Thursday, December 30, 2010

Here's Something for a Dear Brother

cousins and pamangkins two days ago with my brother Allan(the one in blue shirt)

“Live life so completely that when death comes to you like a thief in the night,

there will be nothing left for him to steal.”


A couple of days ago, I did not have an idea of what living life completely meant. Now, I still truly do not, but at least after what happened several hours ago I have a better picture.

The multitude of relatives and friends who were with us during the few critical hours and after the passing away of my dear brother gave me the impression that he did lived, although not the best, a complete life!

Many prayed and wept with us during these early hours of our bereavement - and for this, I am very thankful to God for giving us friends and relatives like them. The pain was bearable because of you, guys!

The year ends soon but our very painful journey is still at the starting point. It may take days but I know we'll gonna make it - with God's help!

I am consoled by the fact that my brother is now with a person whose face he has not seen since he was born - our mother. Maybe she's guiding him now to heaven together with the angels and our dear departed loved ones.

One thing I would like my brother to take with him is the assurance that we'll take over wholeheartedly the responsibility he left behind for his wife and two kids. They are our family and it will stay as such forever!

Godspeed, dear brother, we will really, really miss you!

note: Allan is mine and Alpha's youngest brother. Our beloved mother, Faustina, passed away after giving birth to him thirty-nine years ago.

Monday, December 27, 2010

Greetings for the Yuletide Season


We are wishing and praying for everyone

a

joyous christmas,

bountiful new year,

and a more peaceful

& prosperous 2011 ahead of us!

Monday, December 13, 2010

This Beautiful Thing Called Life

With God's grace and blessings, it's christmas time once again! With a thankful heart, I bow my head and say my prayer and thanksgiving for another year given to us to enjoy life.

I have always been thankful for all the blessings He has bestowed on me and my family. Every year for me with my family is a gift from God. A precious gift nothing can take away from us.

So while we have time and we still can, let's spend precious moments with our respective families and enjoy the beautiful life with them!

For all that has been and everything that will be, to God be the glory!

Merry christmas, everyone!

Tuesday, December 7, 2010

Moving Out with Las Vegas Movers

I had an exciting girl talk last night with a good friend who is here for a short vacation.

From her, I learned that living away from your hometown and family is not a bed of roses at all. Survival of the fittest is the name of the game. You have to battle the longing and the feeling of helplessness while away on a land and culture so new and strange to you. Gradually, she has coped up with the life she has chosen and learned to love it despite its intricacies Together with her husband and two kids, they settled happily for several years in Las Vegas.

I am glad to learn that her eldest son has graduated from college and is now considering moving out of Las Vegas for a very irresistible job offer from a company based in the Big Apple. The mother in her made her decide to eventually move out with her son for the very much needed support.

Her only wish for now is to find fully licensed Las Vegas movers that could help them transport their household goods safely and help them lessen the burden of the complexity of moving out.

As their quest for a new life with the help of the best Las Vegas movers begins, I wish my friend the best of luck!

I am Voting for Life with Ria

A vote from me goes to Life With Ria for the Philippine Blog Awards 2010 Bloggers Choice Award.

Why am I voting for her?

It's because she's one great writer! She's young, talented and beautiful - she's got so much to offer as a blogger. She's one good reason why I look at blogging in a very respectable level.

We need more bloggers like her whose writing style is worth emulating. I know this award will be another feather in her cap.


Go on, Ria baby, keep on shinin'!

Monday, December 6, 2010

I Dreamt of Tulips

exhausting weeks
tiring trips
longing moments
are all gone

like tulips
blue skies
clear waters
now streams in my mind

how I wish
all days are like this
free from stress
we can daydream of tulips!

Precious Gold Coins

Numismatics experts affirm that gold coins mean golden investments. It is considered as wise investment due to its intrinsic value. Gold does not depreciate but as time goes by the value continues to soar higher.

Nowadays, more and more investors are putting their investments on gold coins. They usually determine the value of these gold coins through it's rarity, age, condition and the number originally minted for the purpose. They also make sure also that these gold coins are made entirely of gold.

It is really wise to invest on precious gold coins because gold is liquid or easily trade-able, it is transportable, it can be divided into smaller units and it does not decay. Unlike other precious metals, gold's value is also always stabilized. Due to its scarcity in nature, gold becomes more priceless.


BLOGFEST 2010

BlogFest SOCCSKSARGEN Countdown

Blogfest 2010 is happening on December 11, 2010. This is one event I promise not to miss despite my very schedule for this month.

One thing that really convinced me to join this one of a kind activity is the impressive list of resource persons... My Oh My, at this point nothing can stop me from attending and listening to these talented speakers! :-)

Prof. Danilo A. Arao
Ms. Aileen Apolo - De Jesus
Mr. Dale Palileo
Mr. Jay Jaboneta
Ms. Janette Toral
Ms. Michelle L. Solon
Mr. Bobby Soriano
Mr. Ryann Z. Elumba
Ms. Ma. Ria Jose

Thanks to the man himself, Mr. Avelman "Bariles" Manansala, for conceiving and giving birth to the Blogfest 2010 concept. You rock, man!

To all bloggers and members of the new media - see you, guys!

Wednesday, December 1, 2010

Of Roads and Crossroads

an early morning aerial view of Davao City as captured by the author

for three weeks I was away
there was not a single day
I stopped thinking of my family
while trying not to be lonely

I have seen roads while I travel
appreciated the beauty they unravel
there were less traveled roads
as much as there were dreaded crossroads

roads can be likened to our lives
living life to the fullest thrives
crossroads are inevitable in life
glaring in chaos and strifes

roads and crossroads for always
bring us to people and places
we long to see, connect and reach
something to be thankful of and appreciate!




Wednesday, November 3, 2010

Of Living and Leaving

courtesy of webweaver's free clipart

This beautiful life tends to get more and more exciting each day. For the first time, in my nineteen years as wife and mom, fifteen years as government worker and almost two years of being a blogger, I will be taking a half month respite from the things I usually do everyday. This means a fifteen day break from
cooking and other household chores
facing clients and other routinary office activities
blogging and other web related activities

Albeit this is quite hard for me yet I have no choice but to face the challenge. This is for career advancement and hopefully for my personal growth as well.

Please wish me luck, people
in my quest to
conquer the best of leaving for a living! :-)



Tuesday, October 26, 2010

My Small Steps is now PR 3



My pet blog has now earned Google's


Display Pagerank


Thanks to all my readers and followers out there!
Many thanks also to my fellow bloggers
who continue to inspire me to blog and blog. . .
Thank you, guys, for the love and support!


Madamo gid na salamat sa inyong tanan!

Monday, October 25, 2010

Furniture Retail Software for a Better Future

I have two previous posts about a good friend of mine who is into furniture making business. Investing on furniture retail software in running his business yielded positive results. It did not only afford him more quality time with his family but a fatter savings for their future as well.

Just what is this furniture retail software all about? This is a software developed to streamline furniture retail processes in order to increase the business' profitability. This is a product of modern technology that is now slowly making noise in its' field. More and more businessmen are already using this software in doing business. We are living in a fast tracked world so it is but fitting and proper also to invest on something good that could eventually keep us abreast with the times.

The wonders of this furniture retail software may just as well be the key to a brighter and lighter future for everybody in the business world!

Friday, October 22, 2010

Happy Birthday, Jasmine!

Jasmine turns five years old today!
She is my youngest baby
She's so smart and pretty

She's the only one among the kids who calls me Mommy
She loves to tell stories to her sisters, Dad and me
We all adore her being witty!

Jasmine is the name
of this little girl so vain
but we all love her just the same!

Happy birthday, baby girl!

Friday, October 15, 2010

My Small Steps from a Man with a Big Heart

DOLE Undersecretary Hans Leo J. Cacdac and the author

Have you ever wondered why I christened my blog as "Small Steps"? The logical answer is because in reality I can't take big steps :-D. Aside from this, there is this one person, a very respectable one, who gave this strong two worded advice/comment to yours truly during those times when I felt that everything in this world is not fair. My feeling back then was it's just me against the world and everybody hated me. Feeling so low, I comforted myself by reading the blog of this man. A blog that exudes with radiant intelligence and wisdom. I knew he doesn't know me personally but I did put up a brave face by leaving a comment there. If I remember it right, I said that I'm also a member of a certain team and we've been trying very hard to accomplish something for the better by introducing changes unacceptable to many. That's why instead of gaining friends, we gained enemies. I never expected that the childish comment of mine would merit an answer that would make my attitude towards life turn 180 degrees. He commented back by saying . . . take small steps . . . small steps.

Two words that totally changed my outlook towards everything. Gone are the days of my being pessimistic, judgmental and very emotional than intellectual.

The rest is history for I am now a better person driven to continue taking small steps to achieve my goals in life and a person with the capability to accept the things/instances I can't change.

Thanks for the opportunity and realization, Sir Hans!

p.s. Many thanks to our Info Officer, Ms. Charmaine Sonsona, for the photo op with this great man!

Wednesday, October 13, 2010

Of Walking and Winning

As promised, here's another post with regards to the just concluded Purok Olaer San Raphael Fiesta celebration.

I bragged about joining the Lumba Baktas competition and through this post, I would like to acknowledge my brave (ahem!) opponents composed of (sa walay pag dapig dapig) my very own cousins and nieces. :-)
(left to right) Rose, Myrna, Kuya Bhern (our generous donor), Neneng,
Sarah, Normita, Shakie, Pinpin and Grace (me, am the photographer :-)

Grand winner was our Ate Myrna P. Olaer. She went home with 5k and 2 sacks of rice. The race was simple. All we did was walk and dress up like Maria who is going to market. Being the author of this blog justified my being one of the rich (?) losers he he he. . . of course, I can't take big steps no :-). . . Nevertheless, all of us still felt like winners because they all went home Php500 richer! Why they? Because I got this. . . . for being the Darling of the Crowd because of my _ _ _ _ ness!

this is a welcome addition to my Unionbank cyber account :-)

I may not have won the race
but nothing beats the sweetest feeling of finishing the race by taking small steps!

Thank you, cousins, pamangkins and to the many fans of yours truly!

Saturday, October 9, 2010

The Gift of Healing

Jasmine and Sam

If there's one precious gift I am cherishing right now, it is God's gift of healing. With His healing grace, my baby Sam is now doing well and hopefully can go back to school tomorrow after being absent for two weeks due to dengue.

Dengue, as we all know, is now endemic almost everywhere in the Philippines. No matter how cautious we are, the danger of acquiring this disease is still possible for whoever, wherever.

Of course, the support of friends and loved ones count a lot during those times we were in the hospital. Please allow me to thank everyone who in one way or another helped us cope with the situation. Special thanks to Dr. Cristina Ramizo, the courteous and efficient people of General Santos Doctors Hospital, blogger friends, my loved ones...and everybody else out there! Thank you, people! Again, life was and for always will be easy because of you!

Madamo gid na salamat!

Sunday, October 3, 2010

St. Raphael's Fiesta at OSR

The feast of the archangels was celebrated by the christiandom last September 29. Purok Olaer/Olaer Swimming Resort honored our patron saint, St. Raphael de Archangel, by spearheading different festive activities and at the same time holding thanksgiving for the precious legacy left to us by our dear Lola Iyay and Lolo Pidok. The two folks were devotees of the healer archangel and that devotion has been passed on to the different generations of the whole Olaer clan.

The day started with a holy mass officiated by a Passionist priest.
This picture was taken right after the mass only
for the reason that the author was late due to a pressing commitment


What followed were activities that brought wide smiles to the fiesta revelers and picnickers alike.
Jose Divinagracia School band gave color and vibrance to our fiesta.

Several competitions were held such as the Lumba Langoy, Lumba Baktas, etc. . .
Lumba Baktas participants including moi. Please don't ask anymore if I won or not :-)
(I'll be writing a separate post about this soon!)

An anti-fungal company provided free services and medication to interested individuals.
very helpful, indeed, specially for those who need medical attention

By the way, all those who trooped to the resort during that day were given free entrance fee access and free usage of cottages. This is our way of thanking our customers!

Jollibee's appearance was a blast!
kids, young people and young at heart alike were delighted with the
popular mascot's personal appearance

Also provided for free by the resort management were Jollibee packed lunch good for three hundred (300) people. . .

This is part of the crowd who lined up for the free goodies. . .

Later in the night, the grand Olaer Got Singing Talent was showcased
(it was so exciting and a post solely for this topic is coming up soon :-) )
My niece Chummy and my apo, Choi. . . the Mom is the active president of Purok Olaer and the one responsible for the very successful St. Raphael fiesta celebration

Good food won't be absent during feasts like this!
light moment with Apopong Bgy. Captain Rogelio Pacquiao and
Olaer Purok President, Aura Kharizma C. Aujero

There's more to come, folks! Please watch out for it. . .

VIVA, SENIOR SAN RAPHAEL!

Thursday, September 30, 2010

HUH! Hilarious, Unbelievable High


This is the reason why bloggers don't seem to get stressed oftentimes. It's because we're always high. High in spirits, high with fun and super exciting activities and most of all, high with an unbelievable camaraderie. We are bloggers and it's fun to be one!






photos courtesy of Mesdames Cidy Bascon and Dimple Dulay!

Monday, September 27, 2010

OWS! Older, Wiser and Sweeter

A very good friend is turning a year older. He's got everything. . . the looks, the charm and the brains. He is truly blessed and I know he's very happy right now. He is worthy of all the happiness this world can offer because he is not just an ordinary person. He is a man who has made a difference in the lives of many including moi. For this, he's got my respect and admiration.

As you turn older, wiser and sweeter. . . may you continue touching people's lives and continue inspiring us to blog and blog and blog. . . . and for always, please stay happy!




HAPPY, HAPPY BIRTHDAY,
MR. ORMAN ORTEGA MANANSALA!

We love you!

from: Arnel, Jinky and kids

Tuesday, September 21, 2010

My EIB 2010 Win


I never thought at all that my entry for Ms. Janette Toral's search for Top Ten Emerging Influential Blogs for 2010 would make me $100 richer.

This is a big bonus for me considering that three of my nominees made it to the Top Ten. This is my first ever opportunity to nominate for EIB and for my nominees to be chosen is really a big, big honor. Thanks Ms. Janette!

To the winners, my warmest CONGRATULATIONS!

BIG thanks also for all the generous sponsors of this undertaking. Maraming salamat po and mabuhay kayong lahat!

Sunday, September 19, 2010

The Mom Blogger is now a Driver

I have long been wanting to learn how to drive a vehicle. Owing to my busy sched as a mom and the unavailability of a decent car to to be used in honing my driving skill, the drive to learn remained but a dream. Not until recently when my hubby Arnel and I decided to acquire a second hand vehicle which we think is safer compared to our good old Multicab. It's a Hyundai car used to be owned by a good friend of ours.

I wasted no time in securing a student permit for my first ever driving lessons. Thanks to the good people of the Land Transportation Office in Gensan, I was able to acquire my SP in a matter of an hour and a half.

I was advised by the LTO people to come back after a month to secure my non-prof driver's license.

Meanwhile, under the tutelage of my sometimes patient and sometimes impatient hubby, I am now starting and easily learning the ropes of safety driving. My desire to learn to drive can be compared to those times when I started blogging. I realized that out of learning something new, something good would also come out of it. Most of all, I know I will always get by with the help of my loved ones and friends.


Please wish me luck in my quest to be a good driver, guys!

Saturday, September 18, 2010

The Wonders of Furniture Retail Software

I already have a previous post regarding this furniture retail software. It was laid down there how this upsurge in technology could possibly help my friend in running his furniture business. True enough, it did helped him a lot. Now he's got more time for his family and running his business is now so nice and easy for him.

With this furniture retail software is a completely integrated business solution such as POS, CRM, inventory ,warehousing, merchandising, purchasing, service orders, EDI, A/P, A/R, G/L, Financials, bar coding, Executive Management reports, wireless solutions for inventory and sales integrated and much more. This techie product is designed to help furniture retailing and home furnishing businessmen.

Running furniture retailing and home furnishing businesses can be optimized with the help of this furniture retail software. This could mean more profit and eventually, growth and expansion of your business. It won't be surprising anymore to see people venture into this kind of business with no traces of regrets. What we will be seeing are people with fat bank accounts and happy families for sure. Thanks to the wonders brought about by furniture retail software.

Friday, September 17, 2010

Gensan Tunafest Experience 2010 Roars

The month long celebration of the Gensan tuna festival is already midway and we could feel and see the thrill and excitement flourishing in our beloved city.

Thanks to the very vibrant partner of the Local Government Unit of Gensan, the Gensan Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Inc. for spearheading the Gensan Tunafest Experience 2010. As usual, we could see ingenuity and efforts being exerted to the topmost level for this celebration to become something we, generals, can be very proud of.

Soccsksargen bloggers, again, served as an active partner of the organizers of this year's festivity by bringing and showing to the whole world what's going on in Gensan and what the Gensan Tunafest Experience 2010 has to offer. With mighty keyboards and undying support for our beloved city, we aspire to give our readers the feel that we are really proud of being generals and that Gensan is really going global!

To give you a glimpse of what I'm talking about, please click on the links
below to my friends' masterpieces:

Great post from a great writer;
Truly awesome view of a mom about the tunafest; and
Xtraordinary entry about the Gensan Tunafest Experience 2010!

and to keep us abreast of what's happening and gonna happen during
this festive month in Gensan, do hop on to our Gness' blog!

After going through their blogs, I know just like me, you would also conclude that the
Gensan Tunafest Experience 2010
really, really roars!

Happy Tuna Festival, everyone!

Saturday, September 11, 2010

"C'est François Girbaud MARITHE"

A dear couz gifted me with Marithe Francois Girbaud wallet.

I have long been wanting to own one but since there is no Marithe Francois Girbaud specialty shop yet here in the city, it remained a dream.

Thanks to the one who gave this. Now I have my reason to go next step higher by making sure that this wallet of mine will always be full :-). . . Because if this is not loaded it might transform into a _ _ _ _ _ wallet that may be easier to say but gets drained easily :-)

Friends, C'est François Girbaud MARITHE!

Wednesday, September 8, 2010

6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1. . . to 09.10.10. (ASAP)

6 - six mighty sessionistas;
5- five star rated artists;
4 - four-tiered excitement (if not the 7th heaven);
3 - three hours of non-stop performances;
2 - two tickets courtesy of Bariles (LOL!); and
1 - a stage to conquer!

Written above are my reasons why I want to be a part as the six ASAP sessionistas conquer the stage of the cavernous Lagao Gym in General Santos City on September 10, 2010.

The ASAP Sessionistas Live in Gensan concert is brought to us by Denville Music and Production and Record Breaker Events Management for the benefit of Dalan Mindanao, MP Foundation and Street Children Development Foundation (Manila).

For bloggers and non-bloggers out there, Gensan News Online Mag has something for us. To take a look at it, just click on this LINK.

This is one interesting event and I hope every Juan or Pedro and everybody else out there will troop to the Lagao Gym on Friday to be part of history!

Please don't forget our date, 09.10.10!

n.b.
Aside from Sitti, Duncan, Richard Poon, Nina, Aiza and Juris, our very own CENTERPOINT BAND will also be performing for us on that very evening, exciting!


So let us all start our countdown, now!

Sunday, September 5, 2010

Giving and Learning Life's Lesson

I realized the importance of donating blood several years ago when four of my daughters were hospitalized because of dengue. I was able to look for possible blood donors but only few were qualified to donate their blood. The anguish I felt during that time was unbearable. The situation made me realize that there is really a need to encourage everyone to donate blood, not only when a relative needs it, but whenever we can!
This brilliant idea of the sox bloggers to come up with blood typing and letting drive made me proud of being a member of this group! The enthusiasm and cooperation shown by the group during the event itself made me prouder . . . and now, am the proudest friend of this man, Mr. Gilbert Y. Tan!

Little did I know that he had been donating blood since his younger years. I was expecting for him to get pale right after the procedure but I was wrong, very wrong because right after the process, he stood up and gleefully announced "gaan ako paminaw!"

How I wish that many people would follow what Sir G has done. To voluntarily give without counting the cost and advocate saving lives by being a good example.

To Sir G, the Philippine Red Cross People, the very active Sox bloggers, the generous sponsors including Robinsons Place for allowing us to use their place - thank you very much!

You all did the thing right by doing the right thing! :-)

*pics courtesy of Mr. Ariel Oclarit!

Sunday, August 29, 2010

To Be Young and Happy

These pics of my daughters, Samantha and Jasmine, made me reminisce the time when I was still young and doing the same thing.

Enjoying the cool waters of Olaer Resort with dear cousins. We used to do this several decades ago.

Nothing beats the feeling of being young and happy! :-)

Influential Blogger: Join the Top 10 Emerging Influential Blogs for 2010 Writing Project

Influential Blogger: Join the Top 10 Emerging Influential Blogs for 2010 Writing Project

Tuesday, August 24, 2010

Jinky's Top Ten Emerging Influential Blogs for 2010



My nominees for Ms. Janette Toral's search for
Top Ten Emerging Influential Blogs for 2010 are:

Ganda Ever So Much
by: Mr. Orman O. Manansala
A banker's blog
(borrowing Ms. Ai ai's words) na kayang buhayin ang katawang lupa ninyo!

Kusina Maria
by: Ms. Maria Ria Jose
An extraordinary Filipina's food and cooking blog
which inspires me to write more about the thing I love to do most, cooking!

Get Prettified
by: Ms. Brendel Balaga
A beauty's blog
on getting and staying beautiful inside and out!

Kikay Much
by: Ms. Donna Mae Congson
A lady entrepreneur's blog on
being hip, fashionista and beautiful!

A Thousand Ships
by: Mr. Armando Nicolas
A handsome traveler's photo blog
of the exciting places he has set foot into!


Akosirabsky
by: Mr. Rabsky Villanueva
A very informative
talented teen's blog!

Alexis Chua
Self-titled blog of a very pogi
techie blogger!

Gensan Gems
by: Ms. Gay Carillo
An interesting blog of
a scientist by profession and a cook by heart!

Plurk Designs
by: Mr. Lyle Santos
All about plurk blog of a very respectable
and admirable blogger!

Mabuhay ang Bagong Kasal
by Ms. Aileen A. De Jesus
An interesting married life blog of a
very popular blogger!

I am nominating these blogs because I do believe and I have high respect for their authors.
Their posts do inspire me to be active in blogging again!

Ms. Janette Toral's co-sponsors for this search for Top Ten
Emerging Blogs for 2010 are the following:

Events and Corporate Video, Budget Hotel in Makati,Pinoy Party Food, Copyediting Services, PR Agency Philippines, Budget Travel Philippines, Send Gifts to the Philippines, Black Friday Deals, Roomrent – units for rent, Search Profile Index, and Corporate Events Organizer.



Monday, August 16, 2010

Let's Stop and Be at Beestop!

(Credits goes to Mr. Orman O. Manansala for the lovely pics used on this post)

Beestop along Santiago Blvd., with its' exciting new look, reopened to the public last August 12, 2010. At hand to personally welcome guests and diners was, Beestop owner and at the same time chef, the very beautiful Ms. Charlene Enriquez.

The banker and the chef!

Marz, Bariles, Ms. Pilar Afuang (GSCCI Exec. Director),
Jinky and Peter the Pilot


and here are
Beestop's mouthwatering chicken specialties

Homestyle Fried Chicken

Beestop Special Chicken Inasal

my favorite ever since, yummy garlic fried chicken

Food at Beestop is available at very, very affordable prices, I swear! So pay them a visit now and experience the luxury of dining without boring a hole in your pockets.

BTW, they also have branches at Purok Malakas and inside Robinsons Place Gensan.
For inquiries or orders, just dial (083) 301-7911.

Kain Muna!

The Mom Blogger is Back

I used to be active in the blogosphere but went in hiatus due to overwhelming responsibilities needing my full attention.  Because of my l...