can just go on pushing buttons, winning, losing, without even looking at the screen. Isn’t that pathetic? I played a bit though. I was brought there by relatives I had dinner with. What is there to do? I bet 500, lost. Moved to a non-smoking room (relief!), concentrated hard, and really wished I would win. There was an inner voice telling me I would win, so I placed another 500. I made a mental note that a thousand is my limit, but also wished that I would win. When my 500 was almost done, cling cling cling....I knew I won, but actually didn’t understand how much it is I won. I asked a girl beside me, she said I won 500. But when I collected all the tokens and had them changed, I was given 2000! (But I don’t understand, the display said I had winnings of 300 c... http://bulagblog.multiply.com/journal/item/8/One_of_my_many_whys.... Sun, 2 Dec 2007 13:23:52 -0000 Baguio (Part 2) 15-16 Nov 07 I went up to Baguio again this time for a CHED Project, bringing Mama along. We took the Deluxe Bus of Victory Liner. This is highly recommended! Non-stop, wide and reclining seats, ample leg room, with a clean toilet inside. There's also a nice stewardess who served a cupcake and a bottle of water. Stayed at Hotel Veniz, at the heart of the city. (So there, my small pitch for the local tourism industry). It was rainy while we were there so there was not much time to walk around but we did make time to have breakfast at Cafe by the Ruins again. Here are more http://bulagblog.multiply.com/photos/album/20/Baguio_Part_2_15-16_Nov_07 Tue, 20 Nov 2007 14:20:51 -0000 Never ever say never... In my angst-filled years, there were a few things I did not want to use and do but now find them essential. 1. Cellphone. When cellphones started getting popular in the 90s, I swore I wouldn't ever own one. I thought it was just one of those gadgets people want to have to keep up with the Joneses - something to flaunt, something to make themselves look cool. I also didn't like the idea of being accessible all the time. I held on to this until I went to Japan in 2000.  I didn't have a land line in my room, Papa was sick, and there was no way of getting to me instantly other than the cellphone so finally I got one. When I went home for vacations, everyone had cellphones, and so I borrowed Papa's (yes, he had one, but he used it like an analog phone - he would input numbers, and only to make and receive calls) to get in touch with friends I wanted to meet. By this time, I found it exciting that it was so easy to find people (this from someone who didn't want to be acc... http://bulagblog.multiply.com/journal/item/7/Never_ever_say_never... Tue, 20 Nov 2007 13:20:49 -0000 Outraged! I renewed my driver's license this morning at the new LTO satellite office at Robinson's Metro East. I thought that was pretty convenient, waiting inside the comfort of an office within a mall. It was all smooth-sailing, until Julius Babao got in, didn't have to wait, and had his papers processed in a jiffy. I felt piqued at this point but didn't know how to go about it. I was trying to justify that perhaps, that kind of decision (not to let that media guy wait) was the prerogative of the office, so I tried to keep cool, although I muttered a protest which was heard only by people sitting close by. I patiently waited for my turn. It wasn't really that long, but at 12 noon, they announced that we had to come back at 1PM because they were going on a lunch break (Julius has left at this point). So I went up to the window where the processing people were, and I said, I wasn't leaving until they released my driver's license. I told them that had they not prioritized Julius, I would have had... http://bulagblog.multiply.com/journal/item/6/Outraged Mon, 12 Nov 2007 14:42:03 -0000 Bangkok 31 Oct - 3 Nov 07 Was in Bangkok for a seminar. It was a welcome break from work! We stayed at Novotel Siam which was a good location, right at the center of the shopping centers. I love this city - the food, shopping, bookstores, fruits, proximity to other countries...the possibilities for adventures are endless. http://bulagblog.multiply.com/photos/album/19/Bangkok_31_Oct_-_3_Nov_07 Sun, 4 Nov 2007 14:00:12 -0000 Baguio (17-18 Oct 07) After a long time (perhaps more than 10 years) I was able to see Baguio again to attend a training. It is a lot crowded now, but has retained its charm. Have to go back and see more of the place though. http://bulagblog.multiply.com/photos/album/17/Baguio_17-18_Oct_07 Sun, 4 Nov 2007 12:24:19 -0000