No More

Since I was five years old I have been wearing eyeglasses due to astigmatism. Yearly I had check-ups but I do not know where. When I was in grade four, I stopped going to the I-forgot-where-or-what but I visit optometrists and opticians (in fact our family has an optical shop in Ronquillo, the cousin of my grandmother owns it and is now being run by an uncle so I get discounts). The last time I went there to have my eyes checked was in highschool. In July 1999 my friend gave me frames so I just went to an optical shop in Los Baños to have it fitted. In January 2004 I went to MCIS and the ophthalmologist said that that grades of my glasses are perfect! Yesterday I went to his clinic at the Chinese General Hospital (with consultation fee) and he said that I can step on them. hahaha.

Now I have to get money so that I can have my other eye problem treated. I wonder who would be kind enough to give me.

Bad Trip

Kahapon naiwan ko sa bahay ang aking pitaka. Wala akong pamasahe para makapagsimba sa St. Jude kaya nanghiram ako sa ka-opisina. Maaga naman akong umalis ng opisina, pagtuntong ng alas-singko y medya, pero nahuli pa rin ako sa, tipong malapit nang matapos ang sermon ng pari. Ayos lang. Nung nagnonobena na kami ay umambon. Nasa labas ako buti na lang at may dala akong payong. Lumakas ang ulan nang matapos ang misa.

Pagdating sa bahay ay nadiskubre kong nalaglag ang singkwenta pesos mula sa bulsa. Haaay.

Hindi ko man lang nasilayan si crush.

It's Finally Here

I have been waiting for Google's instant messenger since they launched gmail. They already have the gmail notifier. Now it's here! So quick to install...less than two minutes, and simple, to quote from Mark. Aside from instant messages, pc to pc calls can be made. You gotta have a gmail account though (I still have gmail invites. Ü).

Talk now!

I wish they have something similar to ym's add presence to site...

The 26th Manila International Book Fair

From Manila Bulletin

The biggest names and upcoming players in the publishing, education and information technology industries are set to gather anew for the 26th Manila International Book Fair (MIBF) and the 2nd Learning and Information Technology (LEARN IT) Fair.

The MIBF and LEARN IT Fair celebrate books and learning at a truly world-class venue, the World Trade Center Metro Manila, Sen. Gil Puyat Ave. corner Roxas Blvd., on Aug. 31 – Sept. 4.

With the theme "It’s Hip to Read!" the MIBF once again unites local and foreign publishers, wholesalers, retailers, book lovers and collectors, librarians, authors, publishers’ representatives, and every major player in the publishing industry in its continuing efforts to promote books and reading.

The LEARN IT Fair showcases the infinite uses of computers and other gadgets as learning tools. With the theme "So cool to learn IT at WTC!" it unites educational and training institutes, multi-media and software distributors, language centers, tutorial centers and every player in the education and IT industries.

Last year, the MIBF and LEARN IT Fair drew thousands of visitors in their five-day run. This year, the fair is set to attract even more participants and visitors from all over the Philippines.

The MIBF showcases the largest and most varied collection of printed works: literature, textbooks, educational supplements, general references, religious and inspirational titles, self-help books, management books, Filipiniana, coffee table books, popular novels, children’s books, art books, graphic novels, rare and hardtofind titles, magazines, audio and e-books, teaching supplies and services, publishers’ technology, and travel materials.

In its 26 years, the MIBF has been instrumental in promoting books and literacy by giving publishers a venue to discuss and develop books, promote new titles and authors, and improve the quality of published works.

The MIBF will promote good reading habits through fun activities like quiz shows, storytelling sessions, art and crafts workshops, and seminars. Various publishers will launch new titles and host book signings with the country’s most respected authors.

The MIBF also hosts two of the most prestigious awards in the Philippine literary scene: the Gintong Aklat Awards and the National Book Awards.

Showcasing a huge number of books and learning materials are A-Z Direct Marketing, Abiva Publishing House, Academic Book Sales, Adarna House, Alexan Commercial, Anvil Publishing, Asia-Pacific Circulation Exponents, Asian Books / A Different Bookstore, Ateneo de Manila University Press, Buddhist Compassion Relief Tzu Chi Foundation Phils., Buddhist Light International Association / International Buddhist Progress Society, C & E Publishing, CD Books International, Christian Literature Crusade, Church Strengthening Ministry, Claretian Communications, Cultural Center of the Philippines, Cyclophil Educational Promotion / Grolier International, De La Salle University Press, Diwa Learning Systems, Edcrisch International, Elsevier, Emerald Headway Distributors, F & J de Jesus, Felta Multi-Media, Filway Marketing, Forefront Book Co., Fujian Publishing Industry Trading Corp., Fully Booked.

Also present at the fair are Gentle Star Trading Corp., Global Learning Media Corp., Golden Books Services, Goodwill Bookstore, Gunnar Lie & Associates Ltd., High Access Line Phils. Corp., IBC Infotech, I-Group (Asia-Pacific) Phils., Ibon Foundation, Info Ed marketing Corp., John Wiley & Sons (Asia), Kraftek trading, Lighthouse Bookstore, Linar Education Materials, Logos Publications, McGraw-Hill IFI (Phils.), Megatexts Phil., Mind Mover Publishing House, National Bookstore, National Historical Institute, New Day Publishers, Net Magazine Distributor (Newsweek), OMF Literature, Pahina, Inc. / Book Wagon, Paulines Publishing, Pearson Education Asia, Philand Industries, Philippine Bible Society, Phoenix Educational Systems, Powerbooks, Precious Pages, Psicom Publishing.

Rounding out the list of exhibitors are Rarebook Enterprises, Rex Book Store, Roman Instructional media Resources, SinagTala Publishers, SIBS Publishing House, St. Pauls, Straightlines International, Summit Publishing, TLFA Marketing Services, Tahanan Pacific, The Bookmark, The Catholic Book Center, Thomson Learning Phils., University of the Philippines Press, UST Publishing House, Vibal Publishing House, WS Pacific Publications, Word & Life Publications, Word of Joy Foundation, and World Health Organization.

The 26th Manila International Book Fair and 2nd LEARN IT Fair are organized by Primetrade Asia, Inc. The MIBF is organized in partnership with Asian Catholic Publishers, Inc., Book Development Association of the Philippines, Philippine Booksellers Association, Inc., and Publishers Representatives Organization of the Philippines. It is supported by the Philippine Educational Publishers Association, Book Exporters Association of the Philippines, and the Christian Booksellers Association – Philippine Chapter.

For details e-mail bookfair@primetradeasia.com

Worthwhile Sunday

In the past few weeks I have not been going home to Cavite (how my parents miss us) because I have been spending my Sundays with Sagip kids. They will be having their olympics this coming Saturday at Markina Sports Complex.

Yesterday we fetched the children from Tatalon so that they can practice table tennis and field demo at San Jose, QC. We returned to Tatalon just in time for the chow of the birthday celebrants for the months of July and August. They were obedient! They fell in line, they sat. Simple things like this made me forget the weariness. They get their laughter from the unobvious too.

I was wondering, they have different economic situations. Does it matter? As a child I never asked the question because I was well provided.

Single ka ba at gusto mong sumaya?

Kung ikaw ay single (in a relationship, it's too complicated, o basta single), estudyante, nagtratrabaho, o nagpapakasaya sa buhay, inaanyayahan ka namin na makibahagi sa isang kakaibang karanasan. Mangyari lamang na dumalo sa oryentasyon ng CLP (Christian Life Program) ng Singles for Christ West B 1 B

Ika-22 ng Agosto, 2005 Lunes, 7:30 N.G. UST Church
Ika-25 ng Agosto, 2005, Huwebes, 7:30 N.G. Sto. Domingo.

May libreng pagkain na, marami ka pang makikilala!

May mga ministry kami: music, dance, acting, and sports. Lahat pwede dito! At siyempre may Gawad Kalinga.

Kung may mga katanungan ay huwag mag-atubiling makipagugnayan.

Masaya mag-SFC!

Module deux

To continue with my French classes at Alliance Française de Manille...

La professeur est française. Yup she is a French lady who has been in the country even before we were born and she speaks English and Tagalog, very good Tagalog. But of course most of the time she uses French and we were having a hard time answering her questions. Waaaaah! Our favorite was Je ne sais pas (I do not know.) Hehehe Definitely this is going to aid us. They say that module 2 and 3 are the hardest, according to my schedule.

Most of my classmates were from the other class, and there were only six of us from module one. The others have different schedules We are reserved and they have the reputation of being the noisiest. Why? Because we only had two guys and they have lots. Uh-oh. I wish they would be quiet sometimes and I have a feeling that this will hold true because Janine, our instructor does not want us to be talkative, but rather attentive. She gave us homework!

Well this is going to be challenging...Ü

Another Essay Competition

Uh-oh. The deadline is on September 30 and I still have not started doing it. My dad is also joining the competition! Harumph!

Since I am not selfish, the Office of the Ombudsman has a lot of competitions. Check out their website

Wipe it Clean

Yesterday morning I heard the mass as usual. Then a guy came in from the aisle. It was kinda weird since the cathedral is so big that he would prefer passing by the aisle. Anyway he looked okay as he was clean and handsome too. He heard the mass with us. Before it ended, he wiped the glass frame of the Mother of Perpetual Help, lots of times, since he had rags with him. When he left others placed their hands on the glass. The guy cleaned it to be dirty again. Ironic.

Chikka sa FX

Kahapon pumunta ako sa Makati. Nag-FX ako sa Taft. Mayamaya may sumakay as unahan at chinika ng driver (kze kaming dalawa lang ung nagkwewentuhan eh). Tinanong nya san nag-aaral si Ms. Sagot "sa La Salle". Benilde daw ba? "Hindi po" sabi ni Ms. La Salle mismo Sabi ni driver "bobo daw ba ang mga taga-doon at mapoporma lang?" (grabe din sya noh?). Ipinagtanggol naman niya ang mga schoolmate "mayayaman lang po Times three ang tuition nila". Juice me "buti sa amin mura ang tuition namin sayang ang pera" sabi ko. "Taga TUP ka ba" usisa ni manong (di ko alam kung PUP o TUP pero TUP dinig ko eh). "UP Los Baños po" "Magkano sa inyo?" "Mga higit five thousand lang po. Mas mura ung sa kapatid ko sa PLM mahigit PHP2700 lang." "21 units yun?" "Hindi po ako nagtwetwenty-one, twenty lang po, pero kasama na doon sa five thousand lahat lahat pati lab. May kaibigan po ako dyan sa La Salle PH45,000" "Grabe sa isang semester sa Benilde mahigit isang daang libo! Ako noon sa FEU PHP750 lang pero ngayon mahal na din bente mil na. Maraming mayaman dyan sa UP Manila di ba?" "Nagtitipid. Sayang naman po kze eh. Isang semester nila isang college na namin. Kaya dapat po mag-aral nang mabuti. Minsan nasa estudyante lang po yan wala sa eskwelahan kze may mga kaklase nga ako di na pumapasok pag exam lang."

Farewell Oh Great One

Raul S. Roco bid good-bye to the world last Friday. I could not help but feel sad upon learning of his departure. After all, I voted for the man in the last presidential elections, the first time that I did. He was also our guest speaker during the 2002 Commencement Exercises in UPLB, when I marched (I graduated November 2001).

I have always believed in him. In fact I am greatly impressed by his political advestisements when he was campaigning.

Now that he is gone, all that is left are memories and students. His students. I am proud to say I am one of them.

Sadly, I am not able to go to his funeral because of such short notice and other limitations. If Sin made the flags at half-mast, should he be doing this so? As a matter of fact I consider him to be greater than the late Archbishop of Manila. One more thing, his wake is not being covered by national television. Just news and nothing more.

I am more inspired to fulfill my goals, if fate is with me...to be great, and to make this nation greater than it was during the Marcos era.

Dammit

Why are married men attracted to me? I hate it.