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Tuesday, May 31, 2011

Caught Unprepared for the Summer Outing

Last Saturday, I was confident in thinking its a normal working routine day.  Upon finishing logging in to our biometrics, I scanned the items posted in the bulletin board (which I  seldom do, having myself in the field most of the time).  I was reading this memo issued by our HR concerning the employees summer outing... and guess what... the date of the outing is on May 28, 2011 and the time of departure is 6:00 am.  The outing was scheduled at that very day.  No wonder there were just a couple of employees in the company vicinity... and I thought I was just early.  Not having that much options, I called my colleague and asked him if they were already in Samal... thank Yahweh, I was so blessed that they were still waiting for the food to arrive.  He then asked me to go directly to the departure area, so I was not able to changed to a more suitable attire or at least brought some swimming stuff.


Proud to belong to green team...
As we arrived in Playa Azalea, a private residential resort owned by our company, the parlor games started immediately after eating our merienda to be able to catch up with the program.  Yahweh again blessed us by making it possible for me to enjoy the games (most of the time cheering... lol) and the pool.  Good thing an office mate brought with him an extra shorts and let me borrow it.
Beauties and gorgeous smiles by the pool (way mupalag...lol)

It was astonishingly a great day.  Our group won first place overall and I got to enjoy swimming in the pool under the cloudy skies.  It's really amazing how Yahweh makes everything well even in the most unexpected situation... to Yahweh be the glory.
Enjoying a dip in the pool with an excellent weather


Friday, May 27, 2011

Bugsy

Bugsy, smile:)
He’s our Rottweiler dog in Gensan.  Every time I see Bugsy, I always remember the time when my wife was still staying in Gensan during her pregnancy with my daughter.  I always travelled during the weekends just to see them but always hesitant to go inside my in-laws gate since they let this medium size dog (Bugsy as a puppy) freely roamed around the house.  They say Rottweilers are good-natured and well mannered dog but they’re appearance is pretty much intimidating.  They are black (mostly), with firm and strong body and they have a big head... which I assume they have big brains and large jaws... meaning; they are intelligent and can bite big (LOL).  There’s nothing wrong of being anticipative and playing safe, right?... haha.  Anyway, at first I was hesitant to go near him because he’s too playful back then and I don’t have the slightest idea what’s in his mind... and one thing more, I always got this mixture of saliva and mud from him... even now.  But overall, Bugsy is a very nice dog, he protects the house from stranger (not because he attacks them, but it’s in his looks and the way he barks... though he seldom barks), very obedient, playful and friendly.
A pose or two...
Even if I wanted to have a Rottweiler at home, I don’t think I can maintain one.  They eat a lot (where do you think they get to maintain their body built).  If I’ll have one, it will probably become a Rottweiler with a built of a Doberman... or worst a size of a Chihuahua... haha.
Just enjoying the company...

I always believe that dogs or any other pets are good companions.  As they take care and amuse us in any way, they also need our protection and care.  You should only have pets if you are responsible enough and capable to have them.  Otherwise, let them go or give them to the proper authority or not to have them at all.  This will give them a chance to have a life that suites them most.  Yahweh bless us all.

Monday, May 23, 2011

Double Celebration

Solemn house blessing held at the porch...
Yesterday, we celebrated two memorable events, the blessing of my in-laws’ house in Gensan and the birthday of my sister-in-law.  Headed by a pastor, we followed a step by step ceremony for the blessing of each part of the house.  It was a simple yet thorough house blessing; I could say that every part of the house was offered with a prayer, each area with a unique prayer for its use.  The ceremony ended with an open house, the guests freely roamed around the house. . I heard nothing but praises from all the guests as they check out every detail of the living room, kitchen, dining area, bedrooms and comfort rooms.  All these praises were later directed to the one who conceptualized the house, the birthday girl herself.  My sister-in-law is an interior designer and a well-known pocketbook writer.  She had designed some of the renowned establishments both in Davao and Gensan.  She is also behind the famous love stories and series in the Love Match publishing.

After the open house, we proceeded to Paseo del Sol for the reception.  The owners of the restaurant are a long time family friend of the celebrator.  Each time they have a celebration, our family was always invited.  They were giving this reception as a token and gift to my sister-in-law.  It was an enjoyable night... overflowing foods and drinks, games, slideshow of pics for the celebrator, dancing in the 80’s hits and latest music.




Wifey with Love Match's Kat Madrid and Eve Montelibano.
And in a rare occasion, we had the chance to take some pics with two of Love Match’s famous writers, Eve Montelibano and Kat Madrid.  We had been introduced to my sister-in-law’s friend, knowing their names but not their pen names, so as soon as my wife knew that it was the writer of one of her favorite book, she did not waste any opportunity.


Grabbing the chance...
Though we still wanted to enjoy the occasion, we went home early to give the kids a good rest and to prepare for our  travel back to Davao.  It was a good week of summer fun... It’s been years since the last time enjoyed this stuff, way back when I was still studying.  Maybe that’s the reason why I really had the time of my life 'coz you only cherish things when you seldom experience them... THANK YOU LORD FOR EVERYTHING, ALL PRAISES AND GLORY TO YOU ALWAYS... God bless.

Friday, May 20, 2011

A Bonsai Haven


Treasured smiles...
To celebrate my father-in-law’s birthday, we were treated in this wonderful place called Sarangani Highlands Garden and Restaurant.   Located in a hilltop overlooking the Sarangani Bay in General Santos City, it had a nice view of Mount Matutum and Mount Parker.  But what captivated us most was their awesome landscape and wide arrays of plants especially their bonsai collection.  We took a lot of photos of the different locations in their garden, just to have a souvenir of every beautifully landscaped corner.

Some of the nicest garden spots in the place...
The food...
Then came the most awaited part, lunch was served...  What could be more perfect than eating a nice meal in a refreshing open air garden with a mesmerizing view of the sea... picture that out (LOL).  We tried their fried catfish platter (garnished with green mango with bagoong and salted egg with sliced tomatoes), bird’s nest soup, fried tuna belly and veggies (pinakbet and chopseuy).  It was truly a sumptuous meal....
...the company...
...and  the view.
After lunch, we spent some time just wandering around the place and looking at their majestic bonsai plants.  Some of these plants might be more than a decade old just basing on their trunks.  I was so amazed of how they resembled a fully grown tree.  Looking at these miniatures just made me think of those trees in our forest... those being cut abusively for commercial lumber.  I hope that the time won’t come when the only centennial trees left would be these bonsai trees.

Bonsai... bonsai... excellent bonsai trees...


Thank you God for the wonderful moment you’ve given us even just for a glimpse... We would truly treasure this experience with our friends and love ones... to God be the glory.




The fun of having the company of friends and relatives...
...with the beauty of serenity.








Thursday, May 19, 2011

Money in Trading Online

I remember my office mates  before, they were talking about their stock accounts in the stock market.  During that time, they kept on complaining of having a hard time in keeping track of their stocks' market value, since they had to communicate with their broker using landlines.  I even heard one of them telling he's willing to sell all his stocks even if it was way below its purchased price just to return even a partial of his investment.  Hearing this back then, made me think how hard it was to invest in stocks.

But based on my readings, stock investment is just "buying stocks at low cost and selling them when its market value goes up".  Sounds easy but trading and investing in stocks do have it's risks because the stock's market value is very dynamic, thus unpredictable.  However, you'll minimize it if you just know  the "HOWs".  And the internet has made all the answers easy, convenient and accessible to all of us.

Now, you can easily open a stock account online.  But remember you must first be knowledgeable about the stock market before engaging.  You're not entering something unprepared, right?  Online stock account lets you do the common stuff like selling and buying stocks with the advantage of real-time monitoring of the stock's market value and potential stock history.

When investing online, one must also assess the risk of not having an online brokerage that can provide professional advices and offer their expertise in completing the necessary legal paper works and needed transactions to complete the deal between the buyer and the seller. Choosing a reputable internet brokerage gives the investor an advantage and convenience of having a trading platform that acts as a hub for buying and selling stocks, monitoring and tracking tools, real time streaming quotes and stocks' news releases, as well as other necessary tools for trade profitability.  It is definitely a must have and there's no need to worry, brokerage firms protect their clients and themselves from unlawful and erroneous transactions so as not to affect their operating license.

Moreover for starters, in researching for investment, we still have to filter our readings.  Thus, not believing in everything  the internet or social websites say.  Always turn to unbiased sources such as your government online (if any) Securities and Exchange Commission and securities regulator or securities industry  self regulatory commissions to avoid investment frauds.  Basic rule, there's no fraud if you don't give them even the tiniest opportunity.  God bless. 







Wednesday, May 18, 2011

Here Comes the Sun... Glan Padidu

Mesmerized by the breathtaking view in Glan.
We were jokingly singing as we traveled towards our destination, Rosal Resort in Gumasa, Glan, Sarangani Province.  We were so eager to see the beach.  Aside from the good things we have heard about the beaches in Glan, it'll be the first time for most of us to visit the place.  So, after an hour drive, finally we reached the resort... and it did not disappoint our expectations. A serene sight, white and fine sand, comfortable and uncrowded place (considering it is a weekday).  Since it was still early when we arrived at the site and the sun was still rising, we right away took the opportunity, it's the best time to go on swimming.

At last, Rosal Resort.
A very special moment... captured by a paparazzi (lol)


 
Can't wait to go to the beach... 'coz it might run dry ;)
It was sunny the whole day, a perfect time to take pictures and roam along the shore.  The beach line was full of natural rock formations and vegetation with fine sands along and within the beach swimming area.  The locals were warm and very accommodating.  They even let us see  their catch which showed how rich  the marine life in their area was.  We took lots of photos, looked for some nice drift woods and enjoyed the beach all day long, while some of us took a nice and relaxing nap in our cottage and along the shaded portion of the beach.

Just having the time of our lives...
After a whole day of fun and relaxation, even if the kids and the kids at heart (haha) still wanted to stay longer, we had to go home.  We brought sand and drift woods(for our garden), said a  prayer of thanksgiving and safe trip back home, and waived our goodbyes to the place with the hope of returning back someday soon.  It was indeed such a wonderful experience for all of us.  Thank you God for all the wonderful blessings.

By the way, in case your wondering about the title, Glan-Padidu isn't just added to rhyme with the song of the Beetles' "Here Comes the Sun", but it's actually a place we passed by going to the resort. God bless.