Qualfon Idol.

It's been a month now that me and my team are at our wits' end sorting and organizing the most awaited event of the year--the Qualfon Idol The Final Season.

The planning itself was very tortuous, what with the mechanics, step-by-step process of Auditions and the Elimination Rounds.

From around 60 Qualfon employees who auditioned, 22 were picked to be judged on 5 Elimination Rounds. Each Round has a different theme/concept, and Semi-Finalists will be taken off the competition until 8 remain for the Grand Finals.

This week, we will be conducting the last elimination round. Everything has been exciting and I've never felt prouder of what we have achieved. I may sound serious, because this project is a very hard one to deliver, what with all the eyes that observe each knick-knack of a mistake that we make.

Well, after this round, we will no longer be part of it anymore. Just one more deep breath, seize and enjoy the moment, and let it pass.

Most importantly, I'm so excited of what's to happen, and who's going to make it to the Finals!

Good luck to our Idols! We are truly proud of what you have accomplished! :D

bacolod.

A time out of town is always a breath of fresh air. A reunion outing with a close friend, at the same time getting to know more about new ones is also a great thing.

So when the Cebu Initiatives decided to go out and have some fun, I joined in without hesitation. Well yes, I was somehow wary because I've been going out of town more often than usual, but it's been not usual for a lot of people to get together these days. A little team bonding is also a good factor to consider.

And there you go. :)

Bacolod City was chosen because of its upcoming Masskara festival, which will be this weekend. I only knew of Bacolod City as the City of Smiles, and when we got there, it was so much more. The history, places to see, and their hospitality are refreshing to the heart and soul of a city person.

Upon disembarking from the plane on Saturday morning, we proceeded to have a little tour in the city of Silay. I observed that their place, though already declared as a city a long time, still has ancestral houses here and there. It's always nice to see that our history is still intact in some places.

After a sumptuous breakfast, we headed for Bacolod City. We then took a little city tour, just to see some of the sights. Then we checked in at our pension house at noon. After settling down, we ate our lunch--yes eating is a major-major activity during this outing--then proceeded to go to the house of one of my previous reps to visit. Then we went to the streets to join in the festivities.

The next day we went to Mambukal, which is a famous resort in Negros Occidental that houses their various outdoor activities like wall-climbing, swimming at their pool, bathing at the hot spring, trekking while viewing their numerous falls, and so much more. Mambukal was indeed a great experience.

Yesterday we went back to Bacolod City to relax while waiting for our evening flight. All in all a great adventurous experience!

flying.

One of the best things that happened to me when we went to Puerto Princesa, Palawan was the opportunity to cross something off my turning-thirty bucket list. Aside from being a first-timer in visiting the place, admiring the nature that is solely in Palawan, I also got to do one thing: Flying.

Not flying with my own wings, but sitting on one of those plush comfy seats inside an airplane. Yep. I've been on land and water for 29 years before I conquered the skies.

And what an incredible experience it was. Indescribable. I'm still overwhelmed just by thinking about it. Maybe I'm overreacting a little bit, but can you blame me? It was my first time.

I used to read from books minute descriptions on what happens when a plane takes off and lands, much more when it's part of a TV show or movie. But to experience it first-hand is totally amazing. To see the mechanism of the plane doing its thing...I just can't help but feel a smile barely forming at the corner of my lips when thinking about it.

And just like that, I am looking forward to experiencing it all over again. :D

fishing at Port Marina.

Nothing beats the satisfaction of a full stomach, especially if the food is scrumptious.

This was what I truly felt when I came out of Port Marina (located near Tayud, Consolacion). It was indeed a palatable feast. With the freshness of all ingredients and a great cook to boost, who can go wrong? No wonder the place was highly recommended by one of our closest managers.

I also did something in that place that was worth adding to my turning-thirty bucket list: fishing! Yep, it was my first time in trying that. And the feeling was...exciting. Not to mention scared--for the fish. Haha. But it was really great to have tried that, and came out alive after.

I had a great accomplishment on my first try. I threw in the bait with great success, and caught a big one! Hooray for me! :D

Puerto Princesa, Palawan.

Fun and relaxation always go hand in hand when Team Gidlay go out, whether just within the city limits or broaching the seas to get to nearby islands. In this particular case, flying the skies to reach the cool-weathered nature-loving island of Palawan.

By the constant help of our colleague Joyce Ann Ruma, our short but amazing trip was formed, from the airfare bookings to the hotel accommodations to the 3-day itinerary. With that taken care of, all we needed to do was to show up and enjoy every event arranged.

Nine Gidlays, three days, one destination.

With the new trends of famous cheap promo airfares, we got our airline tickets booked with Air Philippines. One hour and twenty minutes of flying through the Philippine skies and we successfully landed in the glorious city of Puerto Princesa, Palawan. A luxurious van courtesy of our resident hotel Lola Itang, picked us up and gave us a short but picturesque city tour.

Upon arriving at Lola Itang's, we were greeted by very hospitable personnel at the reception/restaurant counter. We were checked-in and were put into one of their family rooms.

We found Lola Itang's place as very quaint and homey, and we comfortably fit in there. It reminded me of my grandmother's house in Toledo City when I was still a kid, like I am off to see my cousins and play with them. They also had sungkas (they were my favorite when I was a kid) which added more to the Filipino touch and feel of the hotel.

Island-hopping was one of the activities listed on our itinerary for our second-day stay in Puerto Princesa. Frustration was felt though when we got out of the hotel and found out that it was raining. Nevertheless, we pushed through with the plans allotted for the day and ended up still having fun. We had three stops: the Luli Island, Pambato Coral Reef Sanctuary and the Cowrie Island.

The Underground River was our next stop, and on our way there we got to witness the beauty of the nature of Palawan. It was my first time in seeing really high mountain rocks that can only be seen in the movies. Indeed, as one of my companions said, Palawan is Nature's Last Frontier. Words cannot even fit to describe the beauty of the Underground River. As we wove through the low-leveled water inside the river, amazement and awe masked our silence as we listened to our tour guide.

Our last day comprised of touring the Crocodile Farm, Baker's Hill and Mitras Ranch, which both have breathtaking views and interesting photo-worthy areas.

All in all, Team Gidlay had another successful out-of-town experience in Puerto Princesa.

death speaks.

I have no concrete opinions when it comes to Death. I mean, I don't know if I'm afraid of it or okay with it. All I know is Death comes and goes.

My first encounter with Death was when my Grandmother Ceding died of breast cancer. I was very young then. What I remembered most was the wake, wherein I saw a lot of people praying during the novena. Me and my cousins always playing games even after our sleeping time. A whole lot of relatives whom I hadn't known existed came to pay their respects. Most of all, I remembered Grandma's youngest son Harold, crying, looking at Grandma's pictures in their family photo album.

The grief was there. But since I was still a kid and didn't understand what it fully meant, the feelings didn't sink in.

Upon growing up, I came to know more about death. Some of my friends' parents or relatives died early, some with different causes, some the same. Somehow, I still didn't grasp the true meaning of it. Yes, they are dead. But the impact on the people who experience it are...extensive.

That was what I see when I witness death around me, with my friends who have connections to the person/s who died.

Until it was my turn.

When I was still studying nursing, I belonged to a certain section wherein almost all of us were very close. One of my closest classmates was a guy whom I consider a singer, talker, and a defender. At a later time during that school year, we received news about him encountering a motorcycle accident in Dumaguete and died instantly. The whole class was devastated with the news. We were really close, but the person who has been in grief the most was his girlfriend--his pregnant girlfriend.

The loss of a close friend came to me gradually. One of my friends called me with the news. She was on the verge of tears, and eventually hung up after giving me the news because she couldn't take it anymore. At first I was shocked, unable to believe what happened. I repeatedly asked for confirmation, which my friends had no trouble in doing so. I just sat there, staring into space and feeling numb. And when the news finally sunk in, I cried.

So this is how you feel when somebody dies.

Personally, I am very afraid of when my mom and dad would be taken away. Thoughts about it make me cry. A lot.

Then comes the realization that it doesn't have anything to do with the dead person. It's with the people the dead person leaves behind.

--This is for you, Sir Churchill Bantasan, whom I have known for about four years. A very good friend, joker, model to every employee in Qualfon. You showed your strength fighting against this battle, and I truly admire you for that. May you rest in peace, Sir Chill. I will always remember you as a very jolly person. Our loss will be very grave, but your presence will still remain with us.--

tanjay city.

A month ago me and some of my agents went to Ruthna's hometown. It gave me a chance to unwind after what happened with my transfer to another department (I'll tell you about that fiasco later on), and a final bonding time with my agents who have been close to me for the past year that I was under the KANA department.

Tanjay City is located at Negros Oriental, near Dumaguete where Qualfon has a branch there. We traveled around 5 hours to get to this peaceful place. Despite the long and tiring trip, we did not regret it even for a second. Because upon arriving there until we traveled back to Cebu, we were always eating! My face even felt rounder when I got back. We were just eating, eating, eating! There was even a point when I already grumbled...and Ruthna just laughed at me.

So there we were, eating, lounging, sleeping, going out, drinking, dancing, swimming...In short, our Tanjay vacay was a total bliss.

--at their local boardwalk waiting for the Fireworks Display Contest to
start--

--enjoying cool and clear seawater at a nearby town--

--just one of our pigging out moments at Ruthna's home--

--trying out their night scene at one of the local videoke
hangouts--

--paid our respects to the patron saint on the day of the
fiesta--

--at one of Ruthna's friends' house, readying for a night of
clubbing--

--hanging out at one of their plazas (they have two!)--

Wishing for more bonding moments with my agents, even if now I am not with them all the time. T_T

nancy drew.

I could still remember what school level I started to read books, but I couldn't remember what book it was. I just remembered that I enjoyed reading very much, and from that time on I started to read and read and read.

Since I don't have the monetary budget to buy the books I want, I submitted to the refuge of our school library. We had two: the Grade School and the High School Libraries. Well of course during that time I was not permitted to enter the High School Library, which was perfectly fine by me.

I remember our library being so big and spacious, and I spent a lot of time after school there. Sigh...those were the days when I was still young and carefree. No problems, just homework and play.

There was a certain book series that I got addicted to, and that is the Nancy Drew Mystery Book Series.

--1st book of the series--

I was curious that first time I noticed that shelf solely allotted for them. The cover pages looked so old, some books were even tattered due to overuse. I noted the long list of borrowers, some of them I knew from my class or the neighboring ones (our school's really not that big), or even some from the higher years. I picked a random title during one of those after school times--I can't remember which one it was, though--sat down on one of the library tables and read a few paragraphs of chapter one.

The story seemed very interesting to me. I remember finishing the book during that one sitting. That point I decided I liked mystery stories. From then on, I read all books one by one, some of them I bring home to read during the weekends or during my free time at recess. I didn't realize that time that I was already hooked. The plot where a girl who is aged at eighteen years is an amateur detective, solving complicated mysteries, helping the police find and catch the culprit, even involved in a lot of danger. It got me really excited from cover to cover, from one book to another.

Now, I am trying to collect them, maybe to give to my kids when they grow up, introduce them to the one girl whom I have been besties with during my grade school life. :)

camiguin.

Sometime in March last year, we traveled to Cagayan De Oro. We braved ourselves and tried the longest zipline in Asia and braced against the strong waters while kayaking in the Cagayan De Oro river.

After the unique experience there, we shivered in fright while travelling to the island of Camiguin.

Once we got to this historical place, we automatically checked in to our resort. Rested a little, ate a lot, and readied ourselves for the island tour the next day.

And what an enjoyable day it was.

--breakfast at our resort--

--lounging at the resort lobby--

--posing at the resort bar--

--enjoying the jacuzzi--

--at the bangka bound for White Island--

--at the White Island--

--the Sto. Niño Cold Springs--

--at the historical Old Church Ruins--

--after the cold, hot na pud! XD--

--one of Camiguin's waterfalls--

--one last hunat at our beloved resort (the best!) before we leave for Cebu--

Planning our next adventure!

ink invasion.

Yuan had been wanting to have himself inked for the longest time. It's just that I did it first.

When he saw my tattoo, he eagerly wanted one, too. But it was months before he did it.

It was one fateful day on August 14, 2012 that his dream came true.

I arranged for my tattoo artist Babang and Yuan to meet up. After a few minutes of chitchat, Babang prepared for the session. Yuan was so hyped and nervous while waiting for Babang to finish the preps. I assured him that he can do this thing.

Minutes later, the inking started. Keith even came over for more moral support.

It was like one and a half hours of pain when Babang said, "Humana." And we all looked at the finished product:

Feeling overwhelmed and truly happy at his accomplishment, he said thanks to all of us who were there. That event even made us closer than ever, not to mention adding another friend on his and Keith's lists!

Next in line to be inked: Keith Briones! :)

Yesterday and Today.

The sky turns to a merciless shield
The entire place to darkness
The living scream to death
Isolation is at large
Feelings open from taunted hearts
Struggling to come out
And all we can do is stifle and cry...
Now's the end
Now's the time
To kiss me and tell me
We're all ok...
Would you?


02-05-1999

pink lips and neon-colored nails.

I have always thought of bright and conspicuous colors as very attention-seeking, and I didn't really want that. But since I'm trying all these things before I turn thirty, I thought to myself: "Why not?"

So I got one of mom's bright pink lipsticks and tried it on. I felt uncomfortable at first, and usually I wipe my lips with a tissue seconds after I put it on. But after letting it stay for a while, I walked to face the mirror again and...wow. The color really suited me.

Now I wear pink and red lipstick almost every day. I am a convert, I confess!

Another thing was the nail color. I also thought the same of it with the lipstick, and had resented the thought of having very bright-colored nails. However, there was this one time I did my usual visits to my regular salon, and was trying to pick a color suitable for me, when I saw the nail color named "Kiwi". As in the kiwi fruit.

My thoughts reverted back to my vow to try everything before I turn thirty, and there I was, watching Ate polish my nails with a bright green color!

After the session, I looked at my feet, trying to see it from another person's point of view, and I was mesmerized. How I really liked the vividness of the color! I liked it so much that on my next session I tried the bright pink one.

Yep. Everything bright and colorful is growing on me. I hate kissing goodbye to my nude and normal "before" life, but as they say all good things come to a very abrupt end.

I wonder what it would be next. Neon skirts? Glossy and glittery bags? The overwhelming list of opportunities goes on and on!

things to do before i turn thirty.

I am already counting the days.

Turning thirty is life-changing for me. And so to somehow celebrate the coming of this very momentous occasion, I have been challenging myself to do the things that I haven't done yet.

First was, getting a tattoo. I did this with one of my old friends Babang last February 10 of this year. Here is the first coming out photo of my baby:

If you must know, it is a lotus flower. When this is inked, it means that the person is undergoing a great change in his life. Well, I definitely am!

Next is the PIU. Yeah, I know. So childish, but so fun! It burns my calories and makes me more alert. It also makes me wonder why I hadn't done this before when I still had the excuse of being a teenager.

What else? I can't think of anything more, but I'll let you know. :)

tiles and banister.

The house is making its way up the ladder to the finish line.


Well, to be more specific...


For the past two weeks the tiles and banister were being taken care of. Tiles already cover the Master's bedroom, the upstairs living room and the hallway towards the other three rooms.

Mother had an initial problem with the cement that went with the tiles, but we just put in more budget to resolve it.


The banister is also worked on to prevent accidents. 

In a few more weeks we will see some more improvements on this stage. 


Always aiming to see changes every time I come home! :)

Oasis.

Awakening to a place of void
I stand feeling queasy
Plunging to the still darkness
Killing the springs of death
Looking for a spirit so kindred
Then pass on silver linings
Reminisce the joy of the past
Gazing ahead with no regrets
I stop, feeling unsure
A face lingers behind the darkness
I ask what's ahead of me
He answers with virtuosity
"No reason for alarms,
A hand so special
Ushers you to a vicinity
You would especially love the most."

01/10/1999

the hunger games.

I have considered myself as an avid book reader. But come to think of it, I haven't been reading that avidly these days. To prove this catastrophe, I just finished reading The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins.

And just like the Twilight series, I failed to create my own imaginary setting and characters. This is what always happens to me whenever I watch the movie before reading the book. Sometimes I get frustrated, but...what else can I do but go with what's been lain on the table?

Anyways, it was a good read. Very interesting choice of names, usually derived from plants or just freakishly unique. Weird setting, having a Capitol that swarms of Lady Gaga. When I saw the part where the townsfolk of the Capitol gathered around the just-arrived train, I remembered a photo that one of my friends shared:

That scene made me say at the moviehouse: "Take us to Lady Gaga!" and me and my friends all laughed at the comic reference.

Also the mechanism of the story. The concept of 24 people being forced to inhabitate a certain area and are killing each other to live, survive, and somehow win so that they can go home to their families is so bizaare and so unreal that makes the readers stand on tiptoes and anticipate every turn of the page. This goes to the movie as well.

Now, I'm reading the second book. And the story just keeps on getting better and better.

everything's falling into place.

Yes! They absolutely are. Imaginations of finishing this project are almost materializing.

My parents have agreed on a deadline for the place to be completely done, and that is at the end of the year.

How near is that?

Well, so far the second floor is already painted white. It's like entering a chapel with wide arcs that almost cover all walls. A temporary taste of heaven! Take a look below:

Isn't that neat? Of course, it's partly because of the color WHITE. Soon it will be colored with whatever mother has planned for each of the rooms. Well I know what mine would be, and if you know me that well you would know it too. But that will be tackled on later.

Didn't know house development could be such a blissful experience! XD

malapascua.

It's nice to be with friends on your special day.

I hadn't even planned on something big, but I'm glad it was done.

Three of us celebrated our birthdays on the month of May, so our group of friends decided to do something about it.

Malapascua, as some people say, is the place to be. This holds true for us. It's a small heap of paradise where people relax and dive into the colorful underwater what we all know as the ocean.

And there we were, lounging on the sand. Dancing to the Super Bass beat. Snorkeling around the island. Cliff-diving. Swimming, eating and drinking. Photoshoots. And then some.

The pictures say it all:

The fun and company of friends made our birthdays even more special. Many thanks to them! :)