The Other Side of the Table

If you have been following my posts, you, probably, already know by now that I am part of the training and development team of the company I work for.

Training classes can be very demanding especially when it happens back to back. Being able to impart knowledge and develop others can be very daunting and fulfilling at the same time. Trainers/teachers are known to be the go-to persons of any organization. However, we have to understand that your trainers/teachers also need development.

I grab every chance I get to be at the other side of the table for two reasons:

1. Development.

I take care of other people's development but who takes care of mine?

2. Humility

When everyone goes to you for answers, it could destroy you if you are not careful. Destroy you in a sense that you might think you know everything, that you hold the absolute truth of all matters, and that you can't be questioned. No matter how familiar you are with the topic at hand, being on the other side of the table positions you somewhere below yourself and your huge ego. Listening to your teacher (who may be younger, maybe with less experience than you do, maybe newer to the role and the team), and the people you are learning with in the class can humble you and make you realize that you don't know everything and that there is something new from everybody, always.

I always tell my class that I treat every single person I meet as my teacher. There is always something to learn. Learning is a pursuit. There is no destination to reach. This is one journey where the destination should not be sought after. It would break my heart to see myself in a place where there is nothing else to learn.

What have you learned today? Who was your teacher?

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An Apple I Did Not Bite

Last Friday, I posted the attached photo on my Facebook page. It immediately garnered 'likes'. Some of my friends thought that I bought myself a new Iphone. Well, I did get an Apple but I did not bite it. Here's the story:

On our way home from a mall, my friends and I decided to hail a cab instead of commuting. I was the first to get in. Immediately after I opened the door, I saw a phone lying on the car floor. I took it but kept my silence as I was trying to observe the driver if he knew of it. Then, I called the attention of my friends. I knew right away, without an iota of doubt, that I will be returning it. I was just too hesitant to hand it over to the driver. Not to sound judgmental but I did not want to place him into that 'middle road' - whether to return it or not.

We checked the phone. We had to so we can, at least, get a number or receive a text. Unfortunately, the phone was locked. Dannie, my friend, tried to remove the SIM from it so we can place it in my other phone and call someone, until it rang. Someone was looking for someone. I did not talk about finding the phone yet as I was not sure who I was talking to. I wanted to make sure it was the owner I get to talk to. I waited for him to tell me about the missing phone first before I give him instructions on how to get it from me. He figured out right away so he called again and put his girlfriend (the owner) into the three-way call.

To keep the story short, I arranged a meet-up with her. I initially wanted to meet up in a mall but she couldn't make it to the time I suggested. I went home first and gave her instructions on how to see me. I tried to put myself in where she was. I knew that she would not feel comfortable seeing a stranger so I gave her instructions to go inside the bank near my place. I thought it would make her feel safer to meet me when she is inside a secured place. We saw each other and I met her dad . (I would, also, drag someone else with me if I were in her shoes.) The gratefulness I saw in her, her boyfriend, and most especially, her dad, was enough to compensate for the long day.

I am writing this not because I want to glorify myself. I am writing this because of the two things I want to stress:

1. When you suffer with others, you will do more than just the good thing. I placed myself in the shoes of the lady. I made it my own situation. I knew and understood exactly what her fears were in meeting me. This way, I made her feel comfortable in meeting me.

What made me strongly motivated in doing what I did? I asked myself, "What if this happened to me?" I would want someone else to do the same for me. She was scared the first time I talked to her over the phone. I could feel her trembling voice.

2. Pay it forward. When I was Nicaragua, I lost my phone. I was outside my country and in a place who does not speak my language but I was served with kindness. The stranger who got my phone returned it to me. So you can praise me all you want for doing this but I, actually, just paid forward.

There's already too much pain and suffering around. Let's feed the good one!

PS: I made the right decision of not surrendering it to the driver. My friend said the driver did say that he hoped he got it for himself.

A Simple Guide to Happiness

...for Pets and Humans

As I was browsing the net for some ideas on a project I am working on, I stumbled upon Purina's video. The title of the video is A Simple Guide to Happiness for Pets and Humans. I liked the video a lot not just for its explicit message but for its underlying message.

The video gives us the following.


1. Greet every day with enthusiasm.
2. Let your silly side show.
3. Learn new tricks.
4. Always take naps.
5. Live curiously.
6. Give love and be loved.
7. Find joy in little things.
8. Life becomes fuller when we savour every moment.
9. Life becomes sweeter when we love the finest way we can.
10. Life becomes happier when we make new discoveries.
11. Life becomes better when we learn the greatest lesson of all ... love simply.


The video also touches on the following:

1. Highlighting rescuing.
2. Defying conventions. The lady owns a dog and the man owns a cat.
3. Promoting love beyond breed. There were native cats and dogs shown.

I won't say more.

You may see the video by clicking this link.

Photo: Maxee, my rescued Cat.

On Father's Day

Today, we celebrate Father’s Day. Although we should honor our fathers all the time, as the Bible says, this would be the best time to speak of it.
I would like to take this space on my account to greet my old man a Happy Father's Day. He is the man whose fatherhood is shown in three ways: fear and humility before God, unconditional love for our mother, and living by example. All we ever needed!

Every good thing others have learned to love about me and my family is a result of one man's relentless prayers.

Honoring my Tatay today!

Greetings to yours, too.




I first posted this entry here.

Esp vs Ned at Home

It is an awful thing when you already got everything planned out for the day and the next in your head and things change in the last minute because your tummy betrays you. Good news is when it happens at a time that a most awaited World Cup rematch also plays on TV.


5-1 in favor of the Dutch!

It was a great game from the match monsters, Persie & Robben! Although Persie's header move was already remarkable from the first half, the game was relatively at its expected pace before the second started.

It must have been the rain that made the game more interesting and dramatic. On the 53rd minute Robben strikes a lead that led the orange crowd screaming louder. The rest of the goals that caused Spain its 4-point deficit just happened very quick.

It was a bit painful to watch the last Cup's champion watch this before their eyes. The analyst even used the word 'humiliated'. Those close up frames of Casillas made things a lot harder to swallow for those wearing red. (Didn't you just want to hug him?) Nevertheless, the match was a sight to see. Makes me think, "Is this a sweet revenge?" Ha! Too early to make a statement. Never to forget, too, that Spain also lost their first match in 2010 to Switzerland, yet still brought the Cup home.

I admit that it was a a little bit of a shocker but it does tell us that it had been, indeed, four years since the last. Maybe, we will see a lot of changes and unexpected turn of events. Ultimately, football reigns and it should do what it should - bring all these countries together in one place and play just one game.

Can't wait for the next game!



I first posted this entry here.

Grateful to be Filipina

Today marks the 116th Independence Day of the Philippines. Let me take this chance to share with you my gratefulness.

I am grateful that I live in a country that allows me to express my opinion - to put it into writing and share for everyone to read and react to.

... that I live in a country that makes me sleep well at night and I don't have to worry about safety every single minute.

... that I live in a country that allows me to live on my own and still keep the family ties in tact. I am happy that our family values are strong and that we place importance to the elderly.

... that I live in a country that celebrates me as a woman - I get to work and be treated well. I get to lead but still get a seat offered to me occasionally or a door opened for me by men.

... that I get to choose what music to listen to, movies to watch, places to go.

... that even if I don't have everything I want, I have everything I need. I am grateful that I have the chance to help.

... that I live in a country where I can express my faith in God freely without having to go underground.

As I enjoy my freedom, I know that somewhere there are people who don't get the same priviledge and my thoughts and prayers are with them.

My country isn't perfect and we have a million things to work on. But I am grateful where we are heading and proud of who we are.

Happy Independence Day, Philippines! You will see some better days!




I first posted this entry here.

TAGLISH: Get Out of the Kusina!

Kelan ba a ko huling nagsulat ng Tag-lish sa blog? Hindi ko na matandaan 2011 yata. Iyong una ay alam ko, college pa ko. Mga kalokohang tula na tagalog na eventually ay nagamit ko nung nagtuturo ako ng English sa high school. Tagalog sa English class? Basta! Kalokohan sa classroom? Oo!

Sabihin na lang nating na-miss ko kaya sinusulat ko ‘to ngayon. Patawad sa mga foreigners kong kaibigan. Ita-translate ko na lang kapag nagkita tayo.

Tagal ko na sa Facebook. Ang dami ko nang nakita. In fact, one time nagsulat na din ako sa tag-lish ng ilang observations ko about it. I’ve grown, so malamang, some of it I no longer believe in. Things have changed and a lot of Facebook features have improved. Pati na din mga Facebook users masasabi kong nag-improve na din.

So para saan ‘tong sinusulat ko ngayon? Wala po. Opinyon lang din na gusto kong i-share.

Aaminin ko, hindi lahat nang nakikita ko sa Facebook ay gusto ko. There are times na binibilisan ko na lang ang pag-browse para hindi ko makita ang ayaw ko. Pero marami din akong ayaw sa mga may ayaw. What do I mean?

Ang Facebook ay isang malaking Parking Lot ng iba’t-ibang klase ng tao – iba-ibang kultura, paniniwala, lifestyle, pinanggalingan, mga interes etc. Natural lang na makakita ka ng maraming bagay na gusto mo at ayaw mo, mga salitang agree ka at hindi. 

Halimbawa: 

Madami s’yang selfie, ikaw maka-groupie.

Post mo photos ng pets mo pag tulog, kumakain, tumatawa, humihikab, sila naman post ng mga anak nila.

Ikaw maka-NBA, sila naman maka-World Cup, o maka- boxing, tapos ‘yung iba maka-Laban o Bawi (meron pa ba nun?), o America’s Next Top Model, o American Idol.

Ikaw maka-Homeland o Walking Dead o Game of Thrones, sila naman maka The Legal Wife or My Husband’s Lover.

Ikaw maka-telenovela, sila naman maka-Koreanovela. Yung iba mga kwento tungkol sa kapitbahay.

Ikaw madaming bagong make-up, sila naman maka-loombands.

Ikaw may bagong Nike o Adidas o G-Shock, sila naman may bagong motor, kotse, bike. Yung iba may bagong baso o damit.

Ikaw may relationship, sila naman single o kakahiwalay lang.

Ikaw mahiyain o may pasikretong relasyon, sila naman may public display of affection. 

Ikaw may bagong librong binabasa, sila naman may bagong game na nilalaro o bagong movie na pinapanood.

Ikaw kaka-post mo lang ng pagkain mo, sila naman kaka-post lang ng pinuntahan nila. Check-in!

Ikaw pino-post mo mga niluluto mo, habang ‘yung iba magpo-post din ng mga accomplishment nila gaya ng paglilinis ng bahay, mga naisampay na na damit, o kaya natapos na trekking, o kursong natapos.

Ikaw nag-post ng quote na na-copy mo lang din, sila naman nagse-share ng quote ng iba.

Nag-post ka ng original quote, sila naman nag-post ng reklamo tungkol sa traffic sa MRT.

Ikaw nag-post ng OOTD, sila nag-post ng verse of the day.

Ikaw nagpunta sa market para iluto mo ang paborito mong ulam at ipagmalaki ito, sila nagpunta sa concert ng favorite rock band at ipagmamalaki din ito.

Ikaw maglalagay ng listening to One Direction, habang ‘yung iba at maglalagay ng traveling to.

Ikaw magpo-post ng isang magandang link na nabasa mo o isang blog entry na sinulat mo, sila din magse-share nun pagdating ng time o kaya magse-share ng bagong page na gusto nila.

Madalas matutuwa ka.

Pero minsan maiinis ka, minsan mauumay ka, pero maling hindi ka rumespeto.
For all you know, may mga taong nauumay na din sa mga post mo pero rumirespeto lang. Baka nga ‘yung iba sa kanila, luma-like pa sa post mo. 

Ultimately, kanya-kanyang trip 'to! We all have our share of all these things that others dislike.

There is a reason why Facebook is at its peak. It brings people together. Napadali nya ang madaming bagay – magbenta at bumili ng gamit o serbisyo, kausapin ang mga kaibigan sa malayong lugar, i-promote ang maraming bagay, mag-raise ng awareness o ng funds, bumuhay sa mga artists o writer na walang puhunan kundi ang umandar ang gawa sa social media, makilala ang mga tao, malaman sino ang mga magre-resign sa trabaho, malaman saan may bagong opening na trabaho, sundan ang mga anak na malalaki na at ayaw nang mag-pahatid sa school, makilala ang iyong mga anak at ang mga kaibigan nito. May maa-ayawan ka at may magugustuhan. 

Sabi nga ng mga onaks, “If you can’t take the heat, get out of the kitchen!” (Onaks ba original nun?) Kung ayaw mong makita lahat nang mga nabanggit sa taas, close your account. Huwag mag-browse, huwag tumanggap ng invites. Kung na-out of place ka lang, am sure may iba ding naa-out of place sa mga alam mo minsan. May alam ka, na hindi alam ng iba, so dapat alam mong may alam din sila na hindi mo alam.

Facebook is a perfect example of cultural diversity. Ang diversity ay hindi lamang nangyayari sa pagitan ng mga bansa, ito rin ay nagaganap sa pagitan ng mga bayan, ng mga syudad, ng mga ka-trabaho, ng mga kaibigan, at ng mga indibidwal sa pamilya. Minsan nga, you find diversity in you - ayaw ko neto dati ah, bakit gusto ko na ngayon?

Lahat tayo ay may kanya-kanyang kultura.Ngayon kung ang problema po ay ang laman ng kanilang mga sinasabi, ibang topic na po iyon - responsible social media management. Baka ibang entry na 'yun.

Opinyon lang po. Malaya po kayong sumagot. Ok lang din tumahimik.

Respeto sa pagkakaiba. Respeto sa individuality.

ON FRIENDSHIP: Am I?

Yesterday, the local news program announced that it was National Best Friend Day. I wasn’t aware of the occasion so, to all my best friends, forgive me that there will be no surprise gifts waiting on your tables today. Let me take this day, however, as an excuse to talk about a pending post on my notepad. I think this is the best time to share it.

One day, I had a great conversation with one of my closest friends. He shared with me another conversation he had with another friend – not a common one. A question popped up in the middle of their conversation. A question he asked himself, “Have I really found my friends? Can I tell myself that I have already found the friends who will stand by me and be real to me?”

It’s a good question, right? It’s a question I never really found myself asking. I have always considered myself blessed to be getting the good ones. If there is one thing I know my parents are proud of me, it is my choice of friends. When I was younger, I’d bring my friends to our house and I would hear my parents proudly telling them I make good choices so the question never really crossed my mind.

I don’t think there are real and fake friends, it’s either you are friends or you are not - friends or acquaintances, maybe. Friends do not plan to become friends. Friends become. It is both a decision and a responsibility. Just because we know our friends will not leave us doesn’t mean we don’t make an effort to keep them.
So what’s my answer to the question? I don’t have any. But I have a better question, for you and for myself.

Am I being a good friend to my friends?

I guess if we keep this in mind all the time, we already know the answer to the first question.





I first posted this entry here. Photo features three of my closest friends. I have more. We own the photo.

LEADERSHIP & PARENTHOOD: Let them tie their shoelaces.

Training up a child is not for the weak. My parents must have spent a lot of time praying to be able to put up with someone like me.

Part of training a child is teaching them how to learn from their own mistakes. When they're young, you will have to do everything for them. But at some point during this 'young' age, you will have to let them do things on their own and learn from their mistakes.

First, you tie your son's shoelaces for him. Then you teach him to do it for himself. There are times when you might need to intervene once in a while so he gets it. Then you let him do it on his own, whatever the outcome is. It might not be perfect. Expect that it might not be as neat as you want it to be. But that's how he will learn. Experience, as cliche as the saying sounds, is the best teacher. Appreciate the effort and give constructive feedback. Celebrate little victories and correct silently. Better yet, tie your own shoelaces together. What's a better way to teach but to be a good example.

It's the same with leadership. When we give our people tasks, we teach them how to do it, better yet, we show them. Expect they will make mistakes. Just because they did for the first few times, we take the responsibility out of their hands and give it someone more capable. You do not tie your son's shoelace for him forever just because he can't do it the way you do. Moreover, you will not ask your other son to tie it for him forever. Guide your people, give constructive feedback, tell them what's wrong with an objective to make them better and not to make them feel that they are not capable of ever being like you or to just prove you're right.

At the end of the day, a good leader's goal is the same as that of a parent's goal - to develop a person that will hopefully be eventually a better version of us.





Photo Credit: Photo taken and owned by my friend, Clem. With me is Berna (and her friend) a favorite kid from one of our non-profit org's partner communities.


I first posted this entry here.

Travel Talk: Bring something home.

On a previous entry I wrote about how I used to collect shot glasses, flags, ref magnets, and paper money when I travel. In the long run, I reckoned that I collect too many things. I settled with the easier to acquire collectibles – paper money and ref magnets. On a separate entry, I told you about the paper bills I have collected so far. On this entry, let me tell you the ref magnets I have on collected so far. They are as follows (in no particular order):

A. Places from the Philippines

Philippines
Sagada
Windmill, Ilocos Norte
Hundred Islands
Bacolod
Naga
Vigan
World Partners, Every Nation
Bicol
Anawangin Cove
Bohol
Dumaguete
UP
Palawan Wildlife Rescue and Conservation Center
Guimaras
Tuguegarao
Cebu
Callao Cave
Paoay Church
Pagudpud Beach
Palawan
CWC
Siquijor
Baguio
El Nido
Baler
Trappist Monastery, Guimaras
Camiguin
Marinduque
Cagayan de Oro
Iwahig Prison and Penal Farm
Bolinao

B. Other Countries

Canada
Aruba
Thailand
Washington DC
Vietnam
Nicaragua
Malaysia
Dominican Republic
Mount Kinabalu
Nagoya, Japan
Virginia
Los Angeles
Red Light District, Amsterdam
New York Police Department
Detroit
Costa Rica
Sri Lanka
Sentosa, SG
Qatar
SPCA, VA
South Africa, EN Collection

Some were given to me as gifts such as the ones from Canada, NY, LA, Sri Lanka, Los Angeles, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, and Qatar. I have never been to those places but seeing them on my fridge door tells me that, maybe, one day I will. I lost my HK magnet and couldn’t find any in Panama airport when I was there. If you can send me one, it would be great!

When you travel, bring something with you home. It does not have to be expensive. Its purpose is just to remind you of that one time of your life when you or your loved one has set your/their foot on a different place. Just that idea is almost magical to me.



I first posted this entry on this site.

Consumer Tip: Use Your Perks

My apartment has a well-oiled water supply system (of course I meant that figuratively). However, I do not rely on it for my drinking water.

I do not have water purifying system to make it safe enough for drinking so I opted to ordering for it via a nearby water station and having it delivered to my house, in gallons, on a regular basis. This is a typical practice for a lot of residences here in my country, especially those who rent and are not willing to install a water purifying system and eventually leave it when moving out.

My water supplier has this promo for their loyal customers. For every 10 orders, you get 1 for free. All you need to do is keep the receipts and avail of it on your 11th purchase. I did. I pay P30 (less than a $1) for every 20 liters. This means that I got to save P30 today. The money I saved is going straight to the coin bank am trying to fill for a big travel.

Consumers, know the perks and use it. Save money.

I first posted this entry on this site.

A Tiny Random Act of Kindness

Today, on my way home while on a public transportation, I took this photo. I am usually very particular with my own space. My space is mine. Let it be mine. Yours is yours.

I didn't even notice it until I accidentally pressed the camera button while browsing my phone. I decided to press the shutter and capture this tiny foot comfortably leaning on my left thigh. I suddenly wondered, am sure I have done the same, at least once, when I was a baby - to lean on a complete strangers. I wonder what it made them feel.

Am sure this baby will never remember this moment when she found comfort from someone other than her mom. She probably thought my thigh is an extension of her mom's. But I? I will not forget how her tiny random act of kindness made my day.

She invaded my space and I didn't mind.

I posted this entry first on this site.

THINK GREEN: I Sort.

We complain a lot about how hot it is, or how polluted the air is, or how dirty some places are but we do not see how irresponsible we can be inside our very own households.

Waste management starts in us. Sort your waste. It's easier than it sounds.

Divide your waste into two - biodegradable and non-biodegradable.

I keep all my paper waste and recycle them as lining to my pets' litter box.

I place all leftoever food from the table or the kitchen sink in one bag.

I keep all plastic containers in one bag and give it to someone who can sell it for extra money. The containers are recycled for another use.

Before I dispose the waste, everything is sorted our accordingly. Sounds great, right?!

But I am just one person. There are six families living in the building where I stay and probably hundreds in the community I stay in. Imagine if all of us learn and actually sort our wastes, what a better world!

I sort. Do you?

I first posted this entry on this site.

Consumer Tip: It Pays to Check Your Bills

A few months back, I called my DSL provider to inquire about a charge appearing on my bill that doesn't sit well on me. The charge says Super Bundle. I do not remember ever subscribing to the said package. I remember that I included the caller ID feature on my application. I am very particular in the bills that I pay. I always make sure that I know what am paying for. I was told by the representative that the charge was a package of call features such as caller id, call forwarding, three-way, speed dial, etc. It costs P120/mo versus the feature I signed up for, which is P50/mo. I do not need the other features so there is no need for me to pay for them.

I complained and asked if there was a communication sent to inform customers of this package. The representative said that it was free for the first three months but will automatically be charged monthly if the customer do not cancel. Now, that's not a new story to me! It's funny how they just charge it to all landline users even those whose phones do not even have the capability of a caller ID etc. They should have at least upgraded the units of their subscribers before charging; or simply put, they should have asked the customer's buy in first.

If I had not called to remove it, I would have been charged P70 more every month.

I never had issues with this provider. I mean when I encounter problems, I usually get an immediate response and action, which I appreciate. But it will not stop me from checking my bill always.

It pays to check the bills you pay. Make sure you only pay for what you really use. Get rid of the hidden charges. Ask.






I first posted this entry here.

Travel Talk : Travel Green with a Handy Soap

I love going out of town on a weekend; the only spare time I have for it, really. It's a little bit hard to go on long leaves from work. It used to take me so much time preparing for a travel. But as I got used to it, things were easier. I have a travel kit that's always ready-to-go.

One of the items on my travel kit, is a bar of soap, which is usually placed inside a plastic wrap that can get messy after use. I used to bring new soap bars but realized that it is too big for a short travel. Most I know end up leaving it. The mess it causes inside the travel kit can be a challenge. Carrying a soap dish can take too much space for a 2-day travel. Relying on hotel soap may not be safe, especially if you have sensitive skin. Soap bags in stores can be expensive. I, at one point, went for shower gels. But it also means having to bring loofah or a scrub, which defeats the purpose of traveling light.

Two years ago, while preparing for a short trip to the beach, an idea came to mind while I was dumping something to the trash can.

See the photo above? What do you do with those almost-consumed soap bars inside your bathroom? Do you dispose them and replace with a new one right away? Don't. Use it as your handy soap for the next short travel.

Where to put it? Well, I use those Mentos canisters. They're small, in fun colors, transparent (just peel off the stickers), and has tight lock. I use it for my travel soap, cotton buds, jewelries (so they don't get mixed up), baby powder, etc.

You saved money and bag space. You recycled and traveled conveniently. 

I originally posted about this here.

Travel Talk : Know the Rules

Last January, a good friend of mine asked me for some travel tips. It will be her first time to travel outside the country. None of her companions has gone out of the country, too. I was glad to help.

This isn't the first time someone approached me for travel tips. Not that I am an expert but I do travel a lot. When I get the question, my world usually stops for a moment and I can no longer stop talking. I love to travel. I compiled all the tips I gave her and the ones I gave my other friends, which I learned from my own experiences and mishaps, in one long list. Surprisingly, I was able to write a long post about it.

I'm going to share it one at a time. This is in no particular order.

KNOW THE RULES: If you are traveling to a foreign country. Be street smart. Research on basic street rules and or laws. For example, in Singapore, littering is a big NO! You can get a fine as big as USD1000 for throwing a chewing gum anywhere except the trash bin. If you smoke, know the local smoking rules.

Any particular street rule a traveler should know before visiting your country?





I originally posted this entry here.

THINK GREEN: Be reef-friendly

It’s summer here in my country. We were at 37 degrees Celsius (98.600ºF) the other day. A lot of us would want to hit the nearest beach to ease the heat and humidity.

As you enjoy the sun, the sand, and the beach, do not forget to be responsible travelers. Dispose your trash properly. Keep the shore and the waters clean and free of anything that could ruin its beauty and harm both the humans and the sea creatures.

If you need to use a sun block, be smart and green in your choice. I recommend Human Nature’s 100% Natural Safe Block. It is water resistant and blocks 93% of all skin-burning UVB rays, with spf15. It does not just take care of you; it is also reef-friendly because it does not contain the harmful chemicals that most sunscreens do. It is also rated PA+++, the highest possible rating against skin-aging UVA rays.

Human Nature is a Filipino company whose products are available in the Philippines and in the US.

Disclaimer: Human Nature did not pay me to write this article.I am a mere consumer who recommends the product based on personal choice and experience.


Photo Details: I own the image. It was taken at Camaya Coast, Mariveles Bataan, Philippines.

I first posted this entry on Bubblews.

Women Weavers

This is Glenda Castillanes. She was the star of the last leg of Abel Ilokana, an event that celebrated women weavers from Ilocos Sur, Ilocor Norte, La Union, and Abra (north of the Philippines) in celebration of Women's Month. Glenda represented Abra.

She gave a lecture and demonstration on weaving using the traditional wooden Tilar.

Ate Glenda was so nice enough to answer all of the questions I endlessly threw at her. Ate Glenda learned how to weave from his mother who also got it from her mother. It has been a tradition to pass on this talent and source of income from one generation to another. This weaving has supported kids to school.

She said it usually takes 8 hours to produce a 7-yard. This artwork whose intricate details show how complicated the process is and how one mistake can affect the pattern pre-set for each design. It tells you how the design seems to be innately embedded into the heart and mind of the weaver and how they know it like the back of their hands.

I did not leave without showing support in my own little way. I bought a few rolls that I would like to turn into pillow cases for my 70's-themed red bedroom.

It is my wish that these weavers be given enough support and recognition. They not only need it to survive but they are also excellent vessels of our roots as Filipinos

My Coffee Journey

For more than a month now, I have developed a more intimate love for coffee. I don't just mean drinking a cup. Drinking is just the habit, something I think I got from my father seeing him savor his cup every morning. By intimate, I meant a deeper understanding of what it is and everything that happens before one savors a cup.

I have educated myself a little, in all possible ways I know of at the moment, of its beginnings and all the processes that a coffee goes through - to farming, to picking and harvesting, to processing and drying, to roasting, to grinding and brewing. I have also read a lot about my country's contribution to its market. I found out that we used to be the fourth largest coffee producer in the world in the 1800's. Various factors have caused it to change and we are slowly trying to make it again.

My discoveries have also lead me to take more frequent trips to different coffee shops. I developed a higher sense of respect for those who make it, flourish it, and keep it, especially the hardworking farmers. I also applaud those who support the local industry.

I remember visiting a coffee plantation when I was younger. I may have to schedule another visit again soon. I am hungry for more.

I will write about my discoveries and I will include you in my journey. I will make you love coffee in a more meaningful way (if you are not yet on that stage).

Because it is so much more than just knowing what to say when you order it.

A Date with Myself

When was the last time you had a date with yourself? Yes, you read it right, a date with yourself.

Work or studies or other obligations can, sometimes, pile up taller than we could reach it. It is in these times when we find ourselves all over the place, if we are not careful. We tend to forget to give ourselves the precious time it deserves.

When I am faced with a crossroad (or not), I always find it helpful to spend some time to get connected to my own being. I don’t mean getting a pedicure or a massage but actually quietly connecting with everything me. Pampering our physical selves is good and important but you need more than that.

Last Friday night, I gave myself another one. Remember, it’s good to talk to yourself every now and then. Just pair it with a cup of coffee, a pen, and a piece of paper.

Love thy self. When you do, you learn to love others in a more meaningful way.

I originally posted this entry here.