When I heard him singing this, I instantly fell in love. Parang ang sarap nyang yakapin… aaaw. *swoon*

No, seriously—they’re good. Alejandro’s voice is amazing. And they get extra brownie points from me for covering Coldplay (because I love them too!).

I can’t stop listening to them—no, him haha! Major crush alert!

I just got home from a very insightful (if I must say) night… thank you!

Ok now, bullets –

• Burning a good 50+ CDs can really frustrate a person.
• Happiness for me now is Chicken McNuggets. Gah, I’m pathetic.
• I will adopt a kid. Seriously.
• I still get scared of people who claim Jesus appeared to them. Kilabutan nga kayo!
• I’ve proven that men and women are selfish. Even in the slightest way, they want to be recognized.
• Reproductive Health Bill? Let me quote my friend, “There’s nothing wrong w/ it, it’s a question of people being responsible of their reproductive organs.” (or to that effect) HAHAHA!
• Just to stress… I will never get married, adopt a kid and live abroad. Yes that’s my 3-year plan.
• Soft-skin crab salad at Fish & Co. is heavenly.
• Eagle Eye is a good movie—a ‘good’ rating from me is it’s-ok-while-it-lasted-and-I’d-forget-it-in- the-morning kind of film–really it is. But there’s always an exception, and this movie is one. Because of the cheesy ending, I discovered…
• …I’ve turned into someone I do not want to become.

This is the downside of being in pain–you become love skeptic, as much as you try not to be.

There are more bullets in my head now but let me just leave you with that for the mean time.

See how great the WordCamp was…

Oh, and try to spot me.

Kudos to Buddy Gancenia of Reality Wedding Video for making this cool vid.

And I am now WordPress de-virginized—thankyou WordCamp. Ok, that
sounded wrong, ha ha!

I really didn’t know what to expect from the camp. I basically just
signed up because: 1) you just have to blog about WordCamp to get in the
list (which worked for me since I needed to update my blog too anyway
*hee*); 2) because I want to know why WordPress is THE blogging
platform; 3) I want to experience a blogging event and be introduced to
a new circle of people; and 4) I got kinda curious about who this Matt
Mullenweg was and why does everyone in the WordPress community go
berserk just hearing his name.

I really didn’t have any major reason to go to the WordCamp, until a
month before the actual event. Since I’m also part of the website
committee where I work, I was commissioned by my boss to cover it.
Therefore, what I intended for plain enjoyment and experience became
work for me—I’m not complaining though. I picked up quite a lot from
the morning forums by notable professional bloggers and afternoon talks
by renowned Matt Mullenweg, Aileen Apolo, and other honchos in the
blogging business. Too bad I can’t be in all the morning forums at the
same time. But I think I have everything I needed from Jayvee’s
Blogging 102, Blogie’s advise on creating a blogging community, and
Hans‘ tips on WordPress and SEO.

I almost felt a warm tear on my cheek as I entered CSB gates. Talk
about nostalgia! It has been years since I walked the halls of Mutien
and Benilde again—remembering the classes I had to endure in those
rooms and joyfully looking back at the fun memories in Augusto-Rosario
Theatre (hooray Frosh Orientation!). Good times.

As I was sitting there, listening to Matt talk about WordPress—some,
honestly are jargons to me still and I keep getting distracted by that
pink polo he’s wearing (in a good way, hahaha!)—I was really
impressed at how fast WordPress is developing and being on top of its
game. Bloggers will forever be grateful to the beautiful minds behind
WordPress—oh hey that’s you, Matt! Ergo, Matt Mullenweg’s talk,
ladies and gentlemen, ultimately satisfied my reasons #2 and #4.

I sure am glad I didn’t miss this very historical WordPress event, I
am a kitty no more. So I might not ring a bell yet in the blogging
sphere, but I soon will. And that friends, is what happens to silent,
habitual bloggers at the aftermath of WordCamp.

I was there see….

w/ Mr. WordPress himself

Proof i was there

Yes, like a giddy little kid waiting for the Christmas morning—I’m kinda excited about WordCamp.

I just hope I won’t have problem getting my laptop inside (that would really ruin it).

ilaw sa tahanan

For people forced out of their make-shift homes in slum areas, resentment, discouragement, sense of injustice and hopelessness are normal reactions. Understandably, it’s not easy adjusting to a new environment. Coupled with the fact that those affected often view the government who forced them out of their homes with animosity, their new community with dislike, and new neighbors with distrust, getting relocated is seldom an easy process. But for the Philippine Bible Society (PBS), it was an opportunity to meet a need, a way of bringing hope into seeming hopeless situations, and a ministry door that opened a way for God’s love and Word to be shared.

Through Ilaw sa Tahanan, a special Bible produced and distributed by PBS to relocated families, enlightenment and illumination came to many troubled homes. Many received and found hope in God’s promises while others received inspiration in the supplemental articles that tackle issues faced by relocated families.

Gina C. David, 41 years old, a mother of 8 relocated in Northville 9, Relocation Site, Barangay Ibaoeste, Calumpit, Bulacan, shares her story. “It really strengthens my faith and gives hope like a light shining through. It also became a way to encourage my neighbors to really trust in the Lord Jesus.” One such neighbor is Theresa Balitos, 54, who expresses gratefulness for having received a free copy of the Ilaw sa Tahanan Bible which she says, is now her guide to life. “Iba talaga pag nagbabasa ka ng Biblia, maitatama ang iyong landas (It’s really different when you read the Bible, it will straighten your ways),” adds her 21-year old daughter Princess who was also changed by the Word of God.

Raising children in itself is already a challenge, but doing it single-handedly in unfamiliar territory, is no doubt even more so. Widow Emlyn Rumaldo says the Bible is where she finds strength to raise her kids aged 15, 14 and 11. “Malaking bagay ang Biblia kasi ang mga anak ko ay napapalaki ko ng maayos at nakakasama ko sila sa church (The Bible is very helpful because I’m able to raise my children properly and we go to church together).”

God is true to his word that all who seek shall find. Amidst life’s numerous problems, Felisitas Tiongson, the 52-year-old wife of Home Owners Association President Lorenzo Tiongson, says they found refuge and salvation through Ilaw sa Tahanan. Meanwhile, Pastor Manny Depues of Jesus The Rock Assemblies Church, who followed up on and ministered to those who received copies of Ilaw remarks on how receptive the families in Northville 9 Relocation Site are to God’s Word. He gladly shares that the labor is not in vain but is instead now bearing fruit.

With a copy of Ilaw sa Tahanan in their hands, these once homeless, hopeless families found security, hope, and a happier future. And, as sure as the light that burns brightly in their homes, so too shall the love for God’s and his Word now burn in their heart.

I am soooooo hating our Social Security System (SSS) right now (and I’m not even putting up a link) for the following reasons—and these, by the way, happened on different occassions [Ooooh I'm so fusing right now!]:

1) I traveled all the way from Taft Avenue to SSS Banawe just to apply for an SS ID, only to waste an entire vacation leave because their ID capture system is down.
>> MISSION FAILED

2) Since I was around the vicinity because I’m doing clearance at HTMT, I decided to apply for my ID at the SSS Pasig after getting done. Because clearance takes time to accomplish as well, I finished around 3PM. Therefore, I had to rush to get in line before the business day ends. When I got there, this annoying manong guard said to me that I might not meet the cut off because it’s almost five (it was only quarter to 4 Koya!) and asked me to just come back the next day and try to make it earlier. I cannot be-lieeeeeeve this is happening to me and feeling my blood boil, I turned and walked away.
>> MISSION FAILED

3) This time I thought I’ve outsmarted myself—I know a nearer SSS Branch now—Lawton. But thing is, they only take ID capture for half of the day. So then I have to again excuse myself from work (in the morning at least) just to get me an ID since I need it for my sickness notification form. I was there early, mind you, 8:30AM! When I got there, it looks like the office has been opened for 5 hours because of the long lines. I asked the guard where is the line for the ID capture and he answered to my horror—“Ma’am, tapos na po ang cut-off. Ayan po ang pila. 120 lang po ang pwede. Balik na lang kayo.” (read that in Bisayan accent) I am really pissed this time because I missed an important agenda at work just for this. And my goodness, 120 slots filled and it’s only half of the opening hour?! What are these people doing, camping out the SSS Office?! I was really praying hard because I was at the brink of making a scene. I can’t do anything else but head back to work.
>> MISSION FAILED

4) And because I know the status of cut-offs and long lines now, I got up early today and dashed out the apartment before 6:30AM. Timed in at work so that if I stayed longer in SSS, I won’t be late when I get back. Took a jeep and got off Lawton, walked to the SSS Office in full confidence that this time I’m going to get my mission done. I got there and I was—-WHAAAAAT????!!!!! This time I have to summon all the memory verses my mind can remember just to keep myself from swearing out loud. No, it’s not the already long line that’s been there since 4AM. Neither are the annoying manong guards nor the cut-off. But it was the most dreaded sign—NO ID CAPTURE. AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAARGH! I FAILED YET AGAIN!!!! What must a girl do to get an SS ID nowadays eh? Tell me?!

They don’t do appointments like what the US Embassy does now. They don’t have online registration or SS ID application where you give all your information there and just show up at a specific schedule to get your picture taken (if they won’t accept submitting your own photo). And worst, they don’t advise those who are first time SSS applicants that they would also need to get an ID eventually so better apply immediately after getting a number (at least I wasn’t informed).

How in the world can I bring myself again to another SSS Office to apply for an ID after all these mishaps? I don’t want to waste another day or even an hour only to disappoint myself. I need to get an ID soon or else my sickness notification form will not be honored. Oh I hate SSS so much!!!!!

Is it me being stupid or SSS is just really frustrating?

your model

Haha, when my friend first told me about this I was laughing so hard. But then as I explored the website, it was for real! They have amazing prizes for both Professional and Amateur photographers, which includes a Nikon D300 and Nikon D60 + lenses!

So check THIS out and go grab a potato and shoot!

You will know an employee’s

number of years in the company

by the accumulated decors and

junk in his/her workstation.

Well, I’ve been a blogger for quite some time now. I’ve been there. But since most of my friends moved on to be in the blogging business, I felt alone. On that account, I blogged less and less. I found it useless to post entries with no one to interact it with—it’s like talking to a wall. In my attempt to rouse my passion for blogging again, I moved to where they all went—WordPress—because they say it’s where the party at.

While my friends went to become the Jedis that they are now, in this blogging field, knowing all the terms and whatnots; I, on the other hand, became an ignoramus to these optimazations, CSS, SEO, and other tralalas. I felt like a little kitty in the big, old, unfriendly city, not knowing what to do. Oh, poor me.

Thank God for good cyber-Samaritans like the Mindanao Bloggers! There’s still hope for people like me!

Because I feel I have been ungrateful to this generous bloghost, I would like to get to know it better. And I will at the WordCamp. Hooray!

I’m so going to learn the stuff all the big honchos in the WWW know. Ha!

♥ Blogging 102 - Basics & Beyond
♥ Other Ways to Use WordPress
♥ Video and Mobile Blogging
♥ Cascading Style Sheets
♥ Blog Monetization
♥ Migrating to WordPress
♥ Organizing / Optimizing Your WordPress Blog
♥ Advanced WordPress Management
♥ Developing WP Plugins / Best Practices in PHP Coding
♥ Designing WP Themes
♥ WordPress & SEO
♥ WordPress E-commerce Site
♥ Configuring & Deploying WordPress MU
♥ Developing WP Aggregator Sites
♥ WordPress Security / Anti-Hacking Techniques
♥ WP Development Ethics
♥ Microformats

And goodness with sponsors like these guys below, THIS is grand, I tell ya.

• i.PH: the Domain for Individuals
• Free Online Flash Games
• Wazzup Manila Philippines
• Real Estate CRM
• Real Estate Website Designers
• Orange County Real Estate
• Auto Insurance Quotes
• Lane Systems Inc.
• RedMedia
• Orange County Business Lawyer
• Cebu Pacific Air
• Buddy Gancenia Reality TV
• SmartBro Wireless Broadband
• SPOT.ph
• Make Money with Performancing Ads

And to think it’s only going to be at a spitting distance from my apartment, my alma mater—DLS-College of Saint Benilde. Aaaah, truly heaven-sent.

Expect me there, September 06, 2008 in CSB’s Augusto-Rosario Gonzalez Theater (oh, that’s on the 5th floor). ON THE DOT.

And for sure, right after this event, I’m no longer a kitty. I’ll be a roaring lion in cyberspace unleashing the prowess WordCamp has bestowed upon me. Oh yeaaaah!

C’mon guys, sign up, this is one brainy gig you wouldn’t want to miss! Right Joni?