beauty and the beast. saw the musical yesterday with eunice and eizel. it was magical. kc concepcion was lovely and charming - the perfect Belle. she exceeded my expectations. i didn't realize she could sing that well. amazing. the cast gave such wonderful performances. my favorite character was Cogsworth. When the Beast asked him what he could give to Belle, he replied, "There's lots you can give - chocolates, flowers, promises you don't intend to keep..." In fact, he added zest to the play with his witty lines and sarcastic humor ^o^ gaston was the perfect picture of arrogance with his swishy swagger. the beast matched his ominous appearance with his deep throaty voice. eizel enjoyed the "be my guest" segment (where streamers suddenly popped out) and the part where the villagers stormed the beast's castle. she was laughing so hard. the beast's transformation was a sight to behold. it was so cool how theater manages such tricks ^o^ sharon cuneta, frankie, and kiko pangilinan were there as well. they gave kc a standing ovation, which she deserved. she bowed ever so gracefully. the theater never fails to sweep me away with its music and emotions.
afterwards, we had dinner at penangs greenhills. dropped by bizu and bought some macaroons and strawberry shortcake! yum ^o^ then tried out Kohi Kan. coffee at UCC is better. the atmosphere was okay. i liked listening to the japanese songs playing in the background.
on saturday, i went out with mic, aileen, jerome, malt, sherry, and raechelle. saw monster-in-law. it was entertaining. fun to laugh out loud with the fellow movie watchers. michael vartan's cute. didn't realize that he was the guy from never been kissed. and he's of french descent too. cool ^o^ a game of foosball ensued, which was fun. read about it in Sabrina! but never got to play it. hehe. overall, it was just a fun night out with friends. also saw hans, was wondering he had disappeared too. turns out he's migrating! wow.
so, the past weekend was one of the best ^o^ currently, i'm listening to marion raven's album Here I Am. i like it. best tracks would be here i am, for you i'll die, six feet under, break you, and little by little.
ama gave me two more coats - one for cold weather, the other for less severe weather. wonder how much stuff i'll bring. packing's going to be hard. ack. and i have to get myself a traditional costume, learn a filipino song. in short, a crash course in filipino culture. two more months to go...
Monday, June 27, 2005
Tuesday, June 21, 2005
how religion presents itself
sometimes religion is such a vague term. it presents itself in temples and prayers and rosaries but the meanings behind such images aren't even clear. i went to the temple today and joined a prayer session (mostly chanting and bowing and kneeling). i can't understand the buddhist prayers although they're very easy on the ears and have a calming effect, i wish that there were something more substantial. at times, religion seems like a waste of time. isn't belief and faith enough? going to a church or a temple and then dozing off during the sermons doesn't seem like a proper way to practice religion. i couldn't understand half the things the monk was saying earlier. what's frustrating is that isn't religion supposed to be the human's guide to heaven? it's supposed to give meaning to life, to help us discover our true purposes. but it seems to me that religion is a business. donating money to churches, giving money to monks and temples (angpao). by giving them money, the monks ask the divine to bless us. does that mean that the poor aren't blessed? it just seems so twisted. religion as edifices, as money. so symbolic. there's not enough foundation, not enough substance. religion should be something that makes life more significant, that enriches us as human beings.
come to think of it, i grumble at the thought of going to church because i feel that if i'm just going to be sleepy there, then what's the point of going. i guess i should change my mindset. maybe put more effort in learning about religion. religion originated from something good. it just got mixed up in all the modernity and progress but i guess the core values are still there, just have to unearth them. but still, things should be made more accessible to people. concentrate on things that are more practical. difficult topics should be discussed using easier terms. because religion should be an integral part of human life. and the way things are going, i'd say that at present, people are veering away from religion...
come to think of it, i grumble at the thought of going to church because i feel that if i'm just going to be sleepy there, then what's the point of going. i guess i should change my mindset. maybe put more effort in learning about religion. religion originated from something good. it just got mixed up in all the modernity and progress but i guess the core values are still there, just have to unearth them. but still, things should be made more accessible to people. concentrate on things that are more practical. difficult topics should be discussed using easier terms. because religion should be an integral part of human life. and the way things are going, i'd say that at present, people are veering away from religion...
daddy's favorite sayings
i chanced upon an article in the daily inquirer. my mom showed it to me and asked us to choose from among ten sayings, the ones my dad used. i decided to make a list of my own. some are similar to the ones in the list, others aren't. but it was interesting and funny to see how some expressions are a staple for all dads.
1. Ask your mom. / What did your mom say? My dad always always uses this expression and in all sorts of situations too. Choosing a restaurant, when we ask him for permission to go out, when we ask his advice on something. And yes, the expression works vice versa too. When we ask my mom something, she says "Go ask your dad." Funny eh, parents ^o^
2. When i was young... Usually, that's how lectures and mini-sermons start out, by comparing the differences between his time and our time, the generation gap. I guess the younger ones nowadays (me included) don't have to work for anything. Everything's been given to us on a golden platter. Because of that, i feel that i don't appreciate things as much as i should. contentment isn't easy to find, with regards to material things. That's usually the main point in such lectures - responsibility, respect, thriftiness.
3. In line with the above, my dad has three work ideals or rather philosophies: Patience, Humility, and Prayers. This my dad mentions when he's tired from all the work he's been doing. He always says that work must be loved. It's only when you love your work that effort doesn't seem like such a drag. But even when it does seem so, you must be willing to persevere. Things would go nowhere if everyone just gave up when faced with challenges. Always remember to remain humble because it's not you who's good, your talents and abilities are God-given. Be sure to thank God for His guidance. Our success is to His credit.
4. Give your mom a tissue. This my dad says when watching a poignant scene. I think it's a ploy to put the attention off him becuase his eyes are teary so he says that someone else wants to cry. It's just a theory... but it sounds plausible ^o^
Those are some of the expressions that i grew up with. The younger me didn't get to see my dad that often. All i remember are him cleaning up the corridor cabinet (where we put the canned goods and spaghetti) and him at the airport bearing two dolls. I remember Abu the Monkey (another present from him). Mostly, scattered memories. As a child, I felt my dad could do anyting. Now, i see his flaws and his strengths. I've been able to know him more and I'm really grateful that I have him as a father. ^o^
1. Ask your mom. / What did your mom say? My dad always always uses this expression and in all sorts of situations too. Choosing a restaurant, when we ask him for permission to go out, when we ask his advice on something. And yes, the expression works vice versa too. When we ask my mom something, she says "Go ask your dad." Funny eh, parents ^o^
2. When i was young... Usually, that's how lectures and mini-sermons start out, by comparing the differences between his time and our time, the generation gap. I guess the younger ones nowadays (me included) don't have to work for anything. Everything's been given to us on a golden platter. Because of that, i feel that i don't appreciate things as much as i should. contentment isn't easy to find, with regards to material things. That's usually the main point in such lectures - responsibility, respect, thriftiness.
3. In line with the above, my dad has three work ideals or rather philosophies: Patience, Humility, and Prayers. This my dad mentions when he's tired from all the work he's been doing. He always says that work must be loved. It's only when you love your work that effort doesn't seem like such a drag. But even when it does seem so, you must be willing to persevere. Things would go nowhere if everyone just gave up when faced with challenges. Always remember to remain humble because it's not you who's good, your talents and abilities are God-given. Be sure to thank God for His guidance. Our success is to His credit.
4. Give your mom a tissue. This my dad says when watching a poignant scene. I think it's a ploy to put the attention off him becuase his eyes are teary so he says that someone else wants to cry. It's just a theory... but it sounds plausible ^o^
Those are some of the expressions that i grew up with. The younger me didn't get to see my dad that often. All i remember are him cleaning up the corridor cabinet (where we put the canned goods and spaghetti) and him at the airport bearing two dolls. I remember Abu the Monkey (another present from him). Mostly, scattered memories. As a child, I felt my dad could do anyting. Now, i see his flaws and his strengths. I've been able to know him more and I'm really grateful that I have him as a father. ^o^
Tuesday, June 14, 2005
missing school
it's only when you're at home, thinking of ways to while time away, that you come to appreciate the hectic haven (very ironic ^o^) that school offers. there's always something to do, and despite complaining about the loads of work to be done, doing something (no matter how much) is better than doing nothing. So far, i've been going to the office, studying french and japanese, but these aren't enough to fill my days. wish i could take up a few units but i wouldn't be able to finish the sem. The best thing is to see this "extended vacation" as a chance to relax and probably learn something extra.
at gloria maris, five tables were filled with people wearing red shirts. the whole place was red. my aunt brought her indian friend and let us taste some of the food they cooked at tagaytay - indian food. there was eggplant stuffed with nuts and spices, okra, spiced mangoes, vegetable curry, a kind of indian bread, and saffron rice with turmeric. everything was yummy, though i would've liked it a bit spicy. my aunt told her friend not to add anything spicy as no one would dare eat the dishes. but still, the food had that distinctive indian taste and scent. reminded me of the time we ate at Queen's. ^o^
my grandma's 78 (chinese age). her great-grandchildren were playing around. jayron stuck his hand into the cake, smudging the rose-shaped icing. ben-ben, jaymie, and bennet had their fair share of tussles. janssen and ben-ben were absorbed in their uncles' cellphone games. and chloe gifted everyone with her sweet smile. it was one of those few occassions where everyone gathers together. it was fun, kind of like old times. 4ko was the official photographer, snapping her camera at such speed. janssen even struck a few karate poses. the event was special and comforting albeit somewhat being like the parties before.
a thought came to me yesterday. is it possible to just exist? to me, it seems that people are always rationalizing, comparing their states of being to something. we are rich or poor depending with whom we compare ourselves to. in the face of challenges or unfair circumstances (like accidents or sicknesses), we struggle to remain optimistic. in the movie the interpreter, nicole's character said something about accepting that life is sometimes unfair and unjust. it just seems to me that we are always wanting to explain why something happens. nothing occurs just because. everything occurs for a reason. we are never able to truly separate ourselves from our human tendencies - wanting to find answers, to seek reason. i guess that it is only by doing so that we are able to search and find meaning. by just existing, we merely accept things as they come..and things occur just because they do, no other reason. in some cases, it's good. that why, you don't have to ask why this happened, how you're supposed to deal with it. sometimes, it's acceptable and comforting to just be. no questions asked.
at gloria maris, five tables were filled with people wearing red shirts. the whole place was red. my aunt brought her indian friend and let us taste some of the food they cooked at tagaytay - indian food. there was eggplant stuffed with nuts and spices, okra, spiced mangoes, vegetable curry, a kind of indian bread, and saffron rice with turmeric. everything was yummy, though i would've liked it a bit spicy. my aunt told her friend not to add anything spicy as no one would dare eat the dishes. but still, the food had that distinctive indian taste and scent. reminded me of the time we ate at Queen's. ^o^
my grandma's 78 (chinese age). her great-grandchildren were playing around. jayron stuck his hand into the cake, smudging the rose-shaped icing. ben-ben, jaymie, and bennet had their fair share of tussles. janssen and ben-ben were absorbed in their uncles' cellphone games. and chloe gifted everyone with her sweet smile. it was one of those few occassions where everyone gathers together. it was fun, kind of like old times. 4ko was the official photographer, snapping her camera at such speed. janssen even struck a few karate poses. the event was special and comforting albeit somewhat being like the parties before.
a thought came to me yesterday. is it possible to just exist? to me, it seems that people are always rationalizing, comparing their states of being to something. we are rich or poor depending with whom we compare ourselves to. in the face of challenges or unfair circumstances (like accidents or sicknesses), we struggle to remain optimistic. in the movie the interpreter, nicole's character said something about accepting that life is sometimes unfair and unjust. it just seems to me that we are always wanting to explain why something happens. nothing occurs just because. everything occurs for a reason. we are never able to truly separate ourselves from our human tendencies - wanting to find answers, to seek reason. i guess that it is only by doing so that we are able to search and find meaning. by just existing, we merely accept things as they come..and things occur just because they do, no other reason. in some cases, it's good. that why, you don't have to ask why this happened, how you're supposed to deal with it. sometimes, it's acceptable and comforting to just be. no questions asked.
Monday, June 13, 2005
out for dinner
These past few days, i've been eating dinner out. yesterday, my aunt treated us to a pre-Fathers' Day dinner at Mandarin Oriental ^o^ It was fun as the younger cousins got to see each other again. all 6 cousins together = raucous, pandemonium, chaos. the upside is that the chaos comes in cute packaging. hehe. seeing them makes me think about my younger days. sigh. at times, i wonder how i managed to while the time away, how my imagination was able to come up with exciting adventures and vivid images. as of now, my cousins love Gameboys (they were playing Digimon) and the Justice League series (Lynford!!) Lynford, Lyxen, and Eizel were playing pretend the entire time in Singapore, with Lynford striking Green/Yellow Lantern poses in almost all of his photos.
Children amaze me with their innocence, vulnerability, gullibility, curiosity, energy, optimism, creativity, and imagination. A breath of fresh air indeed. Kind of makes my heart ache to think how they'll have to grow up and learn the ways of the world. May they never become cynical, pretentious, and pessimistic. Life has so much to offer them and they in turn have great things to offer to the world. Go cousins (and sister) ! ^o^
Children amaze me with their innocence, vulnerability, gullibility, curiosity, energy, optimism, creativity, and imagination. A breath of fresh air indeed. Kind of makes my heart ache to think how they'll have to grow up and learn the ways of the world. May they never become cynical, pretentious, and pessimistic. Life has so much to offer them and they in turn have great things to offer to the world. Go cousins (and sister) ! ^o^
today, nini attended her friend bianca's debut at Ibarra's garden. After dropping her off, the family went to RP. Just walked around, browsed through Kamiseta and Bayo plus some shoe shops. Comparing the prices to Singapore, things are so much more cheaper here, except for the Lacoste shoes. I learned yesterday that it costs around 8-10 euros to watch a movie in France. That's around what, 600 pesos?! Sometimes, the cheaper prices here (in comparison to other countries) makes me feel that it's alright to splurge on stuff here. hehe. Got to try the new donut variety at Gonuts donuts - Candy Confetti. Yummy ^o^ Been awhile since I've had donuts.
Tomorrow is my grandmother's birthday. She's turning 77. There's going to be a dinner get-together at Gloria Maris. Time to get the red shirts out!
Tomorrow is my grandmother's birthday. She's turning 77. There's going to be a dinner get-together at Gloria Maris. Time to get the red shirts out!
Sunday, June 12, 2005
my last few interviews
thursday, june 9 was my last day at mead johnson. yey!! on wednesday, i interviewed 4 people for lab officer. so far, interviewing applicants has been the most interesting part of my ojt. the first time i interviewed applicants was for the position of medrep. i was so out of it that day, a bit scatter-brained. since i hadn't been briefed (sha did give me a few pointers), i felt a bit like a fish out of water. i struggled with the first couple of interviews and i couldn't decide whether to "pass" the applicants or not. if the applicants are okay for me, i pass them on to another interview with a direct supervisor. if i find that the applicants don't meet the qualifications, i tell them that we might give them a call after we had re-screened the resumes. it was nerve-wracking to think that i was responsible for letting people go. i felt guilty as some had come from far places and were really in need of jobs. i was pretty shaken up that first day, probably coz i was thinking too much. compassion shouldn't get in the way. after all, only the best and those deserving should be given the job.
i soon got the hang of interviewing. i no longer had to refer to the list of questions i got from sha. soon, i made my own questions and the interviews flowed on more smoothly. so, the four people i interviewed on wednesday were memorable. they emphasized the many different types of people there are. the first couldn't talk straight. thinking it was nerves, i tackled lighter subjects like family background and interests. sometimes, it's hard to distinguish whether the person doesnt' have good communication skills because he really doesn't or because he's nervous. the second interviewee seemed like she was just there for the heck of it. she didn't seem dedicated or serious. she kept chuckling, gave me the impression that she thought this was just a joke or something unimportant.
i liked the last two interviewees. the first was a fresh grad. she spoke well and showed dedication and a desire to learn. the last was soft-spoken but she possessed resilience and conscientiousness. people present themselves in different ways. factors include where they studied, the financial background, and confidence/personality. the last interviewee struck me because she made me realize how hard it is to find a job, a job that you like, as well as pays well. it's admirable how people are able to remain optimistic in the face of rough times, how they are able to strive and remain resilient. the interviews allowed me a glimpse into the "real world." it showed me how competitive and unfair it can be. lots of resumes are sent in everyday - they go straight to filing. the only time the resumes are actually read is when there is a job opening. thousands of resumes...what are the chances that you'd get called? then there's the series of interviews. sigh. finding a job is no easy feat.
Plus, English speaking skills are given more emphasis. I understand this but it makes ponder the fate of the Filipino language. It seems wrong that it should be relegated to a lowly position. After all, it is the national language. Plus, if you can't talk straight English, it's better if you talk in Filipino. Does speaking Filipino really lower your status? I love studying foreign languages. So, it's a pity that Filipino isn't as integrative a language as say Thai or Bahasa. True, there's nothing wrong with priding ourselves with our English skills, but i just feel that doing so should not degrade our views on the Filipino language.
so, my ojt has ended. after this stint, i realized that i'm not really cut out for HR. The tasks seem repetitious, plus preparing presentations for training - not my thing. Other career options, here i come!! ^o^ Overall, it was enjoyable, got to expand my list of friends and acquaintances, and got to experience work in a large corporation. and it wasn't bad at all, just not my kind of thing.
i soon got the hang of interviewing. i no longer had to refer to the list of questions i got from sha. soon, i made my own questions and the interviews flowed on more smoothly. so, the four people i interviewed on wednesday were memorable. they emphasized the many different types of people there are. the first couldn't talk straight. thinking it was nerves, i tackled lighter subjects like family background and interests. sometimes, it's hard to distinguish whether the person doesnt' have good communication skills because he really doesn't or because he's nervous. the second interviewee seemed like she was just there for the heck of it. she didn't seem dedicated or serious. she kept chuckling, gave me the impression that she thought this was just a joke or something unimportant.
i liked the last two interviewees. the first was a fresh grad. she spoke well and showed dedication and a desire to learn. the last was soft-spoken but she possessed resilience and conscientiousness. people present themselves in different ways. factors include where they studied, the financial background, and confidence/personality. the last interviewee struck me because she made me realize how hard it is to find a job, a job that you like, as well as pays well. it's admirable how people are able to remain optimistic in the face of rough times, how they are able to strive and remain resilient. the interviews allowed me a glimpse into the "real world." it showed me how competitive and unfair it can be. lots of resumes are sent in everyday - they go straight to filing. the only time the resumes are actually read is when there is a job opening. thousands of resumes...what are the chances that you'd get called? then there's the series of interviews. sigh. finding a job is no easy feat.
Plus, English speaking skills are given more emphasis. I understand this but it makes ponder the fate of the Filipino language. It seems wrong that it should be relegated to a lowly position. After all, it is the national language. Plus, if you can't talk straight English, it's better if you talk in Filipino. Does speaking Filipino really lower your status? I love studying foreign languages. So, it's a pity that Filipino isn't as integrative a language as say Thai or Bahasa. True, there's nothing wrong with priding ourselves with our English skills, but i just feel that doing so should not degrade our views on the Filipino language.
so, my ojt has ended. after this stint, i realized that i'm not really cut out for HR. The tasks seem repetitious, plus preparing presentations for training - not my thing. Other career options, here i come!! ^o^ Overall, it was enjoyable, got to expand my list of friends and acquaintances, and got to experience work in a large corporation. and it wasn't bad at all, just not my kind of thing.
Tuesday, June 07, 2005
to be
You spend most of your life running after things, doing things. You forget that being comes before doing. Those who remember this secret make an effort "to be" and discover that when they stop and observe, life helps and brings and whatever is needed. Learning to be is learning to be at peace. It is our most fundamental nature.
Got this thought from my aunt. ^o^
Got this thought from my aunt. ^o^
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