Journal of a Simple Soul

Journal of a Simple Soul http://simplesoul.multiply.com/ "Catch the star that holds your destiny - the one that forever twinkles within your heart. Take advantage of precious opportunities while they still sparkle before you. Always believe that your ultimate goal is attainable, as long as you commit yourself to it. Value your capabilities and talents for they are what make you truly unique. The greatest gifts in life are not purchased, but acquired through hard work and determination. Give your hopes everything you've got, and you will catch the star that holds your destiny." - Excerpts from a Shannon M. Lester inspirational message Wed, 11 Jun 2008 06:51:13 -0000 Fri, 1 Feb 2008 04:07:18 -0000 Journal of a Simple Soul http://images.simplesoul.multiply.com/logo http://simplesoul.multiply.com 100 100 One Saturday afternoon and evening in Quiapo Last Saturday (26 January), a friend and I agreed to meet in Quiapo. Actually, it was just supposed to be a 'stop-over' en-route to our gimmick for the afternoon, a movie at Instituto de Cervantes. But Quiapo has a charm of its own. It has so much life and history! Each street and alley has a story to tell. And so, even though we would've been more comfortable in Instituto, we eventually succumbed to an impromptu walking tour in one of the metro's most interesting places. As you can see from the photos, we started mid-afternoon, when the sun was still reigning the sky. We ended the day with the moon over our head, ice cream sundae for dessert, and with our 'fortunes' told by grannies lining the http://simplesoul.multiply.com/photos/album/23/One_Saturday_afternoon_and_evening_in_Quiapo Fri, 1 Feb 2008 04:07:18 -0000 Off to Work in an FX One of the reasons why I’ve stopped bringing a car is because of the proliferation and convenience of “services,” popularly known as “FX.” For a minimum of 10 pesos, the driver can take you to a certain point in Metro Manila without you having to worry about gassing up, parking fees, and getting caught by unscrupulous MMDA officers (heaven forbid). Best of all, FX drivers are known to pass through side streets and over sidewalks that I wouldn’t even think of taking or doing even though I’ve been driving for more than 20 years. Taking the service/ FX is always like an adventure!   But I’m getting ahead here.   This morning, I decided to take the service from Quezon City (where I live) to Ortigas Center (where I work). The MRT train station at Quezon Avenue was very packed! I’ll be pretty late and pretty squished had I decided to take the train.   The service that took us to our destination is actually a large, fairly new van. I took the front seat (near the driver) beca... http://simplesoul.multiply.com/journal/item/15/Off_to_Work_in_an_FX Wed, 30 Jan 2008 02:32:03 -0000 Ash Wednesday http://simplesoul.multiply.com/calendar/item/10008/Ash_Wednesday Mon, 28 Jan 2008 13:09:36 -0000 My own MRT horror tale If I were caught in a stampede in the women’s car of the MRT, I know for sure I’ll never make it. This morning, on my way to work, I got pushed and shoved so hard I nearly fell on the passengers who are already inside the car!   That was the first time I experienced something akin to being trampled on ever since I started taking the LRT in college. The cars of the LRT are much smaller, but for some reason, people know when to back off. You know, they don’t shove and squeeze the life out of you.   MRT cars are more spacious, but some women who take the MRT also seem more “vicious.” They (pardon the expression) bitch and whine and gripe when they can’t get in. Yet when characters like those boss their way through, they make you feel as if you’re so supposed to give way.     I’m less than five feet, and weigh less than 95 lbs. You can just imagine how a “hefty” person like me felt like when the crowd rushed in from behind. I didn’t only feel like a kitten that got se... http://simplesoul.multiply.com/journal/item/14/My_own_MRT_horror_tale Thu, 10 Jan 2008 04:28:17 -0000 The Simple Love is Endearing From the Molave Youth Center, I drove yesterday to the Reception Action Center (RAC) somewhere between Cubao and Quezon City. Specifically, it’s located in a narrow road right after the Quezon City Police District if you’re coming from Kamias Road. Kuya Joel (from the youth center) referred me to the RAC because the toys I wanted to donate to their youth center would be better appreciated in a place where there are children. The RAC does not only have children, but there are also a handful of young women and senior citizens. The RAC is meant to be a temporary shelter. At the moment, it has 23 residents. Six are senior citizens. Eight are young women, the oldest of whom is 16 years old. The rest are children. They were referred to the center by social workers because they either ran away from home or are orphans. They don’t have a place to stay, and it’s much safer to be there than to roam the dangerous streets of the metro. One of the lolas I met there, for example, told me she’d rather ... http://simplesoul.multiply.com/journal/item/13/The_Simple_Love_is_Endearing Sun, 6 Jan 2008 10:48:58 -0000 Tough as the Molave The Molave Youth Center is located at the back of the Quezon City Hall. I went there yesterday to drop off old clothes and toys that I had collected during the holiday. I was informed that since the residents are youths aged 17 years old and below, they have no need for the toys. The youth center is presently “home” to about 80 juveniles with pending cases. From this number, about eight are young women, and the rest are boys and young men. The “kuya” or house parent who accommodated me yesterday said the cases range from petty theft to robbery to murder. Some are first-time offenders. Others are there for the second time (maybe more). There was a small boy who caught my eye who turned out to be only 13 years old. I learned from the house parent that it’s his second time to be back in the center. The reason: petty thievery. In all my years that I’ve been a volunteer, yesterday was my first time to see young men and women, and children in jail. (Oh I’ve been to the Manila Reception... http://simplesoul.multiply.com/journal/item/12/Tough_as_the_Molave Sun, 6 Jan 2008 09:15:50 -0000 "One man’s junk is another man’s treasure." I often repeat this line to myself whenever I put together things to be given away. Almost each year, I go through my cabinets and drawers, looking for things I don’t need anymore. Yesterday, New Year’s eve, I also went through old things in the bodega (warehouse) at the back of the house. I didn’t realize we’ve “amassed” quite a number of old clothes, shoes, toys, books, and old magazines until I segregated them to make it easier for me to decide which will go where. For the books and magazines, I’ve decided that they will go to a library in some elementary school. The Ahon Foundation could help me on that. The toys will be distributed next weekend to a detention center for boys at the back of the Quezon City Hall. Yes, you read correctly, it’s a detention center for boys who committed crimes (e.g. murder), but have not yet or could not be convicted because, well, they’re boys! They’re minors! Why give toys to underage offenders, some might wonder. To begin with, they probably ... http://simplesoul.multiply.com/journal/item/11 Tue, 1 Jan 2008 05:56:47 -0000 Birthday - Rodney Perez Rodney turns 7 years http://simplesoul.multiply.com/calendar/item/10005/Birthday_-_Rodney_Perez Mon, 31 Dec 2007 16:42:35 -0000 Paolo Coelho and "Closing Cycles" One of my favorite ‘forwarded’ messages is Paolo Coelho’s “Closing Cycles.” When one reads it the first time, the article sounds ‘negative’ because it talks about a person who can’t seem to move on, for one reason or the other. It is from this premise that Paolo’s article, sharing (whatever you want to call it) develops. I think the article is not at all pessimistic. In fact, it rings with hope that you can be whoever you want to be, you can feel whatever emotion you want to express right this moment because the past – and all the disappoints that may have accompanied it - is something you can leave behind. “Shut the door, change the record, clean the house, shake off the dust. Stop being who you were, and change into who you are.” The cycle that is 2007 has ended. Looking forward to 2008 and all the promises it brings! Happy New Year everyone! --------------------------------------------------------------- Closing Cycles By Paolo Coelho One always has to know... http://simplesoul.multiply.com/journal/item/10/Paolo_Coelho_and_Closing_Cycles Mon, 31 Dec 2007 12:18:25 -0000 2007 Planning Meeting (Shenzhen, China) It was the last day of the planning meeting. Surely there's no reason why the participants - us - can't go out for a little shopping and unwinding. The photos show our trip to a shopping area some 15 minutes away from the hotel where we stayed. What started out as an attempt to buy MP3's culminated to haggling, dinner, and LOTS of walking after dinner. There's no time to feel tired with a group like this! http://simplesoul.multiply.com/photos/album/19/2007_Planning_Meeting_Shenzhen_China Wed, 21 Nov 2007 23:58:47 -0000 2007 Marketing Seminar, Shanghai, China It was a three-day trip (29-31 September) that enabled me to meet my counterparts from Corporate and from other divisions. It was great to touch base with other communication and marketing practitioners in Emerson. One thing I noted is that even though we come from different locations, everyone's passionate about their work! Tsk. Too bad I didn't have the chance to take more photos. Shanghai is breathtaking in the evening! http://simplesoul.multiply.com/photos/album/18/2007_Marketing_Seminar_Shanghai_China Wed, 21 Nov 2007 23:29:24 -0000 Birthday - Dad and Chito http://simplesoul.multiply.com/calendar/item/10004/Birthday_-_Dad_and_Chito Sun, 23 Sep 2007 09:49:39 -0000 Management Planning Meeting http://simplesoul.multiply.com/calendar/item/10003/Management_Planning_Meeting Sun, 23 Sep 2007 09:48:44 -0000 No to Plastic Bags Yesterday, I decided to hit one of my favorite places in the city, Quiapo. The reason being I wanted to stock up on beads and things so I could start early on my Christmas giveaways. Anyway, knowing how fond these vendors are of plastic bags, I came armed with a medium-sized drawstring cloth bag. I have come to abhor plastic bags because everywhere I go (and even in the house), I see them overflowing from trash bins and floating on clogged esteros and drainages! And on more than one occasion, I’ve seen plastic bags (the very light ones given out at wet markets) “flying” as high as the 32nd floor of the building I work in! I kid you not because at the time, my workstation was situated in a corner, and I have big, wide windows in front of me and to my right! Whenever I see those plastics bags flying high, with nary a care in the world, I tell myself this plastic bag craze has got to stop! I mean, we can’t live without them, but if we can lessen its use, or if we can recycle what we have a... http://simplesoul.multiply.com/journal/item/9/No_to_Plastic_Bags Sun, 23 Sep 2007 05:40:47 -0000 Revisiting Baclaran Church (28 July 2007) A friend and I had scheduled to watch two more movies at the Cinemanila, which was held at the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP). Since the movies won't start until about half past 12, I decided to bring my camera to revisit Baclaran Church. Baclaran Church, which is really the National Shrine of the Mother of Perpetual Help, is located along Roxas Boulevard in Manila. I haven't been to this shrine since I was a teenager, although mom brought us there a lot of times when my brothers and I were kids. In fact, we must've been there one too many times because when I went back this year, the first thing I did was to look for familiar details: the decorated walls, the marble basins by the door, the steps at the back of the church, and so on. Like a friend who must've been waiting for me, Baclaran Church was almost bereft of people when I went there. Oh there were the usual devotees, I guess, but I didn't expect it to be that..."empty" and clean. That's the reason why I had an ... http://simplesoul.multiply.com/photos/album/14/Revisiting_Baclaran_Church_28_July_2007 Sun, 23 Sep 2007 03:34:19 -0000 Tabora Street, Divisoria (Holy Wednesday - 2007) There’s something about Tabora Street that sends my pulse racing. One of my favorite “hiding” and babad places in the metro is Tabora Street in Divisoria. For those who are only familiar with the periphery of Divisoria (and stay stuck in malls like 168 and Tutuban Mall), Tabora is the street to go to if you want raw materials such as sewing needles, threads, buttons, textiles, ribbons in different colors, feathers, ad infinitum. The first time I went to Tabora was when I was in high school. I think it was my lola who brought me there because I needed materials for our sewing class. Ironically, at the time, I didn’t like sewing at all. Since lola was the seamstress, and a very good one at that, we agreed that I’d start a project or homework, and then she would finish it. Daya, I know, but she’s not one to see a project go to waste. In the years to come, I’d go to Tabora Street either by myself or with my mother. Most of time, I’d be alone because it takes me so long to walk f... http://simplesoul.multiply.com/photos/album/12/Tabora_Street_Divisoria_Holy_Wednesday_-_2007 Thu, 10 May 2007 05:19:12 -0000 2007 GMDC Off-site Meeting (27-29 April, Grande Island, Subic) This year, GMDC packed their things for a three-day off-site meeting at Grande Island in Subic. Trip was long and quite tiring. And I’m just talking about the bus ride to Subic. It was another trip altogether from Subic to Grande Island. I’m not really complaining. I guess I’m not used to long bus and boat rides anymore. Once on the island, however, it was all fun, a little bit of work, and lots and lots of photo ops! The photos here are just a sampling. Looking at the photos again, kita agad how fresh we all looked on day one, and how tired - and tanned – we were on day three. Over-all, I’m grateful for the breather. Now… it’s time to get back to http://simplesoul.multiply.com/photos/album/11/2007_GMDC_Off-site_Meeting_27-29_April_Grande_Island_Subic Thu, 10 May 2007 00:38:44 -0000 Valentine’s Day 2006 Note: I wrote this a few days after V-Day 2006. Reviewing it again a year later, I noted the sentiments that come with the sharing have not faded. I guess that's proof that 'love stories' - whatever form they disguise themselves in - are always welcome reads.   And what of my Valentine's Day 2007? That's easy: I went back to Golden Acres to check on the lolas I met last year. But that's for another entry.       One of my former students asked me very recently, “Miss, how was your Valentine’s Day?” She was the nth person to ask that question.   Compared to previous years where I would simply shrug my shoulders, and say, “I spent it alone” or “I spent it with friends,” this time I replied with an emphatic, “Oh, I spent it with 15 lolas at Golden Acres!”   We were talking face to face, and I saw her expression. It was a mixture of delight and puzzlement. I hurriedly explained that, “It was wonderful! One of the lolas made me cr... http://simplesoul.multiply.com/journal/item/8 Thu, 15 Feb 2007 01:06:00 -0000 The Kid in Me When I am stressed, and I’ve no friend to confide to, I usually stroll around the mall. Now, I know that that is a dangerous thing to do when one is depressed or feeling restless. But the difference here is that, when I am “up to here” with work, I stroll around the toys department. I noticed that I do this especially when I feel that I’ve absorbed too much (negative) energy from work.   Why toys? I don’t have a ready answer. Maybe it’s because toys symbolize innocence, when getting along with playmates were simpler. During playtime, there’s more give and take, and at the end of the day, most of you in the group remain friends. In fact, you have so much fun playing and getting into arguments that all of you can’t wait to go back playing the next day!   Toys are fun and colorful. I especially liked playing with my brothers’ Lego sets when we were kids. Lego and similar building blocks allowed creative juices to really flow! I built houses and buildings and stores, and al... http://simplesoul.multiply.com/journal/item/7/The_Kid_in_Me Wed, 7 Feb 2007 00:39:44 -0000 STC Homecoming http://simplesoul.multiply.com/calendar/item/10002/STC_Homecoming Wed, 17 Jan 2007 23:05:41 -0000 Volunteer work at Tahanang Walang Hagdanan http://simplesoul.multiply.com/calendar/item/10001/Volunteer_work_at_Tahanang_Walang_Hagdanan Wed, 17 Jan 2007 23:03:05 -0000 New Year in Downtown Quiapo My New Year was a tad quiet. After all, I come from a small family, and only one of my siblings is married. He doesn’t live with us either.   Last New Year’s Day, bored out of my wits, and cringing at the thought of spending another typical and quiet New Year, I decided to hear mass in Quiapo Church. Since I live in Quezon City, and traffic couldn’t be that bad, it took me all of 30 minutes to get from our village to the church. I got there in time for the 10 a.m. mass.   To be honest, I was a bit disappointed. The church was big compared to the smaller ones that I go to like Sto. Domingo and San Pedro Bautista Church (both in Quezon City). And yes, I’m aware that Quiapo Church is historical, and that there are many interesting people and things to see in and around this famous downtown landmark.   But for some reason, I felt empty, even ‘cold,’ when I was going through the New Year ceremony. To think the altar was lit like a Christmas tree (there were lights runn... http://simplesoul.multiply.com/journal/item/6/New_Year_in_Downtown_Quiapo Wed, 3 Jan 2007 06:15:02 -0000 New Year Trip to Downtown Quiapo and Divisoria I wanted to experience a different New Year. I didn't want to spend it in my usual (safe) environment. And so when Sr. Gertrude (from the Shrine of the Holy Face of Jesus located in Hidalgo St., Quiapo) invited me to visit her, I took my camera with me and went. http://simplesoul.multiply.com/photos/album/8/New_Year_Trip_to_Downtown_Quiapo_and_Divisoria Tue, 2 Jan 2007 00:22:41 -0000 "Taft Avenue, last station." (Scene: Taft Avenue, MRT Station. The station was very crowded and noisy.)   He had a small smile playing around his lips, but it was his eyes that caught my attention. They were closed… because he’s blind.   And yet he was trying to find his way out of the MRT platform and up the escalator. People were just ignoring him as they themselves tried to scurry up and out of the station. But I knew that this blind person will take ages to get out of the station. When I saw him, he was inching his way – literally – towards the escalator. Not to mention, will all the helter-skelter happening around him, nobody seemed interested to help! Not even this guy in a green shirt who was walking directly behind him.   And so I did.   I haven’t held hands with a guy for nearly five years now! Ahahaha! But at that moment, I had to hold his hand lest he falls and get trampled over by uncaring passengers.   Thankfully, the guy didn’t mind being led or pushed by me. (I had... http://simplesoul.multiply.com/journal/item/4/Taft_Avenue_last_station. Thu, 21 Dec 2006 08:09:43 -0000 Rachel dancing.AVI The girl in the video is Rachel. She is stricken with the Progeria Syndrome. That means she looks older than her biological age. Rachel stays at Tahanang Walang Hagdanan. Don't pity her; admire her! She's one cheerful little girl who has a lot of spirit and spunk in her small, frail body. The video was taken last 16th of December 2006, during a get-together in http://simplesoul.multiply.com/video/item/2/Rachel_dancing.AVI Mon, 18 Dec 2006 07:33:28 -0000 Visit to Tahanang Walang Hagdanan in Cainta, Rizal (16 Dec. 2006) It was supposed to be an office volunteer work that did not pan out. Since I'd been coordinating with Claire (of TWH), and a certain rapport has been established, a colleague and I decided to go on our own. The drive to Cainta, Rizal was unbelievable that day. But when we arrived at the compound, the effort was all worth it. http://simplesoul.multiply.com/photos/album/5/Visit_to_Tahanang_Walang_Hagdanan_in_Cainta_Rizal_16_Dec._2006 Mon, 18 Dec 2006 04:51:52 -0000