2010

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

Family Day

The photo above was taken during the Metro Kidapawan Water District (MKWD) Family day last December 28, 2007. They've been doing this activity since I was very little and we always attend it. From left to right: Spike, me, Epoy, Labing, and Myking. I love my family.

This other photo above was taken a year ago. Same place. Imagine how much fast a person changes in just a year. We were thinner back then and now we've gain pounds. Except of course for Spikey who maintained his built. From left to right: Epoy, Spike, Myking, Labing and me.

Greetings!

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year everyone. I'll be spending the holiday season at my hometown. Wish us all the best!

Family Members Under One Light

I can still remember during my elementary days that we always experience brown outs. I think during that time in Kidapawan we have a short supply of electricity. There are times when I got home and we don’t have electricity or there are times the electricity suddenly cuts out while we were eating or when I am about to study my lessons for the exams the next day the lights suddenly turns off because there were no electricity supply. Then me and my brothers and sister would play hide and seek and try to scare each other out of our wits. My most favorite moment perhaps is when we are about to watch TV and it’s raining and suddenly there’s a brown out. It’s my favorite because every member of the family were there and we end up talking and telling stories together illuminated by a candle until we were tired or the candle burned out and will decide to go back to sleep. Those times were the some of the best times of my life.

Now that electricity seems to be abundant in Kidapawan, we tend to see each other less. My parents would spend most of the nights taking care of our resto-bar, my brother Myking and his wife Rachel take care of the 24-hr convenient store. I am here working in Manila, miles away from them. My sister Labing is in Davao attending college. Only my little brothers (Epoy and Spike) get to spend much time with each other. They are very close with each other. As much as I’d like to thank electricity for man’s advancement (we are now not short of light during the night), I couldn’t help myself of reminiscing the good old days when we were spending the night together with just a candle light.

Imagine, before if we have no electricity I only used a candle to study. Now since electricity seems to be abundant we were no longer use candles for lighting. There are different kinds of lamps available almost everywhere. You could get lamp shades, reading lamps, desk lamps, etc. You could even easily find affordable lamps over the internet like Farreys.com wherein almost all kinds of lamps and lightings you could find there. There is a wide range of choices. Unlike before, we don’t have any other choice but to use candles and gas powered lamps. Don’t you miss those times? How about you guys who grew up here in Manila, have you ever got to experience those moments like I did? I really think that I am lucky enough to experience those moments. Those moments make me think of how important it is to spend time with your family. Even though you don’t do anything special but by just being there is already enough to make your day or night. I really missed those moments.

Well, now that I am far and quite busy working away from my family, I treasure them more. We even get much closer because I tried to communicate with them as often as I can. Thanks to mobile phones and prepaid SIMs, calling and talking with your family is affordable now as compared to long distance calls. Guys make sure that you spend more time with your family. They are your treasure. Like God, even if everyone will turn their backs on you, you can be assured that family will always be there no matter what.

Away From Home in Christmas?

Christmas is just around the corner and I am not yet sure if I am able to go home during the holidays. Not to mention the other upcoming events like Halloween and other celebrations. You see I am now assigned in BIR and they have work in between Christmas and New Year Celebration. I really want to go home but my schedule does not permit me. I do have the same situation when I used to work at the call center before. But I went home to the province (Kidapawan) a day before Christmas Day and went back here in Manila two days after the Christmas Day celebration. As much as I’d like to stay longer, I can’t. There’s work waiting for me in Manila. I miss a lot of birthdays and celebrations. That’s the price I always pay for working away from my family to give them a better future in return. How I wish I could go home during the holidays.

Unlike the Call Center, I could go home if I want to but the problem is I don’t have leaves. If I decide to go back, BIR won’t pay for the days that I am going to spend in Kidapawan. Yes, I am not a regular employee in BIR so I don’t have the same privilege and benefits like the regular employees are enjoying. This means that no work, no pay. Sigh.

I am now thinking if I should go home or just buy my parents, brothers, and sister gifts. I would be able to save more if I would just buy them gifts. I know it would be much better that I am there during these celebrations but if I can’t help it, giving them gifts would somehow suffice for my absence.

What do you think the best gifts I could give my family this year? Hmmm. Maybe I’ll buy my mom shoes for she likes shoes (I can check ShoeMall for the type of shoes my mom would like to have) or perhaps I’ll check Fashion Bug for they always have the latest on fashion. My dad, on the other hand, likes car accessories and basic needs of a man on the go. Perhaps I could check Buy.com for some ideas. As for my brothers, Myking and Epoy love computers while Spike loves mobile games. Since there’s only one PC in the provice I could check HP and Fujitsu and try to decide which of the two brands that might fit my budget. Aside from the mobile games that Spike loves, I could buy him costume instead for the Halloween. As for my sister Labing, she loves music and mobile phone accessories. I could buy her favorite CD. That would be the best gift for her or I could always check eBags for ideas. If that’s not enough then I could always visit couponchief.com for more and great ideas, for they are a one stop coupon deal and discount store for those who loves to shop over the web. Coupon Chief, Inc has a lot of discounts and promotional deals in store for us. Well, I hope I still have time to save money in order for me to buy them gifts.

How about you guys? What do you think is the best give you could give your love ones this upcoming seasons?