Kablog!

Fiber Optics 2

2010-03-17T23:21:00.001+08:00

Fiber Optics 2, originally uploaded by karoluscamilius.

"You've got to follow your road, follow your road, follow your road..." -Patti Austin's Follow Your Road. Life is just full of crossroads, roads leading left, right, leading straight ahead, always leading to the question of which is the right path to get to point B. I remember my philosophy professor discussing Jean Paul Sartre's take on morality. It goes something like "To be moral is to make a decision, and to stick to that decision no matter what." That's my interpretation of it anyway. This is not to tell you what is moral or not, but rather this is to say that we are all rational beings free to make decisions, and that those decisions are ours alone. However, the decisions we make are not free of responsibilities, it is up to us to stand up to those responsibilities, and as people we are defined with what we do. Make a choice, and stick to that choice with all your might. So, if confronted with a crossroad, fret not on which road to take. Just go and pick one, follow it till the end and call it your own and never fall astray.

Nightshift

2009-10-27T05:00:00.001+08:00

Nightshift, originally uploaded by karoluscamilius.

A popular Andrew Lloyd Webber song goes "Night time sharpens, heightens each sensation.," lyrics that almost every night owl like me can easily relate to. In the scheme of sleeping during the day and being up and about during the night, it is not easy at all to spend a full time job at a time of day when we should all be tucked in bed and be snoring away. Working during the night, however, brings about a unique experience incomparable to any other. For some , it's the caffeine rush they get from their venti cups of lattes and cappuccinos. For others it's the experience of sharing the same lifestyle with those halfway across the globe. There may even be people addicted to the zombie like experience of being half-awake or should I say half asleep. Whatever it may be, my personal unique experience is that with every phone ring I make, with each tippity-tap on the keyboard, each Hi, Hello and how do you do, is my way of helping make the music of the night. What's your experience?

The Only Way I Know How...

2009-08-13T11:58:00.002+08:00

The Only Way I Know How..., originally uploaded by karoluscamilius.

The only way I know of how to please Dad is through my photos. He, being the mastermind of my family's photographic interest, played a major part in my struggle to be the best photographer I can be. With him being in the States and us, being here in the Philippines, the distance between us has grown much much much more as he has joined his Creator exactly 40 days to this date. There is nothing much I can do, Dad, than to continue our shared passion, to which I say through this photo, that I love you so much and that I am sorry for not being a good son to you. May you always watch over us as we continue on with your legacy here on Earth. May you rest in peace and say hello to Daddy George, Uncle Jones, Uncle Paks, and those who have gone before us, We love you and we truly miss you... I hope and pray somehow, that you read my last earthly message to you.

Champyeeens!

2009-06-16T12:14:00.009+08:00

Photo: Kobe Bryant holding trophies. Credit: Ronald Martinez/Getty Images

I have jinxed the Lakers Championship hopes in the past by writing a blog or two about how deserving they are of the elusive Larry O'Brien Trophy. After last season's painful loss in the finals to the Boston Celtics, I abstained from writing any article that would relate to Kobe Bryant and the Lakers in fear of jinxing the Olympic Campaign and the 2009 NBA season as well. Now, I am free to write at last of how genuinely happy and triumphant I feel for the NBA team that I have religiously followed since Philippine Cable TV began. So, without further ado, I present to you o dear Kobe Bryant [slash] Laker haters, the 2009 Larry O'Brien trophy and the Bill Russel Trophy to loathe and cry upon. Yes Kobe, you are VINDICATED! and so am I. =)

(Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images)

(Getty Images)

(Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)

What's that? LeBro who? Dwyane who? Shaq who? Pffffft... =P

Those Eyes...

2009-03-11T06:55:00.005+08:00

Street Photography 103: Sexy 24, originally uploaded by karoluscamilius.

Five years after graduating from college and 3 years since this blog, here I am still asking myself what I'm really good at. What I'm really good for. Right now I am fairly convinced that life is but a matter of circumstance, meaning that we are where we are because it was predetermined, not because of our own choices but because it has a been decided upon by something beyond our willful control. Now I am posting this because I want someone, anyone, to refute what I have just stated. Let me believe, again, that life is a matter of personal choices, a box of chocolates. I made a choice alright, I picked the one with lots of coconut in it, me don't like dry, sandy coconut. Is it my fault then??? Why do I have this strange feeling that you are looking down on me...

Huwat Is?

2009-03-11T04:11:00.002+08:00

RGBY Me, originally uploaded by karoluscamilius.

Photography is an endeavor like no other. It is where science and art meets, where subjectivity blends well with objectivity. No other art form is as intense in logic and as precise in emotion as Photography. By far, photography is my river, where both my thoughts and emotions connive in its own freeflow.

A'buncha

2009-03-08T04:14:00.001+08:00

Cordillera Cafe, originally uploaded by karoluscamilius.

A bunch of flowers... for those in need of comfort.

Globe (in)Visibility

2008-12-09T04:29:00.018+08:00

South East Asia, originally uploaded by karoluscamilius.

[Please pardon the incoherence of this post, this is a rant and I just feel obligated to warn those who might fall victim to this Globe Visibility folly. ]

Globe Visibility sucks, period! (or should I say, exclamation point.)

To anyone out there planning to subscribe to Globe's mobile broadband service, be it a prepaid or a postpaid plan, I'm telling you now, forget it!

The service isn't worth it at all. Now see, the real problem lies not on finding a strong signal nor is it on connecting to the network (believe it or not, this thing connects to the network in a jiffy. Hence your meter also begins in a jiffy, uh-huh) it's not about the speed even! It's about sustaining the download line, making sure that the flow of data is sturdy and constant. Globe Visibility has this problem and it's a miserable problem!

To give you an idea, the service comes with a software that allows you to configure the type of connection you prefer, EDGE, GPRS, or HSDPA/3G. There's also an internet odometer of sorts that indicates the flow of data being processed through the connection, thus you are able to monitor if the computer is successfully downloading/uploading data so you'd know how soon you can watch that popular video on YouTube or if the urgent email will be sent to your boss on time. 90% of the time, despite of the strong network signal also indicated, the download/upload meter reads 0.00KB sent/received. That means no YouTube for you, no email sent either. I know that the modem used for HSDPA/3G internet connections are based on radio waves and in itself isn't that reliable for networking purposes and that there's a whole bunch of other factors to consider that may contribute to this crap, but if it happens all the time, ALL the time, then something really has to give and I don't care if the problem lies with my computer or with Globe's infrastructure, it still is a problem! I think I should sue... hmmmm... Anyway, what bothers me really is the value I get in return for this product. For the price of the modem at P2,500, plus the rate of the service at P20 per hour (P5 per 15minutes,) it's just not worth it.

Say I'm an average internet user who spends 2.5 hours of surfing per day. P50 times 30days equals P1,500/month, that's the price of a decent Cable or DSL connection. Why am I wasting so much money on such a crappy connection??? This doesn't even include the 30minutes I have to wait to establish a download line, nor the hundreds of times I hit the refresh button whenever the dreaded "This page cannot be displayed..." message shows up, argghh!!! Beats me...

I have had the service for close to a month now, and Lord knows how much of my precious time has been wasted just trying to establish that download line! Take note also, that once you're connected, your credits start ticking off too. It doesn't matter what time of day you try to connect, and I'm guessing it doesn't even matter where you're located. I live at the heart of Makati City, my room is slightly elevated, there are no barriers that surround my residence, nothing whatsoever that may cause significant interference to my wireless connection, the same problem leaves me at the end of my wits everytime! Well at least they're consistent in that department, leaving me unsatisfied, stressed and so freaking grumpy.

If you have the budget, I suggest you get a Cable or a DSL internet service instead. You'll save more money, plus it'll be more reliable regardless of what speed package you get. Remember, consistency is the key.

An additional note to those who might attempt to refute my recommendation here: My computer has it's own Wi-Fi modem which works just fine whenever I find a hotspot at malls and such. I turn this off whenever I connect to Globe Visibility using the USB modem so as not to cause any interference. I tried using Globe Visibility at 4 different locations now namely at Ayala Center, RCBC tower, Makati Executive Tower 2 and at San Antonio Village. the results are the same. I'm also using the newer modem the one that has no wires and can be inserted with a micro SD card (Lord knows what it's called) so go figure.

The Next Bobby Fischer

2008-11-26T23:26:00.001+08:00

The Next Bobby Fischer, originally uploaded by karoluscamilius.

I remember playing chess with my brothers. My third older brother in particular was pretty good at it, when we played, he won 98 times, okay, 99 times out of 100. But the sole win I had came after years of agonizing defeat. There was this rare occasion when I was able to find an opening on his impenetrable defense and attacked with my knight, before you knew it, "CHECKMATE!" That was one of the best feelings in the world, being able to trash-talk a semi-grandmaster. Lord I'm good!

After that it was back to normal, I lost the games that followed, unsurprisingly. The next Bobby Fischer, or Eugene Torre to localize, certainly isn't me. hehehe.

PooRADA

2008-11-16T00:38:00.007+08:00

This is how we are today. We simply refuse to face the fact that as a people, we are PooRADA. Yes, we have reasonable salaries as middle-class denizens but shouldn't we be better off than we really are? As a taxpayer, it pains me that a huge portion of my hard earned money goes down the drain every payday, flows through filthy the pipes of the bureaucracy, before it eventually finds its way inside the miserable POZO NEGRO. That is, yes you know who I am talking about, She Who Must Not Be Named. The hardest part is that there really is nothing we can do about it, is there? At least for me, this is how I feel, PooRADA. There is no "Change I Can Believe In."

PooRADA, originally uploaded by karoluscamilius.

Something off-topic (as how my mind usually works, it's non-cohesive), here comes the huge irony. Come paydays, we the PooRada people, find the means to splurge on luxuries like purchasing PRADA bags; We line up for a latte or two at STARBUCKS; We stuff ourselves at buffet tables at KAMAYAN, DADS and SAISAKI; Hail TAXIS here and there and willingly immerse ourselves in depressing traffic; Swipe our VISAS and MASTERCARDS like there's no tomorrow. This is how it went down for me last Friday (except for that PRADA bag) and I know for a fact that it's how it went for you too. Don't deny it, I saw you at the mall! So here we are, feeling PooRADA. There is no change I can believe in because even change does not believe in me.

Thanks for reading my bi-polar post.

Burning Candles

2008-11-09T03:46:00.001+08:00

Burning Candles, originally uploaded by karoluscamilius.

Confidante.
Father Figure.
Role Model.
Friend.

Atty. Rolando C. Dela Cruz, Prinicpal SLU Boys' High from 1998-2004.

May his soul Rest In Peace.

About the Photo: HAPPY HALLOWEEN!

2008-10-31T08:06:00.003+08:00

The photo first and foremost is an official entry for a Halloween contest at the office. The theme is anything that involves a pumpkin. I've posted more details about the photo shoot over here. Second, about the poem, they wanted a write-up that describes the photo, so what I did was veer away from conventional journalism and went ahead and made a poem about it. I had no idea that the concept would be such a hit, everyone loved it!

The entry looks very promising as we have already seen the so called "competition." Haha! The results would be out not until Nov.1 Manila time and all of us here at the office are so excited about it! It's heartwarming to hear such positive feedback from the photo I took and the poem I made. But I refuse to take sole credit for the job as it was a concerted effort from many of us here. The concept I had wouldn't have materialized if not for the efforts of the fantastic production team who made the whole set from where I drew inspiration of the Poem itself. Good Luck to us all and Happy Halloween and a peaceful All Saints' and Souls' Day!

P.S. I wrote my name as the author of the poem but when the draft was finalized, some "higher powers" decided to not make it part of the entry upon submission. That saddens me a lot.

A "Lovely" Night

2008-10-29T03:45:00.002+08:00

A "Lovely" Night, originally uploaded by karoluscamilius.

"The Tale That Never Was"

A Cinderella Parody

A lovely night 'twas supposed to be
To meet her Prince and love-to-be.
Such tales instead possess the knack,
Of twisting fate with loathsome luck.
The Crooked Night had other plans,
A ball with chains in place of dance.
The stars in the lonely heavens trembled above her,
Not in amazement but in dread of danger.
"Oh Fairy-mother come to me!"
Girl of Cinders cried shakily.
No fairy dust however came,
But chilly winds of icy taste.

Here now you ask how it began
How Witch contrived her wicked plan.
At Hallows Eve this Girl did see
A lovely glow beneath the trees
Before her eyes to her delight
A pumpkin bore such lovely light.
The pumpkin flushed and how it grew!
Unknowing this was Witch's brew
For in her heart a true desire
Her heart the Prince had set afire
Attend the Ball now was a must
The tempting Coach she had to trust.

"There's no one here to heed your plea."
A whisper said so eerily.
A hag whose very breath can fell
From filthy brims where darkness dwells.
Now, the Girl of Cinders will forever be
Under her spell of uncertainty,
Of despair, where hope is forever lost
She found herself now trapped in frost.
The Girl of Cinders' story told
In rather dark and lonely prose
And this is how it came to pass.
A Tale of Cinders that never was.

-KC Alabanza

I Envy The Child

2008-09-20T06:41:00.003+08:00

Innocence 2, originally uploaded by karoluscamilius.

Never too afraid to try out new things. Always inquisitive. Trusting and Meek.

I, the 25 year old, too afraid to get out of the shell I myself have created.

Actually I just want to quit my job but simply can't. hehe...

Discipline

2008-08-20T01:56:00.001+08:00

Sun Bathing, originally uploaded by karoluscamilius.

Fishes, ants, these turtles, they all line up. Why can't we?

Drink Up!

2008-07-06T06:27:00.007+08:00

Perhaps you haven't noticed or maybe you're numbly indifferent about it, oil prices have been going up, up and away by the day. What impact does this have on you as an individual, you may ask. Well, there is this picture that presents itself to us, it can be as inconvenient as the "Inconvenient Truth" that is global warming, here comes a more pressing issue which is "Peak Oil."

Peak Oil as I understand is when the world's total oil production reaches its maximum. Production then starts to decline but the demand for oil increases or remains constant. Some say that its fruition is nigh, others say that we have 20 more years before this peak is reached. Regardless, the imminence of Peak Oil is bad news indeed.

Peak Oil as an issue is far too deep for the likes of me to fully comprehend and I'm writing this not to act all smart but rather to shed as much light as I can to those who up to now, seem to be totally apathetic to the issue. I won't discuss this in detail, but its repercussions are now being felt and too hard to ignore. As an oil dependent country, and one that is almost totally run on imported oil, our economy is left at the mercy of oil price increase. Almost every facet of our lifestyle is based on crude oil, from the toothbrush and paste that we use every morning, to the very fruit or vegetable we fill our tummies with at dinner, crude oil is used to produce these things if not transport them to us end-users and consumers. So as soon as gas prices increase, so does the price of every product in the market, and living becomes more and more costly. With an economy as volatile as ours, and with terrorism, fascism and instability hiding behind the shadows of this crisis, who knows what to expect? Only time can tell when this country (and the world) implodes..

The questions therefore are:

What can we do to curb this crisis? Leaving our cars at home and taking the bike to work is not the answer as the problem goes beyond our mode of transportation and automobile fuel consumption.

How long do we have to wait in order for our leaders to spur into action? This problem is here to stay and it is futile to believe that oil prices will ever fall down. This is a matter that clearly needs government intervention, or heck, world intervention.

Why not turn to renewable energy right here right now? Maybe the cost of obtaining such sources are still so dependent on crude oil, i.e. the acquisition of raw materials are still based on petroleum-run machineries. If so, do the benefits outweigh the cost(s)?

The questions are endless that's for sure, but our future (that includes the near future!) isn't certain. It's as if Armageddon is drawing closer and this is the type of end that we as a people have chosen. The ultimate question is, as humans, as a race, how strong is our will to survive?

I don't mean to shut out all the optimism within us all, but isn't this the perfect time to show the wonders of human intelligence and the power of will? If one can create such vast technology to dig such vast a hole, the ability to create ways and means to climb out of that hole is also tantamount, right?

"Dye-Hard"

2008-06-08T06:30:00.004+08:00

A year ago, I wrote something about a new 24/7 adage, that of Kobe (24) and Lamar Odom (7) fusing as a new dynamic duo reminiscent of the Jordan and Pippen era of the 90's. It seemed then that I was talking about was heresy, a false premonition, a crazy notion to think that these two Lakers could even equal or be better than the deux-bulls who combined for a total of 6 NBA championships in a decade. What followed that article was a series of horrible mistakes, mishaps and near-tragedies for the Lakers as a whole. They squandered a 3-1 playoff lead to the Phoenix Suns back in 2006, they got eliminated in the first round of the 2007 playoffs, again by the Suns, injuries seemed to hound each and every player and ultimately, the "Man," Kobe asked to be traded to "Pluto" of all places. No kidding, he did!

So I jinxed them. Fine. I was born with a birthmark in my rear end. Fast forward to 2008, no one, myself included, ever thought that those struggles would have led them this far: Kobe Bryant, the 2008 MVP, his first ever in 12 seasons, playing the best team-ball ever in his life; Lamar Odom, finding himself and his purpose on this team as a very effective "fourth-scoring option;" Los Angeles receiving a donation in the form of Pau! Gasol, the Lakers winning the West; Finally, reaching the NBA Finals after those arduous years of ruin.

Now, call it clairvoyance, a prophecy, or simple luck, but part of it all was that I never lost faith in this team. Despite the jeers and trash-talking of my peers and friends and even my own brothers, all anti-laker minions, I endured and somehow refused to give up on the team I have learned to love as a growing teen. If there's anyone who deserves this success, it won't be Kobe, or Lamar, or the Lakers, but instead it would be the fans. Fans like me, die hard you may say, but also hard to dye with any other color other than Purple and Gold. With that my jinx has finally turned to fortune and there's no turning back for my unlucky rear-end now! Lakers all the way!

Twilight

2008-05-08T07:53:00.003+08:00

[Salvaged] Twilight 2, originally uploaded by karoluscamilius.

Fifty percent of greenhouse gas emissions come from buildings. Progress could be both a blessing and a curse. And by the way, this blog entry has nothing to do with the book of the same title. Sorry girls.

Didju know?

2008-03-12T08:34:00.004+08:00

Dolphin + Sea Lion, originally uploaded by karoluscamilius.

Did you know that there's a village in Japan that slaughters dolphins? I was shocked upon seeing it on CNN. You can search it online if you want to. I know it's wrong (so is the slaughtering of dogs sa Pinas) but we're speaking of dolphins??? Dolphins who along with chimpanzees are next to humans in terms of intelligence????????? WTF???!

Lantau, Hong Kong

2007-10-30T07:12:00.001+08:00

Lantau, originally uploaded by karoluscamilius.

A refuge from the hustle and bustle of the modern city of Hong Kong, Lantau Island is one of the most tranquil places on earth. No wonder they chose the Island to house the largest bronze outdoor Buddha in the World. Find peace in Lantau.

Wings

2007-08-18T06:27:00.005+08:00

Ball of Fire, originally uploaded by karoluscamilius.

Sometimes, you feel that the whole world is falling down upon you. And when you feel that way, sometimes you also feel that the burning sky will put an end to life as you know it....

Luckily, this is just a beautiful hand-painted sunset sky.ü

Gee, my job really is stressful.

TV Patrol Background3

2007-08-18T06:11:00.001+08:00

TV Patrol Background3, originally uploaded by karoluscamilius.

As a kid, I grew up watching TV Patrol back in the days when Noli De Castro and Co. used to anchor the show. If you remember, the show had a backdrop like this or at least close to this. Basta it was an LE shot, remember, remember? LOL!ü

June

2007-06-18T18:54:00.005+08:00

Pasulong, Kad!, originally uploaded by karoluscamilius.

Half of the year is nearly through and yet here we are again asking ourselves, "At this point in our lives, is this where we really want to be? Have we done enough to make our lives better?" Sometimes, we just snap out of it and find the answers to these questions, yet there are also times when we know the answers have already been found but we just continue to ignore them. Think about it. What have you accomplished for the past six months? Where should you be in the next six months? Get there. Now.

Gargantuan!

2007-05-01T15:32:00.001+08:00

The Bangui Bay Windfarm Project

These windmills are HUGE!!! The pictures can't even depict clearly how large these contraptions are.

Whoa!

See more at my flickr photo page!ü

Energy!

2007-04-18T05:29:00.002+08:00

Books are so powerful. They can sway you easily into a way of thinking, they can push you to look into new perspectives and some if not most may even change your whole life! I came across a book, The Celestine Prophecy. I've heard of this title for at least once in my lifetime but I never knew how radical and "new age" it truly was.

The book is an attempt to explain why people ask so much, why we keep on searching for answers, why we are so restless. Later on it explains that evolution is an inevitable process, that we as humans are bound to evolve into so-called higher vibrations or higher forms of beings. It even tries to explain Catholic scripture in a new light, saying that Christ himself was the first practitioner of these new Insights. CONTROVERSY ALERT! hehehe.

The book also tries to explain the imbalances that cause the world to be what it is today, from the power struggle of nations to simple family conflicts, from Psychological problems to Vegetarianism. Weird isn't it? I can never truly explain what the book is all about, all I can say that it promotes a totally new concept of the world -at least to me, since I found out the book was published in 1993, and what year is it again?- another way to look at life and how to live life. And if you're the type of person who hates cliche self-empowering books, if I tell you that it hypothetically explains Jesus' Ascension into Heaven will you read it? (you Da Vinci Code genre junkie!)

People just love controversy, especially something against the Church and I wonder why.

Gadgetoia

2007-03-31T05:24:00.002+08:00

To Marje, originally uploaded by karoluscamilius.

After having sworn not to buy another gadget after my iPod (except for a Digicam maybe) here I am again craving for a GameBoy Micro... I'm broke and It's killing me, I've got to have one! (like Pokemon, gotta catchem'all!) Maybe this Christmas?ü...

A Starbucks Cup as My Tripod

2007-03-22T01:58:00.000+08:00

Long overdue photos of the late 2006 World Pyro-olypmics held at Pasay City, Philippines. As the title says, I used a starbucks cup (Tall, brewed coffee) to keep the camera still. Special thanks to the couple in front of us. I never knew that it would create a romantic effect on the pictures. I didn't even realize that they were within the frame.ü

Ides of March II

2007-03-14T23:36:00.000+08:00

Happy Anniversary KaBlog!!!

Despite low readership and poor maintenance, you were still able to keep it together! Many thanks to my avid fans who take visit at least once a month. None of this would be possible without you. Hehe.

Change the world and keep the Fire burning KaBlog!

2007-03-09T05:07:00.000+08:00

It's amazing how this man faces challenges. Here's how he reacts to his latest adversity:

March 07 :: 2007
Kobe reacts to suspension

This is as frustrated as I've been in a long time.
Injuries to our team don't seem to stop.
Now we have to deal with my suspension and another loss to the Bucks.
But life isn't about feeling sorry for yourself or the position you find yourself in.
Its about accepting it and going from there with a determination that we will endure at all cost, no matter what!
So now its off to Philly. Let's see if we can't get the engines revved up again.
Strength and Honor.
- Two4

I Jinxed the Lakers

2007-03-08T07:00:00.000+08:00

Since my my most recent post about this storied NBA franchise, at least 4 other lakers have joined the injured list including a potential season ender for the other half of that "24/7," Lamar Odom. They can get to the playoffs alright (currently 2.5 games above the Western Conference's 7th spot) but their chances of making some noise after the season have been hushed. This season has so far been disheartening for those who bleed Purple and Gold.

INJURY REPORT:

Kwame Brown: Severe Sprained Ankle- Probable
Kobe Bryant: Hyper-extended Elbow- Will Play
Maurice Evans: Sore Knee- Probable
Chris Mihm: Right Ankle Surgery- Out For Season
Lamar Odom: Torn Labrum- Out
Vladimir Radmanovic: Separated Shoulder- Out
Luke Walton: Moderate Ankle Sprain- Out

By the way, I just don't get NBA VP Stu Jackson's dislike of Kobe Bryant. Bryant is suspended for the second time this season for the same reason as his first: "Playing basketball."

This is ridiculous. We're wasting another season of Kobe's Prime. This is injustice I say! The fans do not deserve this.

after the jump:

Ronny Turiaf goes down with a back injury. Puhleeez, this is the last thing we need. The next thing we know is that there's 4 active players left on the roster. Scheeeez!!!

Coffee Break

2007-02-23T13:54:00.000+08:00

Coffee Break, originally uploaded by karoluscamilius.

I wouldn't let the month of February pass without a posting in my blog would I? So here I am, in the middle of the first quarter of 2007, having a short break from the busy city of Makati. Ironically, I find myself in another city, Baguio. Home for... a 'coffee break.'

Hippopotamus

2007-01-31T10:26:00.000+08:00

Hippopotamus, originally uploaded by karoluscamilius. (circa 2006, HK Disneyland)

Pronunciation: "hi-p&-'pä-t&-m&s
Function: noun
Inflected Form(s): plural -mus·es or hip·po·pot·a·mi /-"mI, -(")mE/
Etymology: Latin, from Greek hippopotamos, alteration of hippos potamios, literally, riverine horse
: a very large herbivorous 4-toed chiefly aquatic artiodactyl mammal (Hippopotamus amphibius) of sub-Saharan Africa with an extremely large head and mouth, bare and very thick grayish skin, and short legs ; also : a smaller closely related mammal (Choeropsis liberiensis) of western Africa

Don't mind the defintion. Actually, what keeps me wondering is the difference between Donald and Daisy's reaction upon seeing the Hippo.

Contrast

2007-01-26T07:59:00.000+08:00

Contrast, originally uploaded by karoluscamilius.

Life is full of contrasts. Like This Picture if you look closely. (Taken in Disneyland HK, circa 2006)

This Blog Chooses Not to be Active

2007-01-18T10:47:00.000+08:00

The Blogger has so many things going on in his mind right now and refuses to put them in order so as to come up with a wonderful entry in this incredible blog. Amazing...

Lakers: The New "Twenty-Four Seven"

2007-01-09T08:18:00.000+08:00

The L.A. Lakers are now the team I hoped they'd be last season. With the team sporting a win-loss record of 23-11 to date, their best since the Kobe-Shaq era, it seems that they have now tapped the full potential of the Triangle Offense. Now, there's no doubt that the Lakers are a major Championship contenders -if only they were in the Eastern Conference. It was on Sunday that they defeated the Dallas Mavericks, the reigning Western Conference Champions, with a 101-98 win thus ending the Mavericks' 13-game winning streak. I just wouldn't pass up an opportunity to write about this remarkable game, being Coach Phil Jackson's 900th victory, a feat that has been accomplished by only 8 other coaches and Phil was the fastest to reach the milestone. What makes this more special is that the Lakers have played without their key players- Lamar Odom is out with a knee sprain and Kwame Brown has a badly sprained ankle. Just think of the possibilities when they have all those players together with Kobe Bryant healthy and playing at the top of their games, an NBA Trophy would certainly be close at hand. So why are the Lakers surprisingly this good now?

Kobe Bryant. Kobe has really matured and has now become a remarkable leader of this team. Kobe can be a great scorer when he needs to (81 points? I'd say yes at any given night) but he is at his best when he gets his team mates involved. If he is able to keep the team within striking distance, his teammates would easily shut down any opposing team. Such was the case in the last game against the Sacramento Kings, Kobe mustered 9 assists and 8 rebounds, at least 6 Lakers scored in double figures and Kobe was still able to finish with 45 points of his own. It says a lot on how good of a player he is, but it also says a lot on how much faith he has in his team mates now. It's easy to say that he now has the qualities of a great leader more than able to guide this team to the Finals. Hand him the MVP trophy once and for all!

Lamar Odom. Before his injury Lamar was posting up career high averages in points, rebounds and assists. It's hard to fathom what this man has gone through; the death of his infant son and his dear grandmother, being mugged in his own neighborhood, all of which are more than humbling experiences. But somehow he has found refuge in the basketball court and is now more focused in the game. He has found a way to play along side Kobe (or vice-versa) and has flourished as an All-Star contender until he sprained his knee. It would really be nice to have him back ASAP. Kobe (#24) and Lamar (#7), the new 24/7!

Kwame Brown. This big guy continues to have lapses in his offensive game but all in all, his big frame (almost 300lbs and 6' 11") makes him a real defensive threat that the opposition has to deal with. With the Lakers, he also is having his career-best in Points, Rebounds and Assists (go ahead and include steals, blocks and FG%) and it seems that Phil Jackson has successfully tapped black gold with this Player. Just 7 more points and 4 more rebounds per game and Kwame will be able to meet goals of 15 points and 10 rebounds per game that Phil handed him on a piece of paper before the season started. So, get well soon big guy.

Luke Walton. Walton for me is easily the Most Improved Player of the Year. He now shoots 50% from the 3point line and is averaging 12.4 points per game. What makes Luke an invaluable player is that he passes very well for a guy of his size, he averages 4 assists per game, including the game winning assist to Sasha Vujajic's 3-pointer in yesterday's game.

Ronny Turiaf, Jordan Farmar. Players who constantly give the team energy. Turiaf keeps the guys smiling, Farmar keeps them running. Try watching a game and look out for these two guys and you'll get what I mean.

Andrew Bynum. The NBA's youngest draftee at 17 yrs. old is predictably the next best center after Shaquille O'Neal. This season, he's had double digit outbursts in points and rebounds and is a very decent shot blocker. Once Bynum graduates under the tutelage of all-time great Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, it's easy to see that he would soon be part of the lineage of Great Laker Centers. Go master that sky-hook!

Now, all I'm trying to say is that with players like Maurice Evans, Vlade Radmanivic, Brian Cook, the Lakers are deep in talent. If Kobe Bryant continues to be successful in harnessing his team's capabilities and in working within Phil Jackson's system, then I say it again, the Lakers will live on with another championship dynasty. Kobe Bryant deserves the Larry O'Brien trophy, every player on the Lakers roster deserve to be Champions and Phil Jackson definitely needs that 10th ring to fill in his pinky, don't you think? Go LAKERS!

Happy New Year!

2007-01-04T04:20:00.000+08:00

For my first post of the year, I'd like to share this with you all:

kaboom!, originally uploaded by karoluscamilius.

It's a picture I took when I had the chance to visit Disneyland in Hong Kong, December 2005. Funny that it's already circa 2007 and up to now the magic of my experience in HK never seems to fade away. Perhaps it's like what we all should do no matter what year ends, to measure each year with love, experiences and lessons learned. Yes, it's just like the song "Seasons of Love," to measure each year in love but remember also to let the magic of those experiences bring you to wherever and to pick you up to whenever. Just close your eyes and remember...

Swoosh!

2006-12-21T10:16:00.000+08:00

Apparently, some people caught a glimse of my previous posts about the NBA:

Hmmm.. Not bad, not bad at all... I may be obliged to write some more Basketball rant this time. Haha! =)

2006-12-20T06:18:00.001+08:00

I miss home terribly... I miss the pine trees, the cool climate, the people. I miss home food, the crunchy brocolli, young corn, and cauliflower. I miss the sweet longanisa, the strawberries, the crisp morning air. I miss everything about Baguio City, including the traffic, the polluted air and the dirty filthy sidewalks of downtown...

Photo entitled: Bliss by Karolus Camilius Alabanza
(An afternoon in Camp John Hay)

Copy-write this...

2006-12-09T06:15:00.000+08:00

Okay okay, I got envious of the Beatles so I also bought one. I was able to land by this picture by randomly searching the net, the iBeatles of sorts:

For a List of...

2006-12-05T08:08:00.000+08:00

For a list of Top Pinoy Blogs, feel free to visit: Philippines Best of Blogs. Ayos!

No!

2006-11-30T07:19:00.000+08:00

The parliamentary government, in its own right, is a very effective and systematic form of government. The Philippines' young democracy however is simply not ready for this system. Today, House Speaker Jose De Venecia announced that the New Constitution will be ready in 15 days, thus spurring the change of the Philippines' Presidential Government:

"We will have a Charter that shifts the nation to the parliamentary system
and replaces Congress with a unicameral parliament by Dec. 15,"

I oppose the proposed charter change due these points:

No Major Constitutional Breakdowns to Date.

First, the 1987 constitution is still young, it is still too early to judge it as ineffective or flawed. Yes, there may have been coups here and there but never have they prevailed. They might have gotten close to prevailing but the majority of our military is sworn to protect the constitution, and so have our leaders. We always found refuge in the current constitution, our government has remained intact throughout our young democracy (at least since 1987). The only real challenge that threatened our constitution's solidity is the issue of former Pres. Joseph Estrada's ousting, but a major breakdown was stalled due to a vital branch of the presidential system, the Supreme Court, ruling in favor of the legitimacy of Pres. Arroyo's Administration.

On Corruption

The parliamentary system shows to minimize corruption in any government, however corruption is so deep-rooted in our history as Filipinos that it is hard or nearly impossible to eradicate. This ill-practice has been around since the time of Legazpi, or perhaps even Rajah Bendahara Kalantiaw III, and a 400 year old deed is "indeed" difficult to amend. Bangladesh, the only country to surpass the Philippines in terms of corruption, is by the way under a Parliamentary Republic. Poor Bangladesh. Poor Philippines...

Ideological Cohesiveness

We have not had Political Parties with clear-cut ideological definitions since the time of Ninoy, namely the Liberals and the Nationalistas. This is vital in a parliament since political policies are defined by political ideologies. Our current House of Representatives is composed of at least 30 parties. How they can come to terms in building a unified ideology is doubtful. Do we expect our country to move forward in at least 30 directions? Progress is a one-way road.

Unicameral

In Unicameralism, there is no proper representation of provinces or states in a legislature. The control of the parliament will be greatly influenced by largely populated urban areas, thus taking away the needed representation of less populated rural provinces. Having an Upper House will not only be able to represent the provinces but will also be able to oversee the business of the lower house. Without proper supervision, the lower house may abuse its powers. Powers which include the ability to prolong tenure. Tenure possibly much longer than the late Dictator himself.

There are also no clear cut definitions as to the powers of a single house. The single house may in itself be comprised of today's Presidential, Legislative and Judicial branches, three separate branches with separate powers all boiled into one. Parliaments do have a judiciary branch, but this branch is also composed of parliamentarians themselves. Thus the principle of checks and balances is neglected, just pure power and control in the hands of the parliament.

True, most parliamentary countries such as the UK, Canada, Australia and Japan, are one of the most progressive countries in the world today, but neither of these countries have a Unicameral House. Unicameral Parliaments are preferred by countries like Papua New Guinea, Tanzania and... ...Bangladesh. In fairness, most unicameral countries are also progressive, but still... ...Poor Bangladesh, Poor Philippines.

The Election of the Prime Minister

In a parliamentary system the prime minister is elected by the party leadership. For as long as the Prime Minister has the confidence of the majority party, the prime minister retains the power. Judging Filipino politics, this really lies in favor to our traditional politicians or trapos as we call them. Politicians such as Jose De Venecia himself, and dreadfully, Pres. Arroyo who plans to stay in power until year 2010, long after her term is due.

No Time Frame for Elections

Parliamentarians, again, can just stay there for as long as they want. Unless the house calls for a clear out, there will be no elections. This may be good in terms of saving hundreds of millions of pesos politicians spend during elections but imagine a bad politician serving for, say, 20 years? I'd rather have a good politician serve 6 or 9 years in office, if one ever exists. These trapos may stay there probably until they all die...

In conclusion, a Parliamentary-Federal government is not at all bad, it has countless advantages over our current system. However, the Presidential government also has its advantages over this proposed change in government. The only problem is that we have not been able to tap its full potential... yet. And when I say this, I always mean that the Philippines is too young a democracy to go through another change. Why don't we make the current system work properly first and give it time to unfold itself for the Filipino people. Give it about 50 years, afterwhich, we can probably contemplate change.

The Blogger is an Owner...

2006-11-28T08:59:00.000+08:00

...of a brand new, hot and fresh out of the oven, 5th Gen. iPod! I'd like to dish a shout out to old Makoy, who, without special powers to create Presidential Decrees during his notorious dictator-regime, none of this would have happened. Thank God for creating 13 months in a payroll-year!

Now, after all is said and done, I'm out of cash even before the Holidays begin. Shoot. I should have settled for one of these:

The Blogger is a Dancer

2006-11-25T03:23:00.000+08:00

CHAMPIONS! The AOL sales program brought home the title of GIGSTER CHAMPS in the recently concluded SBU-GA (SALES BUSINESS UNIT GENERAL ASSEMBLY) and rightfully so. In a competition of sing and dance repertoire, the AOL Sales program battled with 4 other sales programs who equally gave outstanding performances worthy of applause. AOL's number however, was too much of a concourse for them to go up against. The ensemble comprised of songs both old and new namely, Falling, the popular ballad and classic often so mimicked, Ne-yo's Sexy Love, Buttons by the pussycat dolls, I'm Coming Out, the disco classic, and Last Dance by Donna Summers that capped the set. Each piece was sung live and was consorted with raging dance numbers rendered by boys, girls and of course, gays, but the most paramount accompaniment of all was a comical mime interpretation of each of the songs' lyrics and dance numbers. The x-factor, which enthused the whole crowd, was no doubt the effeminate mime.

NOTE: Drawing the loudest cheers was the boys' HIP-HOP dance rendition of Sexy Love, spearheaded by no other than yours truly. (It's my blog isn't it?)üüü

This Guy is Addicted to Blogging

2006-11-23T08:54:00.000+08:00

truebluebaguioboy.blogspot.com go!

Sarah Geronimo is Also The Best

2006-11-22T04:08:00.000+08:00

"And now, to sing the Philippine National Anthem, Ms. Sarah Jerow-neemow..."

-Michael Buffer

Pretty isn't she? But no, you can't rrrrummbllle with her...

PINOY PRIDE!

Manny Pacquiao is The Best!

2006-11-22T01:40:00.000+08:00

"First of all, I'd like to say Thanks for the God..."
-Manny

Manny Pacquiao is the best! Proud to be Pinoy down to the very bone! Also guys, Christmas is just around the corner. I think it's time to buy the Pacman IXTRIM-IXTRIM MAGIC SING!

Also, this guy here has a great take on Manny's interest in politics: If Manny Pacquiao Became President.

Soul Searching (part II)

2006-11-17T08:55:00.000+08:00

The Downfall, teetering from the edges.

You went off balance from then on. You made decisions here and there, and none of those decisions seemed to bring up positive and favorable results, rather they led you to the depths of a deep, deep hole. You were subjected to the magnifying glass, considered a rebel, branded a delinquent. They really saw a lot of promise in you, yet you let people down with their expectations, and to you, expectations were everything. Expectations were your mana, your fuel, your drive. To make things worse, you dug yourself a deeper hole by your sloth. And worst of all, you found your zone of comfort in that hole. You succumbed to your feelings and used your dampened esteem as an excuse not to climb back up and out of that hideous comfort zone. What do you do next?

...now that you have come to terms with the situation, it's time to find new direction...

Soul Searching (part I)

2006-11-17T07:42:00.000+08:00

The Beginning, the Optimistic Pilot Project.

You probably went off beat when you realized that some people were not playing the game as fairly as you did. You started out the project with an innocent determination that this would be for the good of the company, for the good of the project itself, where you could later reap the fruits of your labor and take pride in what you and your colleagues have achieved. These new players however never shared that vision with you. To them, it was all for the money, the commissions, the spiffs, the lavish contest prizes... all for the money. Disappointment covered you more when you realized the tacticts and means the newbies were bringing in were not only new and notoriously effective (for their green-eyed goals) but they also were able to get away with it. You tried to seek refuge from your peers, nay realizing that they've gone ahead of you, some wisely bailed out, some were just plain better than you and moved on up the heirarchy. Then you began to lose your sense of security in the project. The newbies owned the house now. You began to lose your confidence. That was the mark of your downfall...

...you were driven out of the herd, however too young to face the wolves outside the core. It was a misjudgement...

AAAAAAAAA

2006-11-16T09:26:00.000+08:00

AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA

the first letter of the alphabet...

The IMAX Experience

2006-11-07T05:08:00.000+08:00

See more!

Hear more!

Feel more!

and

PAY MORE!

But still, it's worth the experience. =)

Here's a shot I took of IMAX in Mall of Asia:

Ring! Ring!

2006-10-19T02:29:00.000+08:00

"Mr, Jones? Hi! This is KC Richards calling for AOL, I'll be brief okay? We're calling you today because we'd like you to know that AOL is closing..." (...I think)

Another used to be

2006-09-19T02:48:00.000+08:00

A shadow of who you once were...

A terrible state to be in.
A state that's very difficult to get out of.

A top seller. ...used to be.
In a fun work place. ...used to be.
CSA 1. ...used to be.

Short Cake

2006-08-26T11:29:00.000+08:00

Life is so freakin' short. Don't ever let a chance pass by. Say what you want to say to a person while you still can. Who knows, you might not see that person ever again the following day. Think about it...

Adelyn B. Mabalot
Rest in Peace
1983-2006

Flickr!

2006-07-18T00:34:00.000+08:00

I've finally created my own flickr account! I submit to you, the humble photographs of an amateur.

Fire

2006-07-13T03:02:00.000+08:00

What does it mean exactly when someone says: "burn for me?"

Guessed it right...

2006-06-23T10:26:00.000+08:00

(This is just one of my silly attempts to be a sports blogger.) ü

It is an envy to see Shaq celebrate his 4th Championship. It is an envy to see Dwayne Wade win the Finals MVP, an award which rightly belongs to him. Nevertheless, the Miami Heat deserved the Championship, Alonzo Mourning deserved it, Gary Payton deserved it, and I wonder if Antoine walker deserved it with the way he plays the game. Walker has the knack of shooting when he wants to, though he knows he already has lot his luster from 3-point country. It almost cost them the series.

My good friend, Miguel Jimenez of AOL must be very happy for his team. I am happy for him too. He must be dancing somewhere in Florida right now.

I wonder why Kobe is ditching #8 and will be donning #24 next season... Somehow it gives other people the notion that he's next after #23, which I hope is not his reason. I know he has matured a lot. So has his team, the Los Angeles Lakers .

The 2005-06 NBA season is over, so are my attempts to be a good sports blogger. Peace, out!

Steve Nash is Crying...

2006-06-06T06:12:00.000+08:00

Finally, the Suns are eliminated. ...And the reigning "MVP" is crying somewhere out there... Miami Heat, Champions in 6 games. Dwayne Wade is far better than Lebron "Freakin'" James!

How much would you give to win? (Of Kobe Bryant and the L.A. Lakers, and Captain Barbel of GMA 7)

2006-05-07T01:45:00.000+08:00

Win or lose, the Los Angeles Lakers have certainly proved a point in this NBA season's playoffs. For at least 3 games, they played as a team, a clear indication that even the most challenged of NBA teams are capable of beating the most elite opponents when working as a unit. Kobe Bryant, the best player ever to grace the court, has to learn this the hard way, though. With the Lakers failing to take advantage of their 3-1 lead in this seven game series against the freakin' Phoenix Suns, he now faces a tough challenge of either ending the Lakers' remarkable season by donning the "Assassin-Kobe" cape, or eventually lead his team into the annals of NBA history by drawing his sword and being "Captain Bryant" in the last stretch of this 7-game series. The "Assassin-Kobe" we have seen in the last two games no doubt is awe-inspiring, "Captain Bryant" we have seen in the 3 games prior to that is "so very very inspiring." The key to winning is confidence, we have seen the Lakers uber confidence in their 3 victories, we must see it again in Game 7. One of the greatest challenges for a leader on the other hand is to give back to each member of a team that same confidence that they have in you. With that being said, I pray that "Captain Bryant" take the stage!

In local news, Captain Barbel will surely take the stage in GMA 7's tele-babad. wahahahahaha!

Life is prevalent and abounded with teams, whether at home or at the office, they come in the person of friends or family. How much are we willing to give to make us win the game of life? Shall we put our confidence in our leaders or shall our leaders put their confidence in us?

Stevie Wonder and his Famous Song

2006-05-07T01:01:00.000+08:00

I have been receiving positive feedback since I've published my blog, and am very happy that somehow, my "ka-blogs" have made it through your browers and have made sense to you guys! Thanks very much for the feedback you have been personally giving me! Please feel free to post your comments, positive or otherwise, greetings, shout-outs or whatever! If you have some ideas you would want me to blog about please let me know too.

(By the way, has anyone seen our Pictures in ABS-CBN yet? I haven't, but they claimed that they already have posted it as part of their summer promo. Give me your 2 cents now!)

The Greatest Basketball Player of All Time

2006-04-22T08:49:00.000+08:00

I learned today that the greatest Baller of all time isn't Michael Jordan and is actually Filipino by the name of Gary Pitong. Not Gary Payton but Gari Pitong. The lore goes something like this:

In a game against Michael Jongman's Chikiamco Bulls, the Siangman SumanSonics are down by 20 points, 100-80, with 5 seconds left in the ball game. The Sonics call for time and create a play for the legendary Gary Pitong. Catching the inbound pass, Pitong jumps, puts up the prayer from beyond the arc and MAKES THE SHOT! The announcer shouts: "PITONG THREE POINTS!" Crowd goes wild! Sonics win the game 101-100.

Wow! Astonishing isn't it? A player actually scores 21 points out of a single three-point shot! The game, I later found out, was held at the Urdaneta Stadium in Urdaneta, Pangasinan.

The lore is courtesy of Aga Valencerina.

Pito- n. Filipino for the number 7.
"Pitong three-points!" translates to "7 three points!"

Pinoy-style blogging

2006-04-21T08:49:00.000+08:00

I have been browsing through blogspot in search of interesting blogs. I have found out how insignificantly small this humble blog of mine is. Blogspot is VAST! As I moved on from blog to blog, for some reason I am able to easily decipher if a blog (given that they are in English) is created by a Filipino without even looking at the owner's profile. These blogs seem to be more straightforward, non-puzzling and more comprehensible that most blogs. Well composed, systematic, and simply put- understandable, or maybe, they're just closer to the heart. Randomly searching, I stumbled upon two blogs which have writers blogging from Hong Kong and the other from the States. Without doubt, I guessed that the writers were Filipino judging from their writing style, and I guessed right. Perhaps it takes one to know one.

Lipton anyone?

2006-04-20T05:15:00.000+08:00

1.5 Liters of Green Iced Tea at P47.00 or 250mLiters of the same tea at P18.00? This compels me to take the latter. Though it tastes like Arnibal (a popular sweetener used in Filipino sidewalk beverages) according to Aga, it still is green iced tea priced right. Its effects are happily, beneficial to the body. Now this is one healthy habit that I can boast about, drinking 1.5 Liters of Lipton Green Iced Tea at work! woohoo! I just wish that I was that model at the link I gave you. I can act better than he does. Now, despite the benefits of tea, I still feel sleepy at work, less alert, and over relaxed. Tea-overdose, i call it. Let's drink to that! Overworked. Cheers! "Yeah, Tea can do that."

The Joys and Woes of Wearing Eye Glasses

2006-04-14T02:57:00.000+08:00

Woes:

1. The way it fits: It's hell if it doesn't fit you well.

a. The nose rest is irritating.

b. The frame isn't at level.

2. You have to take it on and off repeatedly just to get that snug fit on top of your nose. (refer to no. 1)

3. It keeps on sliding down your nosebridge.

4. You need to push it up back when no. 3 happens.

5. It aches to wear it for long periods of time. Especially at work.

6. The lens get smudged almost everytime. (back to no.2)

7. There seems to be no perfect effective way to get rid of those smudges! Not good for OC's.

8. You can't see well without them on.

9. You can't see well with them on either.

10. It freakin' costs P2000! (And that's the cheapest pair by the way.)

11. It makes you want to throw up... Bonamine please!

Joys:

1. It gives you that "scholarly," sophisticated look. (accd. to TL) sounds more like "nerdy" to me.

2. They can be fashionable.

3. A good disguise. People don't recognize you anymore. (if you wear them the first time.)

4. It rectifies poor eyesight. Yes, there is hope. (That we'll see in 6 months' time KC.)

5. Adds 5 years to your age. (This is a woe for some.)

The thought: Keep yourself and your goal in focus, whatever it takes. Wear eyeglasses if you need to. ü

L.A. Lakers

2006-04-14T01:44:00.000+08:00

Kobe Bryant for MVP!

www.nba.com

Life's a Pizza.

2006-04-05T02:26:00.000+08:00

(Salivating Yet? The picture was taken by yours truly at a favorite local pizza joint in Baguio City named Pizza Volante. I share a lot of memories with that pizzateria.)

People are like Pizza. You start with the dough, the crust. Some are made thick, some are made thin, but all are capable of holding the sauce. The sauce or the thick red personality base, is either made sour, sweet, or salty, regardless all are still red. (I haven't seen or tasted one of a different color. And we all run on blood don't we?) Next, there's the cheese; Mozzarella, cheddar, fontina or feta. They differ in texture and color, but all taste good. And I believe in the innate goodness of every person. Then, there's the meat, chicken, anchovy, pork, or beef, (excuse me, vegans) these add character to the pizza. Some face life with fear, others prefer to cut through water effortlessly, some are lean and mean, unafraid. Not to be left out is the relish; mushrooms, tomatoes, garlic, pepper, onions, vegies. These are the values we learn in life, they can be homegrown, organic, or mass produced. Some are well endowed, others are shorthanded nevertheless all are still relished. Lastly, pizza is enjoyed only if shared with someone you love. (yiheeee!)

Everyone loves pizza, why the heck is the world at war?

This is Me! ü

2006-03-29T04:45:00.000+08:00

Hi Everyone! No comments yet and only 4 profile views I see. Well, that's a good start. Let's be optimistic!

Motivation

2006-03-21T02:29:00.000+08:00

Today, I received an e-mail from my boss regarding my department's sales rankings. Gladly (sigh!) I found myself at the bottom of the list. Yipee. Yey. What the Heck!? Wake me up someone, please! This simply isn't me! I'm used to being a High-Flyer! Not an earthworm...

This really is frustrating. But come to think of it, I'm not at all surprised. Because I know I'm slacking!

Currently, I'm in a department where selling means getting dragged by a carabao (water buffalo) through mud. Then again, when has selling ever been so easy?

We all are salesmen (and women). It doesn't matter if the goods we sell are services, products, credentials or skills, we are all sales people. Lawyers sell their knack at reasoning; politicians sell their (ahem) speeches; prostitutes sell their (ahem-ahem) "wares"; Apple sells their I-pods. We have both tangible and intangible goods that are marketed each and every day. Some are successful in selling their, goods, others aren't. Why? What makes the difference?

Motivation you say? The right mind-set? The right Drive?

Whatever it is, successful sales people have it, the slackers don't. I always had it, I just misplaced it for the time-being. Or did someone take it without my permission? Give it back! I need to climb the ladder!

Ides of March

2006-03-17T06:38:00.000+08:00

I know it's 2 days past the ides of March, and you're probably wondering why start your blog with a name recalling a day of infamy? Well, to put it this way,

"Julius Caesar's bloody assassination on March 15, 44 B.C., forever marked March 15, or Ides of March, as a day of infamy. The phrase came to represent a specific day of abrupt change that set off a ripple of repercussions throughout Roman society and beyond."-Nat. Geographic.

In my, case, I'd like this first day of my blog to represent a specific day of abrupt change that will set off a ripple (or waves) of repercussions throughout whoever's history. (Preferably my history. hehehe)

I don't know exactly how I'm going to accomplish that, but I think this is a good start. And so friends, Romans (or should I say Filipinos), countrymen, lend me your eyes...

(My supervisor is giving me reprimand right now for not taking in calls, so that's it for now! yikes!)