MY MANHOLE EXPERIENCE

Two weeks ago I found myself dumped in a manhole. It started while I was closely attending someone on the rooftop in the office where I work, looking constantly upward as I was on the ground, I didn’t noticed that I was stepping on a square cement-made cover for an opening, a hole; it seems that the weight of my body was too much for the cover to bear and at the slight moment the cover fell off with me still on top of it.

As I was rushing downwards I had the presence of mind to use both hands to push against the ground so that it would somehow break the momentum of my fall, but it was kind of a second late because I found out that both my feet were already soaked on dirty, smelly, murky water. I immediately pulled myself out of that pit and head straight to the closest source of running water around and washed my sneakers and some portions of my pants. I got some minor bruises on my hands and legs and so I asked my colleague if I could go home for a while to change my clothes and be back after lunch.

It’s definitely the most embarrassing moment of my life. Being in a situation where I least expected the most would happen to me made me feel so uncomfortable, I felt all of a sudden all eyes were on me and I didn’t know what to do. “What’s this?” I asked myself, the feeling of your feet being soaked deep on the dirt of people was so humiliating, I will not forget the horrifying smell my socks bore that time.

But somehow that experience made me remember one important lesson in my life… I was reminded of a person who shared the same experience as I did, only it was a hundred folds worst than what I experienced. My embarrassment when I fell on that pit was no match for how degrading people have treated Him, the humiliation I got was not even close to what he had when his robe was being torn apart by the roman soldiers and even before he was being nailed on a log he suffered wounds, cuts and lacerations so deep he could hardly walk. I was reminded how God loved me what the Son had to go through because of that love.

Is 54:10 God assured his people that even if the mountains be shaken and the hills being removed, never will His unfailing love depart from us.

Lam 3: 32

Ps 33:18

God is love and since He lives eternally, so is His love will endure forever.

Nalusuan Island Revisit

Summer's definitely here again and what better way to drench that hot wave out of our skin than to be on an island where beauty magnifies everywhere; the water surrounding the island will surely captivate your heart and would find diving in it irresistable. The marine sanctuary will marvel you with breath-taking views of sea creatures rushing from all areas.

Be sure to taste this adventure of a lifetime! Visit Nalusuan Island and make your summer vacation experience a thing that will last a lifetime!

Twit-ing my way on the highway

Twitter is a global phenom that's been sweeping the internet right now.

I myself have been using its services and I too have wondered like most "What's twitter for?", but the more I follow people with it, the more I realize the power and potential it has to gather fresh, up-to-date info everywhere!

The rudiments are simple, simply register an account for free search topic that interest you and you'd be given a list of people sharing the same, then all you have to do is follow those people and immediately their 'twits' will be displayed on your on web page in twitter!

Imagine the immense amount of thoughts, info, links, reviews etc. you'd be receiving DAILY by simply following people!

It gives more excitement to the old familiar question: "What are you doing?"

This is indeed a remarkable tool for internet freaks like me; who thirsts for fresh info daily!

Another Cebu X Barely Passed

The trying times was felt by all the exhibitors as evidently shown by a huge decline in total number of exhibitors during the show. The once overly crowded exhibition halls and galleries full of excited buyers has been diminished to what I think is its lowest... yet.

Certainly, what transpired on the show have brought up a lot of questions; will this industry thrive? I recalled attending one of the seminars about surviving in these trying times... and looking back from that point up to present have made me see the whole picture, the whole dreadful picture...

My hope still stands that our industry, something we Filipinos can take pride of will steadfastly trek this rough terrains.

Cebu X Season Once Again

Whew! Hi multiply-mates, kumusta po sa ating lahat... Dumating na po ang linggo na matagaltagal din tayong hindi magkakiakita-kita sapagkat ako ngayon kasama ng aking mga ka opisina ay nandito sa Waterfront Hotel, Lahug upang idaos ang taunang Eksibisyon ng mga furniture (don't know the tagalog ) sa Cebu. Ito po ay isang natatanging pagkakataon para maipakita sa buong mundo ang kakayahan nating mga Filipino na lumikha ng kakaiba, kaakit-akit, at bukod tanging likha ng sining.

At ako po ay buong galak na mapabilang sa grupo ng mga nag-ooraganisa para maisakatuparan ang mithiing ito.

Hiling ko po ang inyong panalangin at suporta.

Mabuhay ang Pilipinas!

The Eyes That Said It All

...took a ride on a public utility jeepney (puj) last week going to the mall, it's a regular route of mine, since every Saturday I have a lot of things to do in the Center, this day we prepare early (sometimes) for 180degrees a youth oriented gathering that brings its audience a step higher in their understanding about life, particularly about how they should live it, and whom should they live it for.

It was a hot day that time, about 9 o'clock in my watch, the sun seems to struck earth with its rays like nothing less fierceful, it pierces right through your skin. Shucks, I thought I should've taken a cab, If I haven't forgot my money in the house I would've. Yes ladies and gentlemen, I forgot to bring my wallet AGAIN for the nth time maybe, this year alone. Good thing I had a few coins left inside my pants, "I'll just withdraw at the ATM station in the mall" I thought.

So, I boarded a jeep, took a seat just behind the driver, it's my favorite place by the way, because in that spot there's less air blasting on my face, the only cons I get is when the driver lights up a cigar (PUJs are supposed to be non-smoking) and I get the benefit of inhaling all the smoke he puffs. ARRRGGGHHH! Another dis-advantage is that I take the place of a jeep conductor because I'm the one being asked to make "tunol" or reach out for the fare of almost everybody inside the jeep. Although it's no big a deal but next time I'll ask the driver if he could spare my fare for the "sideline job".

So while riding, I took notice on my co-passengers particularly the people sitting parallel to me, who were a bunch of elementary students talking to one another having a good time, laughing at each other, just basically having fun. I knew that they're students because of what they wore... school uniforms, and they are not the kind of uniform that should you say you could be proud of, I mean they're tattered, old, seams coming out of the fabric, and with little runs here and there.

Immediately a thought came into my mind, I was asking what would this kids be like in the future? Would they be able to finish college? Or even reach it? How are they doing in school? Are they being equipped properly to face what lies in them ahead? Are they being oriented what are their roles in our country? Questions like those came flashing in me all of a sudden. I remember my elementary days, my parents always remind us to look neat and clean in school I even remember the only award I got that made me climb up the stage during recognition day: MOST NEAT. Hahaha! Well I'm proud of that award and I have my parents to thank for that. But as a kid, I grew up with a lot of friends who love to run around, roll, and play in the dirt my mom would be furious to find us "bulingot" or dirty everytime we come back home after school. Hahaha I could remember they're faces, but what can they do?

So going back to the kids riding the jeep, they just continue to talk and talk about everything they saw outside the windows of the vehicle. Then I suddenly notice that there was a boy about 12 years old, wearing a loose red shirt that must've been from his dad or kuya sitting in front next to the driver who seems to be his father or grandfather I can't really tell. I realized also that time that the boy is the jeep conductor, and he's the one getting the "plite" or fare of the passengers, and he often would look back on us, but most obviously he would often look at the kids in front of me and everytime he turns to the kids behind him he would stare at the kids with eyes full of curiosity as if he was saying, "I wonder what would it be like if I'm studying...", as I drew more focus on the boy I couldn't help it, the boy gave a look that nip my emotions. I couldn't help but take pity on this boy, why is he on the street? He should be in school! He sould be enjoying his age, I felt restless and really sad and then I turn to the driver and in my mind I said: "Grrrr! I report tikaw sa Bantay Bataaaaaaaaa!!!"

Slowly my eyes turn a little soggy, I thought: "I couldn't afford to shed a tear inside a PUJ!" so I moved a little farther away from the driver and closer to the window and looked outside to let the wind dry up my eyes a bit. Good thing I'm near the mall already and I could get out the vehicle before I break down. While walking away, tears kept dwindling in my eyes for the boy. How sad our nation has become, how dark the future of the next generation of this land faces.

And so I thought... I have a lot of work to do. I will never forget this experience.

MP3 player users risk hearing loss

BRUSSELS, Belgium (AP) -- The European Union told music lovers Monday to turn down the volume of MP3 players, saying they risk permanent hearing loss from listening too long at maximum levels.

Listening to music at volumes over 89 decibels through headphones could damage your hearing, scientists warn.

Listening to music at volumes over 89 decibels through headphones could damage your hearing, scientists warn.

EU scientists reported that between 2.5 million and 10 million Europeans could suffer hearing loss from listening to MP3 players at unsafe volumes -- over 89 decibels -- for more an hour daily for at least five years.

EU spokeswoman Helen Kearns said the EU executive was asking people, especially children and young people, "to turn it down" now because they may be damaging their hearing without noticing it.

more about hearing loss here.