Honor Guards Honored

TY Cory
Originally uploaded by dylac

Imagine standing for 9 hours beside ex-President Cory Aquino's casket on top of a moving 10 wheeler truck under a mixture of heat and rain. That's what these four honor guards did last August 5 from 11AM to 8PM.

When interviewed, they said that they were just doing their jobs. They're probably right. What they didn't realize is that they were part of history. The P25,000 that they received was just a bonus.

ANNIVERSARY THREE

In the month of July, I celebrated 3 significant anniversaries and they are:

(1) My current team's 13th year anniv. Yes, the team that I'm handling right now is more than a decade old. It's no wonder that the average age is 34 y.o. and tenure is 8 years.

(2) My blog's 3rd year anniv. That's thirty six months since I posted my first entry. So far, the inventory shows that I've posted 350 entries hence that's an average of 9 per month.

(3) Our VEEs 2nd year anniv. VEE is a the nickname of the family car, a 7G CRV. It now logs 20,000 kilometers, relatively low compared to our previous ride which logged an average of 18,000 per year during the 5 years that we utilized it.

They say that we should celebrate life's simple pleasures and this is my small way of doing it.

Pay Bills using Smart Money

Are you based in the Philippines?

Do you want to experience the convenience of paying utility bills while at home?

Follow this link http://smart.com.ph/money/features/BillsPayment.htm

I've been paying the ff. bills using Smart Money for the past 3 years:

BILLER CODE INSTITUTION NAME

03006 SMART Gold Monthly Subscription

06012 SMART Bro Monthly Subscription

05012 PLDT Landline

05014 Sky Cable

I wish MERALCO will be available through this payment channel soon.

ICBM is AYT!

Intercontinental Ballistic Missile or ICBM.

1 f d best career advice dat I recvd ds yr 2009.

Ds s AYT!

[Flickr] Request to use photo of Bamban bridge

You've been sent a Flickr Mail from XXX:

------------------------------------------------------------

:: Request to use photo of Bamban bridge


Hi dylac,

Greetings from Singapore Philatelic Museum! We are a
non-profit stamp museum that targets children and families
under the National Heritage Board of Singapore.

In Aug 09, the Philippines and Singapore are producing a
joint stamp issue on bridges to celebrate 40 years of
diplomatic relations. The Philippine bridges featured are
Bamban Bridge and Marcelo Fernan Bridge.

We are holding a 3-day exhibition on the new stamps and
will feature the Philippines and the bridges mentioned
above. We hope that this exhibition will let more people
here know about your beautiful country.

I enjoyed browsing through your lovely photos and would
like to request the use of this photo of Bamban Bridge for
free:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/12465415@N02/1985507702/

If you are agreeable, please let me know how I can credit
you for the use of photos.

Your help would be much appreciated. Please feel free to
contact me at @@@@@ if you've any queries.


I hope to hear your positive reply soon.


Warmest regards,
ML
Special Projects
Singapore Philatelic Museum
www.spm.org.sg

Miss Papa

Papa. Papa Boy. Papa Boo. BoyLac. ToyLac. Boy. Joe. Bok. Pare. Everybody special to him calls him different names.

A mass was offered to my father JPL Jr. last July 5 at Don Bosco Makati for his 14th month anniversary.

I shall visit him today (7/11) at the Familia Lacsamana mausoleum, Garden of the Asencion, Tarlac City.

A book that I read about grieving says that an average person grieves for 14 months.

My mother says to be thankful that he was a part of our lives for 36 years.

I love you and I miss you, Papa.

LA SALLIAN CENTER REUNION

MINUTES OF THE MEETING: LSC Reunion
Date: July 4, 2009
Time: 8pm July 4 to 3am July 5
Location: Last Home Bar in Mandaluyong City, Philippines
Minute Taker: DyLac
Attendees:
(1) Gene T., plastic surgeon
(2) Carlo B., businessman
(3) Christian R., businessman
(4) Dylan L., telco manager
(5) Gio B., company executive
(6) Dennis Q., businessman
(7) Mark B., US Navy
(8) Carlo T., businessman
(9) Cromwell B., businessman
(10) KZ F., hotel executive
(11) Rainer S., lawyer
(12) Alvin C., operations executive
(13) Byron O., college professor
(14) Nico C., sales executive
(15) Ian M., sales executive
(16) Warren L., law firm associate

FACTS:
* Gene T. and Carlo T. co-organized the reunion.
* The early birds were Gene T., Carlo B., Mark B. and myself.
* The 16 LSC dormies consumed 3 to 4 cases of San Mig light, 2 bottles of Jack Daniels and 1 bottle of Johnny Walker.
* We spoke to the ff. dormmates over the phone: (1) John Y. while in Davao City, (2) Tony D. in Angeles City, (3) Abe T. in Angeles City, (4) Jumbo T. in Angeles City, (5) Amiel "Magic" S. in Rizal, (6) Felix T. who was abroad and (7) Johnny G. in New Jersey USA. All of them wished they were present in the reunion.
* Despite being invited, unfortunately there were no LSC lady dormmates present during the reunion. They probably realized some secrets are too sensitive to be revealed.
*According to the organizer, invites were sent to Ms. Pilar P., Mrs. Marilou M., Susan and the canteen staff, the security guards but they were not available. But I could have sworn I saw S/G Butch Dacanay.
*Carlo T. and Marky B. were officially introduced. This was necessary as a result of a senior moment. I guess somebody has to take gluthapose.
*That night, maturity was at an all time low. Apparently, the attendees forgot that dorm life ended a decade or more ago. They acted as if they were still teenagers.
*People couldn't remember how they got home. We are not sure if this is a result of a dementia or matinding kalasengan. I hope it's the latter.

ACTION POINTS:
(1) Pictures taken using the digicam of Carlo B. and Gene T. will be loaded in FaceBook asap. Status: DONE.
(2) Gene, Christian, Dennis will meet with the NoCal based dormies on August week 3. For inquiries, get in touch with these people.
(3) Another reunion will be arranged in December this year near the birthdays of Christian R. and Carlo B. Who will foot the bill? Your guess is as good as mine.

Herewith is the copy of the minutes of the meeting. Pls. let me know if I missed anything.

Thanks.

DyLac
Room 26 & 20
La Sallian Center
969 A. Francisco St.
Malate, Manila

Swing Around Singapore...twice!

Singapore Fast Facts:
Coordinates: 1° 14′ 0″ N, 103° 55′ 0″ E
Official languages: English, Malay, Chinese, Tamil
Government: Parliamentary republic
Area: 710.2 km2
Population: 4,839,400 (2008 estimate)
Per capita: $51,142
Internet TLD: .sg
Calling code: +65

Ah Singapore, it’s slightly bigger than the whole of Metro Manila yet fourteen times richer than the Philippines in terms of per capita income. Never dreamt I'd get to visit this little country twice in a span of two month last year. The first visit was in April 2008 for a personal trip and the second in June for business. The personal visit was tipid to the max as we stayed in a cheap inn near Nathan road while during the business trip, we were billeted at Conrad Hilton along Two Temasek Boulevard and right beside Suntec City, Singapore's second biggest mall.

Here's my top ten favorite pix of this tiny but developed Southeast Asia neighbor:
Subject: Images of Singapore
Location: Sentosa Island
Date: June 2008
Taken from a Nikon D40

Subject: South side view of Singapore
Location: On top of the Merlion, Sentosa Island
Date: June 2008
Taken from a Nikon D40

Subject: Sentosa Train
Location: Sentosa Island
Date: June 2008
Taken from a Nikon D40

Subject: Merlion, the real thing
Location: While riding a bumboat
Date: April 2008
Taken from a Nikon D40

Subject: Esplanade
Location: Singapore
Date: June 2008
Taken from a Nikon D40

Subject: Spiral
Location: Time Square at Millenia Walk
Date: June 2008
Taken from a Nikon D40

Subject: MRT Symmetry
Location: Expo MRT
Date: June 2008
Taken from a Nikon D40

Subject: Singapore Flyer
Location: While riding the SG Flyer
Date: June 2008
Taken from a Nikon D40

Subject: Singaporeans @ work during CommunicAsia
Location: Singapore Expo 2008
Date: June 2008
Taken from a Nikon D40

Subject: Singapore Visitor Center
Location: Nathan Road
Date: April 2008
Taken from a Nikon D40

Go Cart

Mount Pinatubo
Originally uploaded by dylac

Pix taken on the way home from Mount Pinatubo last February. I used to ride a carabao drawn cart similar to this when I was a kid. I hope my children will also have an opportunity to experience that instead of spending time infront of a PC or a PSP.

Suzuki Jimny

Suzuki Jimny
Originally uploaded by dylac

Early 90s Suzuki Jimny.

Specs:
(1) Yellow body color.
(2) White steel rims, size 15 inches.
(3) Original body stickers
(4) Hood scoop
(5) No tint.

Saw it one evening parked along Bautista St.

The only draw back, ex-right hand drive.

Sell it to me for P70K and I'd buy it.

B5's Recog Day

B5's Recog Day
Originally uploaded by dylac

ME. ME. ME.

They say that blogging is all about self glorification. And they are right. This entry is about ME, particularly about my son's achievement. Some may call it bragging but it's based on a fact.

My son B5 (KML) got the following awards during their Elementary Recognition Day last July 1, 2009.
(1) Academic Excellence Award
(2) Christian Living Award
(3) Conduct Award

You made us proud again, my son! Keep it up.

Dad

Will Pacman Kowtow to Cotto

Here is what the statistic says:

Real name: Miguel Ángel Cotto
Nickname: Junito
Rated at Welterweight
Height: 5ft. 7in.
Nationality: Puerto Rico
Birth date: October 29, 1980 age 28
Birth place: Caguas, Puerto Rico
Stance: Orthodox
Boxing record
Total fights 35
Wins 34
Wins by KO 27
Losses 1
Draws 0
No contests 0

Real name: Emmanuel Dapidran Pacquiao
Nickname: Pac-Man, The Destroyer, The Mexi-cutioner, The People's Champion
Pambansang Kamao ("National Fist")
Rated at Light Welterweight
Height: 5 ft 7 in
Nationality: Filipino
Birth date: December 17, 1978 age 30
Birth place: Kibawe, Bukidnon, Philippines
Stance: Southpaw
Boxing record
Total fights 54
Wins 49
Wins by KO 37
Losses 3
Draws 2

The fight is on! Pacman vs Cotto in October 2009. The catch weight is 144 or 145 lbs. The promoter is none other that Bob Arum who recently said that Pacman is the bset of the best of the best. Pacman is expected to get 65% of the profit and odds will definitely be for him.

My opinion is that "may tulog si Pacman" literally and figuratively. Why? The recent Cotto fight against Cottey when the former won via a split decision but almost nearly got beat up just shows that (1) he is dirty a player and (2) how strong he is when he got a nasty cut in the eyebrow early in the fight but managed to last 12 rounds and win the contest.

Coming into the fight, MP is the overwhelming favorite. The tables have turned and this is the first time in his last four fights where he is facing the underdog. He is on a roll, winning his last 10 fights but will he survive the onslaught of the equally power punching Cotto? We will know in October.

DeLand is The Land by DyLan

FAST FACTS:
City: DeLand
County: Volusia
State: Florida
Country: United States of America
Nickname: The Athens of Florida
Population: 24,375
Coordinates: 29° 1′ 44″ N, 81° 18′ 2″ W
Zip Codes: 32720-32724
Area code: 386

DeLand, Florida, USA is over 7,000 miles from the Philippines but most of my father's siblings chose to live there. Two of my aunties born and raised in the Philippines have been living there for the last two decades, my parents lived there for more than a year and the youngest brother of my father and the uncle closest to me may stay there at least until he retires.

I've only been there twice in my 37 years of existence but the place is so significant that I can proudly (or emotionally) say that the place will be etched in my heart forever. If budget permits in the future, a visit to this place will definitely be in our itinerary.

Subject: The DeLand Museum of Art
Location: DeLand, Fla
Date: May 2006
Taken from a Sony Cybershot T1

Subject: Stetson University
Location: Stetson University, DeLand, Fla
Date: May 2006
Taken from a Sony Cybershot T1

Subject: Stetson University
Location: Stetson University, DeLand, Fla
Date: May 2006
Taken from a Sony Cybershot T1

Subject: Grace Chapel
Location: DeLand, Fla
Date: April 2008
Taken from a Nikon D40

Subject: Grace Chapel
Location: DeLand, Fla
Date: April 2008
Taken from a Nikon D40

Subject: New Old Office
Location: Downtown, DeLand, Fla
Date: May 2008
Taken from a Nikon D40

Subject: The Hospice of Volusia/Flagler Care Center
Location: DeLand, Fla
Date: May 2008
Taken from a Nikon D40

Subject: Cotton on Trees
Location: Near New York Avenue, DeLand, Fla
Date: May 2008
Taken from a Nikon D40

Subject: One of the interesting old house
Location: Downtown, DeLand, Fla
Date: May 2008
Taken from a Nikon D40

Subject: Old Volusia County Courthouse
Location: Downtown, DeLand, Fla
Date: May 2008
Taken from a Nikon D40

North Luzon Day 3 / May 18 - Back to Tarlac

It's our last day of our North Luzon adventure. Scheduled today is to explore (1) Laoag City and (2) Paoay in Ilocos Norte. The trip back to Tarlac will take around 7 hours sans traffic.

(1) LAOAG
Sinking Bell Tower in Laoag City, Ilocos Norte

St. William's Church in Laoag City, Ilocos Norte

(2) PAOAY
Malacanan of the North in Paoay, Ilocos Norte

Paoay Lake in Paoay, Ilocos Norte

(3) BADOC
At a garlic store in Badoc en route back to Tarlac.

North Luzon Day 2 / May 17 - Lakwatsa sa Laoag

We were on the road to Bangui, Ilocos Norte at around 8AM. We had a long list in our itinerary today: (1) Bangui to check out the windmills, (2) Bacarra, (3) Sarrat and (4) Paoay to continue our Bisita Iglesia, museum hopping in (5)Batac before calling it a day and rest in (6) Laoag City.

(1) BANGUI
Wind Mills in Bangui, Ilocos Norte

(2) BACARRA
St. Andrews Church in Bacarra, Ilocos Norte

(3) SARRAT
Marcos' Birthplace in Sarrat, Ilocos Norte
NB: The gentleman in a sky blue shirt is museum caretaker Mang Gerry.

Sta. Monica Church in Sarrat, Ilocos Norte

(4) PAOAY
St. Augustine Church in Paoay, Ilocos Norte

(5) BATAC
Batac Cathedral in Ilocos Norte

Marcos Mausoleum and Museum in Batac, Ilocos Norte

It was one of the most tiring day in my life. The decision to bring a driver really paid off. While the trip was physically exhausting, I would do it again because the memories, learnings and experience from that trip are priceless.

North Luzon Day 1 / May 16 - Viva Vigan

We left Tarlac City a little past 5:00am. For this 300 kilometer journey, our ETA Vigan was 11am but we were there almost 1pm because of traffic in some parts, bad roads and multiple call of nature breaks.

We had lunch at Cafe Uno resto which was recommended by my officemates. Next up was we checked in at Vigan Plaza Hotel whose location was just perfect. It's along Calle Crisologo which is the main tourist destination in this Unesco acclaimed city. We had empanada at okoy at the empanadahan. I wonder why they didn't call the place okoyan. We rode the calesa (horse drawn carriage) in a tour around the city. We went to Jose Burgos' birthplace, pottery making plant, souvenir shops and calle crisologo. Dinner was in Cafe Leonora then we called it a night.

Calle Crisologo in Vigan, Ilocos Sur (daytime)

Empanadahan in Vigan, Ilocos Sur

Cathedral of Vigan, Ilocos Sur

Pottery Making in Vigan, Ilocos Sur

Riding a Calesa in Vigan, Ilocos Sur

Calle Crisologo in Vigan, Ilocos Sur (night time)

North Luzon Adventure: one van, one plan

Let me start by saying that this is my first time in my adult life to go north of the philippines. The farthest I've been up north is Baguio City. I was 10 years old when i first went to the Ilocos region.

The trip is made special because the travel team includes my mother, my sister and her 1 yr old daughter, my ninang jing, my wife, my 11 yr old son and 5 yr old daughter. And of course the driver Edwin. He was a big factor because his presence meant less stress for me and more opportunity to take pictures.

For this 3 day adventure, the plan was to explore the provinces of Ilocos Norte and Sur and en route see the sights along the highway in the provinces of Tarlac, Pangasinan and La Union. The itinerary includes checking out churches, windmill watching and marveling at marcos family wealth.

Let the adventure begin.

52 Pick-Up : May 5, 2008

"It's a good day to die" by Alan Raimy (played by John Glover) in the movie 52 Pick-Up. I remember one weekday afternoon in the mid 80s when my father and I watched the movie at my grandfather's house in Tarlac City. My father liked the movie and so did I.

A year ago, I got a text from my mother which reads "Papa is in d icu. Ask 4 prayers 4 him cal". We were on the last day of our family vacation then in Singapore and that text was not a fitting way to cap a trip.

Two days after we arrived in the Phils from SG, my sister and I were on a plane to DeLand Florida USA to see my father. It was my worse and best trip to the land of milk and honey. Worse because I'd be going there to face a situation that I feared all my life. Best because we (my mother, my sister and myself) were by his bedside when he passed away.

I dreaded the type of message that I received from my mother but I knew sooner or later I would receive that kind of message. It was just a matter of time. When my father passed away, it dawned on me the reality that life is not eternal in the world we live in. It's my father's 1st year death anniversary today (5/5).

Eternal rest grant unto the soul of my father Jose Jr. May perpetual life shine upon him. May he rest in peace. Amen.

Pacman-Hitman: A win win for DL

May 3, 2009

Just hours before the big fight between Filipino Manny Pacquiao and Briton Ricky Hatton, my thought bubble is that this is a win win situation for me because a win by Hatton would mean I'll be P200 peso richer while a win Manny would mean glory for the Filipinos. I want Pacman to win this fight. Good luck, Manny!