Bangkok Thailand: The Shopping Paradise

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I’ve never thought about how blessed and lucky I am every time I am given the chance to travel and explore the beauty and culture of other countries. Actually, traveling is my best antidote for stress and occasional depression. Yes, you read it right. Just last month (September), despite tons of paper works and multiple tasks on my shoulder, I grabbed the chance to pause and breathe for a while. Another YOLO experience. Actually I had already been to the coastal area of Phuket Thailand in October 2011 during the Virgo Cruise Ship vacation sponsored by the City Government for its department heads. So thankful for the early Christmas gift of our very generous Santa Claus.  However, since we were on a cruise, there was only a very limited time to go around Thailand. So our hopes of lurking around Bangkok were quite impossible to realize because of the distance to Thailand’s main tourist attractions and shopping destinations.

Today, Thailand is considered as one of the best tourist destinations all over the world due to its favorable tourist climate. It’s been my hope and dream to return to this country, particularly to Bangkok, Thailand’s capital city.  Finally, I made it once again! Maybe it’s the result of my persistent hopes and desire to go back to Thailand. As quoted from the book, “The Secret,” by Rhonda Byrne: “Everything is possible, nothing is impossible. There are no limits. Whatever you can dream of can be yours, when you use, ‘The Secret.’ It is based on the law of attraction and claims that positive thinking can create life-changing results such as increase in wealth, health, and happiness.” Positive thinking drove me to go back to Bangkok, and I was so amazed with the available fashion craze- from clothing, bags, foods, garments and even house decors too, from high-end items to cheapest finds. For a person like me who is so thrifty and into cheapest finds, this place is a haven. Let’s start the bargain hunting!

Chatuchak or Jatujak Weekend Market-is the largest market in Thailand and the world’s largest weekend market. Most stalls are only open on Saturdays and Sundays. It is literally closed during weekdays, as we tried to go back on Monday morning to assist one of our companions who happened to be out of our group when we explored the chatuchak market. Our experience to taste Thailand’s delicious coconut ice cream happened here in this market.

Pratunam Market-Is one of Bangkok’s major markets and is Thailand’s largest clothing market. The name Pratunam means “Water gate”. You can buy clothes in bulk order for a cheaper price. The bigger bulk of clothes you buy, the bigger the discounts. I was able to buy here my coach bag in replica. However, I rarely used it, maybe i am still comfortable to use authentic one.

Floating Market-Is routinely crowded with hundreds of vendors and purchasers floating in their small rowing boats selling and buying agricultural products and local food, which are mostly brought from their own nearby orchards. Therefore, it is a very attractive place for tourists to see this old style and traditional way of selling and buying goods. Here, I find most items are quite expensive, unlike in Chatuchak Market. So we just looked around and ate Thailand’s famous sticky rice in mango.

SIAM Paragon Mall- Is a shopping mall in Bangkok, Thailand. It is one of the biggest shopping centres in Asia. This is where signature brands and authentic fashion finds are located. My fashion home base! lol..There are lots of sumptuous meals offered in this mall.

The Grand Palace-Is a complex building at the heart of Bangkok, Thailand. For quite some time since 1782, the palace had been the official residence of the Kings of Siam. But since 1925 the king, the royal family and the government have no longer permanently settled at the place, and have moved to other residences. The place is a “must visit” for those who will come to Thailand for a tour. The place is so amazing.

The Elephant Ride- Always part of the traveler’s “must do” list is elephant trekking, though some people are against using elephants this way saying the animals are not treated well. Elephants are an important part of Thai culture and their way of life. They are a traditional symbol of royal power. My experience here is just as happy and as positive as is seen in the pictures!

Personal Roadmap: The Palawan Experience

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The trying hard Game Changer Model :-)

(Photo ops with the senior officers of various government agency, I am honored to have this souvenir photo with them)

(Souvenir Photo with Freeport Area of Bataan (FAB) Planning Officer Mr. Carry Lontoc, Chairman: Dr. Jesus Estanislao-2nd to the Left, and ISA President, Mr. Francisco C. Eizmendi Jr, and City HRM Officer Ms. Cristina Apostol during PGS Boot Camp-Master Class at Hotel Centro, Palawan)

Vision:      A person who is willing to share of himself in whatever capacity he can and make  a difference to peoples life.

Mission:    1. To continuously inclined himself to glorify God and be of service to mankind.
                  2. To be financially able and open in helping people to improved their way of living .

Core Values:   Love of GOD
                         Humility
                         Self-giving

            

Since I was a young person, it’s been my hope to make a difference in somebody else’s life. I think most of us will agree that this is a noble vision. However, noble as it might be, it is not so easy to realize. For many of us, perhaps we equate “making a difference” only in terms of sharing material resources.

In college I finished Bachelor in Seconday Education. I had my masters degree in the same field. However, too late in life I realized that it was not what I wanted. I wanted to be able to “help” in more concrete terms. So, I shifted mindset and decided I wanted to be in business. Why business? It’s because only in business can one earn money fast. And what do I need money for? Because I want to be able to help family, relatives and friends in needs in anyway that I can. But business requires capital and I haven’t had much of that. And so, I haven’t had a great many opportunities to help because I am financially constrained. Like most of us, I have fallen into the trap of interpreting “making a difference” just in terms of being able to provide material things to other people without thought for anything else that one could probably share, too.

How I ended up in government service is a great mystery to me as it was not really a serious consideration in my younger years. I am now on my 16th year in public service. I hold a responsible position, which is both challenging and stressful. Still, there is this gnawing feeling inside of me that makes me doubt if I am in the right place, if I am doing what I should be doing. However, where I am now I am also capable of “making a difference.”

I make a difference in my staff whom I coach to improve their performance;

I make a difference in my superior who gets praises for the supports and contribution done by my department;

I make a difference in my relatives, friends and acquaintances who get benefited by information and access from the city government just because I work there;

I make a difference in my family who also share in whatever blessings I may obtain from my work.

Where I am now could well be the best place for me to be, for now, if by being where I am is used to give glory to our LORD GOD through sharing not only my material resources, but my knowledge, my time, my life’s purpose as well.

"We should never judge them by appearance, they have their own beauty and purpose on earth"

"Someday, I will be wearing a real kind of toque too!"

Cagayan De Oro- White Water Rafting Experience

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When I was young, my father always told me not to get too relaxed when playing in a body of water, especially when the water is calm. Always be vigilant. Weather at that time is perfect for rafting activity.

I was the first one among the group who jumped into the water to challenge myself and overcome my fear of heights!  "You cannot always wait for the perfect time...sometimes you must dare to jump!" 

And the rafting challenge begins...

Some of the strong rapids that we encountered in our journey..

Another winning battle. Almost all members of the team fell off and collided against strong rapids and I survived! I made it again, Thank you Lord!

No Pain..No Gain! I was not drowning here. I jumped off the raft to test the temperature of the water and to swim but when i had to climb back up on the raft in anticipation of the next rapids, my body was too heavy to lift. I realized then that I already needed to lose some weight! Lol

Being a trying-hard adventure enthusiast myself, I sometimes get the chance to go out of business as usual and splurge in the water to loosen some of the pressures brought about by work and personal life. I have my own way of renewing my diminishing strength by playing and relaxing with Mother Nature to recharge and boost my weakened spirit. This is my form of attracting positive energy and dispelling negative ones.

And the white water rafting activity of Cagayan De Oro City is part of my bucket wish list! I always live up to the famous YOLO (You Only Live Once) hashtag. But for the information of everyone, rafting is not just for everybody. People with severe asthma, cardio-vascular and heart problems, epileptic and pregnant ladies should not opt for these trips. If in doubt, take medical advice before participating. This water activity requires physical endurance and wave shock tolerance. Never force people who are hydrophobic or have any related fears, to participate in the activity.  I am just a type of person who always tries to explore and loves to experience challenging physical activity, given the chance.


What I like most about  this experience is the chance to develop more of the ability and skills of every member of the team not  to fall off  the rafts in every rapid encountered  through paddle synchronization and body tempo. Somehow in the midst of rafting, as you hear the stream of the running water, the tweeting of the birds flying around, the beautiful music they create in your ear and the waving of the branches of the trees that surround the entire river as if they are welcoming you to their realm, you will realize how blessed you are to have experienced and played with the beauty and wonders of mother nature. Just like in life, when you are about to give up, just paddle your own canoe.

Every journey has its ups and down, you just have to go on and learn to play with and enjoy the rapids of life.



Vigan-Laoag-Pagudpud Joy Ride

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There’s nothing more enjoyable than being with your whole family and clan during vacation month, especially the bonding that you create with each unique member of the family.  Traveling, as a group is also the best time to get to know more of one’s self. This is also the way that you are able to discover more of your family’s uniqueness, their ability to adjust and cope with certain situations that require you to be more patient and understanding. Camaraderie strengthens families when the situation demands for a couple of hands to do a certain task for the benefit of everybody’s hungry stomach. Feelings of happiness brought by this leisure brings immeasurable gratitude to the one who gave us chances to be and spend time with one another and in the end, to bring us all home safe and recharged. However, though it was really an exhausting journey, it gave us an opportunity to discuss matters that concern our family and to lean on one another’s shoulder for support. In the end it brings pleasure and a new perspective in life. Take every minute of our time to be with our family while we have the chance to be with them. Let us all explore the beauty and culture of North Luzon with our weekend joy ride with my family. I feel so blessed.

The Sanctity of Catholic Faith

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What do you understand about Catholic teaching in the light of Scripture? Do you know about the history of the Catholic Church? How deep is your faith in Catholicism? I still believe in letting people speak for themselves when it comes to Catholic doctrine. Born a sinner myself and being “not-so observant” of catholic practices, the question, for me, is both confusing and controversial.

I myself was raised a Roman Catholic by my parents and both their families. They have strong connections to the church and Roman Catholicism.  Since I was young, all I’ve known is to accept the tradition, customs and devotions of a baptized Catholic parishioner. As we grow, we have tried to plant modest seeds of faith among us siblings. And that’s why I thought we were all still hanging on the same rope of faith.

But as time goes by, with each sibling having his own priorities while trying to live the Catholic faith, things start to change. The change has affected the complexity of some personal faith and principles of this religion. The pain becomes difficult to bear and acceptance hard to obtain. The Rabbi (our father) was hurt by the change in faith of one of his precious followers (we, their children). It hurt him to learn that not all members of his community (our family) were united in one common faith.

The Rabbi looked defeated when he came to know about this. No one knows what goes on in his mind as it has become very difficult for his followers to relay the concern. It’s hard to see his frustration and the pain inflicted by these unexpected changes. However, it was also liberating and it led those who were left to a closer relationship with God. Maybe someday, when everyone is ready, when everyone becomes open- minded to accept things beyond what is expected, things will be back to normal.

People need to be respectful. I believe, regardless of our religious beliefs and affiliations, we are still sons and daughters of the same God. We just need to accept the fact that some things happen in this world that are beyond our control.

We all shall pass through this world. Make the journey as light as possible.

2012

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“Your time is limited, so don't waste it living someone else's life. Don't be trapped by dogma - which is living with the results of other people's thinking. Don't let the noise of other's opinions drown out your own inner voice. And most important, have the courage to follow your heart and intuition. They somehow already know what you truly want to become. Everything else is secondary.”

-- Steve Jobs, businessman and inventor"

2012 was not really a tough year for us at the MIS Department. Instead, a better description would be that it was our most challenging year, thus far. It was the year when we not merely surpassed our accomplishment of the previous year, but doubled it.  Despite operational lapses, hurdles presented by factors beyond our control, and strong words from critics, we still managed to come out and work as a team.

In 2012 we realized that for every obstacle there is an equivalent strategy that can be used to achieve our goal and enable us to rise above the challenge. It’s just a matter of perseverance and commitment on the part of the team.

Trust and support from our believers became the guiding light that led us to the finish line, garnering awards in the process. Balanga City wins in the first Robredo ICT Awards

We humbly return all these blessings to the Almighty God who is our Number One client in our daily tasks.

To all the people who continue to believe in us and light our path, our profound gratitude.

Rest assured that this team will continue to do its utmost to deliver quality service in the City Government of Balanga.

The Officer


A Unique Breed of Leader

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 This is a compilation of newsletters of then Naga City Mayor,  now late Secretary Jesse Robredo. I have kept these copies of best practices in my hard archive for almost eight (8) years now. 

This month of August, we honor our nation’s HEROES. Anyone can be a hero just by showing love for his country, or even just by simply becoming a responsible leader himself. Just recently, a certain good leader bids in a heavenly realm. I rarely admire anyone, much less high-ranking officials with whom I have no affiliation at all. However, this man was a cut above the rest. He stoked the flame of public service in my heart. Then I was just a young, career public servant. In 2004, I attended a conference in Manila where I heard his name. He was then Mayor of Naga City. I was amazed by his achievements, much more so when I read about all the work he had done in the interest of public service.

This man won my silent applause. From a distance, I became his fan. My adulation for him grew even greater when he was chosen to lead the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG). I told myself, “This is it! Innovations will surely follow!” However, when I read the news in my twitter account that DILG Secretary Jesse Robredo died in a plane crash, my hopes that this country would still excel in good governance were dashed. I started to contemplate and figuring out the core of this incident towards public service and good governance. Why this man, and why this early? And after careful analysis and viewing things in a different perspective, I realized that this incident brought out the real essence of public service, as it was sensationalized by mass media. His death was a plea for us to renew our commitment to the people we serve. His legacy imparts an altitude of 180 feet deep meaning to the word leadership. Then, I rephrased my questions: “Who will be the next to follow his footsteps? Are You the One?”