Fly with me to Tacloban City

Last week, I traveled to Valencia City via Cagayan de Oro City. And, today, I'm in Isabel, Leyte for my second official trip this year. I took the early flight from Manila via Tacloban City this morning. The plane trip was smooth and sky view spectacular. Most importantly, the plane was on time.

I'm sharing the pictures of the sky from 32,000 feet altitude. C'mon and fasten your seat belts!

At about 6:00 AM

6:05 AM

6:10 AM

6:15 AM

6:20 AM

6:25 AM

6:30 AM

7:05 AM

Jay ties the knot with Michelle

Jay and Michelle will exchange vows of love and fidelity on February 7, 2009 at 3:00 PM at the La Parilla Hotel & Restaurant in Cabanatuan City.

Jay is wifey's nephew from her cousin in Talavera, Nueva Ecija. And, she's one of the principal sponsors.

Congratulations and good luck, Jay and Michelle!

Flying back to Manila

Last Tuesday, after eating my breakfast, I checked out of the hotel, proceeded to the Lumbia Airport in Cagayan de Oro City and boarded the plane for Manila. As usual, I took the exit row seat for more legroom. The ride to Manila was smooth unlike the bumpy ride to Cagayan de Oro City. And, the plane departed and arrived on time.

Twittering

I've joined Twitter last year. I've learned that Ted Murphy is on Twitter too. You may check the profile of ted on twitter.

If you're not a member of Twitter yet, I recommend that you join this social network too.

My breakfast in Cagayan De Oro City

From my official business in Valencia City yesterday, I returned back to Cagayan De Oro City for an overnight stay for my flight back to Manila this morning.

The hotel where I stayed has a free buffet breakfast. Before going to the airport, I ate my breakfast first.

Plain rice, fried eggs, corned beef, bacon, coffee, four seasons juice


Mango, pineapple, papaya, watermelon, banana, cake, coffee, pineapple juice


My third cup of coffee

Except for the coffee, I didn't go back to the buffet table anymore to get for more. I was already full. Burp!

Bebe Gandanghari

When I got out of our room from my afternoon nap, I saw wifey and daughter Jaja watching the TV. I saw a beautiful lady being interviewed in Startalk Exclusive by Joey De Leon, Lolit Solis, Butch Franciso and Ricky Lo. Then, I immediately realized she's the erstwhile Rustom Padilla - the brother (or sister - whatever) of Robin and Royette Padilla - the hoodlums. He (she - whatever) is now known as Bebe (pronounced as Bibi) Gandanghari. I was really amazed at how he's transformed from a macho man to a lovely beautiful lady (from the outside).
OMG! Nanay Lolit's right. He (she - whatever) looks like Carmina Villaroel - his (her - whatever) ex-wife.

Actually, during his macho days, I already sensed otherwise. How did I know? It takes one to know one. Oh, di ba!!!


Related topic: Rustom Padilla is dead!

PhotoHunt 145 - Hat(s)

The theme is HAT(s). I don't have a HAT but caps. I was looking for my picture wearing a hard HAT but couldn't find it.

While considering what would be my entry, I took notice of wifey's collection of dolls, particularly the Chinese doll wearing a hat, which she bought in Hong Kong.


Upcomingphotohunt themes:

• January 24: chipped
• January 31: furry
• February 7: bridge(s).

PayPerPost is offering less

I logged in to my PayPerPost (PPP) account and checked the available opportunities. Wow, there were five with grey background and one with white. But, I was surprised to see the offers. The offers for five opps were minuscule - fifty cents, a dollar, and a dollar and fifty. Despite the low offers, four opps have already been reserved. There's only one that's still available - "Blog pictures".


Curious for the low offers, I checked the available opp out. The task is very easy. All you need to do is register with the sponsor's site (a source of free pictures), link it and hotlink a photo. You're not even required to write a post. What could I buy with fifty cents? One bottle of beer! Since the task's very easy, I took it.

But, I'm already worried and alarmed with the trends.

First, the opportunities are scarce. In the last three months of 2007 (I started with PPP on September 2007), I averaged 15 opps a month. In 2008, I just averaged two opps a month. And, this new year, there are offers that are too low.

Happy Fiesta, Isabelanons

HAPPY FIESTA 2009!

Today is the feast of Senor Sto. Nino in Isabel, Leyte. The Isabelanons are annually celebrating this feast grandiosely though not as grandiose as the Ati-atihan, Sinulog, Dinagyang, etc.

The Municipality of Isabel is situated in the western part of Leyte. It’s where the Leyte Industrial Development (LIDE), an economic zone, is located.

I’ve been going to and fro this municipality since the late ‘80s as part of my job. Three years ago, I was able to experience for the first time their fiesta. We’re invited to a dinner in the house of one of the municipal officers. At the town plaza, there were several activities going on. Some celebrities from Manila were there and graced the occasion.

I wish I could experience again their fiesta.

Be successful in your business

Starting a business in this age of technology is no walk in the park. In the olden days, a business needed only a pen, paper and some ingenuity to stay in the business. That was then. Business today must be equipped and updated with the latest technology to stay afloat and compete.

Big companies can afford and keep up with the latest technologies. They are also able to buy IT solutions and hire IT experts. Maintaining an IT group is already an advantage. How about the small and medium companies? Can they afford getting IT software and hire IT experts? Otherwise, the future of their businesses is gloomy.

It’s already a given fact that without a technology, a business is without a future. There is good news for those who are starting a business who could not yet afford to keep up with the latest technology. You do not need an in-house IT department to be successful in the business. All you need is manhattan it consulting, who will help you in your IT requirements and network support services.

Whatever business or industry you are in, you can depend on iCorps comprehensive IT outsourcing solution that is right and perfect for any aspect of your technology requirements.

By the way, big companies could further save by getting IT outsourcing solution rather than maintaining their in-house IT departments.

PhotoHunt 144 - Aftermath

As part of our road trip to Bicol region two weeks ago, we visited the Cagsawa Church ruins in Daraga, Albay, Philippines.

Only the belfry tower of the church is left above the ground in the AFTERMATH of the eruption of Mayon Volcano in 1814. About 15,000 people, including the 1,200 people who sought shelter inside the church, perished in this devastation. The tower has become a famous landmark and tourist attraction in the country. (Note: the tower was being cleansed, hence the scaffolds.)

The picture below was taken during my first visit in 1988 or 20 years ago. The Mayon Volcano was partly visible at the backdrop.

Upcomingphotohunt themes:

• January 17: hat(s)
• January 24: chipped
• January 31: furry.

Brightstorm online education

My two kids are grown up now. But, I still remember how they were doing during their high school years. My younger kid had been doing fine, but my older one had difficulties in his studies, particularly in mathematics. To help him in his studies and homeworks, we sent him to a tutor after classes and on weekends. And, on summer classes, he was taking two or three subjects. We were very happy, he graduated.

During those years, we had no access to online education sites yet. With the latest technology in computers and internet, online education sites are now possible and can be accessed whenever and wherever you are. And, this is good news for students, their parents and teachers. How I wish they had been available then.

One great online education site that helps high school students and their teachers is Brightstorm (partners.brightstorm.com/sheridan). It offers video courses on algebra, geometry, writing, history, government and more. You can also choose your teachers from their best teachers in the world who explain pretty well your chosen subjects professionally.

Brightstorm can definitely help your high school kids attain good grades in their classes and prepare them well for college education. And, your kids would not get bored studying at Brightstorm.

Sign up for a free brightstorm account and check out the available courses and see how good it would be for your high school kids. I tried it and would recommend it to my friends with high school kids.

The three churches

During our four-day road trip to Bicol region last week, we're able to visit three churches:

The Penafrancia Basilica Minore in Naga City:

The Cagsawa Church ruins in Daraga, Albay:

And, the Lucban Church in Lucban, Quezon:

Finally, it's 2009. I'm wishing you a:

Happy

&

Prosperous

New Year!