tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-232680882024-03-08T11:54:02.802+08:00i am jayWe can either make a living or design a life...Jay Lagathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10117193933024567886noreply@blogger.comBlogger80125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23268088.post-24780030551111580842016-05-25T13:32:00.002+08:002016-05-25T13:45:16.031+08:00Two TIA episodes. One Life.<div style="text-align: justify;">
The past eight months was quite a challenging one. Much had happened. Much had changed. But two episodes defined me. Two TIAs in seven months.</div>
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I was into boxing fitness since June of 2015. I am classified obese at 200lbs. I lost about 22lbs in three months in almost daily boxing sessions at the gym and was really elated knowing that I could really shed weight if only I am serious about losing weight.</div>
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Mid-September came my first TIA episode. Around 5pm while driving suddenly I was confused big time. Suddenly false memories kept bombarding my brain. My mind was like 110 miles per hour that I cannot remember some patches of it. In fact I could not remember the whole time I was driving the a stretch of Roxas Boulevard that Friday afternoon. I could only remember all the confusion I experienced. I was conscious, yes. But I didn't know it was dangerous. I never told Ella about it. My conscious self was telling me that it should be alright.</div>
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One of the few moments I could remember that day was I told Ella I lost my driver's license and that I may be driving without it the whole day. Ella told me that I kept on opening and closing one of the doors when I stepped down from our van. Cut the story short, we switched places.</div>
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Hours later, I noticed I had sms conversations with some friends. I had calls between 4pm and 5pm that I couldn't really remember having it. Then I became more confused. The following day, I felt so tired. Headaches kept popping on the left side of my head. Some are subtle, others are really painful. All I really wanted was to sleep. Three days later, I was doagnosed with TIA, Transient Ischemic Attack.</div>
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My lipid profile was 50% above the high borderline. BP was past 150/100. MRI showed calcified artery at my left brain which probably caused the TIA. </div>
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Fast forward six months later and about four normal lipid profile tests, I went back to boxing. I really need to go back to the gym again. For three weeks I had like 12 full sessions and cutting about 3 lbs. I was happy. But on the third week, I told my trainor that something must be wrong with my body. I suddenly felt weakness and I couldn't finish my routines. Five days later... second TIA episode.</div>
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Monday morning, As I climb down the stairs and I remember staring at my pair of shoes. I specifically stared at the brown one and I was wondering why I have a pair of K-swisses. So I took the blue one instead as I wasn't really so sure that it was mine. Second, I took my ukulele for a strum but then I could not remember some chords. That moment, I knew something was wrong. Few moments later I find myself driving my family to Manila then the confusion peaked. As we entered the expressway, I told Ella I was confused big time and I cannot continue driving. It was not as bad as the first one seven months back, I guess. But everything seemed the same. False memories and some sms and screenshots of my neurologist's contact information in my phone.</div>
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Three days in the hospital and my neurologist told me that the boxing and the alcohol could be the culprit. My lipid profile spiked too to 5.7, however not as bad as seven months back when it was 7.8. Just a little above high normal. My cardiologist changed some of my medications and told me to strictly follow my meds schedule. Four meds, two supplements per day. Costs my family a fortune actually and it's not funny at all.</div>
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I have kids. Two of them in the pre-teens. My youngest just turned seven. It's kind of worrying me sometimes. A lot of what ifs and what nots in my mind. My wife is so supportive of me that I sometimes thought how could she deserve all of this??? They mean a load to me. They are my life. My world could only rotate around them.</div>
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It's been one month since. I look physically normal. However, I have this constant headaches specifically on the left part of my head. I have trouble remembering some details. I have trouble typing. Most of the time I had to retype because I usually mispell the words I am typing. I have trouble looking for the right words. I have trouble remembering names. I was bad at remembering names but this time it is a struggle. Takes me a few more seconds to utter the name out of my memory. My brain is in constant battle... everyday. It's traumatic.</div>
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But then my brother told me to just forget about it and live it like it is completely normal. It made sense though. Why would my life be taken away by some useless worries and negative thoughts. He reminded me that I was once an optimist so I had to be at it again. </div>
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I read a post by one Jennifer de Vries at a facebook support page for TIA/Ischemic Stroke patients that I am a member of and it says...<br />
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<i><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">""<span style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;">Whether you had one TIA episode or multiples, they are a form of trauma. Trauma changes one - forever..... </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;">You can live your diagnosis or live with your diagnosis. The choice is yours Jennifer." I chose the latter and h</span><span class="text_exposed_show" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; display: inline; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;">ave found much joy in the life I've been given. My circle of friends is tighter and smaller, I've learned to say "No", I treasure my family more than ever and I have learned self-care is the ultimate necessity, not a luxury. Be good to yourself always..."</span></span></i><br />
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I will be learnign to live a life with TIA for sure. But it won't take away my life. I have a loving family. I have a few friends, really good friends. I have the best support one could ever have in my wife and family and my siblings. All is good. All is well. I have a choice and I'm sure it's the best one. I only got one life. I got to live with it. God-willing, I am living a full life.</div>
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Jay Lagathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10117193933024567886noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23268088.post-35466014134111430252015-07-01T15:20:00.002+08:002015-07-01T15:34:55.668+08:00Oh come on! We're friends!<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEia1e_hgISClqapVweD23HLy6PRXyrNSpmdWmdVqFAhittBPDv21AmvT20KOo2xX_5js15YGhvXUz1byBRXUnhHs7hytj5J46__f2B2ga9PHlNH6Iam07AhEzp46dONQcueLEBk/s1600/fb-dumbs_o_743565.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEia1e_hgISClqapVweD23HLy6PRXyrNSpmdWmdVqFAhittBPDv21AmvT20KOo2xX_5js15YGhvXUz1byBRXUnhHs7hytj5J46__f2B2ga9PHlNH6Iam07AhEzp46dONQcueLEBk/s200/fb-dumbs_o_743565.jpg" width="193" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">meme from www.memecenter.com</td></tr>
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My wife has been bugging me about the number of friends I have in Facebook. In a way, she was wondering if the ones in my list are really my friends outside Facebook. Do I really have to share my life to virtual friends that I barely know of, or in some sense, that I never really met personally?</div>
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So far none of my virtual friends, I say friends that I never met, have been worrying so far. I got a lot! Some are G-shock retailers, fake sneakers resellers, some are from the photography sector and all that... I don't know, maybe I am just as friendly in the real world as in the virtual world.</div>
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But, let's face it. Social media has changed old the rules of relationships... and I am not really against it. That's why Ella was bugging me all about it last night.</div>
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Well, at least I didn't find them annoying nor they are abusive. In fact, I find most of them very interesting. Nap Beltran, a virtual friend from the photography world, I find him amusing and intellectual in so many ways. I can disagree with his political views as much as I can agree with some of his. But the persona that he is (or she) is just as ideal for a friend. Real life friends on the other hand can hardly get to his standard, I believe so. Well, I could only hope I could meet him someday and scratch some of his fingernails... And well, Nap is gay and I don't mind. I would rather have gay friends who are truthful and trustworthy than have them straights who lack balls.</div>
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Internet retailers. Most probably we wouldn't trust them. That's why potential buyers would research about these retailers before purchasing from them. Or we would probably just buy from the legitimate stores in a mall. Kenneth Yu, a watch retailer. I trust him. Not that I am an advocate for underground businesses... but this guy is really trustworthy. With the transactions that I have with him, and hundreds more like me who would like to catch a really good discounts, he is the man. Real life friends, some will charge you "extra" until you probably rot in hell. Trust is an ultimate issue and sadly, the real world lacks of it as much as in the virtual world.<br />
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Eric Acosta, of pinoyguns. He's my go-to person when it comes to FA ownership. I asked a lot of questions about guns and he wouldn't mind answering all my queries with a "Bro." before my name. That's an extra mile... In the real world, them so called friends would even mock you for that silly question you were asking and most like will call you "tanga naman..."</div>
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Does it matter really to have more virtual friends than one must have? Does it matter really that one must have more real friends than "who-the-hell-they-are" friends? </div>
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Nah! I wouldn't mind having them hanging around my timeline and enjoying their intellects than them people who would encroach to my life, to our lives... making a mockery out of me.</div>
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These past few months is a realization for me, and probably for my wife too. Some friends come, they hang out, make a mess... and they're gone. My virtual friends? They are hanging around in my timeline having a very good time... and so am I.</div>
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Jay Lagathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10117193933024567886noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23268088.post-13144424204639435962015-06-29T22:30:00.000+08:002015-06-29T22:34:39.527+08:00A Birthday Memory<div style="text-align: justify;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3GQ2cVqazbF0O8ka10p-tWeGo_w8JN4dbPD7eZox7N9oeB7nZhhOmPOxJKxAqhm3ojnfgkxv1fvdFW_iFmsP49YYTx-oy0RhCJB2q4vlRvZhInf23acUCfX17SAmkOKZUfUfu/s1600/10504855_10152579985184705_3284887265221031760_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3GQ2cVqazbF0O8ka10p-tWeGo_w8JN4dbPD7eZox7N9oeB7nZhhOmPOxJKxAqhm3ojnfgkxv1fvdFW_iFmsP49YYTx-oy0RhCJB2q4vlRvZhInf23acUCfX17SAmkOKZUfUfu/s200/10504855_10152579985184705_3284887265221031760_o.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
This past year have been quite difficult for us. Of course, we have seen a lot of beautiful things too, but going through deaths of loveones is really heartbreaking. We celebrate life to its very fullest for once and then death just took away all the joy, the laughter and all that was worth. What leaves us are nothing but memories.</div>
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Exactly a year ago today, papa celebrated one of his happiest birthdays. Ella made sure that he's having his favorite dishes, my brother made sure that his all-time favorite lechon is served, Joy made sure that all of his friends were coming. It was an awesome day. One can see the happiness of a child celebrating a birthday by the look on his face. Seeing him like that was happiness and it was unforgettable. </div>
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He was happy that he had palm reading sessions with the ladies that night. It was his first palm reading session in about a year... when he somehow predicted my father-in-law's health on a father's day. I am a skeptic but I am still amazed at how papa would simply catch or predict one's fate or past or traits or wahtever. I thought it was all trickery. Well, could be coincidence... until some of his readings were quite accurate and the last were with my in-laws. Mang Boy had a heart attack about five hours later. Papa was depressed as if he was blaming himself for reading Mang Boy's "fate." When Mang Boy recovered, so did papa... but he promised himself not to have palm reading sessions again. </div>
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Exactly a year ago today, he had his last palm reading session. His usual ladies were lining up for some future insights. Well, it was all ladies that night though and I won't forget how he made them ladies happy and he was too! He had his usual laughter, a drunk kind of laughter, after each reading. That "hahahaha! Ho!" was really tempting. Happiness, you know.... Can't take that away from him that night.</div>
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Who would have thought it would be his last birthday? He was strong! He could take two to three liters of red horse beer in one sitting. He could sweep out all the rubbish down the street like he was the official block street sweeper. Who would have thought?</div>
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There are times when I get to see memories of him while alone. I still see my man the last time I saw him alive. I can still see my man the last time I sent him for a checkup. I still see my man the last time I saw his face turned read after I pulled the plug... To be honest, it is hurting me still. I still can't get over his passing. To be honest, pulling the plug was quite an experience. I'd be damned if I didn't feel chills until today. It was pretty aweful. People would say a few things like "it's okay, he was gone way before you unplug him..." or "you freed him of suffering..." and all that... But I could only say in silence that the feeling was not really good that it hurts still.</div>
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But he was gone. I know he is in a better place. I also hope that he is enjoying some heavenly beers on the other side. It's his birthday, he deserves some celebration, yeah! I could only pray for myself, that one day so soon, I will get over his passing and move on. I could only pray for my mom, that she be healthy. I could only pray for my siblings that they may find happiness in everything that they do. I'm sure my old man is very proud of them. I hope he is proud of me too!</div>
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Today would have been papa's 77th birthday. But he came short of waiting for this day. He looked forward for this day. He's got plans... but it's not meant to be. It would have been so much fun. Just not meant to be.</div>
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I really missed my old man. I missed kissing him. I missed hugging him... I missed the times when he shoo me away because I was so annoying already when I hug him. It was something I looked forward to when I got to visit him. Never got to happen again, I guess.</div>
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Happy birthday me old man! No more hugs but I'm pretty sure you look better now. No more pains yeah! Rest. Well. I love you so much, papa!</div>
Jay Lagathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10117193933024567886noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23268088.post-55203551767365897512015-05-09T13:27:00.000+08:002015-05-09T13:27:29.821+08:00Dear Papa<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Dear Papa,</div>
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I just want to thank you for the man that you were. You were not perfect, I know, but it made perfect sense to me that you were my old man. You had always taught me the essence of forgiveness, of just being happy, of just being simple, of just being broke and not giving up, of just being loved and to love more in return... and for breaking me and starting to pick-up the pieces as soon as you left.</div>
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I remember those days as a teen when I used to hate you. You were the person who I love to hate. I used to curse you for being my father. I used to pick you to fight me but you chose not to. I used to blame you for my fate. I used to hurt you. I did papa, I know. I knew it broke your being. It seemed that love was gone.</div>
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But I also remember when things changed when we had a good talk. When you asked me for a pair of shoes and I brought you to the shoe store for fitting. Your feet were so small Papa, we had to go to the kids section. I remember I was in tears trying to find you a pair. I still remember the feeling Pa. You had me realize how grateful I was to be your son. You suddenly changed my perspective in life. You suddenly made me realize that I was all wrong about you. I am not perfect Papa, but you made perfect sense to me that I am your son. We talked about being thankful and forgiveness that day Papa... It was a fine December day. Promise I won't forget that.</div>
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There were more days that I didn't visit you even when we were very near. Perhaps I was busy trying to make a life out of what I have. Maybe I was ignoring you. Last December we had a good talk. You asked me why? It broke me Papa and you knew what I suddently felt. I cannot answer you back because it felt so bad. I asked you "kumusta pa?" while I hugged you. You answered back... "I am old Jeeh. My days are gone and numbered..." You broke me that day Papa. I went home in tears that night Papa. It really felt so bad. It made perfect sense to me how you were so forgiving without even me asking for one.</div>
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You were sick Papa after that talk. You were feverish. You were complaining about your leg pains that you thought were just arthritis. You made me worried. You made everyone worried. I remember how worried you were about the expenses, how you told us that you were worried about JR having to spend all his savings for your bills. How you were worried about the money spent for your hospitalization... But it was more worrisome Papa when we were told you had cancer. I remember how it felt Papa. You were in pain. But it made more sense to us Papa, that we everyone learned the joy of just being with you. Mama really took care of you 24/7. All those years Papa, you guys fought almost everyday... but I remember the sight of mama taking care of you and it was wonderful.</div>
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We asked your firstborn to visit you last February Papa. I remember the expression of your face when you saw her. You cried Pa... but you told us you cried because your legs hurt. How we laughed so hard pa. How you brought joy to my heart that day Papa and to ate Melen too.</div>
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Papa, the past months, we used to joke around each other. You were stronger. You looked better. You looked the happiest. You looked healthier. You posed for selfies. You appreciate more of the small things. That fifty pesos or a thousand more didn't matter to you. You showed us Papa that joy of giving unconditionally and it made perfect sense to me now. Your pains and gains didn't matter to you anymore but the mere presence of your loveones did. I will always remember Papa the joy you felt when your best Ella came to visit you. You were the happiest papa. And until the end Papa, you made Ella realize that she moves on with her lost too, for good.</div>
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My siblings are the happiest too Papa. They got more stories to tell. Mama is the happiest too papa. She's got more love to share and tell.</div>
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These past week, you were sick again. We utter few words. I asked you to come with us but you didn't want. You were quite serious when you told us last Tuesday you wanted Joy to get married soon because you were going. I remember I didn't say a thing. Something was off that afternoon Pa. I kept my distance at the clinic. We stared at each other sometimes. I try to smile Pa, you kept your silence. I never thought that was your last Tuesday.</div>
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Pa, I saw your struggle. Pa, I heard the doctor said that we might lose you. But Pa, your heart still gave a chance to stay with you. Your mind was no longer there but your heart Pa was so strong and I could only hope I have that strength... it was beating still pa. You gave us a chance to stay together beside you. You gave us a chance to pray together Pa. And most of all, you gave a chance to look at the brighter side of life when we decided to let you go. It was painful Pa, but we had to let you go. You know Pa, you left surrounded by the ones you loved. You must be very proud Papa.</div>
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Papa, I have always told you how much I love you. I will miss kissing you Pa. I will miss hugging you until you complain that you had enough hugs from me. I will miss teasing you around. I will miss those jokes and banters Pa and you were good at that really.</div>
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It makes perfect sense to me now Papa... you had lived through rough rides but you were gracious every step of the way. You loved us best. We love you more Papa.</div>
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Kita ta sunod didto sa pikas, magdala ko ug redhorse. Padayon na Pa. Padayon na.</div>
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Jay Lagathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10117193933024567886noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23268088.post-522798463601374462014-05-22T16:36:00.000+08:002014-05-22T16:36:59.024+08:00Handy Man<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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"Palagay ko 'di mo kaya yan..."<br />
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These were some of the most memorable words my father-in-law told me. Honesty at it's best and it was beautifully said. We laughed after he told me those words as I somehow agreed to what he said.</div>
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About three weeks before Mang Boy passed away, I happened to enjoy watching cooking shows on Food Network Asia and NatGeo People. Somehow to pass time and learn at the same time. Most of these times, Mang Boy was watching with me and together we seemed to appreciate what we were watching. People cooking and eating like nobody else's business or some hosts tour around the world for some good eats and watch them fall like crazy. He loved to eat and that made the watching more fun. He commented one time on an Italian Beef Stew (sort of) slow cooked in red wine... "Parang Adobo lang yan ah!" and a beatiful smile on his face like he was tasting it already.</div>
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On Tuesday before he left, we watched the Rachel Ray show and as I was drooling of the food she was preparing, I told him that I might try to cook it myself. I am no cook. In fact I don't cook unless it's about cooking rice or fried fish and all that simple and uncomplicated cooking stuffs.</div>
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"Luto kaya ako nyan Mang Boy. Sa tingin mo?" :D</div>
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His eyes was still glued on TV and simply commented... "Palagay ko 'di mo kaya yan..."</div>
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I laughed and asked for a reconfirmation of what he just told me... "'di nga Mang Boy? hahaha!"</div>
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"Palagay ko di mo kaya..." with an honest squirm or grin on his face or whatever that was. I laughed. He laughed. That's it.</div>
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I miss my dad-in-law. To be honest, yesterday was one of the loneliest days since he left. As if it was all sureal. I can barely talk. I just want to cry, to be honest. I always tell my friends how lucky I am to have such nice in-laws. Ironic since I often hear some people complain about their in-laws and all. But I don't have such a feeling towards them especially to Mang Boy. He played a big role to my being a father to my kids. He may not talk much but he seemed to relay a lot of wisdom to me most of the time. Well not at all serious thoughts but all made sense. He was the kind of person that you can easily get along with... even if you were just a nobody. He just didn't care much about who he was talking to.</div>
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He was the kind of person who would talk to some unsuspecting strangers and made conversations with them. PR at it's best. He would talk to the cashier at some store and tease her. He would call me and include me in their conversation and the three of us would laugh so hard. The cashier would blush when she realized that the joke was on her... "Ano ba sir? wala namang ganun..." would be an easy comment.</div>
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He easily gets mad at some petty things but he was fast at forgetting about being mad. He always told me that he will die a happy man because he doesn't have quarels with anyone. When things get loose, he will fix it as soon as possible. He was a handy man. He fixed everything.. broken electronics, broken furnitures, broken doors... even broken lives. One last major fixing that he did was about a son of his nephew. Thought really that was a major blow. He was really stressed with the situation but he was able to fix (hopefully) a little bit after some convincing. My wife was really worried about him that day. He was not supposed to be stressed that big because of his illness. At the end of the day, he was happy with what he did. We were just hoping that it was all worth it... really.</div>
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My relationship with Mang Boy was not at all perfect. There were few times that we had some misunderstandings but we always found ways to fix it. I really had a beautiful friendship with him and I cherish that friendship until I die. I was not even ashamed to tell him that I love him... Awkward it may seem to many but I was not ashamed to tell him that. Sometimes in a fun way but I will not forget that day when I told him that quite seriously because I mean it.</div>
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The past 11 months, he made peace with his God. He learned to stare death like it was really going to come to him soon and played along with it. He accepted a certain fate especially in the last weeks when he subtly told us that he was going soon... Sadly, we didn't pick up quite well. If we could have known... We could have waited a couple more days and stayed with him. But it was not the way it was. It is really hard to digest but life has to move on eh. Life has to move on.</div>
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I thank God for giving me nice in-laws. It would have been hard to imagine life if they were not that great. Here's hoping that everyone moves on quite easily from here and live life to even more fuller than it was. </div>
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So long, Mang Boy. I miss you. I love you. I sincerely wish that I was with you in your last day and took care of you. There would have been enough answers to some questions now. But it was your time to go and we have to let you go... and we have nothing to do about it but just let some questions hanging and leave them just that...</div>
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Until we meet again Mang Boy and we will watch some cooking shows again, yeah!</div>
Jay Lagathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10117193933024567886noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23268088.post-88539934202680572752013-11-30T17:39:00.001+08:002013-11-30T17:39:09.003+08:00The Longest Six<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Who would have thought that six hours would be that long? It was bladder blasting. It was the longest prayer time of some worried souls inside the family waiting room... It was simply agonizing.</div>
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Five patients at the operating room at one time, five worrisome families waiting for some news, silent, crying. One could hear the chaos at EDSA from nearly a mile away. The silence is just deafening. Phones vibrate. Friends and families' SMSs waiting for some news too... a welcome relief sometimes of the tensions building inside ones chest.</div>
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Ella and myself left home at 3:55 in the morning for an hour's trip to the Philippine Heart Center. We just want to be at the hospital suite before Mang Boy is taken to the operating room. Funny though, the first time I saw Ella so much religious and prayerful the past few weeks. She downloaded a rosary prayer app from the appstore and started praying with it while we were on the road. I'm no catholic but I understand. One should be in reconciliation with the Creator especially in times like these. One must have the bestest, most sincere prayer for some time and it was very beautiful.</div>
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Mang boy was already prepared for the operation when we arrived. He was already connected to two IV lines. The medication nurse was explaining to him about all those meds and pain relievers and sedatives that were to be administered to him and all. Mang boy looked tired. He didn't sleep that night, felt some butterflies in his tummy and told me he was really scared while he was being stretchered down to the OR. Mang Boy is one tough guy but it surely looked like he felt helpless yesterday. One damn helpless person indeed. I would strike a joke. He would strike back one. Just like the day before yeah. He would speak english to me full of "you knows..." The nurses would laugh at him especially when he joked about mama being fat... I signed some papers and let him go, really hoping and praying for the best. It was 7:00 AM. As I went out of the OR receiving room, I saw a little girl waiting for her turn to be received. Chills you know... What have she done to deserve an operation like that... chest to be opened, heart to be repaired and all. Later I found out that the girl's pacemaker had to be replaced after nine years. </div>
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Soon other patients came in... some even babies. It was an aweful feeling really. Why the babies?</div>
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At the waiting room, I saw Ella and my mother-in-law reading their novenas. The other lady praying the rosary. A couple of guys who came in earlier were reading newspapers and a couple in front of us holding each other's hands... I guess they were comforting each other in silence. The room was so damn cold. Perhaps helping the mind to concentrate on the praying...</div>
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Came the news. Ella was called to the surgery waiting room and was told that Mang Boy's surgery was a success. Four and a half hours on the table, an hour and a half more than the scheduled three hours. Ella was told that they found scars around his heart, signs that he had multiple silent heart attacks before. The aorta is safe... for now. One tough heart in one tough guy. It was around 12:30. Ella's bladder was already filled but she didn't want to let it drained.</div>
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Mang Boy was out fo the OR at around 1:00 in the afternoon. It was a very relieving feeling. We made it to 50% of the process. He had to recover and must be awake by 6:00 in the evening. One surgery down, one more to go within the next seven days.</div>
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Ours is a good news... The other family was not a good one. We prayed for the best. They prayed too. Just sad that some soul's hopes are to be shattered in vain. Imagine the wait. Imagine the time spent. Imagine every single pain inside. Imagine everything. It could have been ours. The disappointment could have been to somebody elses... God must have some reasons. We wouldn't know. But I'm sure God is a comforting God. I'm sure. Life has to move on. Life has to go on. </div>
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There are a lot of realizations these past few weeks. Spiritually uplifting, eye-opening experience. And truly during these stressful and agonizing days, we meet some new acquantances that cheer us up, new friends, we know more of the friendships we have made, some are real friends and some are just not good enough.</div>
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<i><span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px; text-align: start;">"When things are bad, we take comfort in the thought that they could always get worse. And when they are, we find hope in the thought that things are so bad they have to get better." </span></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px; text-align: start;">– </span><span style="border: 0px; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: start; vertical-align: baseline;">Malcolm S Forbes</span></span></i></div>
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Jay Lagathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10117193933024567886noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23268088.post-4537950539665145112013-11-29T05:56:00.000+08:002013-11-29T05:56:01.384+08:00Looking forward<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5zg__XbZsVNrWML1PQTivHHOjlQeeDpyEWzdMefwynPD9_OPOngA0_WftIDXQCiklycFyUnwHe2209qCh0-9LzVT8ctCKA7GaHCAFEtV_0-XMx4PLWzeNJwBIzyHvrc2isWsd/s1600/IMG_4590.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5zg__XbZsVNrWML1PQTivHHOjlQeeDpyEWzdMefwynPD9_OPOngA0_WftIDXQCiklycFyUnwHe2209qCh0-9LzVT8ctCKA7GaHCAFEtV_0-XMx4PLWzeNJwBIzyHvrc2isWsd/s200/IMG_4590.jpg" width="150" /></a></div>
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Today must be a good day, yeah! Mang Boy is now being prepped for the CABG, shaved and lined. Still, we can't help but think still about the risks the doctors told us yesterday. His case is quite different from the others and risks must be managed really well. We were also told that the surgery must be finished within three hours. He must be extubulated within 48 hours and must recover fast for the TEVAR aneurysm repair within the next ten days.</div>
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Everything now is at the hands of the surgical team. God bless them.</div>
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I pray that he will get through this first stage without a glitch. I pray that his aorta will not act out and his other organs stay cool and dandy, yeah!</div>
Jay Lagathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10117193933024567886noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23268088.post-37801715425437607092013-11-28T22:56:00.001+08:002013-11-28T23:23:02.787+08:00Mang Boy and our hopeful hearts<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghhXZDSIzeY5lIHtd02amJxQeUJlElea-3slftQxvMSorf6zOlxbG3IJ4bi9-UQ9VvHJSVASJj_awOTr-k3J5A16XDhuo_Yc9xXikQPzsbd488jAZgPIHgEQ7WPtRD2glp4r-_/s1600/IMG_4586.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghhXZDSIzeY5lIHtd02amJxQeUJlElea-3slftQxvMSorf6zOlxbG3IJ4bi9-UQ9VvHJSVASJj_awOTr-k3J5A16XDhuo_Yc9xXikQPzsbd488jAZgPIHgEQ7WPtRD2glp4r-_/s1600/IMG_4586.jpg" height="150" width="200" /></a></div>
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Two weeks. This is how long we have been in two hospitals. Not counting the previous hospital stays these past few months. But no, it's not about me... it's my father-in-law, Mang Boy. The most awesome father-in-law one could ever have and I consider myself so much luckier than most for having him as my in-law.</div>
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He had heart attacks, three times this year. Once last year. He was advised by our cardiologist to undergo angiogram since two years back, but he opted not to. He felt that his illness was not very concerning and the mindset of "if-it's-my-time-then-so-be-it", he would simply shrug off all of our suggestions. He would continue smoking. Three packs a day that is for the past 53 years. For that long, he considered smoking as his ultimate happiness.</div>
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Last June, he had his first COPD induced heart attack. We thought that was it but the man is a fighter and he survived after three days intubated in the ICU. Last October, he was rushed again for another round of COPD induced heart attack, twice in the span of five days. The second attack was quite fortunate because it happened a day after he went out of the ICU. These events prompted him to take his illness seriously. He agreed for an angiogram and a possible angioplasty.</div>
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We took him to Manila Doctors Hospital last week for the operation. The result was not really favorable that he is suggested to have a heart bypass (or CABG) instead as soon as possible. His Left Anterior Descending (LAD) is totally occluded and the others are blocked by more that 50%, the reason why his heart fails when his lungs are weak. As he was prepared for the heart bypass, my wife suddenly had a hunch about the hospital. Of course, MaDocs as it is, we cannot say that the hospital is not capable of taking care of Mang Boy and considering the credentials of the cardiologist and the thoracic surgeon, he must be in good hands. But then, her instincts led us to talk to some friends, to our doctor friends and finally we took the matter to our family cardiologist, Dr. JD Foronda. He then referred us to Dr. Pio Purino at the Philippine Heart Center (PHC).</div>
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We took him there last Monday, 25 November. Man, the hospital is impressive! The buildings maybe old but the system here and the facility are all high tech. Anyway, he had to be rechecked all over again superceding some tests done on him at MaDocs, including X-ray and 2D Echo and voila!!! His surgeons decided to defer the bypass until they can confirm what the radiologist interpreted on X-ray... aneurysm at the aorta. He had to undergo CT Aortigram last night and yes it is confirmed. This left us wondering how come the aneurysm was not detected in his previous x-rays in three different hospitals the past two years! His 2D Echo result here also canceled out MaDocs interpretation of 55% EF. PHC interprets it as 38%! </div>
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The surgical team talked to us this morning. They were frank and straightforward. They explained to us the extent of the aneurysm and the risks of the surgery and all. At the end of it all, we still have to go on with the bypass, triple bypass that is, and the intervention of the aorta as soon as he is fit enough... and it should be done within seven to ten days after the bypass surgery. The consolation for us right now is that Mang Boy has a good chance of going through. The intervention of the aorta is not going to be surgical but instead the thing they call TEVAR. Less invasive, the better, but still there is a risk of giving so much stress to his kidneys. But that is not the concern right now, at least.</div>
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So tomorrow is the big day. Mang Boy will have his heart bypass. Hoping and praying hard for the best. Surely he will get through this. He is more motivated now than before and this is a very good sign. He wants to see his grandkids grow up, he told us.</div>
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So why did the other hospitals missed the aneurysm? Well, Dr. Purino told us last monday, "There is only one Philipine Heart Center." Of course, they are no gods but surely they will do whatever is best for their patients.</div>
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We would like to thank the family and friends who prayed with us in these trying times. To family and friends who took their time off just to give a part of their own for Mang Boy. You guys are awesome! Surely, your efforts will not go in vain. God bless you guys!</div>
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And please guys... SMOKING is really not good for you and for the people around you. It's not too late to STOP yeah!</div>
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CABG information <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t8D9BZ4BcCQ" target="_blank">here</a>... Viewer discretion is advised.</div>
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TEVAR information <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6n_Ij3rmyY4" target="_blank">here</a>...<br />
Philippine Heart Center information <a href="http://www.phc.gov.ph/" target="_blank">here</a>...</div>
Jay Lagathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10117193933024567886noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23268088.post-69224180975663857722009-03-02T23:20:00.003+08:002013-11-29T06:16:31.276+08:00Bohol politics... full of crabs<div align="justify">
I am a boholano... This article posted from the <a href="http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/breakingnews/regions/view_article.php?article_id=82093">Philippine Daily Inquirer </a>and this story makes me sick big time! No wonder Bohol is one of the most Backward Province of the Philippines. The governor is one of the most backward Boholano ever!</div>
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<strong>Boom Boom's village loses road project after boxer's loss</strong> </div>
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By Jhunnex NapallacanVisayas BureauFirst Posted 07:06pm (Mla time) 08/12/2007Filed Under: <a href="http://services.inquirer.net/tagcloud/keyword.php?tag=Boxing&id=478&imp=">Boxing</a>,<a href="http://services.inquirer.net/tagcloud/keyword.php?tag=" id="'180&imp="> Regional authorities</a></div>
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CEBU CITY -- The shocking defeat of Rey "Boom-boom" Bautista by Mexico's Daniel Ponce de Leon did not only sadden his fellow Boholanos. It also cost his village a cemented road.<br />
A dismayed Bohol Gov. Erico Aumentado said that the plan to cement the provincial road going to Barangay Can-uling, Bautista's home village in the town of Candijay, would not push through -- for now.</div>
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Aumentado admitted that before the fight, he promised the young Boholano boxer that the road would be cemented but only if he won.</div>
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In fact, Aumentado said, he had ordered the provincial engineering office to draw up a work program for the project that would run for least a kilometer and would cost P7 million.<br />
But since Bautista lost the fight, and was, in fact, the only loser among six Filipino boxers in the World Cup against Mexico, there would be no cemented road leading to Boom-boom's village.<br />
For now, at least, the governor said.</div>
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He said he would push through with the cementing project if Bautista would become a champion in the future.</div>
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"If Boom-boom becomes a champion, I will fulfill my commitment that I will have the road passing through his barangay in Can-uling cemented. Right now, it's a no go," Aumentado said.<br />
"Maybe later… Let's wait for the time when he becomes champion. And I am hopeful that he still has a bright future in boxing," the governor said in Cebuano in a telephone interview.<br />
Aumentado, who watched the fight on television, said he was dismayed that Bautista did not even last the first round.</div>
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But he said he shared the view of many Boholanos and others that at 21 years old, Bautista still had many more opportunities to recover from this defeat and become a champion.<br />
Aumentado said even ring icon Manny Pacquiao suffered defeats before he achieved fame.<br />
He said Bautista’s lack of experience could be a factor in his defeat.</div>
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Still, Boholanos were happy because another Boholano, AJ "Bazooka" Banal, won, he said.<br />
But Aumentado was miffed by the error of the boxing announcer who said that Banal came from "Cebu, Philippines" when he hailed from Corilla, Bohol.</div>
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Aumentado said Banal would receive a reward on his return. He said that Tagbilaran Mayor Dan Lim personally went to Sacramento in the United States to support the Boholano boxers.<br />
In Iloilo City, Ilonggos glued to television and radio sets rejoiced at the near-sweep of Filipino boxers over their Mexican opponents.</div>
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"I was disappointed that Boom Boom lost ... but I'm still happy that we got the World Cup title," said Saldy Tabanda, 32, a layout artist.</div>
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Iloilo-based international boxing referee Alex Vidal said the 5-1 win of the Filipino boxers showed that "we should not focus all our attention on Manny Pacquiao."<br />
"If all poor athletes are given the same opportunity, they can also give glory to the country," said Vidal.</div>
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"Because of boxing, we are being noticed worldwide despite all the bad news in the country. We can win our first Olympic gold medal if we focus on and pour our funds in boxing," he said.<br />
Vidal said the Filipino boxers were considered underdogs before they went into the ring against their Mexican opponents.</div>
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"Gerry's win was really dramatic. Imagine, a 35-year-old becoming world champion again," said Vidal.</div>
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The fight for Peñalosa was his last shot at keeping up his career, added Bacolod City Rep. Monico Puentevella.</div>
Jay Lagathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10117193933024567886noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23268088.post-63877915108039234062008-12-18T17:28:00.004+08:002008-12-18T18:19:35.328+08:00My first moon shot<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3201/3118075814_0a0c347a23.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 500px; height: 333px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3201/3118075814_0a0c347a23.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">I just got addicted to photography. I thought my shots are not so nice though but this is one of my favorites.<br /><br />Details:<br /><br />Camera: D60<br />Lens: AF-S DX VR 18-200mm F3.5-5.6G IF-ED<br />F-Stop: f/5.6<br />Eposure: 1/60 sec<br />Focal Legth: Full 200mm<br /><br />Thanks to my brother architect for cropping it via photoshop...<br /></div>Jay Lagathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10117193933024567886noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23268088.post-18443130853074025642008-12-14T08:49:00.001+08:002008-12-15T21:24:09.458+08:00Starting the month 'cold'<div style="text-align: justify;">I did promised HWC for support but I failed them... It was like feeling an itch on my throat that's not willing to stop from scratching. My wife once asked me if I did gave the footballs and I told them soon... I often go to Asian Hospital anyway so I may have some time to visit the HWC address that Mr. Formoso gave me. Actually, I kept the address on my phone, and a reminder that says... 'Jay, the footballs for HWC...'<br /><br />Until I realized that they left off to Melbourne last week for the competition... Now I am bad as ever...<br /><br />Do I have still a chance? Of course, I am so sure I will be frequenting Asian Hospital for the rest of this month... and hopefully I could visit the Tuloy sa Don Bosco in Alabang. This blog will surely remind me of that more. It's published, for Christ's sake!<br /><br />Last week, Josh celebrated his 4th birthday with a bang. He was actually asking for it since September when one of his classmates celebrated his birthday at school. 'Daddy, kelan ba yung December 8?' was almost always a question of the week... and it felt good, really, listening him utter those childish questions.<br /><br />And so we prepared a big celebration for him. On Friday before his birthday, he felt sick. His asthma was getting worst so we took him to our Pediatrician. Both Josh and Lela had Tonsillitis and Josh's Asthma was really bad. We did thought 'it was just a birthday habit'. On Saturday, he started vomiting with a little fever. He had fever on Sunday when he celebrated in advance but he was better than the day before. He was very happy that day. A lot of kids, a good puppeteer who made everyone laugh, no clowns (of course!) and a lot of fireworks... It was also the time when we first lit our house with Christmas lighting which my brother and I prepared for almost a week. Generally, it was really a great day.<br /><br />Last Friday, we sent him to hospital for dehydration. His body seem not to accept foods anymore, not even water. He peed on his pants for the first time since he was 2 and he was so weak. He had viral gastroenteritis... and his asthma was worst than ever. He complained a little on the IV. Maybe because I told him that he needed a dextrose for him to feel better... and that the ER nurse is pretty and he won't feel much pain because the nurses will be receiving bonuses because of him. He just listened to me and cried a little during the IV insertion. A few minutes, I thought he was getting better and he was already asking for a doughnut.<br /><br />Today, he is better except that he is still having a diarrhea. We are expecting him to be out by tomorrow. He is looking forward for the Christmas party in school and I too is preparing with him for that day.<br /><br />Last Tuesday, I had a CT Angiography on my Renal Artery. I was so freakingly nervous that day as I was thinking that I may be having an renal angioplasty should the result go out positive for arterial blockage. Thanks God, it's almost okay. I only have to trim down my cholesterol to normalize my BP. My skip beats will always be there said my Cardiologist. I just need to go back to gym. He made me stop having treadmill until he was so sure of the maximum parameters... now I should be back!<br /><br />My thyroids are good. I only need one more test on my urine then I will be visiting an Ophthalmologist to treat my retracted eyelid. Hopefully soon, my face will look normal. cheers!<br /><br />I started this month a bit cold but I am sure enough everything will almost be okay by Christmas.<br /><br />And hopefully, I will be sending my late support to HWC guys... and cheer Mr. Formoso at least. Our yearly visit to an Orphanage, going back to gym, a better health for my kids and me and my wife actually are expecting for our third child by March...<br /><br />A happy Christmas and a great year ahead...<br /><br />Cheers!</div>Jay Lagathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10117193933024567886noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23268088.post-77706328107501269432008-10-17T14:48:00.000+08:002008-10-17T14:50:36.960+08:00HWC Diary #29<div align="justify">We welcome Ninong Bito Mantecon on board the 2008 Homeless World Cup project. We received an email yesterday confirming his support and await his decision regarding which company we shall acknowledge on his behalf. Thank you Ninong Bito for accepting our invitation. Welcome, welcome, welcome. On a party note:"Kublai's Rock for Homeless Team Philippines" is a benefit party being thrown by Kublai's Rock Mongolian Bar and Grill on October 24, Friday, in Magallanes, Makati City. The owners of 'Kubs', namely: Dong Longa, Manuel de Jesus, Christian Lozano, Poch and Mike Camahort, Bito and Javy Mantecon have agreed to support the RP Seleksyon with a fund-raising bash. The players will drop by for a few 'soft drinks and juices'.</div><div align="justify"><br />PinoyHero: Jay Lagat, an OFW, emailed pinoysoccer.com wanting to contribute, in any way, to the Homeless World Cup project. He said he had some earnings from his small shop and wanted to donate to the team. He also offered to send balls. "Hey Jay. Maraming salamat po... from the entire team". Jay's in Cabuyao, Laguna. Check out his blog and see for yourself: <a href="http://ardylljay.blogspot.com/">http://ardylljay.blogspot.com</a>.</div><div align="justify"><br />2009MilanHWC: Loloy Fuentebella will be the 2009 HWC point man in Region 4-B as plans to stage a countrywide version for next year's event continue to roll. The provinces in Region 4-B are Marinduque, Occidental Mindoro, Oriental Mindoro, Romblon and Palawan.</div>Jay Lagathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10117193933024567886noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23268088.post-33157750599234524292008-10-17T14:44:00.003+08:002008-10-17T14:48:13.115+08:00HWC Diary #28By 10am, the team had climbed the Gawad Kalinga stage and introduced itself to thousands of kids, parents and GK volunteers. The RP Seleksyon to the Homeless World Cup was presented on stage and as each gave his/her name and age over the microphone, one could sense both nervousness and pride in their voices. The stage presentation at the Gawad Kalinga Expo Anniversary was a new experience for each.<br /><br />YES, IMAGINE THIS ONE! ----- Coaches Hans Smit, Jess Landagan and Marlon Maro, Jeepney mag publisher Bill Shaw, and ABS-CBN TV Host Atom Araullo got into the hard court with the RP Seleksyon to the delight of camera men from ABS-CBN 2 and IBC-13. ABS-CBN was there to take footage for their 'Kalye' TV program that Atom hosts while IBC shot footage for their tri-network simulcast of One Morning over channels 4, 9 and 13 on Tueday, the 14th. For over 30-minutes, pinoy football legends Hans Smit, Jess Landagan and Marlon Maro went toe to toe against the Seleksyon. It made for great TV footage, memories for the players, and huffing and puffing moments for the 'RP Seniors'.<br />De La Salle University coach Hans Smit visited, played and gave motivational talk to the players before and after scrimmages; Atom Araullo did a fairly long TV-interview with player Ron Ron which will be featured in the 'Kalye' TV show soon. Good Saturday.<br /><br />Earlier in the afternoon, the Seleksyon was the guest for over an hour in the only football show on Philippine radio....Football Connection, 12:15-1:30 every Saturday, and hosted by Cecile Quimlat and top coach Bob Salvacion over AM station 918 DZSR (Sports Radio).<br />When asked by Cecile which were his memorable moments since being named to the Seleksyon, player RonRon said, "the dinners".<br />Those dinners could mean our eating out in Jollibee, McDonalds, Chow King, Max, all the after-practice food...or Kublais Rock or Amici pizza pasta or some canteen. But the wonderful thing in his answer is the honesty and sincerity. This is the stuff that gives off the good feelings for the team and the main reason why they are liked. Of course, they love the football training and the practices...but the meals mean so much too. They understand Grace.<br /><br />There are seven (7) weekends to kickoff in Melbourne, Australia. The team continues to work on its character and skills.<br /><br />2009MilanHWC:Tito Clemente, chief of Butuan-Agusan del Norte Football Association has confirmed interest to organize Region 13, CARAGA, for the September, 2009 Milan tournament. Provinces in that region include Agusan del Norte, Agusan del Sur, Dinagat Islands, Surigao del Norte and Surigao del Sur.<br /><br /><br />Meanwhile... RP Lady Booters bowed out of the AFF Women's Championships after being beaten 7-0 by Australia and 12-0 by Thailand... One thing for sure, we will back next year...Jay Lagathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10117193933024567886noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23268088.post-66781226714360460432008-10-17T13:08:00.003+08:002008-10-17T14:03:03.954+08:00P6.93M Contingency Fund and an Underequipped PNP<div style="text-align: justify;">The Philippine National Police delegates to Russia were provided by the Philippine government 6.93 million pesos as contingency fund. A fund, just in case, will be used for emergency purposes in Russia. That's it, 6.93 Million Pesos as emergency fund for some PNP generals.<br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Possibly for a purchase of tons of caviar and thousands of liters of vodka.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">As we all know, there are about 20% of the PNP personnel who have no guns. The SWAT patrol car of Calamba City PNP looks more like a push cart to me than a Toyota FX. A police outpost in Cabuyao is more like a 'tambayan' than an outpost.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">So, here's my take on how far the contingency fund will go if smartly spent by the PNP.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">1. 770 Norinco 9mm pistols. Twinpines at Festival Mall sells Norinco cal. 9mm at around PhP 9,000.00. This means there will be 700 more police officers that can be armed with a P6.93M budget.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">2. 300 MAP1 Tanfoglio/Armscor pistols. I bought mine at PhP21,000.00 at Aquila Trading at Harrison Plaza, Malate. This means that there will be 300 more police officers that can be armed with a P6.93M budget.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">3. 141,428.571 liters of premium gasoline. At 10 liters budget allocation per day per patrol car, the P6.93M budget can fuel 200 patrol cars for 70 days.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">4. Seven ambulances for the SOCO officers.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">5. If one set of PNP uniform costs P6,000.00, the P6.93M budget could dress around 1,100 police personnel.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">6. If one set of shoes for the PNP personnel costs P2500.00, the P6.93M budget could be provided for 2,772 police officers.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">7. If the basic salary for entry level Police Rank (PO1) is P12,000.00 per month, the P6.93M budget could feed 577 police officers and the families for a month.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">8. 6,900 units of electric fans for the Police Outposts.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">9. 200 units of personal computers for the Police Outposts which still uses the outdated typewriters.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">10. 8 more patrol cars, 30 more M4A1 carbines for the SWAT officers, 120 units of AK47's, 866,250 rounds of reload pistol ammos, 330,00 rounds of factory load ammos... and a lot more...</div><div><br /></div><div>Does the contingency fund for the generals and wives in Moscow really worth it???</div><div><br /></div><div>Damn it!</div>Jay Lagathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10117193933024567886noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23268088.post-52284502653687535102008-10-11T09:15:00.003+08:002008-10-11T16:32:18.517+08:00Homeless World Cup Diary<div style="text-align: justify;">From now on, I will be posting the Homeless World Cup Diaries and everything about Philippine Football. The HWC posts are republished from the emails I received from Mr. Ed Formoso of <a href="http://thejeepney.com">thejeepney.com</a>.<br /><br />HWC Diary #27<br /><br />Indescribable!<br /><br />The RP Selection to the <span style="border-bottom: medium none; background: transparent none repeat scroll 0% 50%; -moz-background-clip: initial; -moz-background-origin: initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: initial;"><span><span>Homeless World Cup</span></span></span> found its story in Page 1 of the <span style="border-bottom: 1px dashed rgb(0, 102, 204);"><span style="border-bottom: 1px dashed rgb(0, 102, 204);"><span style="border-bottom: 1px dashed rgb(0, 102, 204);"><span style="border-bottom: 1px dashed rgb(0, 102, 204); background: transparent none repeat scroll 0% 50%; -moz-background-clip: initial; -moz-background-origin: initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: initial;"><span style="border-bottom: 1px dashed rgb(0, 102, 204);">Philippine Daily Inquirer</span></span></span></span></span> last Sunday...we was speechless....as in 'We'. The HWC was 'front-paged' and we could only stare and read and re-read all day. Thanks to <span>Elvira</span> Mata for writing it as it is...and then some. To add height to the Sunday high, Krista Montealegre, sportswriter for The Manila Times came out with her piece on the team too.<br /><br />On Monday, Business Mirror sports columnist and blogger Rick Olivares had his say in an aptly titled piece, '<span style="border-bottom: 1px dashed rgb(0, 102, 204);"><span style="border-bottom: 1px dashed rgb(0, 102, 204);"><span style="border-bottom: 1px dashed rgb(0, 102, 204);"><span style="border-bottom: 1px dashed rgb(0, 102, 204);"><span style="border-bottom: 1px dashed rgb(0, 102, 204);">The Home Team</span></span></span></span></span>'. Rick also posted the video he took on you-tube, which can now be seen on the team's two partner websites: <a rel="nofollow" href="http://pinoysoccer.com/" target="_blank" onclick="return top.js.OpenExtLink(window,event,this)"><span>pinoysoccer.com</span></a> and <a rel="nofollow" href="http://pffmanila.org/" target="_blank" onclick="return top.js.OpenExtLink(window,event,this)"><span>pffmanila.org</span></a><br /><br />By Wednesday, the players were in 10 newspapers after their appearance at the<br />Philippine SportsWriters Association forum courtesy of host, Bong Pedralvez. It's been an incredible first four days of the week for the RP 'Seleksyon'.<br /><br />Tuesday night was at dinner with Ninong Mike Camahort in his Kublai's Rock Mongolian Bar and Grill. All the players and all their coaches received goodies from the big boss of 2Go, who is sponsoring the team's trip to the final camp in <span><span>Bacolod</span></span> with Ninong Charlie Cojuangco, November 9-24.<br /><br />2Go caps and T-shirts for all. The team got interviewed in-between desserts. Lots of pics and goodies from 2Go. Kublai's Rock part-owner and manager Poch Camahort, older brother of Mike, laid it out on the table for the team. And before <span style="border-bottom: 1px dashed rgb(0, 102, 204); background: transparent none repeat scroll 0% 50%; -moz-background-clip: initial; -moz-background-origin: initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: initial;"><span style="border-bottom: 1px dashed rgb(0, 102, 204);"><span style="border-bottom: 1px dashed rgb(0, 102, 204);"><span style="border-bottom: 1px dashed rgb(0, 102, 204);"><span style="border-bottom: 1px dashed rgb(0, 102, 204);">heading home</span></span></span></span></span> from this past-bedtime affair, the players were treated to something else-----"Take Out's!" The players took home another round of dinner for their midnight snacks.<br /><br />On public transports back to their institutions, the team traveled stuffed but verily satisfied.<br /><br />On a quieter note, team Ninong Danny Moran sent a mass card and money as donation for the burial of little Diana, Nomer's 6-year old sister. After telling Nomer about Danny's financial assistance, Nomer remained silent for a few long seconds. And then he whispered the meekest "Thank you po" you'll ever hear. We heard his heart speak. And then we were speechless. "Thank you Danny, from everyone here."<br /> <div> </div> <span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 127);">2009MilanHWCnews:</span> Dave Araral of the South Cotabato Football Association has agreed to work with us in the Milan <span style="border-bottom: medium none; background: transparent none repeat scroll 0% 50%; -moz-background-clip: initial; -moz-background-origin: initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: initial;">Homeless World Cup</span> qualifiers. Dave will head Region 12.<br /><br />From the <a href="http://www.aseanfootball.org/news_d.asp?id=641">Asean Football Federation</a> website, Philippine Lady Booters defeated Singapore 3-1 on their first match of the AFF Women's Championships in Vietnam. Rachelle Delos Reyes found her header just two minutes into the game but equalized three minutes later by Sun Jie's freekick.<br /><br />Ruchell Latap scored on the 23rd minute and skipper Marielle Benitez put up the finishing goal on the 88th minute.<br /><br />The Philippine Lady Booters will meet Australia later today. The Aussies beat last year's runner Thailand on an impressive 2-0 win.<br /><br />Go Philippines!<br /></div>Jay Lagathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10117193933024567886noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23268088.post-10453706278144537112008-10-07T11:39:00.005+08:002008-10-07T15:25:27.263+08:00Homeless World Cup<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI5zPd5oH3m7EfX8edoDQCJRoOUDEb7CGEtOIpEgYhngKWiQcnO1iZTcHbvqStFJhybslqkWWbIzMuuGgx7Z-d26nv64mRrcix2mi47_nt0EokSR3F2qUbNKZCeYlCThhfC2Ek/s1600-h/hwc_ad.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI5zPd5oH3m7EfX8edoDQCJRoOUDEb7CGEtOIpEgYhngKWiQcnO1iZTcHbvqStFJhybslqkWWbIzMuuGgx7Z-d26nv64mRrcix2mi47_nt0EokSR3F2qUbNKZCeYlCThhfC2Ek/s200/hwc_ad.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5254262996649749986" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">I read a 'surprising' article from Philippine Daily Inquirer last Sunday about the Homeless World Cup that will be held at Melbourne Australia this coming December. 'Surprising' because I haven't seen much newspaper articles for football here in the Philippines where Basketbal is really popular. 'Surprising' because our Basketball-crazy nation is sending a contingent to the Homeless World Cup. This will be the first time and we have the youngest teams of the tournament.<br /><br />As a football fan myself (and I never been a fan of basketball), I could only wish our Philippine Football Federation (PFF) could have done so much to promote the Beautiful Game. Ironically, PFF was one of the founding Football Associations of the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) and up to this year, we still haven't qualified for the ASEAN Football Federations Cup. We were better last year though but we still never got through the preliminaries. We even pitted some Fil-Foreigners for the Philippine Team but still did not got through.<br /><br />On December, we are sending our Youth Team to the Homeless World Cup. I would say our team is well prepared, supported, very determined... and 'homeless.'<br /><br />According to pinoysoccer (www.pinoysoccer.com), a handfull of ninongs already expressed support for the team. The Philippine Daily Inquirer, Eric Guttierez of SR Metals Inc., Danny Moran of Amici Pizza, Monchu Garcia Accel Sports, Superferry, GNC Philippines are few of the Ninongs and more are chipping in including individuals who just want to help these kids take another chance in life.<br /><br />Know more about our Homeless World Cup National Team at www.pinoysoccer.com and the PDI article <a href="http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/inquirerheadlines/nation/view/20081005-164664/Homeless-footballers-lace-up-for-World">here</a>...<br /><br />Below is the clip made by <a href="http://bleachersbrew.blogspot.com/2008/10/home-team.html">Bleachers' Brew</a> and NTDTV.com<br /><br /><object height="349" width="425"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/i9fzcuMkqYE&hl=en&fs=1&rel=0&border=1"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/i9fzcuMkqYE&hl=en&fs=1&rel=0&border=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" height="349" width="425"></embed></object><br /><br /><object height="349" width="425"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/6rPji8Zq03I&hl=en&fs=1&rel=0&border=1"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/6rPji8Zq03I&hl=en&fs=1&rel=0&border=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" height="349" width="425"></embed></object><br /><br />And to our National Team, good luck guys. Though you are not yet known, you will have a name soon... All the best!<br /><br />For those who want to support, please visit the <a href="http://www.blogger.com/www.pinoysoccer.com">PinoySoccer</a> website.<br /></div>Jay Lagathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10117193933024567886noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23268088.post-2093068280049154252008-09-14T21:17:00.005+08:002008-09-14T21:27:31.002+08:00Just a screensaver...<div align="justify">My good friend just shared this to me... i just want to keep the chain.<br /><br />If it is a chain...<br /><br /><br /><a href="http://www.theinterviewwithgod.com/" target="_blank"><img height="120" alt="God" src="http://www.theinterviewwithgod.com/banners/232x120.jpg" width="232" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.pathways-to-peace.com/" target="_blank">Inspirational Quotes</a><br /><br />Click the image above if you have some time to think about life... cheers!</div>Jay Lagathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10117193933024567886noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23268088.post-14438132379952680562008-09-09T16:27:00.005+08:002008-09-09T17:27:25.687+08:00Annie<div style="text-align: justify;">Me and my wife decided to celebrate Lela's birthday at our newly renovated home together with the house blessing too. It was also the time when my father-in-law's cousins and relatives could come together and have a little reunion of sorts.<br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">It was fun. Lela, as usual, was so aloof and didn't care if it was her big day. She was just trying to isolate herself until we decided to take her to our bedroom with my mom.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Anyways, one person came out 'loudly' out of the small crowd. She was the wife of Ella's cousin. She claimed to be the first AIDS nurse in the Philippines stationed at RITM. She also claimed that she attended most of the high profile AIDS patients.... and she claimed she is one of the very few certified Kinetic Massage Therapists in the country.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Hmmmm... Kinetic massage. Sounds interesting...</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">As it was new to us, my wife was immediately interested with it. She was complaining about feeling this and that, about being big, and about her long awaited menstruation even after the injectable contraceptive lapsed.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Well, as this lady was so 'versed' with some medical terms, she then suddenly offered to Ella (and to my sister) a 30-day massage session package. I was hesitant at first but Ella already decided to take the package. With the massage package, she claimed that it can cure a lot of illness like hypertension, stress, heart attack, etc... and that's it!</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">The following weekend she came. She brought two weighing scales, two sets of abdominal bandage, and a vaginal dusch bottle. The first session was great. Ella and Joy claimed to have felt better after the massage... Ella also felt good after the dusching.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Then suddenly she came to me... 'Hala! Na stroke ka!!!'</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">What? Stroke? Shit!</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">So I was alarmed and was convinced to have myself took the package. She did my forehead, my scalp, and my arms. She claimed that I really had a stroke while pointing to some curled up veins right above my right eyebrow.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">The following week, she claimed that she too can sense paranormal beings. Then she claimed I have a third eye. Freaking third eye and after that I felt something fishy about her. My wife and my sister too. Then my in-laws.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Then she make some stories.... and troubles... and then the rest was history.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">So what's with the story? The following happened from the day she came:</div><div style="text-align: justify;">1. Ella paid in advanced some sessions.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">2. The weighing scale costs Php 2,500.00. When Ella canvassed from Watson's, it only costs P350.00.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">3. The bandages cost P500.00 and claimed it was dipped with some freaking herbal medicine. In Watson's, it only cost Php 70.00.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">4. She sold us some freaking miracle fruit tree for P2,500.00 per plant. My in-laws took 2 trees, and she claimed she bought 2 trees for Ella... and until now the trees where nowhere to be found.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">5. She sold us an eye patch for P500.00 and as soon as I had the patch, I exclaimed... "Sa eroplano to a!" Then she told me that it was not the patch that she was selling. Taena!</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">6. Ah... the freaking virgin coconut oil worth thousands of pesos and weeks later, there was no virgin coconut frealking oil!</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">7. I have a freaking third eye... hehehe! She claimed the I have a paranormal friend who is Malaysian Indian who was following me eversince. Nyahahahahahahahaha! </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">8. She claimed that our house help took half of her money and everyone was in trouble. Later we found out that she actually made it all up!</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">9. And most of all we were swindled!</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Her name is Annie.</div>Jay Lagathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10117193933024567886noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23268088.post-743710192184059392008-09-03T11:42:00.005+08:002008-09-03T12:06:39.911+08:00Smart Rob!<div align="justify">I decided to subscribe to the pre-paid broadband service from Smart Communications to speedup my communication to my potential customers. This is the one the you connect a wireless modem (or whatever that is) to your computer via USB port and with a 3G signal... tada! you are now connected to the internet...</div><div align="justify"></div><br /><div align="justify">at least....</div><br /><div align="justify">errrr....</div><div align="justify"><br /><div align="justify">suckers!</div><br /><div align="justify"></div><br /><div align="justify">I realize, I am being robbed everytime I log on... read it ROBBED! 10 precious hard earned pesos everytime I log on. Up to 7x faster than dial-up? Do I hear it right? or is it up to 7x smarter than a bank robberer?</div><br /><div align="justify">Come on Smart, your system sucks! Your internet product is so slow (much slower than the freaking dial-up) even with a 3G signal and most of the time I had to restart my connection and have my blood pressure go up while restarting it, you freakin robberers!</div><div align="justify"></div><br /><div align="justify">You guys are not far of than any other criminals out there! May you rest in Jail!</div><br /><div align="justify">By the way, I am using PLDT broadband right now and this afternoon I'll enrol to Digitel to have my small shop connected and not SMART ROBBED!</div></div>Jay Lagathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10117193933024567886noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23268088.post-54779555152456967852008-08-22T21:42:00.004+08:002008-08-22T22:41:58.567+08:00A Year That Was<div style="text-align: justify;">A year and a day since I last blogged. Things have happened, some bad... most were good. Some were just plain stupidity, most were fun...<br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">So here are some!!!<br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><span style="font-weight:bold;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal; "><span style="font-weight:bold;">Career</span>.</span><br /></div></span><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">I'm still into selling. I do freelance with a Malaysian company doing business with the Semiconductors and Electronics Industry. Hopefully soon, a factory will be opened here and I know it would open up another opportunity for me. The only thing I really missed about is working in a corporate world. There were times that I thought I made a bad decision with my career. Sometimes I feel like my career is going nowhere. But looking into the other side, I can see beautiful things. Now, I can easily explore on how I want to live my life to the fullest.<br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Recently, I opened up a small business in Cabuyao. It is a small one but I can see bigger things out of it. Actually, it is my second one, the first didn't go out that well. I tried franchising, together with a good friend, but it was not successful. We failed in the very basic fundamentals... Supply and Demand, freaking location and timing! It was also the time when food prices was going up. So it happened... And I am crossing my fingers now. Hopefully my second venture goes out fine... as my savings is dwindling... :(<br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Another one in the near future? There is one feasible plan and it is really big. This will really make me proud of myself!!! hay....<br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><span style="font-weight:bold;"><div style="text-align: justify;">Family.<br /></div></span><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Great things have happened, I believe. My wife and I got to spend a lot of time with each other, we now talk a lot more with so much ease. We now have time to travel together. We went to Bohol, Cebu, Hong Kong, and soon in Bora and Singapore. Unlike before when I was traveling back and forth to Malaysia almost every week. Damn it was horrible at times. Now, I got to spend so much time with my kids! I came to realize how fast time flies that I didn't notice I am sending Josh to Kumon since February and he's now at Junior Casa at a montessori school in Calamba. Next year will be Lela's turn... and just recently <span style="font-weight:bold;">we're pregnant again! Tatlo na!!! :D</span><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">So people think I am blessed? Yes, I am!<br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><span style="font-weight:bold;"><div style="text-align: justify;">Health.<br /></div></span><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">This one is on the downside... I have a slight thyroid abnormality, hyperthyroidism. In effect, my right eyelid is retracted. My Ophthalmologist was telling me that he can't do much about it unless I consider Botox treatment. My Endocrinologist was telling me that she can;t do much about it because my lab results are still within the normal range! So, next week I'm going to see another Endocrinologist to confirm.<br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">I have a dilated left ventricle, an obstructed left renal artery and magnesium deficiency. That's why my blood pressure went up to 170/110 at one point. Now I am taking four pills to control my BP, my cholesterol, and to normalize the magnesium content of my blood.<br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Am I going to be healthy again? That remains to be seen. Of course, it still depends on how I discipline myself. At least, I seldom drink alcohol now... I mean very seldom and my intake is very minimal... One thing I missed though is eating a lot of pork... :(<br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Those were some significant things that happened to me. Until now, my Oil Palm plantation is still a dream. It came close to reality but some misunderstanding happened and it left me wandering around for some time. Hopefully soon...<br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Yup! Hopefully soon!<br /></div>Jay Lagathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10117193933024567886noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23268088.post-24813023071134794632008-08-22T21:32:00.003+08:002008-08-22T21:41:57.922+08:00I'm back again!It's been exactly a year and a day since I last blogged... the last time I thought I was saying goodbye to blogging, I thought it was the last. But I still find myself browsing to somebody else's blogs and I missed it!<br /><br />So I'm back! Again... Could be once in a while though, but at least I know I am going back to writing some stuffs.<br /><br />I am welcoming myself again!Jay Lagathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10117193933024567886noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23268088.post-54269148988849316892007-08-21T19:28:00.000+08:002007-08-30T08:21:26.208+08:00An OFW journey ends here<object width="425" height="350"> <param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/MfNzAPyb5MU"> </param> <embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/MfNzAPyb5MU" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="425" height="350"> </embed> </object><br /><br /><br /><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify">All things are coming to an end. And more things are coming for a brand new start.</div><br /><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify">After flying more than 70,000 miles and 21 months of beng an OFW here in Malaysia, I decided to leave and go back home to be with my family full time in Manila. I just realized that though money is an important aspect of my family's survival, being away from my wife and kids is taking its toll. So before anything else comes to worst, I am going back to my 'Kampung.'</div><div align="justify"></div><br /><div align="justify">To my colleagues in Maruwa Malaysia, thank you for the good times (and for the not so very good times) and may we still be in touch with each other despite the distance. You guys are just wonderful.</div><br /><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify">So long, amigos! Terima Kasih untuk persehabatan diantara kita duwa-puluh satu bulan.</div>Jay Lagathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10117193933024567886noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23268088.post-36938377124726474602007-08-05T05:00:00.000+08:002007-08-05T01:37:06.750+08:00Speechless...<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdBT5lIG5WU1y536W-cMV9_aZ-9WHc2iqESjEII9Vcjbb6uGgPGzRi3oXLyFBcGifs418yxFTbejPxCEwKYV9Dk-VzsXUZgbCk1qXJyHiXYzT6RFRnXv4FOtcKv_Fda2CUWkYe/s1600-h/DSC00525.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5094899792615241122" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdBT5lIG5WU1y536W-cMV9_aZ-9WHc2iqESjEII9Vcjbb6uGgPGzRi3oXLyFBcGifs418yxFTbejPxCEwKYV9Dk-VzsXUZgbCk1qXJyHiXYzT6RFRnXv4FOtcKv_Fda2CUWkYe/s200/DSC00525.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />Lela's latest picture at 13 months old... Ella took this the day I left for Malaysia on 22nd July.Jay Lagathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10117193933024567886noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23268088.post-85043533192002112012007-08-05T04:55:00.001+08:002007-08-05T02:30:53.558+08:00Prison Zombies<div xmlns='http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml'><p><object height='350' width='425'><param value='http://youtube.com/v/hMnk7lh9M3o' name='movie'/><embed height='350' width='425' type='application/x-shockwave-flash' src='http://youtube.com/v/hMnk7lh9M3o'/></object></p><p>After more than 3.7 million views on YouTube, this video is one of the hottest in the web. I never thought this is possible especially in prisons. Hats of to Mr. Byron Garcia. You're damn good, sir.<br /><br />Hmmm... can we do it at the Philippine Congress and Senate as well? They surely need some show of discipline like this... Both houses of congress are thought to be a haven of thieves anyway... Might be a good idea.</p></div>Jay Lagathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10117193933024567886noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23268088.post-32022446411381963872007-07-02T13:20:00.000+08:002007-07-02T14:56:00.377+08:00Meet Ridgy Vicars<div align="justify">I saw her surrounded by people who were listening to her story... Though quite a common sight for me, the stories of these individuals almost always struck me. Hookers raided and sent back to Manila or a Mom desperately rushed back home to see an ailling child or a maid maltreated and escaped with nothing but a prayer. </div><div align="justify"> </div><br /><div align="justify">I am an OFW and whatever that means is to other people, I am sick and tired of being one. Although the pay is more than the usual in Manila, the price I pay for being away from my family for a period of time is a punishment. The only thing that keeps me going is my family.</div><div align="justify"> </div><br /><div align="justify">And for other OFWs, it is crossing a very thin line between survival and death.</div><br /><div align="justify"> </div><div align="justify">I queued last as passengers of Air Asia AK32 rushed to catch a good seat. I just thought to myself that I am guaranteed a seat anyway so why the rush? I didn't mind. Then I noticed some people asked a sobbing lady some questions... like 'What happened to you?' 'Have you reported this to our embassy?' 'Did you enter Malaysia legally?' 'Are you registered with the POEA?'</div><div align="justify"> </div><br /><div align="justify">I asked her, as if I knew her or maybe I am just gossiper or whatever itching for some news. She answered she was not registered with the POEA and OWWA but she entered Malaysia legally complete with papers. I just told her, whatever it is, she is not protected by these agencies (and at the back of my mind, are these agencies really would protect me just in case???)</div><div align="justify"> </div><br /><div align="justify">She sat by the window and I was by the aisle... and she has a story to tell...</div><div align="justify"> </div><br /><div align="justify">On September last year, a friend named Ivy enticed her to work in Malaysia. The job, she said, was being a personal assistant of a businessman. For wanting to go abroad, she convinced her husband to take the opportunity. She will be leaving her four kids and a part-time buy and sell business, a good life... just for a RM500.00 monthly salary (about PhP 7,000.00) and the promise of travel.</div><div align="justify"> </div><br /><div align="justify">Her husband financed her processing fee of PhP 20,000.00 from their savings. These were paid to Ivy with mock reciepts signed by Ivy's mother within three weeks of October last year. Within days, the plane ticket came and an invitation from her employer duly certified by the Malaysian authorities. Although, she had doubts on the transactions, she was confident because Ivy is a family friend and they have known her for a long time.</div><div align="justify"> </div><br /><div align="justify">On 30 November 2006, Clark immigration officers tried to stop her fro boarding the plane for the reason that she was not a registered OFW with the POEA and OWWA but she insisted and paid the immigration officers PhP 5,000.00 just to make her through the immigration gate. I didn't surprised me though. In this part of the world, one has to be crooked and the other has to be a fool to live a life. Of course, these immigration officers will not admit that they were paid... who would?</div><div align="justify"> </div><br /><div align="justify">In Malaysia, she was locked-up for seven months. She would tend to their employer's kids, clean the house, feed on some left over foods, seldom bath... and a prayer that someday she will get through all these misseries.</div><div align="justify"> </div><br /><div align="justify">She would lose 20kilos. She would be standing by the window hoping that some neighbors will notice her. She would write a journal and then was later burned by her employer. She would be calling the Philippine Embassy in KL and there is no fucking human being that would answer the phone... She would write notes and throw at the window and hoping that somebody will pick it up and report to the authorities. She would stare at the photos of her family and cry all day.</div><div align="justify"> </div><br /><div align="justify">Finally, one of the neighbors noticed it and called her husband in Manila. The husband, notified Ivy of her situation and would call the employer. Like a hostage, she would answer them favorable questions for her employer... and the situation would be harsher. Threatened her of rape and cut her hairs.</div><div align="justify"> </div><br /><div align="justify">Lasf Friday, her employer decided to send her back to Manila. Nothing but only RM30.00 (around PhP 400.00)was given to her... not a salary. It can't even be called a fucking allowance.</div><div align="justify"> </div><br /><div align="justify">On the plane, she would sob. I don't even know how to comfort her. She would pray and then sob. I bought her a meal and she told me that she is no longer used to eating. I just insisted and when she took the first bite, she was crying hard...</div><div align="justify"> </div><br /><div align="justify">This is her story. I know there are countless more like her, even worst. No matter what the odds, most of us would just grab a promise of a better life abroad and for the family left here. And the country would just keep on sending it's flock abroad to survive. More will be blessed, and some will be doomed... Just for this country to survive.</div><div align="justify"> </div><br /><div align="justify">There maybe some lawyers out there would want to help Ridgy, please. At least, take her life back...</div><div align="justify"> </div><br />Ridgy Vicars<br />#50 Ilang-Ilang St,<br />Pasong Putik, Novaliches,<br />Quezon City<br />+63916 6124373<br /><br /><div align="justify">Hopefully, no longer will a Filipino leave this country for a promise of a better life... Hopefully...</div>Jay Lagathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10117193933024567886noreply@blogger.com7