10th Year of Sailing

5th of July 2004 marked my first day @ work after carefully choosing from my options after securing a college degree.

Now, this makes me feel so old! How time flies that it is now my 10th year anniversary in the world of the shipping industry.

This industry served as my bread and butter for all those years 'till today. I met great people who had inspired me to be the best that I can be. Built frienships tested through time. I had been into places and experiences I could only think of...yet they were bound to be my reality.

My humble beginnings at GSC had set the bar so high that I get to secure better and bigger opportunities @ NTEB and SSH.

If I have to repeat it again...I am sure that I won't do things any other way.

I would still choose to be at the training room located at16th floor of Wynsum building by 8 am, July 5th 2014.

Sharp. Eager for the preparations in the years to come.

Shoes, my Past and I

Really... I am not into gadgets, basic phone will even serve me. I don't like buying expensive perfumes nor wearing top of the line watches and I find it awkward putting any sort of jewelry BUT I must admit...I  shoes!

Perhaps when I was young, shoes was my frustration. I would always get to "inherit" shoes from cousins that doesn't fit them anymore. I remember, going to school with set of shoes 1/2 inch shorter my size and it kinda hurts my feet lol. So, sometimes mother will buy me a shoe with allotted "allowance" of 1-2 inches so there is a room for adjustment for my growing feet. Meantime, I had to put some sheets of cloths or paper so the shoes will fit me. Earlier in my career, I always want to buy a nike but I always thought that is way too expensive for my budget.

Yet, I never complained. I told myself, one day I can buy the shoes that I like. Now, every time that I buy a shoe, there is some sort of fulfillment I cannot explain. It is like fulfilling a childhood dream. Call it crazy, but sometimes I just like to keep them in the box and never wear them but I know, I will defeat its purpose 

And to receive shoes for free? The feeling is awesome!

Thank you ate Yin for this, can't wait to wear them

How People Tends to Hurt US

People will hurt you...intentionally, unconsciously or for no reason at all. 

And they will do it as if they have acquired every single rights. We authorize them anyway and we are bound to forgive them as well... Thinking, that is what is the right thing to do.

Yet, one thing they will never realize is that PAIN can easily be washed away by tears...but the scars will forever echo in the deepest tunnel of your core. 

...as you seal it with silence.

Dennise Lourraine

Exactly two years ago, I received the most wonderful gift I could ever imagine. When I learned that I'll soon be a father... I was filled with mixed emotions yet it only boils down to only one realization when she arrived. A part of me has just been born...and that part would be more important than anything else.

When Dennise Lorraine came into my world, it totally changed and turned my world upside down.

I had never felt so complete until I heard that first cry. I had never learned how two souls meets beyond the eyes until she flashes into my very eyes those sweet smiles. I had never been so strong until I heard her called me papa...and that too defies the sweetest thing I ever tasted.

I just can't ask for anything more as God gave me a very healthy, smart, cheerful and kind hearted child.

Choices

If it is right then how can it feels so wrong? and If it is wrong how can it feels so right? You felt confused, and you started thinking of a metaphor that goes like...

For some people, having a shoe is just a wild imagination, some might have one but totally worn out, others may wish they could have more. Then, there you go...life gave you a couple to choose from. You felt bad as you are confused which one best fits you.

Since both will work for you, you wanted to wear them at the same time, but that can't be possible as you only have a pair of feet to fit at a time!

You started hoping that whichever you had chosen is also what the shoe maker feels best fit you...or can you just suddenly woke up one day and see for yourself that what you've been wearing had been replaced by the shoe maker on his will so you are can be rest assured that you are wearing the right pair of shoe.

In real life...choices should be embraced with celebration rather than confusion, as not everyone got a choice and others are struggling to chase for options. Your free will shall dictate you which way to choose and which way to abandon. Be thankful when placed in a situation where you need to make a stand.

A dear friend of mine told me, when you make a decision, you have to be proud of it. And the most important thing is you realize that you do NOT owe anyone an explanation as to why you did it. As it is, it is your decision, it is your life...it is your journey and what do they have to do with it? : )

Have a great weekend everyone!

EQUALITY

Your message is LOUD and CLEAR...ALL are EQUAL. 

No one is below or above anyone. I guess this too applies to netizens.

Bashing anyone specially in social network does not give power over anyone nor does not make one more inteligent, smart, educated and all but otherwise. 

Arrogance does not equate to wisdom and a beautiful mind processes thoughts before it trancends into words and action.

Rest in peace Sir!

#no to cyberism (makaimbento lang ng term he he)

Singapore and I

This was my first photograph in Singapore, and since then I lost count of the pictures I had here. Time flies so fast and it has been two years! Can you imagine two great years? Singapore had changed me and my life in ways I could had never imagined. My journey here is a living testament that dreams do come true. They always do, specially when you always remind yourself that you have a personal obligation to fulfill items in your bucket list and thou shall never betray nor jeopardize their own dreams!

In less than a month from now, I shall bid goodbye to a country that served as my home for a couple of years. I remember, one of the local that I had a chit chat before told me that Singapore seems to be a paradise for Filipinos working here. Indeed it is, and I told him that yes, we are very grateful with what SG could offer us. I only have goods words to say about my stay here.

Those uncles and aunties downstairs that always greets me every morning, I will miss them as they brighten up my day. My random chats with some locals in a bus or train ride, those were awesome! I would always think about the chicken rice and my favorite noodles at the hawker center later on. When I am home I hope I would not mind the difference of public transport system from there and here. Although, there are many other nationalities as well living in Manila...how diverse the people here in SG is just magnificent, I will also miss the feeling of being in a middle of the crowd, walking with them or against their flow. Although each one seems to be going to a different direction...despite of the color of the skin, hair and eyes, I believed that in here...all are one and all are equal.

A lot of people told me I should or I could stay, two years may not be enough to end a journey that just started. When I come to think about it...well in comparison to some people staying here, mine is a bit cut short, but NO...I am just very thankful for every moment of my stay here. For some people, it is still just a dream for them to work and live here, but this had became a reality for me.

YES.

I could have fight for Singapore, and I believe Singapore could have fight back for me as well. I wish to stay and I would love to stay. But the idea as well of going back home is very enticing, I miss my country too! How many birthday parties I had missed? How many family gathering I wished I had witnessed? How many get together with friends had I skipped? Can you imagine how much laughter and fun I deprived myself with? Two (2) Christmas away from home is like a century if I may say. How many milestones of my daughter I had not seen before my very eyes? This things...money can't buy.

I realized there is always trade offs and it is just up to you to decide what matters the most...Home is not perfect but that is where ALL OFW's left their heart. I am deciding to pick up mine now.

As they say...You can only be at one place at a time. Maybe some day, I will walk again the aisle of MBS, ride SMRT, have a sumptuous dinner at Makansutra and have myself another picture with Merlion. Maybe, or maybe not as going back home might lead me a different direction in life. I don't know... I guess I just have to leave it up to our Lord, for He was the reason why I am here and He must know where am I leading.

One of the things I learned from a friend is to always have that "I COMPLETELY SURRENDER ATTITUDE" - Everything else will fall into its proper place.

Meantime in the coming days...Me and my wife will explore parts and attractions of Singapore we had not been to. It is sure to be fun : )

I  U SG!!!