Welcome 2010!

From my family to yours, Happy New Year! Let us welcome 2010 with a bang!

 Click to Subscribe to Reyjr.com

The Mayon Volcano, Legazpi City, Albay

Tweet

Back in 2004, my family and I went to Albay to see the beautiful perfect cone of Mayon Volcano.  I remember we arrived - after 14 hours on the road - late in the evening and so did not get a chance to see it that night.

WOOF Contest Top Picks - Dec 18

WOOF Contest – Top Picks

Poetry

Zorlone – “A Strong Rope” - A poem about climbing on a piece of rope called fate.
dragon blogger – “Manichean Monks” - Poem about a battle between monks and a calico dragon.
reyjr – “Contemplation” - A poem about dealing with stress and missing your loved one.


Memoir

Jena Isle – “A True Story: This Could Happen to You” - A true story.

Brought to you by PlotDog Press with the Serial Suspense Screenplay "Intervention"


Presenting the finest of the writer’s blogs by the bloggers who write them. Highlighting the top posts as chosen by the December 18, 2009 WOOF Contest participants. Want in to join the next WOOF? The next contest ends December 25. Submit a link to your best writing post of the last 3 weeks using the form on this page. Participants, repost the winning link list within a week and you’re all set.





 Click to Subscribe to Reyjr.com

Get free PatayGutom.com keychains!

I was caught by surprise! Jehzlau had a Christmas surprise up his sleeve - FREE PatayGutom.com keychains for the first 50 commenters (with a reason that rocks)!  Check out PatayGutom.com for details! Hurry!





 Click to Subscribe to Reyjr.com

"Contemplation"

For frustrations creep in slowly in the silence,

and the soft hum of the room disturbs the balance

of my tired mind. My eyes are empty islands

on vacation with a hammock and the garlands

of sweet flowers 'round our necks. My defiance

to defeat is like fighting against giants.

Still I forge ahead for failure is no choice,

I will shout and sing until I lose my voice,

I will write - and every poetry or prose,

will reflect the truth, my happiness, my woes.

And I sit here with my hands upon my face,

for my heart is lonely, longing your embrace.

Must this distance be a harsh neccesitation?

In my room I sit alone in contemplation.

-reyjr

This is the first ever "serious" poem I published on Reyjr.com ever made. lol. Check out my other less serious ones here: Poems

The wonderful painting above can be found here: Paragon Fine Art - Stephanie Clair and is called "A MOMENT OF CONTEMPLATION"




 Subscribe to Reyjr.com

I am the cutest baby Tarsier in Bohol!

Last year, we went to Bohol, a province south of Manila, about an hour by airplane.

This is my favorite photo from that trip, I have no idea why I did not post it earlier. Haha!

Tarsiers!

(click photo to see full size)

 

That's Liz as the big Tarsier and me and as the cutest baby Tarsier in Bohol. Those were fun times and...

"A Puppy, not a Guppy" book tour

Welcome to today's  "A Puppy, not a Guppy" book tour stop on Reyjr.com. You can check out the rest of the book tour schedule, where it has been and where it is going next, by clicking this.

________________________________________________________

Who wants some fish?

Irma, our book's main character, is getting some pet fishies. Yes, she's getting some guppies - which I think are beautiful hypnotizing (that tail!). But she doesn't want them - she wants a puppy instead! A puppy, not a guppy!

I've always loved fish.  Whenever we go to the beach, we always go snorkeling to see some colorful fishes and corals.  Fish in aquariums are also a sight - a very relaxing one that adds color and life to any room. Memories of all those hours spent laboriously looking for the right breed on that addictive Fish Tycoon game also come to mind. Hah!

I do love fish. But pet fish? I've never had any of those. Dogs, on the other hand, we've had since forever so I can understand why Irma's parents doesn't want her to get one...

Fish Spa at the Manila Ocean Park

____________________________________________

Our day at the Manila Ocean Park was well spent. Liz and I enjoyed looking at the colorful fishies and reading about their characteristics and such - and we even found Nemo!  When we got to the end, we had a nice view of the Manila Bay and an option to either take a glass bottom boat ride or have our feet eaten nibbled by fish... at a Fish Spa!

How to smell your own tongue

French Bulldog Puppy

If you could smell your own tongue, wouldn't you?

Watch the UP Concert Chorus Christmas Concert 2009

Payapang Daigdig

During last year's concert, our conductor asked me and another UPCC Alumna, Tita Ritzi to share the solo for the Christmas song "Payapang Daigdig". It had been a long time since I last sang with the UPCC then and so I was really honored to have been asked.

This year though, I'm not sure if I will be able to make it. I'm bummed about that. But we'll see how it turns out. Hopefully I still get to go. :) In the meantime, here are the lyrics to "Payapang Daigdig".

Giving Google Waves and World AIDS Day

Google Wave Invites

After almost 80 comments, interesting points and suggestions (er and spammy comments too lol) on my "Who wants a Google Wave invite?" post, I'm glad to note that those 5 with the most interesting (or interested) comments will receive my invites. Haha. I am glad to be giving the Google Wave invites to:

1. Jacqui Hudson
2. japaulvergonia
3. geb0i
4. chrisBON
5. johnbresee

Google Wave is probably going to be available to the general public sooner than we think - much like how they began Gmail (where you can only get one via an invite) but heck - do you really want to be the last one to get GW? Haha, I don't.

So, if you don't have Google Wave preview yet, head on over to Holly's "It's All a Matter of Perspective" or to DiTesco's iBlogZone, I think they have a few more to give away...

Holiday Airfare Deals from my Friend in Paradise!

This is a sponsored guest post written by Ali Kendall on behalf of Airfare Secrets. Post powered by Sponzai.

Just wanted to send a quick "shout-out" across the Pacific to my friend Ali in sunny Honolulu, Hawaii!

Ali runs the airfare-now.com website with all kinds of tips, coupons, strategies, etc. for findng holiday airfare deals. Now airfare comparison travel sites have come a long way in the past few years but there are still literally thousands of them to choose from. So here's a big aloha and mahalo to Ali for keeping it simple on a pretty nifty little travel website!

 

“I Enjoyed My Century Bangus Fillet on my exhausting 5.5 hr drive to Manila”

Atypical Day

I work in Batangas, a province about 2 hours away from Manila by car, and I typically drive back to my house in Pasig every Friday night. I've been doing this weekly for the past 5 years or so, and if there was ever an expert on it, I guess I could very well qualify. I had developed a knack for timing my departure and predicting my arrival time - to the minute. Well... until recently.

You may have heard about the broken (Bridge of) Promise in Batangas City - well, it's still kaput and the only way out of the city is right through the traffic. Yes. Just getting out of Batangas City will take up to 45 minutes nowadays. Ugh. Traffic has become completely unpredictable.

But, last night - ohhh last night - was exceptionally atypical...

Who wants a Google Wave invite?

What Google Wave preview looks like:

Who wants a Google Wave invite?

First off, thanks to Benj for the invite. ;)

I have 5 Google Waves invites to give away, and since most of my blogger friends already have Google Wave preview, I will give these away to total strangers (lol) I mean to prospective Google Wave friends. Hehe.

My rules are simple:  the Top 5 people with the most comments on this post at the stroke of midnight of Tuesday, December 1, 2009 (Philippine time!) will receive the Google Wave invites. Make sure you put your email when you comment.

But please don't spam me. Wah! Hint: Why not ask a question or answer someone else's question, or give your opinions on Google Wave, or ask me a question. I answer all comments on this blog. :D I am looking for prospective Google Wave friends and this is why I am wiling to give the invites to those most engaging.

In case of ties...

"Can't you just cut me some slacks?!" and other hilarious one liners

Tweet


The first time I read this list, I was literally teary eyed while trying to stop myself from laughing out loud during our Information Technology 101 class....

This is an old joke list I unearthed while going through my Xanga blog archives. It had me in stitches once again, much like the first time I read it, so I figured, it needs to be reposted! :p I modified it a bit too, to update it for 2009.  :p

How to misuse Figures of Speech

• Company manager mulling over his next strategic move: "Argh! This is a no-win-win situation!"
• Man to his new wife: "Don't worry honey, we'll just burn the bridge when we get there."
• Lawyer to the jury: "Ladies and gentlemen, this contract is anulled and void!"
• Same lawyer above, on a different case: "Your honor, this exercise is mute and academic..."
• Man to his friend, "Don't worry too much about it, if worse comes to shove, just leave it!"

Food Blog: Late lunch on a Lazy Sunday Afternoon

A couple of weeks ago, me and Liz, together with my mom and sister and her bf, drove up for a late lunch at "San Jacinto Panciteria".

Suffice to say, I deemed the trip worthy of a blog post. Hehe! The food was great, the service wonderful. What more can you ask for on a lazy Sunday afternoon?

Here's one of the photos - yummy beef with brocolli.... nom nom nom. 

I'm inviting you over to my group food blog on "Patay Gutom" to read (and please comment!) on my new PG post:  

"This Panciteria packs in the goodness"

Keeping in touch with the Pizzoccheros

Find reyjr

Allora! Allora! Allora!

Text message exchange:

Reyjr: "Ciao tutti famiglia Pizzocchero e Buon compleanno per Papa Angelo! Tanti bacci per tutti!"

Pizzocchero: "Ciao Rey, Papa Angelo dice mille mille grazie, qui a Cascine tutto OK, spero che anche li state tutti bene, abbiamo una casa nuova ti aspettiamo per vederla."

Reyjr: "Sono molto felice di leggere il suo messagio! Amerei vedere la nuova casa. :D Tutto e buono qui anche. La manco, il mio amore a tutti."

No, I don't speak Italian (un pocississimo!), I used this website to translate: http://ets.freetranslation.com/ and I'm not expecting a machine translation to be perfect but what the heck, I still get the message across.

I'm sharing this to show that even though you are miles and miles apart and don't speak the same language, keeping in touch with friends is possible...

Leonids Meteor Shower! How could I not blog about it?

sI've never seen a shooting star in my life. Or I don't remember. Will try to catch some for a wish or two tonight.

From Perseid to Leonids - Meteor Shower crazy

In August of this year, I blogged about the Perseid Meteor Shower. I was excited because I usually find out about these stuff after the fact, but that time

I went out and walked around the compound for a couple of nights in a row, hoping to catch one. It turned out to be a disappointment: It was drizzling, and the clouds were too thick to see the sky, much less any meteor showers.

This time around, I'm optimistic. Local weather station PAGASA says...

Pacquiao defeats Cotto!

Looking for the Pacquiao vs Cotto fight results? You've come to the right place.

Manny "Pac-man" Pacquiao vs Miguel Cotto

Filipino boxer Manny Pacquiao wins against Puerto Rican Miguel Cotto in "Firepower" today Nov 15, 2009 (Manila). The match was stopped at mid-fight by the referee at Round 12 and then Manny Pacquiao was proclaimed victorious via TKO.

After that, bloodied and bruised, yet a dignified Miguel Cotto hugged Manny Pacquiao and even gave him a wink.

Manny Pacquiao also makes history by becoming the new Welterweight champion, his record seventh title. 

Congratulations Manny!!! You make us damn proud to be Filipinos. Woot!!!

Pacquiao Twitters Abound!

A few hours before the fight, twitters were wondering why Cotto was in the Twitter trending topics when Manny wasn't. About an hour later, there were 3 Pacquiao related topics on Twitter. ;p

Walkin' round campus, Diliman Republic and a celebrity Doctor

The University of the Philippines Diliman Oblation

Last weekend, I went to UP Diliman to have lunch with a couple of friends at Chocolate Kiss Cafe and get my copies of the "Inspirational Thoughts and Stories of Bloggers from All Over the World".

I got a little sentimental walking around the campus that I decided to visit the UP College of Music where I found Quennie rehearsing a UPCC Trainee. I went to the UP Shopping Center to buy some new UP shirts but found none to my liking, also passed by to greet good 'ole Oble and take some of his photos.

Dragon Blogger Technology & Entertainment Portal

This is a sponsored guest post written by Justin Germino on behalf of Dragon Blogger Technology. Post powered by Sponzai.

Whether you are a blogger, technology enthusiast or looking for entertainment articles and reviews you can find it all in one place on Dragon Blogger Technology and Entertainment Portal.    This site offers you the latest news and tips in wordpress Blogging, SEO, Twitter and other social media networks as well as providing you information on technology products, devices, reviews and information about whats up and coming in the technology world.

The site also mixes up some entertainment movie reviews and features the popular NBC Heroes reviews posted every Monday night after the show aires.  Dragon Blogger adds a unique aspect to his technology blog by offering featured original screencast video demonstrations that you won't find anywhere else.

So whether you are someone looking to keep up with blogging news, technology articles or entertainment reviews, or an advertiser looking to showcase your software or hardware product and reach a wide target audience by visitng Dragon Blogger Techology and Entertainment portal today.

 

How personal is your personal blog?

A couple of evenings ago, I received a comment on my Facebook account from my sister who now works in Singapore. She said my "fans" in Singapore are waiting for my video blog. (Lol @ fans!) Also, madam Jena Isle has also been requesting for my YouTube vid singing "Stand By Me", one of her favorite songs. I had promised her this a few months ago already. :p But to date, I haven't posted a decent singing vlog yet.

Are you still waiting for it?

My singing posts

I've posted two singing vids so far.

The first was a Filipino acoustic Christian song titled "Lagi Na Lang" which I recorded back in college for my auntie's church's (former) Pastor.

The second was a test video I did in my car while stuck in traffic along C5. There I sampled an acapella version of Josh Groban's "To Where You Are".

I was dead set on doing a new one after having learned how to edit and convert videos to mpeg, and upload to youtube. I had even made practice vids. Lol. "So, why the hesitation now?" you ask. You see, it got me thinking...

Paparazzi shots @ Abi and Paul's Wedding

I am using a Point and Shoot camera. Nothing special. :p Canon Ixus 90IS 10MP Digital camera. No DSLR's here, at least not yet. Hehe. Here are 3 of my favorite shots I took during the wedding of my friends Abi and Paul. What do you think?

Paparazzi photo #1: Capture the silence

This photo, I took using the macro view and adjusting it to the flowers. I also filtered to show only yellow. :D What I like about this photo is that the the white silences the whole scene, highlighting the solemnity of the ceremony.

2 more photos below...

El Rey(jr) visita los castillos!

Have you ever been to a real castle? Here are two short stories about my trips to two equally magical castles...

Sleeping Beauty Castle at Disneyland

It was beginning to get dark, the shadows were getting longer and the air getting colder. We rushed to the castle at the Disneyland Theme Park in California and arrived with ample time to take photos and tour inside the famous castle.

"Opened on July 17, 1955, the castle is the oldest of all Disney castles.." ref.

Singing with Sarah Geronimo (plus tips on how to use a microphone)

Tweet


I'm not much of a celeb crazy dude, so despite having been around numerous celebrities during my UPCC days, especially during awards nights, I have only a few photos, and most of them are at least 5 years old. Haha!

When Sarah Geronimo was still a kid

Here's my first celebrity photo for you: with current toast of the town, Popstar Princess Sarah Geronimo.
June 2004, taken after the mini concert we did with the Record Breaker singer, with Mark Bautista and Erik Santos, then newly crowned singing champs of singing contests on different networks, plus a special guest number by then macho singer Vina Morales, at SM North EDSA - long before The Block was built. Lol.

Sarah would be around 16 or 17 years old at this time. I was 22. Hehehe. Here's the photo...

How JaypeeOnline celebrates Thanksgiving

...he gives away US$1,500 worth of prizes on his "Thanksgiving Giveaway" Contest!

Thanksgiving Turkey

Yes, you read it right, 2009 PBA Winner for Best Technology Blog JaypeeOnline is giving away a ton (yep, I weighed it myself) of prizes in celebration of Thanksgiving. It's his way of "expressing my gratitude for all the blessings I’ve received this year including the recent achievements and success of JaypeeOnline."

Read about the Prizes and How to Join this contest after the jump...

"Song of Joseph”, a wonderful pre-Christmas musical

I'm inviting you all to see this play, a perfect pre-Christmas show for the whole family.

Oblates of St. Joseph –Philippine Province 

with Music Theater Foundation, Philippines

presents

"Song of Joseph” 

A musical on the life, love, and death of St. Joseph

Playdates: November 17, 18, 19 and 20, 2009 at 7PM
Location: Meralco Theater, Ortigas Avenue, Quezon City, PhilippinesAdmission:
Orchestra P 2,000.00
Loge P 1 ,000.00
Balcony P 500.00

For ticket inquiries please call: ( 02 ) 7252044 / 09175047694 / 09177583710

Lunch Break

My laptop clock reads 12:36 PM.

I am sitting with my shoulders hunched again - need to schedule that massage - typing without a purpose, directionless. My eyes strained, the room is dim with a light green tinge. I didn't turn the lights on, it's easier to relax in the dark, with only the erratic humming of the airconditioning and the mayas playing outside my window.

I am eating a Snickers bar, with each bite the sweetness filled my mouth and scratched my throat. I take another bite and chewed on the left side of my mouth. Why not the right, I have no idea. My tongue is the master of such involuntary motions. The nuts filled the crevices of my molars and I had to dig at them with my fingernails. Dessert is my favorite meal of the day.

I am sleepy. The bed looks inviting albeit in disorder, I did not fold the comforter and fluff the pillows like a good boy, and yet the bed still looks beautiful enough to sink in and drift swiftly into dreamland.

My laptop clock now reads 12:51 PM.

Time to go.

It's a personal blog after all

Hello my dear readers (hehe). I was giving myself a head ache trying to think of a topic for a new post when I realized i don't need one. Lol. It's a personal blog after all -

My Past Life

So, I'm still in Batangas and do not have a scanner here nor the photos from my past life that I would love to share with you. Yes, my past life - the more exciting one - or rather, the more blog worthy one?

I had the life of a celebrity (lol, not really), or a super hero (is there a difference?) - finishing schoolwork then making a dash and a costume change in a phone booth (or a taxi cab) to make it to the next concert. Voila!
 

While still with the UPCC, I sang "Sana Ngayong Pasko" solo for Mel and Jay's Christmas Special (long before it became Mel and Joey!), I shared the stage with the late Fernando Poe, Jr. when he received his Lifetime Achievement Award at the FAMAS (I have a newspaper clipping to prove it too), shared a song with premier Classical mezzo-soprano Janet Sabas-Aracama and the uber Ms. Nanette Inventor on a concert finale number, I've recorded back-up tracks for a couple of local artists plus one international Pinoy broadway artist, and have sung in numerous company events and high profile weddings. And I was still in the University then!

Oh, and I haven't mentioned the 3 International tours I joined...

Woof Winners: Writers Offering Our Finest Contest for October 16

It was a four way tie for the winners of this week's WOOF contest and I am honored to be one of them. It is my first time to participate and I appreciate the warm welcome. Thank you WOOF and thanks to those who voted for me!


WOOF Contest – Top Picks


Non-Fiction
Reyjr – “Trauma in Ondoy's Wake”
- A recounting of our story during the devastation of typhoon Ondoy (Ketsana).

Poetry
Zorlone – “Curious Encounters” 
- This poem was made in response to the theme "Curiosity Killed the Cat" at the artist's challenge at the inferno.

Dragon Blogger – “Filthy Thoughts” 
- Poem about having unsavory thoughts.

Fiction / Flash Fiction
Zorlone – “Water on the Glass Window” 
- Elmot took the train home one rainy evening and found out what had prevented him to move on.


Brought to you by PlotDog Press with
the Serial Suspense Screenplay "Intervention"

Singapore Night Safari Adventure

I'm a Singapore Tourist Lah Series

Our first night in Singapore was spent walking around in the jungle, dark, tired and sweaty, but all those creatures at the Singapore Night Safari kept us interested and excited - we actually stayed until they needed to close. Lol!

Preparing for a Night Safari

We arrived at the Changi Airport in Singapore late in the morning on a Saturday. Our plan was set - have lunch, go home to drop off our bags, go to Orchard Road to change some money, visit the Raffles Hotel for some original Singapore Sling, then off to the Singapore Night Safari!

Homework: English to Batangueño translations

Translating from English to Tagalog to Batangueno. Wow. I'm such an expert. Not! Why not give it a go yourself?

Kids, do your own Homework

Humor me, I say.

Laiya Beach, Batangas

Several weeks ago, I found a comment on my CBox from Jasmin, a student from Davao, and she was asking if I could translate some English sentences into Batangueno for her. She obviously did not read my profile page. Heh heh heh.

Friends, I am not Batangueno (although at this rate, I may very well become one lol). No offense to my kabareks - I think Batanguenos are a great people. Very strong and solid, a brave and assertive bunch. I love kapeng Barako, but I'm still looking for a genuine local place around here where I can buy some - recommend a place to me!

In the interest of nationalism, I prefer to refer to Batangueños as "Filipinos in Batangas" and say "Batangueño" to mean the dialect they speak around here. And for the record, I have, not once, heard anyone here say "Ala-eh!"

Turning Bloggers into Published Writers

I am pleased to share with you that the collection of Inspirational Thoughts and Stories of Bloggers from All Over the World has now been published and is available online. I have one story as part of this collection - so now I can add "published writer" to my Profile page. woot!

The lady behind this “creative work of love” as she puts it, is JenaIsle, a professor from Pampanga, Philippines. In an interview with American writer Holly Jahangiri, Jena speaks of her "frustrations of unpublished work" and then the "joy of being published" and wanting to share this experience with other bloggers and writers.

And now this here is the result - an inspirational book born of an inspirational story.

If you would like to own a copy of this book, you can place your orders here.

ps I can't wait to get my own! 

Postmortem Review for Typhoon Ondoy Flood Rescue and Relief Operations

It's been almost a week since I posted our traumatic Typhoon Ondoy experience, and was at a loss about how to move forward with my blog. Now I know how - this will be my last Typhoon Ondoy post.

When I began writing down my recounting of the events that transpired during Typhoon Ondoy's devastation, one of the Philippines' worst tropical storms, I had only one thing on my mind - I had to release this fear and frustration over everything that I experienced. I did not expect my posts about Typhoon Ondoy to be one of the most read articles on this blog. To everyone who visited, Thank you, and I do hope the compilation of Typhoon Ondoy stories here did help you also to begin your healing.

I have one more thing in mind though. After every big operation or project, an analysis or review is done at the end to assess where improvements can be made. We call this a postmortem review or an after action review (AAR).  I am sure the government will have one about Typhoons Ondoy and Pepeng. Here are some of my contributions...

The RCS for Typhoon Ondoy victims in GK Village

For all Filipinos who have opened their homes and wallets to help our kababayans pick up and start again after the devastation of Ondoy, THANK YOU. Let the rebuilding continue.

For the benefit of Typhoon Ondoy victims in the Gawad Kalinga Village in Sitio Pajo, Brgy. Baesa in Quezon City, ALL85 presents Maestro Ryan Cayabyab, together with the Ryan Cayabyab Singers (RCS) in "ALL85 GOES GK!", Nationbuilders 25 years after.

The concert, originally scheduled on Oct 3, was moved to Oct 17 because of the devastation of back to back typhoons Ondoy and Pepeng. The show must go on - and it does on Saturday, October 17, 8pm at the Music Museum, Greenhills...

Trauma in Ondoy's wake

The sunburn on my nose and forehead has begun to peel. No, I did not go to the beach. Who would go in this weather?

 

Saturday Surprise: Flash Flood

We had so many things planned for that weekend: maybe a barbecue lunch, dinner out to a fancy resto, a movie, some errands perhaps, or a relaxing massage - but our weekend activities was decided for us instead by Ondoy.

I wanted to sleep-in that Saturday morning (I drove home from Batangas the night before) but was woken up early by my worried girlfriend Liz: her sister Belle lives in Pasig too, and the flood in their area is rising fast. My dad and I had a quick coffee and tried to make our way to Belle's house. One of my Uncles volunteered to drive my Lolo's Tamaraw FX for us - we needed a high enough vehicle. The traffic was horrible. When we finally reached Ortigas Extension via East Bank Road, the FX could no longer move forward because there was already about a meter deep water. Even on foot, the water was already too deep to traverse. We saw one vehicle being pushed across - it was the only one that tried.

Share your Ondoy Story to help the Nation Heal

The victims of the ravaging flood brought about by typhoon Ondoy are in dire need of the basic necessities: food, clothes, shelter. Please send your donations to these addresses.

I am not a psychologist, but I do know that talking about your traumatic experiences helps you cope with the emotions, knowing that your experiences are shared my many others gives you a sense of assurance that things will get better.

Where were you when...

I encourage you to talk about your story, here, on your blogs or with friends and family: share how you lost and how you survived, share your frustrations, vent your anger, release it and learn from it, let's give suggestions to each other about what to do next time or how to build safety in our lives...

Dealing with a vehicle submerged in flood water

We are all still reeling from the damage caused by typhoon Ondoy - we have lost lives, houses, livelihoods and properties. Now that recovery has begun, we are looking forward to getting our lives back to normal. My next few posts hopefully bring some hope back - some reassurance that things will be better soon.

What to do when your car is submerged in a flood?

Images of cars and other vehicles floating in flood water or stacked over each other reminds me of the horror that was Ondoy. I was myself praying the water would stop rising on that rainy Saturday night - the water level reached up to our garage where our cars were, but thankfully it stopped right at my car's rear tires.

But a lot of our kababayans are not as lucky. Right now their cars and other vehicles are dead, filled with mud and gunk. But there's hope still. I suggest you show this post to someone you know whose vehicle / car was submerged in the flood water of Ondoy. It just might save him/her his vehicle...

Launching my own domain: Reyjr.com

The trumpets sound!

Ladies and Gentlemen, I respectfully introduce you to my blog:  

Reyjr.com | Born on a Syzygy

 

Born out of friendships across the globe,

Born out of passion for blogging. Unfold

a brand new chapter online, behold.

Born on a Syzygy - let life be told.

Invite you to stay, ti's my humble abode

in this blogosphere. Not to be bashful - be bold

and ask you to read all the stories retold.

Born on a Syzygy - Reyjr dot com... sold!

-reyjr

 Subscribe in a reader

Vice Presidential candidate Mar Roxas' (Royal) Family Tree

He's a former President's grandson, but Vice Presidential candidate Mar Roxas is also an Araneta.

Mar Roxas was born Manuel A. Roxas II, a namesake of his grandfather, former President Manuel Roxas. We all know this obvious connection because of the name, but I think the majority of us do not know that Mar Roxas is an Araneta.

The Akafellas needs a Tenor - it could be YOU!

I am excited to share with you that the Philippines' premier pop-capella singing group, the Akafellas, is looking for a new dude to complete their awesome octet.

Do you like Krispy Kreme Doughnuts?

Do you like Krispy Kreme Doughnuts? We don't like it very much... because "very much" is too weak to describe the power our Krispy Kreme cravings have over us! Haha.

Who is Gilbert Teodoro, Jr. (and why is he running for President)?

Today (Sept 16), the unified Lakas-Kampi-CMD party of the Administration voted to put National Defense Sec. Gilbert "Gibo" Teodoro in the running for the highest position in Philippine government - choosing him over MMDA Chairman Bayani Fernando and pitting him against cousin Sen. Noynoy Aquino.

If you are like me who is a bit disconnected from Philippine politics, you would go: "Who is Gilbert Teodoro, Jr.?" And for that matter, why is he running for President?

I had this notion that people who run for President are those famous enough so that you won't have to ask. Then again, I asked the exact same question about NoyNoy Aquino. I didn't know Ninoy had a son in the Senate! Wow! Circumstances have changed a lot in the past couple of months. From obscure to Presidentiable was the path NoyNoy took - at least for me. And it seems Gibo will be much of the same now that he has been thrust into the limelight...

SM Batangas is now a free Wifi Zone!

This is an awesome new reason to get a wifi ready cellphone.

It seems like Henry Sy is pulling another card from up his sleeve. After the huge success of putting BDO Banks inside the malls and then extending banking hours, now, one by one, SM Malls are now becoming FREE WIFI ZONES. Ehem... FREE WIFI ZONES!!! (awesum Mr. Sy)

We (still) got rhythm - 9 years later!

A Theme Thursday Post

"Each morning I get up with the sun..."


Below is a video of the UP Concert Chorus performing a medley of Gershwin's songs, taken during one of our concerts in Norway way back in the year 2000.

I remember that the stage was huge, the lights and the sound systems were perfect - and the audience was amazing. We even had Norweigian visitors we met at a festival that we attended earlier that year.

St. Louis, Missouri and the Gateway Arch

 One of the many stops of the USA leg of the 2000 Millennium Tour of the UP Concert Chorus was St. Louis, Missouri. It was a short stay, just a couple of days, and a couple of concerts, but we managed to squeeze in a trip to that giant steel arch they call The Gateway Arch....

Interviewed by an American writer

I consider myself a newbie blogger - by all normal standards (Alexa Rank, Feedburner readers, etc. - and all those uber important metrics) and so I was a tad bit hesitant when I was asked to participate in a group interview about my thoughts on blogging - with some veteran bloggers, a few probloggers and winners of the EIB 2009. To top it off, the interviewer, Holly Jahangiri, is a professional American writer! Needless to say, I was both honored and pressured to give each question some long deliberation (and proof-reading) before I sent my answers. Lol.

I'm joining TheWeblogZone Blog Contest - and you should too!

Here are the reasons why I am joining this blog contest:

1. I want One year hosting with Hostican (Base Host Package)!
2. I want the Thesis Wordpress Theme – The best search engine optimized Wordpress theme.
3. It would be AWESOME to have a custom Banner/Logo done by a professional graphic designer and with a satisfaction guaranteed clause at that!
4. I'm interested to read the Problogger Book by Darren Rowse and Chris Garret
5. I want $100 (Payable through Paypal) - and I don't need to say why. doh!

If you're interested to WIN the above items too... head on over to The Weblog Zone and join The Weblog Zone Blog Contest today! (and I mean TODAY, because today's the last day!)

Highschool Life Meme - Pisay '99

For the non-Filipino speakers, please pardon me.

This is a meme I got from some high school batchmates, several of them have answered the survey and posted it on their Facebook. I do have an FB account, but I prefer to put this on here! :D

As a brief background - Pisay is a nickname for the Philippine Science High School - the premier high school in the Philippines.

If you want to take the PSHS Competitive Entrace Exams or have a son/daughter/niece/nephew/neighbor or anyone who want to take it - Click HERE for some details.

Here goes:

I was beginning

A Theme Thursday Post

Zero

I was beginning to get bored
inside my mummy's tummy
so I kicked the joint and split
through this passageway so tiny

It took me three whole days
it was a special trilogy
until at long last I was born
on that night of a syzygy

Puberty

I was beginning to grow
hair in places that you know,
and my voice was always cracking
Oh, what about my singing?

So I went to the Doc
To seek medical support
But instead, he circumcised me
Now I'm no longer "supot".


Lol.
*supot is a Filipino word that means "uncircumcised".



Subscribe in a reader

Look who ate my mom's Periwinkles

We have a small garden with a small pond in front of our house - with a few potted plants around the cascading water fountain, a tall fortune plant on one side, and a row of flowering Periwinkles with pink, white and yellow flowers...

...well, we used to. THEY have eaten almost all of the leaves of my mom's Periwinkles. There were about 8 of THEM - none of them shorter than my longest finger - THEY were fat with chlorophyll, had purple and teal eyes with a sinister glare, tiny white dots form a row on either side, and they had these clawlike appendages near their heads. Caterpillars have invaded our garden!

French bulldog puppies and a newborn Yorkshire Terrier

Tweet

Are you a dog person?

My sister and her boyfriend both love dogs - and even though I don't (lol) their presence in our home have made me kind-of-fond of them too. We currently have two female Yorkshire Terriers - their tiny barks fill our home with warmth, they are attention demanding, sweet little critters. :p

After being in Batangas for 2 weeks for work, I was surprised to come home to a house full of doggies - not just the 2, but 4 doggies and 5 puppies! 5 French bulldogs and 3 Yorkshire Terriers! A few hours later, another dog arrived - an English bulldog (unfortunately I wasn't able to take photos of that one!). :D Come see the photos of the dogs...

I am now a Patay Gutom Blogger

I just published my first ever post as a Patay Gutom blogger - and I'm stoked about it. Woot!

It's 3AM, and although my high can also be attributed to the 2 hour travel from Manila to Batangas, and the Starbucks Cafe Mocha I consumed a few hours ago - I am more excited to have published my first ever food blog post - and on no less than one of the Top 10 Emerging Influential Blogs for 2009!

The Symbology of Ninoy, a Filipino Hero

Why is it a holiday today?

Last night, one of my younger colleagues asked us over dinner the reason why it was a holiday today. We all laughed at her naivete - it was common knowledge: today we remember the 26th death Anniversary of Sen. Benigno "Ninoy" Aquino.

On a separate occasion, another friend asked if whether it was Ninoy's birthday or his death anniversary we are commemorating on Aug 21.

While both mistakes can be attributable to memory gaps and are forgivable, it made me wonder about myself: Do I really understand why it was a holiday today? Or am I just happy that I don't have to work? If I, who was already alive at the time of Ninoy's assassination (albeit too young to remember) can so easily forget, how much more so for those who were born much later?

The Cure for Pink Eye

Tweet

Have you ever had Pink Eye?

Overheard:

"Oh! You know what, a friend of mine from work recently gave birth. She was worried her baby was not drinking enough milk from her breast. She said her breasts always felt full like they were about to burst, and the veins on the sides were showing like those on an angry person's neck..."

PSHS Entrance Exams will be on Nov 7 (for SY 2010-2011)

I got a note in my email that sent back memories of sharpened Mongols #2, mind numbing fear and excitement, eyeglasses, Zesto snacks and hundreds upon hundreds of nerds all in one place.

Yep, the Philippine Science High School (PSHS or Pisay) is now accepting applications for Scholars for SY 2010-2011. PSHS Admission Exams will be on November 7, 2009.

On their website, it says: "The one-time screening is composed of scholastic aptitude test (SAT) which is designed to measure Scientific Ability, Quantitative Ability, Abstract Reasoning and Verbal Aptitude."

I reminisce...

Watch the Perseid Meteor Shower Tonight!

I just found out that there is an ongoing meteor shower called the Perseid Meteor Shower, and that it is peaking TONIGHT (Aug 12)! It's a great night to sit under the stars and wish on a shooting star (or a hundred shooting stars just to be sure). :D

So, tonight, get you boyfriend, your girlfriend, your special someone to spend a few minutes looking at the sky. Make sure it's dark to get a better view of the night sky. I guess, a candle-lit dinner will be perfect. ;)

Details of meteor shower, where to look, i.e. what constellations to look for, and other geeky stuff after the jump...

Here is the info excerpt from the PAGASA Website:

"The famous Perseids meteor shower will be observed with its peak on the late night of August 12 until dawn on the following day...occasionally, an exceptional shower may show tens or even hundreds of meteors per minute, but around 50 meteors per hour is more typical."

The Perseids meteor shower is the most reliable one, which is best seen during August 10-14 every year. Under most favorable clear sky condition, there may be 60 to 100 meteors per hour."

If you see a shooting star, what will you wish for?

Subscribe in a reader

EIB09: Attended my first blogging event ever and had a blast

Emerging Influential Bloggers 2009: My first blogging event

It was my first venture into the land of the bloggers (hehe) and I was quite anxious about it: My first ever blogging event! Sure, I've had my blog for quite a while, but I've actually only really started blogging last January 2009. Would any of them even know my blog? And besides, who knows what these bloggers are like? Wah!

After some "boyfriend duties", I rushed to Casino Filipino on Sucat Road in Paranaque (I was an hour late! doh!). As I pulled in the parking area, curiously eyeing the huge PAGCOR sign and thinking to myself, it says Casino Filipino, not PAGCOR in the invite...is this really Casino Filipino? Why does it only say PAGCOR? Lol. I realized later that it was common knowledge that they were one and the same. Hah!


Anyways, I worked my way through the reception, the metal detectors, up the stairs, through registration and into the Forum Hall. With cold and sweaty hands, I opened the door and looked for a familiar face.

Meeting Bloggers

The first face I recognizedwas Roy's. I smiled as I approached him and said "Roy, right?" but when his face gave me a "Who the hell is this?" look, I said "Rey". Lol. How do you make a return from that? Waah! I looked around the table and saw them: Jan was there, all the way from Mindoro! Snow of "Dear Bloggery", Tyrone of "Millionaireacts", Angel of "FatherBlogger" and a couple of others were at Roy and Jan's table. At the next table were Doc Z, Lyle, Bloggista, Ceblogger, Jhong, ThirdWorldGeek, Elmot and Yatot (you two should start a talk show "The Elmot and Yatot show" hehe!). A couple of tables away, I saw Ada and Kelvin as well.

I sat beside Doc Z and everyone at the table started teasing me about my post about tips on How to prepare for a Blogging event, and showed me their "blogging cards" haha! I was slightly surprised. Holy crap, the comments on my blog actually came from real people. (Lol) At that moment, I felt at ease with them.

Emerging Influential Bloggers 2009

The program went by quickly but not drudgingly, with bloggers sharing stories that both touched and inspired, the winners were announced by Janette one by one.

Congratulations are in order for the following blogs who bested the rest and came out on top, victorious. The Top 10 Emerging Influential Blogs of 2009

1. Writing to Exhale
2. Patay Gutom
3. The Struggling Blogger
4. Zorlone
5. Father Blogger dot Com
6. KelvinonianIdeas 2.0
7. Tales from the Mom Side
8. Adaphobic
9. Lakwatsero
10. Let's Go Sago!

Special congratulations to my Jediblogger friends Jan, Roy, Doc Z, Kelvin, and honorary member Angel!

A list of posts by different bloggers about the EIB09 eyeball can be found on Janette Toral's Influential Blogger site. By the way, a huge THANK YOU to Janette and the sponsors for organizing this event!

Lastly, here's the video of the Jedibloggers, hanging out with Annalyn of Annalyn.net after the EIB09.

Subscribe in a reader