I have been diagnosed with Idiopathic Thrombocytopenic Purpura (ITP). This is an autoimmune disease. This is further complicated by my pre-existing conditions of being asthmatic, being allergic to a lot of things, among others. Plus, I have a tendency to retain more water and gain weight because of my ITP medication. As a consequence, I have to change my life. Totally! Here is a list of things I am not allowed to have, eat, or do: prolonged exposure to sun stress poor diet or not eating on time coffee hot food and drinks chicken shrimps and crabs salty foods smoke and cigarette smoke alcoholic drinks nuts dirt and dust pollen large crowds sick or sickly people infections massage, facial, manicure, pedicure, and hair treatments things that will cause me to bruise, bleed, or get injured such as sharp corners, sharp objects, and heavy things lack of sleep I have to avoid these for at least a month. Plus, I'd have to wear a mask when I go out in public or get exposed to people. Yeah, I know. I won't have a life anymore. PFT! The only good news, the best news is... I'm alive. :) If all goes well…
I Try
I used to really love Macy Gray's I Try, though I couldn't relate to what the song is saying. But now I do and I love the song more than ever. The song captures so perfectly how I have been living my life the past few months. It's about trying to move on and forget a past love. Sing it with me all yeah broken-hearted friends... "I try to say goodbye and I choke, Try to walk away and I stumble." My absolute favorite is the part that goes: I may appear to be free But I'm just a prisoner of your love And I may seem all right and smile when you leave But my smiles are just a front Just a front, hey I play it off, but I'm dreaming of you And I'll try to keep my cool, but I'm feenin' I try to say goodbye and I choke Try to walk away and I stumble Though I try to hide it, it's clear My world crumbles when you are not here Goodbye and I choke I try to walk away and I stumble Though I try to hide it, it's clear My world crumbles when you…
Avida Towers Launch at Global City
Last month, Avida Land Corp. launched the Avida Towers at Global City. It is the company's entry into one of the most popular and prestigious pieces of real estate in the Philippines. Ayala Land, Inc., Avida's mother company, were well-represented by Antonio Aquino and Bobby Dy. They were joined by Avida Land's Leo Montenegro and Chris Maglanoc, as they celebrated the launch with music, wine, food, and other treats. Entertainment was provided by The Company, one of the most-enduring vocal groups in the country. They were joined by Aries Sales and Princess Velasco as they serenaded the crowd during the fun-filled celebration. A grand audio-visual presentation of the facilities, amenities, and features of Avida Towers was the highlight of the launch. As a prime address in the Bonifacio Global City, Avida Towers was designed around the philosophy of "Live, Work, Play." Centered on beautiful homes, Avida Towers also boast of exciting amenities and accessibility and proximity to the Bonifacio Global City's establishments such as those at the Bonifacio High Street and Serendra. Avida Towers is just one of the high rise home projects of Avida Land, Inc. Their other projects are located in Makati, Alabang, and Cebu. To have a…
Diyosa and Ganda Ever So Much
I don't remember exactly when I first heard about Orman Manansala, but I think I met him for the first time during the Avatar Media Practical Photojournalism Workshop. We didn't talk much but I remember him to be a jolly person, very personable. The second time I met him was during his visit to Davao last December 2009 which coincided with Mica Rodriguez's visit to Davao. It was during this visit that Orman invited me and the other Avatar Media members to cover and participate during the General Santos City Kalilangan Festival 2010. It was during this five day trip to General Santos City that I experienced how much of a great person Orman is. For one, he is a damn good host. Even if he was very busy as Festival Director, he managed to take very good care of us and even accompanied us to most of our trips and stops during the five day trip. Going above and beyond his duty as Festival Director and host, Orman fed us, gave us shelter, and entertained us to the hilt during those five days. He even managed to introduce us to some *ehem* boys to keep me company during my…
Planters’ Bank SME Series: Ethics Adding Values to Your Business
Last July 13, 2010, I was able to attend the Planters' Bank SME Speakers Series held at the Apo View Hotel here in Davao City. And I learned a lot from it. The talk was about Ethics: Adding Values to Your Business with Francis J. Kong as the featured speaker. Mr. Kong is an entrepreneur, writer, tv show host, and professional public speaker. He gave a very rousing and inspiring talk on ethics, emphasizing that there is no such thing as "business ethics," only ethics. Kong asserted that the way one lives his life is reflected on how he does business. Thus, he conducts himself ethically inside and outside of his business. He also prefers to work with and deal with ethical people who are honest and disciplined inside and and outside of the office. Kong was not just knowledgeable about business, he was a damn good speaker. He knew what to say and how it say it effectively. His topic was serious but his talk was light-hearted and funny. His jokes were relevant and didn't lessen the impact of his points. Rather, his jokes and asides highlighted his very serious points. The talk was definitely very useful and practical…
My Super Mommy
I might not have been lucky enough to be born with a picture perfect family, but I was lucky to have a super Mommy. She's not my biological mother, but she was the one who took care of me since I was a baby until I was nine years old. She is Teresita "Ching" J. Bonguyan, she is my biological father's sister. When I was left with her, she was already married and had two children of her own, with another one on the way. She gave birth to another child when I was almost four years old. Even when she already had four children, she treated me, took care of me, and loved me like one of her own. She didn't love any one of us better than the others, only differently. She knows our strengths and weaknesses, and she would always encourage us to do the things that would make us happy. In fact, it was Mommy who encouraged me to go to culinary school even if I didn't ask her or tell her that I wanted to do it. She saw how much I loved watching cooking shows and she suggested I attend culinary school. She is…