Following My Followers

Natapos ko yung presentation ko kahapon with two-thumbs up. Hay salamat! It is really something when your work is really appreciated. And it means bigger if the one appreciating your work is in the same line of work - of course it means that he knows the hard work I did and how difficult my situation is as a lone programmer/analyst in a project. Team leader ako at ako lang ang member hehe!. Ngayong naka-quota ako, I'll try to rest my mind muna kaya heto ako blogging muna.

Yap! You read it right, nag-tagalog ako sa post na ito hehe! Not because I am tired of english, it's because TRIP ko eh! hehe! And I'd like to dedicate this post to all people who have followed my Baul - THANK YOU PO! I know kahit na medyo boring (actually, hindi nga medyo eh - ubod ng boring! hehe) ay nagpapasalamat ako ng lubusan dahil sa pag-click niyo ng Follow! Dahil diyan, follow ko rin kayo.

Okay, change topic muna tayo. This is about my Blog's transformation. Sabihin ko muna yung dahilan kung bakit nagbago ang Baul ni Noel. Sige, maghalo ako ng kaunting english. I first started this blog so that I can share my piece of mind through literature. Yes! I am a frustrated writer. Kahit na bako-bako ang english ko at maging ang tagalog ko ay improper pa hehe! Ewan ko vah! Medyo nagsisi ako nung ma-realize ko na I like literature pala kasi noon I get bored of this subject. Pero during my highschool days, when it comes to poetries, short stories (like Indarapatra and Sulayman, Biag ti Lam-ang) ay talagang medyo attentive ako, even during my college days. The rest of the topics in my English and Filipino subject ay tinulugan ko lang talaga - gaya ng pambalana, pantangi, verb, adjectives, predicate, panggalan, etc... Di ko akalaing kritikal yun sa paggawa ng mga literaturang kinahuhumalingan ko ngayon hehe!

Well, it's really hard to break habits specially in writing. Recently, I made an article for KaBlogs Journal about Education and a lot of things were edited, di naman ako nagalit or nagtampo - it is necessary and I am thankful kay Nebz (of Isla De Nebz) for doing the editing. Mas nagkaroon nga ng buhay hehe! "Don't worry, if ever I have another chance to write, sulat ulit ako Nebz. Thanks ulit sa edit".

I changed my Baul from tagalog to english because it is a requirement in some network affiliates that I have joined (they are traffic and money earning network affiliates like Adgitize, CMF Ads). By the way, if you are interested, sali kayo through my link ah hehe!. I happen to read a topic kasi, about how you can earn money from what you love to do in the internet and it happen to be blogging. Pero di yun ang main reason kung bakit ko ito binago. Of course, in order for me to learn I have to PRACTICE di ba? And most of my studies, specially Bible stuffs are in english.

Another transformation is from tagalog literatures to english essays - religious articles mostly. Ever since kasi na ma-assign ako to lead our church's young people (kasi nga young pa po ako at cute and cuddly - ano kaya kinalaman nun eh? Ang kafal daw!) ay na-realize ko na yung blog ko ay maaari ding mabasa ng mga kabataan, higit lalo ng mga taong hindi lubos na nakakakilala sa Panginoon. I try to teach those young students of mine that sharing your faith or sharing the word of God doesn't necessarily require you to be good in speaking. Pwede rin ito through your hobbies, like drawing coz I have this one student who loves drawing Anime stuffs like Naruto. Pwede rin through music, like Hillsongs, Casting Crowns, Noel, etc... (teka bakit ako nandoon eh hehe! - siyempre ako bida eh, akin itong blog na ito kaya walang papalag). Frustration ko rin kasing kumanta kaya lang yung music nafu-frustrate sa akin twing ako ay kakanta haha! I just remembered a comment long time ago, I was singing while playing the guitar - "Mag-gitara ka na lang pre! hehe!" - hanggang ngayon nasa hospital pa rin yung nag-comment, lantang-gulay na sa bugbog ko haha! (Just kidding!). So to summarize yung subject na ito, I used my blog to share the word of God - O di ba! I am hoping and praying that the gains I made from studying the word of God will also be a gain to all those who read my articles.

"I wish to be heard" - this is one of my reason before but now that people are listening, I try to make a sense of it. Even if people try to ignore or people can't accept (yet, maybe not this time) what I post here, with honesty and prayers I will continue to share God's word through this blog, faithfully. I am not saying na porke hindi word of God ang blog ng iba ay wala ng sense, it just happens na this is where I am making sense and I admit na I suck at some articles I did before lalo na yung mga literature. Again to shorten it, I blog where I can make sense so my followers can better undestand me.

Ang haba na, paano ko ba ito tatapusin? Siguro mag-part 2 na lang ako para madaling basahin. Bye! Oo nga pala before I go, here is something funny to look at before I go. Galing ito kay Roanne ng The Prodigal Daughter. 3D Farmville:

Read More

My Friend Pigeoto

 

Hey there! You alone?

 

You don't look happy to me. Any problem? Can I sit beside you? Okay, I'll just sit beside you anyways. Oh by the way, I am Pigeoto.

I know. You don't feel like talking. I mean who would talk to a bird? Especially a pigeon like me. Look at the other pigeons, they don't even wanna talk to me.

But you know what? Come back here again when you feel lonely or sad. I'll sit with you again even if you don't feel like talking. Just want you to know that you are much more valuable than I am to the Lord.

And please come back with some raisins, love those dehydrated grapes. See ya!

=== ^ ===

Just a pigeon who sat beside me while I'm looking for answer, God's answer. Maybe this really is what God wanted to tell me. Hey! I am not that emotional about my past problem. It's no big deal. I am just trying to share this wonderful moment I captured last Wednesday.

Read More

Lapit Na Naman Holiday!

Wow! The day is getting busier every moment at the office. Why? They are on a hurry to finish their stuffs before going on vacation this holiday. Holiday? Yes, Haj Holiday is coming and I just confirmed from my colleagues that our vacation starts on Nov. 24 and back to work again on Dec. 5, how I wish it is always holiday season. But of course that is just a wishful thinking and I am just being selfish.

This holiday, there are some activities waiting for us already but in case we are at home, I've gathered an ample amount of movies for me and my wife to watch already. Here are a shortlist of movies we'll probably watch:

Race to Witch Mountain (Comedy/Adventure/Scifi/Thriller) - never really thought you could mix comedy and thriller but let's see.
Star: Dwayne Johnson (The Rock)

State of Play (Thriller/Drama/Crime) - this looks boring but I think it deserves a second glance. If I still find it boring after 30 minutes, I'll just probably sleep.
Stars: Russell Crow, Ben Affleck.

UP (Animation/Adventure) - I heard this is quite good. The whole family will be watching this.

The Proposal (Comedy/Romance) - my wife watched this already but I have to see it myself. She told me it's a great movie. I'll probably watch this while she's sleeping.
Stars: Sandra Bullock, Ryan Reynolds

Public Enemies (Crime/Drama) - hmm... I wonder, John Dillinger's story? Ok, let's see if it's good, should be since it's Johnny Depp and Christian Bale.
Stars: I said it already

The Ugly Trutch (Comedy/Romance) well, I still don't have this movie. Better check later if they have this.
Stars: Katherine Heigl, Gerard Butler

G.I. Joe (Action/Scifi) - I must watch this again.
Stars: Channing Tatum, Christopher Eccleston, Sienna Miller, Denis Quaid, Ray Park, Rachel Nichols, Maron Wayans, Joseph Gordon-Levitt

Time Traveler's Wife (Romance/Drama/SciFi) - looks serious and good. I heard this is a great movie. I don't have this movie yet. Must add to DVDs to buy.

Inglorious Bastards (Action/Adventure/War) nah! I just thought of including it but never really liked the movie, even the trailer. I don't hate Brad Pitt, I just don't like the story.

Gamer (Action/Scifi/Thriller) - looks interesting, bloody-interesting. Added to must buy.
Star: Mark Neveldine, Brian Taylor

9 (Animation/Adventure/Fantasy/Scifi/War) I've seen 10 minutes of the movie and I think it's great. I just don't have time.
Star Voices: Elijah Wood, Christopher Plummer, Martin Landau, John C. Reilly, Jennifer Connelly, Crispin Glover

Whiteout (Action/Thriller/Mystery/Crime) - I always liked Kate and mysteries. Looks good. Added to must buy.
Stars: Kate Beckinsale, Gabriel Macht, Columbus Short

Jennifer's Body (Comedy/Horror/Scifi/Thriller) hmmm... looks interesting. Maybe I'll just have a glance on her body - just a glance. If I could borrow, I'll just borrow if there is none, I'll just pass.
Stars: Megan Fox, Amanda Seyfried, Johnny Simmons, Adam Brody, J.K. Simmons, Amy Sedaris, Allison Janney

Surrogates (Action/Scifi/Thriller) I just hope it's not like Sin City. I've seen the trailer and it looks good.
Stars: Bruce Willis, Radha Mitchell, Rosamund Pike, Ving Rhames

Astro Boy (Animation/Action/Scifi) I sure want to see his butt in action. I saw the trailer and was really amazed. I hope it's available even if it is just a clear copy.

Men Who Stare at Goats (History/Comedy) I always like George's comedy flics. Looks weird and interesting. Hope they have it on DVD.
Stars: George Clooney, Ewan McGregor, Kevin Spacey, Jeff Bridges

2012 (Drama/Scifi) if they have it, I should have it. Looks great. Another one of those apocalyptic movies.
Stars: John Cusack, Amanda Peet, Danny Glover, Thandie Newton, Oliver Platt, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Woody Harrelson

Twilight 2: New Moon (Fantasy/Thriller/Romance) hmmm... Okay I've seen the trailer, I've seen part 1, I've seen people giggling over this movie and I think it is great. I should probably watch this, or else my wife won't let me watch all of the movies listed here hehe! Sure hope they have it now even if it is a clear copy.
Stars: Kristen Stewart, Robert Pattinson

Like I said, my "SHORTLIST" of movies. I won't probably watch every movie listed here. Just checking out what I have and what I should have.

Read More

Delayed!

Nung thursday dapat ay lumipad na kami ng aking pamiya papuntang Hong Kong ang kaso yung naglalakad ng papel ko ay petiks mode at masyadong kampante na matatapos niya yung proseso ng aming papel ng isang araw lang. Mga ilang araw bago ang flight namin ay araw-araw akong tumatawag sa opisina upang ipaalala ang aming papel, sabi ko ay agahan ang pagpunta para kung may problema ay may oras pa sila para ayusin yung problema. Pero talagang kampante ang naglalakad ng papel namin kaya nilakad niya ang papel namin nung araw bago ang flight namin. Tulad ng inaaasahan, nagkaroon ng problema at hindi na nga nagawa ang aming papel. Meron daw problema kaya kailangan habulin yung isang branch ng Jawazat at heto pa nilakad yung papel mga 11am e hanggang 2pm lang ang government office so tulad din ng inaasahan hindi niya na naabutan ang kabilang opisina ng jawazat at ang kawawang pamilya ko ay di nakalipad sa dapat sanang flight namin.

Nagbayad tuloy ako ng extra na 1000SR+ (13,000 Pesos +) para sa rebooking ng hotel at rebooking ng mga ticket namin. Fees lang po iyong para sa pagbago o pabkansela ng mga booking namin. Nakakalungkot talaga at disappointing. Magpa-hanggang ngayon sa tuwing naaalala ko ay nakakasama talaga ng loob. Di naman nila babayaran yung pagkakamila nila kundi ako din.

So anong gagawin ko? Magmumukmok? Well, wala ding magagawa ang aking pagmumukmok pagkat nandoon na iyon, ika nga "the damage is done!". Gusto kong mag-wala pero kahit gawin ko iyon ay alam kong wala ring mangyayari at malamang lumala pa ang kaso. Talong-talo talaga. Para tuloy nagmumukhang nagbayad ako para sa bakasyon ko.

Well, gusto ko lang ihinga ang aking sama ng loob. Actually, marami-rami na ring sama ng loob ang naidulot ng kumpanya ko sa akin pero hindi ko na pinapansin yung iba. Ito lang latest ang medyo mahirap tanggapin pagkat ramdam ko talaga ang hirap na dinanas ko para makamit ang bakasyon ko.

Going back, apply pa lang ako ng vacation ay katakot-takot na hirap na ang dinanas ko. Andiyan papirmahin ko ang mga taong involve sa projects namin. Ang mahirap doon ay yung tao ay talaga namang mahirap hagilapin at napakalayo pa ng kanilang opisina - wala akong sasakyan at ang taxi ay 25SR (318 Pesos according to google), papunta pa lang iyon at pabalik ay ganun din.

Bago ko pa natapos ang pagpapapirma ay nawala na sa pwesto yung taong dapat na pipirma. Ganun kahirap hagilapin yung tao hehehe! Mahaba talaga ang kwento ng pag-apply pa lang ng vacation at mahirap paikliin basta isipin niyo na lang ginawa akong pingpong para lang makakuha ng approval sa vacation ko.

Ano bang maganda ang natamo ko sa aking mga kinaharap na hirap?
Well, in a way maganda rin na na-delay ako dahil sa nakatulong pa ako sa church namin na magawa yung mga kailangan para sa anniversary ng church. Nakabili pa ako ng ilang mga pasalubong. May na-remind sa akin ang aking experience.

Ano yung na-remind sa akin?
This is good. Actually, alam ko na ito noon pa pero nalilimutan natin ito minsan. Naramdaman ko kailan lang ng magpakawala ako ng pera for nothing. Talagang lungkot at galit ang naramdaman ko kasi hindi ko naman kasalanan ang lahat kundi sila at ako ang magbabayad. Pero in a good sense ano kaya kung positive ang tinungo ng pera ko.

Nasubukan niyo na bang magbigay ng tulong na ramdam niyo talaga? Ang ibig kong sabihin ay ganito. Kung magbibigay kayo ng limang pisong tulong sa isang bata o 100 pesos na tulong sa isang kapwa, ramdam niyo bang nakatulong kayo? Di ba hindi? Bakit kaya?

Explanation.
Kasi ang 100 pisong tulong na naibigay niyo ay barya lamang marahil sa inyo o mga sukli sa inyong pinagbibili. Paano kaya kung ang perang iyong ibibigay ay talagang inilaan at talaga namang mararamdaman mong may nawala sa inyo? Yung tipong sisimangot ang isang politiko pag pinakawalan niya ang halagang iyon na hindi naman siya ang makikinabang.

Isa pang napakagandang bagay, ano kaya sa tingin niyo ang pakiramdam ng taong umaako ng kasalanan ng iba? Yung nangyari kailan lang sa akin ay talaga namang siguro kahit sino ay maiinis, magagalit. Pero naisip ba natin kung ano ang naramdaman ng Panginoong Hesus nung inako niya lahat ng kasalanan natin at magbayad nito?

Hindi ko sinasabing dinanas ko na ang hirap na dinanas ng Panginoong Hesus pagkat hindi mapapantayan ang hirap na dinanas niya. Ang masasabi ko lang ay, naranasan kong magbayad para sa ginawang pagkakamali ng iba at ang hindi ito naging katanggap-tanggap sa akin.

Naranasan kong magbigay ng malaking halaga para sa aking sariling kapakanan at walang kabuluhang bagay at lungkot at galit ang naging resulta nito. Paano kaya kung ibinigay ko iyon sa Panginoon? Ramdam ko rin sigurado ang mawalan pero alam ko at ramdam ko na nakatulong ako sa kanyang mahalaga at banal na gawain.

Isa lamang itong repleksyon sa aking ispiritwal na buhay. Nawa ay naging aral din ito sa bawat isa. God bless po sa lahat.

Romans 8:28

And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.

Read More

You Want Challenge and Adventure?

No to challenge, no to failure! Is this you?
Every person has desire for an adventure but never wanted any challenge. Why? Because they are afraid of the outcome. They are afraid to fail. But what if I told you that there is an adventure that no matter if you fail or succeed, you will gain something. It is an adventure and also a challenge for everyone.

Observe yourself, is this true?
Have you ever done something relentlessly? Okay, let’s rephrase the question. Have you done something without thinking of others except yourself? It is something that we’ve done impulsively that reveals our true nature sometimes.

What is our true nature? Humans, even without being taught have tendencies of lying especially when they are in trouble or at fault. When you ask someone at fault with a quick question, they tend to stutter or sometimes will not answer until he/she have made thought of what to say.

When you do something for yourself or say something, have you made thought of what others might say? There are some people that say “I don’t care about what they say as long as I am doing something good”. Even if what you are about to do or say is good; it is still good to think of others. Why? Because not all good things for you will benefit others, sometimes it harms other people.

These are just questions that will greatly influence our daily life adventure.

Evaluate this.
Doing things or saying things without thinking of others is not a challenge. How is that? Imagine a sniper trying to kill a terrorist or someone holding a hostage. It won’t be a challenge if there isn’t any hostage or if he just shoots without really aiming hard. Aiming hard is like thinking of the hostage and being concern that he/she might be hurt by your action.

I remembered when I was new here in Jeddah, I was on the elevator with a person. I don’t know what’s his nationality. He asked me if I am a Filipino, so I answered him “Yes!” while smiling back at him. And then he said “Filipinos!” and then he sighed and then he smirked at me. Imagine how I felt that time. I don’t know what kind of Filipino he encountered before but associating me with that person really hurts me even if that person is also a Filipino. I didn’t do anything wrong that time except being a Filipino. I want to ask him what’s his nationality and then shout his nationality in his face just to let him feel what I feel or maybe worst. Well, that is intentional and not an impulsive thing but he still didn’t think of how I’ll feel. He maybe have said it to make himself feel good about what the other Filipino did to him.

What I am pointing here is how easy it is to do something or say something without thinking of others. There is no challenge in doing it and you don’t benefit anything except a temporary self-satisfaction. But on the other hand, it could leave a permanent scar to someone. In counter-terrorism, the hard part is saving lives without killing innocent people or even catching the leader alive or unharmed.

Level of Difficulty.So what is the challenge?
Can we do our daily things with other people at work, play, home or other places without hurting anyone? The level of difficulty is not set by others but by you. It will always depend on how you think while being with them or your attitude towards them. If you think badly of a person near you; even if you try to hide it, it will eventually show by your actions or will be revealed with a slip of your tongue.

Read More