In The Time of Your Life

I would like to share this as a thought for the New Year... Reflect...
(Paraphrase as read by BJS)

In the time of your life, live... Seek goodness everywhere, and when it is found, bring it out of its hiding place and let it be free and unashamed.

Discover in all things that which shines and is beyond corruption.

Be the inferior of no man, or of any men be superior. Remember that every man is a variation of yourself.

In the time of your life, live—so that in that wondrous time you shall not add to the misery and sorrow of the world, but shall smile to the infinite delight and mystery of it.

-- William Saroyan

Reflections on a Year Past

One thing someone has to start practicing is reflecting more often. At the end of each day looking back on how your day has gone, rethinking what things one could have done better, reflecting on words we've said, how we have shown our appreciation of our brothers and sisters. I admit, I have yet to learn to do this more often. For me, it comes and go depending on my mood. What makes me happy is that I realize that I reflect more if I had a great day rather than when I had a sullen one. I think it has helped me cope with frustrations better. It's easy for me to forget and let go of bad experiences simply because of, that. I forget about them. They only become a scar in your psyche if you acknowledge them. Don't get me wrong. We MUST learn the lesson taught but we mustn't wallow in the experience.

At the end of the day, remember how we opened our eyes into new opportunities, given to us by God. A new day to live, to love. A new day to be a servant to our neighbor. A new day for humility.

I read back to the year's start to see what my thoughts were this time last year. I found nothing. Hahaha I'm not surprised. This blog is more of reporting what I've been doing socially but is scarce with what I really think and more often (I admit) it's in the most edited version. This year, I commit to share my thoughts more openly. Acknowledging that I may be able to help others by letting them see how I live my life in happiness. This time last year, I was still an intern. Now, I still am one, waiting to take the licensure exam that will give me the right to treat. I pray God gives me His Holy Spirit to guide me in the exam and as I treat others. May He fill me with the compassion that my teachers has so tried to embed in me. And more importantly may He let me be an example and witness to His goodness and influence other doctors.

I should've. I should've not. The question is moot on my taking the exam last August. I've reflected on this already. Had I passed and was in residency during Ondoy, our house would've burned down. I feel blessed God decided I be home during that time. And I can't exchange the love I've found in all the mess ^_^ This was God's plan for me.

For next year. What do I want? I want this country to work. For the people to get up and start working and not just criticize. Criticism is important but criticism must come from people who are involved. I love something I read in the newspaper: "if you can't lead a thousand, lead one." We don't need to be elected to help building our nation. I keep thinking that maybe Japan did good by closing their country for a hundred years, maybe we should do that. Learn to live with what we have and reexamine ourselves, who we really are.

This early on, I'm going to say. I will vote for Mr. Richard Gordon for president and Mr. Jejomar Binay for VP. Both are successful local executives in the past. I pray they will win and can do for the country what they have done in smaller scale for their communities.

A toast to all for more happiness, love, and freedom from all worries in the new year and the years to come! Happy New Year everybody!

Grace. Class. Beauty...

Candice, medschool classmate and friend got married to Iloilo City Councilor Nielex Tupas, son of Governor and Former Mayor Tupas of Iloilo 27 Dec 2009 -- sharing their anniversary with my parents. It was a great wedding and I loved the bishop's sermon.

The Beautiful bride in her Monique Lhuillier Gown
Fine-tuned by Paul Cabral
Sanctuario de San Antonio de Padua
Forbes Park, Makati City

Ninong Franklin Drilon
Cousin of Gov. Tupas

Beautiful Candice after the Ceremony

Steff sung in the Marriott Hotel and Casino Reception

Michelle Obama?
Oh... It's Verle ^_^

Me and Candice

Holiday Photo

Candice's UST Med Friends

The only Photobooth Image I've seen - thanks to Ailen
I hope the others surface as well..

Da'boys with the Princess

With Mayor and (My) Future Vice-President Binay
With Future President (with high probability but He doesn't have my vote yet ^_^)
Benigno "Noynoy" Simeon Aquino III

Cocktails and tapas served during registration. There was a photobooth. The food was awesome, the program was so smooth and perfect.. and the Can-can dancers... well hahaha... entertaining. Awesome wedding. And because the groom was a politician and Candice and siblings were super well-educated. The speeches were great and not a bore!

Also in attendance were : Judy Araneta-Roxas, Miguel Zubiri (will add more when I remember more ^_^)

Amadeo

We spent 2 days at Kim's hometown of Amadeo, Cavite -- coffee capital of the Philippines. It was right beside Tagaytay City. Tagaytay Ridge was a mere 7 minute drive from their house, depending whether it was Kim or me driving though. ^_^

It was east coast spring time temperature when we were there and I enjoyed it thoroughly! It was the perfect weather for studying... or sleeping. ^_^ We hanged out on the newer Starbucks beside Summit Ridge hotel which had fewer people and lesser noise. I was convinced. I have to have a property in that place!

The three of us during a study-break in Starbucks Summit Ridge

Evergreens in the Pink Sisters' Chapel

Alex and Kim - Pink Sisters

Me and Kim - Pink Sisters
Didn't have the energy to train Alex in Framing -- hahaha ^_^
peace Alex!

Kim has a nice and very accommodating family ^_^ ... and a really nice house to boot hahaha. And I loved her niece Lila Stephanie. She's so cute! I could only wish to have a daughter as sweet, behaved and beautiful as her. Or have a daughter-in-law like her LOL... hahaha! I repeatedly told her... You'll be my son's girlfriend Lila hahaha. She was shy at first but has apparently inherited her Tita Kim's love for the camera. When she saw I was going to take pictures of her she sat on my lap and we took A LOT of pictures. ^_^ The entire time we were there, I didn't hear her cry, complain, nor throw a tantrum. A smile that can erase your worries, doubts and make you forget about anything else. I perfectly believe now how one can just spend an entire day watching their kid... just that, watching them...

I want me my own Lila!

Lila and Me

Lila and Tita Kim

Happy Lila

Chris and Kim at Starbucks

I vote this as one of the best Starbucks in the Philippines

Our hostess Kim during our Leslie's dinner.

Of course mushroom burger was on our itinerary and I can't go to Tagaytay without passing through Leslie's.

Merry Christmas !

"In the beginning, there was the Word,
and the Word was with God,
and the Word was God,
and the Word was made flesh...
to dwell amongst us... "

Jesus, the Word incarnate was born on this earth to live a life of example and meaning. I pray we all move on our years trying hard to live to His example. May all our lives be filled with wealth, health and love. Happy Birthday Jesus! To all my friends and loved ones, a happy happy Christmas and have a safe new year.

Sangley or DMIA?

In the bid to slowly desaturate the Ninoy Aquino International Airport which serves the entire Metro Manila the Philippine government started to develop Clark Airfield a former US military base as the new international aiport to serve the capital metropolis. Renamed as the Diosdado Macapagal International Airport, it's the only airfield in Asia capable of handling space shuttle landings - a legacy of the American presence in the country. It has two runways and a LOT of more space to expand. As part of the program for its development, the northrail which is already on the works has been rebuilt and is planned to link Metro Manila, Bulacan, Subic and Clark. Projected travel time for people who will use the airport is 1.5 hrs from the Metro to Clark. Not bad considering commuting in the metro to the NAIA takes the same amount of time or sometimes more.

Put aside though was also an initial proposal into developing Sangley Point in Cavite located in a peninsula jutting inside Manila Bay, a very ideal location in my opinion. Plan was to reclaim land around it and make it into a combined international and domestic port and international airport and building a causeway that will link it to Manila crossing the bay in what I think will be an amazing sight. That was a very big dream but I don't think we don't deserve it. New York has three international airports serving it: JFK, Newark and La Guardia; London has Heathrow, Gatwick and Stansted. Why can't Manila have three too? Don't tell me we are not on the level of NY or London, we may not be financially wise but on stature: YES. Metro Manila is at par with these cities. And we should not ever think of we are overbuilding because we are just preparing for the future when our density and population increases. The government plans to close down NAIA completely when the time comes but I suggest we don't do it. We could divide the air traffic if we had three airports. Service could be very efficient then and the airports not too congested.

I really don't believe we have to be poor. It is our choice to be poor. All opportunities to raise ourselves up are in place. We just choose our leaders poorly, we don't want to get our hands dirty, we wait for handouts, and we are so undisciplined. Wake up people we could very well beat all our neighbors hands down if we wanted.

Maelstrom

It's rather hard when your cerebrum knows you should focus on one thing but your limbic system feels something else. I feel for Spock right now. Spock being half Vulcan and half Human has it really hard. Vulcans are purely logical and they view humanity as a species that is ruled by their emotion. Oh how I'd love to be Vulcan but I embrace my soul too. And my heart-limbic system tells me I need someone but my cortex tells me to focus and be patient, only a little more time. A thought keeps nagging me though... Will I still have something to come home to? A fair punishment for a logical (or stupid?) choice...

Immaculate Conception

Today we celebrate the Immaculate Conception of Mary. God's plan of preparing Mary as the ultimate tabernacle, the Ark of the Covenant manifest. I went to Santo Domingo to hear mass and sat in front of La Gran Señora de las islas Filipinas La Naval de Manila.

Sandy joined our usually threesome study group

Sandy and Kim met our Maximus friends for
a videoke showdown in Musicmatch Morato
Alex and me stayed to continue studying... Crunch time !!!

My "Station"
The starbucks staff at Araneta Avenue knows us already LOL
They know my favorite drink - which I discovered thanks to Niña

The La Naval altar on the
Feast of the Immaculate Conception of Mary

GMP 2009

Marge and me went to see the pasos at the Cofradia de La Immaculada Concepcion's annual Grand Marian Procession.

A Marian Image overlooks the famous Fort Santiago gate

This carozza was so fragrant and the flowers
were so beautiful !

Minor Basilica of the Immaculate Concepcion
Manila Metropolitan Cathedral Belltower

Cathedral-Basilica's Stained Glass by Galo Ocampo
Same person who designed Santo Domingo's Windows
He wanted to do this kind abstract to those windows too but the Father Friar's wouldn't allow him hahaha they wanted medieval type windows and got their wish. Those enormous windows could have been so wonderfully unique and exquisite if Ocampo had his way...

Cathedral-Basilica's Stained Glass by Galo Ocampo
I hope I can photograph all the Cathedral-Basilica's windows

More photos can be found here >>

Mom's Trip Back

I accompanied my mom to my lola's hometown of San Miguel, Bulacan. Mom was principal sponsor to my second cousin's wedding. We also took the chance to go fishing and enjoy the greenery.

This is me pretending that I caught some fish. I didn't hahaha
Props made for a good photo though. Tita Lites took this photo of me. Me likey!

This is mom signing the couple's marriage contract.
Cousin Ray-Ann (bride haha) is looking on

The Real Farmtown

My Grandma Marciana Payawal Manlapig-Fonseca

Videographer and Photographer and their wedding dance with bride

Tito Boy fishing on my cousin's fishpond
The tilapia were big !

more photos on my flickr page >>

Thinking Too Much is a Pain in the Ass

Yeah... right? Sigh... that's why I love my stupid facebook games... takes my mind off things... but then I can't study right... and when I stop playing so I can study... here it goes again my mind churning and torturing me... I know. I know. Things are really actually simple and easy to solve. Overthinking and not doing anything ruins everything. And yet, that's how I work? I just cannot move without thinking all possible outcomes. Where the hell is my factory manual?! I demand a refund. Or maybe I just love torturing myself? What is a word? Is my word too important to me? That I see it through? What about speaking vaguely? Who the hell will understand this? And yet, the fruits and bliss are to those who get it hahahaha... I would love to have a detachment personality disorder right now LOL... but anyway again...

Artsie

a special project
3 x 1.5 feet on cloth paper
biggest piece of art i've yet to finish

the making of my xmas cards in starbucks

abstract xmas card for friends abroad

another version of my xmas card for friends abroad

The Strength of My Resolve

I've begun with a goal. A simple choice that I knew was logical and practical. Yet everyday I struggle more and more and slowly falter. I see the threshold... I hate it and embrace it. It's getting tiring to analyze and plan. When I give myself to the senses completely will I be miserable or in rapture?

The Strength of Our Resolve

A few days ago I heard a very composed father on the radio relating how his family, along with mediamen were ambushed and killed by his soon to be opponent for governorship of a province. I wasn't new to news of political rivalry edging on violence and murder. But I was surprised at myself at how indifferent I felt for the people involved until the news sunk into me, now a few days old... people died, whether these people are truly innocents - some maybe and still some may have done a thing or two in their lives worth punishment - yet the way their lives were taken cannot be construed in any other way but pure selfishness and evil. I resent the fact that the government's (and by this I mean people up there) hands are tied by the politico culture of the country. For me, the issue here is not whether I am for or against whoever side or family should rule. It is that NO ONE is above the law and that it is apparent that not a trickle of conscience exist in those hearts that did this.... policemen and other participant who agreed on this despicable act, where are your souls? Are you so afraid for your own lives to agree to do this? If the mastermind didn't mind killing these people then who are you to be spared? Aren't you all participants now a "liability" that could squeak any moment. You've woven your own deathmats people... tsk tsk tsk...

I'm intrigued. I seriously want to pick the mind of the people who thought of this. What went wrong with their plans? Did they seriously think they could have gotten away with it? Or is it a seriously stupid plan and they were relying purely on guts? I love strategy and planning and this has gotta be one of the worst thought of plans LOL... killing people with Filipino mediamen in the entourage??

Sigh... I pray we have enough resolve to follow through to provide justice... this is still our country and we should own it.

See Now?! Burnham! Grr

I was just talking about Burnham's Plan a few weeks back because of the August flooding of Manila. And now... see... it's what's being brought up. Everyone's talking about Palafox's study on urban development in the city. Sigh... It's all hindsight, I bet no one's gonna lift a finger against those illegal settlers because it's election time next year. I applaud GMA's volunteering of Malacanan demolition to set an example for people with properties beside the rivers. What are my thoughts on the sep 26 great flood of Metro Manila?

WE -- should build that smart tunnel or flood highway they are thinking of from Laguna de Bay out into the Manila Bay. Buidling a tunnel will make controlling the water easier as it will not spill out of the tunnel if there's too much volume but a depressed highway that could be used as an emergency spillway would be cheaper to build.

WE -- should rellocate those people in the most dangerous areas such as that provident village (imagine people and animals hanging on electric posts and wires...). It's no time to get sentimental... will we wait for the population to be decimated before we do something? Oh wait... maybe we should just wait for us to be decimated so the problem will be easier to solve.

Sigh... it's really unfortunate... earlier I was riding a jeep and this woman left her empty mineral water bottle in her seat. I asked her if she is going to leave that when she was about to alight. She ignored me. I wanted to throw the bottle at her! Grr... That bottle should be shoved up hers... What kind of people are we!? Really!? Geesh...

Bummer

I didn't get to join my mom to go back to the pilgrimage site of Simala in Cebu because my brother slipped while ice skating. I had to accompany him to the hospital to see my rehab doctor. Luckily, no fracture, but his transverse ligament was overstretched and he can't step his foot. He has to use crutches to facilitate healing and not worsen the damage.
He was advised one physical therapy session before he's seen again and re-evaluated...

This is it!

I watched it with Verle. Wow... MJ was singing live at his rehearsals. I loved his unembellished voice, it's more solid than in his records or when it's digitally enhanced for the live shows. And at 50 he was still dancing better than his dancers half his age LOL... The world missed a lot when it didn't get to experience the real "this is it" concert... pity us....

I loved it when his dancers didn't go and rest during their rest-time but watched him practice, they were all down in front of the stage jumping and cheering enjoying him for themselves... and he's funny... I hope he's in peace. Rest well...

LRT Extension Project

This is "the Gap"
The only space separating MRT and the LRT Extension.