The World of Second Chances

Being Grateful

February 19, 2010

Life & Love

How many times have you thanked your parents for all the wonderful things they’ve done to you? How many times have you bothered to say “Thank you” to your little boy or little girl who exerted effort to prepare snack for you? Have you ever thanked a boss for a promotion or have you been honestly and openly grateful for having a good-performing staff? Is saying “Thank you” that difficult that is why not every person is capable of saying it with utmost sincerity?

I know of a man who works double time to support his sister’s education when their parents could not support her studies. Is she ever grateful what her brother does for her? Maybe yes. But there is never an instance when she could have expressed that gratitude through words. She probably thought that it’s her brother’s obligation to support her.

I know of an elderly couple who complains about the monthly allowance that they receive from their son. The elderly couple wants to live in a little luxury but the son cannot afford such a lifestyle. He can only provide for their basic needs. They could have thanked him for being a dutiful son but they did the opposite way.

I know of an upper middleclass teener who demands to her parents about the latest this and that. Once bought and given, the teener thought that she earned the stuff given to her. She never bothered to say “Thank you.”

Being grateful and saying “thank you” must be taught at an early age. Being grateful is like acknowledging the favors that we receive; either earned or given. Saying “thank you” promotes a better relationship between the giver and receiver. The giver will feel appreciated while the receiver will feel deserving.
What Happened To Allen Pangilinan?

February 17, 2010

Life & Love

Taken from http://www.helpfindallen.blogspot.com.

Notice to The Concerned Public
Allen is not yet home but we got an information and we assumed that he is just fine.

However, the family would like to request the public to be patient with them and provide them the privacy that they are requesting for now.

We understand and we appreciate all the efforts, support, concern that everyone has put into this situation. Rest assured that all of these are greatly valued by his family and friends.

But as of this time, we cannot give more than what we have already stated so we request for you understanding and we would like to assure everyone that we will provide an update as soon as we get the official statement of the family.

In line with this, we are communicating to the public that the blog and the Facebook group page would be deactivated temporarily.

We do hope for your patience and understanding. Thank you.
Posted by HelpFindAllen at 10:31 PM

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

What really happened to Allen Pangilinan? The public sympathized and empathized with his family and friends. The public went out of their way to try to help. The public prayed for Allen’s safety. Now that Allen is confirmed alive and kicking, the public won’t be given a chance to know what really happened? How intriguing!

My opinion on the following theories:
1. Allen was kidnapped- Disagree. How affluent is his family? Kidnap-for-ransom syndicates work quietly and hate publicity. If Allen was kidnapped, his family and friends wouldn’t ask for the public’s help to spread the info about his disappearance.

2. Allen went abroad to celebrate after passing his SAP certification exam. -Disagree. Three ATM withdrawals after the disappearance? Is it possible to use BPI ATM cards abroad?

3. Allen ran away. – Possible. Who knows, he has personal issues that even his family is not aware of? Maybe, he was just trying to cool off elsewhere.

4. The Allen Pangilinan case is just a hoax.- Possible. It could be a social experiment like what they did to Tintin and Julius Babao’s daughter. A group of people wanted to know how the public would react to the little girl’s “death story.” Obviously, the couple was hurt and mad about the whole social experiment thing. If Allen’s case is just a social experiment, then who could be the people behind this?
Help Find Allen

February 16, 2010

Life & Love

I chanced upon http://www.helpfindallen.blogspot.com/ on Pinoy Exchange last Saturday, February 13, 2010. I checked the updates this morning and I’m disappointed and saddened that this young man is still missing for reasons that even his family could not decipher.

How could a sensitive young man just disappear without apparent trace? Nobody seemed to see him on the night that he disappeared; not a taxi driver, not a co-worker, not a police officer, not a stranger. According to his close friends, it is very un-Allen if he would just run away without informing his family or rather if he would put his family into deep worries. His mom has heart problems; a good son won’t bring troubles to his ailing parent.

I talked about Allen (who’s so much of a stranger to me) with my husband last night. Something about his disappearance just keeps bugging me. Are we safe in our daily route to and from work or school? Can we trust the people around us?

Allen and I are total strangers from each other and we don’t live on the same neighborhood. The least that I can do is to spread http://www.helpfindallen.blogspot.com/ so that people may be aware that Allen is missing.
Starstruck Final 5

February 15, 2010

That’s Entertainment

Sarah Lahbati
Rocco Nacino
Enzo Pineda
Steven Silva
Diva Montelaba
………………….they are the final five.

Nina Kodaka was obviously very tensed before the announcement. Judging from the text votes and the council votes, she was the weakest contender among her peers. I believe that Nina can still make it on showbiz though. With her cute oriental looks, she can make it; she just have to polish her Tagalog.

I am torn between my original bet, Diva Montelaba and classy beauty Sarah Lahbati. Diva is the total performer, one that can easily be mold into a concert-performing artist. I don’t see her making it big on TV or the silver screen. She’s not a ham actress but I don’t see her being paired with any guy for a loveteam. She is simply not loveteam-material. A very emotional Diva was seen when she had a one-against-eight interview with the avengers. Princess Snell was rather bitchy than frank as an interviewer. Is she eyeing for a contravida assignment? Going back to Diva, the Cebuana beauty is not yet ready to go hard-core on showbiz, judging on how she got emotional from the bitchy questions of her former colleagues. Is she really a snob now? Is she trying to get close to those who will benefit her? Is she turning into a swell-head? These were the questions that made Diva emotional that night.

Sarah sings well and registers well on TV. She should avoid heavy make up because she is prettier with a lighter one. Her face is actually “malleable” depending on the kind of make up she uses. She can be sweet, daring, regal and girlish depending upon the make up application. It is obvious that the avengers are supporting Sarah: no controversial questions, no bitching, no bashing and she didn’t receive any black rose from the avengers that means that they (avengers) don’t want the survivor to be included on the final five.

Steven Silva got a black rose from Ian Batherson. From Ian’s point of view, their Tagalog-“defect” is something that is more of a liability than an asset when it comes to acting. Hmmmm…. but Sam Milby does not speak the language well, too and yet he’s doing it well in the other station.

Rocco Nacino is my bet among the male survivors. He can sing, dance and act well. He’s serious when it comes to joining showbiz and can handle controversial questions well. Is her conceited? Did he make face when he was paired with Rox Montealegre? Rocco answered them all, emotionally prepared.

The boy who was born with a silver spoon on his mouth wants to prove that he can make it on showbiz. Enzo Pineda’s coming from a buena familia has always been the major source of controversy in Starstruck: his family can buy votes for him. His family has good showbiz connections. Judging from his performances, he is a good dancer but not as good an actor as Rocco. Just like Rocco, he was emotionally-prepared when he faced his former peers for a one-against-eight interview.

Would it be Diva & Rocco and Sarah & Enzo for the finals? My guess is it would be a Sarah & Rocco. 😉
Top 7 Songs of My Heart

February 12, 2010

That’s Entertainment

I associate people with songs. I can remember people through songs. I can make or break my mood through songs.

1. Fallen- this song is dedicated to my husband. I met him at the lowest point in my life. I met him when I stopped believing in love.
“I can’t believe it you’re a dream coming true. I can’t believe how I have fallen for you. I was not looking, was content to remain. And it’s ironic, to be back in the game.”
It made me believe that love is something that will come at the least expected time. A whirlwind courtship, we’re still on the process of getting to know each other. Our first wedding anniversary will be next month.

2. Wonderful Tonight- my first boyfriend loved to accompany me to the ball. He was proud of me. He was a good dancer and I just loved those romantic dances with him.

3. Of All The Things- dedicated to my 2nd boyfriend. Just when I thought that our love was “You and Me Against The World,” it proved that love is not forever six and a half years later.

4. Muntik Na Kitang Minahal- Yes, I almost loved him! This is dedicated to one of my bestfriends. The physical attraction was intense; I mistook it for love. Good thing, he never got the chance to know how I felt for him before.

5. First Love (by J-Pop Utada Hikaru)- he was not my first love. I met him when I was lost and unhappy with one of my relationships. It was a brief “love affair” that ended just when it was about to start.

6. Sad to Belong- he was married, I was looking for marriage. He thought that the feelings were mutual. It was not. I was just being friendly to him. And we were not friends for benefit! Excuse me!

7. Bato sa Buhangin- my parents’ love story. This song makes me feel nostalgic. I miss my late mother very much.
Thank You, Miel!

February 12, 2010

Wedding & Family Life

If there’s one thing that I truly appreciate in my husband, it will always be his caring attitude. Yesterday morning, I woke up at 4 AM due to spasms in my stomach. It must be the rocky road ice cream or the ripe mango that I ate at 11:30 PM.

5:30 AM, we went to the church for our Thursday worship. I was very uncomfortable. I thought I had LBM. When we arrived home, I took a cold shower to get rid of my drowsiness.

My husband went to school while I went to work afterwards. At work, my condition worsened. Not even the Kremil-S was of any help to improve my severe stomachache and vomiting. (Thinking that I was just acidic.) At 1:30 PM, I called up Miel and told him that I would have to go home by 2PM. He asked me to wait for him at the office.

I asked permission from my boss if I could go home as soon as we were done with the review but he insisted that I should go home ASAP if the pain is unbearable.

1:45 PM, I met Miel at the ground floor and I told him that there’s no need for him to go home with me.

4:30 PM, Miel awakened me. He said that he could not work because of my condition. He took my temperature; I had a fever. He took care of me, brought me medicine and soup and asked me to go to sleep.

I woke up at 6:00 PM with a better feeling, both physically and emotionally. The man that I married 11 months ago is still in love with me. I hope it’s forever…..
We Are The World:From Africa to Haiti

February 4, 2010

Career, Finance & Product

There comes a time
When we head a certain call
When the world must come together as one
There are people dying
And it’s time to lend a hand to life
The greatest gift of all

We can’t go on
Pretending day by day
That someone, somewhere will soon make a change
We are all a part of
God’s great big family
And the truth, you know love is all we need

[Chorus]
We are the world
We are the children
We are the ones who make a brighter day
So let’s start giving
There’s a choice we’re making
We’re saving our own lives
It’s true we’ll make a better day
Just you and me

Send them your heart
So they’ll know that someone cares
And their lives will be stronger and free
As God has shown us by turning stone to bread
So we all must lend a helping hand

[Chorus]
We are the world
We are the children
We are the ones who make a brighter day
So let’s start giving
There’s a choice we’re making
We’re saving our own lives
It’s true we’ll make a better day
Just you and me

When you’re down and out
There seems no hope at all
But if you just believe
There’s no way we can fall
Well, well, well, well, let us realize
That a change will only come
When we stand together as one

[Chorus]
We are the world
We are the children
We are the ones who make a brighter day
So let’s start giving
There’s a choice we’re making
We’re saving our own lives
It’s true we’ll make a better day
Just you and me

Twenty five years ago, a group of singers sang together a song written by the late Michael Jackson. The lyrics above and the melody created a timeless and priceless masterpiece. Twenty five years ago, the world was worried and concerned over Africa. Twenty five years later, a group of singers will sing the same song but with a different melody. The composer would not be around to join the singing though. This time, they will do it for earthquake-stricken Haiti. I can’t help but shed tears of joy to see that when the worst event happens, people can be so charitable. Love and sharing is in the air.