of scholars and workshops

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See the full gallery on Posterous

a bit blurry, but they're one of my most treasured photos from now on. <thanks tata and your reliable phone! :)>

a few weeks ago, i went to guinsaugon, st. bernard (southern leyte) to shoot an AVP about the scholars we have--a sort of thank you gift to our donor, Children's Hour, for helping us in funding their education needs. we went to these young surviors of the 2006 landslide, whose parents, siblings and other close relatives were buried along with the onslaught of mud and rain. one could not fathom how much pain these little angels had felt then (i couldn't even fathom it myself). but with helpful and caring agencies, they were able to pull their selves together and move one, because hope can not be buried. Children's Hour, specifically, assisted us by committing to help these 56 survivors finish their education (until high school) for 11 years.

at the end of the two-day interview and shoot, i begged my co-worker to allow me to conduct a workshop to these kids, who in a span of days easily became my friends (and partners in crime...but you do not need to know that). it was a sudden urge i have, like some sort of subconscious would not let go of me til the last minute until i finally say, "ms cecille, cap, can i use your office so i can hold a workshop for these kids?"

two liners

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google nerd

nutsy pansy

carbohyrdate addict

directionally challenged

anime freak

dessert junkie

stupid girl

amateur baker

creative genius

and the list may go on.

...or not.

(what can you add...?)

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boxes

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Twenty-four years ago, I ran my life in boxes. The most prominent from these boxes were the ones I labeled ‘Work’ and ‘Personal’.

Twenty-four years ago, I moved heaven and hell to make sure that ‘Work’ did not take hold of ‘Personal’. My personal life remained personal, and nobody from my ‘Work’ box had anything to do with it. Consequently, whatever happened on my professional plane must stay there. They did not mix and strike an imbalance on my system I had learned to build and protect over the years.

Twenty-four years ago, I never believed in the philosophy behind Google Plus’ Circles or the concept behind the Venn diagram. There were only two shades of people in my life, and they never, ever intercept. One could only be white or black, and I chose where they fit in my black-and-white world.

I never mixed business with pleasure. I had officemates, and I had friends, and my life was as simple as that.

(Yes, Gabriel García Márquez was right: we have three lives—the public one, the private one and the secret one.)

Thus, it never came as a surprise to me how officemates would only know me for my work. And my friends would know me for who I really am—and that would include how an idiot or a genius I can be, depending on the situation.

(I do not have what you call a quasi-friend or a real friend, because I may be civil, funny and open to you, but you will never be my friend unless I tell you the deep, dark and horrid secrets of my life.)

ode

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 ode

 

I shall flee to the heavens

and fall in its glorious abyss;

The stars shall possess me

Me with my own heart aglowing.

 

I shall travel through Eternity

and there’ll be no now, no had, no maybe;

I shall think of nothing but infinite bliss

Bliss I hoped I’ve brought to thee with a kiss.

I moved out!!

Hello gaaalllls and for anyone who still cared to read this online piece of craziness! :)

This is to inform you that I am officially closing this blog account. My days with Blogger had been extremely stimulating, but, well, preferences change over time. (Blame it on the person who introduced me to Posterous.)

So I'm packing all my notes here and imported them all to Guramiii City, where I vowed never to leave. Again. Changing blogs from time to time is extremely strenuous (I am not known to be patient on this area) and I NEVER intend to do this for the second round. I'm also aiming for longevity, you know, and since I'm actually giving more effort there to update, why not just stay in one place and use one blog? And it loves me, haha.

So for those who still cared to read, thank you for everything, good bye and see you in my new blog! Although you MIGHT be seeing updates here every now and then. :)

For that single cup.

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for that single cup,
i sat
i thought deep
the drink is hot.

for that single cup,
i write
i wailed hard
i cry.

words never expressed
expressions left in vain unlike
the tears, so free they fall
right into that single cup --
drop by drop.

for that single cup,
i knew i was foolish
they said i'm too selfish
yet i thought they were insane.

for that single cup, i realized
you easily forget.
you never did remember.
ever.

the drink's still hot.
words still left unheeded
who will listen?
you're not here.
you never were.
no one ever was.

pain cools so easily, it remains
deep into the core of my wretched soul
never will it go, it's pointless
people sometimes are senseless.

so silent i became,
my thoughts i left chained unlike
the tears, so free they fall
right into that single cup.

for that single cup,
there, forever unheard
will my thoughts lay --
drop by drop.

and i wonder, why am i so sad? 



- Reggie Marie Barrientos, 'Grief' © 2005

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Lashes

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Thin, black veins
fanning out on an orange sky
reaching for the tails of the winds
crossing the dazzle that burned them bright


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P.S. You don't need them, dear brother. Give them to me.

Nestle recalls all Maggi noodles nationwide

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FROM this link by Ryan Chua of ABS-CBN, here is a transcript of Nestle's letter to supermarkets:

Nestle Philippines, Inc.

ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICE
NESTLE CENTER
31 PLAZA DRIVE
ROCKWELL CENTER
MAKATI CITY 1200

4 May 2011

To our Valued Trade Partners,

We would like to inform you that we have decided to voluntarily recall all MAGGI Mami Noodles Beef & Chicken Flavors from stores nationwide, following routine quality test findings of salmonella traces in two batches (with lot codes 11020598A2 and 11030598A1) of MAGGI Rich Mami Noodles Beef Flavor. The product recall is a precautionary measure we are taking to ensure the safety and quality of our products.

We have immediately initiated extensive investigation to determine the cause of this contamination, and initial findings suggest flavoring ingredients as the cause.

We have stopped production of all MAGGI Rich Mami Noodles pending the completion of the investigation.

The quality and safety of our products are non-negotiable priorities for Nestle and it is in this regard that we have decided to do a complete voluntary recall of all MAGGI Rich Mami Noodles, even outside those of the affected batches, for thorough product evaluation and testing.

We have not received any consumer concerns related to the consumption of MAGGI Rich Mami Noodles. The product is safe to eat if the cooking instructions are followed.

The Food & Drug Administration (FDA) has already been informed about this voluntary product recall and we will be working closely with the FDA on this.

Our sales team will be working very closely with you on the details of the recall process.

We thank you in advance for your cooperation in this very important endeavor.

Very truly yours

(signed) 
PAUL RODRIGUEZ
National Sales Director

Power

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Power by ~P-N-E

Yes, we have been provided by a limitless drive to feel need, to want; to dream and to thirst for things beyond our grasps but we mortals aren’t limitless. We carried power to have more, thinking we have it all, but when we are in the last moments of our dear life, we’ll soon realize that we have been such a fool to think that we could capture one eternal entity such as power. One dies and yet he still dies like a mortal, while the abstract he calls power remained in this earth, unharmed by his fate, maybe waiting for another mortal confident enough to believe he can own it too.

This I saw from you. And all the other you's in the world.

When will you ever change?

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