tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14943304801921297652024-03-13T19:49:45.845+08:00THE ELEMENTSJPPhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05115014200737938392noreply@blogger.comBlogger337125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1494330480192129765.post-79088326715848049422017-12-02T03:18:00.002+08:002017-12-02T03:18:43.110+08:00Finding Peace in Prayers – Saint Pancratius<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span><span style="font-family: inherit;">On most days you know you have the physical strength, the
willpower, the motivation and commitment to do your daily grind. You work smart
and you have a great team, you have a supportive family and circle of friends.
But there are days when it seems that all you can hope for is divine
intervention.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Back in 2002 when I first landed a job in the BPO industry
and my first experience doing a graveyard shift, my late grandmother came up to
my room one day and gave me this novena. She told me that since I was working
in the night time, this novena was for good health, success in work, and being
free of adversities or ill-intentioned persons. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">This novena carried me through tough times back then. Though
let’s admit that we sometimes miss out on our catholic obligations, and only
remember to pray when we are in need. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span></span><span style="font-family: inherit;">Nowadays, I experience more and more obstacles in Life. May it
be work or personal, some of these situations are just beyond my control.
(Though I am still trying to find a solution for it to be within my control.) But
this is where I turn to a higher power. It may not bring the desired results,
but I do find peace and comfort whenever I complete my prayers.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">So I just want to share the Novena to Saint Pancratius, for
it may bring strength and guidance in your daily tasks.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
NOVENA TO</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
SAINT PANCRATIUS<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
Act of Contrition:</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Jesus, my God,<br />
how often have I offended Thee and,<br />
despite my firm promise never to sin again,<br />
how many times have I left Thy sweet company<br />
to follow the path of sin!<br />
<br />
Dearest Lord, I am sorry for my past negligences.<br />
I regret this weakness of mine.<br />
I would be ashamed to promise again<br />
that I will not sin were it not for the confidence<br />
I have in Thy love and Thy mercy.<br />
<br />
I kneel in Thy presence,<br />
hopeful that despite so many past violations of Thy commandments,<br />
notwithstanding so many failures to correspond with Thy grace,<br />
I can still repent.<br />
<br />
I know that there is time to make a new beginning.<br />
With Thy aid I will strive to be faithful to Thee,<br />
with Thy assistance I will do my utmost to serve Thee faithfully - and always.<br />
Do Thou, dear Jesus, help me.<br />
<br />
Amen.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<strong>First Day</strong><br />
<br />
Our hearts have been created to love. <br />
It is God Whom you have to love most, <br />
more than all beings, <br />
more than all riches of the world,<br />
and in this way you will avoid many disappointments. <br />
St. Pancratius did it so <br />
and by it he obtained many favors from God. <br />
Ask him fervently for this grace, <br />
you will live peacefully <br />
and will obtain his protection in all your needs.<br />
<br />
<strong><u>Prayer for each day to the Blessed Trinity</u></strong><br />
<br />
<strong><em>Prayer to the Eternal Father</em></strong><br />
<br />
I believe, Heavenly Father, <br />
all that Faith teaches, <br />
and in that faith I wish to live and die;<br />
through the intercession of St. Pancratius <br />
grant us good health to fulfill our duties.<br />
<br />
Our Father...<br />
Hail Mary...<br />
Glory be...<br />
<br />
<strong><em>Prayer to God the Son</em></strong><br />
<br />
O good Jesus, <br />
grant me the virtue of Hope in your promises <br />
in the same measure that St. Pancratius <br />
always trusted in your Providence,<br />
so that I may, through his intercession, <br />
obtain work and success in all my undertakings.<br />
<br />
Our Father...<br />
Hail Mary...<br />
Glory be...<br />
<br />
<strong><em>Prayer to the Holy Spirit</em></strong><br />
<br />
Grant me the virtue of Charity <br />
that I may love God above all things <br />
and my neighbor for the love of God, <br />
as St. Pancratius did. <br />
Through his intercession <br />
I hope to obtain this grace <br />
and that of being free from adversities <br />
and from ill-intentioned persons.<br />
<br />
Our Father...<br />
Hail Mary...<br />
Glory be...<br />
<br />
<strong>Concluding Prayer:</strong> <br />
<br />
O glorious St. Pancratius, <br />
I beg thee to obtain for me<br />
all the graces that I need, <br />
but especially health and work, <br />
so that I may appear before thee <br />
to thank God for the favors <br />
I received through your powerful intercession.<br />
<br />
Amen.<br />
<br />
<br />
<strong>Second Day</strong><br />
<br />
It is the law of God to love our neighbor, <br />
but only in as much as this love does not hinder us from loving God. <br />
St. Pancratius gave us the examples, <br />
thus leading many souls in the right path to heaven. <br />
Let us ask him from the depth of our hearts <br />
to give us the grace to love our neighbors <br />
as ourselves in order to love God better; <br />
in this way we shall obtain many graces <br />
from the glorious St. Pancratius. <br />
<br />
(Prayer to the Blessed Trinity as on First Day)<br />
<br />
<strong>Third Day</strong><br />
<br />
St. Pancratius possessed such a kind heart <br />
that he always sympathized with the poor and the unfortunate; <br />
for this reason he obtained so many graces from heaven. <br />
You too, should imitate this virtue and thereby obtain, <br />
through his intercession, <br />
many favors from God.<br />
<br />
(Prayer to the Blessed Trinity as on First Day)<br />
<br />
<strong>Fourth Day</strong><br />
<br />
The glorious St. Pancratius not only tried to be good himself <br />
but also strived to lead other souls to heaven, <br />
and for this reason God bestowed on him <br />
such a great power in behalf of those devoted to him. <br />
You too, should try to spread this devotion <br />
and to lead others to heaven. <br />
In this way you will gain many graces, <br />
especially those that you like to receive in this novena.<br />
<br />
(Prayer to the Blessed Trinity as on First Day)<br />
<br />
<strong>Fifth Day</strong><br />
<br />
There are many persons in the world who due to human respect, <br />
fail to serve God wholeheartedly. <br />
Be not one of them, <br />
but rather imitate St. Pancratius <br />
in defending always the truth and the good, <br />
for the sake of God. <br />
In this way, <br />
you will obtain all that you need <br />
through the intercession of St. Pancratius <br />
who is always ready to hear your prayer.<br />
<br />
(Prayer to the Blessed Trinity as on First Day)<br />
<br />
<strong>Sixth Day</strong><br />
<br />
One of the hardest things for the heart <br />
is to forgive those who have injured us. <br />
Ask St. Pancratius to obtain for you this grace <br />
when someone has offended you, <br />
since he forgave even those who martyred him. <br />
Be sure you will then be more at peace <br />
and will obtain for yourself and for your family <br />
graces that grow more than you can hope for.<br />
<br />
(Prayer to the Blessed Trinity as on First Day)<br />
<br />
<strong>Seventh Day</strong><br />
<br />
In this world, <br />
great patience is needed for everything, <br />
for more obstacles always come in our way than we expect. <br />
Imitate St. Pancratius who always conforms his will <br />
to the Holy Will of God, <br />
and thus succeeded in living happily <br />
and becoming a great saint amidst difficulties. <br />
Ask him fervently to help you, <br />
and he will grant you this grace and many others.<br />
<br />
(Prayer to the Blessed Trinity as on First Day)<br />
<br />
<strong> Eighth Day</strong><br />
<br />
Just as you treasure the picture of your parents <br />
and other dear persons, <br />
so also should you treasure the image of St. Pancratius,<br />
assured that from heaven above he sees you <br />
as you kneel before his altar. <br />
The greater the fervor with which you do it <br />
the more he will intercede for you before God <br />
that he may grant you the graces you want <br />
to obtain in this novena, <br />
for you as well as for your family.<br />
<br />
(Prayer to the Blessed Trinity as on First Day)<br />
<br />
<strong>Ninth Day</strong><br />
<br />
Now that you are ending this novena, <br />
you are encouraged <br />
and you feel a greater desire to love St. Pancratius <br />
and by it to make yourself worthy of attaining heaven <br />
where you will keep his company. <br />
Be sure that he waits for you there, <br />
and you will fulfill your duties faithfully, <br />
leading the life of a good Christian; <br />
and thus obtain his protection for yourself and for your family.<br />
<br />
(Prayer to the Blessed Trinity as on First Day)<br />
<br />
</div>
JPPhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05115014200737938392noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1494330480192129765.post-38125668104959876102017-07-27T17:01:00.001+08:002017-07-27T17:01:37.462+08:00Music Defines my Day (Playlist One)<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>A very good mentor of mine shared a quote; “You are the books you read, the movies you watch, the music you listen to, the people you spend time with, the conversations you engage in. Choose wisely what you feed your mind."</i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<i style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></i></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<i style="font-family: inherit;">Well generally for music, I don’t stick to one genre and I do like a lot of different tunes. And yeah, depending on the music that I listen to, it does affect my mood in some way. And most of the time depending on that particular day, I already have a preset playlist to define the day that lies ahead.</i></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<i style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<div style="text-align: justify;">
<i style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></i></div>
<br />Hammered Hardstyle Days<br /><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Usually these are my Mondays and Tuesdays where there is a lot of pounding at the start of the week. Especially when you work the graveyard, you gotta keep the energy going like it’s a parteeee. (On some days it’s like a circus though, with clowns, huge elephants and monkeys.) You have that feeling like you want to hammer down on so many things. On some days you simply want to get your blood pumping when getting ready to play a game of hoops, and set that mind and body to inflict pain against your opponents. It’s basically your daily does of Bass-gasmic beats or Hardstyle harmonics.</span></div>
<br /> Top 5 on my Pound your Pain List:<br />
<ul>
<li>Tsunami – DVBBS & Borgeous</li>
</ul>
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<br /></div>
<ul>
<li>Planet E (Dense & Pika Remix) – Tiga</li>
</ul>
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<div>
<br /></div>
<ul>
<li>Showtek vs. Donkey Rollers – Showtek</li>
</ul>
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<div>
<br /></div>
<ul>
<li>Stereophobia – Dark Oscillators</li>
</ul>
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<div>
<br /></div>
<ul>
<li>Dragonfly – Dash Berlin</li>
</ul>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Chillounge Days</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Thursdays tend to be the days where I would almost find the light at the end of the tunnel or close to surviving the jungle I’ve been through. A time to lay back for a moment and catch my breath or heal battle wounds. Or it could be any day where I would just dream that time would move slower so I can just savor the moment of serenity. These are moments where you thank music for completely drowning out all that nonsense noise around you.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: inherit;">Top 5 on my Shush Be Quiet List:</span><br />
<br />
<ul>
<li>Warm – SG Lewis</li>
</ul>
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<div>
<br /></div>
<ul>
<li>Ready – Charles Webster</li>
</ul>
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<div>
<br /></div>
<ul>
<li>Flying Away (Sisco Lounge Mix) – Moony</li>
</ul>
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<div>
<br /></div>
<ul>
<li>Together in Electric Dreams – Lali Puna</li>
</ul>
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<br /></div>
<ul>
<li>Selfish (Chillout Version) - Sunset Daze</li>
</ul>
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<br />JPPhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05115014200737938392noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1494330480192129765.post-46630694528418465962017-07-20T15:43:00.000+08:002017-07-20T15:43:20.147+08:00Rebooting Elements<div style="text-align: justify;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">It has been 8 months since I last posted anything on my blog, and I didn’t
realize how long ago that was.</span></i><br />
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></i>
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">We get so hung up on so many things, we really tend to miss out or
forego on spending time on the things that you really want to do. We try so
hard to squeeze in everything in our schedule, but it seems like there isn’t
enough time. On some occasions we do these things that we want, to help us take
our mind off on other stressful matters. But that too tends to fall off our
calendars.</span></i><br />
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></i>
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">I tired doing a root cause analysis on it, and unfortunately I’d rather
not share what has caused this. Some things are best kept to yourself, and you would just have to push the reset button to start things over.</span></i></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></i>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></i></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">When I started this blog back in
May 2009, </span><a href="https://jpp-elements.blogspot.com/2009/05/elements-of-life.html"><span style="color: orange; font-family: inherit;"><strong>Elements of Life</strong></span></a><span style="font-family: inherit;">,
I just wanted to share what I have encountered in this lifetime. Everything and
anything that is practically under the sun. I am no professional blogger, I have
no experience in journalism, I don’t plan to make a career out of it. I simply
want to share the things that make me laugh, cry, frustrated, excited, happy,
sad, blow my top off, all the emotions that comes after the personal experiences
in Life. Because in these personal experiences are some of the Elements that
shape our Life.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">The past 8 months have really
been hectic for me. I seemed to have lost sight of several things. I grind out
each day to the limit. You can say that I am at a point where I have exhausted
all my energy and is gasping for a recharge. I have probably achieved one characteristic
on becoming an astronaut as I have mastered the art of power naps. Because that’s
pretty much the kind of sleep time I have nowadays.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">There is so much that is expected
of you that having to do just one function is not enough. Having to do what is
expected is no longer the norm. (</span><a href="https://jpp-elements.blogspot.com/2016/11/when-norm-no-longer-exists.html"><span style="color: orange; font-family: inherit;"><strong>When the Norm No Longer Exists</strong></span></a><span style="font-family: inherit;">)
You have to evolve in becoming cross-skilled. Even doing the extra mile, boy,
you gotta go farther than one mile; it’s now a cross-country hike. So you see,
you get cross-skilled, you do a cross-country, but be careful not to get
cross-eyed.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">People say to take a step back,
take time off, disconnect. </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">Yup, pretty much did that. I even blogged about
getting disconnected <b><a href="https://jpp-elements.blogspot.com/2012/06/disconnect-to-reconnect.html"><span style="color: orange;">Disconnect to Reconnect</span></a></b> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">So do I need a reboot? (Similar
to what I do with my 2007 desktop PC every time things get messed up already
and it hangs up on me, I just literally unplug it and boot it up again.) Though
it’s about time I should get a new one. This PC is croaking up already, I get
notifications that Microsoft will no longer support my platform, Google Chrome
will no longer send updates, and I can hear the internal fans also gasping for
air.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Well, I can’t buy a new me. So I will have to deal with what
me has to offer.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">But there are certain Elements of
Life that you can probably reboot in order for you to be revitalized. Look at
the little things that make you happy. Capitalize on those. It doesn’t even
have to be a huge thing because if you have trickles of happiness, it will have
a ripple effect. Getting frustrated has no place in this Life, you just don’t have
time for negative Elements. That time can very well be spent on something better.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
JPPhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05115014200737938392noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1494330480192129765.post-42459675085599546352016-11-10T09:16:00.000+08:002017-07-21T08:26:00.176+08:00When the Norm no longer Exists<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Ever heard of Kodak? Or you probably had a historic Kodak moment
that was captured on film? It was the company who pioneered camera film rolls
and the first digital camera. They ruled for over a century, where their films
were even used in the Apollo space missions. Fast forward to the next century,
due to the digital age Kodak stopped selling film cameras in 2004, they knew
that things had to change and they quickly switched gears to digital cameras.
But a couple of years later, things started to go downhill to the point where
they filed for bankruptcy in 2012.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">So what went wrong? They dominated for 100 years, they
adapted to the new age, and yet, it failed.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Ever heard of the saying, “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it”.
You have that certain level of complacency that things will be ok since you
have been successful with how you do things traditionally or within the norm,
that there is really no need to change the way things are or how it is done.
You live in that state where you are in a bubble and inside you feel confident
that you are protected, but outside, you have forces that can easily burst your
domain and everything falls apart. But if you live outside that bubble, you are
free to roam and do greater things. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">We always say to ourselves there is room for improvement, we
need to get outside of our comfort zone. But do we actually give space for it?
Do we actually step out?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Nowadays you have to really be open to anything and be able
to adapt by leaps and bounds. How I wish it was as easy as Keanu Reeves’
character in the movie The Matrix, where you can learn Kung-Fu in a matter of
seconds. You can’t be stuck with “I’m sorry, this is what I only know”.
Wouldn’t it be better if you could say, “Hold on, I will learn how to do it”.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Kodak had it going, but they were not doing it at the speed
that was in pace with the innovative world we live in. They probably foresaw
what was coming and yet they did not act on it immediately, thinking that they
were a giant in this world and it would take a lot to take them down. But then
again Goliath was dropped with a single stone, and the bigger they are, the
harder they fall. So we shouldn’t sit back and wait to see if others act on
things, the moment we see a potential risk, we need to quickly assess it and do
what is necessary to avoid an epic downfall. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Heraclitus, a Greek philosopher quoted, “The only thing that
is constant is change.” Everything around us changes every day. Especially in
my line of work I always say that each day is a new day since I encounter
something different, an out of the ordinary situation that keeps me thinking
constantly of solutions on how to deal with these dilemmas. And the moment you
stop, either you get caught off guard or get too far behind to ever catch up on
things. So we better start learning how to eat change for breakfast.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">The Norm is a lost land. And you would not want to get stuck
in it. Let’s admit that there is part in us that is old fashioned and is at
ease when staying within that comfort zone. That we may not need to change our
ways in our lifetime if things are ok. But then why settle for ok, when you can
do better, and you can do more.</span></div>
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JPPhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05115014200737938392noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1494330480192129765.post-71762173171491046222016-08-03T07:36:00.000+08:002016-08-03T07:36:54.898+08:00Featured Clips of the Day: Work, Work, Work<div style="text-align: center;">
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<b><u>The Expert</u></b></div>
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<b><u>Conference Call</u></b></div>
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JPPhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05115014200737938392noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1494330480192129765.post-53370628810018331442016-08-01T08:04:00.000+08:002016-08-01T08:04:21.022+08:00The Gladiator Way<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-NCwSmbS662k/V55oSosikUI/AAAAAAAAD5M/XmO1_mxi8Q0-sEb1yoxlqia1VbfC99FjgCLcB/s1600/11173396_10206309758533803_8354952710349219560_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-NCwSmbS662k/V55oSosikUI/AAAAAAAAD5M/XmO1_mxi8Q0-sEb1yoxlqia1VbfC99FjgCLcB/s320/11173396_10206309758533803_8354952710349219560_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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They say that if you are not first, you're last. That championships defines success and excellence. That winning is everything. </div>
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Not entirely true.</div>
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There is a lot to be said about the sport of basketball. How this team sport breeds and develops athletes not just physically but mentally. How the sport changes one's perspective in life and work ethic. A sport that unites and inspires others. And I am very grateful to have played basketball for at least a third of my life.</div>
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So what's the point if you did not win the championship?</div>
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They say that if you are not first, you're last.</div>
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True. If there are just two teams competing in that particular league. True. If indeed you are dead last and have not won any games at all. But if you have been in the finals for 3 consecutive years, in reality, I don't consider that being last. It's being competitive. This team climbed from being a 2nd runner up on it's first year, 1st runner up on the 2nd year, and became champions on the next. On our fourth year, after losing our first game, the team never looked back and streaked to the finals. It is unfortunate though that we lost to a better team. </div>
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Take for example the San Antonio Spurs. They never won it each and every year (They've won a total of 5 back in 1999, 2003, 2005, 2007 and 2014), but their competitiveness never waned. Each and every year they won anywhere between 50 to 60 games out of a total 82 games. Would you consider the Spurs to be last?</div>
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That championships defines success and excellence, and winning is everything.</div>
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Indeed it is great to win them all. But it would be the greatest if you've won authentically and without shortcuts. To some, winning is everything, thus they would recruit talents just for the sake of playing. In the professional leagues, why not. But in a BPO industry; come on. One thing I am very proud of this team is that the players are TRUE employees doing actual BPO work. </div>
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I will be blunt and harsh on this. Other teams employ half of it's lineup and puts them in a department that needs very minimal office work or none at all. I know because we've done it in my previous employer. And believe me, when we won the championship, the feeling for me wasn't authentic. We took the short route, we guaranteed victory by getting an ex-professional player, collegiate athletes and a couple of amateur league players. For others they even brought in an import.</div>
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Really? These guys do BPO work? They go on a graveyard shift? They clock in 9 hours doing actual office duties? Is that defining success and excellence? Sure, sure. </div>
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So how come we have ex-collegiate/amateur players in our roster you say? Let's set the record straight. These guys walked into our doors and applied on their own free will. And I am very proud of these two employee-athletes, who have shown much dedication and commitment, both with the sport and with work.</div>
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Rhey Mendoza and Danny Pribhdas for me are an excellent example of an employee-athlete. In the past 3 years these two were the heart and soul of the team. But despite being that, they have been unselfish and as true leaders they trusted and believed in their team mates and helped to make them better.</div>
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Rhey used to play for the NU Bulldogs and was named part of the Mythical Five and Danny played for the UST Growling Tigers in the UAAP. How much effort they put into the sport is the same level as to how much they exert their effort at work. Rhey is an OJT (On the Job Trainer) who helps new hires during their training period. Danny is one of our high performing employees and is now assuming an assistant team leader role. Regular night shift hours, high stress levels, and yet they deliver both on the court and on the job.</div>
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As captain of the team, Rhey said, "Even if we lost this year, what's important is the winning culture that we have. We will come back stronger and better as always."</div>
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Winning may not be everything, but the culture that you instill to breed the right attitude and behavior towards work and play, for me is more important. Never give up and strive harder.</div>
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That is what defines success and excellence.</div>
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That is the Gladiator Way.</div>
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JPPhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05115014200737938392noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1494330480192129765.post-31682702734828129842016-07-26T12:04:00.000+08:002016-07-26T12:08:03.619+08:00Kian Turns 7<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-V161i28IOkU/V5behxtngdI/AAAAAAAAD4I/6o1X7LnACkQN9bRGDuUfplDnQHspS2dKgCLcB/s1600/11230660_10153872958055505_2608637696292468714_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-V161i28IOkU/V5behxtngdI/AAAAAAAAD4I/6o1X7LnACkQN9bRGDuUfplDnQHspS2dKgCLcB/s320/11230660_10153872958055505_2608637696292468714_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">It amazes me how 7 years have passed and how much you have grown since then. Whenever I attempt to carry you, it isn’t an easy task anymore. Although, whenever I try to explain things to you, it is easier nowadays because you understand and analyze things better. (Looking back at how I could just cradle you in my arms when you were just weeks old.)</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">I can no longer escape or talk my way out of certain things such as the price of apps in the Apple iTunes store. (Apparently you discovered my currency converter app and is now able to compute for the converted dollar price to pesos.) So I frequently hear you say, “Dad, one dollar and 99 cents is just like 90 pesos. I have one hundred pesos, I will pay you”.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">It surprises me how you remembered that I promised to open a bank account for you when you reached the age of 7. How you keep reminding me to check the Manila Observatory if you can look into the big telescope. (I hate to bring you the bad news but they don’t have the telescope anymore, but don’t worry, they told me they will let me know when they have stargazing events.)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">It amuses me how you love collecting toys just like your Lolo Johnny who collects die cast model cars, like your Tita Nan who collects Lego, and of course me, who collects pretty much everything that I missed out on during my childhood days. From your model planes, to your Kuya’s Nerf gun armory, and your Minecraft Lego (The living room right now is a Minecraft village and has now extended to my room.)</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Though it saddens me a bit, that I may have not given much attention to other things. Such as being able to help you with your homework, bring you to the cinema to watch the movies you wanted and just settles to watching it on DVD, and accompanying you to play basketball or ride the scooter at the park. </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">Thus, the reason why I keep saying that each time I get, any free time that I have, if you ask for me during those times, I will be there.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">You have grown into the boy the way you should be and not the way that is forced upon. I don’t mind having you to choose your own destiny as long as I guide you along that path to what is righteous and God inspired. I may have not been there all the time, but for each time spent with you is definitely with full sincerity and affection, and never less. </span></span></div>
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JPPhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05115014200737938392noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1494330480192129765.post-60351891582509385662016-06-28T15:25:00.001+08:002016-06-28T15:25:30.512+08:00I'm a Tourist: Las Casas Filipinas de Acuzar<div style="text-align: justify;">
Having some final getaway before classes start for the kids. Thank you to my cousin for the huge discount on the rooms. Las Casas Filipinas de Acuzar in Bataan is about 3 hours away from the Metro. (Took us about 5 since it was our first time so we took a wrong turn somewhere.)</div>
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But worth the travel to this heritage hacienda by the beach. Although the place was still under construction or under restoration for some parts, it was still a sight to marvel upon. Most of the houses were actually knocked down from their original locations and brought to this place to be restored. The rest were replicas. </div>
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Not much activities yet available, but the tour was worth while as we learned a few things about history that were probably not taught in school.</div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ab7M5ddrtbM/V3IiH0h0j7I/AAAAAAAAD2o/yd8tt9mHRlscS8Yut-oxvPMGUu1_q6w8QCLcB/s1600/lc3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="179" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ab7M5ddrtbM/V3IiH0h0j7I/AAAAAAAAD2o/yd8tt9mHRlscS8Yut-oxvPMGUu1_q6w8QCLcB/s320/lc3.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4AanRfVzbww/V3Iiv59qt-I/AAAAAAAAD20/SpVFyvCIussvPxWW1ni_1FfhAN1fDvppQCLcB/s1600/lc4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="179" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4AanRfVzbww/V3Iiv59qt-I/AAAAAAAAD20/SpVFyvCIussvPxWW1ni_1FfhAN1fDvppQCLcB/s320/lc4.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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So much detail on the structures.</div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9gFqmyBrQ4E/V3Ij2z00k3I/AAAAAAAAD3E/HGYpLyJ9cRQa07VMcMWPOaoEn49-mnjYwCLcB/s1600/lc5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="179" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9gFqmyBrQ4E/V3Ij2z00k3I/AAAAAAAAD3E/HGYpLyJ9cRQa07VMcMWPOaoEn49-mnjYwCLcB/s320/lc5.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XW6Eh0tZmeQ/V3IknNT4IiI/AAAAAAAAD3Q/hfuHkZpYU6IyZAfC2MU03zvOpX_FtkK3QCLcB/s1600/lc6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="179" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XW6Eh0tZmeQ/V3IknNT4IiI/AAAAAAAAD3Q/hfuHkZpYU6IyZAfC2MU03zvOpX_FtkK3QCLcB/s320/lc6.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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The main reason for this, the joy on the faces of these two.</div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wgUfO6BkLGs/V3Ik-aJZQ1I/AAAAAAAAD3Y/r9ctoYaF2kszeZ1uNqgsffXJJUAPHp84ACLcB/s1600/lc7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wgUfO6BkLGs/V3Ik-aJZQ1I/AAAAAAAAD3Y/r9ctoYaF2kszeZ1uNqgsffXJJUAPHp84ACLcB/s320/lc7.jpg" width="284" /></a></div>
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Will definitely be back here once everything is 100% completed.</div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-BLhTt-xVNc8/V3Ilr6QxmkI/AAAAAAAAD3k/gpX1ra87QXMuacSlYetDGHcSirl1L20XQCLcB/s1600/13243820_10154109911890505_7790205443988643262_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="224" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-BLhTt-xVNc8/V3Ilr6QxmkI/AAAAAAAAD3k/gpX1ra87QXMuacSlYetDGHcSirl1L20XQCLcB/s320/13243820_10154109911890505_7790205443988643262_o.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Check out their website: <a href="http://www.lascasasfilipinas.com/"><span style="color: orange;"><b>http://www.lascasasfilipinas.com/</b></span></a></div>
JPPhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05115014200737938392noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1494330480192129765.post-83940870279633764512016-06-23T07:13:00.000+08:002016-06-23T07:13:29.820+08:00Joys and Pains: Are You Busy, Dad?<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><i>"Family is not an important thing...it's everything." - Michael J. Fox</i></b></div>
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<i>We go through life with much joy and pain, whether alone or with someone, situations and events that we experience on a daily basis, and at the end of the day you are either full of joy or in deep pain.</i></div>
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People often take HR work for granted. Thinking that it is any easy task that all we do is manage cases and do payroll. When in fact HR practitioners stretch their limits to cater to hundreds and even thousands of employees. We give in to almost every demand and have to say yes to each workload. We are selfless and committed. Which made me realize; if I could dedicate my time to each and every business need without much hesitation, looking after thousands of "children" in one site alone and making them happy...what reason is there for me not to do the same or even more for my own kids?</div>
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None.</div>
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It pains me that when I'm home and my kids go to me, they would ask me first, are you busy? Are you working? I know I brought this upon myself the moment I decided to bring home my work. But it is inevitable. HR functions 24/7 in the industry that I am in and I chose this profession. It just pains me to tell Kian and Julia, "Sorry, daddy is talking to the office." or "Wait a minute, I'm just doing something on my office computer, let me finish first", where it came to a point that my 4-year old daughter tells me, "Dad, you're always working".</div>
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That is why no matter how tired I am after my graveyard shift, every chance I get to bring Kian to school in the morning, I grab it. Because these are moment where I can make up for lost time and no matter how painful the traffic may be, it brings me joy when I have these morning conversations with Kian about how he keeps telling me to buy a tank so we can run over traffic. How he would ask updates from me about his Clash of Clans and Boom Beach. These are games on his iPad, since he cannot use it during school days; so he gave me the task to upgrade his troops and townhall. And when I fail to do so, as any boss would do, I am asked why didn't you do your job. If I can stay up for anything, that definitely includes this.</div>
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Julia would often ask if she could watch cartoons in my room. Although it pains me knowing that if I say yes, I wouldn't get any sleep. And it pains to see her face when I do say no. And whenever I do fall asleep she gets irritated and tells me to stop snoring because she can't hear the TV. That is why no matter how many times she wakes me up just to tell me to stop snoring, I don't mind the pain since it brings me much joy to know that she is there not just watching TV, but watching over me.</div>
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Some people can debate all day that your work pays for your salary so you should put more focus on your work and not your kids. It is true that your children don't have the financial capability to pay your wages. But the Ultimate Boss, God, gave you these gifts, and you are tasked to take care of them "pro bono". (Try asking God for wages, when He actually paid for our sins.)</div>
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A couple of years ago a good friend and neighbor of mine passed away. His father hugged him one last time on the coroner's table. And when the coroner asked him to stop already, he simply asked for more time since he did not get the chance to hug him that much when he was younger because he was busy.</div>
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More often than not we make sacrifices for the greater good. We take risks, we push ourselves to live up to our commitments. And no matter how painful it is, physically or mentally, we get the job done. Because the joy that it brings us can never be measured. So the next time my bosses would ask me if I am busy....</div>
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"For you kids...Dad is never busy."</div>
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JPPhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05115014200737938392noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1494330480192129765.post-876210645320566242016-04-21T16:36:00.000+08:002016-04-21T16:51:13.979+08:00When Rules Apply, We Don't Comply<div style="text-align: center;">
I remember a scene in the movie Devil’s Advocate where Al Pacino’s character was explaining to Keanu Reeves’ character on something about rules and it goes; “Let me give you a little inside information about God. God likes to watch. He's a prankster. Think about it. He gives man instincts. He gives you this extraordinary gift, and then what does He do, I swear for His own amusement, his own private, cosmic gag reel, He sets the rules in opposition. It's the goof of all time. Look but don't touch. Touch, but don't taste. Taste, don't swallow”.</div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LQyy5zrZakQ/VxiNw8ev_xI/AAAAAAAAD1M/LixpdKweIOQhr9LgvDpsboFP1uo1qbFLQCLcB/s1600/large_uG7JARMJSwPzA861zfSogAZticR.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LQyy5zrZakQ/VxiNw8ev_xI/AAAAAAAAD1M/LixpdKweIOQhr9LgvDpsboFP1uo1qbFLQCLcB/s320/large_uG7JARMJSwPzA861zfSogAZticR.jpg" width="212" /></a></div>
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And for some reason, we sometimes touch, we taste, and we swallow.</div>
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Or as the late WWE superstar Eddie Guerrero used to say...</div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-TBUUQpeciWs/VxiN7LFpWJI/AAAAAAAAD1Q/uGICNy5RKlc7qvnvp0dByHI6cWWAeWTjACLcB/s1600/hqdefault.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-TBUUQpeciWs/VxiN7LFpWJI/AAAAAAAAD1Q/uGICNy5RKlc7qvnvp0dByHI6cWWAeWTjACLcB/s320/hqdefault.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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I often think, here are Ten Commandments that are written in stone, and yet there are those who commit sin against it. Written in stone. By definition it means it is fixed, it cannot be changed, and you can’t have a workaround for it. If this can happen to something carved unto stone tablets, what more to rules, policies and procedures that are only set on paper.</div>
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I’m no saint and I had my small share of rebelliousness. One of them would be during my 1st year in the BPO industry, the IT team for the company I worked for kept raising a concern about me for always enabling the internet connection in my PC, which obviously was not allowed. It came to a point where they escalated me to the Senior Operations Manager already. So one day, he approached me and simply said, “JPP, you have greater things to do than just break rules. Do you think you can do greater things?” He was right. I am not a better or greater person by simply disobeying protocol and showing how cool I am that I can browse the internet during work while others can’t. </div>
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So what drives us not to comply? How difficult is it to follow a simple set of rules?<br />
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Take for example this new “No Contact” apprehension policy of the Metro Manila Development Authority. Why should we fear this if we are confident that we are really following the prescribed traffic rules? There are roads signs, and we are pretty much familiar with driving etiquette. But we know that there is this habit within a person where we think that it’s OK to violate the rules because no one is watching, so we go ahead and do it. So it begs the question again, what drives us not to comply?</div>
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Is it because others are doing it anyway, so should you? Are we so forgetful that it slips our mind every now and then?<br />
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There is such a long list of things that we do that don’t conform to the norm. Whether we feel that following rules is so bureaucratic or much of a hassle, we are in a hurry or trying to cut corners, when we feel that we are the authority and we can do whatever we want so rules don’t apply. Rules, no matter how simple they may be, are there to guide us and remind us of the right thing to do. There are even rules that are not written and are simply part of the natural habitat or environment. People with common sense can easily comprehend to this. </div>
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Other say that when you play by the rules, you get left behind, you lose. My take on it, if I play by the rules so damn well, I can actually bend them without breaking it. <span style="text-align: center;">As the saying goes, “The pain of discipline is not as great as the pain of regret”.</span><br />
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But I guess there are some idiots who have a high threshold for pain, and can take huge amounts of regret. </div>
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Well, it’s their rebellious life…I have greater things to do.</div>
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JPPhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05115014200737938392noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1494330480192129765.post-35742305732980586912016-04-09T17:17:00.000+08:002016-04-09T17:17:19.957+08:00Kid's Garage: Ferrari 575 GTC - Red Variant<div style="text-align: center;">
Boys with their toys. We love collecting stuff. And for me, one of them would be HotWheels / Matchbox cars. It came to a point that I sometimes buy the same car already. So my son gave the idea that I should take an inventory of them to avoid duplicates. The collection actually started with him when he was younger, but as he grew older, it seems that the kid grew and the dad didn't.</div>
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(Finally found the red variant.)</div>
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<b>Ferrari 575 GTC (Red)</b></div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-FBQAz1eQKss/VwjEZBSVsMI/AAAAAAAADzw/J9J9bIZXY6sYQqgKNxZXWV7TWG3gJVEZw/s1600/P1050609.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="281" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-FBQAz1eQKss/VwjEZBSVsMI/AAAAAAAADzw/J9J9bIZXY6sYQqgKNxZXWV7TWG3gJVEZw/s320/P1050609.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<b>Team 575 GTC</b></div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9uS4rd0ERh8/VwjG8uU4MZI/AAAAAAAAD0E/GocFbvTyzk0J11QRCLsrO_ChfasraAzVA/s1600/P1050614.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9uS4rd0ERh8/VwjG8uU4MZI/AAAAAAAAD0E/GocFbvTyzk0J11QRCLsrO_ChfasraAzVA/s320/P1050614.JPG" width="285" /></a></div>
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Still searching for the other variants:</div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-JzHsMGbo-K0/VwjE3jzyeuI/AAAAAAAADz0/1CBQy23XIwc8qFos_43XimgUrHHr7MuuQ/s1600/M4731.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="103" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-JzHsMGbo-K0/VwjE3jzyeuI/AAAAAAAADz0/1CBQy23XIwc8qFos_43XimgUrHHr7MuuQ/s320/M4731.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Actual Car:</div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-JTXRqkOj1yc/VwjIXBYuJAI/AAAAAAAAD0Q/xRZo9YueO_IqEtNQVsZUAnA_P3dTC0iqw/s1600/teaserbox_51787177.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="227" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-JTXRqkOj1yc/VwjIXBYuJAI/AAAAAAAAD0Q/xRZo9YueO_IqEtNQVsZUAnA_P3dTC0iqw/s320/teaserbox_51787177.png" width="320" /></a></div>
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JPPhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05115014200737938392noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1494330480192129765.post-15948811901318017312016-04-05T10:32:00.000+08:002016-04-05T10:32:23.460+08:00Kid's Garage: '71 Mustang Mach 1 - 007 Diamonds Are Forever<div style="text-align: center;">
Boys with their toys. We love collecting stuff. And for me, one of them would be HotWheels / Matchbox cars. It came to a point that I sometimes buy the same car already. So my son gave the idea that I should take an inventory of them to avoid duplicates. The collection actually started with him when he was younger, but as he grew older, it seems that the kid grew and the dad didn't.</div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-x_0zlQGFoJY/VwMX-I9WwYI/AAAAAAAADy4/EH_XnGph3bsq0FgJfPl4vzu8wU5YBtLpA/s1600/P1050356.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-x_0zlQGFoJY/VwMX-I9WwYI/AAAAAAAADy4/EH_XnGph3bsq0FgJfPl4vzu8wU5YBtLpA/s320/P1050356.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<b>'71 Mustang Mach 1</b></div>
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Used by James Bond in the movie "Diamonds are Forever"</div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-lIBybtAmes0/VwMhDIfUtRI/AAAAAAAADzI/aPfof1ZoKOUYrr2bfL686odvQVK53gAWg/s1600/P1050606.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="277" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-lIBybtAmes0/VwMhDIfUtRI/AAAAAAAADzI/aPfof1ZoKOUYrr2bfL686odvQVK53gAWg/s320/P1050606.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Actual Car:</div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-arNGwjY5-VQ/VwMiG7apmeI/AAAAAAAADzQ/__M4LIT3188SRgPr5Qct-PnzGhg6lta5w/s1600/James-Bond-Mustang-Mach-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-arNGwjY5-VQ/VwMiG7apmeI/AAAAAAAADzQ/__M4LIT3188SRgPr5Qct-PnzGhg6lta5w/s320/James-Bond-Mustang-Mach-1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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JPPhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05115014200737938392noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1494330480192129765.post-6620516234751719202016-04-05T09:30:00.000+08:002016-04-05T21:43:49.470+08:00It's Not All About Skills<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><i><b>“Champions aren’t made in gyms. Champions are made from something they have deep inside them…a desire, a dream, a vision. They have to have the skill, and the will. But the will must be stronger than the skill.” – Muhammad Ali</b></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><i><b><br /></b></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">When friends ask me what I do, it comes as a surprise to them that I am in Human Resources. How did that happen? Being a hot-headed, short tempered teen, an introvert and anti-social young adult; took up Computer studies and landed my first job in the airline industry. It’s just not HR material. And yet, here I am.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">When someone questions your ability and skills in getting things done, my simple answer was; 13 years and counting. That’s how long I have been in this profession. It’s true, I may not have the degree in Psychology or Business Management, or whatever pre-HR course there is, and yet, here I am.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">When circumstances presents itself and tests your capabilities, it begs the question, are you skilled for this? </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Every time this comes up, I remind myself of the story of Rudy Ruettiger, who played college football in the University of Notre Dame. (His story was made into a movie back in 1993, “Rudy”)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Rudy dreamed of playing football for Notre Dame, but he was never built for football. He didn’t have the size nor the skills for it. But he did have the heart. And in the movie, Coach Parseghian said, “I wish God would put your heart in some of my players’ bodies.” Rudy trained hard more than anyone else in the team, and eventually this earned him a shot at getting a chance to finally play. So on November 8, 1975 against Georgia Tech, Rudy played for the first time, on his senior year and his last game. Rudy only played for a couple of minutes, but in the end he was one of the only two players in Notre Dame history to ever be carried off the field.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Having a degree doesn’t guarantee that you will be 100% successful nor does it ensure that you are hiring the best talent. If the individual does not have the work ethics for it, that degree will be wasted. Bill Gates, Mark Zuckerberg, Steve Jobs. What do they have in common? College drop outs. And where are they now? They are visionaries. They built a new age empire. They are PIMPED.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">In one of the leadership summits that I attended, they shared with us how one should be PIMPED:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Passionate, Inspired, Motivated, Persevering, Energized, Dedicated.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Hiring someone who is PIMPED but not too skilled has a higher probability</span><span style="font-family: inherit;"> of making wonders for your company. Technical skills can always and easily be injected into someone. But getting them PIMPED is exhausting if their behavior is not even up to it. Try hiring someone who is highly skilled, but lacks the will…let me know how that works out.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">On the other hand, no matter how daunting the task, no matter how tired I may be, no matter what other people say that I am not skilled for it…</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">I am PIMPED and I’m gonna RUDY it.</span></div>
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JPPhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05115014200737938392noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1494330480192129765.post-20239203998851425902016-01-04T11:17:00.003+08:002016-01-04T16:56:21.546+08:00New Year in Ilocos 2016<div style="text-align: center;">
After an 11-hour trip with all the stopovers, finally made it. (Good job Toyota Innova) Thank you also for the new TPLEX highway, which probably saved us about 2 hours of travel time. Although not really my first trip; (<a href="http://jpp-elements.blogspot.com/2014/11/ilocos-revisited-day-1.html" style="color: orange; font-weight: bold;">Ilocos Revisited</a>)<span style="color: orange; font-weight: bold;"> </span>this was the longest drive I did in my life; 450 kilometers. Will be more prepared next time...about a liter of Barako coffee maybe.</div>
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First attraction: The Suba Paoay Sand Dunes<br />
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Sandboarding</div>
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No fear from Kian as he took the sandboard ride on his own.</div>
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2nd attraction: Playa Tropical Resort & Calle Crisologo in Vigan<br />
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Final attraction: La Virgen Milagrosa de Badoc<br />
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What's a vacation without the usual food tripping;</div>
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Street foodies in Batac, goodies and home made cooking.</div>
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The best part of the trip, the kids enjoying life without the iPads...</div>
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JPPhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05115014200737938392noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1494330480192129765.post-74944454941101750342016-01-04T10:03:00.001+08:002016-01-04T10:03:14.844+08:00When Everything is Not EnoughI'm pretty sure each and every one of us have already experienced at least once in our life the feeling of exhaustion when you come to a point where you thought and believed that you have done it all and yet you don't succeed; you have given it your all and yet you lose; you have thunk of every solution possible and yet problems still arise; you have devoted most of your daily lives to what you normally do, and yet it still demands more time.<br />
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You then ask yourself...wasn't that enough?<br />
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Man does has its limits. But we have always pushed ourselves beyond. We knew that doing that extra mile to our customers pays off, and eventually feel fulfilled. We knew that spending those quality time with our family is priceless, and eventually feel blessed. We break the limits because we are not asked to do so, but because we want to.<br />
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And this where our problem lies.<br />
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I recall the time when I loved playing basketball so much, that I played 4 straight games in one day. The energy and desire was at it's peak. Especially when my first 3 teams lost, and I injured both ankles already, I came into my fourth game still having that drive to play. Not because I had nothing to do that day nor was I asked or paid to win, but because I wanted to win. But in the past 2 years, the wanting and the desire seems to have dropped a notch. Either I no longer look forward to the next game, play sub-par, and sometimes even passes on it.<br />
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The same way can be said about our jobs. (It is no longer an expectation but a fact; 100% guaranteed, whether scientifically, socially or professionally proven fact that our jobs have, are, and will always ask for more.) Thus, you have to really want to do your job, otherwise, when you lose that desire and commitment, the exhaustion will now come into play. We have to admit, we sometimes tell ourselves, "What am I complaining about when I know this is what I do. This is what my profession requires of me and even if it is not part of what I normally do, I know that my contract states that I may be tasked to do work that is beyond my job description."<br />
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And so that is where our fault is evident.<br />
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A good mentor of mine once said, "We can't just sit around and say, that ain't my job. If you see that something is wrong, call it out. Or better yet, if you know how to fix it, then make it happen." Which makes a really good point. We all work in one company and is geared toward common goals, so even if it is not part of our job description, if you really want to help the company succeed, you would want to make things happen.<br />
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Make it Happen.<br />
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That really stuck to me for the past 2 months. To be given that empowerment to see things in a different perspective and make changes to benefit the organization. Look at it this way, instead of treating demands and requests to do things outside your scope as added work, why not view it as people seeking your expertise and execution on the problems they encounter. You are a subject matter expert, you are a role model, you can make it happen.<br />
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There is also no question when it comes to your family. You just have to give it your all. And I am sure we always end up giving everything and more. Because for me, family is everything.<br />
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Indeed everything you do may not be enough, because the things that happen in our lives never stops. So for 2016 and beyond, instead of feeling exhausted, we should feel invigorated and make things happen.<br />
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<br />JPPhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05115014200737938392noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1494330480192129765.post-33900533201590456282015-09-23T08:12:00.000+08:002015-09-23T08:12:36.732+08:00A Dose of Sense: Motorcycle Madness<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>On certain days we encounter situations that makes us think…what just happened? Or we come across individuals that makes us wonder…what were you thinking? When things tend to get complicated, we often over-think the situation, not knowing that the solution sometimes…is plainly common sense. </i></div>
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<b>Diagnosis: Motorcycle Madness</b></div>
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<b><u>Notes:</u></b><br />
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Patient may be suffering from the worst stage of motorcycle madness which is categorized as the Deadly Evel Knievel – Hallucinating Enhanced Disease; or for short DEK-HED.<br />
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These motorcycle riding DEKHEDs feel they are invincible. Nothing can stop them including incoming traffic when they counter-flow, enter one-way streets and cross intersections with total disregard to safety.<br />
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These DEKHEDs weave through traffic as if they have ingested some sort of hallucinogens, which they think gives them unnatural power to squeeze through any tight spot.<br />
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These DEKHEDs also have deficiencies with color association. Even when the light shows red which means stop, all they see is green.<br />
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<b><u>Further Evaluation and Medication:</u></b><br />
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Please help me understand how a DEKHED like you had this belief that you have that powerful privilege of violating common road rules. What authoritative agency gave you the right to create your own lane aside from the usual motorcycle lane?<br />
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Patient is delusional. The DEKHED firmly believes that Yamaha hired him to compete in the MotoGP. Honestly, who are you trying to impress by doing 80 to a 100 KPH on a side road?<br />
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You are not indestructible. But if you have a knack for getting yourself busted wide open, try applying as a crash test dummy for some car manufacturer. This way, they would have more realistic results.<br />
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Don’t be a DEKHED.<br />
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It’s just common sense. But you’re not common…you’re special.<br />
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JPPhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05115014200737938392noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1494330480192129765.post-70443912256379254802015-09-04T08:51:00.000+08:002015-09-04T08:51:59.190+08:00Kid's Garage: Ferrari 575 GTC<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>Boys with their toys. We love collecting stuff. And for me, one of them would be HotWheels / Matchbox cars. It came to a point that I sometimes buy the same car already. So my son gave the idea that I should take an inventory of them to avoid duplicates. The collection actually started with him when he was younger, but as he grew older, it seems that the kid grew and the dad didn't.</i></div>
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Ferrari 575 GTC (Yellow)</div>
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Ferrari 575 GTC (Silver)</div>
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Searching for the other variants:</div>
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Actual Car:</div>
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JPPhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05115014200737938392noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1494330480192129765.post-36383717074824775832015-09-04T08:19:00.000+08:002015-09-04T08:19:21.914+08:00Featured Clips of the Day: Talkin' About The Movie With Yehya<div style="text-align: center;">
Planning on watching a movie this weekend? How about catching some previews with Yehya. </div>
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(Courtesy of Jimmy Kimmel Live!)</div>
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<b><u>Mission Impossible 5</u></b></div>
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<b><u>American Sniper</u></b></div>
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<b><u>Ant-Man</u></b></div>
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="300" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/VIsbL3hgyDY" width="350"></iframe></div>
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<b><u>The Imitation Game</u></b></div>
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="300" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/eGvvBGpnsRg" width="350"></iframe></div>
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<b><u>Pixels</u></b></div>
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="300" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/bvizLckNais" width="350"></iframe></div>
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<b><u>Birdman</u></b></div>
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="300" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/auScu6SlAVI" width="350"></iframe></div>
JPPhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05115014200737938392noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1494330480192129765.post-14720056044580002402015-09-03T09:07:00.002+08:002015-09-03T09:07:50.965+08:00National Heroes Holiday 2015Earlier this year I made a promise to visit at least one major attraction or destination every month; (January was an exemption since we were in Vietnam for our anniversary. <a href="http://jpp-elements.blogspot.com/2015/01/im-tourist-vietnam-day-1.html"><b><span style="color: orange;">I'm a Tourist: Vietnam</span></b></a>. I had to pass up on July as well since it was my son's birthday and the office sent me to Dumaguete City.)<br />
<br />
1. <a href="http://jpp-elements.blogspot.com/2015/02/hot-air-balloon-festival-2015.html"><b><span style="color: orange;">Hot Air Balloon Festival</span></b></a> (February)<br />
2. <a href="http://jpp-elements.blogspot.com/2015/03/2015-philippine-international.html"><b><span style="color: orange;">Philippine International Pyromusical Competition</span></b></a> (March)<br />
3. <a href="http://jpp-elements.blogspot.com/2015/05/staycation-in-april-2015.html"><b><span style="color: orange;">Staycation</span></b></a> (April)<br />
4.<b><span style="color: orange;"> <a href="http://jpp-elements.blogspot.com/2015/05/labor-day-2015.html"><span style="color: orange;">Labor Day 2015</span></a></span></b> (May)<br />
5. <a href="http://jpp-elements.blogspot.com/2015/06/pico-de-loro-2015.html"><b><span style="color: orange;">Pico De Loro 2015</span></b></a> (May)<br />
6. <a href="http://jpp-elements.blogspot.com/2015/08/independence-day-weekend-2015.html"><b><span style="color: orange;">Independence Day 2015</span></b></a> (June)<br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Kids nowadays have very specific demands;</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Spend a night at a hotel</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Must have a pool</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Must be in Tagaytay</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">But keeping true to our promise not only brought a huge smile on their faces, it also gave us a chance to explore more attractions within the Luzon area.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Having to find an affordable place especially during a long holiday weekend can be challenging since these destinations usually bump up their prices and availability is close to nil. Luckily, we found <a href="http://hdtagaytay.com/"><span style="color: orange;">Hotel Dominique</span></a> </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">which was just located along Aguinaldo Highway in Tagaytay.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-OkzyRLGTxP4/VeeRxiijOmI/AAAAAAAADsI/XA30adMMOoU/s1600/20150830_152824.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-OkzyRLGTxP4/VeeRxiijOmI/AAAAAAAADsI/XA30adMMOoU/s320/20150830_152824.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">With a party of 8, you would usually have to get at least 2 rooms. But Hotel Dominique offered what they called a Casitas; having two floors, with a huge Queen size Bed (with a pullout bed), and 2 twin size beds, extra mattresses, 2 bathrooms and a balcony. And of course, the most crucial thing nowadays…the free Wifi. All of these for a low price not exceeding Php 7,000.00.</span><br />
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We then tried to maximize our time by checking out new places in the area. </div>
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(With the exception of the Bee Farm.)</div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Lunch at Balay Dako</span></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-kuVDF7ei0NE/VeeUC0giOZI/AAAAAAAADsk/DIItPzTaksI/s1600/1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="184" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-kuVDF7ei0NE/VeeUC0giOZI/AAAAAAAADsk/DIItPzTaksI/s320/1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Ilog Maria Bee Farm. The need for honey for allergies.</span></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-oxv1Q2YHgVE/VeeVepVoXeI/AAAAAAAADs4/6isgt5oLgaU/s1600/2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="218" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-oxv1Q2YHgVE/VeeVepVoXeI/AAAAAAAADs4/6isgt5oLgaU/s320/2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-yXp13iOVFsw/VeeWIG_S6kI/AAAAAAAADtA/ZYzO7cmQP1I/s1600/3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="243" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-yXp13iOVFsw/VeeWIG_S6kI/AAAAAAAADtA/ZYzO7cmQP1I/s320/3.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Dinner at Caffe Sant’Antonio for some Four Cheese Pizza, S</span>paghetti Aglio Olio e Peperoncino, and a Strawberry Banana smoothie.</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-UY4EVJEBIVM/VeeYiw53ujI/AAAAAAAADtM/aWjEoSxA-98/s1600/4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-UY4EVJEBIVM/VeeYiw53ujI/AAAAAAAADtM/aWjEoSxA-98/s320/4.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">And one the highlights of the trip, which is one for the books; the Guinness World Record holder, Puzzle Mansion, for having the world's largest collection of jigsaw puzzles.</span></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-sLoM0LTKSds/VeeaHYezvnI/AAAAAAAADtY/FqjxW_oBM68/s1600/6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="238" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-sLoM0LTKSds/VeeaHYezvnI/AAAAAAAADtY/FqjxW_oBM68/s320/6.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-KBHPLCTeQ6o/VeeayAepCzI/AAAAAAAADtg/q18SoM8G4ko/s1600/7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="244" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-KBHPLCTeQ6o/VeeayAepCzI/AAAAAAAADtg/q18SoM8G4ko/s320/7.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Biggest Puzzle in the World (With I think 32,000 pcs)</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Uk4J7BTCBkQ/Veea_2-jDtI/AAAAAAAADto/kocz5yMzElw/s1600/8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Uk4J7BTCBkQ/Veea_2-jDtI/AAAAAAAADto/kocz5yMzElw/s320/8.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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2nd Biggest Puzzle in the World (24,000 pcs)</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-36b9It7LJ6o/VeebOsvpghI/AAAAAAAADtw/OGep9908to0/s1600/9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-36b9It7LJ6o/VeebOsvpghI/AAAAAAAADtw/OGep9908to0/s320/9.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-lvCQt3BstB0/VeebxoWx4ZI/AAAAAAAADt4/PmYqKAWJ5kU/s1600/10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-lvCQt3BstB0/VeebxoWx4ZI/AAAAAAAADt4/PmYqKAWJ5kU/s320/10.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-f7ITAblFlMs/Veeb2Tjb2XI/AAAAAAAADuA/Fk78PF1w4Nk/s1600/101.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-f7ITAblFlMs/Veeb2Tjb2XI/AAAAAAAADuA/Fk78PF1w4Nk/s320/101.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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And of course the best part...</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8MklPc32-5Y/VeecdA8QMCI/AAAAAAAADuI/1i3QmBbdgVY/s1600/11885172_10153551714800505_2414622876026139665_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8MklPc32-5Y/VeecdA8QMCI/AAAAAAAADuI/1i3QmBbdgVY/s320/11885172_10153551714800505_2414622876026139665_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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JPPhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05115014200737938392noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1494330480192129765.post-64169741170388915702015-08-14T01:05:00.000+08:002015-08-14T01:05:27.255+08:00A Dose of Sense: AWOL Disease<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>On certain days we encounter situations that makes us think…what just happened? Or we come across individuals that makes us wonder…what were you thinking? When things tend to get complicated, we often over-think the situation, not knowing that the solution sometimes…is plainly common sense. </i></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Diagnosis: AWOL Disease</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><u>Notes:</u></b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Absence without Official Leave. or A.K.A. the David Copperfield Persona. The sudden disappearance of an individual from the plane of reality. Now, if only the Company had some special set of skills...</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-A9qdDWBexeo/VczHhBlctOI/AAAAAAAADr0/L46Mq4_UyGQ/s1600/liam.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-A9qdDWBexeo/VczHhBlctOI/AAAAAAAADr0/L46Mq4_UyGQ/s320/liam.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">The company where this individual works will now experience the RKO effect. Patterned after the popularly known signature move of WWE wrestling sensation Randy Orton. Because the AWOL comes “out of nowhere!!!”</span><br />
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<iframe width="320" height="266" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/cJ1XojqBPws/0.jpg" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/cJ1XojqBPws?feature=player_embedded" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Patient's most common symptoms for not calling in:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">No cellphone signal or load</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">No Landline</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Forgot to wake up</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Further Evaluation and Medication:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">How incapacitated were you, for you not to call in? And yet, you were able to post a selfie, tweet a rant, update your Facebook status, joined a clan and started a war in COC.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">You decided to work for a living, and yet you don’t have that level of professionalism to simply advise the company that you no longer wish to continue. The resignation letter is just a piece of paper, it’s not as if you’re asked to write this on stone tablets, right?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to understand the common courtesy of simply telling the company that all good things come to an end and that there is no forever. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">It’s just common sense. But you’re not common…you’re special.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">So take your Dose of Sense.</span><br />
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JPPhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05115014200737938392noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1494330480192129765.post-66049355770557334592015-08-06T09:17:00.000+08:002015-08-06T09:19:32.759+08:00Kid's Garage: Toyota AE-86 Corolla - Initial D<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>Boys with their toys. We love collecting stuff. And for me, one of them would be HotWheels / Matchbox cars. It came to a point that I sometimes buy the same car already. So my son gave the idea that I should take an inventory of them to avoid duplicates. The collection actually started with him when he was younger, but as he grew older, it seems that the kid grew and the dad didn't.</i></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-h3Kb4Ve2_SQ/VcKxsyvUpnI/AAAAAAAADq8/bESiEk-LNUI/s1600/P1050356.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-h3Kb4Ve2_SQ/VcKxsyvUpnI/AAAAAAAADq8/bESiEk-LNUI/s320/P1050356.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Toyota AE-86 Corolla (Initial D version - white)</b></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-aPQWNDngK1A/VcKzg9KHRcI/AAAAAAAADrI/4Qg215hye5w/s1600/P1050361.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="318" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-aPQWNDngK1A/VcKzg9KHRcI/AAAAAAAADrI/4Qg215hye5w/s320/P1050361.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Initial D is an Anime cartoon series back in the 90's.</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8U2flaV3I9o/VcK0y23RSZI/AAAAAAAADrU/_H-Ol_GJwnw/s1600/maxresdefault.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8U2flaV3I9o/VcK0y23RSZI/AAAAAAAADrU/_H-Ol_GJwnw/s320/maxresdefault.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Actual Car:</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-e9nIvKBRz_A/VcK083RmMII/AAAAAAAADrc/yP623B7muNE/s1600/carland86-initial-d-replica-1-433x325.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-e9nIvKBRz_A/VcK083RmMII/AAAAAAAADrc/yP623B7muNE/s320/carland86-initial-d-replica-1-433x325.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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JPPhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05115014200737938392noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1494330480192129765.post-88792744854068730592015-08-06T08:34:00.000+08:002015-08-06T08:34:19.886+08:00Independence Day Weekend 2015Earlier this year I made a promise to visit at least one major attraction or destination every month; (January was an exemption since we were in Vietnam for our anniversary. <a href="http://jpp-elements.blogspot.com/2015/01/im-tourist-vietnam-day-1.html"><b><span style="color: orange;">I'm a Tourist: Vietnam</span></b></a>.)<br />
<br />
1. <a href="http://jpp-elements.blogspot.com/2015/02/hot-air-balloon-festival-2015.html"><b><span style="color: orange;">Hot Air Balloon Festival</span></b></a> (February)<br />
2. <a href="http://jpp-elements.blogspot.com/2015/03/2015-philippine-international.html"><b><span style="color: orange;">Philippine International Pyromusical Competition</span></b></a> (March)<br />
3. <a href="http://jpp-elements.blogspot.com/2015/05/staycation-in-april-2015.html"><b><span style="color: orange;">Staycation</span></b></a> (April)<br />
4.<b><span style="color: orange;"> <a href="http://jpp-elements.blogspot.com/2015/05/labor-day-2015.html"><span style="color: orange;">Labor Day 2015</span></a></span></b> (May)<br />
5. <a href="http://jpp-elements.blogspot.com/2015/06/pico-de-loro-2015.html"><b><span style="color: orange;">Pico De Loro 2015</span></b></a> (May)<br />
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It doesn't need to be a far off place, as long as it's with the family and the kids get to enjoy. We headed off to Seda at Nuvali in Sta. Rosa over the long Independence Day weekend; the drive was about an hour away from the Metro so there were no excuses whatsoever.<br />
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While waiting for our rooms, the hotel served treats and refreshments.</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JNgKntsKZnY/VcKnugtRAUI/AAAAAAAADps/5eAhikilU2I/s1600/1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JNgKntsKZnY/VcKnugtRAUI/AAAAAAAADps/5eAhikilU2I/s320/1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Coffee, tea, Melon juice, Guava Lemonade, bread pudding. I don't mind waiting for an hour for the room. Please do take your time.</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-aMytMDdVjzc/VcKomJ3mNkI/AAAAAAAADp0/c_MFCiEZPxs/s1600/P1050323.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-aMytMDdVjzc/VcKomJ3mNkI/AAAAAAAADp0/c_MFCiEZPxs/s320/P1050323.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Scene of relaxation and peace.</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6xjRkypA5OQ/VcKpVu6GrsI/AAAAAAAADqE/YXzld_z9jP0/s1600/11257938_10153365467110505_7910388757673247747_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6xjRkypA5OQ/VcKpVu6GrsI/AAAAAAAADqE/YXzld_z9jP0/s320/11257938_10153365467110505_7910388757673247747_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Someone is in awe by the view.</div>
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Game Room and Day Care area.</div>
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A visit to Nuvali isn't complete without feeding the Koi fishes.</div>
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The little boy now knows how to do a cannonball.</div>
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Enjoyed much with the cousins.Definitely deserves a round two.</div>
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JPPhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05115014200737938392noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1494330480192129765.post-82823638916119723072015-06-16T23:07:00.001+08:002015-06-17T00:30:37.899+08:00HR – The Company Concierge<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span><span style="font-family: inherit;">I’ve always loved the movie “For Love or Money” where
Michael J. Fox stars as a hotel concierge who has this dream of building his
own hotel. He then falls in love with Gabrielle Anwar’s character and was later in a situation to choose whether to fulfill his dream of having his own hotel or giving it up for true love.</span><br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ipNNdmGdEUQ/VYA1N4k2W0I/AAAAAAAADpA/k64nfS036OU/s1600/220px-ForLoveorMoney1993.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ipNNdmGdEUQ/VYA1N4k2W0I/AAAAAAAADpA/k64nfS036OU/s200/220px-ForLoveorMoney1993.jpg" width="135" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Aside from the plot of the story, I was more intrigued by
the role of MJF as a hotel concierge. How he was loved by his hotel guests for
being able to pull off even the most outrageous requests. How he has so many
connections, able to get courtside tickets, best restaurant seats, etc. Pretty
much, anything and everything that a person can ask for while they are guests
at the hotel.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">This is how I feel right now about my job in HR; like a
hotel concierge.</span><br />
<br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">It is no longer the traditional HR that simply handles
payroll & benefits, data and case management, or employee relations. The HR
role now delves deeper into business optimization and financials. Gone were the
days where I would only worry about case evidences, ensuring people get paid on
time and what activity to launch. HR now focuses on lowering operations’
attrition, brainstorming on how to increase revenue, analyzing how other
business units can perform better, basically almost every detail in ensuring
that the company runs smoothly. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">And believe it or not, I have accepted this role without
hesitation and regret. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">In addition to being a company concierge, you can add an
M.D. to that. Well, not that an HR personnel is a medical doctor, but in terms
of being “on call” and trying to heal the wounds, you’re pretty much on the same wavelength. For urgent
matters of the life of a business unit, for consultations, <em>“ask and you shall
be responded to”,</em> daytime, noon, and night, my clock does not stop. Some would ask,
don’t you have a choice? For me, it’s not that I don’t have a choice, but I
made it my only choice to make myself available. At the onset, I totally
planned to bring this upon myself. Why? </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Because like I always say, when something goes wrong, at
the end of the day, more often than not, it always falls unto to HR to find out
what happened, and how to get it fixed. (So this is how President Aquino feels.
He gets blamed for everything and is expected to fix everything. I feel you
dawg. I feel you.) I want to be on top of things, I don’t want to be caught
off-guard. Because you never know who will be holding a knife, stabbing you in
the back or probably portraying as Hansel and Gretel’s witch hunters looking
for faults and errors. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">The role requires that you have this <em>“I get it, I got it,
it’s done”</em> attitude. It’s like you are a hostage negotiator. You are not
allowed to say no, never, it can’t happen. You will always, always respond, <em>“I
will see what I can do.”</em> You will get requests that seem out of your
jurisdiction, but as a concierge, you use everything at your disposal to get
what the customer wants. (It’s like grabbing a magic lamp and comes out an HR
Genie to grant your wishes.)</span><br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-81_COAvuga8/VYA5h6IwgQI/AAAAAAAADpU/i46oiDpEDII/s1600/tumblr_inline_n6428r4IJA1qafrh6.bmp" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="184" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-81_COAvuga8/VYA5h6IwgQI/AAAAAAAADpU/i46oiDpEDII/s320/tumblr_inline_n6428r4IJA1qafrh6.bmp" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">The Company Concierge M.D. does have its pros. You are
well rounded, well informed, people can’t live without you, and you are the
first person that comes to their minds with pretty much anything when things
get messy. The sense of fulfillment is priceless. The satisfaction you give to
your customers is equally priceless.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">But on the flip side of this role is the way that my
children now see me. It almost drove me to tears when my 5-year old son asked
me one day, <em>“Dad, why are you always at the office?”</em> I simply responded, <em>“Dad
works so he can buy you all the toys that you want.”</em> And his only reply was,
<em>“Dad, I don’t like toys anymore, will you stop working?”</em></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">I really try to balance work with the life that I want to
live. I want to be able to tutor my kids with their homework, I want to spend
the weekends with them uninterrupted; but I no longer yearn to be able to watch
the DVDs I bought that are still unpacked, read the E-comics that I have
downloaded, and play the hobbies that bring happiness to me. Because whatever
free time I have, it’s no longer about me, It’s about making my customers at
home happy, it’s about the 5-year old kid who is willing to give up his toys so
I could be at home with him. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">So it begs the question now, as an HR Company Concierge
M.D., do I do it for love…or for money?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span>JPPhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05115014200737938392noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1494330480192129765.post-78768022167647937382015-06-03T07:42:00.000+08:002015-06-03T07:42:49.288+08:00Pico De Loro 2015Earlier this year I made a promise to visit at least one major attraction or destination every month; (January was an exemption since we were in Vietnam for our anniversary. <a href="http://jpp-elements.blogspot.com/2015/01/im-tourist-vietnam-day-1.html"><b><span style="color: orange;">I'm a Tourist: Vietnam</span></b></a>.)<br />
<br />
1. <a href="http://jpp-elements.blogspot.com/2015/02/hot-air-balloon-festival-2015.html"><b><span style="color: orange;">Hot Air Balloon Festival</span></b></a> (February)<br />
2. <a href="http://jpp-elements.blogspot.com/2015/03/2015-philippine-international.html"><b><span style="color: orange;">Philippine International Pyromusical Competition</span></b></a> (March)<br />
3. <a href="http://jpp-elements.blogspot.com/2015/05/staycation-in-april-2015.html"><b><span style="color: orange;">Staycation</span></b></a> (April)<br />
4.<b><span style="color: orange;"> <a href="http://jpp-elements.blogspot.com/2015/05/labor-day-2015.html"><span style="color: orange;">Labor Day 2015</span></a></span></b> (May)<br />
<br />
Summer ain't summer without a beach getaway. So thank you to mother dearest for grabbing a discount package at Pico De Loro Beach resort. A reasonable two and half hours drive but a weekend of sun and fun for the kids.<br />
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It was a pool paradise for the kids</div>
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And, there is no stopping Kian from taking the water slide the whole afternoon by himself.</div>
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The hotel also boasts of facilities such as a basketball court, badminton, and bowling. </div>
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And our number 1 bowling fan...</div>
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And as per request of Julia, a pony ride.</div>
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When you get tired of the pools, you head over to the beach.</div>
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My first kayak experience with my eldest son.</div>
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Mission Accomplished.</div>
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JPPhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05115014200737938392noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1494330480192129765.post-87435620364079944632015-05-19T08:24:00.000+08:002015-05-19T08:24:37.515+08:00Labor Day 2015<span style="font-family: inherit;">Earlier this year I made a promise to visit at least one major attraction or destination every month; (January was an exemption since we were in Vietnam for our anniversary. <a href="http://jpp-elements.blogspot.com/2015/01/im-tourist-vietnam-day-1.html"><span style="color: orange;"><b>I'm a Tourist: Vietnam</b></span></a>.)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: inherit;">1. <a href="http://jpp-elements.blogspot.com/2015/02/hot-air-balloon-festival-2015.html"><b><span style="color: orange;">Hot Air Balloon Festival</span></b></a> (February)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">2. </span><a href="http://jpp-elements.blogspot.com/2015/03/2015-philippine-international.html"><b><span style="color: orange;">Philippine International Pyromusical Competition</span></b></a> (March)<br />
3. <a href="http://jpp-elements.blogspot.com/2015/05/staycation-in-april-2015.html"><b><span style="color: orange;">Staycation</span></b></a> (April)<br />
<br />
To kick off the month of May, while almost everyone else was spending summer in LaBoracay, we felt a bit patriotic and visited the Philippine Air Force Museum. It was airplane heaven for Kian to see lots of airplane models. (Though not much on the historical parts of the museum) It was unfortunate that the simulator was closed, it would have been a great experience for him.<br />
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And since we were in the area, we decided to go to the Lego Exhibit in Resort World.</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-HO2Z-_4ot2U/VVqBWmowJpI/AAAAAAAADmg/Vh2vcQyn3x4/s1600/7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="223" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-HO2Z-_4ot2U/VVqBWmowJpI/AAAAAAAADmg/Vh2vcQyn3x4/s320/7.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Compared to the cost of going to Bora, this was less stressful, less people, and the experience was as always, priceless.</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dZrgL-TmKEU/VVqCG1ZvlkI/AAAAAAAADmo/VTx4efcW5HU/s1600/8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="217" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dZrgL-TmKEU/VVqCG1ZvlkI/AAAAAAAADmo/VTx4efcW5HU/s320/8.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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JPPhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05115014200737938392noreply@blogger.com0