Weekend Getaway: Pangasinan

"There's no such thing as STRANGERS in this world, only FRIENDS we have not yet met."

Green green grass...Ricefields...Mountains...Cool breeze of fresh air! Bakasyon na! WELCOME to our place! =)

Enjoy the hospitality of Barrio Evangelista, cherish the camaraderie and have fun while on road trip...

Catch some Tilapia. Feed the farm animals. Play Games. Jump for Joy!!! There are lots of things you can do!

Relax and set aside the stressful officeworks. Set up the friendship bonfire under the wide, clear sky. Count the stars and sing along...

Hundred Islands, Baguio, Mt Balungao Hot Springs, Natividad Mountains... still have so many destinations to visit.

Our main objective is to share ourselves to others and extend our friendship to new friends.

For the past 3 years, we've formed a "circle of friendship" and the bond were strengthened year after year.

Although, some went on to take their own ways (A.K.A. Resigned na), we've made used of this time to reunite and share our experiences.

We usually get on the road every September, where i also celebrate my birthday together with the other celebrants.. =)

We're doing this annual trip since 2006. So...

Come and join us on our next trip to our small town in Pangasinan.

Everybody's welcome, well, perhaps not for Fine Arts students (mga drawing...injan...) who are strictly not allowed to join.... Haha.. =)

See you September 2009!

Thanks to: Gi-Badthz-Dang-Maze-Gel-Wacky-Bey-Hana-Pica-Karen-Jessa-Mai-Bing-Em-Nhery-Carla-Paul1-Paul2-Roy-SirTom&Family-JohnLloyd-LoloShe-Meman-Dada-andto-Aleli-Maelyn-Angie-KuyaJojo&AteLucil

From: The Whole Family =D

Random Thoughts: << ESZ >>

Library. No. This is an English Speaking Zone! Eveybody is listening... so be careful not to get caught. Speak "Tagalog" and BANG! you'll get charged with a Php2.00 penalty for each tagalog word you say!

It's interesting to observe how talkative people abruptly turns into a quiet loner... well, i guess im one of them. Hah!

As a rule, every one should speak "English", expressions not exempted. I silently laugh everytime i hear someone trying so desperately not to make any mistake... it feels like high school all over again.

NOSE BLEED!!! im getting used to it! Its a good practice though. You dont have to speak fluently but rather be more cautious with words you choose to say... No bad "tagalog" words nowadays. hmm...

Thinking is the best way to train our brain, so lets practice our mind in finding the appropriate words as quick as we can to stimulate our brain cells!

i'd better be in silence now.... =)

Poetry: Have You Ever…

Have you ever woke up one morning feeling so bad…
You didn’t know why…tears just run down from your eyes
you start crying?
Have you ever had sleepless nights wondering...
if you could ever bring back the good old times?
Have you ever lost your appetite
just because you felt so full
Yet empty inside?

Have you ever realized, how much pain has tortured
your heart and mind?
Have you ever asked yourself,
“Am I crazy, obsessed or just a freak gone wild?

Have you ever tried to calm yourself when you’re mad
because you can't have something?
Or you’re expecting a thing but at the end you still got nothing?
Have you ever seek much,
much more than life could ever bring?

Have you ever hoped that someday,
You would rather have a selective amnesia
So you could just choose what to remember
and forget the heartaches that made you suffer?
Have you ever had a thought,
that maybe sleeping and living in your dream forever,
would make your life better and could make you happier?

Random Thoughts: 1st OPS Extra Challenge

First Operations Extra Challenge
OPS Team Building
University of the Philippines
Diliman, Quezon City
November 28, 2005

“In Team Sports, an individual wins a challenge, but a "team" wins the Championship.”

Sharing of ideas, preparation of materials, anticipating possible conflicts, scheduling, ocular visit to the activity grounds... at last, days of preparation is over...

On Monday, November 28, the Operations Team conducted its first Extra Challenge in UP Diliman. Series of races, fun games and cheering competition awaits the participants in this unique and friendly good-fellowship event.

This gathering serves mainly as a team building and bonding between Operations’ Staff and its entire subordinates. From the draft night -which includes banner-making contest that was conducted on Friday, to the Big Day was thrilling and overwhelming… As facilitators, we have seen full cooperation and discovered lots of talents from these men.

Everyone comes to the venue early in the morning full of strength and excitement. Everybody wears a smile as Ms Julie leads the whole group to a warm-up exercise, preparing them for the long day. Our Manager, Mr Hong, gave his opening remarks and brief instruction about the activity, and soon after, the six teams of 7 were given their first clue.

Members on each team were tied up next to each other and raced for a couple of kilometers to buy bottled waters. Each group then arrived at the first pit stop to compete for the next challenge. Sack and Mummy relay, that is. Some stumbled, some fell in the ground but they stood up together and went on to finish the game. Everybody began fooling around, exchanging jokes and protesting to other group’s violations which boosts their energy levels and drives them to give their best to win. Second clue was given and they raced for monument hunting. It's fun watching them as they ran all throughout the campus while holding each other’s hands looking for hidden answers.

For less than an hour most teams arrived at the next pit stop where they had their rest while waiting for others to come. When all cooled down, Ms Julie leads the group for another tune-up exercise and some guys led a little dance in the tune of  “Pinoy Big Brother” song.

For the last phase of the first half of the day, teams must finish the last task which is to complete a puzzle. Once done, third clue will be given.

Like bunch of armies, exhausted with empty stomach, teams easily found the right place for lunch, they took their orders and ate like soldiers.

After having their tummies full we gave them one task that challenges their skills in cheer dancing. Surprisingly, they performed well enough to entertain us. Their wacky moves, choice of songs and confidence gave everybody a good laugh.

Two more games that tests their physical strength and skills completes the program. Scores were tallied, winners were announced and special awards were named. We enjoyed observing them as they were having a great time with their peers.

What an amazing day! Each of us happily went home. With their faces filled with happiness, they left us a good feeling inside, it shows that they appreciated the well-thought of idea that we have rendered just for them, it is heartwarming to see that we began this event with smiles in our faces and ended up with smiles in our hearts.

We were a bit flabbergasted with the outcome of this program…it is indeed a successful one…a simple yet meaningful day for everyone. At the end of the day, we knew we have engraved one special event in their hearts and they will carry this wonderful memory and will definitely enjoy looking back as time passes by.

Random Thoughts: Bantay Bata 163

KBANTAY BATA 163
OUTREACH PROGRAM
Norzagaray, Bulacan
December 4, 2005

“what you do unto others, do unto God and what you did not do unto others, you did not do unto God.”

On Sunday, December 04, we traveled to a place where God’s little angels were hiding. From a distance, we see these beautiful native-inspired houses on top of a hill… excitement rushes through our veins. As we entered this paradise, kids embraced our hearts. Looking from the wide-opened windows of their rooms, they welcomed us by shouting “ate” and “kuya” …singing songs while waving their hands with the widest smiles on their small faces. We had goosebumps…

While waiting for them, we prepared the hall, food and gifts, took some pictures and had a peek at the wonderful view. In a moment, they came in one-by-one, we were enthralled to see them gathering around, filling up the room. Their innocent eyes, charm, soft voices, their tender touch… each of them captivated our hearts. They reminded us of our younger years, no problems and just playing around all day but, these were no ordinary children, they were the abused, harmed mentally, physically and sexually by those whom they thought who could give them proper care and attention. They were the abandoned, left by those whom they thought who would love and  fight for them. It is hard to imagine that these innocent angels has experienced such a tragedy at young age. They were the angels with wounded souls.

For the short time we cheered them up and made them feel our sympathy, they treasured it.

For even just a while, we became part of their lives and played a part of their healing process…

Being “ates” and “kuyas”, we were fighting back our tears as we entertained them, you can see the happiness they felt when we fed them, handed them with the gifts and when we played with them but their eyes tells you how deep they were…how they longed for compassion and attention, how they hoped for a family that could truly care and love them.

We were about to leave when these kids start calling our names, saying “balik kayo ha” and “magkita tayo ulit ha.”, we had  mixed emotions…

This is one extraordinary opportunity for me and my colleagues, to be part of an outreach program with the Bantay Bata kids. To have shared a precious time with them…the early morning and long trip worth it.

May these children get the justice they deserve. Let us continue praying for them, that someday they will achieve what they want to be, and that someday, somewhere…they will be strong enough to overcome their fears and anxieties, and live harmoniously with the scar of their past left behind in the dark tunnel they’d been through.

Thank You for all the support you have shared..
May God Bless You in this Advent Season and always.


Organizers:
Angie Formacion
Chelle Santillan
Karen Piolo
Louise Ladio
Apple Batisla-Ong
Rowena Padua
Jo Lim
Maricel Bihasa
Tom Pascual & Family
Ara & Joseph Gahol
Sherwin Fernandez
Bey Enrico
Fernan Meman
Jojo Cerin
Mae Balubar

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