Tuesday, December 28, 2010

THE FIRST BIG PARTY 2011: BOB SINCLAR IN MANILA 01.15.11.

There are 3 most renowned DJ's in France.... Bob Sinclar, David Guetta and Martin Solveig. I would say that the most prolific one is Bob Sinclar and he is going to rock Manila on January 15, 2011 at the World Trade Center marking it as the first big dance party in Manila!


Trust me, the hot looking, long bearded Bob Sinclar is nowhere near boredom when it comes to his gigs. Lots of video footage on the internet clearly shows that this guy truly enjoys his gigs moving the crowd with his mixes! Bob's great with all his mashing up the songs from classic hits, to revisited singles, to wandering around various genres, to blending tech-house with pure house, to reggae, to pop and even alternative. This guy got mad skills in giving people what they want!

Here's the layout of the Bob Sinclar Love Generation party at the World Trade Center:

















Grab your tickets now, guys... it's getting crazier by now!!!

LIVING LIFE WITH PASSIONS IN 2011

I believe that to live a happy, fulfilled life, we need to recognize our own needs to feel connected to others in a deep and meaningful way.

My life in 2010 is about to end and a new one... a beautiful one will start in 2011. I want to live my life with my passions.


Living my passions will lead to fulfillment that will give my life more purpose, especially if it involves the people in my life. When our lives are fulfilled, it is difficult for any disease to manifest and thrive within. Our bodies will become engrossed in a positive feedback loop that thrives on the stimulation it is being fed. I will stick close to my passions, live by my own principles so I keep my health intact, improved and live longer a fulfilled life with the people I love.


I want to share the principles I have lived by that made me who and what I am to my family, friends and loved ones and these principles are what I intend to keep for my new life in 2011:
  • I will live my life with my passions and make it my priority.
  • I will look beyond my limitations.... finding things I still can do because it will help me find a way to live everyday with joy.
  • I will never lose my sense of humor because there is absolutely nothing I can't laugh about. Laughter is still the best medicine.
  • I will approach life again like I lived my life... with curiosity, courage and connections.
  • I will open myself up to the mysterious.... as I don't have to be sure about everything.
  • I will be fearless as always.... If I am to face death, I shall make it mean something and leave good footprints behind.
  • I will keep in mind that if I am to say goodbye, it is saying hello to another awareness that could lead to contentment.
  • I will appreciate life with it's ups and downs because my very existence is life to others.
 
My friends... I listen to my thoughts and emotions all the time. I use them as gauges to help me identify what things in my life are working for me and what isn't resonating. I strive to be on the right track, making me feel blissful and contented with the little blessings I get everyday. If there are days and situations that will bring me down and suck the life out of me, I will be making adjustments in my life so that I will move more towards a happier state of mind.


Live life with your passions and principles too, my friends... life is way too short...really! Here's to a beautiful 2011.... Happy New Year to all!!! :))

Monday, December 27, 2010

THE TWO CLASSIC NEW YEAR'S RESOLUTIONS THAT ALWAYS FAIL US

The New Year's countdown is just about to start and here we all go again preparing a list of resolutions for 2011 before we hit the reset buttons. Here are two classic new year's resolutions included in everyone's lists that are bound to be epic failures...


1. Stop Smoking
You are so not alone!  Each year, more and more people choose to quit smoking cigarettes especially on a New Year's eve but what you don't know is that if you have not stopped by now, it is not likely that your puny will-power will somehow change its' ways in 2011. Duh!




2. Quit Drinking Alcohol
Trying to pick the New Year's Eve as a significant date to quit drinking alcohol is just a total failure because almost every household in the world has cans and bottles of some alcoholic content to welcome the New Year. It's either you lock yourself in a room without any drinks at all or sleep on it. The thing is, when you successfully get out sober, you will miss the revelry and feel that at the beginning of the New Year, you suck!






Look...  you need to get a grip of yourself... these 2 top ranked new year's resolutions are not gonna do you good. You just can't. 


I personally tried and tried and tried but I always managed to get to renew myself after NYE revelry when I don't pick the New Year's Eve as the significant date to say "I'm gonna be better at the start of it"!  


Be not one of the millions of people who are drawn to the ritualistic hope of achieving some mystical or magical outcome as if... perhaps... finally... we will be able to triumph over a bad habit of fear that has resisted our most sincere efforts in the years that have passed!


It has been a proven research over the years that gave the following conclusions...
  • That about 80% of all New Year's Resolutions are broken by January 31. If that resolution had something to do with health and fitness (working out, losing weight, quitting smoking, etc), 90% will be history by January 15th! 
  • By the end of the year, less than 5% of us will have persevered with our resolutions intact. It's easy to see why so many people don't take this annual ritual serious to begin with!


New Year's Resolutions are so vexing for most of us. Regardless of what we say we want, or how badly we want it, or how sincere or determined we are, the "reality" for each of us is that... we expect to do the same things we've always done, with the hopeful chance of some improvement. 


The trick to busting out of this resolutions cycle is to find a way to think outside our expectations, because if we don't do that, no amount of strategies or goal-setting is going to make much difference. 

It isn't an overnight process and it won't happen on NYE. However, there are a lot of steps we have to take before we can get ourselves headed in the right direction.



You know what... maybe we are just wired that way when it comes to New Year's Resolutions. I'm sure though... that if some of us (like the less than 5% of us) actually triumph over these two vexing resolutions, it does feel good when we finally stop. My attitude towards these though... is just not to stress to much about it. Instead, I will go out and have total fun this New Year's Eve at Society Lounge... drinking and smoking like everyone else! So go have fun too! Quit thinking about quitting habits on this significant date!






I'll hit the gym and the pool the day after the New Year's eve hangover! Happy New Year to everyone!!! :))






These are great images from my Boracay 2010 New Year's Eve Countdown! I miss my friends from last year but I'm sure... I'll see them again ;))

Sunday, December 26, 2010

HAPPINESS ON SIMPLEST OF THINGS

I can't help not thinking about how beautiful it was when we were so innocent. Looking at this photo of baby Nicole (my friend Heck's cute bundle of joy), I long to go back to childhood days when life was simple and carefree, when we were so full of energy and happiness and when negative thoughts were so few.


I miss it when I could get away with practically anything when I was a kid. I see it now on my own little boy who could make everything right with a kiss and a simple apology. I miss bedtime stories daddy used to tell me every night... like his war fights that never really existed. His tales of mystic, fantasy, epic stories were my eye-openers back then. I miss it when mommy used to sing me lullabies. My parents did a great job on me... I do it all as much as I can with my own.


I remember I liked playing house with friends and pretend we were grown ups.... so innocent and naive. Tiny pecks, hugs and kissing wasn't even weird at all. My friends and I would run around playing and fighting imaginary monsters and even talk about mushy stuff like love and marriage. Oh! We were so easily entertained and easily distracted.


We had earliest pains... i remember crying because someone close to us hurt our feelings but that in a few minutes later, we'd be laughing and hugging that same person who made us cry. I remember making my earliest best friend cry because we were pitted against each other on a tennis match... an earliest test in life that this is a rat race... someone's gotta be on top. No matter how we hurt friends back then, forgiving was just too easy to get by saying sorry. It was amazing.






Many of us have been blessed with good families and fond memories. Some of us have never really grew up and some of us wish we hadn't. I, at times of depression, I wish I hadn't but I just to recall these times fondly... trying to see things the simple way a child does now that I'm an adult... wishing we could be more humble and forgiving.


I learned from my childhood. I learned that we can be happy with the simplest of things.

Thank you, Heck...for your letting me post your beautiful shots of your 'lil one... 

Tuesday, December 14, 2010

BOB SINCLAR LOVE GENERATION PARTY 01.15.11. IN MANILA

Bob Sinclar is ready to hit Manila party animal's hearts a month earlier than Valentines 2011 with LOVE GENERATION... Manila's first big party in 2011 at the World Trade Center!


Start marking your planners with the following:
✔ WORLD TRADE CENTER MANILA
✔ JANUARY 15, 2011
✔ LOVE GENERATION WITH BOB SINCLAR
Get to know Bob...
Bob Sinclar has always been hopelessly nostalgic. Even now, as a DJ of worldwide renown, the star of clubs all over the planet, he has never ceased to be that curious adolescent transported by music, building his universe from rhythms that take him to another place.

Over two decades he has shared with the public his devouring passion for both rare grooves and dancefloor tempos. The hits kept coming, the public image was forged through a string of hit club tracks and brilliant remixes. But Chris isn't just Bob Sinclar, star of the discotheque. Above all, he is mad about sound, thirsty for discovery. So, to start 2010 on an original note, Chris decided on a change of scene.


"I remix my tracks every year, and I thought it would be a good idea this time to go back at look at them differently. Nowadays, music is so electronic, formatted, and I always like to surprise people," he explains. So, next stop Kingston, where a crack team – including those responsible for Serge Gainsbourg's classic dub album Aux Armes etc. (and several others) – were waiting for him.

"I was a big fan of Serge Gainsbourg. He made his production style evolve over the years and came to work in Kingston with two of reggae's living legends, Sly & Robbie," explains Chris. "So I went to Kingston in search of positive vibes that I could share with people.

The Sly Dunbar/Robbie Shakespeare rhythm section, Robbie Lyn on keyboards, Sticky Thompson on percussion and Mikey 'Mao' Chung on guitar: the crème de la crème of old school reggae present for an authentic one drop renovation of modern tunes such as "The Beat Goes On", "What A Wonderful World", "World Hold On" and "Love Generation" with a reduced tempo and added celestial backing singers. The majority of the original vocals remain, notably those of Steve Edwards, Gary Pine (on "Give A Little Love") and Tony Rebel (on "Jamaica Avenue"). Others have been added, such as those by Queen Ifrica, discovered on Bob's last album, Born In 69. Plus – an amazing surprise – Grace Jones, on her way through Kingston, expressed her admiration for the reggae version of "Kiss My Eyes", a homage to Nightclubbing, the 1981 album she also recorded with Sly & Robbie.


"What I'm doing is anti-club," says Chris bluntly. "I'm a DJ and I'm passionate about dance music, but I wanted to try and open it up to a different style." True to his wishes, not dictated by fashions or formats, Chris has rebuilt his world through the prism of old school reggae. The result? A heartfelt, exciting album of rare originality. The album of a man passionate about his art, choosing to surround himself with the best in the business in order to reinvent himself. The album of a man who loves music. The album of someone hopelessly nostalgic, in tune with his passion. Kingston style.

For more details, visit www.drivenmanila.com 

Hope to catch you partying with me there... It's going to be a great start of the year to dance with the LOVE GENERATION piper! Don't forget... 01.15.11.

Monday, December 13, 2010

THE "HELICOPTER" IS THE BEST CHOICE FOR...

AIRGURUS LTD. CO. was featured in FHM Philippines' Ladies Confessions Volume 4. Airgurus' helicopters and aircraft served as background for the pretty girls from the Paradise City of the Philippines... Manila. 

I got a copy courtesy of Capt. Harry Lero of Airgurus Ltd. Co. and oh, man!... you just have to get hold of this copy! I'm a woman but page by page, it stirred my imagination far more than what Spongebob Squarespants said! So really... do grab a copy now! My dear friend Aubrey Miles is on the hot cover!


And so my imagination is stirred but before you go on reading this, I have specific rules:

1. IF YOU ARE UNDER 18 YEARS OF AGE, TRY NOT GOING OUT OF MY PAGE NOW! THIS ARTICLE IS TOTALLY NOT SUITABLE FOR MINORS AND JUST FOR YOU, I HAVE A CUSTOMIZED BUILT-IN TRACER FOR MY SITE! I CAN TRACK YOU DOWN IN WAYS YOU CAN NEVER IMAGINE AND REPORT YOU TO YOUR MOMMA!

2. Point # 1 is just for kids but if you are 18 years of age and above, allow me to set you in the right mood of reading... press play the video hereunder:

 

Welcome to the social media chameleon's world of naughty random thoughts! I'm going to talk about "the helicopter". Definitely not on the literal aircraft that derives its' lift from blades that rotate about an approximately vertical central axis. That's too wikipedia. I'm on wiki-leaks mode today *wink! wink!* so allow me to start now....


Sex... it has to be "give or take" because it's not supposed to please just men but hey, please us women too by helping us reach our orgasms. Sex is meant to be an enjoyable activity for both. Treating us like helicopter rotor blades when you turn us around will only make us women bored!

Years ago, my 4 female best friends and I were talking about sexual positions that make us tick in bed. One of my friends was a virgin back then and she was begging us for a "tell and show" ha ha ha! No, we didn't go too far, guys. Each of us made contributions, which I'll mention as follows so read carefully, guys... be in the know... let's go straight to number one G-spot positions right now:

  • The Rising - This is one comfortable missionary position that makes both enjoy the deep thrusting... building erotic tension. How it's done: Raise her legs in the air, make a "V" shape by holding both thighs open with her hands. Penetrate in the usual man-on-top position. The penetration is pretty intense but if she wants her man deeper, she should bend her knees and bring em towards her chest. One thing you have to know most is that it's all in the angle of her legs. 
  • The Deckchair - A favorite missionary position most men love because of the sense of power of holding the women down but is one position that's definitely not leaving women out. How it's done: Lay her down on the bed in a comfortable position. Bring her knees high, resting them at the curves of her breasts and make her hold her knees with her hands. The man should rest on his knees with back straight. She makes her man grasp her ankles and or hold her legs behind the knee. The man controls the penetration with his hips as well as holding her legs. Both man and woman can make small rocking motions allowing short or deep, slow and fast strokes. This is a good position for maximum penetration. 
  • Spooning - Women loves this because it offers intimacy. The man and woman lies on their sides both facing the same direction with the man behind the woman. The man slides in and both partners rock themselves to orgasm. Staying close can feel intimate but to spice it up a little, giving her g-spot some loving can be incredible for both.
  • The Arch - This position allows deep penetration, leaving a man's hands free to explore. This is the one right here if you want to hit that g-spot. Starting off with the missionary position with the man on top of the woman.... she plants her feet on the surface of the bed while the man shifts his hands to her waist. She thrusts her pelvis upward while the man pulls up on her waist, keeping her feet planted on the bed and her back lifted from the mattress in an arch. The man shifts his hands to the woman's upper thighs or buttocks to support her while she arches.
  • The Helicopter - This is sure to stimulate both the man and woman in ways they can never imagine. Multiple orgasms can be achieved here... if done well. How it's done: For starters, the woman lowers herself down onto her partner's penis and carefully slowly leaning herself back until she lying backwards at a similar angle to him with her legs extended by his head. That is the X-position just like the helicopter blades when not in yet motion. Parking first! The man's penis is barely inside the woman's vagina... prolonging the thrill but is already enjoyable since the penis' head is the most sensitive. Now for the chopper action.... she gently leans forward to an upright position while impaled on his penis and slowly, slowly twists around 360 degrees as she controls the circular motion. The view and feel for a man is extremely stimulating and because the penis rides on top of the vaginal wall, it's a sure take-off for a g-spot orgasm! 

A few years later, my 4 female best friends and I talked about it again and yes... we voted... "the heli" is a hell of a great choice! Even the helicopter pilots know this must be a thrilling one (if they haven't tried it yet) because nothing beats the vibration once they turn on the engine!


Try any (or better yet, all) of the five g-spot positions that me and my friends used to talk about for learning purposes. Doing these ensures that your partner receives the orgasmic pleasure while you have the time of your life making love to her!

Hope you liked this different reading this time. Watch out for the images of Airgurus Ltd. Co.'s shoot with the FHM paradise girls at the gallery of www.airgurus.com. Meantime, don't forget to grab a copy now of FHM Ladies Confessions Volume 4.




Saturday, December 11, 2010

SEXLESS IN THE CITY TO AVOID HIV / AIDS IN THE PH

OMG! As I was doing my usual search engine optimization readings, I typed the keyword "HIV High Risk Countries" and voila.... right after the Wikipedia.... 9th ranked on the first page is this ---> PH (Philippines) now among ‘high-risk’ countries for AIDS!

A few hours later, I got to thinking about sex, life and relationships in the Philippines. Has our way of living nowadays all about sex for the pursuit of fun? Have we grown up yet have forgotten to learn to be cautious? Has SEX become the best Filipino dish more than the adobo????  When does sex stop being fun and start being scary? It is happening now...




This is really alarming... 5 Filipinos a day are at risk of contracting HIV???!!! My take on what is happening now is that majority of HIV infections are acquired through unprotected sexual relations. Complacency about HIV plays a key role in HIV risk.  Sexual intercourse is the major mode of HIV transmission. Keep that in mind!


So, as a concerned Filipino and as individuals especially living in Metro Manila, what do we do about it the most? Here are two (2) things I have in mind...


1. PROTECT YOURSELF or BE SEXLESS IN THE CITY
If you are single and sexually active, always wear a condom! Choose your sexual partner(s)...better with the ones that have been tested. If you're not ready to take the responsibility for your own health, be sexless in the city abstain from sex. If you're married, I think it's high time to quit cheating around and having multiple sexual relations.

2. GET TESTED
Click on this link LIST OF ACCREDITED HIV TESTING LABORATORIES IN THE PHILIPPINES and go to the nearest testing center nearest your area. Remember, this is really now alarming!




As for me, I'm opting to remain sexless in the city till someone I can truly trust, comes my way and I'll remain loyal to him for as long as he does with me. In the first place, sex shouldn't be just sex. It should involve that higher emotion we tend to forget nowadays when it comes to coupling and I'm referring to LOVE! Making love is wonderful... getting HIV / AIDS is not!

Please don't hate if I'm spoiling your fun... I love sex but I love myself more! This is my opinion because that's what I truly believe in. Help fight HIV / AIDS spreading in the Philippines! Take charge of yourself! Don't abdicate your responsibility for your own sexual health... do all you can to protect yourself from HIV / AIDS.



WHEN LONG TERM RELATIONSHIPS END

It's Christmas Season and I feel a little sad for a male friend who recently ended his relationship with his partner. 

  
They have been together for a long time which brings me to ask my friend.. "Why do you think good things never last?". He answered, "I don't know." and that's when I had to tell him, "Some good things in this life never last because maybe those good things could become better or meant to be better to last in a different way.".  

In his grief, my friend managed to smile with what I said. He realizes that it's the not the end... but actually, the beginning of something better.


A long term relationships takes time to get over and to move on especially, if true love was experienced.  With positive thinking however, the process of healing is guaranteed to be faster and not that it would take as long as the duration of the long term relationship. 

It may be difficult from the beginning but it's natural... that's why we all grieve. Grieving over the loss of a relationship will help us move on and think positive in the long run.  Suppressing is only going to make it more difficult. For every end of a long term relationship whether it be with a friend, a lover, spouse, etc., we should all cry over it. After all, we not only shared good times with them but bad ones too that prepared us to become stronger...for the end of it. 

Related blog - IT IS DEFINITELY GOOD TO CRY 




LAIDBACK LUKE'S GREATNESS ISN'T BORN... IT'S GROWN!

Laidback Luke a.k.a. Luke van Scheppingen... Dutch Producer and ranking #17 Best Dj in the World for 2010 has indeed grown to his greatness.



I kept track of this guy even before I heard of Dj Tiesto. I have been a fan of Netherlands' brightest house music talent not because I knew from my colleagues in the industry that he is Filipino (born in Manila, Philippines) like me but because of his being a prolific dj... which made him evolve into one of the biggest stars in the global dance music scene!


My friends and I found ourselves confronting a massive super crowd of house music party animals upon entry alone not to mention the huge dance floor at Republiq Club, Resorts World Manila last night just to get closer to Laidback Luke. By some high power vested upon me (thanks to Philippines' dance events major honcho, Domini Primero), I made it past the huge crowd to the VIP area. See my 1 minute video of the venue and of Laidback Luke...



The VIP sideline usually does not make me happy because I love to dance and so, I went right in front of the maestro... the dj who has the golden hand in blending face-slapping and uncompromising house music beats that kept Republiq moving! See my two minutes video of him hereunder...



Madness!!! As I enjoyed his set till the end, I kept praying for some miracle that Laidback Luke would take off the cool shirt with "MADNESS" written on it and throw it right in front of me! LOL!!! Hey, I'm a girl... and he's cute!!! Props to Laidback Luke for wearing the coolest shirts in all of his gigs worldwide!


Laidback Luke is indeed born with the amazing talent. As he danced with his music and smiled at me a couple of times to make me move more, it simply foretells that this guy knows that greatness isn't born.... it's grown!

 
Thanks to you, Luke... I'm in dire need of a good massage right now from all the dancing I did because you made it such a great night! Fly high, Pinoy! Cheers and good vibes!




www.drivenmanila.com

Friday, December 10, 2010

VANITY IS NOT MY FAVORITE SIN



hey hello
hey yeah this is jodge
oh hi
whats up?
whats up what do you want?

you say you want me back again

you say you thought about it
you tell me you can't live without me 
and you were gonna change (yeah right)
what do you remember how (do you remember?)
you were never satisfied
i was never good enough
it was me you would always blame

you said i was ugly (yeah)

you said i was stupid (yeah) 
and i believed you for a moment
but without you i realized...

im not perfect

i get it and i aint gonna change for you
it took losing me for you to see
this girl is really beautiful
its too late for apologies
in fact im glad you set me free
im not perfect (no)
but im perfectly cool with me.

thanks for all the lonley nights without you

thanks for making everything all about you
you made my hole deep
but you just made me stronger 
now im back on my feet
i dont need you any longer
thank you.

you use to always make me feel

like i was so unworthy
you say i looked nothing like that girl on TV
you looked at me like i was dumb (dumb)
but i know that your the one
you would have to put me down
so that you could stand your ground.

you said i was useless (yeah)

 you said i was worthless (yeah) 
and i believed you for a moment
but without you i realized...

i'm not perfect

i get it and i ain't gonna change for you
it took losing me for you to see
this girl is really beautiful
its too late for apologies
in fact im glad you set me free
i'm not perfect (no) 
but i'm perfectly cool with me. 

Words are based from the lyrics of Christina Milian's song, I'm Not Perfect.

This post is dedicated to the owner of THE FABULOUS LIFE OF GERI and my answer to his post VANITY IS MY FAVORITE SIN because Fab Geri made it to "100 Vainest of the Metro" and I didn't!!!... well... (eyebrows raising) because Lev Rodriguez believed... I'm never vain... I'm lustful! LOL!!!

I'm not perfect... but I'm perfectly cool with me and you guys are perfectly cool with me!

Congratulations for your Project Vanity, Lev! Missed that sorry...but my heart was there for you!
To Geri... eat my shorts!!! Love you!!!

MANILA!!!.... HOLD ON! IT'S BOB SINCLAR!!!

BOB SINCLAR ... World-renowned House music Dj, Grammy Award-nominated French record producer, and star of clubs all over the planet will be in Manila's First Big Party in 2011!

It's the love generation's party...

The Date:  January 15, 2011
The Venue: World Trade Center 




Bob Sinclar is one of the world's most prolific and most unpredictable DJs in house scene. Book tickets for BOB SINCLAR LIVE IN MANILA 2011 NOW before it's too late! 

Visit www.drivenmanila.com for more details on Bob Sinclar Live in Manila!

Thursday, December 9, 2010

WHEN OPPORTUNITIES TO STRIKE IT RICH INTERFERES WITH MY HAPPINESS

Don't you just hate it when real life interferes with our happiness? Decisions become very, very tough. You know what I'm talking about.... taking into account of your current happy situation and comparing it to the possibility of something unknown but you know you will be happy there too. It's enough to make one's head swim! 


Whenever I am torn between things especially ones that involve money, I always remember what my daddy used to tell me... "Stop living for tomorrows that may never come and start living for today but keep in mind, money isn't everything."

There were many instances in my life that I had to make the choice to go with the money and I had to constantly battle my way up the corporate ladder only to find that an honest worker like me would wish the competition would die suddenly and/or that she gets diseases so she will stop screwing every single client she has + including mine to get the account and beat me on my own marketing skills. Eventually I gave up realizing it wasn't the world that I was meant to be in.

I wasn't living paycheck to paycheck back then but I never had a peace of mind even if the money that I was working for, meant to have the things I wanted in life... a home for family, a home to raise a child in, a decent car with driver and no monetary problems. Everything just didn't feel right and that's when I somehow realized what daddy meant. 


Thinking now about some friends who made their dreams...

One female friend offshore finds it having a ball with getting all the grand material things she ever wanted in life only to realize in the end she has a thousand of friends who are actually strangers because she lost all her real friends back then because of her vanity along the way. She is still searching for her own happiness.

Three male friends who made it rich than they could ever imagine finds themselves desiring, wanting and marrying young, beautiful women... women who would love them for their money. Two of them got cheated upon by their wives while they were away and the other one's wife leaped off their building because she thought she'd had a calling that she could actually fly on her own... and she did but straight down (oh, drugs!). These men developed a penchant for fakes and got the hang of it till now. Trophy wives... trophy girlfriends... what's the real trophy to be bragged about here? Fast forward... Hugh Hefner in the making but would there actually be real women in their lives to truly take care of them when they are sick and old? Think about the word... escrow!

One male friend moved away from his country, got a great job, got married out of loneliness in a strange country and is still stuck with a wife who's more than a stranger from the beginning of their relationship.

One female friend strike it rich and came back buying handsome men... literally for their love that she ended up not finding true love and is still very much alone. She aged big time for her actual age. 

Another male friend who did good in life became similar to the three guys I mentioned earlier. Desiring, wanting and buying bimbos. Every single "hottie" seems to have a price tag in his eyes to the point of buying them grand things for their attention and for meaningless sex. Pathetic... he can't seem to realize that there are a little-lesser-endowed women out there who can actually love him for what he is and not for what he has.

Two female friends somehow made it offshore after so many years and came back to their families with their own children growing up to be total strangers to them. 

I needed to think about these friends because sure... money can bring happiness to the table... money can get me anything tempting... money can secure me and my kid a great future... but if it all entails me to go further away to a strange land, be alone, work for richness, letting go of what I want to do for the rest of my life and not seeing much of my kid grow (as if it is not already enough that he is an hour's flight away from me) then I would have to say "no". 


I know I got one heck of a choice ahead of me and that I pray that I can find peace in the road that I choose to take. I know that either way, they are good choices for me but the thing is, I know what I want in life. I know what I can do. I am a simple, funny, happy and contented woman who finds peace in everything that I do. Money isn't everything.

Writing this reminded me of what daddy said and now I see both ends of the spectrum. Yes... I am now making my choice... a choice which my heart is telling me it is the right one for now.


For my two great friends and bosses, Ed & H... I am staying.... for there are far more valuable things here in my life that money can never buy and that includes your friendship, faith, trust and confidence in me! Let's roll!!!

For Christine... let's do what we discussed yesterday and let's roll too!!!

To TimeinManila... It's time!!! 

To Cody... I may not be able to give you everything you want in life but this decision is all for you. I love you with my all life!!!

To daddy in heaven... you raised me well... Thank you... I miss you and I love you!!!

Sunday, December 5, 2010

CHRISTMAS STRESS & HOLIDAY BLUES

Good and bad stress usually takes its' toll on us humans especially during Christmas Season. I've had good Christmases in the past but this year, even if it's A-okay for me, I can't help but think globally... I think of people all over the world... how Christmas 2010 will be for them. I believe for most, December 2010 is full of stress and depression.


I made a survey on a couple of friends from off-shore and in the Philippines as to what would be the usual and most common causes why we get Christmas blues, depressions and / or stress.  Hereunder are what I perceived based on my little survey as well as my own experience in the following order (top to bottom):

1.  Economic / Financial Difficulties
This is number 1. With the global economic crisis hitting major countries world-wide, millions of families face financial problems this season of love and giving. Christmas adds an extra burden to tight budgets which means, there's not enough money to buy food for the festive season, presents and clothes for Christmas. People around the world actually tend to use more money than we can afford which worsens our financial situations even more. This leads us to gain more weight, headaches, depressions and financial overdrafts after the season is over.
 
2. The Absence of a Loved One
Despite of the merry-making with family and friends, we can't help thinking of some beloved persons in our lives who are far away which brings us loneliness and depression. Even when we see everyone else having a good time, we just couldn't help but feel the pang of yearning, missing them thus; this situation can get worse. 

3. Physical Fatigue
We usually get intense stress everywhere that we tend to feel there are so many things to do in such a period of time. Even though we try to make activities pleasant and enjoyable for others, various situations can take its' toll on our bodies i.e., Christmas rush, traffic, shopping amongst millions, the inability to find the apt gifts for loved ones, presence in social parties and other obligations. 


All top 3 reasons bring emotional disorder to each and everyone of us. I, for one, am starting to feel it and so I believe that it is very important to acknowledge these reasons why people tend to be stressed out and depressed during the holidays because all it takes for each individual to survive Christmas stress is love and understanding. 

Emotional support... patience, love and understanding from our families and loved-ones can help fight depression and stress during the holidays.

Life and things in life are not  perfect... it is not as beautiful as seen on TV and movies. We shouldn't expect too much from it. Life is simply unpredictable that the only way to make us happy is focus on things that are most important to us and live each day thinking positive for a better future. Breaking free from the past.... preparing for better years to come is all that I'm going to think of this holiday season 2010.


May I remind everyone that in the past, we made Christmas too materialized.... it's not about the money... it's all about the time and thoughts spent with family, friends and loved-ones that matters most to them. Cheers! 




I'd like to say advance Merry Christmas to all my readers just in case I forget to do so later on! :)


Saturday, December 4, 2010

AUSTRALIAN WOMAN RESCUED

A 25 years old Aussie was rescued from Mt. Kanlaon via Airgurus Medevac Helicopter to a treatment facility in Cebu City.



BACOLOD CITY, Philippines—A 25-year-old Australian woman, who injured her leg while climbing active Kanlaon volcano, was successfully carried down its rugged slopes and airlifted Thursday afternoon to Cebu City for treatment, according to Angelo Bibar, Mt. Kanlaon Natural Park eco-tourism officer.

Leah McCaroll, 25, a volunteer of the Negros Island Sustainable Agricultural and Rural Development Foundation (Nisard), had joined a team, including other Australians, that began their climb of the volcano at Mambucal, Murcia on Saturday.


On Monday, as she was approaching the Pagatpat Ridge, about a half day’s walk from the Kanlaon’s crater, McCaroll slipped and sprained her left knee, which swelled up to her thigh. Bibar said the injury rendered her unable to walk.

Bibar said the Australians then called for a helicopter but the aircraft was unable to rescue McCaroll due to poor visibility.

Waiting for the helicopter delayed bringing McCaroll down on a stretcher by a day, Bibar said.
When the team that brought her down arrived at Guintubdan in La Carlota Thursday afternoon, she was shuttled by vehicle to a waiting helicopter for transport to Cebu City as the Australian’s insurance covers treatment at a hospital there, he said.

Source:
http://globalnation.inquirer.net/news/breakingnews/view/20101202-306619/Female-Aussie-hurt-in-Kanlaon-trek-airlifted-to-Cebu

The rescue team was composed of guides from Guintubdan, porters, SkyAid, Airgurus Medevac Team. Leah McCarroll is currently recovering at a Cebu City Hospital.

It is really comforting to know that in the event of people in the Philippines getting stuck in remote areas, they can call and count on Airgurus for Medevac (Medical Evacuation)