The Wrath of Ondoy

Being away from the country, watching the news on tv for the last 4 nights has been very depressing. It is so difficult to watch how our fellow Filipinos are suffering after experiencing this tragedy. I am glad that my families in Bulacan are safe, but I still feel sad because a lot of people died, and thousands were left homeless.

I just wish that our country recovers soon from this tragic event. My prayers are for the Filipino people.

These are some videos I got from the internet. (Credits to youtube users Gomanio, Initiate360, Skateboxx, and Carbotot).

Typhoon Ondoy!

Metro Manila and other areas in Central Luzon is badly hit by typhoon Ondoy today causing massive flooding in many areas. At this time, 42 have died, 20 are missing in Rizal, and 41,200 people are in 92 evacuation centers(abscbnnews.com).

Let’s say a little prayer for those affected by the storm.

In Pajamas!

Birthday Blooper

Ano ang dapat gawin kung hindi mapatay ng birthday celebrant ang sindi sa kandila ng kanyang cake?

Hail Storm!

This video was captured using my digital cam!

Early evening, I was with my wife and baby, plus a couple of friends, and we were riding a small shuttle bus on our way to a mall, when a fierce hail storm met us on the way!

It started out as a sand storm and we noticed that the streets became full of dust. It was followed by rain, then suddenly we heard loud noises coming from the roof of the bus and from our windows. There were some hails like pieces of ice coming from the sky! They were like the size of a cashew nut!

The wind started to become strong and we saw some trees starting to fall down. Our bus stopped on the side as we waited for the hail storm to finish. It was not my first time to experience hail storms, but it was my first time to experience it while I was on the streets, with my wife and baby. I feared that the window glasses would get broken, or worst, the whole bus would turn over because of the strong wind.

Luckily, the storm didn’t get any worst, and we continued our journey when it was safer to move. We reached our destination safely. It was one experience to remember.

Where I Was

So where were you eight years ago on this day when the 9/11 attacks happened?

That time, I was working as an emergency room nurse in a small Eastern Saudi province called Ras Tanura. It was in the wee hours  of the morning when it happened. There were no patients that time, and the tv was on at the waiting area. Flash news started appearing on all channels.

I was working with some Muslim colleagues that shift, and I will never forget their comments about what’s happening in the United States. They said it’s good for the Americans. And that they deserved it. I wondered what they were thinking why they hated the U.S.  so much. Thousands of people were dying, and they could say something like that.

Two weeks after the incident in the U.S., I had to fly home to the Philippines passing at FIVE airports. I experienced long queues at airports because they had to be strict with all passengers, especially those coming from Saudi. Luggages had to be opened and hand carried bags could contain only limited stuff.

I took a shuttle bus from Dhahran Airport to Bahrain Airport. From there I took a plane with connecting flights in Dubai and Hongkong. I stayed in Hongkong for two days before I reached Ninoy Aquino International Airport in Manila.

And that’s my story. Wala lang, nakuwento ko lang! Hehe!

(photo credits: z.about.com, zdnet.com)

Where God Wants Me

This is another old forwarded email worth sharing. I am not sure who the original author is. This is in time for tomorrow’s commemoration of the 9/11 attacks eight years ago. Hope you like it.

**********************************************************

One day I happened to call a man on business whom I will probably never talk to again, but this day God wanted me to talk to him.

He was head of security at a company that had invited the remaining members of a company who had been decimated by the attack on the Twin Towers to share their office space. With his voice full of awe, he told me stories of why these people were alive and their counterparts were dead.

All the stories were just little things.

You might know about the head of the company who got in late that day because his son started kindergarten.

Another fellow was alive because it was his turn to bring donuts.

The one that struck me was the man who put on a new pair of shoes that morning.
He took the various means to get to work, but before he got there, he developed a blister on his foot. He stopped at a drugstore to buy a Band-Aid. That is why he is alive.

So, Now when I am stuck in traffic, miss an elevator, turn back to answer a ringing telephone… all the little things that annoy me… I think to myself, this is exactly where God wants me to be at this very moment.

May God continue to bless you with all those annoying little things.

*****************************************************************

(video from wesleyschacht)

TOP 3s (tagged! part 2)

THREE NAMES THAT FAMILY or FRIENDS CALL YOU:
1. Nelson
2. Bobot
3. Bot

THREE MOST IMPORTANT DATES IN YOUR LIFE
1. June 23
2. March 9
3. July 19

THREE THINGS YOU’VE DONE IN THE LAST 30 MINUTES:
1. Changed the bed sheets
2. Made my baby sleep by singing a lullaby
3. Checked my emails

THREE WAYS TO BE HAPPY EVEN IF YOU’RE JUST AT HOME:
1. talking to my wife
2. web browsing
3. playing with my son

THREE PERSONS YOU MISS:
1. My parents
2. My siblings
3. My barkada (sorry, I answered groups)

THREE GIFTS YOU WOULD LIKE TO RECEIVE:
1. a house and lot in Guiguinto
2. a brand new car
3. a grand negosyo package

THREE OF YOUR FAVORITE HOBBIES:
1. writing for my blogs
2. watching tv
3. window shopping

THREE PLACES YOU WANT TO GO FOR VACATION:
1. Pinas, syempre
2. Hongkong
3. Paris

THREE FAVORITE (ALCOHOLIC!) DRINKS:
1. wala akong paborito
2.
3.

THREE THINGS FOUND IN YOUR POCKET/BAG:
1. wallet
2. hanky
3. cellphone

THREE FAVORITE COLORS:
1. blue
2. green
3. brown

TOP THREE HANGOUTS:
1. my house
2. neighbor’s house

3. malls

TOP THREE SONGS YOU LOVE SO MUCH:
1. Ikaw Lamang (sentimental value)
2. Gold (masarap kantahin)
3. Hindi Magbabago (masarap din kantahin hehe)

TOP THREE WHO YOU THINK (OR HOPE) WILL ANSWER THIS SURVEY
1. hmm ala ako maisip eh
2.
3.

TOP THREE “THINGS” SPECIAL TO YOU:
1. my wedding ring
2. my white gold necklace
3. my camera

TOP THREE THAT MAKE YOU HAPPY LATELY:
1. just staying in the house with my family
2. blogging
3. web chatting with family back home

TOP THREE REASONS YOU ANSWERED THIS SURVEY:
1. just want to have fun
2. to do something new
3. to get this posted on my blog

TAGGED! Part 1

I got a tag in Facebook from a high school friend, Amjelee, who’s based in the US now. Let me answer them here on my site. Here it goes:

If I tagged you, it’s because I want to know more about you.

SEPTEMBER 07, 2009

1. WERE YOU NAMED AFTER ANYONE?
– Uhm, I’m not sure. Lola Naty initially named me EDGAR, after her movie idol, Edgar Mortiz, and nicknamed me BOBOT. But my aunts didn’t like “Edgar” and changed it to NELSON. Where they got that, I don’t know.

2. WHEN WAS THE LAST TIME YOU CRIED?
– Hmm.. hindi ko na matandaan

3. DO YOU LIKE YOUR HANDWRITING?
– yesss.

4. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE LUNCH MEAT?
– pork.. hehe…

5. DO YOU HAVE KIDS?
– only one… INIGO BOY! Check out his site HERE.

6. IF YOU WERE ANOTHER PERSON WOULD YOU BE FRIENDS WITH YOU?
– of course, bait ko yata….

7. DO YOU USE SARCASM?
– sometimes

8. DO YOU STILL HAVE YOUR TONSILS?
– yup.

9. WOULD YOU BUNGEE JUMP?
– i like to try!

10. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE CEREAL?
– quaker oats

11. DO YOU UNTIE YOUR SHOES WHEN YOU TAKE THEM OFF?
– no. it goes straight to the rack.

13. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE ICE CREAM?
– cookies and cream

14. WHAT IS THE FIRST THING YOU NOTICE ABOUT PEOPLE?
– smile.

15. RED OR PINK?
– red.

16. WHAT IS YOUR LEAST FAVORITE THING ABOUT YOURSELF?
– my height. I wish I were taller

17. WHO DO YOU MISS THE MOST?
– my family in the philippines.

18. DO YOU WANT EVERYONE TO COMPLETE THIS LIST?
– sure.

19. WHAT COLOR PANTS AND SHOES ARE YOU WEARING?
– navy blue unsleeved shirt and gray shorts, barefooted.

21. WHAT ARE YOU LISTENING TO RIGHT NOW?
– im watching GOIN BULILIT sa TFC.

22. IF YOU WERE A CRAYON, WHAT COLOR WOULD YOU BE?
– blue

23. FAVORITE SMELLS?
– orangy, paco rabanne, be delicious (DKNY)

24. WHO WAS THE LAST PERSON YOU TALKED TO ON THE PHONE?
– a friend

25. DO YOU LIKE THE PERSON WHO SENT THIS TO YOU?
– oo naman

26. FAVORITE SPORTS TO WATCH?
– basketball, synchronized swimming

27. HAIR COLOR? Natural or enhanced?
– naturally black

28. EYE COLOR?
– black

29. DO YOU WEAR CONTACTS?
– yup.

30. FAVORITE FOOD?
– pasta, adobo, ref cakes

31. SCARY MOVIES OR HAPPY ENDINGS?
– both

32. LAST MOVIE YOU WATCHED?-
– Hmm… Inday Inday sa Balitaw… Hahaha! Kase yun palabas sa Cinema One kanina…

33. WHAT COLOR SHIRT ARE YOU WEARING?
– navy blue

34. SUMMER OR WINTER?
– winter

35. HUGS OR KISSES?
– both

36. FAVORITE DESSERT?
– moist chocolate cakes

37. MOST LIKELY TO RESPOND?
– saan?

38. LEAST LIKELY TO RESPOND?
– no idea

39. WHAT BOOK ARE YOU READING NOW?
– wala sa ngayon

40. WHAT IS ON YOUR MOUSE PAD?
– I don’t use a mouse pad.

41. WHAT DID YOU WATCH ON TV LAST NIGHT?
– TV Patrol Linggo

42. FAVORITE SOUND(S):
– sentimental

43. ROLLING STONES OR BEATLES?
– Beatlles.

44. WHAT IS THE FARTHEST YOU HAVE BEEN FROM HOME?
– Middle east.

45. DO YOU HAVE A SPECIAL TALENT?
– special? Hmmm? Puro ordinary lang talents ko…

46. WHERE WERE YOU BORN?
– Guiguinto, Bulacan.

47. WHOSE ANSWERS ARE YOU LOOKING FORWARD TO GETTING BACK?
–  Hmmm wala ako maisip…

48. HOW DID YOU MEET YOUR SPOUSE/SIGNIFICANT OTHER?
– I met my wife in school when we were 10 years old. We were elementary and high school classmates.

Inigo gets a new look!

It was bothering me during the last few days how Inigo looked. His curly hair is getting longer and he looked more like a baby girl than a boy. But it was difficult to find in this place a barber who would cut an awake baby’s hair.

So I decided to cut my own baby’s hair! Mommy played with Inigo while I shaved his head… and presto! Inigo’s new look!  Glad I didn’t cut his ears!