Amazing Fireworks Display at MOA

I'm once amazed on how the dark sky of Manila Bay turned out to be a stage of fantastic and colorful lights brought by the World Pyro Olympics held in our country. It was my first time watching it near the venue.



People watching did really enjoy the night. Families, Friends, what an awesome night. For sure, many of us will wait for another year to watch this fantastic exhibitions. Oh, don't worry, 7 months to go and its NEW YEAR once again!

See pics!

Great Lunch at Casa Verde with Jayzel

May 19, 2008

Pinaunlakan ko ang yaya ng alumni friend kong si Jayzel dito sa Cebu. Sinundo pa nya ako sa Ayala mall. Together with my colleagues sa Manels, we went to Casa Verde where Jayzel work as the Accountant.

Treat nya ang lunch. Mga 20 minutes travel from Ayala mall, sa Ramos, matatagpuan ang Casa Verde. Sinasadya ang restau na to. Famous ito for their Baked Ribs, na dinadayo pa. Class restau sya, pero mura ang food, highly recommended talaga. Adding the ambiance na parang nasa old mansion house ka facing the garden, the experience will really entice you na bumalik balik.

Hmm, kaya pala malusog si Jayzel. Thanks sis for the lunch! We really enjoy!

See more pics!

Meeting up the Cebu Grads

May 18, 2008

May gathering pala ang cebu alumni last May 18 sa Tungkop, Minglanilla. Di ko tinanggihan ang yaya ni Ruben. Pinilit ko talagang ma-meet sila. Hapon na ako ng dumating sa Venue. Malapit lang sa Minglanilla campus.

Naalala ko tuloy ang mga manila grads pag may get together. Ganun din sila. Sobrang saya, puro kulitan din. Di ako namahay. Hehehe! Very accommodating sila. Nakakahiya nga lang , wala kasi akong dala. I’ve met Ruben, Ate Analyn, Cebu alumni President Lizabeth, the cebu grad na Atty. And marami pa.

Sana, maka-attend ulit ako. Babawi nalang ako pag sila naman ang nasa Manila. Kudos to all you guys!

See more pics!

The BORA Experience

BORACAY: A perfect summer destinations for couples and friends. Di namin to pinalagpas. Experience to believe. Totoo nga!



Day 1 (May 2, 2008):

Sa airport palang, ang gugulo na namin. Di halatang excited. Dito nabuo ang bagong depenisyon ng solo. Na delay ng konti ang flight, mga 5 minutes lang naman.

From Kalibo airport, nauna na ang mga sms alumni friends namin ni Mina papunta ng Caticlan habang dumalaw muna kaming dalawa sa grand pa ko sa New Washington, Aklan. Di ko man nasaksihan ang eksenang “taga IYA ako”, nasulit ko naman ang pagdalaw sa mga kamaganakan ko. First time ko sa Barrio nung 3 taon palang ako at ngayon palang nasundan.

Hapon na kami sumunod sa Boracay. Bagamat di ko nagamit ang discount ko bilang half blood aklanon, narating naman namin ang Paraiso ng Boracay ng maayos. Pagdaong panga ng Boracay, nag-alangan pa ako dahil naiksian ako sa byahe ng Bangka mula Caticlan hanggang Bora.

Sa Sanders White kami tumuloy (Station 2). Humabol nalamang kami ni Mina sa Dinner Buffet kasama ang mga alumni friends namin. Nagpa brayed si Mina habang nag bar hopping naman kami nung gabing yon.

Day 2 (May 3, 2008):



Scheduled island hopping namin. May nakuha ng contact sina Apol. Complete package ito, kasama na ang lunch buffet. Nilibot namin ang buong isla ng Bora. Isa sa mga nakita namin ang umanoy bakasyunang bahay ni Manny Pacquiao. Una naming tinigilan ang “reef-reefan: pretending reef pero hindi na”. Dito kami nag snorkelling. Sunod, sa isang beach front na konti lang ang tao. Photo event ito. Puro solo “solo: kumpulang pagpapa-picture, bagong depinisyon”. Picture perfect ng group at breath taking underwater shots (sa pangpang nga lang).

Dahil inabot na kami ng tanghali, tinungo na namin ang aming pagdarausan ng lunch buffet. Sulet ang food. Napagkamalan pa si Sam na waiter ng isa ring customer. Taray phenomenon ang effect ng nasabing pangyayari…Hehehe.

Huli naming tinungo ang Crystal Cove. May mga breath taking sceneries dito at 2 caves. Dun kami naligo.

Buffet nanaman pagdating ng gabi at deretso tulog pagkatapos. Kapagod din kasi. Di ko pala nakakalimutang birthday ng mom ko.





Day 3(May 4, 2008):

Schedule namin maligo at mag relax sa isang private beach owned by Cojuanco’s (ASYA). Thanks kay Athel, we got great deal dito. Maganda ang views, facing Caticlan. Consumable ang package, the food and the amenities including kayaking, snorketing and beach volleyball. Nilibot pa namin ang area, recommended ito sa mga nagha-honeymoon. Hmmp!

Isa isa ang mga boys na nagdive sa isang dive spot don din sa area. Super swabe talaga. Sensya sa mga di tumalon. Ika ni Sam, sup*&*. Dito na kami ng buffet lunch.









ATV (All terrain vehicle) ang kasunod naming activity. First time ko kaya excited. Nag test drive muna kami bago sumabak. Perfect sa practice pero di parin nakaiwas sa accident sa actual. Hahaha, nasugatan lang naman ako sa daliri ng paa after sumemplang kami ni Nick….NickkkkkK! Hehehehe! No worries naman ako besides nalapatan agad ng First Aid. Thanks kay Russel ni Athel and Tin na wife ni Tone.



Na reach namin ang summit ng Mt. Luho. Tanaw namin dito ang buong isla ng bora 360 degrees. Since less than an hour lang yung ATV, nakakabitin talaga.

Nagpa-baba kami sa Station 1 para ma-experience ang very publicized “Jonah Shake”. And the verdict, masarap naman. Try nyo ang Sago!

Another buffet dinner and after nito, drinking galore hanggang mag-umaga sa shore. 4 na bottles ng Tequilla and many more. For sure may nabangenge.



Day 4 (May 5, 2008)

After nang magdamagang inuman, naligo ako sa beach. Mas masarap talagang mag swim ng madaling araw. Namili na kami ni Mina ng mga pampasalubong at naghanda sa pag-uwi. Nakita ko pa yung neighbour namin habang nag-iinternet ako sa isang wifi spot ng station 2.
Hapon na kami umalis ng Bora. Nasita nanaman kami sa Pier. This time, sinabi kong taga Jugas ako. Nakalusot man ako, di pinalagpas ang ilang kasamahan namin. Hirap palang mag-aklanong barok, bagamat nakalusot kami, mga pinsan ko kako kasi sila.

Delay flight nanaman kami though ilang minuto lang naman. 8pm, nasa manila na ulit kami.
Next time, susubukan ko naman ang Siquijor.

See the pics: click here

TOTAL Head Office at Puerto Galera

March 6-7, 2008

Nagsimula lang ito sa simpleng yayaan, hanggang sa naging Head Office outing na. Sa totoo lang, na finalize lang ito, 2 days before the event. Ayus din!


Kakatuwa, kasi ba naman, na-assign akong sumama sa pamimili ng veggies and fruits. I suggested na sa Libertad, Pasay nalang since malapit lang yung sa Buendia at dun kami sasakay papuntang Batangas Pier. In short, 4am, gising na ako (di pa excited to..hmmp) at tumungo na sa Pasay Rotonda to meet Eloi, Ryan and Janice who will accompany me in buying. Ayus talaga kasi fresh at mura pa ang mga napamili naming.

We are supposed to leave Buendia at 7am kaso, since we are Filipino, our time culture is really distinctive. Nah! So since ang napa-reserve naming boarding time is 10am, na-adjust to to 11:30am which means, naiwan na kami and we have to be transferred nalang sa next hour schedule. Nah again! Buti nalang at sikat na sikat si RSA dun. Biro mo ba naman, sa Balagtas, Batangas City palang, may sumasalubong na naghahanap ng nagpa-reserve na “Rosalin Amaki (it should be Amaqui)..hahaha! This time din pala, di Bryan ang nasakyan naming kundi yung Commandos / Russel John.


Exciting ang travel from Batangas Port to Puerto Galera. Nabigo man kaming makakita ng dol-phin-nal, nag-mukha naming surfing board ang bangka namin. Malakas ang alon dahil sa amihan. Wala naming nasuka, merong nahilo pero nag-enjoy parin naman.

As usual sa White Beach kami nag-punta at sa Nipa Hut Resort kami tumuloy. Napa-reserve na to actually, a day before the said schedule (Thanks RSA!) First things first, syempre kumain diba. Thanks sa mga chefs namin na sina RSA, FMS, CMV, MMP, Janice and Sharon. Galing nyo guys!


Syempre, we’ve done the most important thing. To enjoy the sand and the salty water of the beach. Weather is quite calm na though may konting raindrops nung gabi that’s why na-udlot ang inuman galore sa beach front. Maraming namulot ng tinatawag naming “gratitude stone” or “good luck stone” (Thanks sa movie na “The Secret”). Tinuloy naming ang gimik nung gabi. Nag bar pa kami don.

The next day was even more exciting kasi we planned na mag-snorkeling. Muntik nang mabulilyaso pero natuloy parin. Though di na ganong kaganda ang coral reef nila, atleast some of us manage to experience seing these corals and ofcourse, lumutang sa lagpas taong layo sa shore diba. Plus factor nalang ang ganda ng views.

Till next adventure.

Big day ni Ate Lois sa January 12

Nakakatuwang malaman na isa sa mga best friend mo sa office, ikakasal na. Hay! Naaalala ko pa a year ago kung paano ko tuksuhin ang taong to. Sabihin ko ba namang “ Uy ate, ilang taon nalang, mawawala ka na sa lotto, wala ka paring asawa”. Meron pang, “Kapag kinasal ka, sagot ko ang baboy…….(1kilo)”. “Ate, sayang ka kung di ka mag-aasawa….hehehe”. Daming pangaasar ano. Nandyan pang tinanong ko sya kung gusto nya, hanapan ko nalang sya ng makaka-date. Or baka pagmamadre ang bokasyon nya. Sa lahat ng pang-aalaska ko, ang ipinakita lang nya ay ang kanyang napakatamis na ngiti.

Si ate, adviser ko yan. Pag ako inaabot ng topak mapa-pamilya man o pang-opisinang problema, nandyan sya para gabayan ako sa tama. Napaka balance nya mag-isip. Mare-realize mo, tama ang mga suggestions nya. Hay! May edad na kasi eh…hehehe.

At ngayon, dumating na ang tamang panahon. Ikakasal ka na ate sa wakas! Sa wakas ha! Hehehe! Di kaya nabigla ka lang? Di kaya, nadala ka lang sa mga pag-aasar namin? Hahaha! Di naman sana.

Don’t worry ate. Happy talaga ako para sayo. Sana, maging maligaya ka sa magiging buhay may-asawa mo. At to Chris, Bro, ate ko yan….hahahaha

P.S. Abay nga pala ako….heheheh!

Why people are leaving?

Three of my closest officemate and friend sa Manels had filed their resignation this 3rd quarter of the year alone. Nakakalungkot pero life has to go on. No one should stop them from leaving since I believe, they know whats best for them selves. Yun nga lang, for sure I will think why nagiging trend itong resignation sa amin. I kept asking, "How about me? Will I follow them?"

To be honest, I'm also thinking, of finding a greener pasture for me. My question are, is this the right time?, am I satisfied with the company am working right now?, should I follow that resigning trend right now? How about my future? Nahhhhh! Dami na tuloy akong naiisip.

Well, di naman aalis ang isang empleyado if happy sya sa employer nya. Kasi, pwedeng, sawa na sya sa work, or he/she doesn't see improvement in his/her career, salary and benefit.

Siguro, I have to evaluate my self din...

To this friends who will be leaving us, good luck guys! I know your doing what is right for you and for family. Magkikita-kita parin naman tayo eh! Bon voyage!

Joanne Villania - MTDS HR Supervisor



Tina Saniego - System Support Head



Paul Reyes - Construction Supervisor

ASMSI @ Mt. Pulag Video uploaded

Click on the image to open the video link!!!

Conquered Mt. Pulag

Natupad din ang matagal kong pinapangarap, ang maakyat ang Mt. Pulag. Highest peek of Luzon rising 2,922 meters above sea level. Wah! Here also registered ang coldest part of the Philippines. It records as low at negative degree celcius.

Together with my schoolmate and friends, we climb Mt. Pulag namely: Apol, Ian, Rhanz, Babes, Binx, Jessie, Edwin, Ross, Chippy, Ethan and Sam with OA's Mike and Marky, MFPI's Chris and Ren




Mt. Pulag is considered the 2nd highest mountain in the Philippines, next to Mt. Apo of Mindanao with only a few meters difference. It is considered as one of the most beautiful National Parks in the Cordillera Area. Mt. Pulag is typically different from the rainforest mountains in the Philippines because of its open area (no trees mountain). It also has its distinct characteristics of changing color on different occasions and season. During the dry season, Mt. Pulag is brown similar to the chocolate Hills of Bohol. During the Rainy Monsoon season, it will vary from light green to rich dark green rolling plains, almost similar to a well maintained golf course. Local People believed that is was, and is a play ground of the gods.

Nahahati ng 3 probinsya ang Mt. Pulag namely Ifugao, Nueva Vizcaya and Benguet.

We scheduled the climb last Septeber 1, 2007. Following the itinerary, we arrive 5:30AM at Baguio via Victory Liner. In the city, we took our breakfast and prepared all our things for the trek. We've ride a jeep going to Bocod, Benguet. We've seen the fascinating Ambuklao Dam. Grabe!



Before tumuloy ng akyat, nag seminar muna kami sa DENR, Ambangeg. Dun palang ulan at lamig na ang naghahalo. We've transfered to another jeep. This time, 4x4 na to endure rough terrain going to Ranger Station.



Finally, after roller coster ride, murmuring of prayers and instense nervousness, we finally arrived at Ranger station. Mike briefed us of what we expect on the Camp and the summit, the trail and the weather. We've started trekking at 2PM after our lunch.

Mahabang lakad at akyat. Ofcourse, nakakalibang kasi malamig at maganda ang tanawin. We've passed Camp 1 then pitch our tents at Camp 2.

Dito na. Kasabay ng lamig at ulan while putting up our tents, inabot na ko ng mala-hypothermiang feeling. Sobra, chill-out talaga, to the extent na namanhid na mga daliri ko sa paa at kamay. By night, we decided na sa Kubo nalang kami magpalipas ng gabi. Gin and Matador helped us fight the antagonizing freeze. Below 10 degrees celcius na raw yun. Wah! Grabe. Sa huli, kami nalang nina Arian and Rhanz ang naiwang gising, sa balitaktakang computer warranty ang dahilan...hay, hanggang sa taas, trabaho parin...Hehehehe.

After a chilling night, we woke up at 6Am, we continued the trek to the summit. Ang sabi, if you've taken pictures without the endemic dwarf bamboos (Yushania niitakayamensis) and Benguet Pines (Pinus insularis), di maniniwalang nag Mt. Pulag ka so we made sure, may souvenier pics kami with that. Sayang, wala nga lang kaming na-encounter na Cloud Rat.



The summit. Thrilling and breath taking talaga. Kahit madalang magpakita araw, overwhelmed parin kami. Finally, we've landed sa highest poing of Luzon. After several picture shots, we descent back to Camp 2. There, we took up our breakfast. By 10am, we've started to descent back to Ranger station. This time, pabilisan na ang balik.




May mga mabilis nakarating, may mga relax lang lumakad, at may mga pinahaba ang lakad...hahahahah!


We've took our lunch sa Ranger station. By the way, all the foods served were prapared by Mikes group, with Marky (Chippy's apple of the eyes) as the chief cook. Swabe ang food. Teriaky, Nilagang Baboy, sushi rolls, bacon and egg with soup (Don't know the number...hahahahah), asado and the best....Buttered Veggies.

Sabi nga, babalik ka parin sa pinanggalingan mo. So we headed back to Baguio, enduring same rough agonizing terrain to Ambangeg.

We've also sited the MFPI and ASMSI project, "Bring books to the Boondocks" were the group in cooperation with the Asian Foundation distributed books for the indigenous brothers and sisters of the Cordilleras.

After arriving at Baguio City, some of us decided to head back then to Manila, some took time to experience night life at Baguio were we enjoy the BEST BAR at Nevada Square... hahahah, thanks Ethan. and some, enjoyed the city till next day.



For link to the pictures, click http://picasaweb.google.co.uk/andrew.minglana/Pulag

It was their 1st time at Mt. Maculot

Mt. Maculot, here I come again!

A week before June 16, 2007, madaming nag backout para sa hiking schedule na to...Hay! ewan ko nalang pero I told them na itutuloy ko ito. Wala nang atrasan. Hehehe! nadala ko ata sila.

Saturday came (June 16, 2007). Finally, natuloy narin.



Manels participants,mga first timers na officemates ko: Loisa Marasigan, Tina Saniego, Eloi Lorenzo, Maryl Aquino with her sister Joy, Bill Plaza, Cynthia of Audit and his boyfriend, Kriz Cardenas, Jenny Chua and former officemates Ferdie of GS and Rucel of E100.

Ofcourse, with the veterans, SMS Alumni Group: Me, Ross Cosio, Binx Jetajobe, Sam, Babes with Randy and my friend, Jhun Addao.




We all met at the Bus station located at Buendia corner Taft Ave. Hmm, late pa nga kami. 3pm na kami nakaalis! We arrive sa Cuenca at 5:30pm kaya nag rent na kami ng jeep to transfer us sa jump off ng Mt. Maculot. We started trekking at 6:30pm. Though hirap ang mga first timer, they did gave their best para maabot ang camp site. They really excerted great effort to fulfill their dream, reaching Mt. Maculots camp, meeting their expectation of what the its beauty awaits them.



At 8:30pm, all participants reached the campsite. Some pitched their tents while some rested. We had cooked our food, fix their things and most important syempre, ang "SOCIAL", we enjoyed so much each other while drinking brandy. (Lupit talaga ni Mamatadorrr!!...Grrr!)

Most of us took their rest while the KULITIW's na di makatulog, abay nangulit na lamang...(Ito na nga siguro ang epekto ni TADOR...hehehe). Di ko lang alam kung naaliw sila sa mga awit naming:

- Hindi kita malilimutan
- My way
- Ugoy ng duyan

...at kung ano ano pang nakakaantig na awit... si Ate Loisa nga, di namin alam kung tumatawang tulog o tulog na tumatawa..ah! ewan ko ba. 3am na kami nakatulog....pagod!



Pagkagising ng umaga, pinuntahan agad namin ang ROCKIES, the forever champion sa sceneries. At di ako binigo ng pagpopromote nito sa mga Manels officemates ko. Really, na impress sila. Iba talaga ang nature. At nakisama pa ang panahon. Galing!


10:30am kami nag trek pababa at dumaan sa bahay ng kaibigan namins si Kuya Apol. Kahit wala sya don, inasikaso kami ng kanyang nanay.

Hay! na-enjoy talaga nila........................ Yun nga lang, masakit ang mga katawan nila! Hehehe!

Uyet uyet!

Remembering my Fr. Als's 15th Death Anniversary

Oh my papa! To me it was so wonderful....

A painful song I've learned from our Alma matter, sang when a great man left his children to join his Master. Still the song echoed in my ear, a bit with tears from all those who love Fr. Al so much, the great servant of the poor.

49 days after his death, I came to SMS to study for free. With out knowing how great this man is, i usually play beside his tomb rested in front of Doty building. Till our sisters shared us his teachings, his beliefs and love of GOD, I've realized, I was on the right path.

Before August 15, 1992, the sisters let us watch the video coverage of Fr. Wake. Everyone bares the pain of his lost, even us who didn't got the chance of an outright contact with him fell deeply sad.

As the sisters foretold us, Fr. died peacefully. He really prepared for that time when it came.

And now, it was 15 years since this great man left us but made a mark for each one of us of his legacy. To practive love for each and everyone of us.

We love you Fr. Al.

New ASMSI Site

The long wait is over. Let us meet our new Home site!



www.asmsi.org.ph

The Bright Father

A Father is very proud for his son being the valedictorian in the primary level. After the speech of his son, the father volunteered to do the same.

The father went to the stage and uttered:

Father: "Gud ibning leydis end gentolmen. Tuday is the graduation of my son."
Listeners: Applauded the Fathers greetings.

Father: " I invite you to eat my house."
ListenersL Amazed...

Father: "I will kill 2 chicken, a boy and a girl, for today, my son is graduation."

The guest Governor can't resist anymore and stood up but before he walked away..the father uttered:

Father: "Sit down, government!"