QWERTY Attorney
My QWERTY Life
21 Dream Professions [Part 3]
As I look forward to the next eight decades or so of my life, I’ve come up with a list of 21 professions I would like to have or experience in the future.
[last of three parts] [read Part 1 here] [read Part 2 here]
15. TV commercial or movie producer – Every time we get to meet, my friend and I talk about ideas for commercials and comedy films. We miss the “Dolphy-Babalu-Redford White-Carding” era of comedy.
16. Lead vocalist of a band – My parents used to make me sing with a karaoke machine during special occasions. Over time, I got to love listening to music and singing along with it. I enjoy feeling the guitar riffs and the drum beats of rock songs, the soothing sound of pianos and violins, and the energetic blasts of trumpets and saxophones. When all of ‘em get together in perfect harmony, and paired with nice lyrics, it’s “audiophile’s heaven” for me. (Too bad I don’t know how to play any musical instrument. But I’ll be one rockin’ lead vocalist, if you’ll ask me.)
17. Business analyst/Process optimizer – This is the only one related to my current profession, out of the 21 in this list. (I’m currently an SAP developer.) I want to take part in decision-making, in planning, in making processes efficient. I can do technical things, but my “clerical genes” really want to be part of the action!
18. Church pastor or leader – I’m not eliminating the possibility. I’ve just been saved recently, and this is the way I want to serve God and Jesus Christ, in return for all the blessings He has given me. When I get to have a family of my own, we will all be one in Christ, and then help in bringing more people to Jesus.
19. Urban planner – I have played Sim City games before, and I like how it allows you to run a town of your own, and solve simulated community problems. It taught me that you can’t just put schools or hospitals at any location, that zoning is essential, that police and fire stations should be put in strategic locations, and that you should also think of creating revenue for your town, not just spending.
20. MMDA chairman – I want to minimize the traffic in EDSA, and help implement zoning in Metro Manila. (But, I think I have to be city mayor first.)
And finally, my top dream profession…
21. President of the Philippines – Ever since I read my first newspaper and became aware of what’s happening in the country, I told myself, I want to correct things that aren’t working out. I had enough of “flavor of the month” issues: those that receive lots of attention one month, then gets forgotten the following month because of another issue that popped up. I strongly dislike it when newsmakers “solve problems” by airing their opponent’s “dirty laundry” which is not even related to the issue at hand, just to elicit from a “confused” audience anger towards the opponent and sympathy for the newsmaker. In short, I dislike it when unstable emotions trump solid evidence.
It pains me when I realize that more than 25 years after a revolution that should have improved our condition, nothing much has changed. The country is still living in the shadows of its past, because most of us Filipinos refuse to learn from it. We pick what we want to remember. We value popularity over skills and merit. Our foundations are shallow that we find it hard to stand on our own and hold ourselves up.
If I were President, I would uphold the rule of law. It’s better that we rely on laws and processes that are fair and rigid. We had enough of people circumventing laws to get away with all their wrongdoings. We had enough of powerless people remaining that way, convinced that they they will always lose to people who have money and power. We had enough of people using other people and their emotions to get what they want. With firm rules, there would be no one above the law.
If I were President, I would focus my energy on public service, not on politics. I would serve the people who need help, not the people who wants to help only themselves.
If I were President, I would narrow the gap between the rich and the poor. I would find a way to turn the “triangle” (wherein the wealthy few are on top, and the poor majority are at the bottom) into a “diamond” (wherein the self-sufficient middle class will compose most of the population).
If I were President, I would like to create more sustainable and stable jobs so that OFWs could go back home and work here. I would also boost the agriculture sector, because would have inadequate food supply if we disregard advancements and new studies in agriculture. We should be self-sufficient. We should get what we need from what we have.
If I were President, I would lead the Philippines back to where it was in the 1960s, when it was economically at par with South Korea and Japan. We have been there before. Surely, we can go back to that pedestal again. 
21 Dream Professions [Part 2]
As I look forward to the next eight decades or so of my life, I’ve come up with a list of 21 professions I would like to have or experience in the future.
[2nd of three parts] [read Part 1 here]
8. Book author – I’m a huge bookworm: back in college (and until today), my two best friends and I go straight to the bookstores when we’re in malls. I want to learn all that I can about the world, hear stories from lots of people, then get to share what I’ve learned to and write stories of my own for other people.
9. Archiver – My NCAE results (the one students take before graduating from high school) suggest that I’d have a clerical career someday. It seems to me that it holds true. Since I love collecting stuff, why not become an archiver? Every information is important, every data essential. It helps us decide on what to do, to courageously face an uncertain future.
10. Photographer – I’m always the guy behind the camera, with eyes peering on the viewfinder. I’m always the “unofficial photographer” of the class in college. Mama even “scolded” me once for almost having no pictures of myself when I was Boston for a two-week IT conference. I’m easily amazed by what I see in the world: nature, buildings, crowds, serenity, and order amidst chaos and uncertainty. I love how pictures convey emotions, how photos can be worth a thousand words.
11. Statement shirts business owner – Yeah, Facebook and Twitter and all that are the fad right now. But what if you can wear your thoughts and feelings for the day? There are lots of businesses out there that do and have done that. But hey, we’ll have more awesome and more creative graphic designers with us to make the T-shirts more funky, witty, and trendy! Just wait and see… You’ve been warned. XD
12. College professor – Knows a lot about lots of things? Check. Willing to share ‘em to kids and teens? Check. Talkative and sometimes makwela? Check. Wouldn’t give a student a failing grade as long as he/she shows he/she does not deserve it? Check. 
I might be going back to my alma mater (Asia Pacific College) to teach there, around five years from now.
13. Computer center administrator – I was a member of Intel Computer Clubhouse in Makati from 2002 to 2007. I sometimes volunteer in a Constructing Learning through Technology center in San Antonio, Pasig. I want to give back to the kids what I’ve learned and experienced in the Clubhouse. Plus, I get the chance to be a kid again and be a Kuya to lots of kids at the same time!
14. Event organizer/director/planner – When I was in college, I was the logistics director of a huge IT student organization for almost three years. My job was to make sure our student events run smoothly. I learned how to deal with people, with changes in plans, and with criticisms. I will always love the adrenaline rush that I get when I’m in action. I also got to work with lots of cool, creative and amazing people.
21 Dream Professions [Part 1]
Exactly a month from now, I will be 21 years old.
So much has happened in my first two decades here on Earth. I met lots of friends, learned lots of lessons, and had my share of awesome and not-so-good moments.
As I look forward to the next eight decades or so of my life (Hey, I wanna live to 100!), I’ve come up with a list of 21 jobs/careers I would like to have or experience in the future.
These are what I’ve dreamt of since childhood. It was born out of the things I enjoyed doing, and still enjoy up to now. Who knows, I might make a career out of one, or some, or all (!) of the items in this list.
So, in no particular order of accomplishment, here are my 21 dream professions.
[1st of three parts]
1. TV travel show host – I’m a big fan of Strangebrew when it was still on TV. Tado and Erning (and Ramon Bautista) are such amusing hosts. Travel Time by Ms. Susan Calo-Medina is another inspiration. I want to travel the whole Philippines, share interesting trivia, and show my adventures in an entertaining way.
2. TV game show host – The late 90s to early 2000s was, in my view, the “golden age of game shows”. Who Wants to Be a Millionaire, Game K N B?, The Weakest Link, The Price is Right: I intently watch ‘em all when it’s on. It’s that era when the viewers shout the answers to trivia questions on the TV screen, as if the contestant can hear us in the studio. Fun times.
3. Researcher/Research company owner – I have collected weird stuff from the Internet over the years: flags of the world, maps, TIME magazine covers, wrestling pay-per-view results, even Philippine Stock Exchange index and PHP-USD exchange rates. I have even created my own maps and infographics for: US Electoral College results since 1804, Philippine Congress Timeline, and 2010 Philippine general election results in some provinces. I’m a geek for lists, almanacs, newspapers, and maps, so I figured: why not set up my own research company? Or work for PIA, NAMRIA, or GMA News? My big contribution to the country would be the Philippine Almanac, akin to The World Almanac and Book of Facts and TIME Almanac.
4. GMA News employee – I have said many times before that working for GMA News is one of my dreams. They’re more objective, more insightful, more informative. They do research better. That’s why I want to be among their employees, specifically in its online arm, GMA News Online.
5. Journalist – I remember when I was in elementary, in a journalism workshop, my feature article on the planets of the solar system was among those that received good remarks. Since then, I’ve written about lots of things. Some have been published in newsletters, some I have posted in my blogs, some I kept to myself. If I’d make it in the in the field of journalism, I want to be a feature writer, or an op-ed columnist.
6. Newscaster – From reading the news on newspapers to reading the news via the teleprompter? Why not? I like to do it the old-school way: just reporting the day’s headlines in an impartial, non-partisan, non-sensational way. It annoys me sometimes when newscasters express their opinions live on national TV. Yes, they have a right to do so, but it’s not their job, and primetime TV is not the right venue. It implies that their opinions are the right ones, that their experience in newscasting (and in public office, for some) is enough to make them “credible” to discuss issues. It’s as if they’re the voice of the people now. They should allow the viewers to be the judge, in my opinion. Newscasters should only be the medium, the channel. That’s their role, and I want to fulfill that.
7. News magazine editor-in-chief/executive editor – I like reading TIME Magazine. (I have liked Newsweek, too, since they changed their format.) It’s fun to learn something new about the world weekly. Plus, I geek out every time I see cool maps, infographics and numbers, because they present it in a way even a casual reader would understand. I want to be the EIC of a magazine that is objective, journalistic, informative, and in the loop of what’s trending and what’s going on in the country. No agenda, just points from both sides.
53
53. It is the number painted on his vintage, iconic Volkswagen Beetle car. Sadly, 53 was also the age of its beloved owner when he drove it for the very last time.
Mr. Dennis A. Reyes, Program Director of the School of Computer Science and Information Technology of Asia Pacific College, passed away last December 3. The news caught everyone by surprise. When I heard it from Dianne Mercado (president of student org APC-JPCS, in which Sir Dennis was adviser), all I could say afterwards was, “Ba’t ganun? Of all people? And this early?”
~~~~~
I was Director of Programs and Meetings (aka Logistics Officer) of APC-JPCS for three years, though I had never talked to Sir Dennis heart-to-heart, if not at length. My duty as logistics officer is to make sure activities organized by our student org run smoothly. I go to Sir Dennis from time to time to have him sign venue reservation forms. Most of our conversations are about JPCS (and tidbits of my IT life).
However, I have lots of stories about Sir Dennis, and it helped me to get to know him better.
Once, I had a problem of securing 10 PC’s for a DOTA Tournament during IT Week. The ITRG Office (in charge of all computers and gadgets in APC) initially promised eight PC’s. When I got to confirm it a week before the event, they said they can only give three or four (or none at all, I really can’t remember). I went to Sir Dennis’ office, and told him this. Immediately, he got up from his chair and told me to come along. We went into the ITRG Office; minutes later, JPCS got the “full deal”: 10 PC’s, with power and networking taken care of.
I stood beside him dumbfounded. I was thinking, we can’t just storm into this office, Sir, and do this. Lots of scenarios are already running in my head. But he later justified: it’s IT Week, the time when CSIT students get to take a break from studies and participate in activities organized by JPCS and JISSA. Why spoil the fun?
Sir Dennis lets us do the thinking, and he’ll find a way to make it possible. (All in accordance with school rules, of course.)
~~~~~
Sir Dennis is not afraid to tell you what he feels, and what you need to hear. He doesn’t instill fear in you; he compels you to take action.
Some of us graduating students were tasked to create and publish RAMblings, the official magazine of SoCSIT. It is a compilation of tech-related articles written by all graduating IT students for our ITRENDS class. It must be published before, and distributed on graduation day (May 21).
Four weeks before May 21, we’re still not done with the soft copy. Chances were slim that we would get hold of the magazine in time. On one of our graduation practices, he frankly told us that if we wouldn’t be able to produce the magazine, we wouldn’t graduate. There were even R’s beside our names on the list of graduates tacked onto a board. (R means repeat; this means if we would not deliver, we’ll be repeating ITRENDS).
It wasn’t meant as a threat to us; it was simply the truth. The magazine itself is a project for the ITRENDS class, so if we wouldn’t be able to publish it by graduation day, we might as well kiss our diplomas goodbye (for now) and enrol for another term in school.
On that same day, the soft copy was done. Immediately, we submitted it to the publishers. Fortunately, two days before graduation day, all 500 copies of the magazine have been printed. We all breathed sighs of relief.
~~~~~
Sir Dennis is rich (or maybe well-off), but he doesn’t flaunt it. He dresses in a simple manner. He doesn’t go around and tell everyone about his brand-new watch, or the amount he spends for a haircut. As far as I know, when I hear him talk or share stories, it’s related to APC, work, JPCS, IT careers, and Volkswagens. I can see that he lives a simple, normal, passionate life.
One of the things I admire about Sir Dennis is his ability to filter out unnecessary details, and focus on what’s really important. Less drama, more merits, more action.
Also, I can say that he’ll agree with me on this: that as long as you love what you do, you’re never stepping on other people, and you do what is right, everything will be fine.
~~~~~
Two months after graduation, I was still out of work. A company has already extended a job offer to me, but I honestly told them I’m waiting for another company’s job offer. Their competitor’s, actually: IBM, a dream company of mine.
It was late July, and I was helping JPCS in organizing this year’s IT Week. Sir Dennis greeted us at the cafeteria during one JPCS meeting, and he asked me why I was still around the campus. I told him I was waiting for IBM’s job offer. Then and there, he told me to go to the APC Center, and look for Ms. Donna.
I asked her if there is a way to contact IBM to check on the status of my employment. Ms. Donna gave me a telephone number. I called, and found out that my application is still processed. I was assured that my application is active at the very least, so I waited once more.
During IT Week, in one of the Mr. & Ms. CSIT practices at the auditorium, IBM called me. I was instructed to go to Eastwood, because a contract is waiting for my signature.
If it weren’t for Sir Dennis, I may still be a bum at home, or be an employee having a job I may not enjoy in a company I had second-thoughts to work for. He may not have given me advice personally, but that simple assist was everything. If Sir Dennis had a mantra, it may be this: Just ask. I might help you. And he’ll seal it with a smile.
——
Thank you very much, Sir Dennis Reyes, for everything. Words aren’t enough to describe your impact and legacy in Asia Pacific College. Your successor will have big shoes to fill. You will surely be missed by JPCS, SoCSIT, APC, “Herbie”, and the whole APC Community.
Like this:
Tutor Days
Most of my friends know me as a smart kid. (Smart na ako dati pa. Wala pa akong naging Globe o Sun na number. LOL!) Siyempre, alam ng pamilya ko na “matalino” ako. Ako, ang alam ko lang, marami akong alam.
As far as I know, “intellectual” lang ako. (Gifted? Sa “talino”, oo. Special? Depende sa definition.) Marami akong alam sa Math, sa History, sa iba’t ibang subject sa school, sa balita, at marami pang iba. Pero hanggang doon na lang ‘yun. Hangga’t maaari, hindi ko mismo sinasabing matalino ako dahil ayaw kong isumbat sa akin ‘yun ‘pag nagkamali ako. Enough said.
Pero nakakataba ng puso ‘pag alam ng ibang tao na “matalino” ka, kahit hindi mo sabihin. Alam nila dahil sinabi rin ng iba sa kanila, at napapatunayan mo naman. Hindi mo na kailangang magyabang at magpakitang-gilas.
—–
Ika nga ng isang kasabihan, sayang ang talino kung hindi binabahagi. Kaya naman, sa unang pagkakataon, naging tutor ako ng apat na bata.
Wala sa plano ko ang maging tutor. Maging teacher o professor balang araw, oo. Pero dati kasi, hindi ko trip maging tutor kasi (1) Masyadong exclusive ‘pag one-on-one (Paano naman yung iba?), at (2) Ayokong binabayaran ako sa pagbabahagi ng nalalaman ko. Eh libre lang naman dapat yun.
Bakit ko tinuloy?
- (1) Dahil Math ang subject, at isa sa mga paborito ko yun. Maraming estudyante ang nahihirapan sa Math, kaya gusto ko sanang i-share ang mga techniques sa pag-solve ng Math problems at equations sa kanila.
- (2) Family friends kasi namin ang pamilya ng una kong tutee (tawag sa tinuturuan ng tutor).
- (3) OK lang sa kanila na “irregular” ang bayad. That is, hindi nila ako babayaran per tutor session, at hindi rin ako maniningil. Bahala rin sila kung magkano ang gusto nilang ibigay sa akin bilang kabayaran.
—
Si Sam ang una kong tutee. Fourth year high school student sa Pateros Catholic School.
Sa Math at Physics ko siya tinutulungan. Masaya naman ako dahil mabilis siyang matuto, at nakukuha niya naman ang concepts sa Physics, kahit na minsan eh bopols ang mga examples ko. Minsan, sabay kaming nag-aaral at natututo ‘pag may nakakalimutan akong mga ideya. Nakakatuwa dahil OK lang sa kanya ‘yun, basta may naituturo ako.
Dahil pa-graduate na siya ng high school, hinihingan niya ako minsan ng payo kung saan siya magka-college. (In the end, Letran ang pinili niya.)
Kalaunan, nauwi sa iba’t ibang usapan ang pagtyu-tutor ko. Tungkol kay God, sa mga diskarte ko sa pag-aaral, sa mga prinsipyo’t paniniwala naming dalawa, sa mga opinyon ko sa balita, at sa iba pang bagay-bagay sa buhay. Dito ako nag-enjoy kasi “beyond the call of duty” na ‘to, eh. Hiningi niya rin naman ito, kaya bakit ‘di ko ibibigay? Dahil dito, lalo akong naramdamang at home ako sa bahay nila, at hindi lang talino ko ang habol nila sa akin.
Ultimately, the link became less of a “tutor-tutee” kind, and more of a “brother-sister” one. Nabigyan ako ng isang avenue to speak out my mind, and Sam is willing to listen. Same goes vice versa. And Sam is mature enough to choose what to believe among those I’ve said to her.
Finally, I can say (and feel) na eager matuto si Sam. Hindi mo mararamdamang napipilitan lang siya. In fact, OK na OK lang sa kanya na tumagal ng dalawang oras ang pagtuturo ko.
My “rewards”? Nung una, P 1,000 ang binigay nila sa akin. Tapos noong Pasko, niregaluhan ako ni Sam ng Bench na bag at wallet. Kailan lang, sagot na ng pamilya niya ang isusuot ko sa graduation: long sleeve at pantalon daw, sabi ni Mama. (Nakuha ko na yung long sleeve.) Remember, hindi ko ‘to hinihingi sa kanila at hindi ako humihingi ng kabayaran. In fact, nahihiya pa nga ako kasi mahal at magaganda ang regalo nila sa akin, samantalang ako eh puro talino at abstract objects lang ang kayang ibigay bilang kapalit.
Ang sweet talaga nila! Mabasa man nila ito o hindi, I just got to say this: thank you, Sam and Justine! Thank you rin kina Ate Joy, Ate Jackie, Kuya Bong, Bennie the pitbull, at sa buong Navalta family sa pagtanggap at pag-aasikaso sa akin. Thank you very very much po!
—–
My second tutee: si Carlos. Grade 5, Lourdes School of Mandaluyong. Literally, I asked myself, “Kakasa kaya ako sa Grade 5?”
Sakto lang naman, kasi sa basic Math at Geometry ko siya tinutulungan. Mabilis rin matuto. For his age, mature na rin siya mag-isip. Marunong na rin siyang mag-prioritize: ‘pag oras ng laro, laro; ‘pag oras ng pag-aaral, aral. Maganda ang pagpapalaki sa kanya.
One time, nung hindi ako nakapunta sa bahay nila, tinanong niya raw ang Dad niya, “If he promised to come at 5:00 PM, and he arrives at 6:45 PM, is it still OK?” Kung hindi pa raw kasi ako dumating, mag-i-Internet na raw siya sa computer shop. Ouch.
—–
My last two tutees (for now): si Noah at DJ. Magkapatid yata, di ako sure. Si Noah, 3rd year student, sa Trigonometry humihingi ng tulong. Si DJ, Grade 4, sa isang private school sa Taguig, at sa Math din nahihirapan. Exam kasi nila this week, kaya nagpaturo. It’s good to know na alam nila ang basics ng tinuturo ko. Nahihirapan lang sila nang kaunti sa kung kailan at paano gamitin.
Ang kaibahan nga lang sa naunang dalawa, nagbayad ang tatay nila after our one-time session. Siyempre, wala akong rate, kaya OK lang kahit magkano ang ibigay nila. In fact, kahit wala nga, OK lang eh.
—–
Would there be more to come next school year? Too bad, baka wala na.
Siyempre, graduate-graduate din. Magtatrabaho na ako siguro starting this summer, kaya baka wala na akong oras na mai-a-allot sa tutoring. Pero, susubukan ko pa rin.
Nag-enjoy na rin kasi ako sa pagtyu-tutor sa kanila. Hindi lang kasi sila ang may natututunan from me, ako rin may natututunan from them: life lessons.
Kung stepping-stone man ito sa pagiging professor ko someday, then so be it.
The Year That Was 2010
Isang taon na naman ang lumipas. Isang taon na naman ang nalagas. Pero para sa akin, ang taong 2010 ay naging isang pagkakataon para matútong muli, magsimula sa umpisa, at maghinay-hinay.
Akala ko, alam ko na ang lahat ng dapat kong malaman sa buhay. Nanabik ako sa aking independence, pero ito mismo ang lumalayo sa akin dahil hindi pa pala ako handa. Nang matanggap ko na ang katotohanang ito, mas naging masaya ako. Dahil mali palang umasa sa hindi mo pa hawak ng iyong mga kamay.
~~~~~~~
Marami akong nakilalang mga bagong kaibigan ngayong taon. Pero mas marami pa akong mga kaibigang nakilala nang lubusan. Kung sino pa ang ilang buwan mo lang nakasama, sila pa ang umintindi’t nangangarap para sa iyo. Hindi ko inaasahang sa kanila ako makakakuha ng napakaraming payo, huhugot ng suporta at lakas ng loob, at matututo ng napakaraming aral sa buhay. Harap-harapan nilang sinabi ang mga tama at mali sa mga naging desisyon at kilos ko. At dahil doon, unti-unti ko ring nakilala ang aking sarili. Lubos akong nagpapasalamat sa kanila. Hinding-hindi ko sila bibiguin.
Siyempre, napanatili ko naman ang relasyon ko sa mga taong mahalaga at patuloy na nagpapahalaga sa akin: sa aking mga magulang, kay Ate, sa mga nakababatang kapatid, at sa mga kaklase’t kaibigan. Hindi naman yata tamang kalimutan ko na lang sila nang basta-basta. Sa tinagal ng pagsasama namin, di hamak na mas marami silang naituro sa akin. Kailangan ko na lang sigurong balikan ang mga aral na iyon, at itatak muli sa puso’t isipan.
~~~~~~~
Ngayong taon, sinubukan ko ring bumawi at magsimulang muli. Naging pinakamalaki kong kalaban ang aking sarili pagdating sa isang aspeto ng buhay ko. Halos limang taon ding napagbigyan ang isang kamalian, at ngayong 2010, unti-unti na itong hindi nabibigyan ng tsansa. Nagtatagumpay ako paminsan-minsan, pero ako rin pala ang sisira sa aking sariling selebrasyon. Pampalubag-loob na lang sigurong mas maraming araw na panalo ako kaysa talo.
Mabuti na lang at nalaman ko rin sa wakas ang ipanglalaban ko sa kamaliang ito. Nahuli mang dumating, tumalab naman sa kalaban. Sana, tuluy-tuloy na ito, hanggang sa susunod na limang taon. Para quits.
~~~~~~~
Marahil sa kauna-unanang pagkakataon, natuto akong magplano at sumunod sa mga ito. Dati, puro “bahala na si Batman” ang slogan. Ngayon, matapos ang PROJMAN na subject sa school, anim na buwan ng internship, at pagsali sa Yearbook Committee, lubos kong na-appreciate ang pagpaplano. Hindi pala sapat na maidaos mo ang isang event, o matapos ang isang proyekto. Importante din pala ang plano, ang mga papeles, at ang papel ng bawat miyembro ng grupo.
Dati, inaako ko ang karamihan ng trabaho tuwing may project o event sa school. Gusto ko rin naman, at gusto din nila. Hangga’t kaya ko, gagawin ko, basta maging maganda ang kalalabasan. Mali pala iyon. Mahalaga palang maging involved ang buong grupo sa proyekto. Magbigay ng trabaho sa bawat miyembro, at magtiwala sa kanilang kakayahan. Bahala nang hindi pumasa sa aking “perfectionist” na pamantayan; basta ang mahalaga, pinaghirapan ng buong grupo. Tutal, hindi naman laging nasusunod ang lider sa lahat. Ang dapat lang na masunod palagi ay ang plano, ang pinagkasunduan ng buong grupo.
~~~~~~~
Laging payo ng isang malapit na kaibigan: look at the bigger picture. Naging padalus-dalos ako sa pagkilos, pagbibitaw ng mga salita, at paglabas ng matitinding emosyon sa ilang mga pangyayari noong 2010. Hindi ko nakitang may masisira pala akong diskarte at masasaktang mga kaibigan, kahit na hinahangad ko lang naman ay mapasaya sila ng kaunti o maturuan sila ng kaunting leksyon. Wala rin pala sa mga kamay ko ang hangaring iyon.
Tama ngang mag-isip muna nang mabuting-mabuti bago kumilos. Think before you act, ika nga. Ito ang kasabihang pilit na isinasampal sa mukha ko buong taon. Namanhid na lang yata ang pisngi ko sa dami. Hayaan ko munang mamagâ, baka sa 2011 maramdaman ko na.
~~~~~~~
Nakakatuwang mabuhay, ano? Ang daming kailangang ibalanse…
Too Much Nostalgia Will Kill You
Recently, I cleaned “my corner of the house” where I keep all my precious memorabilia. Old papers, my newspapers and magazines collection, and my “mini-library”.
Somehow, I found the strength and will to throw away papers that I chose to keep for years. Gone were periodical exam papers in high school, old receipts, notes and scribbles in scratch papers, old notebooks, Math reviewers, review papers for a university entrance exam, and even survey forms and project documentations. At the end of the day, four bundles of assorted papers were reduced to one, fitting inside one small rattan briefcase.
I also stored in a box books which I don’t usually pick up, like school textbooks and technical books. I retained in the “shelf” on top of our family dresser those I read from time to time, and those I’m about to read.
Currently, I’m reading If Men Were Angels by Reed Karaim. In my to-read list are: two inspirational books my boss gave me on my last day of internship, The Man in the Iron Mask by Alexandre Dumas, and the December 6, 2010 edition of TIME Magazine. As always, there’s the Bible, and Book 1 of the Civil Code of the Philippines, which I can pick up and read from time to time.
Most especially, I checked on and updated my newspapers and magazines collection. In there are all the WWE Magazine issues I have bought, and some special editions of TIME Magazine. There’s also WWE Unscipted, a book I bought (together with the inaugural issue of the WWE Magazine, with Batista on the cover) while I was in the US four years ago.
I also keep The Philippine STAR issues with memorable headlines (like the August 2, 2009 issue, covering the sudden passing of former Pres. Cory Aquino; and, issues with Manny Pacquiao’s boxing victories on Page 1), and the paper’s anniversary issue every July 28. This is my way of “having a part of history”.
I love to answer crosswords by Stan Newman in The Philippine STAR. When I’m finished, I separate the whole broadsheet page where the crossword and comics are from the Entertainment Section, and keep that page together with my newspapers and magazines collection.
~~~~~
I don’t know what happened, what hit me, or what got me into doing this, but I suddenly found myself cleaning house. Maybe, the chaos in the second floor of our house irritated me. Maybe, I’m frustrated with myself that time, so instead of hurting myself, getting drunk or doing something sinful, I tidied things up.
Yup, what a way to relieve frustration…
Or maybe, it just has to happen. I keep too much stuff that I don’t usually use, check up on or refer to from time to time. In short, it’s just there, among piles of papers, waiting for me to give them at least a sliver of attention.
Besides, what would I do with an old receipt? Remind myself what I bought, who I was with and how special my purchase was? Then what, put it back there in the pile? Look at it again when I feel blue? Tell my friends about it? The world’s too fast-paced now, and nobody would bother to stop and listen to a story behind an old receipt.
I’m slowly realizing that too much nostalgia and sentimentality would lead me nowhere. I’d be stuck in the past, looking only at the present on the horizon, unable to see the future beyond that horizon.
My Sun Cellular Internship Experience
I posted this minutes before the end of my final day of internship at Sun Cellular. This was supposed to be Part 1 of my Sun Cellular Internship Experience, but I really don’t have time to blog nowadays. I apologize. – Mike, 12/2/2010
To start, here’s what I wrote about Sun Cellular in my final paper. Enjoy!
~~~~~~~
DMPI-ITS Department, for me, has a very nice working environment. Everybody knows everybody else. I felt comfortable interacting with the ODSS team and the rest of the ITS Department, because they are very professional, and are focused on their work. Employees, managers and even executives are very friendly and approachable.
They are also very organized, as shown by the processes they follow. They value project documentation, which most APC students sometimes disregard in performing projects.
My IP, Sir Kevin, is very familiar with C# and SQL. He lets me create the ODSS Portal website at my own pace, on my own diskarte. He checks my work from time to time, offers amazing solutions to problems I can’t solve anymore, and suggests more efficient code paradigms. I could approach him almost anytime to ask questions. He also listens to some of my suggestions. Sometimes, he scolds me, but in a constructive manner. He is friendly and jolly.
Our boss, Miss Lai, is very organized. She thinks of the welfare of the ODSS Team. She trains each of us to become leaders in our own right. During meetings, she won’t scold and humiliate you in front of the team; she’ll help you realize your mistakes.
I enjoyed my stay at Sun Cellular. Napaka-kwela po sa office. Even though they work on lots of things, they don’t forget to have fun! My fellow OJT’s are also nice, and are fun to be with.
Like in the Nescafe commercial, masaya po akong bumabangon sa umaga, looking forward for another fun-filled day at the ITS Department of Sun Cellular.
Walk the Walk
Walking. One of my favorite pastimes.
I believe I wrote about it in a blog post in my former blog at Xanga. Can’t find it, though…
I attended a DEVCON event earlier at The Fort. Since it’s within the proximity of Market! Market! (the nearest mall from our house), I decided to walk.
I re-checked the map to the venue this morning, so I know where to go.
Once, I had to go to the UP AyalaLand Technohub in QC. Looked at the map once, thought the Technohub was inside UP, walked inside, and walked some more until I got tired of finding it inside the big, big campus. So, I asked a security guard. I almost fainted when I found out it was outside UP, along Commonwealth Avenue, almost near the UP Campus Entrance. Sh*t indeed!
I walked to the DEVCON event’s venue, and I went home walking. Here’s the map of my path. The black line was my path to the venue, while the red path is part of my path back home.
(200m scale)
Yup, I crossed the 6-lane C5 Road to get to Market! Market! I’m a bad, bad boy…
If some omniscient being would observe me, he’ll notice I never get tired walking. And I walk through lots of shortcuts. Let’s just say I’ve been used to it.
Hmm, let me see. I had walked from Makati Science High School to Fort Bonifacio Elementary School once (intended to walk all the way home in Comembo, but someone recognized me and gave me jeepney fare).
From MakSci to Guadalupe: many a times. Also from MakSci to Mandaluyong (after a boat ride at Pasig River) and back to Makati via the Guadalupe Bridge.
Another’s from Guadalupe to our house thru Kalayaan Avenue.
From Megamall to Guadalupe, too, around three times (once, I went home at around 10pm after a school event, rode the bus, fell asleep, woke up in Megamall. I had no money anymore to ride another bus back, so I walked along EDSA. At 10pm, guys!)
Here’s another map, this time of my past tracks.
(1 km scale)
I consider walking as my “cardio program.” Better than biking, I think. Because you don’t need a big bike and a helmet, and you won’t have a problem finding a spot to park it in. All you need is the way to get to your destination, awareness of traffic signs and rules, and your presence of mind.
Even I am surprised at myself: I don’t get exhausted while walking. I don’t stop at any point along my way to rest. I just walk, walk, walk, and walk until I get to my destination. Only when I arrive at our house do I feel the pain: my legs hurt, I perspire like a hog, and I need to drink lots and lots of water.
My walking habit became even more fun, thanks to my MP3 player. It gets me pumped up, like a WWE Superstar entering the ring with his entrance music playing.
Sometimes, I turn off my MP3 player to engage in deep thought, another fave pastime of mine. While I look around, I sometimes guess the careers, emotions and life stories of some people from different walks of like, based on their lifestyle, their clothing, and the expressions on their eyes.
Hey, how about you? What’s your story on walking long walks?
——-
To those who doubt my drive, my perseverance and my determination, here’s one of my favorite pastimes to prove you wrong.
Internet Rules
[Procrastination Mode]
And what better way to spend it than here, on the Internet, around the virtual realm that is the World Wide Web!
But of course, just like in the real world, danger lurks around in every corner, seeking its next victim. Spammers, scammers, key loggers, blackmailers, identity thieves…
Tulad ng mga kriminal sa mundong ibabaw, hindi mo kaagad makikilala ang mga manloloko sa Internet, at kung anu-ano ang mga motibo nila. Pero hindi tulad sa tunay na mundo, maaaring na-kompromiso na ang privacy mo at nanakawan ka na, hindi mo pa alam.
Lalo na dito sa Pilipinas, kung saan malakas ang Internet usage ng mga Pinoy. Pinatutunayan ito ng napakaraming Pinoy Internet users na may accounts sa Friendster, Multiply at Facebook.
Ang mahirap nga lang, eh hindi pa ganoon ka-stringent ang mga naipasa nang batas tungkol sa Internet privacy at pagsugpo sa cybercrimes.
Kaya dapat, hindi ka lang basta-basta nagba-browse sa Internet nang hindi mo sinisigurong ligtas ka pagkatapos mong “mag-gala”.
Ako pa naman ‘tong laging sa computer shop (at sa opisina) nag-i-Internet.
Kaya heto, ishe-share ko sa inyo kung anu-ano ang sinusunod kong “rules” ‘pag nag-i-Internet ako sa labas. Sana eh ginagawa niyo rin, kahit na sa bahay kayo gumagamit ng PC.
~~~~~~~
Have two or more e-mail addresses. Bukod sa college e-mail namin, may dalawa akong e-mail addresses. ‘Yung sa GMail eh for my “casual” Internet use (meaning, gamit ko sa Facebook, at sa pag-login sa iba’t ibang accounts). Pero yung sa Yahoo! Mail, eh strictly for my personal, official use. Hindi ko masyadong ginagamit sa pagko-compose ng messages (unless importante talaga).
Strengthen all your passwords. Huwag lang isang password sa lahat ng online accounts mo. Ako, I have four main passwords, pero iba-ibang variations/combinations ang gamit ko para sa bawat account. Kaya kahit malaman nila kahit isa sa mga passwords ko, hindi given na ganun na ganun din ang password ko sa iba kong accounts.
Change your passwords regularly. Hindi naman buwan-buwan, pero siguro every four to six months. Syempre, ‘pag nagbago ka ng passwords, huwag mong kalimutan!
Never EVER give your password to anybody. Kahit sa kaibigan mo. Kahit sa kapatid mo. Kahit sa BF/GF mo. Kahit sa asawa mo.
Careful in typing in forms. Baka yung password mo eh nata-type mo na sa username field. Huwag basta-basta ang pindot sa Tab key. Maraming beses ko nang aksidenteng nagagawa ‘yun.
Log out of all accounts, then clear all browsing data after use. Kahit anong browser pa gamit mo, make sure you’ll do this. Minsan kasi ‘pag ako na ‘yung next sa PC sa computer shop, may nakakalimot na mag-log-out sa Facebook. Buti na lang, mabait akong bata. Kung hindi…
Accept friend requests of only those you know. May iba kasing nagpapaligsahan sa Internet, paramihan ng Friends. Kaya nga Friends eh, (1) mga kaibigan mo sila, (2) na kilala mo, (3) sa personal. Sa Facebook, sigurado akong kilala ko bawat isa na nasa Friend Lists ko.
Never EVER display your middle name or your full name online. Ako ang gamit ko lang, Michael Bueza o Mike Bueza. Malimit ko lang i-reveal ‘yung full first name ko. At hindi ko pa sinubukang ipagyabang ang middle name ko online. Di tulad ng mga ginagawa ng ilan kong Friends sa FB – for vanity, pero baka ma-kompromiso sila sa kamay ng mga identity thieves.
Be careful in sharing your home/street address. For privacy purposes. Maraming stalkers diyan.
Nothing beats closing deals, availing stuff, and meeting people in person. Especially when money is involved. Mahirap na. Pera pa rin ‘yan eh. Mag-ingat kapag pinagkakatiwala mo ang pera mo sa Internet.
Don’t download just about anything, click just about everything. Walang contest sa paramihan ng clicks at downloads. Malulupit ang mga virus, Trojan horses, at Internet criminals ngayon. Huwag basta-basta ma-enganyo sa easy money. ‘Pag may nalaman kayo, (1) huwag niyong papatulan, at (2) kunwari patulan niyo, tapos isumbong niyo sa otoridad. Itimbre niyo sa XXX o sa Imbestigador, para mahuli. Malay niyo, maging bayani/future journalist/future spy/artista ka pa niyan!
Practice Netiquette and E-mail etiquette. Mga tao pa rin ang nasa Internet at gumagamit ng Internet. Hindi dapat mawala ang respeto sa kapwa, kahit nasa Internet ka na. IWASAN ANG ALL CAPS SA E-MAIL MESSAGES AT COMMENTS, TULAD NITO. Pwed3 PAh rIN n@muan aNG ♥ xD ♥ jeJem0n p0wZ, PER0W owntey l@ng @N6 iintInd3h @t SezERy0wZoH suah y0w j3JEj3Je~~~. (Na-gets mo yun?) Iwasan din ang sobrang pagmuumra (Ay F*ck! Typo!), pati na rin ang paninira sa katauhan ng ibang tao (tulad ng ginagawa sa showbiz websites).
Tandaan: With freedom comes responsibility.
~~~~~~~
Heto naman ang ilang suggestions na maaari mong i-practice habang nasa Internet ka. Hindi naman siya masyadong necessary, pero baka makatulong sa inyo at some point.
[Yung huli, hindi ko pa nasubukan/nagawa.]
Use Firefox. Or Chrome. Install the AdBlock add-on/extension. Komportable na akong mag-browse sa una. Enjoy naman ako sa pangalawa kasi mabilis. Both support the AdBlock add-on, kaya tanggal na lahat ng mga banner ads sa iba’t ibang websites. Pero sa Firefox, may NoScript na add-on, kaya hindi basta-basta magra-run ang suspicious scripts sa likod ng mga websites unless i-allow ko.
Use LastPass, but only at home. ‘Pag tinatamad ka nag magta-type ng usernames at passwords every time, use LastPass. It will save your usernames and passwords, and will auto-login/auto-fill login forms for you, upon your permission. Pero syempre, as a practice, hindi lahat ng accounts ko naka-save LastPass.
Try signing-in with blank fields from time to time. (Works best with Firefox.) Kunwari, pag-visit mo sa Facebook, try mong huwag munang mag-log-in. Click mo lang yung Sign-in/Log-in button.
Kapag nag-blue yung icon sa left side ng address bar ng Firefox after loading/post-back, ibig sabihin legitimate na nasa Facebook.com ka nga. Meron kasi minsang mga pekeng websites na akala mo eh yun ang tunay na binibisita mo, kahit na tama naman yung URL ng website. (DNS spoofing ang tawag dito.)
Use an on-screen keyboard when logging in. Para hindi ka ma-key log (meaning nase-save lahat ng tina-type mo sa keyboard; meaning pati username at password mo). Mahirap siya, pero it’s worth a try.
Check your sent mail often. May nabalitaan kasi ako sa TV na nang-hack ng e-mail account, tapos yung hacker nagpadala ng e-mails sa contacts ng biktima, at nanghihingi ng tulong kasi “na-stuck daw siya” sa Hong Kong at kailangan niya ng pera para maka-uwi. (Sosyal, Hong Kong!)
Make an inventory of all your online accounts. Yup, lahat ng gamit mo sa e-mail clients, blog servers, social networking sites, free hosting servers, torrent sites, collaboration sites, download sites, hell pati porn sites! Basta lahat ng websites kung saan nag-register ka with your e-mail, at nagbigay ka ng username at password.
