Meet My Photographer

During the dark times (literally because there was no electricity) when me and my younger sister were 'evacuees' in our matriarchal grandmother's huge house because of the recent typhoon, I kept myself busy by looking at our very old, yet precious, family photos.

Because of Papang, I had a vivid memory on how I lived my childhood. I knew how I looked like while growing up. In such an early age, I learned how to gamely pose for a photo op once he calls me, his trusty point-and-shoot Nikon in hand. I was a happy toddler then and he made sure to properly document my first smiles, first wobbly walks, my boo-boos when I fell down while riding a bicycle, and how I was baby-ed by the people around me. Good times, indeed. Good times.

Papang, my grandfather, is a natural shutterbug. He loves taking shots of his family for as long as I can remember and keeps stacks and stacks of photo albums dating back the olden times from when he and Mamang were still boyfriend-girlffriend, the eventful, and countless family reunions, up until the time my youngest cousin was born.

As I flipped through the dusty photo albums, I found myself getting emotional at every snapshot. Why? Papang and aren't that close but he gave me something that is priceless. He never really expressed verbally how he loves me but Papang proved it through his lens even though he was never a professional photographer. He was also the complete opposite of Mamang-- quiet, reserved and mostly kept everything to himself that's why I will be forever be intrigued of what he thinks.

Now that he is already over eighty years old and gone through a critical brain surgery, it breaks my heart that he doesn't even recognize me anymore. I have to introduce myself every time I drop by their house, and then he only nods in aknowledgment as I kiss him in the cheek. He smiles at me occassionally but I know he thinks of me now as nothing but a mere stranger. This is one of the harsh realities I have to face and I must say that it sucks. Big time.

Thank you, Papang. You're one of the people who taught me to appreciate life and capture them through photos. I'll always be your "Maga" and that's a promise.

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Wanna Get Paid to Blog?

Originally named Payingpost.com, Blogavertisingstore.com is a revamp of the latter blog advertising site. It’s a paid-to-blog scheme which enables blogging enthusiasts like me a chance to earn for writing posts and reviews about certain products, depending on the ‘opportunity’ that qualifies you to take an assigned post. Personally, I’m very picky about the tasks I select because it might risk tampering my special touch in this blog and wouldn’t want to look like it’s an annoying ad-clad commercial site.

Why do I speak of this? Because Blogavertisingstore has earned me tens of dollars and satisfied me so far. Yep, you read that right--tens, not hundreds. It’s not a get-rich-quick modus operandi to make you quit your job or buy that coveted and ginormously-priced set of wheels because it doesn’t work like that, sorry to burst your bubble. My point is that if you love sharing your thoughts through your blog and has regular visitors in a daily basis, why not get some monetary credits from it? I’m sure you love the sound of that, right? So yes, I encourage you to sign up for it and no, this is not a scam. Just make sure to make your blog neat and presentable, know the rules of subject-verb-agreement, have a fair amount of hits to your site and of course, a PayPal account. If your blog boasts all of the above, then there’s no stopping you from making extra dollars here and there!

On another note, I thank the people who ‘’followed” my blog in order to get their dose of Stuff That Matters. I was surprised that I already have twenty-two (22) followers (and counting!), rave reviews and comments, and countless messages that were left in my C-box despite my “absences” in writing posts. Friends, my deepest gratitude for hearing me out. It’s very therapeutical, I must say! The past week was toxic at work but reading your comments is somewhat motivating because you guys have such equally lovely blogs. I will make a post about your blogs as soon as I catch my breath. *
If you have any questions about Blogadvertisingstore.com, feel free to drop me a line and I will get back to you soonest.

Cheers!

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Advice for the Day: Compliment!

Getting angry is one of the emotions I carefully avoid because we tend to do or say stuff that we don't really mean. Sometimes when I'm really enraged, I scare myself because I might transform into an aswang or manananggal (fictional monsters). Just kidding. I abhor getting mad because it's stressful, energy-draining and hurts people (verbally or physically) in the process.

If you have been a regular reader here, you know that the last time I gnashed my teeth in anger was two months ago. It involved my boss, a misunderstanding, and a heated argument through text messages in the middle of the night. To cut the story short, we said things to each other that maddened both of us. We're okay now, by the way. We resolved the problem by settling it in the office like mature adults. Thank God for that. I was at the verge of calling it quits, you know.

Speaking of work-related anger, let me share you an article that I read to reduce the risk of cat fights not only with your boss, but with your colleagues. Remember this phrase: Compliments are like fertilizer. It will not work well until it is spreaded around liberally. If your officemate has done a good job and raked praises from others, approach his/her and tell that person that you think he/she deserves those flattering remarks. You can also ask tips on how to improve your working skills. It's just all about staying positive and optimistic despite the pressure and tight deadlines, people. It will be hard to put up a smiling front all the time but hey, you've got nothing to lose when you do it.

P.S.

Does anyone know tips on how I can get my own domain name in a pocket-friendly price? Please let me know. Thankies!

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Villar Won't Get My Vote

Hopefully by the time October ends, my name will be part of the official list of the voters registry for the upcoming 2010 Elections. My readers know that I've been long ranting about how the Philippine government is down in the dumpster and that I'm beginning to forcefully accept the bitter reality that this country will be forever be infested with corrupt and money-greedy "public servants."

Now that elections is just more or less seven months away, presidential candidates dim-wittedly resort to great lengths for campaign tactics: raffling off free cellphones, doing a marriage proposal on national TV (in an unreputable noon time show, no less), and this:

It's bad enough that Typhoon Ondoy massacred innocent lives, but why take advantage of this tragedy by using it as another campaign tool? Mr. Villar, you are not helping. If you want to be of assistance, do your charitable work in hush-hush. You cannot anticipate positive feedback in you charity-work-slash-campaign tactic. It is NOT going to work. Youths like me nowadays are smarter than you think.

Oh, in case you're wondering, I'm going for Noynoy Aquino.

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Cheesy-ish Mode.

Be forewarned: This is not a mushy post. So to those who happen to be in “emo” mode, sorry.

As I was going through my Multiply site yesterday, Jamille, an old friend of mine way back in 6th grade, posted this write-up in the blog section of her site. I’m not sure if she’s in a relationship right now (or if she’s inspired because of someone which would be cool, by the way) but her article made an impact on me that I had to share it. I had to. My current relationship is far from perfect but I’m proud to say that despite the differences we have, we manage to do the stuff that still make us fond of each other at the end of the day. That’s two years and counting.

To those who are experiencing curve balls in their relationships, especially those who are failing their marriages, it’s not too late. Maybe this post will refresh you back.

*****************TIPS ON STAYING TOGETHER*********

ANNIVERSARIES - Always celebrate! Whether it's the 1st or the 50th, each year together is a triumph.

APPRECIATION - Let each other know how much you appreciate each other. You may already know but hearing it from each other is always better.

BEST FRIENDS - Be best friends preferably before being boyfriend-girlfriend. Take time to know each other so the relationship will be a deep one. Tell each other about your crushes, dreams, and problems. Make sure he/she is your best friend before getting engaged. The strong bond of friendship will help you both survive tough times.

BOND - Make it a point to spend time together often but leave room for each other. Also spend time alone w/ each other, so that at the end of the day you could both share your experiences. This way, you stay interesting with your partner.

CHANGING EACH OTHER- Don't marry an as***le, j*** or a bi*** (an unsuitable person) You'll never change each other.

COMPLIMENTS - Always compliment each other. This will prevent feelings of resentment and thinking that one is being taken for granted.

DATE - Keep doing things that you both enjoy, do them together. Make time and continue to date to keep the romance - look and smell good to maintain physical attraction.

DIFFERENCES - Celebrate differences. Never force your ideologies down each other's throat. Give up trying to turn your partner into you. Accept differences and appreciate them.

FIGHTS - Fight with the aim to resolve the issue. Don't outdo each other. The longer you extend the fight, the more chances that you'll say something hurtful that you don't really mean. As mad as you were with your partner, he/she is still the person who laughs at your jokes and thinks you're hot. Hear each other out, don't dig up old issues. Choose your battles. Make sure the fight will be worth it and that something will change in the relationship as a result of the fight.

FLAWS - Know that the perfect person does not exist. Know that just as there are things that you love about him/her, there will be things that will make you go crazy. We are only human with our own flaws.

FUN - Have fun together! This means keeping the fun and spontaneity that was there in the early days. Allow yourselves to get silly - shower together, pee with the door open etc. Being able to make each other laugh and see the lighter, crazier, absurd side is the best way to get through all the differences in personalities, adjustments in lifestyle and opposing viewpoints.

GOALS - Make sure you have similar goals. It would be difficult to keep your bond intact if your views are complete opposite.

GRUDGES - Quit tabulating grudges. Let it off. Discuss it, then trash it, don't recycle it.

KEEPING IT HOT - Keep it hot by traveling to different places together. A new setting will do wonders. Always have skin contact - be it holding hands, a massage or just plain leg rubbing.

HONESTY - Don't lie or hide things. The problem will only get bigger.

KNOW EACH OTHER - Learn each other's interest. It really keeps the conversation flowing!

HUG - A hug can be far better more intimate than a kiss.

IDENTITY - Don't lose your personality - that's why he/she fell in love with you. Have separate interests and activities to keep your individuality and to be able to contribute more to the relationship.

INDEPENDENCE - Having your own income means you're the boss in your life.

IN-LAWS - Make rooms for the in-laws.

INTENTIONS - Wish each other well. Don't wish each other worst.

ISSUES - Speak up about the awkward stuff now like money and sex. The earlier, the better.

LISTEN - Listen, listen, listen. Hear each other out especially during arguments.

LOOK GOOD - Mind your appearance! Stay fit and healthy for each other.

LOVE - It all boils down to your love, chemistry, and respect for each other.

MEMORIES - Remind each other of the old days. Do something that you used to do for each other before. It may even be corny but it made you two together. Experience new things together––from dining into a new restaurant to experiencing street food together to exploring to new places. It's the little surprises that make great memories.

MIND READING - No matter how long you've been together, do not think that you can read each other's mind.

NEEDS - Be good to yourself, then be good to your partner. That's what love is all about. Think about your partner. Will it make him/her happy? Will she/he enjoy it? Consider each other's feelings. Be very attentive and sensitive to each other's needs, physically and emotionally, that way your partner learns to do the same for you. Never take your partner for granted.

PRIORITIES - If one says it's important, then it is! Prioritize each other among other things!

SPACE - Give each other space. Have dates with your girlfriends, have your boy's night out. If you can't trust each other with this, then don't get married.
SORRYSay sorry when you're wrong.

SURPRISES - No matter how long you've known each other, be open to surprises, both good or bad.

TEAMWORK - Think for two and always work as a team. Consult each other before making a decision because everything will always affect both of you. Strengthen couple power. In many ways, we have to decide based on what is best for the relationship in favor of our individual selves.

SUPPORT - Support each other's dreams. Be willing to follow your passions, support your partner in his/her decisions and create new ones together. Two heads are better than one.

and..

TALK - Tell each other's stories. Life goes by so fast and its easy to see how easily couple can grow apart. Whenever something funny, scary, exciting or juicy happened to you or to someone you know, tell each other about it and have your partner do the same. Keep each other in the loop of life, even by email if you have to.

(Thanks, Jam. I miss you.)

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Two Piles of Clothing

Aside from the countless prayers I already offered for the not-so-fortunate victims of Typhoon Ondoy, I decided to offer tangible help: clothes.

I was watching the news a while ago and as usual, the reports are all about the horrible aftermath the recent typhoon in the Philippines caused and that donations are still very much accepted. Anything that will be donated is deeply appreciated: canned goods, cooked food, water, clothes, etc. It’s heartbreaking to know that a huge number of lives were lost during this disaster, even innocent little kids and animals. While I was self-pitying because of our share of Ondoy’s disastrous repercussions, the local news slapped me awake to make me realize how lucky I am. I am lucky because even though our house and other appliances are dented, we still managed to save all of our valuables. Even though I was irritated that mud was everywhere when the floodwater subsided, I am still with my family, alive and kicking. Even though my feet were soaked in dirty water as we “evacuated” to my Grandmother’s house, I didn’t catch anything life-threatening such as leptospirosis. And even after my horrible thought that we could all possibly drown if the rain hadn’t stopped then, still, God did not permit it to happen and instead, let me and my family live. Heck, He let me survive and here I am in my bed, enjoying the comfort of having a home and Internet!


Call it timing but while I was thinking of ways on how I can help the victims at any way, my good friend, Madz, knocked into our hearts via a group text message if we could donate used clothes or relief goods. I immediately made arrangements to meet her, scavenged through my clothes cabinet for what to contribute and asked my younger sister to do the same on hers and voila! Two piles of used garments produced, ready to be given away.

As I brushed off the urge to keep some of my clothes that has sentimental value in it, like a shirt that has been with me since third grade, I found the activity difficult. Those clothes were close to my heart because each cloth and sleeve represented an experience, a feeling, a memory, or a story. It was like saying goodbye to childhood and teenage years or something.

But then, those victims need these clothes more than I do now so it needs to go. My donation will not be much but I’m pretty sure it will also come a long way.

I continue to pray. Please also do so.

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