Live Agelessly And Celebrate Your Worth

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My late post-birthday blog. Normally when I wake up in the morning, I perform my morning rituals before heading for work. As I woke up that particular morning, it was different. I made a change in routine. I took a minute to reflect since I couldn’t go to Manila that day for my customary birthday celebration. I owe to Him all the things and experiences I have gone thru during the past 40 years of my life. I can’t believe I reached 40! Isn’t that a huge blessing? Thank you, Lord, for all the forgiveness and blessings. As I see myself in the mirror that morning, I can’t help but feel amazed that this woman in front of the mirror is 40 and praying to be in good shape and being blessed with longevity! I suddenly recall some instances when I was mistakenly thought of as a lot younger than my present age. 

The most recent scenario was when I opened a bank account just a week ago. The bank teller asked me if it was my real age I wrote in the application form as she scanned two of my identification cards for her reference. She couldn’t believe it. She even called the attention of her co-bank teller just to show her amazement and disbelief. They thought I was just a student. I felt awkward. The ladies at the counter asked me if I was married already. When I told them I was still single, they stared in disbelief and said, “Wait until you get married!” Aww!! As if getting married will make me look older than my age. Oh no!, I don’t think it’s a good joke! Lol

The other scenario happened just four months back when I was checked by one of US Immigration Officers on my way out of San Francisco airport departure area. He asked for my passport and I handed it to him for the usual checking procedure. He glanced at my passport and looked at me. He did it again. The third time he did it, it gave me a warning signal that he might possibly have found something wrong with my passport. He asked me to take off my eyeglasses for him to better see if it was really me on the passport. So I took my glasses off. Afterwards he sighed in disbelief, “Yes, it is really you. You look just like a student,” he said. “How did you do that?!”, he asked with eyes wide-open staring at me.  What a relief! So thankful that he might just have mistakenly thought I was the life-size image of cartoon character Dora, The Explorer with the magic backpack! Lol! I simply nodded and said, “ Thank you for the compliment, Mr. Officer.” However, I also told him to always wear a smile. Then I left the officer with a big smile on his face. lol

With me in photo is my senior colleague who happens to be thought as my Mom during our bus trip going to Los Angeles, California last month of May. The bus driver advised me to keep an eye on her because she kept roaming inside the bus! Haha! Love you Ate Nel! Lol She was mistaken for my grandmother, too, by the PAL flight attendant when we had our flight check-in at San Francisco Airport. I whispered to her not to take it personally and to just consider it as her payback to me instead since I always helped her carry her heavy luggage and shopping bags during our entire USA trip! I actually acted like her Yaya Dub (nanny)! lol

March 22, 2006

July 01, 2012 No make-up look! :-)

June 20, 2013

This four photos in stripes was taken last February, 2014

January 2015

February 28, 2015

May 2015

Youthfulness has no secrets. The key can be summed up into three:  1. healthy diet,  2.  healthy lifestyle, and 3. healthy skin care regimen.

My make up hoardings! :-)

My magic wand for my skin imperfections! :-)

One of my secrets to flawless skin! lol

This is aside of course from not eating meat for five (5) years now. As the cartoon character Peter Pan said, “Always think happy thoughts!” Youthfulness is the result of what is inside your heart. It is the essence of peacefulness, contentment and enjoyment in even small things that come along in your daily life. It’s just a matter of how you appreciate even the heavy knocks that come along your journey. My life’s mantra is to keep on setting a youthful mood. Avoid negative vibes. Be always reminded that life is like a roller coaster ride. We just have to keep ourselves protected in order to enjoy the ride. Focus on your triumph and not on your age. If you carry your childhood with you, you’ll never grow old!

Ocean Adventure at Subic Bay Freeport Zone

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As I experienced the most amazing amusement theme and marine park abroad, I told myself I should also experience and see for myself what my country can offer in terms of marine conservation and protection. What makes this activity more exciting is experiencing it with my loved ones, my family. The Ocean Adventure at Subic Bay Freeport Zone is the first and only Southeast Asian Marine Park. This is my first time to visit this amusement park, but not my nieces and nephews who have gone there frequently. We are just so thankful that we were given a huge entrance discount by Ocean Adventure’s resort manager. We enjoyed the following theme park’s activities.

1. Walk on the Wild Side at Eco Theater
2. Dolphin Friends Show at El Capitan Theater.
3. Sea Lion Marine Patrol Show at Sea Lion Point Stadium.
4. Ocean Discovery Aquarium-

I once again made an encounter with this group of African Acrobat, they are so talented and witty! I saw their amazing acrobatic moves during one of their performance in Camayan Resort and Restaurant in Subic Freeport.

I really enjoyed watching these marine animals as they submissively followed the instructions of their respective trainers. Those animals were very smart and amazing! Thru the live show presenting their skills they were able to convey to people who were watching the show that marine animals are like human beings. They also have the right to live peacefully on earth. As a responsible citizen of this country we must make an effort to protect the environment and marine and wild life animals. We had our lunch inside the theme park’s restaurant, which served a variety of delish viands. 

The Regina RICA at Tanay Rizal

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As I turn 40 next month, I think about pausing for a while and wondering. Looking back at the beginning of my horizon, I notice that the road of my journey is so narrow. Humps serve as hurdles that make my journey more complicated. I see myself on the losing end, believing that I can no longer continue to finish the course. I always go back to the same old route. I am shattered. Then, I see a man walking behind me. Every time I stumble on the road He keeps goading me to continue. He keeps telling me not to be disturbed by those setbacks. Those knocks are designed to hone me to become stronger than ever. He whispers to me to keep the faith and continue with what I believe in life, that life is a gift and living it is priceless. Not all are given the chance to explore the dynamic beauty of life and its boundary. There are people relying on me so I need to continue. There are too many blessings scattered along the road. I’m just too focused on the other side of the fence. I recognized the message and told myself that I have to continue the journey, hoping to meet that man with a consecrated soul at the end.

At 40, I’ve learned how to enjoy the moment. I’ve learned that each connection to someone and to moments has a purpose. I just have to be open-minded, regardless of how I feel about that person. Am sure I will learn something new and something about myself, too. At 40 I’ve learned to become more humble in life. I just let go of people disappearing from my life. I just think that maybe we just crossed paths for some reason. Grudges aren’t worth it. I just learned how to be proactive. I am still a woman who doesn’t trust words without action. I just keep my heart, principles and dignity. Experiences have taught me how to become smart. Little by little I’ve come to appreciate my extraordinary life, and continue to live my life to its greatest potential. I am just so blessed for having a very supportive family, co-workers and most of all, my best friends. 

I know I have more life full of memories and opportunities yet to come. They are more priceless than any other stuff. By then, I will have had so much to fill my storyboard. My 40s will surely give me more time for my personal growth. And I believe that there's a better and straighter path that will reveal itself if I keep my eyes and mind open. So hold me God.

After my twenty (20) days of business and pleasure trip to USA, I suddenly had this feeling of longing for some spiritual enrichment, so I decided to take a leave of absence. My good friend recommends me to visit this community of consecrated women run by the Dominican Sisters of Regina Rosarii, or most popularly known as the Regina Rosarii Institute for Contemplation in Asia (RICA).  I have personally met Sister Neneng Marquilliero, so sad I forgot to take a souvenir photo with her. She is very accommodating and has angelic voice. They responded to the call to live a consecrated life that is more contemplative and more trusting in God’s Providence. So timely. The experience is so spiritually uplifting. I will definitely go back there and bring more souls that need further contemplation. 

US Visa Application Experience

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I’m a person whom always believed that everything has its own perfect timing. Sometimes we just need to slow down, stay calm and just let things happen. I was so preoccupied during the month of April for the processing of our US visa application. This is in relation to our official business trip to Silicon Valley in San Francisco, California this May 2015. Silicon Valley is a nickname for the southern portion of the San Francisco Bay Area in the United States. It is home to many of the world's largest high-tech corporations, as well as thousands of tech startup companies. Our government has it's vision of becoming a World Class University Town by the year 2020.  The Emerging Hub for a Knowledge-based businesses in the Philippines. 

The US visa application process is quite easy and not complicated. My department serves as travel agency for the application of  visa for the 25 official delegates to this Silicon Valley exposure trip in San Francisco California. It was a very stressful task. I was just so thankful that I have a very systematic and patient office staffs that assist me on the processing of documents from online application to bank payment.

Below are the conversation among selected members of the group applicants and the very accommodating US consular officer. She first asks on the purpose of our travel.

Consul: What is your purpose of travel?

Me: It’s an exposure trip to Silicon Valley.

Consul: How many of you will be going to Silicon Valley?

Me: We are composed of 25 delegates.

Consul: Oh? You’re a big group then. Ok, can you excuse me for a while? I just have to make some research. (And she went out for a while and left us mystify).

And as the interview proceeds she told us that she have to make some research as to the nature of our group request since we are from the government sector. And told us that she needs to be careful in the category of visa that she has to issue for our group or else this might cause problem during our travel. The moment she told us that, I already assumed that we can secure a visa but not in a multiple entry. I’m gifted with that kind of instinct. The moment she get back on her window counter for interview she told us to fall in line as she will do the interview individually. Everyone becomes uneasy then, meaning even though we applied for a group interview and I'm one of the group leader still the consul preferred to do the interview one by one.  I was the second one among the group who was being interviewed. 

Consul: Have you been to Europe?

Me: Yes, last 2002 and 2004.

Consul: What country?

Me: Germany and Italy

Consul: Why in Germany?

Me: Because five of my mother’s siblings are residing in Germany.

Consul: Do you have other country visited aside from Europe?

Me: Yes, I’ve been to asian country, such as Hongkong, Macau, China, Malaysia, Thailand and Singapore. 

Consul: Have you been to US?

Me: No

Consul: Do you have relatives in the US?

Me: None

Consul: How long have you been in the government service?

Me: Almost 17 years.

Consul: Ok congratulations! Please wait for your visa in 3 days.

Me: Thank You.

Consul: Good luck! (With matching hand waves and sweet smile) 

The interview is just as simple as that. There is one thing that you have to remember during interview, be smart and take a lot of self-confidence. However, as I have received my passport, only single entry was given to me and to the rest of the delegates. Only three out of the 25 applicants had received multiple entries. Even though I had similar travel history to those who are given multiple entries still I was not lucky enough to have the same visa entry. Maybe because of my age, I’m on my late 30s, single and still on the prime of my career unlike them they are on their mid 50s and had longer government service record. Nevertheless, I am still thankful that I was given the chance and opportunity to explore multiple cities of USA. May the good Lord bless and rewarded the man behind this initiative and the expected output of this noble intention. I know God is with us on this trip.

Happiness overload. It’s just only mean one thing; working so hard isn’t really tiring after all. Thank you Lord for this gift of travel. The single nomads will soon conquer the US! :-)

Davao City: The 6th NICP Summit

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Davao City recently hosted the 6^th Summit of National ICT Confederation of the Philippines (NICP) on October 23-25, 2014 at the SMX Convention Center Davao at SM Lanang Premier by several groups of ICT Councils all over the country. 

The summit was held annually purposely for exchange of best practices among cities that excel in ICT. This activity aims to attract more investments in the country. 

This year’s summit was coincided together with 2014 Brunei-Darusalam-Indonesia-Malaysia-Philippines East Asean Growth Area (BIMP-EAGA) and Indonesia-Malaysia-Thailand Growth Triangle (IMT-GT) Trade Fair and Business Leaders’ Conference on October 23-26, 2014 which also held in Davao City. 

The selected officers of Bataan ICT Development Council (BICTDC) joined the event together with the local chief executive of the province of Bataan- Governor Albert S. Garcia. This type of business conference gives us another avenue to set network and linkages. 

Souvenir photo with former Philippine President Fidel V. Ramos during our council's welcome dinner at Waterfront Insular Hotel, Davao City. I laughed as he wants me to tagged along with him. lol..Maybe he just want to tell the crowd that he is still fit and capable to help the government to bring back the tiger economy of the Philippines...

It just felt blessed bumping around with people who have great knowledge and compassion to uplift the economic condition of the country through ICT; this is aside from their business interest, which in someway or another will benefit the countryside. I just thought, maybe if these are the level of thinking of the people I worked with on a daily basis, with the able support of my ICT think-tank superior, possibly I can become more confident and aggressive to go beyond ICT innovations and along the way harvest more fruitful outcomes in the end. Who knows one of these days our province would be develop as economic hubs of the Philippines in terms of impact outsourcing. We just have to dream big and walk an extra mile! These are just my recent Davao business experience.