"Who Am I?"

Your best friend or greatest enemy, I am your greatest companion. I am your greatest helper or your heaviest burden. I will push you onwards or drag you down to failure. I am completely at your command.

Half the things you do, you might as well turn over to me and I'll do them quickly and correctly. I'm easily managed, but you must be firm with me. Show me exactly how you want something done and, after a few lessons, I'll do it automatically. I'm the servant of all great men and, alas, of all failures as well.

Those who are great, I have made great. Those who are failures, I have made failures. I work with the precision of a scientist and the passion of a patriot. You many run me for profit or run me for ruin; it makes no difference to me. Take me, train me, be firm with me and I will put the world at your feet. But be easy with me and I'll destroy you.

Who am I?

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I am Habit!

Good habits elevate you, and bad habits bring you down. The trick is to know which is which, and for you to control them, not let them control you.

Keeping Old Times, Strengthening Old Ties

Year in and year out we make it a point to see each other during special occasions. If we can’t make ourselves available in any ordinary day, we see to it that we meet at special dates within our lives. For years, I’ve been a little bit off in keeping my word with BFF Ruth in terms of seeing each other whenever it’s our birthday or the holidays. Time and distance are some big factors behind it but whatever date I miss, I make it up with constant emails, love letters and sending SMS.

For this year, I made it a point to lessen my shortcomings. BFF is always busy with her chores and I on the other hand have my own excuses. After I visited her at Cardinal, I told her that I’ll see her soon for the holidays. Lo and behold, after a number of missed get-togethers, we saw each other one more time before 2007 ended!


Over Chinese lunch and hot tea, we celebrated an early Christmas Lunch at the Highlands China Palace with Teddy and Elian. Baby Emilio’s still small so he stayed home with the grandparents.


Elian’s my godson and last time I saw him was three years ago in their residence in Don Antonio. I missed some of his birthday celebrations but I know I’m forgiven, because I didn’t forget my gifts! How’s that?! Hehehe. He really enjoyed the stuff I brought and was happy that we ate Chinese since he loves siu-mai.

Teddy, on the other hand, is looking very good; Ruth also. It looks like parenthood suits them both.


Seeing Ruth again with her family makes me reminisce the old days; the night-outs, the movie-dates, even the special lunches. Nowadays, it is really hard to do all the stuff since she’s already a mother of two and I’m always on the go.

Nevertheless, even if our bonding times are less, the true bond of friendship is still strong and will continue for a long time.

He's Big!

Last December 20th was the first time I laid eyes on my newest godson, Paulo Matteus, the first born of Jannice Bautista and Roger Vejerano. All that I can say when I saw him was “he’s so big!”

Pau was born last May 21st via caesarian section at Cardinal Santos Medical Center and baptized last August 18th. I was not able to attend the christening of Pau because I was in the US for the Kapatiran 2007. Though I was not able to attend, Maricel gladly shared to me photos of the christening and was able to inform me of the happenings.

I deliberately didn’t inform Ja and Roger of my Cainta visit since I’m not sure of my timetable. I had the window of time that Thursday morning and brought my gifts for the Baustista-Vejeano family.


Ina was there and she was babysitting Pau while the proud parents are at work. It was fun seeing another baby and cuddling him. He’s so cute, a carbon copy in color of Ja, might get the height of Roger and with features of Ja’s kid brother.

Pau didn’t cry when I carried him but he was already hungry and sleepy so I only spent a little time.

Though the visit was short it was still sweet – at least I’ve seen him face to face. Now, I have to see the parents. Hint, hint, hint!

Finally... I've Met Her!

Rowena “Weng” Bringula is Moises “Moi” G. Visperas III’s girlfriend for a number of years already. For years, her face is imaginary for a number of Corfin Family members but I’ve known a lot of stories about her from all of Moi’s detailed narrations.


Last December 22, I was able to finally meet Weng in person. Good thing that our schedules agreed and we had lunch together with BFF’s family at the Highlands China Palace.

Weng’s sweet and very feminine. Before the day was over, we were already text mates. We both have similar interests especially our love for Flip Flops. We promised to bond in the near future minus Moi. We’ll just make him our designated driver!


It was great meeting her finally and also seeing Moi again. Hopefully our schedules will permit us to see each other soon and see other Corfin Family members.

Puede ko na kayang bukuhin si Moi kay Weng? Ano sa tingin ninyo?

Christmas is here!

"Of all the joys the season sends, none is nicer than remembering friends."

Wishing you everything beautiful that can be wished... peace and promise, wonder and contentment, hope, happiness, and love... at this most beautiful of seasons.

May this season be a very joyful one for you!
Have a Happy Christmas Day!

The Best Gifts Are Free

1. THE GIFT OF LISTENING...
But you must REALLY listen. No interrupting, no daydreaming, no planning your response. Just listening.

2. THE GIFT OF AFFECTION...
Be generous with appropriate hugs, kisses, pats on the back and holds. Let these small actions demonstrate the love you have for family and friends.

3. THE GIFT OF A WRITTEN NOTE...
It can be a simple "Thanks for the help" note or a full sonnet. A brief, handwritten note may be remembered for a lifetime, and may even change a life.

4. THE GIFT OF A COMPLIMENT...
A simple and sincere, "You look great in red," "You did a super job" or "That was a wonderful meal" can make someone's day.

5. THE GIFT OF A FAVOR...
Every day, go out of your way to do something kind.

6. THE GIFT OF SOLITUDE...
There are times when we want nothing better than to be left alone. Be sensitive to those times and give the gift of solitude to others.

7. THE GIFT OF A CHEERFUL DISPOSITION...
The easiest way to feel good is to extend a kind word to someone, really it's not that hard to say, Hello or Thank You.

8. THE GIFT OF LAUGHTER...
Clip cartoons, jokes (and Rexes). Share articles and funny stories. Your gift will say, "I love to laugh with you."

While each and every one of us gets absorbed in final holiday shopping and plans, don’t forget that sometimes these simple gifts are appreciated the most.

Good Eat and Big Smiles

December is a festive month not only because of the Holiday Season but also because of the birthday of Mary Ann or most fondly called by the Sistahuds as Marianna. This year around, Marianna was early in choosing a venue for her birthday dinner cum Christmas kitakits.

Chelsea Market Café at Serendra was the chosen venue and it would be our first at the said restaurant. Marianna was trying to make reservations but the receptionist told her that they don’t hold reservations below their minimum of six. Can you believe that? No reservations if your company is only three pax. Hmmm.

Good thing our date was on a weekday and I decided to go early. Was in Serendra as early as 545pm and went straight to Chelsea to get a good table. I tried getting a reservation to be able to roam around Serendra but the receptionist said “madali po kaming mapuno at bawal magpareserve”, Hala! Go, Ralline – take your seat and wait!

While waiting for the other Sistahuds, I was busy reading a magazine and observing the place and the other customers. The place is a little bit on the high side. A little bit steep in terms of price but they do have big portions. The other people within the resto were all dressed and not so jologs – good thing I was not wearing my usual getup of shorts/shirt/sandals for the event or else I’d feel naked.

Elline and Marianna arrived a little over 30 minutes and the place was getting crowded. What we noticed instantly was that some people do have reservations even if their party is only good for two. Hmpfh! They have favoritism!

Food was served family style and we only ordered a few to satisfy our hunger. We got the Hamon platter, the Roasted Duck, Five Cheese Pizza and for dessert - a slice of the Toblerone Torte. It was all yummy except that we wanted some more bread. The servers were selective of their wards and we had to wait for them to notice us. Whew! Big note – next time be as lavish as possible to be served immediately.

One factor that would bring my feet back to Chelsea is their variety of fresh bread. I got three sets that night and I really enjoyed them. All breads are half-baked or frozen so that when you bake/toast them at your own kitchen, you’ll enjoy it 100%. Yum-O!

Today is Marianna’s birthday and we had the dinner three days prior the big event, we exchanged our respective Christmas presents and as always we have big bags leaving Chelsea.


As we finished dinner and was leaving Chelsea, we had our picture taken at the front door and even at the lobby of Serendra and all the time we were laughing our hearts out because of the throng of people outside the restaurants. Reason for our laughter will be kept secret until our next trip back.

For Marianna – cheers to another good year! For Elline and Marianna – thank you for the gifts!

The Toddler's Miracle Diet

People are always on the lookout for a new diet. The trouble with most diets is that you don't get enough to eat (the starvation diet), you don't get enough variation (the liquid diet) or you go broke (the all-meat diet). Consequently, people tend to cheat on their diets, or quit after 3 days. Well, now there's the new Toddler Miracle Diet! Over the years you may have noticed that most two years olds are trim. Now the formula to their success is available to all in this new diet.

DAY ONE---
Breakfast: One scrambled egg, one piece of toast with grape jelly. Eat 2 bites of egg, using your fingers; dump the rest on the floor. Take 1 bite of toast, and then smear the jelly over your face and clothes.
Lunch: Four crayons (any color), a handful of potato chips, and a glass of milk (3 sips only, then spill the rest)
Dinner: A dry stick, two pennies and a nickel, 4 sips of flat Pepsi.
Bedtime snack: Throw a piece of toast on the kitchen floor...........

DAY TWO---
Breakfast: Pick up stale toast from kitchen floor and eat it. Drink half bottle of vanilla extract or one vial of vegetable dye.
Lunch: Half a tube of "Pulsating Pink" lipstick and a handful of Purina Dog Chow (any flavor). One ice cube, if desired.
Afternoon Snack: Lick an all-day sucker until sticky, take outside, drop in dirt. Retrieve and continue slurping until it is clean again. Then bring inside and drop on the rug.
Dinner: A rock or an uncooked bean, which should be thrust up your left nostril. Pour grape Kool-Aid over mashed potatoes; eat with a spoon.

DAY THREE---
Breakfast: Two pancakes with plenty of syrup eat one with fingers, rub in hair. Glass of milk; drink half, stuff other pancake in glass. After breakfast, pick up yesterdays sucker from rug, lick off fuzz, and put it on the cushion of your best chair.
Lunch: Three matches, peanut butter and jelly sandwich. Spit several bites onto the floor. Pour glass of milk on table and slurp up.
Dinner: Dish of ice cream, handful of potato chips, some red punch. Try to laugh some punch through nose, if possible.

FINAL DAY---
Breakfast: A quarter tube of toothpaste (any flavor), bit of soap, an olive. Pour a glass of milk over bowl of cornflakes; add half a cup of sugar. Once cereal is soggy, drink milk and feed cereal to dog.
Lunch: Eat bread crumbs off kitchen floor and dining room carpet. Find that sucker and finish eating it.
Dinner: A glass of spaghetti and chocolate milk. Leave meatball on plate. Stick of mascara for dessert.

You may want to consult you doctor before embarking on this diet, otherwise, you may be seeing him afterwards. Good luck!

Another Assessment

Ate Sheilah invited me to find out my wish personality by using Facebook. I added the Wishabi application and here’s the result.

My Wish Personality is: Culinary Connoisseur


My taste buds drive my life. Eat Drink and Be Merry speak volumes to me. I have the best time with friends when I’m at the dinner table or bar, and I love trying new foods and restaurants. Eating my favorite foods always brings a smile to my face.

So true! I love exciting foods and drinks especially with family and friends.