A 5,000-peso house?

March 7th, 2012
{ 2 Comments }

I just talked to my 7-year old. She was so confident and excited when she told me that her Tito/Uncle is going to gift her with cash. They had an agreement before that if she finishes this school year with first honors, she will get 5,000 pesos; second will be 3,000 pesos and third will be 2,000 pesos. She told me she really wants to get 5,000. But it doesn’t really matter to me. I am already so proud of her accomplishing so much at her age. I couldn’t remember being able to read English so well when I was her age!

She even made me promise to add in more if I can. I asked her if she wants to buy something and why she wants it so much. I was already thinking of getting her a yamaha apx500ii (at the back of my mind, I want her to be a singer or musician some day). I even expected her to ask for a doll house but she wanted something more. She told me that she wants to help me build a house!

I left her at the care of my mother and cousin and I for once never felt good about it. I have always watned to take her with me but I just can’t. But knowing how much she wants to be with me, really brought me to tears. God has really blessed me with a beautiful daughter.

Share
Shaynna ,

It’s more fun in the Philippines by Jeremy’s Motour

March 7th, 2012
{ No Comments }

I’ve been denying it for months, but I have to agree, the slogan “It’s more fun in the Philippines” is attention-getter. Not to mention, it sticks to everyone’s mind and leave us wanting to know why it is more fun in the Philippines. Because of this catching phrase and a lot of promotional videos, I wish more than ever to explore my country.

Then I stumbled upon Jeremy’s Motour travel vlog. He is helping Philippines through Hope Flows International, and at the same time, he is helping in promoting how beautiful Philippines is!

Dagahang salamat, Jeremy! Can’t wait for more videos of your travel.

This video has become one of my favorites:

Share
Philippines , ,

From gold to gadgets

March 6th, 2012
{ No Comments }

I was 13 when my father started working in Saudi Arabia. He loved electronic goods especially anything that has something to do with music. At times, he used to buy gold jewelries for my mother and for my siblings. But his friends, who were also Overseas Filipino Workers, were more keen on buying gold jewelries. That made me reach to a conclusion that someone who is fond of gold is an OFW or someone in the family must be an OFW.

Since then, the trend has changed, I suppose. Nowadays OFWs have become less interested in jewelries and many prefer buying cool gadgets and other electronic goods. Each time I queue for check-in, I often see a number of people with LCD or LED TVs. But mind you, LCD TVs are already obsolete but I haven’t even bought one. Maybe only when the price drops down to 200~300SGD for a 32-inch?

Share
Philippines ,

Lots of cards

March 4th, 2012
{ No Comments }

During my childhood days, I love making greeting cards for my parents. When my father was still working in Saudi Arabia, I am the only one among my siblings who sent letters and greeting cards. Now Shaynna at seven years old is the same. During special occasions, they make greeting cards at school and she always reserve one for me even if I’m not there.

I celebrated my birthday last January in the Philippines. I met her at a restaurant during lunch time and when she handed me the card that she made, I found it difficult to hold back tears. She gave me a handmade card on mothers day 2011, and this year, I’ll be more than delighted if she makes another one for me.


This photo was taken during my Nth (sorry I no longer want to disclose my age) this year
Share
Birthday, Family

Dreaming of summer in Philippines

March 3rd, 2012
{ 1 Comment }

I don’t like swimming, but I do love chilling at the beach. And the best time to do it is now until mid-May! Yeah, it feels as if it’s always summer in the Philippines, but June to December means having frequent rain and occasional typhoons. February to May means calm seas and sunny days!

How I wish I had enough to spare for a round trip ticket and a short getaway to Bohol or Camiguin! I can almost feel the sea breeze while lying in a hammock.

Well, I don’t have to travel and spend a lot because a few minutes walk from my family’s house is a magnificent place. It’s not blessed with white sands but beautiful nevertheless!


The photos above was taken last January so the weather was not at its best.
You know what I also miss? Fruits that are only abundant in summer! Mangoes, jackfruits, guavas, young coconut, the list goes on.
Share
Family, Philippines , ,

I’ll buy another bicycle, maybe

February 28th, 2012
{ 1 Comment }

I still feel sad every time I get reminded about my stolen bicycle. Not like in Japan, there’s no bicycle registration here. So I know that it would be impossible to look for it. Nevertheless, I still logged a report online, at the Singapore Police Force (SPF) website. I know that the government would definitely do something if they get more theft reports.

Pretty amazing, isn’t it? You can do almost any transaction here, online. I just had to fill up a form including my address, the description of the lost item, and other comments. The following day, I got a call from the police and they asked me to go to the nearest police station to sign something. A few days later, I got a mail from the SPF saying that they are looking into the case. Then just a few weeks ago, I got another mail saying they don’t have any lead yet.

Then finally, I got this flyer about the Bicycle Security Label.

It’s not really a bicycle registration sticker. On it is a unique serial number that can help me and the Police identify my bicycle. I’m now actually looking for a shop that sells used bicycles because I definitely need something that would aid me in reducing my love handles!

Share
Singapore

Welcoming 2012

February 5th, 2012
{ No Comments }

My first post for 2012! I’m busy as always but the major problem was I couldn’t find the motivation of writing something. I’ve finally decided to write just about anything and keep going.

So, while our neighbors lit some firecrackers to welcome 2012, here’s what my family did…

It was fun as always, even more exciting because the teens and adults joined in.
I’m looking forward to doing this again next year!

Share
Family, New Year, Philippines

The right gifts

December 26th, 2011
{ 1 Comment }

It wouldn’t be hard to find a gift if Shaynna were to tell me what she really wants. But she won’t. When I ask her, she would just tell me that anything would be fine. If I make suggestions, then she would tell me that she doesn’t want me to spend on gifts! Unusual for a 7-year old girl, right? But I’m happy she is as considerate as she is now. When I take her to the mall, she is just contented in trying out shoes and clothes. When she likes something, it is written all over her face but tries to hide her disappointment when I don’t buy it for her. All the more I want to find a good gift for her.

Every Christmas, I seldom receive a gift. I prefer to be the one giving gifts. Although I can’t deny wishing for some things, like a North Face jacket or backpack. But I was very delighted when I received flip flops and a Christmas card made by Shaynna! But the most wonderful gift of all was this chance being home this Christmas. :)

Share
Christmas

Merry Christmas!

December 24th, 2011
{ No Comments }

This is just a short post. I am actually Changi Airport’s free internet terminals. I am finally going home! A few hours from now, I will be with my little girl again. But I had to give up 3 huge bottles of sandwich spread. I didn’t have enough baggage allowance and checking those bottles in would cost me a lot more. I’ll just charge it to experience :(

I just want to greet everyone a Merry Christmas!

To all the Sendong typhoon victims, I pray that they will find healing and may the grace of God embrace them.

Share
Christmas, Travels

Sad Christmas because of Sendong

December 18th, 2011
{ 1 Comment }

It was around 2:00AM when I noticed some posts in Facebook about the floods in Iligan City, Cagayan de Oro and other parts of Mindanao. I grew up in Linamon (town closest to Iligan City) where my family still lives and I couldn’t recount having experienced typhoon. I hoped that the situation wouldn’t get worse but I was wrong.

When I woke up 6 hours later, my heart got crushed by the photos of the aftermath of typhoon Sendong. Many people died, many are still unaccounted for, and hundreds of families lost their homes. My family is safe but my heart bleeds for the victims.


Photo Credit: Lacastesantos Bong

If you want to help but you are far from Iligan City, you can still send your cash donations to:

1. The City Treasurer’s Office Deposit Trust Fund
# 0820-016201-030 DBP / City Treasurer’s Office Iligan City

2. c/o Iligan Blogger’s Society :
Paypal ID: singcol.inquisitor@gmail.com
BDO Account: Revilla N. Carbonell-Noel – 109451077611

3. Donations in kind from other parts of the Philippines
You may drop off your donations at any LBC branch. LBC will deliver these for free to the hardest hit areas.

ONE FOR ILIGAN (Iligan Bloggers Society, Inc.)
c/o CALDA Pizza, The Strip
Quezon Ave, Pala-o,
Iligan City, 9200

Above all, please continue to pray for the victims so that they will have the strength to get through this disaster.


Share
Christmas, Philippines ,

Chatty or not?

December 16th, 2011
{ 1 Comment }

Three more days and I’ll be on a plane home. But since a few weeks ago, I’ve been forcing myself to wake up early but failed. I’m in vacation mode already! But, this means frequent cab ride to the office every morning. Anyway, I’ve encountered two types of drivers: silent and chatty.

One time, the driver couldn’t find our block number because the address signs were blocked by trees. Because of this, he complained about these “hard-to-find” address signs until I reached the office! Anyway, that was one of those times when I wish the driver weren’t chatty~

Share
Singapore

Bye bye bicycle

December 13th, 2011
{ 2 Comments }

I couldn’t find a photo of my bicycle here in Singapore. Even if I want to take one, I can no longer do that… because my beloved yet seldom used bicycle got stolen a few days ago!

I had to place it in one of the bicycle racks in the ground level of our apartment building. My bicycle was huge that I find it difficult taking it up to our level (7th floor). I thought that putting in two chains was safe enough but I was wrong. I often check my bicycle every time I go home but one night, it’s no longer there. Even the chains were not there so at first I thought my housemate borrowed it. I should have not taken for granted all those stories of stolen bicycles.

I lived in Japan for more than 3 years, yet this never happened to me. There was even one time when I forgot to lock my bicycle but it didn’t move an inch.

Because of this, I don’t think I’ll buy another bicycle here. Maybe until they install surveillance cams…

Share
Singapore
Older Page Newer Page

Switch to our mobile site