Saturday 23 February 2013

True love


022413

 True Love

 I was thinking, if true love really exist - we really wouldn't need fairy tails right? Well, forget the bitterness and all that I-don't-believe in love stuff. For seven years I tried hard to self portray and express as much as I could on how to show true love.

 This is what I discovered.

 1. Love is in a form of sacrifice. Everything you do for your partner requires something from you. May it be time, resources, understanding, and even pain. There is no "I did this for you, why don't you do the same for me?!" Showbiz peeps are used to divorce coz they think their own love life's are just like the movies. But hellno, I know you would agree on this - everyone wants to have a partner who would be their last. When you love, just love. Many people love because they are "being loved back" and what happens when their partner becomes cold? Would they do the same? Again, No. You love because you love - and you are capable to do that without any help from other people or any inspirations from them (well, obviously). Despite her shortcomings or even the coldness, still love. Despite the storms inside your relationship, just love. There are never ending reasons why you should love her - I really don't have to list it down.

 Love her because she is your partner. Period

 2. Love is a decision I often go to weddings and observe especially their vows. "Till death do us part" - my favorite line and also happens to be my favorite song. Sooooo romantic and full of promises - well, they vowed for it right? However, if you vowed for such promises to your partner, how come divorce so cheap like candy nowadays? Long time relationships are now exchanged just for money - custody for it. Also, it's very easy to be unfaithful nowadays. Men and women , especially when in a cold relationship, are into other "outside" and fling relationships just to fill their emotional needs. So what happened to that "till death do us part"? I don't heard anything it say's "Ok, as long as you are loving, faithful, holding my hands, kissing me back, romantic, etc - I will be the same for you. But if you stop to be that kind of person, sorry but we have to break up" Well seriously, there are no vows like that and it's not even a vow.

 When you love a person, it's a decision. That's one of the important things I learned from my parents - you love a person because you chose it. It's your decision. For better or worse - or even to the point of being at her "worst", you must be there, still the same person loving her unconditionally. Loving is not based on emotions or even on how much sweet she is to you.

Forget the twilight effect. We are on the real world. Stories are just stories. They are destined to have good and happy endings. But you, you control your relationship.

Your own perception of "love" determines the outcome on how good or how worse your relationship will gonna be.

 3. Love is unconditional

 Well, palasak na ito. But still a very important saying for those in a relationship. Just like in the beauty and the beast, it doesnt matter how imcompatible the both of you in terms of facial distinction. What matter is what you both feel for each other right? A person who loves unconditionally doesn't need a reason for loving her partner.

For those who are curious to ask why did I let my first and seven year relationship turn into dust, here's the reason.

 Remember the three things I've just mentioned? Your relationship will die if only one person will do it. You won't really be happy if you are only the person loving sacrificially and unconditionally. No matter how hard you decided to hold on to a certain person and love her with your whole life, it's still a trash if she won't acknowledge it.

Your relationship won't survive if only one is loving truly. It takes two to tango. Relationships are for partners. Two person loving each other will all their might. Loving unconditionally. Loving without expecting. Decided to love the other till death seperates them.

 Dedicated to: Allan Felipe & His lovely girlfriend Rose

Thanks for the inspiration.
I now believe in fairy tales. lol

Friday 15 February 2013

Dare you to move


February 16,2013

After 10,000 years, here is it.
A song cover from Switchfoot entitled "I dare you to move". This song has been personally a blessing for me. It's lyrics are not meant only for the taste of our ears but also a word of encouragement for all of us.

This is for you.

Obviously.

:s

Monday 4 February 2013

Arg Notes #28: Sharp Peeps

February 11 , 2013
Lazy Morning
09:30
  
Oh, well. Obviously I'm not on the picture. o.O The curse of a photogr
I've been employed here in Sharp Philippines (SPC) for more than a year now and I honestly say that God did blessed me with wonderful co-officemates - though obviously we we're not that "financially" blessed in terms of salary.


February 13,  2013
Cold Morning
09:30

Wednesday. A verrry cold morning. The usual day. Ego-inspired boss. Plain boring paper jobs. What else? Oh, yeah the food. Well, particularly to keep you awake. lol

Nothing makes my morning non other than
people here in the office. Considering that this is
my first "actual" job, It was certainly a good thing
to have these kinds of people surrounding your
cold-blooded workplace. It's really a plus actually.

The hardest part in working here is staying awake - well most of the days. Also, hmm,  being busy though you're not actually not doing anything.
Press like if you are experiencing this :p

As the hand of the clock races to almost 5pm - that's when the excitement starts. Too bad if your boss calls you 5 minutes before. You know what I mean. (OTY) Over Time Thank You.

We usually hangout on nearby malls after work. Stress release! We all have our Boss-Subordinate experiences to share.

Got to go. :p




Sunday 3 February 2013

Best Clubs in Manila

Best Clubs in Manila


The Best Clubs in Manila (updated March 2012)
1. Republiq - Resorts World (Pasay)
Address:  Republiq Club, Unit 8, Second Level, Newport Mall, Resorts World Manila, Newport City, Pasay City
2. Opus, Resorts World (Pasay)
Address:  Opus Lounge, 2/F, Newport Mall, Resorts World Manila, Newport Blvd, Newport City, Pasay City
3. 7th High, The Fort (Bonifacio Global City, Taguig)
Address:  Club 7th High, 7th Avenue (B3 Highstreet), The Fort (Fort Bonifacio Global City), Taguig
4. Prive, The Fort (Bonifacio Global City, Taguig)
Address: Privé Luxury Club, Unit C, The Fort Strip (Fort Entertainment Complex), The Fort, BGC, Taguig
5. Time, Makati
Address:  Club Time, 7840, Makati Avenue (across the road from A-Venue), Makati
6. Eden, Eastwood (Libis, Quezon City)
Address: Eden Nightclub, Eastwood City Walk, Eastwood, Libs, Quezon City
7. Palladium, Makati
Address:  Palladium Club, New World Hotel, Esperanza Street (Greenbelt 3) corner Makati Avenue, Ayala Center, Makati City
8. Icon, Makati
Address: Icon, InterContinental Hotel, Ayala Ave / East Dr (Back entrance at Highway Dr), Makati
9. Fiamma, Makati
Address: Fiamma Club, 32 Jupiter St. Bel-Air Village, Makati
10. EXcess, Quezon City
Address:  EXcess Superclub, Timog Avenue (opposite of Music Bank close to Boy Scout Circle), Quezon City
11. Nu’Vaine, Quezon City
Address: Nu’Vaine SuperClub, 3rd floor CCTM Square Building, Timog Ave cor Tomas Morato, Quezon City
12. Circa, Eastwood (Libis, Quezon City)
Address: Club Cira, Unit G6, Eastwood City Walk, Eastwood, Libis, Quezon City
13. Dolce, Quezon City
Address: Dolce Superclub, Tomas Morato Extension, Quezon City
14. Bliss, Quezon City
Address: Bliss Ultra Club, Tomas Morato, Quezon City

Arg Notes #27: Jr. Youth Bondings

February 04, 2013
The peeps as we go to Julie Anne's debu dance practice



Junior Youth Fellowship - Feb 2 , 2013
I am amazed by how He has blessed me with these kids - well particularly, young teens. They've been a part of my life since I was in high school and my "joy" as Christian was somehow dependent on them (because they were my ministry). I consider them my treasures in heaven and without them, my saturdays and sundays will be a waste of time.

Our fellowship has been on sticks and stones. Getting more, getting few. The enemy is being smart and tactical on how to destroy our fellowship.

But sorry, we have a great God. Bigger than our problems or even our trials.

I want to dedicate this month of February on helping this fellowship step up.
















Arg Notes #29: Church Music Team


February 03, 2013

Sunday morning. Worship service.

This is the place I usually spend my mornings with. The chapel.

For  almost a decade, I've been part of our church's music team and I have seen people dedicate their talents for this kind of  ministry. Sadly, most of them chose to serve the world instead of playing music in the narrow road.

Young people are fond of making music. Exactly of the reasons why they are the most "eligible" people to play music in the church. Their talent is needed. However, is it really enough?

I remember my "maestro". He used to teach me to lead congregational singing while playing guitar. It's not how you play your guitar, but how you lead the congregation in singing. Don't just play from the heart, but play with wisdom and Godly inspiration. No matter how you play well, your music will be just a clanging cymbal in His ears if you will play with pride and a boastful heart.

You play music because you WORSHIP him through it.

I still remember those years when I'm still inspired to play with my heart, my soul, and Him as my inspiration.

Presently, our Church's music team is now composed of the fourth generation of musicians.
I 've been taught by my uncle and Master Leo Nebrija. I taught Rodelson Cua and  Josh Nalian. Rodelson taught Kiel Mariano & Jerome Canosa.

The quality of worship by the congregation is greatly influence by how the music team lead them. Its not based on the size of the band or how complete your instruments are. It's not also based either your placed in front of a large crowd,an elegant stage, or only at the corner of your small chapel.
It's based on how you lead them to worship.

Most youth's are getting bored with this. You know playing solemnly. Guitar -plucked only background music during breaking of bread and lineups full of church hymns.

It's quite boring for an immature musician. However, imagine playing in front of a King? How will you play your instrument? Will you play just to perform? or to please?

This is one of the main problems of any music team.

It's the HEART.

You play because you are NEEDED. You play because you think it's only a form of "jamming". You play because you are told to. You play well because you think it will please the listeners. Your motivation is on everyone's approval.

Most of us forget that we play because we worship - and as we worship, your talent will follow and you will begin to play in a worship mode.

Take note. Your quality of "playing" will either positively or negative affect the congregation as they worship.

Take heart. Examine your hearts. Play with wisdom. Perform for the Lord.

Audience of ONE.


Friday 1 February 2013

Arg Notes #26: Filipino Street foods

January 31, 2013

Bell rung. Time to go home from work!

So what to do?

I am working at Sharp Alabang, Philippines and the usual ride to get to the nearest terminal is by riding a tricycle. However - it seemed my stomach was telling me something weird.

Ok, bottomline. I am hunger. Hungry. Lol


Krish Punzalan & Jeff Remudaro we're the lucky ones who joined me food-tripping. Though prices now were higher compared before in my college days (duh), the taste remained the same. Delicious!
I remember eating at the night of Hongkong & Thailand. Supeer delicious dumplings, ramen, and different kinds of noodle soups - o wait plus the weird delicacy of Thai, the fried crickets! yum yum!
Kwek-kwek food trip!

The Filipinos are fond of cooking, eating different kind of foods, and of course the variety of presenting it.  As you roam the streets in the Phils., you'll see different kinds of street foods. The usual are BBQ's - well, of different kinds. It's cheaper though (Cost only 5-10 pesos) for a satisfying pick-a-pick food trip.

Here is the list of the foods most commonly sold at the streets or simply street foods in the Philippines courtesy of Ivan Henares blog.

  • Abnoy - unhatched incubated duck egg or bugok which is mixed with flour and water and cooked like pancakes
  • Adidas - chicken feet, marinated and grilled or cooked adobo style
  • Arroz caldo - rice porridge or congee cooked with chicken and kasubhasee also Lugaw
  • Atay - grilled chicken liver
  • Baga - pig's or cow's lungs grilled or deep-fried and served with barbeque condiments
  • Balat ng manok - see Chicken skin and Chicharon manok
  • Balun-balunan - grilled chicken gizzard
  • Balut - hard-boiled duck egg with fetus
  • Banana cue - deep-fried saba (banana) covered with caramelized brown sugar
  • Barbeque - marinated pork or chicken pieces grilled on skewers
  • Batchoy - miki noodle soup garnished with pork innards (liver, kidney and heart), chicharon (pork skin cracklings), chicken breast, vegetables and topped with a raw egg; origin traced to La Paz, Iloilo
  • Betamax - curdled chicken or pork blood, cubed and grilled
  • Bibingka - glutinous rice flour pancakes grilled with charcoal above and below in a special clay pot
  • Biko (also Bico) - glutinous rice cake with grated coconut topping
  • Binatog - boiled white corn kernels, sugar, grated coconut and milk
  • Bopis - minced pig's heart and lungs sauteed with garlic and onion and seasoned with laurel, oregano, bell pepper and vinegar
  • Botsi - chicken esophagus, deep-fried or grilled
  • Calamares - deep-fried squid in batter
  • Calamay (also Kalamay) - glutinous rice cakes; varieties all over the country
  • Camote cue - deep-fried camote (sweet potato) covered with caramelized brown sugar
  • Carioca (also KaryokaKarioka) - deep-fried glutinous rice flour cakes served on skewers
  • Cheese sticks - deep-fried cheese wrapped in lumpia (spring roll) wrapper
  • Chicharon baboy - pork skin cracklings, made from pork rind boiled and seasoned, sun-dried and deep-fried
  • Chicharon bituka - pork or chicken intestine boiled, seasoned and deep-fried
  • Chicharon bulaklak - pork omentum boiled, seasoned and deep-fried
  • Chicharon manok - chicken skin cracklings
  • Chicken balls - balls made with chicken meat, deep fried and served in skewers with a sweet, sour or spicy sauce
  • Chicken skin - chicken skin battered and deep fried
  • Cutchinta - see Kutsinta
  • Day-old chicks - literally day-old chicks deep-fried to a crisp, served with sauce or vinegar
  • Empanada (Batac) - pork longganiza, egg and grated green papaya in a rice flour shell, deep-fried and served with vinegar
  • Fishballs - balls made with fish meat, most often from pollock, deep fried and served in skewers with a sweet, sour or spicy sauce
  • Goto - rice porridge or congee cooked with beef tripe
  • Halo-halo - translated as "a mix of many things" or "an assortment," it is a dessert topped with shaved ice that may contain sweetened saba (banana), camotemacapuno (young coconut), kaongnata de cocopinipig (rice crispies), gulaman (agar), sago (tapioca balls), brown and white beans, garbanzos, ube (purple yam), and leche flan (creme brulee), with milk and sugar; Pampanga has three popular versions in Guagua, Arayat and Angeles which may include pastillas, crushed white beans and corn
  • Helmet - grilled chicken head
  • Hepalog (also Toknonong) - hard-boiled duck eggs dipped in orange batter and deep-fried
  • Isaw - collective term for different types of grilled chicken and pork innards; varieties include isaw manokisaw baboyataygotobotsibalun-balunan, and tenga ng baboy
  • Isaw baboy - grilled or deep-fried pork intestines on a skewer, served with sweet, sour or spicy sauce
  • Isaw manok (aslo IUD) - grilled or deep-fried chicken intestines on a skewer, served with sweet, sour or spicy sauce; also referred to as IUD because it resembles an intra-uterine device
  • Iskrambol (also Scrambol) - frostees; shaved ice, diced gulamansago and condensed milk
  • IUD - see Isaw manok
  • Kakanin - collective term for snacks made with kanin (rice), particularly malagkit (glutinous) rice; varieties include putokutsintacalamaysapin-sapinsumanpalitawbiko or sinukmani, and espasol among many others
  • Kalamay - see Kalamay
  • Kamote cue - see Camote cue
  • Kikiam - the special ones are made of ground pork and vegetables wrapped in bean curd sheets, deep-fried and served with sweet, sour or spicy sauce; those in the street are seafood-based, usually made of fish meat and cuttlefish
  • Kudil - deep-fried pork skin
  • Kutsinta - steamed bahaw (boiled rice) with lye and brown sugar; has a gelatinous consistency
  • Kwek kwek - see Quek quek
  • Lomi - noodle soup made with thick fresh egg noodles or lomi
  • Longganiza - pork sausage grilled or fried on a skewer
  • Lugaw - rice porridge or congee; varieties include arroz caldo (with chicken and kasubha) and goto (with beef tripe)
  • Lumpia - spring rolls; varieties include lumpiang basalumpiang hubad - fresh spring rolls wothout the wrapper; lumpiang pritolumpiang sariwa - fresh srping rolls; lumpiang shanghailumpiang ubod; and turon
  • Mais - boiled sweet corn seasoned with salt, butter or margarine
  • Mais con yelo - sweet corn, milk and sugar topped with shaved ice
  • Mami - noodle soup
  • Manggang hilaw - green mango served with bagoong (shrimp paste)
  • Mani - peanuts either boiled, roasted or deep-fried and seasoned with garlic and salt
  • Maruya - banana fritters
  • Nilupak - mashed kamoteng kahoy (cassava) or kamote (sweet potato) with brown sugar and served with butter or margarine
  • Palitaw - glutinous rice flour pancakes topped with grated young coconut, sugar and roasted sesame seeds
  • Panara - deep-fried crab and grated green papaya empanda sold in Pampanga during Christmas season
  • Pancit - noodles; varieties are batchoy (Iloilo) - see Batchoybatil patung (Tuguegarao) - local noodles topped with hot dogs, chicharon, ground meat, fried egg, and vegetables; pancit bihonpancit canton - a kind of pancit guisado flavored with ginger and soy sauce; pancit guisadopancit habhab (Lucban) - sautéedmiki noodles served on and eaten straight from banana leaf sans utensils; pancit lomi - see Lomipansit luglog (Pampanga and Tagalog Region) - it has a distinct orange shrimp-achuete sauce and is topped with chicharon, tinapa, wansoy and shrimp; pancit malabon (Malabon) - made with thick rice noodles tossed in shrimp-achuete oil topped with shelled oysters, squid rings, suaje or hipong puti and wansoy; pancit molo (Iloilo) - clear chicken broth with wonton, garlic and crushed chorizo; pancit palabokpancit puti (Manila); and pancit sotanghon among many others
  • Pandesal (also Pan de sal) - breakfast roll; rounded bread
  • Pares - translated as "pair," means the pairing of rice with beef; beef pares is characterized by very tender meat, usually with a lot of litid (ligaments)
  • Penoy - hard-boiled duck egg without fetus
  • Proven - hard portion of chicken entrails that is either marinated and grilled, battered and fried or cooked adobo style
  • Pusit - squid grilled on skewer
  • Puto - steamed rice cake
  • Puto bumbong - purple glutinous rice snack cooked in a special steamer
  • Quikiam - see Kikiam
  • Quek quek (also Toknanay) - hard boiled chicken eggs dipped in orange batter and deep-fried; also used for quail eggs but some say the correct term for the quail egg version is tokneneng; the balut version is sometimes referred to as hepalog
  • Sapin-sapin - layered glutinous rice and coconut milk cake usually topped with grated coconut and latik (residue from coconut oil extraction); different flavor per layer such as ube (purple yam), macapuno (young coconut), kutsinta and langka (jackfruit)
  • Scrambol - see Iskrambol
  • Sinukmani - see Biko
  • Siomai - steamed pork dumplings
  • Siopao - steamed pork buns
  • Sisig - roasted pig's head, chicken liver, onions and chili, chopped and flavored with calamansi served on a hot metal plate
  • Sorbetes (also Dirty ice cream) - street ice cream made with local fruits and ingredients; common flavors include ube (purple yam), mango, avocado, queso (cheese), chocolate, langka (jackfruit), buko or macapuno (coconut); strawberry is common in Baguio City
  • Squid balls - balls made with squid or cuttlefish meat, deep fried and served in skewers with a sweet, sour or spicy sauce
  • Suman - glutinous rice snack steamed in banana or coconut leaves; varieties include binagol (Leyte) made with glutinous rice, gabi (taro), coconut milk and chocolate; budbod sa kabog (Tanjay, Negros Oriental) which uses millet instead of glutinous rice; Taho - bean curd snack topped with arnibal (liquefied raw sugar similar to molasses) and sago (tapioca balls)
  • Tenga ng baboy (also Walkman) - marinated pig's ears grilled on skewers; see also Kudil
  • Toknanay - see Quek quek
  • Tokneneng - hard boiled quail eggs dipped in orange batter and deep-fried; also called kwek kwek by others
  • Toknonong - see Hepalog
  • Tupig (also Itemtem) - glutinous rice, grated mature coconut, coconut milk and molasses rolled in banana leaves and grilled; varieties in Pangasinan, Ilocos Norte (Batac) and Isabela
  • Turon - saba (banana) with with sugar and sometimes langka (jackfruit) wrapped in lumpia (spring roll) wrapper and deep-fried
  • Walkman - see Tenga ng Baboy
Read more: http://www.filipinofoodsrecipes.com/2009/06/filipino-street-foods.html#ixzz2JdGIVe1w


I'll be updating this post. Soon.