walang kwenta kape sa THE BISTRO NAIA terminal 3.

Noche Buena with the Homeless

What did you wish for this Christmas?  Did you receive what you wished for?

***
My wish was simple - to share Noche Buena with the homeless and hungry. I have always wanted to do this for a very long time. And to be able to do this was a milestone for me.

Every time I pass by Kalayaan Avenue in Quezon City, my heart melts when I see families living in their kariton. These indigents live in such sorry subhuman and unimaginable conditions.

I wanted to bring them joy and hope -- even for just a night.

So in the afternoon of Dec. 24, from money I have saved, I (together with my siblings)  prepared a number of packed dinners consisting of spaghetti, bread, ham and bottled water.

We went to Kalayaan at around 8 p.m. We handed the said packed dinner the families and  spent the noche buena with them.

We left Kalayaan with a silent prayer that their lives will improve and that their tomorrow will be brighter.

Mt. Pulag 2

http://picasaweb.google.com/martstina/MtPulag2#5417406
158662845234

Mt Pulag Expedition

Conquering the highest peak in luzon

Mt. Pulag expedition

conquering the highest mountain in Luzon

AAkyat na ako!

afternoon birthday date at the Manila Ocean Park

from now on call it: The Ampatuan Massacre, let us not tarnish Maguindanao's beauty and name.

Thank you sa lahat ng nakaalala at bumati sakin :) Cheers!

A Backpack Filled With Hope

Rah can not wait. Rah wants to know how high he can go. He wants to know his limits.

Rah will bring a backpack filled with hope that he will reach the peak of Mt. Pulag.

On the fifth of December, Rah and Ayhve together with a team will climb the highest mountain in Luzon.

Rah will bring his camping gear - tent, sleeping bag, trekking shoes, and a camp-stove.

Rah will celebrate his birthday there. He will bring  cake and wine to be shared with the expedition.

Up there, Rah will offer a silent prayer the gods who have been there since the beginning of time.

I can't wait to climb Mt. Pulag.

Challanges

A lot of people are afraid of challenges. But it is only through challenges that we can make a better self.

Mountains cannot be surmounted except by winding paths. -- Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe

You have powers you never dreamed of. You can do things you never thought you could do. There are no limitations in what you can do except the limitations of your own mind.  -- Darwin P. Kingsley

"Life's challenges are not supposed to paralyze you, they're supposed to help you discover who you are." Bernice Johnson Reagon

That which does not kill us makes us stronger.
Friedrich Nietzsche

"“Only as a warrior can one withstand the path of knowledge. A warrior cannot complain or regret anything. His life is an endless challenge, and challenges cannot possibly be good or bad. Challenges are simply challenges.”" Carlos Castaneda

"Opposition is a natural part of life. Just as we develop our physical muscles through overcoming opposition - such as lifting weights - we develop our character muscles by overcoming challenges and adversity." Stephen R. Covey

"The key to life is accepting challenges. Once someone stops doing this, he's dead." Bette Davis

"It's lack of faith that makes people afraid of meeting challenges, and I believed in myself." Muhammad Ali

Extraordinary individuals take one step back and two steps forward with most every challenge—and sometimes two steps back to one step forward. They harvest useful lessons and knowledge from what doesn’t work, and they display a remarkable resiliency; and ability to bounce back from adversity - j. porras

YouTube - happy birthday avril 2009

Doublespeak

Doublespeak is a term that describes how people present options that end up in a NO OPTION SITUATION at all.

While a "dilemma" is a problem offering at least two solutions of which none are practically acceptable,  "doublespeak" on the other hand, justifies a situation by offering distorted meanings of a status.

This sort of doublespeak is found on a lot of ideologies. Sometimes, it even comes out as forms of euphemisms that results to ambiguity and communication bypass.

There are countless of examples. My favorites are:  "Informal Settlers" to mean squatters; "pre-owned" to mean second hand; "Gaming" to mean gambling;  "preventive maintenance" to mean busted.

"Blessed are they who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be satisfied." Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are they who mourn, for they will be comforted.Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the land.  ETC.

Like Big Brother (pinoy big brother sucks, but I watch it nevertheless to find out the next ridiculous thing he and the housemates will do), I also frown upon doublespeak.

The original concept of a Big Brother is from George Orwell's novel - Nineteen Eighty-Four. Big Brother is the founder of a new  world order calling itself "The Party." He watches every inhabitant through the "telescreen".

To facilitate his totalitarian regime, he developed a new system of language called "Newspeak." It is a kind of language that makes opposition to the Party impossible by removing any words or possible constructs which describe the ideas of freedom, rebellion,  opposition and so on.

Newspeak is the only form of language that does not expand but instead, contracts. Big Brother punishes inhabitants of "thought-crime" whenever someone tries to distort the words to advance their "anti-Party" intent.

While I do not subscribe to the totalitarian ideologies of Big Brother, maybe like him, people should also be critical when presented with a doublespeak.

We want clarity in our options. If not, we will probably be spending the better parts of our lives living the dreams and ideas of others.

On Heroes

We all need heroes.

Unfortunately, when I tell people about my hero, they laugh. They roll their eyes when I show them the little collection of his stamps I purchased in an auction in Recto. They cannot believe their eyes when they see that my facebook profile is actually my hero's picture. They cannot believe their ears when I tell my story of checking his site everyday for an update of his latest blog entitled "Kumbinasyon." People ask me 'what is the deal' with my collection of his fights in DVD purchased from the black market. Because I know everything about my hero, they either think I am baduy or worse, I am sort of bading - I am not.

We all need heroes. 

Heroes are our sources of motivation. They are only people too, like we are. What makes them different though are the great levels of motivation they have accomplished. It is the greatest of skill and talent they have mastered. It is the sense of discipline unfazed and unparalleled. It is about the success they have accomplished.

We all need heroes. 

For people who are hopeless, heroes are symbols of hope. For those who are weak, heroes are sources of strength. For those who are living in the dark - heroes shed light. For those who are lost, heroes are like compass that guide us to the way.  

Life is short, but God is good.

Bohol Pics

Panlao, Tarsiers, Chocol8 Hills, butterfly house

A Day I Went Jogging

I woke up at around 6 a.m. I want to jog. I do not know exactly where my feet will take me.

Next month I am planning to go on a long hike up north, so I thought this was a good chance to keep me fit.

Last night, I did one hour of treadmill but it was so boring so I figured out that this day, I will go out the streets for a real jog. This is a story of this morning's jog.












I put on my favorite black shoes.














I prepare my things, and extra shirt, towel and a jug of water.


















I hit the roads, warming up, trying to do some walking at first.
















Off to Katipunan




















Cat killed in action. Roadkill.


















A view of Marikina from Katipunan.


















Stopover to a church to say morning prayers.
















Footbridge in Katipunan
















Lost flowers in Katipunan.





















I will not eat here.

























To my destination.










I enter nonetheless.


















I am observing the observatory.

























Nostalgic moments. I walked this pavement almost everyday for 4 years back in college.











The good mother that adopted me. I miss you mom.














The garden that sinks.



















l am just trying to rest for a while in this tree.

















Pangs of hunger. I have something in mind...

















Perfect.














I never thought it could be done. But I did it.
 

My Island Vacation

When someone gives you free tickets to go to Bohol and Cebu all expenses paid, grab it.

That is what I did when my mum handed me Cebu Pacific plane tickets last week. Her motive is still a mystery to me, but I have to say I really enjoyed the whole trip.

Panglao Island is my destination. It is thirty minutes from the city of Tagbilaran and known for its fine beaches, great food, and world class dive sites.

I stayed at the famous Dumaluan Beach Resort. Considering I stayed at the island for four days, it is really a pocket friendly place.

Do not expect it to be a grand hotel, though. It does not offer 2 or 3 star accommodation, but for a 1,300 Php a night, the room is very clean, spacious, and comfortable. The room is air conditioned, minus the ref and TV, but considering its location and beach site, it deserves a salute.

Notice that the sand is so white. Is not really sand. They say it forms out of eroded corals. It is almost like powder.

The beach is shallow. From the water's edge, you can walk a couple of meters and still the the water is no deeper that your waist. But look under water with a pair of goggles or snorkeling set and you will see a community marine fish, live corals and a variety of starfish. I have never seen a beach as impressive.

I like the way the sun shines in that beach, it is not that hot. The rays of the sun are friendly.

I felt so relaxed just lying down in my chair with an IPod.

Conquering Bohol

There are two things in life that I cannot resist - eating and traveling. So, when my mom gave me tour tickets to Bohol and Cebu all expense paid, how can i resist?

Let me tell you something -- I fell in love with Bohol. It is an island like no other. The food is so gastronomically awe-inspiring. The sands of the beach so powdery white. The water is as clear  as bottled water. The people are super friendly.

I had a chance to meet the tarsiers. Went to see the chocolate hills, too. Seeing the hills with my eyes sent chills to my spine.  It sure was very different from what I have seen in Hekasi books back in elementary. It is like seeing your idol celebrity for the first time.

I wanted to stay there for a month. I certainly would if only for the logistic side of it.

If you want a great island vacation, consider  Bohol. People who have been there know what I mean . It is like seeing beauty from without, letting you see beauty from within.

Good Excuse is Better than None.

Today, I will wear my lucky shirt and my lucky jacket. I will bring my lucky drawing pen. I will pray for good luck and hope for the best.

But if by chance my wish does not come true, I will think of a good excuse. Not long ago, I heard someone say, "A good excuse is definitely better than none." I believe him.

There is a reason for everything.

sinong sasama ng Mt. Pulag with me?! Dec. 5

On Ordinary Diligence of a Good Father

The diligence required by law to every person may be either: Ordinary Diligence or Extra Ordinary diligence, depending on the nature of the obligation

Extra Ordinary Diligence means, "the diligence of a very cautious person as far as utmost human care and foresight can provide with a due regard for all the circumstances."

On the other hand, Ordinary Diligence simply means, "diligence of a good father of a family."

The term "diligence of a good father of a family" reminds us that in rendering our obligations to other persons, we should provide the care and caution that we would have otherwise done in the exercise of handling the affairs of our own family.

There are times when I wonder why such the "diligence of a good father'??? I mean, come to think of it  --

Why not, The diligence of "a good mother?" or;

Why not, The diligence of a "good girlfriend?";

Why not The diligence of a "good sister?";

Or why is it not The diligence of a "good woman?"

To think, oftentimes, it is the mothers who are more diligent than fathers. I mean, in a family setting for example, women are generally better in taking care the children, getting the groceries, preparing the meals, cleaning the house—women do these and more and all at the same time. Women are naturally born diligent multi-taskers and can run the household without breaking a sweat.

Mothers being women, tend to have gotten better grades in school. Women tend to learn faster and are keener on details. Women mature faster than men. Women tend to communicate their ideas better.

Mothers have better capacity to sympathize and are more sensitive to the emotional and physical concerns of the children. Mothers have better facilities in a parent-child relationship with regard to instruction and supervision a child. Mothers even have this special gift of "intuition" which men in general do not have.

While I do not think that Ordinary Diligence means "the diligence of a good father" is wrong. It seems to me that "the diligence of a good mother" JUST makes more sense nowadays.

Maybe it is time for our law makers to review this part of the Civil Code.

If such said provision had been stated as  "diligence of a good mother of the family," ordinary obligations would have probably made better sense. Persons would have probably practiced sounder judgments. Courts would have probably lesser cases to handle regarding specific performance of obligations.

If  "mother's diligence" had been the law, a person only has to remember how his mother rendered diligence, care, and sacrifice to provide for the family, and he would have known exactly what the law was all about.

Hindi na ako gagamit ng fountain pen sa exam, mas maganda talaga ang drawing pen.

Acoustic Enchantment

Joyce, Me, Bey and Bogs kick some ass at Bela Bar Greenhills.

Talent Fee

So recently a production entity staged a one night concert involving three bands. The arrangement is such that every customer will be charged a ticket. The proceeds of the ticket sales shall be distributed pro rata to each of the members of the bands that performed as his/her "talent fee."

After the show,  every band member, received his/her share of the talent fee - EXCEPT me.

I did not receive anything. Not even a drink. Not even a small meal to feed my hungry guitarist stomach -  and I will tell you why --  I waived my talent fee.

I do not play for money. I enjoy sharing whatever little talent that I have with people I love and care about. Such a little talent is my gift to humanity. The so called "talent fee" or any monetary compensation for my art is the very last thing in my mind.

However, for being part of the project, I had a very small tiny request to the organizers - my guests (guitar technician, P.A., girlfriend, and a very small number of friends) will not be charged a cent to be admitted, which is of course was granted.

The problem is this -  after the show I am told that I had a talent fee all along. That it was applied to credit my guest list, "as if"  to purchase an admission. I was further told that "if my guests have bought their own tickets, the price would have exceeded my talent fee." It is therefore correct and justifiable to conclude that I should not receive any talent fee at all.

This is downright  insulting.

Let me just clear a few things out before I move on for good.

First, I am not playing for money, my art is free. However it insults me to hear that the reason I do not have a talent fee was not because I WAIVED it, but instead, such talent fee was applied and credited to pay for my guests' entrance.

And I don't have to be told that "that If they had paid for their own tickets, it would have exceeded the talent fee I should receive." I told you, I do not care about the money.

The thing is, if I had known my guests will be charged anyway (thanks to my T.F.) I would not have accepted the gig. I have so much things to occupy my time with.

Or, if I had played nevertheless, I would have purchased them their own tickets out of my own pocket. At least they get real  tickets (instead merely being put in a guest list), they would have gotten their free beer, drink, or whatever other benefit.

This is not an issue of money. This is my issue of not liking how my compensation for the gig is construed as if I was the one who owes the production entity some big favor for bringing in a few people to watch our band play. Mind you, my guests are the very reason I agreed to be part of the project in the first place.

Five reasons not to play farmville.

Five reasons not to play farmville.

1. Farmville is based on real world money which i think is just stupid. Yes you can get coins but farm cash is extremely hard to get and you have to spend real world money to get lots of it. You need farm cash often for things like tractors etc.

2. The idea of having animals and trees is just stupid. Animals give you barely any coins and take a long time to re-spawn. And what the heck? Collect down feathers from ducks, angelic hair from rabbits and truffles from pigs???

3. The buildings and decorations are completely pointless. They have no use other then experience. If I were Farmville i would make the cottages earn you 15% more experience for farming or windmills to increase your guys speed etc. But they just stand there and do nothing
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4. It has no plot-line, the only point is to level and the only achievements you can get is better seeds and it is not even fun to plant or collect your crops, it’s just time consuming and boring

5. It gets pointless. Yes, at first you get sucked in, wanting to get all the ribbons, all the trees and the animals and wanting to plant different crops, get buildings and beat your Friends. But finally when you do get all of this, which is in about a month if you try, the game stops having any point. You start thinking, great il have 10 million coins, and what will i do with those, buy 100 cottages and then what? There are no inter games in Farmville and nothing to do except for level and soon that becomes boring.

So Don’t Waste a month of your life sitting for hours waiting for your crops to grow just because your freinds are doing it. Quit it and insated write on Triond.com to get enough money to buy a good game like COD4!

http://gameolosophy.com/games/five-reasons-not-to-play-farmville/

Baha

Sasakyan at gas.

Nakakatuwa. Napakaganda ng advise ng kaibigan ko minsan na nagusap kami.

Sabi niya,  lahat daw tayo ay parang sasakyan. Ang motivation daw ay parang gas.

Kung walang gas, hindi aandar ang sasakyan.

Kaya naman pala hindi ako umaandar dati. Wala akong gas.

Pero ngayon, iba na ang sitwasyon - baliktad na. Naguumapaw ang gas na para bang hindi na mauubos.

Saan tayo next na pupunta?? Excited na ako.

Always use po and opo, salamat po.

may mga bagay na hindi mo alam kung bakit mo ginagawa, pero ginagawa mo parin...

Consciousness

While drinking my coffee yesterday, something happened to me - I transcended in the state of consciousness.

A wave of familiarity and mystery flowed through my body. Right there, right then, I became  aware of everything.

My coffee was suddenly more than it seemed. I noticed the simplest things that make it up. It was a black liquid, hot, sweet, and aromatic.

I noticed everything around me. I can feel. I'm alive. I can think. I can absorb information. Everything was so new. It was as if it was my first day on earth. It was a great feeling of enlightenment. It was a direct subjected experience. It was a feeling of expanded comprehension.

But then, with this surge of consciousness came along waves of overwhelming confusion. I began to doubt deeply. How did I recognize all these things? Where does this knowledge come from? Why am I here? What is my purpose? Is this just a dream? Is this real? What is truth? Where do all this questions come from? Millions of questions pierced my eyes twice the speed of light.

I couldn't seem to go on. It was as if I was a prisoner of my own thoughts. I was paralyzed. The happiness I felt as consciousness unfolded itself was replaced by deep melancholy. I know that if I stayed in my surreally wonderful state of consciousness for too long, I will simply wilt and die.

The next thing I remember was I washing  my coffee cup and did the things I had to do for the rest of the day. I didn't think, I didn't question. I didn't let my consciousness take over me. I just let things be, as they are. This state is safer for now. I guess to be able to go on in life, sometimes consciousness must settle down completely.

left brain right brain

THE Right Brain vs Left Brain test ... do you see the dancer turning clockwise or anti-clockwise?

If clockwise, then you use more of the right side of the brain and vice versa.

Most of us would see the dancer turning anti-clockwise though you can try to focus and change the direction; see if you can do it.


LEFT BRAIN FUNCTIONS
uses logic
detail oriented
facts rule
words and language
present and past
math and science
can comprehend
knowing
acknowledges
order/pattern perception
knows object name
reality based
forms strategies
practical
safe

RIGHT BRAIN FUNCTIONS
uses feeling
"big picture" oriented
imagination rules
symbols and images
present and future
philosophy & religion
can "get it" (i.e. meaning)
believes
appreciates
spatial perception
knows object function
fantasy based
presents possibilities
impetuous
risk taking



hmmm..  I KNEW IT! Sabi ko na nga ba. Right brain dominant ako.






http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/story/0,21985,22556281-661,00.html

Act of God

In life two things can happen -- an act of man or, an act of God.

I sure did exercise extra-ordinary diligence, but what happened today was out of my control.

In French, it is called force majure, in Latin, casus fortuitus, in Taglog,  it is kaloob ng Diyos.

If I wasn't able to fulfill my obligation in its normal course, I'm sorry.

It was the act of God that prevailed.