Fly

I was able to collect 42 boarding passes from Airphil in the past 4 or so months. That's 2 roundtrip flights a week on average. I came to thinking that my lovelife sucks because of this but my sexlife is awesome coz I get to make out with cute flight attendants after incessant encounters in the plane. Anyways, this is now exchangeable to 2 roundtrip tickets of my choice at any Airphil domestic destination. Cool, coz Ive been planning to take Mom to Palawan right after the rainy season is done. I'm not gonna say "thank you, Airphil", coz clearly they have made so much money from me. :) Kidding. Seriously, thank you. I wish Cebu Pac would come up with the same promo.

Now speaking of thank yous, I would like to extend my heartfelt gratitude to the people of Xavier University- Ateneo de Cagayan for the slot you have given me 2 Saturdays ago. It was awesome to be one of the speakers. Thank you to the people of the Reseach and Social Outreach Cluster for the trust and respect.

Another huge blessing came my way when I got a special invitation from the Department of Energy to join this year's Energy Summit. I am booking my tickets and hotel as we speak and I am wearing a big smile on my face because not all guys my age are invited to be part of the roster. I will be representing my company and I will be meeting all the giants of the petroleum industry. God id really good.

Lucky Star

What a blessing. I never thought I'd win a raffle draw, coz all along I don't have any bit of luck on things like these. But yesterday, I got a call from Caltex (who by the way happens to be a competing brand of the company I work for), and I was informed that I won P30,000 in the raffle draw. That's second prize for this week's draw, talk about lucky, coz out of the thousands of entries, I won. (Note: can you just imagine the thousands of cars all lined up for gasoline everyday?)

Thank you Lord for all the blessings. :)

How To Be A Cow in 10 Days

Sending some warm, sweet, high-calorie hugs from Bacolod!

Happy Father's Day, Dad...

Today is Fathers Day and I'm getting pretty emotional what with the fact that this is the very first time in my lifetime that I'm celebrating Fathers Day without my Dad. So it's true--- when someone passes away, a part of you dies as well. Dad was always my guiding light in almost everything. I went outside and took a quick trip to the mall, and Im seeing all these happy families gathered to celebrate their Dad's special day. It's just sad.

It's been 2 weeks since Dad's passing, and I have to be honest, everything still seems a blur. I would like to think that we were already for it, after all, God gave my Dad 6 more months to live before he finally succumbed 2 weeks ago. But we still miss him. I think I miss him more than anybody else in the world. I was closest to my Dad among all his kids, and I was a proud Papa's Boy. We shared almost everything together--- our love for CSI, Bruce Lee, Chinese movies, cooking shows, cooking, eating, Jacky Chan, LA Lakers, Manny Pacquiao. The only thing we didnt shared interest on were girls, but we talk about my relationships every now and then. He know all the men in my life, he accepted me, and I was treated like any normal son at home and I miss that so much. Until now, I still cry in his bed till I fall asleep. His bed still smells like him--- that nice combination of musk, balm, lotion and his favorite perfume.

I know he's shining down on me from heaven, and I still feel the love around me as if he never left. The only painful thing is when I look around and I dont see him anymore. I would practically give anything to see him again, and talk to him and just laugh all day like we used to.

Dad, I miss you so much. And I will hold you in my heart for as long as live. Thank you.

Happy Fathers Day...

Car Chases. More fun in the Philippines

Been waiting for trailer number 2, the one that actually has scenes shot here in Pinas. And here it is. The car chase scene is off the roof, as in wow, EDSA never looked this awesome to me before. Hahaha.

Mark your calendars, people. August 3. The Bourne Legacy.

Les Miserables

Now this is what I call a powerhouse cast.

Hugh Jackman as Jean Valjean, Russel Crowe as Inspector Javert, Anne Hathaway as Fantine, Amanda Seyfried as Cosette, Samantha Barks as Eponine, Sacha Baron Cohen as Thenardier and my favorite character actress of all time--- Helena Bonham Carter as Madame Thenardier.

I am officially hating the very talented Miss Hathaway 

I smell Oscars already... You guys, it's Les Miserables! :) 

***goosebumps***

Food Porn Bacolod Edition

I am required to go to Bacolod and Iloilo EVERY WEEK and it get's pretty tiring sometimes. The fact that I have to get up 3 hours before an early morning departure schedule, and that I had to endure a bumpy fastcraft ride en route from Iloilo to Bacolod or vice versa, and that I had to pack and unpack every week, and that I sometimes get some really creepy experiences in the hotel, and that I have to be away from my family and friends in Cebu are but a few reasons that I loathe having to go outfor travel assignments.

But there's this one place that I love about Bacolod. This is the reason why I just dont get tired of my Bacolod-Iloilo assignments--- CALEA.

Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to dessert heaven. :)

I will start my 3-month assignment here in 2 weeks. It's a bit of a bad news for me but hey, Calea and Boracay are just a few hours away. I'm starting to love the thought of moving here despite.

PS. You guys have got to try their blueberry cheesecake, it's monumental. Their version practically SLAUGHTERED all the cheesecakes Ive tried in my life.

Happy Birthday, Dad...

For the random phone conversations about life.
For always praying for me.
For the neck massages and the pats in the back.
For the corny jokes that crack me up nonetheless.

For being so patient at teaching me boxing when I was a kid.
For defending me from the bigger boys when I was too afraid to fight back.
For the karate lessons. For my crazy childhood haircuts.
For the signature Sunday humba and lechon kawali cooked just for me.

Thank you.

But most of all, Dad, I thank you for just being you.
And for making me feel that it's totally okay to be me when I'm around you.

Cheers to long life. Happy birthday! I love you.

Future

I'm not exactly a big fan of the unknown, but a few hours ago I got caught up with a rather awkward situation with Bacolod's most known fortune-teller. His name is Potter, and I met him through a Bacolod-based friend who happens to be a huge believer of magic and feng shui and stuff of this nature.

It's not that I do not like having my future told, it's just really awkward having someone say something about your past, present and future, being sniffed like an open can of puppy chow.

I had my card-reading, crystal ball reading, palm-reading and numerology session with Potter. Im not a hardcore believer, but I was caught in awe at how he got to read my past like he knew me since I was a kid. He told me a lot about my previous relationships, my family life, my career, and he was able to say some very specific things about some secrets not even my closest friends knew about. It freaked the hell out of me, but I was just as entertained.

And then we talked about the future.

Career. He said I'll be overworked for the next 2 years but I will be highly-compensated. He saw a lot of travel. And I will be leaving the country for good at age 33.

Health. I should control my food intake. And I should focus on a healthy heart.

Family. I will be everyone's pillar of strength. (Obviously Im the bread winner so what do you expect?) One of my nephews will be my source of good luck.

Money and business. Putting up a restaurant will be my lucky streak. And a hardware. (Hardware???)

And most importantly--- LOVE. Who will I end up with? The answer was interesting. He said I'll end up with someone in the past. That we'll both meet in the future, and it will happen outside of the country, and we'll both fall madly in love with each other again. I almost fell out of my seat when he said that.

Well I hope was he was making it all up. Or half of it.

So now Im seated at a quiet corner in the hotel room pondering:

What if he really has the gift to foretell someone's future? What if all of it were true? Did I just kill the suspense?

VFort Live In Cebu

Cebu will soon play host to a unique concert event. Aside from hearing (and seeing!) America's famous alternative rock band, Vertical Horizon, Cebuanos can look forward to meeting Philippines' newest all-male singing group – VFort – together in a rare concert on April 29 at the Waterfront Cebu City Hotel and Casino.

VFort, short for Voice Fort, boasts of three goodlooking and equally-talented members who were handpicked from the “100 Bachelors” event produced by Vivre Fort Entertainment.

Composed of Visam Arenas, Toff Guela and Kerwin Caballero, VFort has successfully released their first album under Viva Records, The Love Band Project, last April 9, with a grand launch set on the 21st at the Metro Bar in West Avenue, Quezon City.

Currently enjoying good reviews of their carrier single, Prinsesa, VFort is set to capture the hearts of Cebuano fans with their such other songs as The Coffee Song, Sweetheart, Still, and a remake of Pink's hit song Just Like A Pill.

Meet OPM's newest heartthrobs on April 29 or get to know them and their songs by visiting www.vfortband.com.

Dakak

My summer's getting better and better as I pack my things up for a 3-day trip to Dakak. It's gonna be my second time in Dipolog, and my first time in the historic province of Dapitan. And then of course it will be my first time time to experience the powdery white sand beach of Dakak.

I am preparing my summer lootbag--- cant go out without my sunblock and all the works. I'm low-maintenance so packing up really isnt that complicated. :)

Next week, San Carlos City and then Boracay. 

Cancelled

The way I feel about you is NOT the question here, you know you're special, but I wont be ready til you show me that you're ready.

YOU NEED TO SETTLE YOUR ISSUES NOW.

When I pass you by, embrace me, and never let me go. Coz if you do, then you pass the chance. I will never walk the same road twice, nor will I ever allow myself to make the same mistakes again.

Cancel all your plans as you wish, it doesn't threaten me one bit. It only goes to show that youre still not ready to show people that youre willing to fight for me.

Hardwork

Farewell, Less...

Today I say farewell to a brother in the showband business in Cebu who recently just joined our Creator. He was no doubt one of the most notable talents that I reckoned when I started 3 years ago. He left us too early, but everything is for the best.

Tonight I will be singing at Waterfront in Mactan. I dedicate the first set to you, as a thank you for that spark of encouragement you have given me.

Bro, I will miss you. We will all miss you. Thank you.

Runs in The Blood

Kaye finished her first year in high school with top honors. She was also awarded for an exemplary performance for the National Metrobank-Dep Ed Math Challenge (yeah, NATIONALS--- that's sounds so Glee, right?) I can still remember my humble childhood days when I also competed for the Caltex National Science Quiz (I ended up 5th in the whole Philippines by the way, *snaps-snaps*). Too bad I didn't end up a scientist.

Im pretty sure Kaye's gonna go mad when she sees this posts. Note: Mom and Dad reads my blog, and worst, she clicks "like" on some of my Facebook status. Creepy. But maybe that's how it goes when you're a proud parent, guardian or mentor. Everything your kid does is good and beautiful and you always end up being his/her biggest fan.

One big tight hug from your super proud Uncle Kitkat and the rest of the family. :). We love you, baby!

Holy Week 2012

Im gonna make this short and painless. :)

Since 2005, it has always been my practice to travel outside of Cebu during the Holy Week to explore some wonderful places. Last year, I went to Biri Island in Samar, a cluster of islands facing the Pacific Ocean. You guys have seen the pics and they were awesome.

This year though, since Im cutting on my expenses coz I have to make the construction of my humble house my top priority, I have decided to go to Camotes. It's just within Cebu, but it's gonna be fun and exciting still. I'm trying to steer clear from Bantayan coz I know the parties are way beyond my call.

It will be a three day trip of no internet, no comfy bed and dust and sweat. I'll miss feeding my Dragons in Dragonvale. :)

Passing It On

It only takes a spark to get a fire going,
And soon all those around can warm up in its glowing;
That's how it is with God's Love,
Once you've experienced it,
Your spread the love to everyone
You want to pass it on.

I'll shout it from the mountain top.
I want the world to know
The Lord of love has come to me
I want to pass it on.

My Birthday Feeding at the Eversely Child Sanitarium yesterday was an astounding success. We have fed a total of 106 individuals who have suffered from leprosy, and their families too.


To my colleagues who shared their love on my Birthday Feeding at the Eversely Child Sanitarium in Consolacion, Cebu, thank you. Kai, Helena, Cha and Carol --- you made a lot of people happy from the blessings that you shared. And to Jo Anne, my ever-supportive boss who personally dropped by, I hope you had as much fun time-- it was wonderful having you around. Girls, you are the best :)

To the selfless and generous padrinos in my life: my ever handsome housemate Chardee, my gorgeous Pkoy CJ, the now-skinny Juday and the fabulous Keano, my macho kumpares Att. Ayeh, Angging, Regie and Cris, and my Grammy-Award Winner friend Cliff--- thank you guys! My birthday Feeding was more than a success because of your help. Wish you more blessings.

To all my gorgeous kumares who shared their love during my Birthday Feeding: my long-legged Trunge sister Amijen, the Spanish Queen Mareng Bao, the Hot Mommas Chai, Nikki and Elsie--- Thank you girls! Keep it sexy! :)

I thank God for giving me the gift of friends--- friends who are very quick to give out support in any initiative I undertake. May you be blessed a hundred-fold.


Note: Come May 2012, the Laagans Foundation will take on it's full throttle. We are scouting scholars for SY 2012-2013, and we will be hopping from one less-fortunate community to another to teach kids, and to show them the value of education and taking school seriously. We will also be doing livelihood seminars at poor barrios so they know how to make extra money. I will be spearheading all the initiatives on livelihood and education. I need your support :) You may contact me thru my Twitter and Facebook account, or you may leave a comment here. I also need the help pf doctors and teachers for our very first medical mission come May this year. Spread the love!

Sense of Purpose

Rounding up my week-long birthday celebration is my Annual Birthday Feeding at the Eversely Child Sanitarium. I do thie every year with the help pf my family and friends. This year, I got to collect a huge deal of donations enough to make 100 people super happy.


Last night at the IT Park I picked up a box full of toys from good friend Mac. Today I got a HUGE bag of clothes from my Visayas counterpart, Charlotte. I got a handsome financial donation from CJ all the way from Manila, and I got pledges from Richard, Sanny, Amita and Arjay. There are people who are still willing to give and it's heartwarming to know that despite all the negativity we have at present-time, there are still angels who can make our visions come to life.

All I want is for people to see the impact of giving to the needy. It only takes one person to tap all the other people to help out. It takes one person to make a change. If we all take turns at leading the pack, then we get to inspire a lot of people, feed the hungry, and show them that they are loved. It doesnt even have to be a fancy charity event that feeds thousands, what is important is that we get to do it however small.


I had a tough childhood. Believe me, I know how it feels to be hungry and to go to bed starving. I know how it feels to go to school with tattered clothes and a pair of worn out slippers. And I know that immense joy you get when your stomach is grumbling, and someone gives you a plate of warm home-cooked meal.

I have done quite a number of feedings dating back from 2009. We have fed thousands of children and adults already from the activities we have done at Po-o in Sta. Rosa, DSWD Mandaue, Eversely Child Sanitarium and that area behind Whitegold, even in Iligan after Sendong. We have distributed food, slippers, clothes, school supplies and a lot more, all because of love.

The change you can instill to a hungry child is exponential. One of them could be a future brain surgeon, a future law-maker, the future president of this nation, a future teacher, a future parent. If you teach each one the importance of giving, then the world will be so much better for the generations after us. The logic is pretty simple. You reap what you sow--- cliche, but simple. :)

My Annual Birthday Feeding will be on Sunday. There is still much time to help. I still need more clothes, more donations to cover the total cost of the feeding (apparently I cant afford everything so I kinda need a little love from my friends). You may leave a message here, or thru my twitter or facebook account.

Spread the love. :)

Eat Pray Love (Southside Version)

I decided to go out of town last weekend. It was a pretty simple route--- South Cebu (via Santander), then I crossed the sea going to Dumaguete and drove as far as Jimalawud in Negros Oriental, and then I went to Siquijor. I just wanted to get away from things and spend some time with myself.

Backpacker's trip--- that's what I have missed doing for the longest time. All I brought was an all-in-one Kiehl's Cross-Trainer Shower Gel, a toothbrush, sunblock, 2 sets of clothes and undies, some cash and Megatron (my ever-reliable pick-up). I went out of the city with a full tank and I was good to go.

I just wanted to have an Eat Pray Love moment before I turn 30 on March 28. The best time to really just go out and have fun is over the summer. It's my favorite part of the year coz I'm a water-baby and I love the beaches and cliff-diving. Believe me, I would go and jump out of a cliff before any of the "real" boys do.

The trip was fun. I encountered a few problems along the way, specifically on that 4-hour drive from Dumaguete City to Jimalawud, Negros Oriental. Apparently, Megatron is a diva who doesnt like rocky, bumpy roads (my car is the automobile version of Mariah Carey who refuses to walk on carpeting). I got to visit that area struck my the most recent earthquake and it was crazy. :)


I got to party at Dumaguete City, and I sat down at my favorite corner at Sans Rival with my favorite cup of Irish Coffee and my crazy daily morning habit slash addiction that is Temple Run.


And then I crossed the Negros channel and went straight to the mystical island of Siquijor. I got to visit the place 4 years ago, and the place still isnt any much different from the way it was before. Life there is pretty simple, and the old Churches are still looking fantastic, and the port is clean. I was told that Tagbilaran City has the cleanest port. I dare contest that claim coz I definitely think the one in Siquijor is divine. I arrived at around 10 pm, still with no hotel reservations whatsoever. I hailed a tricycle that took me to Coco Grove Resort, undeniably one of the best resorts in the Visayas.

My stay was awesome. The only available place was the one good enough for 5 people, so the whole place was too big for me. I had 3 big beds and hotel breakfast good enough for 3. The resort was very exclusive, very quiet and you could only see a handful of locals coz the rest were all foreigners.

My drive back home to Cebu was food trip at its finest. I stopped at 3 municipalities to try out their delicacies. Argao's bodbod kabog, Dalaguete's native torta, and the killer chicharon and lechon in Carcar.

I had an awesome time. And I'm gonna do it again, this time Northwards. Hopefully I'd be able to tag someone along with me when that time comes. It's cool to be alone, but it sure would be cooler to have someone at the passenger seat.

Turning 30

I will be turning 30 in a few days. I ran down on my old diary and came across a little entry that I made, a list of anything I wanna do, own, buy or achieve before I turn 30. I made that list when I was 25 and it contained 28 items. I realized that my expectations were too high, and some of the wishes were ridiculously impossible (e.g. "marry my partner"--- marry who???... "grow a six-pack--- seriously???).

Nonetheless, I am ready to embrace life at 30. I am blessed with so many things, and most of my wishes have been granted by my loving Creator. I got myself a car, and the house Ive been dreaming of for myself is currently under "slow" construction (I didnt realize how much a bag of cement costs 5 years ago), I have a little business that's picking up and sustaining, I finally got to sing with a band and I'm really happy about it, I have a stable job, a life insurance with bonds and mutual funds for old age, I belong to a loving Church, I got to start my MBA at a reputable university, Ive got myself some savings and a healthy life. I'm healthy at this point and I've never felt better.

My 4 pamangkins are getting bigger each day, in fact Kaye is on her way to her 2nd year in high school and currently rocking the National-level Math Olympiad, Kirsten is doing great with her grades on 3rd grade, and Jammie and Jiboi's at their usual iPad-crazed selves. Mom and Dad are healthy and still very much in love with each other. My sister Angie and her family is doing alright in the US, my sister Kristine and her family are keeping pace, and my brother Kristoffer's got a job that he truly loves.

I get to see my close friends every once in a while. Most of them have left the country but I still feel blessed that I get to see them online and we still have those online parties as if we're just all in one room.

I am loved. I am surrounded by love. Let me just say that I am truly inspired these days, thanks to this wonderful person who's always willing to free up his schedule amidst his crazy flight schedules. This person who pulls me out from a busy day at the office to watch a random horror movie in Ayala. This person who sends me flowers just coz. This person who makes me feel like Im the most brilliant cook in the world, and still manages to smile even if my pasta experiment turned funky.

Right now, I still get to enjoy life. I get occasional trips to the gym, and I am able to enjoy a little free time at a quiet corner at Coffeebean. I still have a 20-20 vision so I still get to read my favorite books. I get to travel a lot with my job, and I get to enjoy Boracay every month (talk about perks). My life is at balance. I am so geared towards becoming the accomplished man I ought to become, and I get to appreciate the balance that I have among the many roles that I have in life: Christian, worker, friend, brother, uncle, businessman, singer.

In a few days, I will turn 30. I am blessed beyond what I expected, so turning 30 isnt too bad after all. They say life begins at 30. I say my life has begun many many years ago and it's getting better.

My Take on BBP 2012

Here's my humble opinion on Binibining Pilipinas 2012.

I'm not exactly sure how Stella Araneta feels about the line-up for 2012 (Im sure she has her picks already), but if she wants another placement this year, she HAS TO pick MJ Lastimosa for MU representation. She has the bitchy aura of Zuleyka, the sassiness of Dayana and that thirst for the crown of Venus. I was looking at the presentation pics and I have come to notice that you can pick MJ up at any given moment now and she'd be ready for that bloody fight for the Miss Universe crown.

I'm rooting for MJ this year. I dont care if she's short. Just see her walk. And my god, those abs are pageant-perfect. And with that kind of attitude, she could steal the spotlight from any given boring tall girl at the Miss Universe pageant.

Recommendations:

She has to maintain that wavy latina-hair she donned during the press presentation. Stay away from greens and reds and focus more on yellows and orange colors. At this point of the pageant, she has to put more emphasis on creating a warm character to impress the Filipino audience. Finally, on the night of the pageant, wear those curls and get a stunning orange gown.

Photo of the Week

Alzheimer's

Oh my God.

This is major.

I finally recovered the password attached to this blog and I am beyond happy.

The reason why I havent posted for months was because I just couldnt remember my log-in details. Sucks to forget something. You know there are things that you wish you could forget, but it sticks in your mind. There are also things you intend to bookmark, but you end up losing it along the way. (Yeah, I'm talking about credit card pins, flights I have booked, names of colleagues, and those goddamn song lyrics in the middle of an embarrassing performance).

Pardon me. It's an inevitable part of life. People get old yah know.

But then again, this, people, will be the beginning of something exciting. I am officially back to my blogging ways, and I cant wait to update you guys on my beautiful bullshit.