A Centennial Change

Today marks yet another milestone in the history of the University of the Philippines (UP).


After a 16-year struggle, the University of the Philippines (UP) will have a new charter that signals a new opportunity to arrest the declining quality of education in the country's premier state university. This as the entire UP community anticipates the signing of its new charter today by President Arroyo in Cebu City. The historic event will take place this morning at the Conference Hall, Library Building of UP Visayas Cebu College.

For the whole UP Community, 2008 is a double header – Centennial Year and the new UP Charter. Way to go, UP!

Classmate Sighting

Last Saturday afternoon, as I was walking to the Clubhouse of Casa Milan I saw a familiar face. I literally screamed her name… Cathy Cariño!!!

Yes, after all these years, I was able to see in person Atty. Cathy Cariño in a summer getup. She’s still the same; petite and beautiful.


I was so excited that I completely forgot to ask for her mobile number, but nevertheless, she’s just an email away.

See you again soon, Cathy! Hopefully with the rest of our fellow UP Baguio Batchmates!

Greatly Appreciated

For all you do, Gobbie -

For sending forms and fixing files,
Poring through the paper piles,
Completing tasks with time to spare,
Keeping track of what goes where,
Placing orders for supplies,
Staying calm when tensions rise,
Typing e-mails and reports,
Handling crises of all sorts,
Taking calls throughout the day,
And being great in every way...

For all these things and lots more, too, it’s time to thank and honor YOU!


Happy Administrative Professionals Day, Geraldine!

A Prayer for the Earth

Dearest Lord, we thank Thee
And so to you we pray
For all the things that you provide
Throughout each and every day...

For the sun that shines and warms our hearts,
For the flowers and the trees,
For blue skies and oceans
And the wind's cool, gentle breeze.

Thank you for the nutrients
In all the things we eat.
We thank you for giving us shelter
And for the ground beneath our feet


We thank you for the rain that falls
Upon this wondrous land,
And for the fresh air that we breathe,
All created by your hand.

We pray that you'll protect our natural resources,
So that for generations to come
Your many children may still enjoy
All the blessings of your kingdom.

Amen.

Natural Highs

As I sit by myself waiting for all the attendees of the seminar-workshop, I was ticking off ways to spend a perfect week. Listed below are natural highs that I think everyone will agree.

• Falling in love.
• Laughing so hard your face hurts.
• A hot shower.
• No lines at the supermarket.
• A special glance.
• Getting mail. Getting email. Getting SMS. (Getting Facebook/Friendster/Multiply Messages)
• Taking a drive on a pretty road.
• Hearing your favorite song on the radio.
• Lying in bed listening to the rain outside.
• Hot towels fresh out of the dryer.
• Chocolate milkshake (vanilla or strawberry).
• A bubble bath.
• Giggling.
• A good conversation.
• The beach
• Finding a money in your office blazer.
• Laughing at yourself.
• Looking into their eyes and knowing they love you
• Midnight phone calls that last for hours.
• Running through sprinklers.
• Laughing for absolutely no reason at all.
• Having someone tell you that you're beautiful.
• Laughing at an inside joke with FRIENDS
• Accidentally overhearing someone say something nice about you.
• Waking up and realizing you still have a few hours left to sleep.
• Your first kiss (either the very first or with a new partner).
• Making new friends or spending time with old ones.
• Playing with a new puppy.
• Having someone play with your hair.
• Sweet dreams.
• Hot chocolate.
• Road trips with friends.
• Swinging on swings.
• Making eye contact with a cute stranger.
• Making chocolate chip cookies.
• Having your friends send you homemade cookies.
• Holding hands with someone you care about.
• Running into an old friend and realizing that some things (good or bad) never change.
• Watching the expression on someone's face as they open a much desired present from you.
• Watching the sunrise.
• Getting out of bed every morning and being grateful for another beautiful day.
• Knowing that somebody misses you.
• Getting a hug from someone you care about deeply.
• Knowing you've done the right thing, no matter what other people think.

Do you have other “highs” in mind?

I-S-O What?

In preparation for a future take-over of a critical position in a company, I had been busy attending seminar-workshops about ISO 9001 for the past two weeks. It was a very interesting experience mind you.

Yes, I am proud to say that our firm is an ISO 9001:2000 certified organization and the first in our line of business (saan ka pa?) which is why the need and interest to pursue the much-controversial ISO training for the betterment of the company’s quality implementation. Oh well that will see the day!

During my I-think-I-already-know-what-this-is training, I learned new ideas (surprisingly!!) and it broadened (once again) my knowledge on the different requirements of ISO 9001:2000 (even if this is completely new!!) and the application of each requirement to our own firm.

The training provided hands-on activities, role-playing and lively exchange of ideas from the participants. That really got me going! Even if the food was not at par with my previous trainings. He! He! He!


So suma total, not only did I learn a lot from the sessions, I also gained new friends.

Guess what, after all the sessions, I am now a threat to we know who! Ha, ha, ha!

I scream… Ice Cream!

Usually whenever we crave for ice cream we go to Crepes & Cream located at 26th Crescent West Park at the Global City, Fort Bonifacio. Mom loves the variety of flavors and her ultimate Banana Split.

A few weeks ago, we went back to satisfy our thirst for ice cream and I found out that they changed ice cream suppliers. Even the prices of the ice cream changed and I asked what happened – simply put they changed suppliers. Though the new supplier is still good, we still crave the old familiar taste of the Raspberry Ice Cream.

Good thing that I remembered the brand of the old supplier and the other day, I brought my Mom and sister to the newest creamery place in the metropolis.

FIC Ice Cream Bar is now open to the public at the Ground Level of the Joya Tower in Rockwell. It is the same location of Santi’s Deli and beside Figaro. The place is bigger that the Crepes & Cream store and they serve short meals aside from ice cream and yogurt.

Mom was very happy with her Banana Split, the Sister loved her Malt Chocolate Milk Shake and I was very quiet savoring my Choco Mallow Parfait. Yummy!


Now, we have two options. One in Rockwell and another one in the Fort – yippee!

Another Send-Off

In a few days, one of my parent’s classmates from elementary and high school will be leaving for another country and will pursue greener pastures.

Tita Norma will be joining her other siblings in the United States and will be surely missed by her two sons and one grandson. I, for one, will definitely miss her. She’s so sweet and thoughtful and very helpful to my family and she cares for our welfare. She is there for every big event in our family and does not fail to make sure we are doing alright!


I know my Mom, Tita Mercy and the rest of Batch ‘70 will miss her but I know that the bond of their friendship is greater than any distance.

We had lunch with Tita Norma and her son, Darwin, a few days ago and as usual, I was teary eyed. Good thing my Dad was also available and it was a good send-off.


I told Tita Norma as we were leaving the restaurant that we’ll have constant communication and we’ll definitely touch base with her whenever we are near her area.

Tita Norma: Bon Voyage and have an amazing time!

SCTEX

Last Sunday, we passed by the famous and long-anticipated SCTEX on the way to Subic and Olongapo. And to tell you honestly, it was worth the trip. It only took us 38 minutes from Clark to reach SBMA. A very smooth route for the 55 kilometers travel.



SCTEX or the Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway was again open for another test run from April 6 - 9, 2008 and is open from 5:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m and it is absolutely free of charge. The SCTEX Exit is a few meters after the Dau Exit of the NLEX and ends right at the entrance of the Subic-Tipo Tollway.



I do hope everybody will get a chance to see the fascinating view of the rice fields, mango orchard and the mountains. Happy driving!