Now I can feel Christmas in the air

Yes! It's been a while since I felt that Christmas is nearing. During the times that I worked in the metro, I was very busy that I can't feel the Christmas air, no decors. It's still different when done in the premises of a "HOME". So, even during the time that I come home here in the province, the feeling still lacks that certain magic.

I am happy that I am here again in our home! Yehey! It's a Merrier Christmas!

Here are some of my photos on our Christmas Preps.

My light painting:

Our Christmas tree:

Having a closer look at our Christmas Ball:

The spray painted twigs used on our Christmas tree:

My cross cut-out filter..:)

My heart cut-out filter..:)

with my eldest nephew..:)

putting the twigs:

My star cut-out filter..:)

Wonderful experience in Ha Noi, Vietnam

Last September 22-27, 2010 I was lucky enough to be a delegate for ASEAN People's forum. But my blog is not really focused on that but more on what have beens in between our meetings.

Vietnam is such a nice place to roam around. They have lots of shops near Huan Kiem Lake (pronounced as Wan Kim Lake) it is the km. 0 of Ha Noi City, anything you need to buy is just around its vicinity. If you're looking for bags like Northface, Chanel, LV, Samsonite, Kipling (just to name a few) they have it in a very low price. But those bags are either replicas or factory defects. Of course I bought a Northface backpack and Kipling aside from having it as souvenirs, I am really wanting to buy one sooner or later. So far they are good, great actually if only for the price.:)

We bought propaganda posters too! I am planning to have it framed in the future (will post some photos of what I have bought sometime soon). There are a lot of things to buy in the market. If only I have lots of money to do so, haha! by the way just to share 1USD = 19, 450 Dong during our stay there. Their food is good too! I love the spring rolls, Ice cream and Bun Cha, try it when you are about to go there!

Every Sunday there is a night market where you can buy until midnight and the lake is illuminated with colorful lights with music. just be wary of motorcycles! Just this for now. Will tell you more about Ha Noi and later our side-trip to Tam Coc before we left Vietnam on my next blog.

If ever someone is going to ask me if I want to go there again, my answer is YES! but for a vacation and not work related..^_^v

In times of trouble: PRAY

I am asking you dear blog readers to please PRAY for my fellow Sorsogeños who are currently suffering from ash fall and volcanic eruptions from Mt. Bulusan. The weather is also unpredictable and there are times that heavy rains are falling along with the ash fall. Most of towns residents near Mt. Bulusan are already worrisome of lahar. It's been months since the eruption of Mt. Bulusan for this year and so far it is more active this days than in the past.

This time where nature is raging, we only have God to hang on to, so please help me pray for their safety and may the Mt. Bulusan lay low now. There are also news that a resident died due to asthmatic attacks that were triggered by the ash fall.

I hope residents near the area have really good gas masks to protect them from ash fall or might as well they'd be lucky enough to have any damp fabric protect their health.

Here's a news from GMAnews.TV:

Phivolcs: Mt. Bulusan spews ash again Sunday morning

11/21/2010 | 09:50 AM 

(Updated 11:27 a.m.) Mount Bulusan, the volcano in Sorsogon, spewed ash as high as two kilometers from the summit Sunday, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) said.

The ash explosion occurred at 7:22 a.m. and the ash column reached two kilometers above the crater rim and drifted southwest, according Phivolcs' Sunday bulletin.

"The ash ejection was accompanied by a rumbling sound and reflected as an explosion-type earthquake with duration of nine minutes and thirty seconds. Prior to the ash ejection, the Bulusan seismic network detected a total of 12 volcanic earthquakes," it said.

In an interview on dzBB radio, Phivolcs supervising science research specialist July Sabit said that the magma in the volcano is not rising to the surface yet.

Residents located in the northwest and southwest sectors of the volcano were reminded to take precautions against ashfalls.

Radio dzBB quoted Sabit as advising residents near the volcano to use gas masks to protect themselves from the ash.

Phivolcs added that the residents near valleys and river or stream channels should be watchful against sediment-laden stream flows and lahars because ash and other loose volcanic materials may be re-mobilized during heavy and prolonged rainfall.

For his part, Phivolcs volcanologist Ed Laguerta said rains in recent days may trigger lahar flows in Irosin town.

"It may be advisable for residents to leave their homes after about 30 minutes of heavy rains," he said. http://www.gmanews.tv/story/205308/phivolcs-to-sorsogon-residents-avoid-danger-zone-around-bulusan


“It may be advisable for residents to leave their homes after about 30 minutes of heavy rains," Laguerta said. — JE/VS, GMANews.TV

Batanes: My dream destination!

Batanes: An Island on the Northernmost part of the Philippines, a place which is hit by typhoons most of the year and was given much attention in recent years for it's beauty beyond compare! and the only place in the Philippines that experiences four seasons just no snowflakes and white Christmas, hehe!

I have couple of friends who are also having Batanes in their long list of travel destinations and we always dream that one day soon we'll be given a chance to visit and walk around it's green green grass, take good photos and all..:) but, budget is always the main concern (as always, aside from time). It is so expensive! imagine spending a couple of thousands just for the fare! I once browsed through the internet to see how much it would cost me to book a two-way flight from Manila to Batanes, and it's a whooping 10 thou++ (not so sure if it's a two-way ticket already), maybe because it's peak season. So, I set aside that dream but at the back of my mind, I am telling myself to save money for my Batanes trip.

Why of all places, I want to go to Batanes? I don't know, maybe for the fact that I see parts of it in travel programs and I fell in love with the place. I want to feel the greens, to breathe the air that the Ivatans are enjoying, to run, to swim and to take photographs of that scenic place!

Batanes is such a good destination for lovers, soul searchers, nature lovers, photo enthusiast etc., its serenity seems to give peace to the mind of the burdened. I want to explore Batanes not only once but over and over again! If only it's near our hometown I'd live there just like how I did in Baguio.:)

I want to take my own photos of these that I saw on the internet. To meet and greet Ivatans, to experience buying at the honesty store -- the sooner, the better! and of course have something to blog about!(and the long list of what to do's follows)

The lighthouse and the coastlines:

This stone Chapel:

Their stone houses that withstand super typhoons!

I hope that someday I have someone with me that I can go to Batanes and will have the chance to say "I Chad Lao Koy Mo" to under the bright blue sky while walking at the long coastline of Batanes.

Hmmmnnnn, could it be that I can visit Batanes for the first time with the help of SEAIR? Well, if anyone here doesn't know yet, Seair is having a blog contest again for Batanes! Yes, you read it right. They're giving a tour to Batanes for this winter season!!

To know more about them and their contests you can visit their Facebook fan page at http://www.facebook.com/flyseair or if you want to check their flights just visit http://flyseair.com

If given the chance, it'll be my first fly with SEAIR! (because I happened to have cancelled my flight to Boracay last March 2010 due to some circumstances)

P.S. If you happen to have an FB account and liked this post, please vote for my entry. Thank you and God Bless! (but you have to like Seair's fanpage first before liking my entry)

Hello!Hello! Can you help me get/earn many likes for my blog entry? You just have to like www.facebook.com/flyseair and then like my/this entry http://www.facebook.com/flyseair/posts/10150094177191171 Thanks a lot!.:)‌

Photo courtesy:

http://blog.folrana.com/wp-content/uploads/2007/11/batanes.jpg

http://lakwatsero.net/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/Batanes200912027.jpg

http://img526.imageshack.us/img526/8986/batanes3ij7.jpg

Wow!Quicker8.com is having another contest!^_^

I don't blog hop that often for these past months, but one thing is for sure, if there's a blog that's in my number 1 list for blog hops, it's www.quicker8.com! So, I was amazed that she is throwing a blog contest again from October 12, 2010 to December 18, 2010. Anyway, I haven't got the chance to join her last blog contest 'coz I haven't got the chance to do so. I hope I'll win, especially for that wrist watch because I am in dire need of one, hmmmnnn, good birthday gift too!hahaha!wish-a-wish-a-wish-wish-wish!..;)

Faye a.k.a Quicker8 is sooo generous to give away these prizes: (Just in time for Christmas Season eh?)

1st prize - Fossil Ladies Watch

2nd prize - Fossil Ladies Watch

3rd prize -Kate Spade kikay kit (orange)

HERE's HOW:

1. Subscribe to her feed via email located right side bar (REQUIRED ) - 1 Entry
2. Blog about the contest along with the Prizes {You MUST include the Prizes and My link}- 5 Entries
- If you have multiple blogs, much better. Each blog post along with the Prizes -5 Entries.
3. Leave a comment her post telling me what you did and give me the link of the blog post. 1 Entry.
4. Comment to any of her post. From Oct 12,2010 to Dec 18,2010 and you’ll have 1 entry each comment.
-Make it sure it's at least three word ! LOL And NO SPAMMING, PLEASE!

The Contest ends on December 18, so if you wish to participate you must enter before that date. Winners will be announced on December 28,2010! The winners will be picked through Random.org!

So what are you waiting for?? Visit her blog, go to her entry and join now! (Click Here)

God bless guys!..^_^

When to quit your JOB?

When to quit your JOB?

by CHATKICK 10/27/2010

Many asked and are still asking me WHY I quit my job; during the time when many people earnestly seek an at least minimum wage job for a living. Some ask this for guidance and some for their mere curiosity. Let me share with you my reflections. (might help you decide on which path to take or at least will give you answers if you belong to the group of people who are still wondering what the hell am I doing with my life, hehehe!*feelingera ba? nakakapagod lang kasing paulit-ulit ikwento ang mga bagay-bagay kaya madalas hindi ako sumasagot sa mga tanong, now I decided to share my thoughts again after a long, long time of solace*)

December 2009, I decided to quit my job which I scheduled by March 2010. I loved my work. I had a good working environment. But one thing was slowly drifting. ME. I felt that I am slowly withering. I became a workaholic, working almost 36 hours when we were meeting our deadlines and sometimes camping in our office just to finish the tasks 'coz if not, we'll surely be drowned with more tasks. During those times I haven't got the time to connect with my family and other friends who were outside the realm of work that I am in. Although once in a while we divert ourselves to breathe and so we say: TO HAVE A LIFE.

I loved my work, I had good time working there, I was having an above minimum-wage compensation but then I QUIT.

WHY? I'll tell you why.

I am a person with simple dreams. I recognize the use of money in this world but does not always rely on having many of it. I know how to live in leisure, but I know too how to live by the absence of it, in other words I can live with the extremities of life. I am ready to face anything but I need to be sure though that I AM INTACT. Meaning, I am composed of a combination of HOPE, LOVE, TRUST, COMPASSION and an UNSHACKLED SOUL. A person with VISION and INTEGRITY.

By the rate that I was going during those years that I am working, I foresaw myself to be stripped-off of the core values that I am living by. Hence, making me another person or a less person that I was. Maybe I was just afraid of the unknown. Or maybe, I just saved myself from collapse of identity. Anyhow, I just did what I thought was right at that very moment. That was the time that I needed to recharge myself -- my soul. Moreover, I thought that I cannot give more of myself to other people by having less for myself. Only thing that saved me was, I was not working in a corporate world by the time that I burned myself with work. It could have been more difficult for me to accept personally.

If you feel you are also in this kind of situation or just wanting to quit your respective jobs, the following points are the things that should be considered. (well, at least for me during the time that I decided to do so)

1. Be firm about your decision. After thinking about it over a hundred times or more. With praying and asking of guidance from Above.

2. Have a back-up plan. Don't you just quit abruptly, without a good back-up plan, you'll face many obstacles that you haven't thought about while you are just planning to quit.

3. Be sure to know your potential. As a person, you should know your limits and potentials.

4. Seek the guidance and support of your family. They are your support system in times of difficulty as well as they know how to handle you in case you are having personal problems.

5. Have a vision. Know what you want to do and become in the coming years.

6. Reach for your dreams. Cliche as it may seem, but it can help you have a better life, if not happy.

7. Ask yourself if you are happy with your current condition/life. Happiness have a great bearing in our lives and the ultimate state of this is BLISS, in one way or another, we all seek happiness.

8. Make sure you are financially stable. You have at least savings to start your life anew or you have a concrete plan on how to generate your future finances.

9. Don't just quit because you want to. But because you have to.

10. Do it with all of your being. To quit a job, you have to be 100% sure. Don't do it half-heartedly, for you may suffer from regrets.

These are just ten things to consider, it can go more than that. Just on making decisions, be sure to make it with a sound, balanced heart and mind. And when you still have difficulty deciding, just let your heart decide. Know your instinct, your heart knows what to do.

Stargazing In Bulan et al.

After so much mental processing about my life, my heart and my soul I boiled into one decision. To come HOME and enjoy LIFE as it is with my family and friends.

I had fulfilled my urges to work as an employee. I enjoyed it, I was happy but I was so stretched that I never had time for myself, family and friends. I haven't had the time to look up at the sky, look around the environment, appreciate them and thank God enough for the blessings.

I was somehow faced by a crossroad. I suddenly felt drained that I needed to renew and regain myself/my soul. Somewhere along the way I felt that I was withering. At this young age I was happy but a hole in my heart slowly gets bigger and just like a black hole it continues to absorb my soul. Luckily, I was guided by my Creator. I found the answers to my questions before I reached the event horizon (point of no return surface of a black hole).

Slowly, I felt that I am again my old self, only more mature but still had to loosen a bit more. I can once again see vibrant colors, hear lovely music and melody, gaze at the sky with so many stars in it. My old hobby revived. Stargazing.

For nights I had always experienced to look up at the sky at night, feel the heat of the sun at day and cold wind blows at this 'El Niño' phenomenon. Walk around with my camera, talk with family and friends, read good books, dream and thank God for all that He provided us, for protection, for courage, for wisdom and for love.

I am sharing you this, for you to know that you are not alone, WE are not alone. We have a God who will always be with us. We just have to listen closely, ask eagerly, receive whole-heartedly and thank Him Fully. Have a blessed life! God is with us. :)

A Repost from a Friend Kat

My Hospital Stay: Help for a Friend

by Kat Igancio

Have you ever volunteered to help other people or for the betterment of the environment like building houses, dental mission, feeding program, planting trees, cleaning the rivers etc. Feels great, doesn’t it? It feels refreshing and happy to help out.
______________________________________________________________________________

In my stay here in the hospital, I thought I was cool. I was the only one who had Aplastic Anemia- but few days later, another patient arrived with the same illness. I thought it was awesome that I was not alone, but then again, I wished that it was just I, rather than having another person suffer from this.

I was excited to know her. Her parents talked to my mom the other day about how we were doing (the happenings: stages, treatments etc.). I learned that, we were at the same age (21 years old), same blood type (A positive) and same first name (Katrina), which made me more excited to know her.

The other night, a group of believers visited to pray for me. After the pray over, they went out the room to head home. The next day, my dad told us that the pastor couldn’t leave the hospital that night because he felt that there’s this other patient, same disease as mine, that needed his prayer more. From there, my mom and I thought of one person, Katrina.

That very day that we knew that the pastor wanted to pray for Katrina, we asked the resident doctor where she was staying (room number in the hospital). My mom then called up her mom, Mrs. Cruz, about this, but was told that they were about to go home. I got Katrina’s number and e-mail address so we could exchange thoughts and experiences.

I added Katrina in Facebook then we started to talk about how things were holding up. Katrina just passed the nursing board exam last June 2009 when she was diagnosed of having Aplastic Anemia. She was full in spirit and determined to pursue life (we say yes to life! Yeah ba!). She was also a positive person, full of dreams, passion and determination. All she wanted was to help her family and fulfill her dreams and this disease was taking that away from her.

Now, they are preparing for the ATG treatment, the one I just had 4 weeks ago. Since our illness need lots of hospitalizations, transfusions and medications, it’s hard to say that money doesn’t matter. Katrina is fighting for almost a year now and the budget is not doing very well. They already asked for help from senators, congressmen etc. The Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) gives them P250,000.00 grant but this will expire on the last week of April 2010 (that is why they are rushing to raise fund). Sadly, this is not enough. This ATG treatment reaches up to 1M- covering everything from room per day fee, medicines, laboratory tests and doctors’ professional fee. The ATG medicine from the horse itself costs up to P400,000.00.

I feel terrible knowing this fact. Knowing Katrina in a short while, I feel her passion for life, to help and care for other people. She is supposed to be the nurse, not the patient. No one deserves this.

For anyone who wants to help Katrina in any form, maybe financially or by donating blood or supplies (like face masks, medical gloves, 5cc, 10cc and 10cc syringes, lots of 0.9% sodium chloride etc.), you may contact her at 09167033164 / 09158591030 / 09194092834 / 02-7400480. Help is very much needed. You may also contact me by replying to this note.

For more ideas on how to help raise fund, please let me know and let’s help Katrina fight this sickness. Thank you so much! God bless you!

Prenuptials for a very bubbly couple

This is my first prenuptials. First time in a place called Antipolo. First time doing a project/deal closed by me. Many firsts and I have to say I loved it. I had done some photo shoots for events and a couple for weddings. I know I have very good contacts when it comes to photography and videography -- who does not only know the craft but mainly has the passion for it. So, I took this chance to try my luck in closing a deal. First attempt and I closed it. No portfolio, no what-so-ever. (which made me nervous, very...very nervous during the first client meeting)

I almost lose hope, because for some time, they have not sent me a note or anything regarding our packages. I thought they preferred a team who they knew more and have had years of experience in the field. I just lift it up to GOD (Bahala na = si Bathala na). I just thought that whatever might happen, it will always be a good start for me on how to deal with clients (future). After all I always believe that there will always be some not so good experiences that will come across many endeavors that I will take. It will only rely on my faith and fate.

This couple was my first client (personal) for a wedding coverage. They were a friend of a friend who recommended me to the couple just after our first meeting. I thought he was just kidding me when he said he's going to recommend me to Joms and Edz to cover for their wedding. But was shocked to know that indeed Joms tried to contact me and asked me for a client meeting.

After the typhoon Ondoy I sent them a text message asking if how are they, having a home in Pasig one of the most affected areas during the typhoon and flooding. I tried to let them know that not only as my clients, they became my friends. That I am doing this project not only as a mere project but also as how I wanted it to be during my wedding preparations too. Love, weddings, marriages and family are the things that molds my soul in my everyday life. I love to see people who are in love with each other and who are so into the situation of building a home and a family.

I was very 'kinikilig' every time they speak to each other, how they reminisce the first time they noticed each other which was years ago. How they are very much at ease at each others company. They are a happy couple, easy to deal with and they know what they want for their wedding. A great factor to have our energies surge up high during the photoshoot.

I am looking forward their wedding day as they will say "to have and to hold".
---------------
Save the dates from the photoshoot and some teasers.

Salamat sa aking madaling kausap na kliyenteng sina Joms Haboc at Edz Calix.

Salamat sa aking teammates for this coverage na sina Marrah Fortus at Direk Coco.

Salamat din sa gabay at mga tulong ng aking mga kaibigan sa potograpiyang sina Jen Chua, Glenn Viola at Neil Belen.

Gayundin sa aming magaling na HMUA na si Kim Sedukis.

Kita-kits sa wedding!! at sa mga susunod pang coverage at mga raket..:)

KUDOS tropang kaladkarin! Salamat sa lahat!..^_^

more photos at: http://stariuschat.multiply.com/photos/album/155#

We can be our own hero..:)

Never lose hope...Enjoy life as it is..^_^

FOR SALE:Bags, T-Shirts & Polo Shirts with Philippine Map

Are you craving for that shirt with Philippine map but having second thoughts on its price? Then, I am offering a good deal for you! Yes, YOU!




The Canvass Bag:
This is a good everyday bag. May be used as a market bag replacing environment hazards like plastic bags.

This is priced at 150 excluding the freight fee. To avail... this at 150 pesos, you can visit the KKK booth during the UP Fair by Feb 9-Feb 14.

The Shirts:
This shirt is a great one to show your pride as a Filipino! A good gift for yourself and other people.

Prices:
T-shirt (Kids) - 150
T-shirt (Adult size) - 200
Polo Shirt (Cotton) - 250
Polo Shirt (Honey combed) - 300

**Prices exclude any freight fees.

**Meet-ups/Pick-ups (to avoid additional freight fees):
Manila Area - Gateway Area (Mon-Fri)
Bulan Area - R.A.C.S Rice Mill (formerly known as SICAD Rice Mill)

**You can choose the colors that you want, just notify me.

**Any requests if you want jackets, caps etc. with embroidered map, just tell me and we'll try to see its possibility and at what cost.

**Prices may change without prior notice. (If luck hit us it may go down..hehe!)

Thank you and God Bless!

Contact me at: chatkick_universe@yahoo.com

-Chat Sicad..:)

Pusong Mundo

Pusong Mundo
Chatkick - January 14, 2010

Ang mundo ay bilog,
Ang puso ay pula,
Ang mundo ay umiinog,
Ang puso ay pinalalaya.

Ikaw, ako, tayo ay naririto,
Nakasilong sa iisang mundo,
Umaasa sa pagpatak ng ulan,
Na siyang sasabay sa pusong luhaan.

Sa mundong walang hindi magulo,
Ang maghintay sayo ay isang luho,
Oras na lumilipas dahil sa'yo,
Malaking kawalan sa isang tulad ko.

Ngunit 'bakit nga ba?'
Katanungan din nila,
Sa iyo ay laging umaasa,
Dulot mo nga ba'y luha? o saya?

Saan ako huhugot ng sagot?
Saan ipapaling ang lungkot?
Kelan mawawala pagkabugnot,
Mga araw ay sadyang nakakabagot.

Sa mundong may lungkot at saya,
Nararapat pa bang sayo'y umasa?
Hindi na daw, sabi nila,
Tama nga siguro sila aking sinta.

Wala nang hinihiling pa,
Kundi makita kang masaya,
Oo na, ipokrita na,
Salamat na lang, pwede ba?

Datapwat kung mundo ay hugis puso,
Maging ang dagat ay magiging dugo,
Sana naman puso'y bumilog,
Katulad ng gulong na gumugulong.