Ondoy: Remembering the tragedy

It has been one year since the tragedy called Ondoy struck Manila. And it is typhoon season once again. Should we be bracing for another disaster?

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Remembering Ondoy

One of the many horrifying photos from last year's Ondoy devastation.

We were fortunate to be one of the residents of Pasig City whose house was not ravaged by last year's tropical storm Ondoy, but our neighbors, friends and families were - some had vehicles completely submerged in flood water, others had their houses flooded so quickly there was no time to salvage anything.  I recounted my personal experience with Ondoy in this blog post I published last year -Trauma in Ondoy's wake...

Just Another Friday Poem

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I feel my eyebrows twitching

in anticipation. Wishing

I was done with these remaining

reports writing...

telephones ringing...

In my mind I am shouting

"Friday! FRIDAY!" Neverending.

Oh my tired mind is trying...

but it's failing.

Failing.

Failing.

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Aviator Shades will NEVER go out of style

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"Who turned the lights off? I can't see a thing!"

Aviator Shades will never go out of style... just sayin'!

So, who doesn't have a mandatory photo with-Aviator-shades-on as a child? Hahaha!

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Remembering Thailand (and wanting to go back!)

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Sawasdee Khrab!

I would love to go back to Thailand and go ride an elephant, or get an elegant yet affordable Phuket hotel booking and have a Thailand vacation on Patong Beach, revisit the royals in Bangkok's Grand Palace, watch the sunset at one of the vantage points on Promthep Cape, maybe catch a Muay Thai fight or a buy some Thai gold for my girlfriend.

Memories of Thailand

My first time to travel outside of the Philippines was in 1997, to celebrate our mom's birthday via a trip to Thailand with my family. I was 15 at the time, and still in high school - I had to miss a day or two of school, but it was well worth it...

Once Upon an Idol Audition

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Who are the new American Idol Judges? JLo? Steven Tyler??

There have been a lot of speculation about who the new American Idol Judges are going to be following the departure of Simon Cowell.  With season 9 judge Ellen Degeneres saying she thinks it "didn't feel like the right fit" for her and the apparent sacking of Kara DioGuardi, so far, Randy Jackson remains as the lone veteran Idol judge...

Earning 10 in 2010 - August Online Earnings Update

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Earning 10 in 2010 - Online Earnings Update

Monthly Online Earnings Update

Hello everyone and welcome to the August 2010 edition of my Online Earnings Update. If it is your first time reading this, here's a quick background...

Singapore Reflections

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Singapore Reflections - the river cruise

Singapore River Cruise, Clarke Quay

More Photos below...

Duìbùqǐ - I am sorry

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Duìbùqǐ ("I am sorry") - to the families of those who were hurt and killed in today's hostage taking near Quirino Grandstand in Manila by ex-Senior Inspector Rolando Mendoza. - @Reyjrdotcom

Living Batangueño: Driving to Batangas City

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Driving from Manila to Batangas

I have been driving between Manila and Batangas City weekly since April 2005 and one of my frustrations about it is the wasted time - imagine around 5 to 7 hours a week (depending on how bad the traffic is) is unproductive time, just sitting on my butt, going from point A to point B. There was even one time I traveled from Batangas to Manila for 5 and a half hours!

Batangas - STAR Tollway

It was even worse during the episode when the "Bridge of Promise" was out of service. That bridge collapsed during the typhoon season of 2009, it was Typhoon Santi that destroyed it, taking the life of Romulo Soriano and his 3-year old son, Nicolo. His wife Malou who was also in the car when it crashed into the water, survived...

Review: "The Godfather (Part 1)" on Movie Night

Because since I moved to my current quarters I've had a lot more time to watch DVDs, I've decided to include mini movie reviews on this blog. And what better way to kick it off than with this classic, award winning film? 

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Now Showing on Movie Night: "The Godfather" Part 1 (1972)

Directed by Francis Ford Coppola

Screenplay by Mario Puzo

Paramount Pictures

Starring Marlon Brando, Al Pacino, James Caan, Richard S. Castellano, Robert Duvall, Sterling Hayden, John Marley, Richard Conte and Diane Keaton.

"The Godfather (Part 1)"

Believe it or not, it was the first time ever that I saw this movie - but it is crystal clear to me now why it deserves it's Oscar wins and all the praises and accolades it received. Heck, I even think this mini movie review cannot bring justice to this epic. :p

Guest Post: "I Can Only Dream Of You" a song by Roy dela Cruz

Watch a video of Roy singing his song here: http://youtu.be/-sG9pXw3Fps

Roy is a widower from Angeles City. He maintains over 10 blogs including Roysville dot Com, The Struggling Blogger, Short Stories Blog, Travel To Angeles City, and Kapampangan Blog, and sees blogging not as a hobby but as a way of life.

Read the lyrics of his song and my short interview with Roy below about this new song and how music affects his life...

"Earning 10 in 2010" - July Online Earnings Update

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Earning 10 in 2010 - Online Earnings Update

Hello everyone and welcome to the July 2010 edition of my Online Earnings Update.
If it is your first time reading this, here's a quick background. I've decided to blog about my monthly online earnings via my Twitter account, and my Personal Blog.  I am not actively pursuing this earning online business - I'm posting around twice a week about things I usually blog about, receiving around 100 to 150 unique hits per day, and am only spending at most 1 to 2 hours daily writing and promoting my blog because of my busy work schedule. If you are in the same situation, I invite you to share what you know and how your efforts have been fruitful. If you are a newbie like me, then read on and join me on this journey! Here's the updated chart for July 2010...

Newsworthy in AIYF Aberdeen, Scotland!

The Aberdeen International Youth Festival 2010

The Aberdeen International Youth Festival (AIYF) in Aberdeen, Scotland "brings together and presents the best young performers and performing companies. It is a unique multi-arts event and has a reputation for attracting some of the finest young dance companies, classical dance academies, youth orchestras, bands and music ensembles from around the world." It is an annual festival that I have been privileged to be a part of twice - in the years 2000 and 2003. :)