How 2008 Changed My Life

Subtitle: An Obligatory New Year Post January The year didn't really start start out with a bang. I was a pretty boring month and one of my more interesting blog posts was a LOL Google Adsense moment. But it was also the month I started on a new business which was jumpstarted by planning and coordinating my cousin's wedding. I also bought myself a belated Christmas gift which has helped a lot in my blogging. February February was a defining month for me. After the success of my cousin's wedding, I decided to do the leap and be a wedding coordinator. It was also the time I tried out and enjoyed speed dating. Hope there's another one this year. March March was remarkable mostly because of work and blogging-related things, but also because I was happy. For the first time in a long time, I was truly happy. I cannot remember why I wrote that entry, but I can vaguely remember what I felt back then. And somehow that makes me happy right now, and gives me hope that I can be where I was back then. Maybe coz it was my ex's and my 6th "monthsary"? No? Thought so!…

Tuesday Morning Musings

It's one of those moments when I feel like I have to blog. There's a big part of me that's happy with the way things are. Work is fulfilling, business is doing well, I have friends, and men... Well, they're raining around me. Kinda. But there's also a part of me, discontent with my life. Like there's something more out there. The feeling of being un-challenged and bored is unsettling. I know I should want and aim for more, for better. Just because I practically have everything I need, I should be happy. Thankful, yes. Content and complacent, no. I know I can do and have better.

Seizing the Day

Opportunities like this, to stand up and be counted, are few and far in between. People often contend there isn't really much that can be done, that what we do is futile, and do nothing to serve the country. This is our moment now, a chance to show and prove that there are more to our words and opinions, that we do not just write for the sake of writing, that we do not speak for the sake of speaking. The things we do are not done to seek attention or prove that we are better or smarter. Rather, we do it because we know we have to. What we are about to embark on might not amount to anything fruitful, but we hope it does. And despite the risks and complications, we will do what we have to do, because it has to be done. It might lead to nothing, but that is a risk we should take, because there is that chance that what is true, right, and just will prevail. That despite the complications and risks, our action will yield something good for the country. And if it doesn't, at least we tried, and tried really hard.…

For Tinky Cabreira

For my beloved cousin, Maria Carmela Teresa "Tinky" A. Cabreira: And more messages: All with love from your family, relatives and labidabs Allan in Davao City! :) MWAHUGS!!! Producer: Maria Christina Cabreira Director: Joseph Andrew dela Serna Editor: Maria Jose

The Night I Used My Baccarat Knowledge For the Good of Mankind

Last Tuesday night, I had a blast at the Digital Filipino Networking Event at the Pantawan Hall of the Casino Filipino at the Grand Regal Hotel here in Davao City. It's not secret I go to the casino regularly with my friends, but usually I am there to control my friends' gambling. After weeks of going to the casino, I was able to finally wield my gambling know-how to help out other bloggers. The night started with a sumptuous buffet of veggies, seafoods, and lechon (roast pig). Then, there was a bit of talk from Tita Janette Toral about the progress of blogging in the Philippines, and the top 100 blogs for 2008. We were quite proud that there was a number of the top 100 bloggers from Davao such as Blogie, Kuya Andrew, and Winston. Then, the fun began. There was overflowing iced tea, and BOOZE. Ten bloggers were then chosen to play in a poker tournament. Me, Kuya, and our other cousin Gwing were all chosen. YEY! Our goal was not to be the first one out of the table. LOL! And we managed to do that. Gwing was the third one out. While, me and Kuya managed…

Being Happy

Had a cathartic talk with a dear friend today. It made me realize that I live a pretty sad life with too many struggles going on right now. I am actually struggling not to fall into depression again. But I have somehow managed to stay happy, smile, and somehow not cry myself to sleep every night. Maybe I have finally grown up, learned how to roll with the punches, let go of the pain, and look at the happy and funny side of life. Sometimes, I do get to hear my thoughts and feel the pain in my heart, I wonder and think of the what ifs, and the maybes. But I always sleep and wake up sane and without much thoughts of sadness and anger. As my friend affirmed, happiness is a state of mind. And right now, despite the pains and struggles, the haters and the critics, I choose to smile, to be happy, to keep myself sane. I look at my life, my work, the people I work with and have fun with, and see that somehow, I have helped them smile too. And right now, that is more than enough to keep me going. ;)