The First 200 Kilometers

It's pasyalan blues once again, this time targeting the Province of Cavite. The day started with the family attending the 10am holy mass at Don Bosco Makati. That was shortly followed by the blessing of our new ride. The celebrant was Fr Manny Domingo who hails from Paniqui Tarlac (a small world indeed).

Then it was off to cool Tagaytay City for lunch at Leslie's Restaurant. Their specialty are bulalo, crispy pata and pinaputok na plapla but we only had the latter and sisig. Aside from the good food, the restaurant had a great view of the Taal Volcano.

Next up was Kawit town of Cavite to check out the Aguinaldo Shrine. The last time I saw the shrine was almost 10 years ago just 5 months after B5 was born. Traffic on the way there was moderate to heavy on a Sunday but it was worth it because my son was yearning to see it.

Our Cavite trip pretty much wraps up the first 200 kilometers of our new ride. More pasyal to come.

DYK:
1- Did you know that Taal Volcano is the world's smallest volcano? It's also one of the few volcanoes with a lake in its crater.

2- Did you know that Emilio Aguinaldo was the First President of the Philippines at age 32?

CRaVing at a new toy

Finally, we got our 2007 Honda CRV 2.0 AT after 2 months of waiting and almost 2 years of dreaming. The body color is Alabaster Silver. Honda CRV has 3 shades of silver and for us, this is the best among the crop. It's like a bright silver, almost white. The other 2 silver looks like gold from an OFW na galing Saudi while the other looks like a light shade of talong.

This is our first real SUV as our previous car is more like a psuedo SUV or a poor man's SUV. But despite these comments, we love that car (the Revo). In fact, we’re thankful that my parents-in-law bought it from us hence we’ll still see our former ride. The CRV retails for more than a million and 65% of it was paid by the company. The balance is our equity. The deal is that I have to stick it out with the company for 5 years then I get to buy it for 20% of the book value. Talk about motivation.

We got almost all of what we requested from Honda Makati: free fog lamps, free back up sensor, free 3M tint, a full tank, free rust proof, the usual keychain-doormat-umbrella-windshield visor freebies. Though we paid for it, the front lower grille was painted with body color so that the “toothless look” of the new CRV was eliminated. The icing on the cake is the plate number *KE 118 which is close to our son B5’s name matched with his birthday January 18.

Like a little boy with a new toy, I got the car from the company's vehicle dispatch center at around 10pm last night (August 24), went on a joy ride with my family (who were are excited as I was) around Legaspi Village and The Fort and woke up at 7am to play with Asimo’s sibling (ASIMO is a humanoid robot created by Honda Motor Company. The name is an acronym for "Advanced Step in Innovative MObility). Tomorrow, we’re off to Tagaytay for more joy ride!

Photography...Not!

Somebody recently said that I don't have the license to use the word photography (as a hobby) since I am not good at it. Well it is partly true. On a scale of 1 to 10, I'd say my skill level is at 5 or 6. Ika nga ni Joe Pring, madami ka pang kakaining bigas.

I'd like to think that I've moved to level two with my purchase of an entry level SLR and the almost 1000 shots that I've logged. This type of skill is not learned overnight. It is analogous to wine- the aging process is the key factor. I recently got hold of materials from generous sources, photography books from a fellow camera buff, Tita Liza Flores. She was doing spring cleaning and came across circa 80s book and instead of disposing them, gave them to me. That's a good example of "one man's thrash is another man's treasure."

A perfect blend of theory and application should do the trick and my skill level will increase in time. Now, as I progress, I’d like to share shots which I think are extraordinary. The timing is just right because my blogging (especially the long entries) may take a back seat because of the work load that my new job requires. Less words, more pictures.

Mister Excitement gets excited

Ex-PBA Star Forward Paul “Bong” Alvarez is in hot water. Yesterday (August 21), he was in boxing mode and chose a taxi driver and a lady reporter as punching bags. His name is all over the news again after consistently hugging the sports headlines in the late 80s until the 90s.

Mister taxi driver was all black and blue. It was a mismatch from the start, the 6’1” hunk of a basketball player versus a plump shortie. The next match was with ABS-CBN field reporter Gretchen Malalad. Physically, you would still call it a mismatch as the 5’8” Malalad doesn’t measure up to Alvarez’ height and might. But her black belt in taekwondo did the trick and she got off with a kick and a punch to the face of Alvarez. Poor guy but it suits him as she should have respected the Mister taxi driver and Miss black beauty taekwondista.

The moral of the story: Save while you’re sikat so you don’t have to ride the taxi when you’re drunk. :)

Survey says! 15 out of 400

Majority of Pinas' population are dreaming of owning a BMW X5 and I'd probably be first on the list. An X5 cost in the neighborhood of P5 million.

Today, the Pinas government will trash a P5 million beauty in line with their "E smuggle mo, sirain ko" program. The program title is my own concoction but the concept is completely theirs. What a waste of resource. The government can sell that at half the price and there would still be takers. If I had P2,5 M in disposable income, I'd join the bidding. I reckon I can easily sell that for P3 M even after a year or two. Then again I can keep it and thereby increasing by tenfold my pogi points.

Per DZMM radio announcers Anthony Tabernas and Gerry Baja, the 15 imported vehicles that will be burned today is part of the 400 smuggled rides that will be improperly disposed. The lot contains other high end cars like a Lincoln Navigator, a BMW 3 series, a Mitsubishi Pajero and the balance being mortal cars Toyota Hiace, Nissan Terrano and Chevy Astrovan.

Now talking about a wasted resource, placing the X5 for auction which will probably equate to P2,5 M in income. This income can be used to pay our country’s debts (though figure is measly and won’t even cause a dent in our IOUs.), build 10 classrooms, build 3 health centers, a small bridge and a host of other benefits. But NO! The game plan is to burn these potential income generators to teach smugglers a lesson.

New Job, Old Company

It’s official, I have a new job in our existing company. My permanent job starting August 1 is called New Business & Global Support and Special Project. I shall continue my temporary job called Project Customer Relationship Management and Kenan (It’s a bit long so I renamed it Project CK One Team) until first quarter of Y2008. I don’t have a name for my new responsibility yet. I was thinking of naming it G&B team for easier recall. G&B? J&B? For my fellow whiskey lovers, J&B should have a strong recall because of the famous scotch whiskey. Although it maybe a bit infamous for women especially married because the act of drinking tends to steal precious time from family.

Now about my new job…It sounds exciting – New Business & Global Support and Special Projects. The exciting part ends after reading the title because I have to set up the group from ground up. I’m looking at 12 month to 24 months before we deliver results but I know that’s not realistic and in fact goes against the company’s culture of delivering results. Hence, I have to do a Harry Houdini and deliver results in 4 months time! Or at most 10 months. That’s my personal challenge. And what do I get if I deliver? Hopefully, a GC from SM.

Postscript: My new team’s acronym is GBS. It may mean Giorgio Brutini Shoes or Group B Streptococcus Screening or God’s Bible School but it really means New Business & Global Support and Special Projects.

What the ???

Clap! Clap! Clap! Some of the PAL passengers in our Manila - Cebu flight applauded after the Boeing 747 touched down in Cebu International Airport's tarmac. This also happened in one of the domestic US flights last year. What's all the fuzz? I have some assumption why certain individuals have a knack of clapping when a plane lands:

a. Applauding the pilot for a job well done safely landing the plane. Come to think of it, it's their job lest I won't have a chance to do this blog entry.
b. They liked the airline food so they are showing their appreciation.
c. They wanted more drinks so they were calling the stewardess - water, juice or coffee?
d. Wala lang.

To each his own hence they can do whatever they want as long as it is within the bounds of the law and they are not bothering me.

DYK?
DID YOU KNOW that eight hours combination of walking, standing, clapping and cheering will use anywhere from 1500 to 2000 calories.

Three Cars and a Camera

We got a 2002 Honda Civic (7th generation) last August 3. We bought it from an officemate/friend who disposed the vehicle because she upgraded to a spanking new Mit Outlander (2nd generation). In 2002, when I was in the process of selecting a vehicle, a green Honda Civic LXi then priced at P700,000 was one of our options together with a green Isuzu Crosswind XTi and a blue Toyota Revo GLX which we eventually got.

The 2002 Toy Revo (5th generation) is still in our stable as of press time. Originally, the plan was not to sell it. The plan was to have it rented out. Luisita Industrial Park in Tarlac has a number of Japanese companies which employ their “ka-baro” for short term and long term assignments. The 6 or 12 month contract will give you P25,000 to P30,000 per month. Sounds like a good deal. However, we’ve come to a realization that it might not be the best idea because we’re talking about laspagan blues and we might just not be able to sell it at an ideal price. Our Asian Ute is now up for sale to a family member.

The Honda CR-V (3rd generation) is already available. It’s in Honda Cars undergoing some mods which I requested. The last concern (and most important) being the car registration and plate number release which may take two more weeks. The timing is just right because the reality is we do not have parking for three vehicles aside from the fact that we don’t need three rides…two will be more than enough. Actually, we can survive with one 4 banger.

Therefore, by end August, we’ll have two Hondas and a Nikon SLR camera.

Davao Diary

I was born in March 1972 and my parents were married in June of 1971. They had their honeymoon in Davao Insular Hotel making me officially a statistic called “honeymoon baby.” I learned that Davao Insular Hotel is now Waterfront Davao Insular Hotel- same hotel, new owner.

Last July 30 was my first time to go to the Philippine island of Mindanao. I was in Davao City for business. This is what you call, perks of the job. The business conference was in the hotel where I was conceived. I was probably just a thought and Davao City paved the way for my existence, if you know what I mean.

I have long idolized the Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Durterte for his “no non sense” style of leadership except for the perceived executioner part. It has been said that there are days that he idolizes the grim reaper and would like to take matters in his own hands. All told, I still idolize him.

I didn’t get the chance to go around the city as much as I want to, probably the downside of an official trip. I had planned to see my college friends (Jigger & John) but time and opportunity was not on my side. We just saw the airport (of course since we flew in from Manila), Davao Insular Hotel (the site of the conference) and two SMT wireless centers (the city has FOUR WCs).

Maybe the next time I go to Davao, it will be on a leisure trip with my family. I'll definitely check out their beaches like Pearl Farm, Mt. Apo and have dinner or something with the LSC boys Jigger & John.

Alpha or Avida?

Alpha or Avida? The decision point is analogous to buying a BMW sedan. The question is do you go for a ten year old BMW 5 series or a brand new BMW 3 series. Each has it’s advantages and disadvantages and there is never a correct decision because factors vary depending on the buyer.

1997 BMW 525i / The Pro:
o Mid sized (therefore not too big and not too small)
o Luxury features (just like living in the lap of luxury)
o Safety is key (for its class, car safety is basic unlike in low end models)
o Stable resale value (by this time)

1997 BMW 525i / The Cons:
o Second Owner (hence not sure about how it was used)
o Gurgles gasoline (the bigger the engine, the more expensive it is to run)
o High maintenance (cost of service, parts, insurance, registration).
o Low resale value (10 more years down the road and you’d have a hard time selling it)

2007 BMW 320i / The Pro:
o Brand New (as in never been kissed and never been touched).
o Service galore (no headaches on service since warranty covers for it)
o You can choose the color and other options.
o The financing is budget friendly. You can go for a low down payment or low monthly.

2007 BMW 320i / The Cons:
o Size (might be too small for a family of 5 with a dozen grocery bags).
o Luxury is incomparable to a 5 series.
o Considered low end by 5 series and up owner
o High acquisition cost and probably low resale value (esp. if you’re desperate)

Sabi nga nila, nothing beats brand new. So we’re going for Avida.

Footnotes:
1. We didn’t buy a BMW. I’m just dreaming.
2. If you want to know what I’m talking about, check out www.avidaland.com

Forest Hills Foray

We discovered a place in Subic Bay called Forest Hills Resort located in El Kabayo Road, Binictican Heights – thanks to the internet. The cost of a one 3 bedroom house is a mere P4,800 during weekdays. The price increases to P6,800 during weekends. The house is relatively BIG and can comfortably fit 3 small families or a barkada of 8. It’s complete with a carport, 3 bathrooms with hot and cold shower, a kitchen, laundry area (washing machine & dryer) and centralized air con.

The drawback of it is the place is bare in the sense that it doesn’t come with hotel-like amenities (no towels, toothpaste, etc), the exterior of the place needs sprucing up, no stores in sight and it’s at least 12 kms. from the main gate. The interior is a different world and for me, that’s what matters. The exterior is mainly for photo ops while the interior is more experiential.

In case you’re on a budget and would want to explore, you may check out Travel Smart @ T# 02 8978709 C# 0927 4037826 or an agent’s website: www.travelsmart.net

Enjoy a retreat in Subic Bay for an economical price of P600.00 per head!