Firefly In July

This past Sunday, I participated in a Fun Run sponsored by the company for the benefit of World Vision.   The day started a bit gloomy, it was raining the night before and it looked like it will not ease up before the early morning’s run.  Fortunately it did, with just a slight drizzle when we got to the Rizal Stadium where the event was to be held.  There were not too many runners in sight, blame that from the ever unpredictable weather that, at the very last minute, decided to tease and mess with the event. After an hour of waiting, the sun finally showed its face and vanquished the dark clouds,  temporarily cooperating with the still sleepy runners .

We started out with a few minutes of warm up stretches, simple dance steps to add a twist, then we were off to the starting line.  For a long time, sitting in front of the computer, typing and browing for hours had been my most reliable form of exercise.  So, the first lap went by like eternity.  Midway, I was already feeling a stinging sensation in my ankles.  I would have dropped out if not for the constant urging of my race buddy.  I silently wondered, what got into me to get myself into this.  The seventh round was a struggle and not wanting to collapse on my face if I’d push myself any harder, I just walked all the way to the finish line.  It’s the cool down, my buddy murmurred consolingly.

I knew I’d be hurting for a few days after the run, and true enough, I’m still nursing my sore legs and walking in a weird way until now.  I wont be doing it again.. no, not for a very long time.  But I’m glad I did it, anyway.  The run was for a good cause and I have the certificate and the colored strings awarded at the end of each lap to show off to my friends.  That’s good enough for me. 

Mark and I were snooping around for camera sale when we noticed this posting prominently displayed in a store’s window.

See the new price for the IXUS 85IS?  I dont know of anyone who would prefer the price increase… not a good way to entice customers, huh.   It is likely that it’s just a typo error but obviously, nobody double checked.  We are going to the mall later today… just for curiosity’s sake, maybe I’ll drop by the store and see if the ad’s still there, unchanged and unnoticed.

Summer is here! And what’s a better way to welcome it than a trip to the beach.  While most of the younger groups at the office  headed off to the more popular destinations – Boracay, Palawan, Camiguin, Pagudpud – we settled for La Luz in Batangas mainly due to its proximity and to budget constraints hehehe.  The weekend trip wasn’t just a summer opener but it was the much anticipated culmination of a busy and draining-to-the-bone year end close.  Everybody was too exhausted to protest and the proposal to spend the next RnR activity out of town was an easy sell.  What made it more relaxing was the fact that we were spared from outrageous travel expenses thanks to the generous contributions of our team alumni who are now based overseas.

La Luz wasn’t really our first option.  We originally booked for Virgin Beach which garnered good reviews from those who had already visited the place.   The price however was sky high; the resort obviously wanted to make the most of the summer and did not allow  additional accommodation beyond the standard number per room.  On non-peak seasons, it usually was not difficult to negotiate but since its summer, not even the sweetest of charms can persuade the resort staff to give in to our request.    Anyway, it wasn’t such a big deal changing resorts.  La Luz was worth every penny.  The ambiance was like that of Boracay’s, only it was more peaceful and quiet.  The food, although not superbly delicious, was not bad either.  Water and juice were free flowing.  What’s more, the staff were very approachable and friendly, helpful and with ready smiles.

We played like little kids, enjoyed the sun, sand, and water…. for a while, we were untouched by any worry of unfinished reports and the yet again,  month end close.  Our photographers made sure that every happy and often funny episodes were captured.    And although it may not be the most glamorous of vacations it was definitely one that revived our spirits, strengthened our camaraderie, and reminded us that when we work hard, we equally deserve to play hard.

Photos used in this entry are courtesy of Ritch and Crom.  Crom maintains an account in Flickr. You can visit his photostream to see more of his awesome photographs.

I worked two weeks straight, yes… Saturdays and Sundays included.  Too much work, too little sleep and its driving me nuts.  This weekend is a short interval of rest before we start another closing process next week and a chance to squeeze in a little RnR, writing a post included.

This morning I attended my teammate’s son’s baptism in Biñan, Laguna.  The traffic was in full cooperation and we, Liezl – another teammate – and I,  got to the reception on time.  There we got to mingle with a few of the high ranking police officers who, surprisingly are young and without the unwanted stomach bulge that typical policemen have come to be notorious for.  They are not the usual officers who patrol the city and catch petty offenders but rather, lead some of the most distinguished units in the law enforcement body.  You might wonder how they happen to be there…. my teammate’s husband is among these officers, a true gentleman and obviously a loving husband and father.  He even graciously took us to the bus station when we finally decided to leave the festivities.

While we were on our way, we got nosy and asked alot of questions about his work and of course,  how he and his wife met (in short, chismis).  The conversation rounded down to one of his close encounters with death while pursuing a group of NPA’s.   He got shot with 4 bullets into the stomach, and at that time, they were just three months into their marriage.  I could just imagine the terror my teammate felt when she received the news.  Just married and so close to widowhood!  Terrifying.

Suddenly, my own past flashed back in an instant.  I knew an officer who’s passing caused an almost unbearable pain.  I cant quite remember how I got passed that but it was hard and it took a long time.

Our new found police officer friend said, that he constantly reminds his wife, to be always ready.  That anytime, a life can easily be taken away.  That’s a tough reality hanging above the heads of those whose vocation leans towards the dangerous kind.  When Joe Black beckons, we cannot do anything but heed.

Before the conversation turned morbid, he invited us to a shooting class and promised to arrange a session for us.   Im so looking forward it even now! It’s always been my wicked, secret dream to become a sniper… I dont know what I’ll do with that, but it may come handy someday.  Who knows.

Tags: Police, Shooting

Last Saturday night was our company’s Christmas Party and I took the SLR camera to practice my limited photo shooting skill on the different inter-departmental presentations.  The theme for this year’s celebration is Project Runway and almost everybody was either in paparazzi or fashion critic mode.

As we were waiting for the models to parade down the runway, my teammate taught me a simple camera trick to create different color formations.  First was to adjust the speed setting at around 5″+, then focus on a light source (in this case, the blue and red colored light bulbs), take a shot then shake the camera while it processes the image.  Here are some that came out:

“The best way to make children good, is to make them happy” ~ Oscar Wilde

Before my sick leave hiatus, my teammates and I had an outreach program at Las Damas Filipinas.   It is one of the RnR activities lined up this year that I helped organized … yes, I’m proud to say that .

Las Damas  was established in the early 1900s but it is most remember from a tragic fire incident that razed it down in December 1998 killing 23 children. It is situated along Quirino Avenue Paco Manila, just a few minutes drive from our office. Its familiarity and proximity made it easy to sell the idea of charity work… besides, who could say no to bringing early Christmas to little children?

My RnR partner and I announced the plan 2 months in advance and encouraged everyone to pitch in their donations early on. But one month into the drive and our donation box was not even half full.  We needed not only goods but we were lacking of cash! The orphanage had 78 children under their care and while I was making the arrangements, the staff mentioned that we can opt not to include all the children and that it was ok, adding that the children are already used to it. Those who wont participate will just stay and play in a separate area while the rest will be having a good time with us. Huwwhhatt? We didn’t feel ok with that. Excluding anyone is definitely out of the question.

We got to have prizes for the games and loot bags for each kid. With our limited budget, there’s only one thing left to do… scour Divisoria for the most affordable stuff.

And it must be in the genes of people to bring donations at eleventh hour. The night before the activity was when candies, clothes, toiletries, and toys came pouring in.

Putting together this activity was not as easy as I thought.  The night before the trip, the entire team plunged into packing our donations and finalizing the game list.   Food to be served at the site had to be picked up early in the morning and managing time with the unpredictable traffic is one thing that I left in hands of my partner hehehe.  As we were about to depart, we were informed that we cannot take our boxes of goods out of the building without obtaining an approval from the admin office.  That was a Saturday, when people who were supposed to sign were on their day off.  Shoot!  By the time I got the darn document signed, I was already exhausted and there’s still a long day ahead of us.

It was just a minor set back and even though we were a few minutes late for the event, our enthusiasm was instantly replenished when we saw the kids patiently waiting at the hall.  Some were practicing their dances for presentation later in the program.

But imagine one active kid multiply that by 78!  Energies where shooting up the roof and one game down the lane, I was already soaked in sweat and breathing heavily.  Or am I just getting old?

It was one draining day.  We came from night shift and although sleep deprived, we all left Las Damas with a smile of fulfillment on our faces.  The children’s hugs and simple expression of thanks was worth every drop of perspiration. The ultimate reward was making them happy.. .even for just a day.

The Team (3 members on dayshift), looking fresh at 4 o’clock in the morning:

Tags: Las Damas Filipinas

Earlier to the PAWS event, my teammates and I had a mini adventure at the Manila Ocean Park.  Its the first and largest aquarium facility in the Philippines showcasing a diverse underwater life that an ordinary sea fearing homosapien like moi may never have the courage to see in their natural habitat.  Popularly known as The Oceanarium, it opened to the public early this year and it instantly became a hit.  Everybody, us included, was curious and willing to shell out P400 bucks for the two hours aquatic tour.

We wanted to avoid getting entangled with school excursions which normally happen on weekends but when we got there at opening time, we found ourselves drowning in the throng of small children, parents, nannies, and teachers.  It was like a cage of little critters unleashed at recess!

We moved along with the kids, noise and all, and before we knew it, we entered the first stage Agos (Flow).   There’s a waterfalls on one side with vines climbing up to the ceiling, giving the illusion of an inner forest and strange, exotic creatures lurking below.  The fishes were something I’ve never seen before.. not in books nor on TV.  They simply amazed me, some were hard to spot because they blended with their surroundings.  It took me more than a second look before I could distinguish them from the rocks and sea plants… at one point I came face to face with what seemed like a giant Tilapia! Yaiks!

Next stop was Bahura (Reef).  This part was enclosed in semi darkness and, thankfully, with air conditioning.  Small to medium sized aquariums lined up the walls, each containing a variety of the most fascinating creatures in the Philippine coral reef, from fishes to anemones to giant spider crabs.  That last one was creepy, and seemed lifeless.   Kinda reminded me of Shelob.  Only a restrained move every now and then gave away it’s alive and breathing.

Laot (Fishing Ground) was a wider version of Bahura and one of the most breathtaking areas of the facility.  Giant aquariums housed a large number of the most humongous groupers.  Stingrays glided on the glass exposing their “nostrils” – if that’s how they’re called – and delicate mouths.

A tunnel leading to the other wing of the Oceanarium displayed the imposing beauty of Buhay na Karagatan (The Living Ocean).   Marine animals in different shapes and sizes intermingled in the small replica of their wide abundant world… and for a second a weird thought struck me.  Fish or not, I wouldn’t be able to survive in this sea of predators.  There were just too many!  If Laot was breathtaking, Karagatan was spectacular.

The last of the large aquariums was Ang Kalaliman (The Deep)… getting acquainted with Filipino terms ha!   Now, this really gives me the creeps.   Sharks were enclosed in one tank  and since these were the biggest and deepest among all aquarium, it was dark and eerie.  I had mixed emotions not meeting my friend JAWS.  Apparently, the enclosure cannot contain his bigger than life ferocity… he’d probably devour all his hapless roommies to the bones!.  Above were countless stingrays and Talakitoks co-existing in their glass tank.

We took a few more flash-less pictures (err… so as not to agitate the animals, camera flash is not allowed but noise is!  are underwater creatures deaf?)  then we headed to the upper floor excited to see more!  It turned out, that was the final stop!  Huuwwhhhhaaattt?!  That was supposed to be two hours… how come it was over in 30 minutes! Shockers.  I should have known, hanging out with the fishes is highly encouraged to stretch the time.

I wanted to try the glass bottom boat ride or the fish spa but none of my teammates were interested.  Spirits were deflated after we emerged from the dark Kalaliman and found that was the end of our virtual life in the ocean.

Overall, it was quite an experience although it left me wanting for more.  I felt the entrance fee was expensive for the short tour… but then again, it really is expensive to maintain such a facility.  I’d still love to be back and capture the experience with more photos, even  with the lack of clarity.   Being the first of its kind in the country, the Oceanarium is already serving its purpose of educating all who come to visit  about the marine environment and the number of issues assailing it.  I’m proud that the Philippines now has its own Oceanarium to rival those of neighboring asian nations.

Tags: Manila Ocean Park, Oceanarium, Team RnR

PAWS (Philippine Animal Welfare Society) held a dog show today at the Mall of Asia.  Of course, we made sure not to miss it!  It was a chance for Wilson to meet other dogs and flaunt his cuteness to all canine lovers this side of the planet.  It was a half day affair and when we got there around two in the afternoon, the place was already packed.  A race track was set in the middle of the open auditorium and dog athletes were busy warming up on the side.   Others seem to be oblivious to the pressure and saw the race as just another walk in the park, taking their time to walk down the track while their owners knelt at the end of the line begging for a little effort to win.  There were Saint Bernards, Dalmatians, Daschunds, Beagles, Schnauzers, Shih Tzus… Wilson was one of the few Maltese in attendance.

It was an afternoon that the dogs and their owners all enjoyed…. we’ll the dogs were more the celebrities than the owners.  Wilson dazzled a number of fans, posing for pictures here and there.  If he could only write, Im pretty sure that he would have been asked for an autograph.

After the event, we strolled around the mall and let Wilson do his thing… meet a few friends, bask in the afternoon sun, and water the lightpoles as he always does.

Tags: Dog show, Mall of Asia, Maltese, PAWS

Its that time of financial reporting again that makes it hard to focus on anything else other than the pile of accounts to reconcile. I cant find the inspiration to write.

I need to get out, probably watch a movie. The last time I did was when we lost Perere and that was just an excuse to get out of the house. We really didnt enjoy the film and the scenes passed in a blurr; it was a total waste of money. The only consolation was it was a convenient way to kill time and the darkness hid our long faces perfectly.

So last Saturday, I invited Mark to see “Mama Mia!” and that time around, I was determined to get a little amusement. Besides, it has been a while when we really went out on a date. Weekends were usually spent catching on lost sleep and not worrying to wake up early (or late? for nightshift) for another gruesome work at the office. But no, not this Saturday; sleep will have to wait a few hours more.

The movie promised to be fun. It wasnt the type that demands alot of analysis or concentration. In fact you can just listen and reminisce the good ol’days with ABBA’s songs. There was one scene even that brought tears to my eyes and made me miss my mother terribly. Donna, the mother played by Meryl Streep, was singing “Slipping Through My Fingers” while she watched her daughter get dressed for the wedding. It reminded me of my own three years ago. Towards the end of the movie, there was a sudden twist when the bride called off the ceremony and her supposed biological father proposed to marry her mother rather than put all the wedding preparations to waste. The viewers were all giddy and the movie house was filled with murmurs of “say yes! say yes!”. Well, she did and that drew laughter and applause from the audience.

The movie was funny, romantic, and easy. No brain cells wasted. Just the thing I needed to end a stressful week.

Tags: Mama Mia!, Movie