it's love day...

Happy Valentines’, my dear.

It’s the day of the hearts deeply in love..

My wife greeted me this morning and of course, I returned the favor by making a call..

Gosh, too many occasions that I let go off..

Birthdays, anniversaries and this special love day…

But I always have thing to say..

Love doesn’t come only in one day..

Love shouldn’t be expressed only in one day..

But thru all the days made from sunlight to sundown..

Love doesn’t have to be expressed for only those dear to us..

But for all, as the Lord love all men.

It’s the day of the hearts…

And you can take my heart in exchange for love..

I will love you for as long as I live.

Aren

chasing the water.....

Excerpts from OHS e-mail magazine dated; 16 August 2008

Hydrogen-Powered Fleet Tours America
August 16, 2008
If you are interested in what the future holds for hydrogen in the United States, you can, depending on where you live, see for yourself. Hydrogen Road Tour '08, a two-week, cross-country trek of a fleet of hydrogen-powered vehicles, is currently underway. The fleet began its tour Monday in Portland, Me., and by the time it crosses the finish line in Los Angeles on Aug. 23 it will have made 31 stops in 18 states. For a map that includes all the tour stops, go to http://hydrogenroadtour08.dot.gov/.

I remember a Filipino inventor “Dingle” who declared that he discovered a way to run cars with water as fuel. Many people laugh at the idea. The man demonstrated and run his own car with water just to prove his claim. After years of exasperated defense of his action, the man stopped. No news was heard about him. Gossips and here says were told that perhaps, he had sold his technology to other countries who took a look at his ideas. With the exorbitant prices of fossil fuel now a day, many will surely think of his man and his claim. Could it be possible? The answer is si, da, aiwa, or whatever language you wish to say yes! While Mr. Dingle claimed to feed the engine with water, the above news clips speaks of hydrogen. And everybody’s elementary chemistry states that water was made of hydrogen and oxygen molecules. Maybe, Mr. Dingle had invented a way to instantly separate the two elements and feed the engine with pure hydrogen. Take a few finger taps on your computer keyboard and run your search engines and type “cars running on water”. It will take you to countless pages regarding the subject.
And so, hybrid or hydrogen cars touring the US showcasing the “now proven near reality” of Mr. Dingle’s claim! If ever there’s truth to his selling of his technology to other interested parties, the Philippines lost a very big opportunity. Well that’s a “now proven near reality” of the Philippine governments’ inability to hear and see their people’s intelligence. They’ll let other parties to benefit from their own people’s skills and abilities or they'll be happy seeing others enjoying the big pie while already satisfied on a corner with left-over crumbs.

name nAMes..

Today I received one reply e-mail from one of my classmate, Lisa Udarbe. She’s formerly Ma. Luisa Salvador to us during high school (http://grandreunion.blogspot.com), a head turner with her charm and beauty, intelligent, competent and what else. She’s the cream of the crop and graduated taking almost all of the honors and awards. Back in elementary, she’s the girl to beat.

What makes it funny was she didn’t recognize me. Who else could, unless I will give full details of my identity? Back in elementary, I was known to be “Renato”. But when I go to college, my parents corrected my name and changed it to “Rene”. This was the name registered in my birth certificate and little bit simpler to remember.
I turned 5 years old living with my paternal grand-grand father. Because my older sister was already going to school and I’m playing all alone by myself, he enlisted me to Grade 1 as “saling pusa” (seat-in). They didn’t bother to ask my parents (cell phones were not yet invented) what’s my real name was and guessed it to be “Renato”. Thinking that because I’m only “saling pusa’ and that I may not continue, they didn’t bother. Unfortunately, I enjoyed going to school and my teacher then told my oldies that I can be enrolled in the next grade. Since age requirement at that time was not so strict, I finished elementary at the age of 11 and 15 during high school. However, my name remained to be “Renato”, known to be as such with all my school records bearing the name.
When I go to college, my parents decided to correct it and have it changed to “Rene” thru an affidavit. From then on, whenever I present my school records, the affidavit has to be included. (About the age, I also finished my 5-year agricultural engineering course at the age of 20.)

Coming here in Saudi Arabia, again my name was changed. In my company records, I was known as “Rene Andres” deleting the “San”. For reasons jokingly stated, that saints were not recognized in Islam.
My name was changed several times but the person remains the same. However a person was called or registered, his true identity will stick to his personality. Memories of a persons good deeds, conduct, strong character, how he dealt towards others and life itself, will remarkably remain in ones consciousness. “Oh, that guy or gal is like this..” How I could be known and what others speaks about me, would perhaps speaks of my true identity.

She could be Lisa S. or Lisa U., but she’ll remain to be the pretty and intelligent girl I knew. I could be Renato or Rene, but for others I would be this…and that…and this…and that.

Life will give us the chance to name that names you want to be known…

TriNIdAd, roSaRio...at AbiGaiL

Ngayo’y araw na dakila’t, buong mundo ay nagalak,
Parangal sa mga inang, puso mandi’y binusilak,
Tanto ko at damang-dama, pag-ibig niyang walang kupas,
Liwanag ng tahanan ko’t, ilaw na ring walang wagas.

Damang-damang ng ina ko, ang hilahil ko at lungkot;
Puso kong siniphayo, wari man ding kinukurot;
Tinalaga ang sarili, sa anaki’y magbabantay;
Hindi niya alintana, kahit kanyang ikamatay.

Nar’on s’ya anumang oras, na kailanganin ko ang tulong;
Hindi na rin mapalagay, bawat oras ay ginugol;
“Baka mayro’n pang kailangan?” ito’y lagi niyang tanong?
Hindi siya humihinto, panganib may sinusuong.

Pag-ibig ng aking ina, hinding-hindi matawaran,
Walo kaming kanyang anak, binuhay na matiwasay;
Katulong ng aking ama, sa gawaing pumapagal,
Hindi niya alintana, ang hirap na dumaratal.

Kasipagang sadya likas, matiyaga at masikhay;
Ugali niyang walang bahid ni anumang kaimbutan;
Sa tuwinang ngumingiti, sa biro niyang ibibigay;
Malalaman mo sa huli, may aral ding tinataglay.

Displinang tinanggap ko’t, pinili ko na tularan;
Matuto sa tamang landas, akin na ring natutunan;
Walang hampas na lalatay, libong aral kahulugan;
Matuto sa kabutihang, sa pagtanda’y kaagapay.

Sa ‘kin na ring mga pinsan, hindi rin siya nangingimi,
Makita niyang hindi tama, itutuwid itong mali;
Kaya naman kung minsan ay, “Hitler” siyang maturingan;
Pakiwaring mabagsik daw, pero sadyang mabait din.

Tahimik na mga gabi, hindi pa rin humihinto;
Bawat anak binibilang, bago siya matutulog;
Tinuturing na biyayang, mula sa D’yos ay nagmula;
Kayamanang pinagyaman, na hihigit pa sa ginto.

Wala na ring makatulad, si “Gelay” na aking ina;
Sa puso ko’y mananahan, hanggang ako’y nabubuhay;
Bawa’t dalanging sinasambit, siya nawa’y pagpalain,
Ng sa muling pagkikita, ligaya ay makakamtin.


Ginigiliw na Rosariong, tahanang ko’y inilawan;
Pag-ibig na iuukol, mamahaling walang hanggan;
Sa punyagi at pangarap, inspirasyon ko s’yang tunay;
Lalagi ka sa puso ko, hangga’t ako’y nabubuhay.

Biyaya kong tinuturing, anghel ka na ibinigay;
Sa buhay kong uma-andap humihina’t walang sikhay;
Liwanag ng iyong ngiti, ibinigay sa buhay ko;
Ang ningas mo ay tumingkad, nawa ito’y tuloy-tuloy.

Pag-ibig na inu-ukol, walang bahid na masama;
Sa buhay na nilalakbay, tayo nawa ay magkatuwang;
Balakid man o paghihirap, ito’y aking babatahin;
Buhay ko ma’y iaalay, upang ika’y paligayahin.

Minamahal ko ring anak, yaman ko’t aking buhay;
Nilantay na isang ginto, pinili kang mahinusay;
O Abigail na tinurang kayamanang walang maliw;
Pagmamahal ko’t pasakit, buong pusong ibibigay.

Tanging yaman ko kayong, sa akin ay ibinigay;
Paka-iingatan ko habang ako’y nabubuhay;
Dalangin ko sa Maykapal, tayo nawa’y pagpalain;
Pag-ibig at pagmamahal, lagi nawa nating kamtin.

WelCome ME back...

After some hibernation, at last here I am. Its been too long that I wasn't able to make any blogs, nor visit my very own site. Its been a very busy days for me since February. My very good friend Basha, has to take his "unplanned" vacation while I have to take over his chores. Mind myself, I wasn't even able to peek athis site. What a poor myself. Afterwards, its' my turn to take my vacation and lo;

1. I met my tata Pepe right in person. Although, we weren't able to talk too much ( because, naiinip na raw sila sa paghihintay sa akin!). Only a few words and they left already. Kind words were enough, as he talked much about me ( kind because, as if all praises ako sa kanya, in front of my loveydovey and my biyenan). I was'nt even able to ask if thay already savor our halaya and suman. Sana, nakapagbitbit man lang sila. Next time, I'll make it appoint, that they should bring something back sa Oz.;

2. I was able to see again some penitensya (flagellants). I took some pictures and somewhat bewildered. Just imagining that at the heat of the 11:00 o clock sun, these people will shed blood and hit themselves. One guy's back looked like a lechon. It's blood and sweat that was coming out from self afflicted wounds. Just wondering, would God heed their calls for forgiveness after that bloody experience. I've heard, right after that bloody exercise, they will bath themselves and refresh themselves with abottle of beer or two. Or even up to the last man standing, they will drink to the fullest. So, was there any difference before and after?

3. I met my some of my classmates. Kuya Mar (w/ wifee), Pareng Ted, Eva, Danny B. Vic C., Rowena C., Noel N. and the lovely couples, Estre and Libring. After a long wait, my memoirs were handed over to me. Of course, I have to wear the shirt with their signs. Its goes along way and taught much of what had happened to them after the grand reunion. Not much plans ahead, but I'm sure they're planning something worthwhile. As I was not into drinking, i felt sorry for the other "drinking" guy.

4. Visiting my father and my other siblings brings good feelings and sense of belonging. My father was old, stricken with diabetes but I'm happy that he's coping. Although, we are facing some financial problems, we made a compromise to solve it first by ourselves. Very much taken were the concerns being given by other family friends, my father strongly rely on us. Something which, I looked upon. It won't be us and nobody can help us;

5. My unica ija has taken a review class for the college entrance exam. Some kind of experience that we had not undergone dring our high school days. It was an experience for her, as this was first time that she'll be living with some other people, far from our presence. An experience also for her to go and mingle with other children of her age coming from other schools. What a sigh, that she told us of her experience and how good was her school compared to the others. Now she knows how her school fared with the others, Luckily for her, as she can now prepare much better for college. I just hope, she could make it to UP for that was her target. Good luck my dear, and my prayers will be with you!

6. This is the most exciting part of my vacation that makes me crave for more days. Sana ini-extend ko ung aking vacation. While my unica ija was away, the cats will play! Hahahaha! That was a moment when me and my loveydovey were lonesome in the house. And what would you expect. Intimacy was always present that we felt we were in our courtship period. Ahh, it's very nice to think of those that i now suffer from homes__ness. I'll keep it short for my imagination to work....As I just started working, I now have plans for my next vacation grande.

It's back to work now.....stop day dreaming!

It bleeds..It hurts!

Minsan sa pagsa-surf ko sa internet, nakita ko ang website na ito, http://forum419eaters. sa simula ay maganda ang nilalaman at magandi rin naman ang nilalayon ng mga ito. hanapin ang lahat ng mga manloloko sa internet o "scammer" sa English. Nakapanlulumo ang mga sumunod na bahagi sapagka't malaking bahagi ng website na ito ang tungkol sa love/dating scams. sa bahaging ito lumitaw ang kanilang pananaw tungkol sa mga Pinay na nagsa-surf sa internet. Kadalasang nilalaman ng kanilang mga usapan ang mga scammer na mula sa Russia at karatig bansa. Marami sa kanilang karanasan ang makakilala sa internet ng mga "babaing" Russians na sa kanilang paniniwala ay mga lalaking nagpapanggap na babae. Kadalasan sa kanila ay "makikipag-ibigan" hanggang sa naisin ng "babaing Russian", na makipagkita sa kanila.Sa puntong ito, hihingi ng pera ang mga "babaing Russian" upang gastusin sa pagsasa-ayos ng kanila papeles. Dito na lalabas ang mga paraan ng kanilang imbestigasyon.
Sa kasamaang-palad, ang Pilipinas ay ibinibilang ng mga taong ito na maraming "scammer" o manloloko. Sa isang bahagi, tinawag ng mga ito na manloloko (scammer) o pulubi (beggar) ang mga Pinay na kanilang nakaka-ugnayan sa internet. Ayon sa kanila, sa simula ay makikipagka-ibigan ang mga Pinay hanggang sa dumating sa punto na maiihinga ng ating mga kababayan ang problema sa pananalapi. Sa puntong ito, kunwari ay tutulungan ng mga ito ang ating mga kababaihan pero sa isang kondisyon. Marami sa mga ganitong pagkakataon ang hahantong sa pagsasagawa ng ating mga kababaihan ng isang "show".
Dito lumalabas ang tunay na kulay ng mga taong ito. Kunwari ay naghahanap ng mga manloloko sa internet, pero sila mismo ang mga nanloloko. Matapos ang "show", mangangako ang mga taong ito na magpapadala sila ng pera kinabukasan sa Western Union at antayin na lamang ng ating pobreng Pinay. Sa bandang huli, malalaman ng ating kababayan na wala talaga siyang aasahan. Going further, one member even captured the pictures of one Pinay doing the "show" and even encouraged the others to view it in the dedicated link.
Masakit para sa atin ang ginagawang ito ng mga ganitong klase ng tao. Pero kung iisipin, nasa atin na ring mga kababaihan ang problema. Ni hindi nga nila nakikita o nakaka-usap ng personal ang isang tao ay kaagad-agad nagtitiwala. AT hindi maliit na bagay ang kanilang ginagawa.
Kailan pa kaya matatanggap ng ating kapwa Pilipino na hindi na madali sa ngayon ang mabuhay. Kailangan ang ibayong sikap, talino at sipag. Samahan ng maraming dasal. Wala ng nakukuhang libre at madali, lahat ay paghihirapan. Sa ngayon, paaano pa natin matatanggal ang batik na ito sa ating pagkatao?

haPPy biRThDay...Issa!

Oh, I almost forgot, it's also the birthday of my youngest sister Issa. She's now in Taiwan, married to a very loving husband and good bayaw, Lou Kuo Ping Lo. Two beautiful children were luckily endowed to them. Beautiful An-an is somewhat kereng-keng while the older boy is the same Inchik as he is to be. I remembered that this boy, Ii, wishes not to go home to Taiwan, the last time he went to the Phils. But in anyway, time will come and they'll stay there longer in the Phils. Insha-allah.

Again, happy birthday sis.

haPPy biRThDay...aBigAil!

Its’ my unica iha’s birthday today. She’s now 16. Oh what a girl. Imagine, may 16 years old na akong dalaginding. The mother told me na may nagpadala pa raw ng bouquet early in the morning..Naks naman. Mukhang may admirer na. Kidding aside, maganda naman ang unica iha ko. (Syempre). Sa’n pa magmamana, di kundi sa nanay n’ya. Tama na ung sa akin na lang magmana ng talino. Sa kanyang Nanay na magmana ng lahat.

It makes me say a little prayer for my daughter. I prayed na sana maging maganda at worthwhile ang buhay n’ya. Every parents wishes na maging maganda ang buhay ng anak nila. “Magandang buhay” means, yumaman and maging successful sa anumang gagawin nila. Makakita ng magandang trabaho and be into a good relationship. In other words, everything should be A-OK.

In my solitude, I also ponder what could be growing up without hardship. I relate myself to the question, since my growing up was not made on silver platter. Just imagining the hardship I endured to be the person I am now. And yet, there were times that I also find it hard to cope with the everyday pressures this present day living gives. Sometimes, I’m thinking of giving a test on my daughter and see how much she can endure. Living in the near future won’t be that easy, and the toughest will have the greater chance of surviving.

No pain, no gain. Its’ what they say, but it truly meant what it says. Life is getting harder and harder, and we’re not sure of what the future holds on us. Our pains during our striving years could be well off with what these days’ offer. Even then, the way this generation copes will be a question. Baby boomers had already made their marks. Generation Xrs still has to earn their feathers. Millenials still has to find their directions.
Nonetheless, which ever generation you belong, challenges will be there. It only changed its name.

To my abi..happy birthday, anak!