When I start wanting something, it scrams. I screw it up.

Here's a company you really, really want to get into. Your jaw dropped upon learning that you passed their written exam, because you felt your brains scrambling for dear life while you're at it. Your eyes bulged when you got a call scheduling you for an interview, because you never expected to hear from them again.

That fateful day, you woke up early, prepared yourself for the biggest battle of your life, only to be sent home weeping for one simple, but heavy, reason:

You were late.

There's no use blaming the weather or the traffic, or saying that you were supposed to arrive thirty minutes earlier than the appointed time. Whatever explanations you may have, or how hard you may swear it in the name of God, the fact remains: you were late.

... And your papers were returned to the HR Department (located in another city, by the way).
... And when you inquired at the HRD about the possibility of a reschedule, they tell you to wait for their call.
... And when you asked when that would be, all that they can say is, "I will give you a call."

The lady sounded reassuring, but fear is still gnawing my insides.

Putangina. Putangina.

The most irresponsible thing, kahit sabihing hindi sinadya. I can't forgive myself for this.

Bobo. Tanga. Gaga.

If it were another person in my shoes, I would've said: Too bad, but life must go on. Keep on looking; maybe something better is in store for you.

Pero... shit! What on earth could be better?? I can't let this one go! Sana nung exam pa lang bumagsak na ako! Now it looks like I've lost nang walang kalaban-laban... the chance just slipped through my fingers, and it's my fucking fault. Bakit ngayon pa ito nangyari?!

And please, don't rub it in. I've already heard it from my most vicious critic: myself.

Could I just lie down and die?

I'm starting to feel useless, so here's another task list for me to accomplish before the year ends:

(details here...)

Hindi po sa simbahan ang tuloy, kundi sa ETelecare Global Solutions.

I originally applied on August last year, when I was still hunting for my first job. From 2pm till ten I was under scrutiny, but still was not able to get the contract. It was really frustrating because I was able to pass everything - except the last test!

A year after, I was surprised to receive a call from them, asking if I'd still be interested to pursue my application. Having recently resigned from my immediate employment, I agreed to make myself available for screening, even if I swore not to work for a call center yet again.

I don't believe I passed the simulation test... hehe

But the next month (September), here they are again! This time a guy called me up. It was a Saturday, and he told me to attend their training when Monday comes. He was really nice, and I thanked him for considering me, but I declined the invitation, because I had an appointment with another company on that date. He persuaded me to reschedule that, and come to them instead, but I didn't budge.

Tuesday came. I got a phone call. It's him again! Since I was vacant for the entire week, I agreed to go to their office in Libis.

The interviewer had a very pleasing personality. I liked her. Her name is Janice. She offered me the sales position. I wanted a post in the financial account, but it wasn't available. I don't want to handle sales again, so I didn't stick around for the final interview with one of the team leaders. They told me that they'd keep my file active for six months, though.

Days passed. This week, I am grieving for a lost chance with Hongkong-Shanghai Banking Corporation, "the world's local bank." I was on the phone with one of my friends when my cellphone started ringing.

Yup, it's them again This time I was offered not an agent position, but that of a quality control associate. It's for three months only, but I wasn't given a chance to do that kind of task when I was still a team leader for Standard Chartered Bank, so I welcomed the opportunity to try it.

This afternoon I was supposed to be interviewed by the department head, but for some reason she was required to go to the Makati office earlier today; we had to do it through telephone conference.

Gosh, I thought I'd be talking to a single person. It was a panel interview! And God knows how many more people are listening to me in Makati... aside from those directly speaking to me, I can hear some people whispering and talking in the background. The thing required a lot of quick thinking on my part; the questions were not ordinary interview questions. I felt like I was in a beauty pageant - the next Ms. International?! - haha. Oh well. I took the advice of Ms. Issa, the one who called me up yesterday: I just gave it my best shot.

The conference lasted for thirty minutes or so. Time just passed by - I didn't feel any of it, I just talked and talked. Finally, we thanked each other and concluded the call - they told me to wait for Ms. Issa because she'll be the one to break the news to me. I did not put down the receiver right after our talk; I waited for them to be totally disconnected before doing so. As I did I heard someone comment, "OK sya." - and I am quite sure that the voice didn't belong to any of my interviewers! God, that made me wonder once more just exactly how many people were listening to me for almost an hour!

When Ms. Issa came in, she handed me three sets of documents that require my signature. She also gave me a checklist of requirements to complete in the next two weeks. Taking care of those should keep me busy in the next few days, along with my training.

So on Monday, I will be in Makati for my first day at ETel

Right now I am cramming cheesecake in my mouth while talking to a good friend. Salamat sa suporta... libre mo 'ko Cheezy fries, yung double cheese di pa natin nata-try di ba?

**Pero di pa ako sumusuko sa HSBC. Mapapasaakin ka rin balang-araw!**

THE ODDBALL WALL - As The Worlds Turn

1) Who was the first person in space?
a. Alan Shepard
b. John Glenn
c. Yuri Gagarin

2) The Earth is in the Milky Way galaxy. Nothing travels faster than the speed of light (186,000 miles per second). How long would it take to cross the Milky Way galaxy traveling at the speed of light?
a. 10,000 years
b. 75,000 years
c. 150,000 years

3) It takes our Sun's light about eight minutes to reach the earth. Approximately how long did it take light to reach the earth from the most distant galaxy in the Hubble Telescope's Deep Galaxy field?
a. 1-2 million years
b. 50-60 million years
c. 12-14 billion years

4) The first planet detected outside of our own solar system orbits what star?
a. 51 Pegasi
b. Andromeda
c. Bela Lugosi

5) What planet was named by the Romans after the God of War?
a. Jupiter
b. Mars
c. Uranus

6) Which of Jupiter's moons do scientists believe may have primitive life forms?
a. Europa
b. Titan
c. Io

7) Where is the control center for all NASA planetary and deep space probes?
a. Jet Propulsion Laboratory
b. Cape Canaveral
c. Goddard Space Flight Center

8) One planet in our solar system does not tilt as it orbits the Sun, so it has no seasons. Which planet is this?
a. Pluto
b. Venus
c. Neptune

And now for a real revolutionary question...

9) A cosmic year is how long it takes our Sun to revolve around the center of the Milky Way galaxy. About how long is this?
a. 55,000 years
b. 30 million years
c. 225 million years


Answers below, here's the scoring:
9 correct: Outstanding
5-8 correct: Very Good
1-4 correct: Fairly Fair
0 correct: Wake Up!


Answers:
1) c. Yuri Gagarin
2) b. 75,000 years
3) c. 12-14 billion years
4) a. 51 Pegasi
5) b. Mars
6) a. Europa
7) a. Jet Propulsion Laboratory
8) b. Venus
9) c. 225 million years

Maraming pagbabago ngayon sa Friendster, alam kong napansin nyo. Sa profiles, hindi na lang colors ang pwedeng baguhin; pwede nang lagyan ng background images, at pwede na ring mag-embed ng audio/video files. At syempre pa, andyan na rin ang Who's Viewed Me? list na talaga namang ikinagulantang ng maraming tao, lalo na ng mga stalker na tulad ko... Sayang nga lang at naabutan ako ng site maintenance nila, at October na uli nakapagbukas ng aking account, kaya hindi ko nasilip ang sarili kong listahan. Hindi ko tuloy nadiskubre kung sinu-sino ang aking secret fans (feeling! ).

*Buti na lang hindi pa nagbubukas ng Friendster nya yung boarder naming may HD ako... whew! *

Eto nga pala ang produkto ng pagkalikot ko sa Friendster. Salamat kay Michael at sa kanyang Friendster CSS Editor!


Click here for the 1024x768 version!

"Lucy, will you marry me?"
"Of course."
"Don't forget about me."
"Never."

Don't forget about me

Originally I planned to entitle this as "My First Day at E-Tel" but I figured it sounded too elementary... hehe I am writing this from our office's game room (haha unang araw pa lang nasa game room na agad after work eh noh... suwail na bata! Huy, may kasama naman ako noh - wehehe defensive! )

To tell you about my day:

0730 - Due to constant reminder from my ever-loyal supporters, I was on the road by this time so as to avoid another disaster just like what went on with HSBC... hay!

0845 - Paseo de Roxas: "Why can't today be that day with HSBC??"

0900 - Sipping coffee in the pantry. Sosyal! Ganda ng view - Ayala Avenue plus the rest of Makati City starting from Legaspi Village

BTW, two of my "mentors" are from UST Commerce! Mae majored in Economics - she's in my batch! Ms. Jehan was a BA major like me, but she graduated before I went to college, I think. That was really nice, but I felt mixed emotions regarding this information. Half-relaxed and half-nervous... labo? Half-relaxed cos these two are more or less in the same wavelength as me, since we shared the same culture during our college days. But that fact also makes me nervous, cos I'd feel simply humiliated if ever I do something so stupid it's almost unbelievable, and they - the experts - are there to watch.

1000 - Started reading about what I needed to know to do the job. Internal infos.

1145 - Had a break. Mae referred this place called "Patio" to me; it's within the building. There're many choices but it's of no use because though I was uber-hungry, I couldn't enjoy my food. Ewan ko ba, I wasn't feeling too good nung morning.

1230 - Came back from my break; made conversation with my fellow QAs - they started last Friday, when I had my interview in Libis.

1300 - We listened to actual calls, but these were previously sorted. Listening to them could be phrased as learning through examples: you listen and you figure the reason behind the tags put on each call.

1600 - This is where the work really began. We were given five calls to listen to and comment on.

1930 - We finished sorting! Gosh, and that was only five calls! But I enjoyed it. We will discuss them tomorrow. I hope I did well. I tried to.

2045 - I'm typing this entry. Hehe

We'll come in tomorrow at 11am, since we had overtime today


P.S.
OK, so I was beginning not to gripe about HSBC anymore until five o'clock in the afternoon came... HSBC's HR department called! I was supposed to be scheduled for interview again (most probably tomorrow, since I was supposed to be interviewed on a Tuesday last time, right?)!

PUNYETA TALAGA! May contract na ako ngayon sa E-Telecare! Peste naman! Ano ba'ng gagawin ko?? First day ko pa lang ngayon, leche!

I explained to Ms. Karen (HSBC's HR representative) that I am in a contract with another company right now, but that's for three months only, so when that expires, could I still reapply with HSBC? Do I need to submit my resumé again at the Enterprise Center?

She told me that my file will be for evaluation again, but there's no need to pass another resumé - I would just need to give them a ring, so as to determine if it'd be possible to reschedule me again.

I sent messages to three people: Tupe, Ate Cha, and Joan regarding my dilemma. Joan called me up and told me not to let this chance go, and contact HSBC right away. Ate Cha, on the other hand, asked questions - like, am I already in a contract with E-Tel? Cos if not, I could still back out, but it'd be quite embarrassing. The decision is still up to me.

Actually, my mom is nagtatampo since last Friday - October 7 - cos she thinks I am not exerting enough effort to get the slot with HSBC, then here I come broadcasting that I'm in a deal with a company she's not too familiar with (E-Telecare being a relatively young firm, compared to HSBC), and graveyard shift pa (well, di pa ngayon, training pa lang eh)!

She's going to kill me if she knew HSBC called me earlier today. Tangina talaga!!!

I can't back out now from E-Telecare - I signed a contract. The people here are good, so far I enjoy what I am doing - I think I could be happy while I'm here. And I'd get three months' experience with one of the leaders in the call center industry today. Talk about increasing one's market value.

But still...

Waah... HSBC!!!

I am paralyzed: I cannot decide right away, to give HSBC a call tomorrow or what, because I do not want to miss another interview schedule when contingencies arise, and I don't want them to label me as a "pasaway" applicant. That's bad, obviously.

Yet, there's this fear that when the expiration of my contract here comes, HSBC may not give me another chance.



P.P.S.
Sorry kung mukhang timang yung entry ko... labo noh... edit ko na lang siguro later...

... pero mas madaling mairita kaysa magpakaplastik

The Cinemanila International Film Festival, happening from October 12 to 25, remains the longest running film festival in the Philippines. It is also the lone internationally recognized film festival in the country. With such recognitions, Cinemanila lives up to being the "Festival of Festivals."

Now on its seventh year, the festival promises to be even bigger as 16 international films compete for the coveted Lino Brocka Award (equivalent to the Best Picture). Ten local digital festival films will also be competing for the Best Digital Feature. Moreover, Cinemanila is set to screen almost a hundred critically acclaimed foreign and local films at SM and Robinson cinemas in Manila and at selected Metro Manila theatres.

Set to grace the festival for this year are film industry leaders Kim Dong Ho and producer Roger Corman. Mr. Kim Dong Ho is the founding director of the Pusan International Film Festival, the largest film festival in Asia. Roger Corman, on the other hand, can be credited for the discovery of the top talents in Hollywood today – Francis Ford Coppola, Martin Scorsese, James Cameron, Ron Howard, Jonathan Demme, and many others.

In the previous years, the festival has played host to cinematographer Chris Doyle (Hero, In the Mood for Love), Oscar-nominated director Fernando Meirelles (Brazil) and Fil-Am Hollywood stars Lou Diamond Phillips and Tia Carrere. Others who graced the festival include Riri Riza and Yadi Sugandi (Indonesia), Adoor Gopalakrishnan (India), U-wei Bin Hajisaari (Malaysia), Nonzee Nimibutr (Thailand), Miriam Kubesca (Germany), Rob Nilsson (USA), Dang Nhat Minh (Vietnam), Dan Wolman (Israel), Jafar Panahi (Iran), Ho Yuhang (Malaysia), Petr Zelenka (Czech Republic).The arrival of such distinguished individuals further establishes the international prominence of the festival.

Cinemanila has also been home to film critics Nicholas Palevsky (USA), Max Tessier and Jacques Poitrat (France), Radovan Holub (Czech Republic), Atahualpa Lichy (Venezuela/France), Roger Garcia and Freddie Wong (Hong Kong), Mel Tobias (Canada/Philippines), Scott Rosenberg (Thailand/USA), Wong Tuck Cheong (Malaysia), Anne de Gasperi (Italy/France), Teruoka Sozo (Japan), and Ho Man Ling (Hong Kong).

In the local forefront, the festival continues to receive the outpouring of support from celebrated filmmakers in the country. Filmmakers such as Jeffrey Jeturian, Lav Diaz and Raymond Red have only accolades for the festival. Said Jeturian, "Cinemanila has given breaks and exposures to new Filipino filmmakers to be recognized internationally that they have been holding their festival while at the same time, exposing the local audience to good cinema with their annual selection of films from all over the world." For the filmmaker Quark Henares, "Cinemanila is the most important film festival in the country." Lav Diaz, a prolific filmmaker respected here and abroad, describes the festival as a "cultural watershed." For Mes de Guzman, Cinemanila is "world cinema – a new and great experience for the Pinoy viewers."

The festival also received positive responses from local audiences as Cinemanila was honored the Favorite Film Festival award at the first Nokia 24/7 Nocturnal Awards 2005 at the Manila Polo Club in Forbes Park, Makati. 24/7 readers voted for their favorites in the fields of dining, night life, and entertainment in its SMS-based poll which was held from December 2004 to February 2005.

Cinemanila is more than just a film festival. It is an expression of craftsmanship, a testament to the Filipino creativity and a toast to the great art that is filmmaking. Cinemanila is the festival of festivals.

*from Cinemanila website

"So what kind of love is it - love, big love, or great love?"
"What do you mean?"
"Love, you get over in two months; big love, two years; great love... it changes your life."

Pick the best answer

Close your eyes
Give me your hand, darling
Do you feel my heart beating
Do you understand
Do you feel the same
Am I only dreaming
Is this burning an eternal flame

I believe it's meant to be, darling
I watch you when you are sleeping
You belong to me
Do you feel the same
Am I only dreaming
Or is this burning an eternal flame

Say my name
Sunshine through the rain
My whole life's so lonely
Now come and ease the pain
I don't want to lose this feeling, oh...

My earliest recollection of this song would probably be when I was seven or eight, when our helper brought me along to her hometown for a vacation. The place is in Batangas, nearer the Pacific Ocean than anywhere else in the map, and we were there in time for the town fiesta. As it was in rural towns that time, dances were part of every celebration, and this song would play on and on till the wee hours of the morning. The muted melody can still be heard even if you're kilometers away from the plaza.

I happened to hear MYMP's version of this one just now, and in reflection I remembered someone, a friend who's expecting her first baby six months from now. Oh, I know Eternal Flame is more of a love song, but I can't help relating this to them. I know this baby is the most precious thing my friend has right now, her "sunshine through the rain"... in fact, the only thing giving her strength to go on with life.

Hay, gusto ko na talagang magkaanak... hehe. Pero hindi pa 'ko ready para dun noh

Labong entry na naman... scatterbrain amp!

On my bus rides to and from the office I have frequent encounters with these people who tag along for a while, preach some verses from the Bible, and then end up collecting donations. I think there's more than a single group doing this. It's hard to comment, because there are many things to consider. It would all probably depend on the real intention of the particular person doing the preaching.

If your ministry requires you to preach all day, then keeping a real job may be impossible. I mean, there just won't be enough space for that on your schedule, right? But since this involves other people's money I also know that there are skeptics criticizing this kind of activity. These people are of the opinion that the preachers are using God's word to amass funds that they'd use for their own selfish interests - and that's simply blasphemous. On the other hand, other groups use these donations to offset printing expenses for flyers and brochures they give out to passengers, so that people would be aware of any programs or projects the group is currently engaged in.

Anyway, I believe that even in a normal workplace nothing's stopping you from sharing God's word. And I think compared to simply sharing, establishing a good example is a better thing.

I'm sure any group pursuing a cause - not only religion - would welcome donations. Focusing on religion, though: there's something written in the Bible about that - that we should offer back a tenth of our earnings to God - it's called tithes, if I remember correctly.

I wish those preaching in public transportation would not seem so "forceful" while asking for donations. Because some - take note: some - would even wake up passengers (a) in the morning, catching sleep from lack of it the previous night, or (b) resting from the day's work, and hand them the donation envelopes while saying "For the love of God, brother/sister..." It's all subtly put, but for the love of God, can't you be a little considerate? The person is dead beat from working, and this is his time to grab some rest! There are many who are awake and who heard you - aren't they enough?

Besides, I know of some groups who help one another to raise funds for their preaching activity. The only involvement other people would have - by "other people" I mean those who aren't members of their sect/group/religion - is to listen to what they have to say. If you pay attention and even reflect on what they shared with you, then well and good; if not, well at least they tried.

I'm not sure if I have a point. But like I said earlier, aside from sharing, let's all strive to be good examples for others, so whatever we say would deserve some serious consideration. And, I'm sure we have some here who had the privilege of realizing, at some time in their life, that if we live in God's word, He would provide for everything we need, before we even ask.

Click here to listen!

(lyrics here)

La lang

I originally had three entries before this, thought bubbles kumbaga: yesterday at 1957H and today: 0446H and 0630H. Outlet lang ng kabangagan dahil I was working for 24 hours... continuous yun.

Thanks sa mga nagbasa, lalo na sa mga nag-comment. I appreciate your concern. We just needed to go on a straight shift, dahil ang tinrabaho namin kahapon ay output ng operations last Friday and Saturday. Two days' worth of calls, kaya sagaran talaga. Maswerte pa nga ako dahil off ng team ko pag Tuesday; yung isa pang team ay kailangang mag-report uli ngayon at 9am. Yun nga lang, maaga-aga silang umuwi compared to us (duh, malamang! ).

Nagbibiruan nga kami nung batchmates ko. Eto kasing si JP eh naghihimutok dahil marami pang natitira sa load nya, anong oras na, tapos "Tuesday Group" (yung team na ang shift ay Tuesday to Saturday... akala nyo That's Entertainment amp! ) pa sya. Ayun, nagpapatulong. Sinulsulan pa 'ko, bibigyan daw nya ako ng bubble gum (lagi ko kasing hinihingan ng candy yan eh). Wala naman akong magawa dahil singkwenta pa nga yung tatapusin ko. "Manong patayin nyo na 'ko," sabi nya dun sa guard.

"Hoy JP akin na lang ung headset mo pag nag-resign ka na ha," sabi ko. Bago kasi yung headset nya eh - masarap sa tenga. Yung akin, ang tigas - sakit tuloy ng tenga ko.

"Wag kang mag-alala, tatlong araw na lang sa 'yo na 'to..." sabi nya sa 'kin, tumatawa.

Si Junie rin halos mabaliw dahil nagloloko pa yung workstation nya kaya di matapus-tapos. Nakailang lipat na nga sya eh. Buti na lang matino yung nakuha kong workstation, kaya dire-diretso lang ako.

Tawa ng tawa si Kuya (guard) dahil sya yung in-charge nang mag-login kami ni Junie kahapon ng 7am. Nakauwi na sya't lahat, panibagong shift na naman ito for him, eh andun pa rin kami. Sabi nga nya sa akin kanina, "O, alas syete na uli ah?"

Pero ginawan na namin ito ng paraan. Last week nagkaroon kami ng meeting para ayusin yung schedule (kaya nagkaroon ng Tuesday Group at ng Split-Off Group). Kumbaga, transition itong week na ito. From Wednesday to Saturday, full force ang unit namin kaya next Monday, hindi na applicable ang "When it rains, it pours."

And I learned: Tulungan lang talaga.

Yeah. Kung hindi pinagpartihan ng iba kong officemates ang iba kong load, malamang hanggang ngayon nandun pa ako. So thanks, Kris and Xandra!

At masarap pala ang masabihan nito: "Good job!"

Kahit bangag na rin yung nagsabi sa 'yo, ang sarap pa rin.

MAHAL KO ANG AOL SBU QA

Goodluck. Damihan pa natin ang suplay ng Sangkap Pinoy. Bawal magkasakit.

I read from an email somebody forwarded to me:

It's easier to build a child than to repair an adult.

... but why destroy him in the first place?

... a collection of images showing not only the beauty and drama around us, but more importantly, underlining the urgency of why the world needs us in return.

Hands on Manila offers you a collection of 12 images highlighting the all too many areas where we can help - Environment, Animal Welfare, Health, Women's Issues, Food, Elderly, Disaster Relief, Education, Housing, Heritage, Children's Programmes, Livelihood Programmes - and a giving guide of 100 worthy causes where your time and generosity can make all the difference.

Look deeper into our world and tell us what you see.



Photo: Tony Lilles
Environment
There are 11 million of us living in an already heavily polluted and congested city. The country's centre of activity, Metro Manila, is where most damage is wreaked upon the environment, but also, where much can be done to reverse this onslaught of environmental degradation. Hands On Manila's member organisations facilitate creative and effective methods to protect our environment, preserving what we already have, and restoring beauty, life, and vigour.



Photo: Quincy Castillo
Animal Welfare
Of the exotic animals purchased as pets (Philippine eagle, deer, etc.), 60% die within the first year, and only 10% survive the second year. Hands On Manila has several member organisations that campaign for the welfare of endangered species and promote the care of animals all over the city by ensuring responsible pet ownership and providing shelter for abandoned and rescued animals.



Photo: Manny Gaite
Health
The health care situation in the country is rapidly deteriorating. We have one hospital for every 113,040 people; one doctor for every 24,417; one nurse for every 22,309; one dentist for every 578,124; and one midwife for every 722,654. Through member organisations' programs for the disabled and terminally ill, Hands On Manila finds different ways to open doors of health to those deprived of adequate medical care.



Photo: Franco Patriarca
Women's Issues
Of 7,750 cases of violence against women recorded by the police in 2002, there are 5,058 cases of physical injuries and wife beating, 972 rape cases, and 733 acts of lasciviousness. Other issues like employer abuse, sex trafficking, and teenage pregnancy continue to contribute to women's plights. Empowering these abused women, Hands On Manila has member organisations dedicated to bringing help, comfort, education and resources that enable them to help themselves and ensure a future of safety and independence.



Photo: Raul Montifar
Food
Majority of our population suffer from a dire lack of nourishment. 6.6 million of 32 million Filipino children are malnourished. Subsisting on almost non-existent diets, many of our neighbors continue to starve. Hands On Manila, engaging in its own version of manna from heaven, conducts programs that provide food regularly to those most in need. One of its favourite programs is feeding street kids breakfast - a hearty meal does wonders, not just for the body but for the soul.



Photo: Emil Davocol
Elderly
People over 60 years old represent 5% of the population of the Philippines, but will triple in the next 20 years. As busy, heavily populated cities like ours create a harsh environment for the elderly, Hands on Manila is actively establishing programs and getting people together to provide care for the growing population of the elderly, including those among them who might be incurably sick, abandoned, and lonely.



Photo: Johnny Cruz
Disaster Relief
The Philippines, because of its colourful and mountainous topography, is often plagued by destructive cyclonic storms. In 2001, 2 typhoons claimed 500 lives. Floods, drought, and fire continue to ravish the lives and homes of at least 10,000 Filipinos yearly. Through your support Hands On Manila brings immediate aid to those victimised by these disasters, standing by to provide emergency assistance, self-sufficiency through education and training, and help them rebuild their lives and their homes.



Photo: Raul Montifar
Education
Depriving children of education can be the greatest threat to a future of progress and growth. In our country only 19% of pre-school-aged kids are able to go to school. Of every 100 schoolchildren enrolled every year, 66 will complete elementary education, 42 will finish highschool, and 14 will earn a college degree. One of Hands On Manila's priorities is to help kids through school in many different ways (tutorials, seminars, scholarships), thus building strong foundations - the future of the nation - our children.



Photo: Narcing dela Merced
Housing
To thousands of people living around us, Manila has never been home. Over 200,000 families live in dangerous, long-established settlements along the railway tracks. Squatters and homeless continue to wander from place to place, living in squalor, danger, and disease. One of Hands On Manila's member organisations assists the homeless in acquiring a legitimate place to stay, helping build decent housing for low-income families. Through your help more and more of those lost in the streets will know what it's like to be home.



Photo: Eli Santos
Heritage
The past is our pathway to the future. Hands On Manila's member organisations' adaptive re-use programs restore old buildings to save them from decay and make them a part of us now, just as they've been part of our history. The Elks Club, Nielsen Tower, and Mayflower Apartments are precious architectural and historical sites that have been successfully reused. We have a whole city of these to preserve, protect, and experience. Developing our sense of place and identity can only move us forward into our future.



Photo: Leo Riingen
Livelihood
In Payatas, one of the most hazardous areas in Manila to live in, 30,000 men, women, and children depend on waste dumps for a living. Seventy percent of Filipinos live below the poverty line, struggling to survive. Hands On Manila has organizations committed to defeating the plight of the unemployed - giving livelihood teach-ins and developing skills of differently-abled people.



Photo: Amado Castro
Child Welfare
One and a half million children in our country live as street children - orphans, mentally and physically abused, and drug addicted. Hands On Manila presents many opportunities, big and small ways to help uplift their quality of life and their well-being - teaching, as well as giving moral support - to give them hope, train them as they grow, and lead them to a better life.

* * * * *
HOM is a non-profit organization committed to meeting different needs of the community by providing members with diverse, flexible, and enjoyable opportunities to lend a hand. Through volunteer programs that enable individuals to give of their abilities, time, or money, HOM empowers citizens to contribute to growth and development in meaningful ways, helping to turn our city into a real community.

Membership in HOM is free and open to all interested persons, groups, and corporatons. HOM develops long and short-term partnerships with other non-profit, community-based organizations that need volunteer support in order to meet their goals of helping the community.

If you are interested to know more about Hands on Manila or would like to make a donation, financial or otherwise, to any of our volunteer organizations, or would like to be a volunteer, please contact us at the following address:

Unit LP10, Medical Plaza Building
Amorsolo corner Dela Rosa Sts., Legazpi Village, Makati City 1229
Telephone - 632-843-7044, 632-843-5231
Email - handsonmla@edsamail.com.ph, homla@info.com.ph
This project was realized by HOM in partnership with Camera Club of the Philippines and B+C Design, Inc.

Starting tomorrow until December 1 my immediate supervisor will be on leave. She's getting married sometime in the next few weeks.

It just struck me how her face lighted up as she said goodbye tonight. She looked like all the hard work, all the straight shifts we endured attending to all week were totally erased from her disposition. I distinctly felt the glow she must be feeling deep inside.

I guess love does that to you.

I could envy her for that

The greatest gift that you can give someone is your TIME: when you give your time to someone, you're giving them a portion of your life that you can never get back. Thanks for sharing some of it with me

Sender: ellesOj
Sent: 03-Oct-05 03:09

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That scene from Pinoy Big Brother crossed my mind just now - the one that captured Sam's reaction when Chx's eviction was announced. And the poor guy cried, too! - that I cannot forget. Well, he needn't do that for us to perceive his anticipation of pending doom: the emotion is mirrored in his face.

Would it be vanity to wish I have someone who'll miss me like that when I'm gone?

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My college friends and I were supposed to spend the next three days in Baguio, in connection with the holiday announced by PGMA. We had it planned a long time ago; in September, I believe. But last week when Joan and Laoie were making arrangements for the tickets and accommodation I informed them that it's unlikely I could attend our little gathering. Our company is not affected by any non-working holiday in the Philippines, unless the said holiday also applies in the US. And since PGMA's announcement has no effect whatsoever in the US... well, you know what follows.

Joan begged for days that I relent; she even got my PFS partner Mark to do the same thing. My cheeks tingled from laughter when I read Mark's SMS: "chat sumama ka na? sige na hindi naman kasama si arkin hindi ka mabubwisit..." (FYI: Arkin is another one of my PFS partners - we're like cats and dogs while doing our PFS... but hey, when we're not working for the PFS we're totally fine - great, even )

But still, I can't go. I have work to do. Huhuhu...

It's not that I feel so, so bad about this; I just regret it that I cannot spend time with them now, when I haven't done so for quite some time. The same thing could be said for my other friends. Some of them I haven't seen for ages - literally.

I miss my friends.

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Minsan 'kala mo nakalimutan na kita
Minsan 'kala mo di kita miss
Minsan 'kala mo wala akong pakialam...

AKALA MO LANG YUN!

Di ka na nasanay!

Alam mo namang special ka eh...

Gusto pa sinasabi!