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Photo Shoot: April 11, 2010

Over a month ago, I had a photo session with make-up artist and friend Benelyn Javier. It was her birthday gift to herself to have a photo shoot with her photographer friends, and challenge her skills in coming up with different looks. Bene did the make-up except for the avant-garde look on her which was done by Lei Ponce. Bene also was our model together with another friend Kriska Villanueva.

Here are some of the pictures:

   
  
  

 

Click here to view the whole set.

We really enjoyed the photo session and liked how the pictures turned out. We promised this wouldn't be the last time we'd have a photo shoot.

Hats off to you, Bene!

Does technology make people smarter? What's an example of how it does or doesn't?

Technology possesses the great potential of making people smarter, however there are inevitable circumstances when it can have detrimental effects on people. A perfect example is how it negatively affects the way people construct sentences. The advent of text messaging has allowed people to develop the skill of using shortcuts when composing messages. In effect, a lot of people have adapted this "text language" even outside of text messaging.

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Elections End. A New Chapter Begins.

I've always participated in Philippine elections ever since I became eligible to vote. This is my second time to vote for a president and yet my candidate never gets elected. I cannot deny the fact that this year, I was very positive and hopeful that the person whom I believe is most fitting to lead the country and bring our nation to greater heights would have the chance to be president.  Suffice it to say that God has other plans.

Votes were cast and tallying is about to end. Soon the new president of the Philippines will be proclaimed. Although the tallying is yet to be concluded, it seems clear who the 15th president of the Philippines is going to be based from the partial tally of votes.

I may not agree with the person elected as the president of our country, but I have come to realize that as a nation, we must accept whoever wins the elections, support our president and do our part as Filipino citizens to help create an environment which upholds the positive values that we, Filipinos, want to inculcate in our character. It's always easier to criticize, blame and find faults in the government and in the administration, but the real change that we are longing for must come from us. I know it's a cliché, but only until we learn to discipline ourselves, take responsibility in our own actions and realize our contributions to society, will we be able to see the progressive Philippines we are all hoping for.

There is still hope. Having a competent president is just a fraction of what makes a prospering country. Let us not forget the rest of the population that can still work together to bring the nation to its bright future.

And I am not talking about People Power.  ;)

Filipinos' Big Day Tomorrow!

We just got back from our short trip to Bataan. Unlike our previous trips, I didn't take much pictures this time. For one thing, Montemar's a resort we frequent and aside from the TV sets already present in the rooms, nothing much has changed. I also slept throughout the the latter part of the afternoon. I had the chance to relax enjoy the sun and sea despite our brief stay at Montemar Beach Resort. It's better than nothing.

Tomorrow is the big day for the Filipino people. It's the 2010 Presidential elections. And to make it more exciting, it's the first automated elections in the country. Voters are both excited and anxious about what's going to happen tomorrow. I, myself, am looking forward to finally stand in front of the much talked about PCOS machine and cast my vote. Amidst the negative news that I have been hearing, I'm praying that tomorrow's elections will be a peaceful, an orderly and an honest one.

It's been a marvelous experience for every Filipino. I want to congratulate all the candidates for putting up a great fight. I know that every Filipino has learned something from each of the candidates. And it really wasn't an easy task to choose who to vote for. The candidates, especially the presidentiables, really kept the people thinking - a good practice and an indication of progress.

At the end of it all, I hope that the true winners in this race are the Filipinos who have put their trust and confidence on the individuals who volunteered and promised to serve the public.

Mabuhay ang Pilipinas!

Happy Mothers' Day!

Due to my perennially busy schedule, I wasn't able to prepare anything for today. I know it's a lame excuse. Hehehe! Better late than never...

To all the moms around the globe,
most especially to my mother and my sisters,
 Happy Mothers' Day!

Shall I Go?

My family has a planned trip to Montemar in Bagac, Bataan tomorrow, err, in a few hours. I was all set and looking forward to go, but unfortunately, work got in the way. Isn't this fun? You see, I'm supposed to be done with my responsibilities for the long weekend, but the system I ought to use to complete my final task refuses to cooperate! I waited in the office until past 10:00 in the evening hoping that by some stroke of luck, I could proceed with work. But to my dismay, I waited for nothing. Nada.

I don't know my priorities anymore. I want to go, have a break and enjoy the sand and the sea with my family, but part of me keeps me chained to my responsibilities in the office. I'm confused.

But I already got a plan. Here's what I'm going to do: I'll wake up at around 6:00 in the morning, I'll go to work and finish my chores. If I get to the office and find that the system is working then I'll be able to finish my work just in time for me to join my family. But if not, I would have to leave and head toward the beach!

This plan will push through only if I do step one - wake up very early! If not, I just might spend the whole day at the office, waiting for the system to be up.

 

On Quitting Smoking

I can proudly say it's easier than I thought it would be. The more I'm surrounded by people who are smoking, the more I lose the craving to smoke. Magical, I must say. I'm more tempted to smoke when I'm alone though. It's a good thing that I still have the will power to keep myself from buying a stick.

People have been recommending that I should quit smoking gradually; lessening the number of cigarette sticks I smoke a day. I've tried it, but I just kept on wanting for more! This cold turkey tactic seems to be working fine for me.

When people ask me how I manage to quit smoking knowing how bad my smoking habits were, I just tell them that the key to finally quitting is finding the right motivation. It makes a whole lot of difference when you exactly know the purpose of what you do. I just want to move forward living a healthier lifestyle. Staring at an ashtray filled with two packs worth of cigarette butts happened to be my wake up call.

It's been two weeks since I last smoked. So far, so good. Hope I can keep this up.