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