Please Help

Typhoon 'Ondoy' has long passed by the Philippines, yet its trail of destruction it has took around 240 lives, and has displaced hundreds of thousands. Metro Manila is in a state of calamity, where in hard-hit areas, entire houses were swallowed by the flood, and survivors have lost their all their possessions.





For some reason, I wasn't able to see the occurrences first-hand, by the fact that we have migrated to Canada 5 months ago. Is it fate that saved our family from the wrath of Ondoy? Even if I was away, I desired to risk my life to save those in distress when I saw this on the news. But lo, even if I was there, I would chicken out at the last minute. But I had to help, as a Filipino, and as a Christian. God inspired me to help the relief efforts with some of my savings.

I plead for whoever reads this blog to help our country from the turmoil. Pray for our country, the Philippines, and/or send aid through the Philippine National Red Cross at http://www.redcross.org.ph/.

We appreciate any efforts you can give, and thank you.

Mahal Pa Rin - Sam Milby

Lyrics | Sam Milby lyrics - Mahal Pa Rin lyrics

I just want to say I'm sorry for my faults. I miss you and I love you.

Unethical Commenting - YouTube Style

As a music fan, I appreciate fellow musicians' efforts to express their talents. However, I am upset in how other "musicians" react to how cover musicians perform. Here is the video (courtesy of YouTube and amacatan), which shows a band performing These Days by Bamboo:



These are the comments for the video:

lawrenzit:
kapag bamboo ang inyong tutugtugin~~~~!!~!!!! plss.....vocalist lalo!! galaw galaw..ampota...parang bakla!! ndi ka nagaya ke bamboo./...hyper!! at nga pala..act like professional para ndi obvious~~ shit..


sxenn11029:
galing niyo mgkalat exept un basista...
hahaha...
halatadong pakute lng
vocalist niyo...
kng dito s baguio kau 2mg2g
cgrdong bbtuhin
kau ng mga manunuod...
tsk tsk...
kya mgimprove nlng kau...

vahnasuelo
gling ng lead nyo ahh.. Galing MAGKALAT.... Anyways, ung bahista lang ang kuhang kuha ung tunog.. you should polish your talent dude... sa lead guitar nyo... palitan n yan... hindi ung instrument.. ung musician itself.. XD

rightz06:
parang and daming hater d2 sa youtube.
buti nga ng post eh,,

In the world now *governed* by freedom of speech, one is likely to condemn another as an inferior being. But when posting comment, please, be ethical!

On Diploma-Mills

In the September 25 Editorial of Philippine Star, it decries the lack of quality of some Filipino higher educational institutions (HEI's), in particular, law schools. However, this is not the only field where HEI's graduates don't even make the mark. I am pretty sure that there are these "diploma mills" in nursing, education, HRM, IT, and so on and so forth. While in culture, Filipinos believe that education is the solution to poverty, these "diploma mills" charge these poor families a fortune.

THE EFFECT IS CLEAR: Our education is branded "THIRD-WORLD" because of the conceived "diploma-mill effect" of the Philippines. Yes, college grads here do not get the same treatment as college grads back at home. :(

Filipino Expat Chronicles - Random Photos of Calgary

"Ground Zero"
(July 20, 2009)

Cycle path
(September 7, 2009)

I thought Klamath was a place only in Fallout 2...
(September 7, 2009)

"Ayis"
(September 8, 2009)

A Cute Ladybug

(September 3, 2009)

Filipino Expat Chronicles - Glenmore Resovoir

Me and a couple of my Filipino co-workers went on a short biking trip after work. It was almost evening, so we wanted to catch the sunset on the lakeside. Back and forth, it was approximately 12 kilometers, but we spent most of the time shutterbugging. Good times!

Ruth, Oliver, and I

The beautiful sunset

Tranquil waters

"Noruko" and I at the yacht dock

Geese happily swimming

It is a lot of fun to socialize with friends... something that I haven't thought I could do here. It just shows that I am slowly growing into the niche. Just have to enjoy everyday here!

Does God Exist? - a TV Ad

One of my fears of the looming education-religion crisis is the removal of free practice of religion. Classrooms would become centers of atheism, and if the government would continue this, whole countries would become atheists. Scientists and professiors, or at least some of them, detest the existence of God. but here's a video that would change your mind.

The Kegon Dream

The Kegon Dream
by the traveler

And so it seems distant
Too impossible it may seem
A vision in the cosmos
In the lofts, the fragile dream.

The stars, they fall into place
However shattered and broken
Pick them up, too painful to hold
Frustration is just as sudden.

Retreating inward, never to speak
Sullen solitude in the forest
A student's poem on a tree
Ever-reaching for the best

The inert suppression.
The joyous prevarication.