Archive for November, 2007

SEVEN Truths About Me

I’ve been tagged from my other blog regarding seven truths about me. Here it is:

1. I am a typical Gemini, some people say a real stub born. I don’t admit that I am one but I stand to my decision whatever circumtances it may have. A gemini has a “twin” sign which symbolizes dual personality in one. I could say that I may be bad or good depends on the situation… and nothing neutral in my personality.
2. Some people maybe not interested in reading newspaper, watching latest news on TV or reading news online. My day isn’t complete without knowing the latest news around.
3. I’m not shy to tell everyone that I am also a product of broken family. I grew up with my father together with my sisters. I love my dad so much and missed him a lot until now.
4. I am the eldest among my sisters and always in charge to take care of my sisters. I’ve learned the word “responsibility” at an early age. It’s like I am the second father when my father wasn’t around.
5. I have few girl friends and many boy friends. Take note, friend is separated to boy and girl. It is easy for me to get along with boys than girls. I don’t like friends with many hang-ups. I used to see my bestfriend once in a while, she’s always my best pal since high school.
6. I consider myself a health buff, monitoring my food and physique. I drink alcohol socially and always stop before I reached my limit. The sad thing is… I can’t quit smoking.
7. My frustration… My dad didn’t allow me to learn taekwondo when I was young, my kids did. I want to try wakeboarding and surfing if given the chance.

Get Paid To Blog With Smorty

Looking for another way of earning through blogging? Smorty is the answer specially to new blogger like me. Smorty acts as bridge between advertisers and bloggers. Smorty help bloggers make money on blogging by posting our opinions on each campaign available for our blog. In layman’s term, its as simple as making reviews to a certain product or advertise on blogs.
Read more…

Halo Halo in Tiwi

Isn’t it mouth watering? In the Philippines, we call it halo-halo (from tagalog word halo which means “mix”). It is the popular native dessert among Filipinos specially on summer season. Why? Because Philippines is a tropical country and we have lots of fruits in season all year round. There’s no specific recipe for halo-halo, its a mixture of boiled sweet beans and fruits in season with crushed ice and milk. There’s a wide variety of ingredients Filipino entrepreneurs used. You can buy them anywhere in the Philippines. I happened to be the kind of person who wanted to try specialty food from every place I’ve been.

I could say that the best halo-halo I’ve tasted in my life is the picture above. The ingredients are red gelatin, boiled sweet bananas, sweet corn kernels, tapioca (sago) topped with crushed ice, leche flan, ube jam and lots of grated cheese. It looked simple and few ingredients but after tasting it, you’ll crave for another order. I don’t know if I could have another taste of it since the cafeteria is in Tiwi, Albay, Bicol. I’m in Manila now. Whew! Imagine, my mom who lives in Bicol almost all her life haven’t try the halo-halo in Tiwi. I am lucky!

TRAVEL ADVISORY FROM AMERICAN EMBASSY MANILA Regarding Piracy

I’ve received this email not once but many times from different sources. As I’ve searched, the advisory was released last October 7, 2007 by Thess Q. Sula, U.S. Commercial Service of American Embassy, Manila. I didn’t know about the advisory not until I’ve read one of the chain emails I’ve received. Actually, I knew about the pirated CD, VCD, DVD, burned CD two years ago… the Human Resource Manager of the company where my brother works (waiter in an international luxury cruise company) informed me when I’ve tried to send burned CD to his co-employee that was bound to deploy. The burned CD (should I say home made CD) came from my sister in law that my brother requested.

According to the manager there were instances at that time (two years ago) that the passenger got problems with the “pakisuyo” and “padala” when they got there beacause of pirated items. It’s a good thing that other concerned filipinos made this chain email so that all pinoy will be aware of the advisory. If I’m not mistaken, I’ve seen in a local TV News program this week that a Filipina got deported because of the pirated CD she had on her luggage.

Its odd though that chain emails circulating among Filipinos have different versions and some parts are omitted. Sad to say, I can’t find the source or I cant find it in the US Emabassy Manila website.

Please be informed that the American Association of Publishers (AAP) has also alerted the American customs officers to check out for pirated books. This information was given to me by Patricia Judd of the AAP.

Please warn all nursing graduates who plans to take the NCLEX and CGF exams in the states not to bring in these pirated books because there will be a penalty of automatic deportation as violation of intellectual property rights.

Not only pirated VCD/DVD are on the hot list. Please be informed that the American Association of Publishers (AAP) has also alerted the American customs officers to check out for pirated
books. Please warn all nursing graduates who plan to take the NCLEX and CGF exams in the US not to bring in these pirated books because there will be a penalty of automatic deportation as violation of intellectual property rights.

If you know anyone going from the Philippines and coming back to the USA with “pasalubong and padalas”, please read this important enclosed advisory from the American Embassy in Manila. Please share with your friends.

Just a friendly reminder: if you have plans of going to the U.S., please take precautionary measures on all “padalas” especially those containing fake/pirated compact discs/DVDs. US Embassy employees have been given an advisory that “as US Gov’t employees, we should abide by the U.S. laws, including Intellectual Property Rights (anti-piracy) laws. As an additional
incentive, the Consular Section recently received a report that the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) searched the bag of a Filipino entering the U.S. on NW 72 in Detroit. During the search, 70-80 compact discs, 30-40 empty DVD jackets and 10-20 DVDs were found. Since the travelers were not American Citizens, their visas were canceled and they returned to the Philippines. If they had been Americans, they could have been subject to arrest and criminal
prosecution in addition t o civil fines and penalties.”

Please remember even ONE pirated item can jeopardize your trip.

Also, the fingerprinting system has successfully been instituted in all port of entries. I suggest you bring extra identification cards in addition to your passport to facilitate your entry in the US Immigration. I hope this is helpful to you.

news travel

What's Behind The Joroan Shrine?

We’re on our way to Joroan, Albay to visit Nuestra Senora De Salvacion Church until I saw her image along the highway. Its not normal seeing an image in a highway, I’ve told my brother to pull over. I don’t know why but there’s something in me that I want to take a better look at her. I got out of the SUV and climb up the stairs. After I took a closer look and offered her a short prayer… I climbed again reaching for the top of the stairs, thinking what can be seen at the back of the wall of the shrine. And this was what I saw… let the pictures speak for themselves.


I thought I was only dreaming seeing this beautiful view with my own two eyes. The week long Bicol vacation was indeed a good idea and seeing such a wonderful place made it worthwhile. I’m thankful that I brought along my children to made them see the beauty of the Philippines. I don’t want them to become strangers on our own country.