Can this be Real???

For the past months, I have lost connection to my little brother here in the net and even his cell number is not responding. I just hope that he is in good condition right now, and his health has improved a lot. The last communication (through text) we had was when he was in Dubai. It is very unusual of him that he just stop communicating...

One day someone had texted me asking his whereabouts, telling that she's a friend of my brother. I teased her that you should know because your his friend too. She keep on asking me where's my bro... asking for every details and even the phone nos. I just replied that I don't have contact and very much worried too..

I have not personally met him, but we do chat and text most of the time and in one instance where his mom and dad do but-in in our conversation. I'm fond of this young boy for he is very different from the usual teenagers should I say, maybe because of the upbringing but he's nice and kind with me. Weird as what people says. He don't usually hang out with his classmates and no circle of friends except from his cousins. Both of us have and ordeal to take and fight on our health condition. It's not pity that I have given my time for him but because I truly consider him as a real brother for I consider him as a blessing in my life too. Some of my friends keep telling me that he's not real....but whether real or not, he had shared his life and at one point I have been a good brother to him.

High School Get Together

This is the first gathering from high school that I attended since I graduated . The mini-reunion was organized by Ronald and Marife Bunyi. It was held at Elbow Room Metrowalk, Ugong Pasig last June 7, 2008 Saturday. Elbow room is a resto bar with a huge billiard hall and with live music (bands). We occupy one VIP room where there's one billiard table and overhead projector for the karaoke. Our attendance is 70% of the total original list of 50 that confirmed their participation.

The program was started with a prayer and an inspirational message from our very own Father Joel Jason. Father also wrote a book entitled 'True Love , Free Love" which is nominated at the Catholic Mass Media Award. The book is available in all National Bookstore outlets. One portion of the program is to introduce and update themselves about their families, work and/or career status. I got to know and see my batch mates who are now Managers, Businessman, Doctors, Dentists, Nurses, Teachers, Engineers, Accountant, Police, Priest, plain Mom....Everyone is successful in his own right. The group is also doing a yearly Medical Mission which is headed by our batch mate Doctors. I hope I can participate next year in this worthwhile activity.

I enjoy the gathering and It was fun. I was able to mingle with my former classmates and batch mates. It's nice seeing them happy and feeling young(lol) and energetic. Each of everyone has its own stories to tell. One thing for sure, this was a quality gathering and though our looks have changed and years has been added in our age, still you can feel the youthful heart of everyone.
Kudos to the organizers and see you all on next gathering........

Friends Visit

Yesterday, I meet my friends from Baguio who will attend a von boyage night party here at Manila. I was late then in meeting them at SM Mega Mall (sorry guys ....hehehehe) near National Bookstore. There was no exact plan / what to do for the day, just a sort of meeting and bonding and suppose visit at Ocean Park. But since its 11am, its not advisable to go there as we will just waste time . It is almost lunch then but they opt to watch a movie so they can possibly relax too.

We watched "What happen in Vegas", starring Cameron Diaz (Joy) and Asthon Kutcher (Jack). Joy is a insecure commodity trader who was dumped by her fiance and Jack is slacker carpenter who was fired by his own father. The two met in Las Vegas and winding up drunk and waking up in the morning with a marriage certificate and a ring. Joy talked to Jack (near the slot machine) and arguing that it was a mistake, and one of them winning a jackpot after playing the others quarter. Battling it out for the prize money the judge decided that they had to undergo six months hard marriage before they can claim the money...... each one playing trick in order to get the money.....and falling in love a long the way... My rating for this romantic comedy movie is just average ....though I had some laughs, humor is not that enjoyable. I even fall asleep (maybe i was just tired). Anyway, I think my friends quite enjoy it and they had a chance to relax and being when them is the most important.


We take our lunch at Kenny Rogers, we order roast chicken, side dishes and chocolate mousse for our dessert. We stay for a while to rest because were full. I've noticed that they enjoyed but I felt they are so tired....so I decided to pampered them by bringing in a massage parlor near the meeting place (Cainta) of the supposed party. We leave the place and went at Cainta Rizal, we arrived there at around 4pm. There were no sauna and massage in Robinson Cainta so we tried massage from the blind. We book for 1 hour combination massage of shiatsu, swedish and acupuncture. Rooms are available at 5pm so we stroll the first the place and ending up in a Mocha Blend area to re- freshen ourselves, and after having some chat we return to have our massage. My massage was a semi hard one and I was able to get a nap and the moment I wake up I felt so relieved and back with my usual energy. Paul feel the same way, both of us has experienced massage before while Dodie who really enjoy it is a first timer. There was a certain glow on his face and more energetic after the said massage... couldn't explain his happiness as he uttered to me with a smile "it was so good and a wonderful experience" I really enjoyed it. I am very happy for it was the first time too that I saw my little brother feel that way. I remember when Paul and Dodie went to our house , Dodie was too shy then and looks so naive but he calls me brother already that time but today I think he is more comfortable and relax. Actually this two guys are best of friends, both sweet and friendly. I call Paul the scholar and Dodie my little sweet brother. I do enjoy too and feel important because they make it point to spend their time with me prior going to their friends party (huh! thanks bro).....Till then friends....

Pinay Wins Emirates Business Women's Award 2008

One of the eight winners of the Emirates Business Women's Awards 2008 is a Filipina chemist who is the Chief Executive Officer/General Manager of Geoscience Testing Laboratory in Dubai. She is the first ever Filipino awardee to received the Emirates Business Women Award.

Engr. Mary Jane Alvero-Al Mahdi bagged two of the upper prestigious awards, the professional category (1st runner up) and criterion award for Leadership. Awarding was held last May 20, 2008 at Grand Hyatt Dubai.

An Alumni of Adamson University with the degree of Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering. She was an active committee member of AdUChESS during her college days. She is also a member of ChE Blues and consistently supports and generously assists the financing of the group activities like the annual Outreach Program here in the Philippines.

She is the Chief Chemist of Al Futtaim Tarmac Laboratory in Dubai from 1993-1998 before becoming the General Manager/CEO of Geoscience Testing Laboratory. Jane is a holder of Master in Quality Management Degree from the University of Wollongong in Dubai and Master in Engineering Systems Management from the American University of Sharjah. A certified ISO Lead Auditor certified Project Manager and a six Sigma Master Blackbelt Level. She is a certified trainer/educator and one of the founders of Filipino Degerati Association that assists Philippine emissaries in Dubai to train Filipinos in computer application for free. She is a member of American Management Association, Project Management Institute, UAE Society of Engineers and Filipino Degerati Association.


She mentioned in our phone conversation and in some of her interviews that the main reason for her success is her leadership, vision and the trainings in many fields. She plans to further study for a doctorate and professionally aims to give the company a regional presence.


She makes us proud and uplifts the status of Filipinos. Filipinos have once again proven their world class leaderships and professionalism in work and in community service. You made our country proud once again...

Sources of info and photos: My classmates in Dubai
Engr. Allan Eugene Canoy & Engr. Louie De Castro
The Awardee - Engr. Mary Jane Alvero-Al Mahdi

Geoscience Testing and Lab. staff reporter: Lily B. Libo-on

Click here for related articles
http://archive.gulfnews.com/business/General/10215120.html http://www.pinoydigerati.org/

ASIN HOT SPRING

Just got another break from work, so I decided to visit my friend Paul at Baguio. I've been here for so may times so I ask him where else can we go? He suggested Asin Hot Springs in Benguet so the plan trip was scheduled.

We arrived at Baguio at around 8:00am with Third, Ian and Al. Paul meet us in the terminal and we had lunch at Diner Star. We proceed to the place arranged by Paul so we can relax for a while and later in the afternoon we went to Mines View Park , stroll at Central Mall and played bowling. My brother (a friend) Dodie and Frank also arrived, they will also be joining at Asin the following day. After the games, we buy some foods for our dinner and breakfast. Chef Ian made the preparation and cook some foods for us.

The next day we go to market to complete the things we needed for the overnight at Asin. It was raining that time in Baguio, luckily not in Asin , Benguet where we will go on swimming on natural hot springs. Asin Hot Spring Resort is a popular destination not just for the locals who warm themselves from the cool weather of Baguio but as well as foreigners. Our destination is in Asin Riverview Water Park. It has Hotel and Restaurant, 3 built swimming pools with relaxing warm water, one of which has a slide for the kids. Shower rooms with heated water. All of us take a dip, have fun and stayed all day long.

Going here in Asin is quite an experience as we enjoyed passing on a narrow road and through the two small tunnels that were curved through the mountains. On the Hot Springs, when you're on the pool the water is truly soothing and realxing and you will be amazed and fall in love as you look from the top and find yourself surrounded by trees and mountains as if your in paradise.

Outreach Program

The ChE Blues group held its annual Outreach Program @ Betahny House Sto. Nino Orphanage at Guiguinto, Bulacan last April 27, 2008. The Orphanage was established in 1986 as a diocesan charitable institutions for Bulacan and nearby provinces, in service of orphaned, abandoned and neglected children. Today, around 77 children including 3 infants were inside the orphanage under the supervision of Sis Irene Panganiban O.P.

Click here for more info bethanyorphanage. org

Our Project Coordinator Hui Chuen Fong and his betterhalf Lyn consistently coordinates with the sisters to check and ask what they needed the most. The list was then posted in the group loop. A positive response were received from the members who donated goods, cash and their presence during the activity. The cash donations collected were used to purchase canned goods, noodles , rice, sugar, medicines, milk, biscuits, clothes, toiletries, utensils etc. All items and some donations in kind were brought in the orphanage were final inventory was conducted together with sister Ella.

The program was started with a prayer together with the children . Followed by an opening remarks by our Project Coordinator. Games followed after that and each children received a loot bags of goodies. The boys quartet render a song accompanied by a guitar. After the fun games we had a picture taking with the children before they take their simple lunch courtesy of Mrs Lopez. The kids pray before their meals and greeted two of our April birthday celebrants who were present in the activity. While the children were having lunch we look for the sisters to say goodbye. It was their prayer time so only one sister attended to us and we request for a group picture.

We left the orphanage fullfilled and happy. Despite of the busy schedule of everyone, it's good to know that we still find time to do this fruitful activities and share a little of ourselves especially to the children who didn't have a choice. Again to all who supported this annual activity , to our friends , classmates Thank you very much for your time (prayers & inspiration) and treasure (cash & goods).... this will surely makes a lot of difference to the lives of the children. May God continously Bless us so that we can be a blessing to others too!!!

Exploring the Beauty of Bohol

My friend third (Dodong) has invited me to have a vacation in his hometown at Calape, Bohol. Without hesitation, we set our flight booking bound to Bohol. The time of our scheduled flight is 8:00am and we arrived at the airport 7am. The travel time is approximately 1hr and 15mins from Manila to Tagbilaran. We were fetched by his aunt (tita Lydia and his family) and stayed at their house and alternately with his other aunt (tita Alma) at Liboron.

I joined in their traditional station of the cross at Sohoton ( a mountainous baranggay at Calape) were thousands of devotees crossed a "sapa' (brook) and seriously trekking withstanding the heat of the sun to reach the top. I also experienced riding a habal habal, one of their means of transportation (riding in a motorcycle with 2-4 passengers). I also got to taste the mouth watering shrimp-like or more of a small lobster called "Takla" (crayfish) so yummy and delicious and the original famous pasalubong of Bohol "Peanut Kisses" (peanut and egg white cookies).

We start our tour proper at Sabayan Peak, to view the most popular, signature attraction of Bohol which is the Chocolate Hills ( a numerous mound of limestone formation). This can be viewed better at Municipality of Carmen where you can have a panoramic view. It is colored green starting to get brown in some, but during full dry season it will turn out brown. Our next destination is Loboc and we got to see and passed by the man-made forest. In Loboc there's a mini sanctuary for monkeys, bat and tarsiers. Tarsiers are so cute, it has large eyes and clings on branches. They are indigenous to this island. But if you want to see lot of tarsier you can visit the Municipality of Corella. We havent tried the floating restaurant at Loboc River because the station is too far so we decided to rent a boat instead, to experience viewing the river and see the Busay Falls. After this we proceeded to Albur Sanctuary were Marimar and Prony is the main attraction. Prony is a female python, the anaconda of Bohol which is one of the largest python captivity and has been featured in television by Jessica Soho and Korina Sanchez. Aside from the python, there are a couple of small snakes, crows, myna birds and flying lemurs hanging upside down in a cage.The following day is a schedule for our swimming bound to Panglao Beach. Got to see and collect so many starfish and we form our names out of it. Play in the water throwing the fine and white sand of the beach. Enjoy riding in a Kayak late in the afternoon and check out the nearby private beaches. Truly Panglao is a home of finest beaches.

The next day, we went to Cebu about 2hours from Tubigon pier. Our first stop is at Magellan's Cross then check out the famous Sutokil to have lunch but since it is quite far from downtown (Lapu-Lapu) and there's a heavy traffic we just take a lunch in a nearby place who offer Sutokil. After lunch, we visit the Taoist temple. We proceeded at the Market place to buy dried fish (danggit) and dried pusit. Dropped by at shamrock to buy Otap, mamon tostado etc.

Though it was just a semi-round visit at Bohol, I really enjoy my stay here and I have a great time. People here are soft spoken, kind and friendly. Thanks to Tita Lydia, Tita Alma, Kuya Emong, Ate Grace, Rudy, Mel and Rommel for the hospitality, free food, accomodations and for the transport from the tour and all the way to airport. Thanks to my friend for bringing me here. Hopefully, I can go back again to explore other areas here in Bohol like the caves (eco-adventure), river treking and rappelling at Danao's , dolphin and whale watching, Panglao's finest beaches such as Bohol Beach Club, Alona, Balicasag Island Dive resort , structure of old churches etc. There'll be no second thought to revisit this place and recommend Bohol, a treasure island of natural wonders. So what are you waiting for? Come and see for yourself and be amazed and captivated with the beauty of Bohol, a pleasure at its best.....