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Saturday, February 18, 2023

Matina Aplaya

A couple of days back, my uncle messaged my wife asking what my number is as he was inviting me to go with him, and another cousin, to Matina Aplaya.

When my wife reached me, her first reaction was "What's in Matina Aplaya? Monkey Business?" :-D  hmmm... she does have a point as we never visit the place nor even pass by the area even though it's just behind the mall she works in.   I'm beginning to sense something though ... what could she be implying ..... but maybe this is for another story.

Yes, I still remember that time when Mama went sleepless for days.  She undoubtedly was troubled.  She would talk to her friends, talk to her siblings, and sometimes just end up thinking deeply, alone, in the sofa, all through out the night.  I was in my last year of high school, and while I had the impression that time that we would go bankrupt, my parents didn't make me feel that.  My daily routine did not change significantly.   My life was still as comfortable as before.

So the day came and I got dragged to check out the area - Matina Aplaya.  My mom and her brother, my uncle, won parcels of land after battling an estafa case for more than 20 years in court.  Yes, it took that long.  It went all the way to the Supreme Court.  Not only are these land not enough to cover what was originally owed, relationships soured over that long period of time.  It was a waste of everyone's time and resources.  

I think that time we really would have been bankrupt if not for family and friends in the community who were gracious lenders.  I don't know the whole story.  Mama never told her side.  Papa never mentioned anything.  Me and my cousins were never allowed to hear what the grownups were talking about.  I just heard snippets of what happened 20 years after,  when the case was about to be resolved already, all a little too late.  I also found folders with mama's records when I was cleaning her closets.  Mama is a great record keeper.

And not everyone was gracious too.  I also heard of those that went all out, pressured mama in all possible ways, to get their way.

I will forever be grateful to those that helped mama during this very difficult test in our lives.  I wish I knew more.  I wish I could return favors.  Regardless, the experience has taught me to be gracious as well when caught in the same circumstances. I may not be able to return these favors anymore so I hope they will be comforted by the thought that their actions have made me want to be as gracious as they were/still are.  

So you see, I admire mama very much.  I'm a proud mama's boy and I wish I had her tenacity.  Even with all that she faced, she fulfilled her promises and still managed to accommodate those that asked for her help.  What we enjoy today, we truly all owe to her.  That is what I believe.



The pictures show those parcels of land now.  One now being used as a main highway, another probably a portion allocated for right-of-way.  Ottoke? What do we do now?

The saga continues ...  

(My one big idea is to build a TOLL gate :-D what do you think? )

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On a side note, I'm back with a blogpost after 9 years! admittedly,  blogs are no longer the way to go,  it's now 2023 and people are crazy for tiktok videos, short videos / stories / reels!  Reading the book StoryWorthy by Matthew Dicks has made me want to pursue this again though.       

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Monday, September 15, 2014

NBI Clearance 2014 in 10 Minutes

Getting an NBI Clearance in the Philippines has always been a dreaded ordeal by the local job hunting community.  You've probably read a lot of awful stories of delays and long queues in the NBI Clearance center near you.

You wouldn't believe it but I actually got my NBI clearance in 10 minutes!  It was that fast.  If you're in Manila I suggest you follow what I did.  All my worries were for nothing!  And a lot of blog posts are actually not updated.  This is the main reason why I'm writing my experience.  I actually got the idea from one of the comments in an old blog post.  Let's just say this is my way of paying it forward.  My only goal with this post is to help all Filipino job seekers out there who just want to land a decent job.


Date: September 15, 2014.

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Here's How I got my NBI Clearance in 10 Minutes:  

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Thursday, March 27, 2014

Green Juicers in Davao

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It's no secret.  Juicing and Juice Detoxing is the IN thing right now.  While I started preparing and drinking Green Smoothies way back in 2011, I only started juicing last year.  Normally, I would just juice at home.  It's more economical that way.  Sometimes though, it's also good to order and try out juices from home-based juicers.  Try out the ones where the ingredients are more expensive or harder to find - Kale, Turmeric, Red Beets, Berries, Grapes, Chia seeds, etc.

If you are not convinced yet to try juicing, watch the documentary Fat Sick and Nearly Dead.  It follows the life of Joe Cross during the time he tried juicing for 40 days.  See and watch what happened to him.  

If you are looking for a juicer in Davao, here are some of those I've come across with.

iJuice
by: Ai Abujos

"Changing Lives, One Juice at a Time."

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Saturday, June 29, 2013

Minion and I Are Off to Hawaii

Jollibee Fly to Hawaii Promo Winners!

Jollibee Fly to Hawaii Promo

The wait is over! Jollibee announced the winners for their Fly To Hawaii promo.  Did you buy a Jollibee Amazing Aloha Burger to join this promo?  

Jollibee is taking 3 pairs to an all-expense-paid trip to Hawaii.  All you have to do is buy an Amazing Aloha Burger within the promo period.  Your receipt will serve as your raffle coupon.  Write your name, contact number, mailing address, email, and signature at the back before dropping it at designated drop boxes.  The prize is convertible to cash - worth PHP 260,000.  

And the winners are ...

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The Traveling Spiderman

Spiderman spotted in Wayna Picchu, Machu Picchu, PERU
Spiderman Travels Around the World!


How I wish Spiderman would be able to travel the whole world and I would be more than ecstatic to be the volunteer to take him there.  

Last year I got hold of this Headware multipurpose head bandana (made in the Philippines!) with Spiderman's cover printed on it.  It inspired me to try and do this. (^o^)/






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Monday, June 17, 2013

Hawaiian Pizza is The Filipino's Favorite


John Lloyd Cruz with an Ultimate Special Overload Pizza
from Greenwich
Was a  little low on cash since the stock market started correcting last week.  It was a good thing then that Greenwich hosted a Blogger's Barkada Blowout here in Davao last Friday.  

According to Greenwich, their best-selling pizza is their Ultimate Hawaiian Overload Pizza.  It is undoubtedly the favorite pizza of the Filipinos.  The glazed pineapple and ham hits the right spots in the Pinoy's sweet palate.  But Greenwich didn't stop there.  They added bacon in the mix as well, making their version of the pizza truly ultimate.  Now I've tasted a lot of Pizza Hut's version of the Hawaiian Pizza as well and I can honestly tell you that Greenwich's was way better.  The only plus point for Pizza Hut is their crust which is more flavorful and savory which I like.  

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It was no ordinary blowout as Greenwich served us with the best of the best in their product line up.

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Friday, April 05, 2013

Mount Pinatubo Trek in Pictures (Zambales, Philippines)

Trekking Mount Pinatubo
February 2013

Here's a travel guide in pictures on what to expect when you go on a trek to see Mt. Pinatubo's crater lake.



The gateway to Mt. Pinatubo Trek is in Sta. Juliana Capas, Tarlac, Philippines.  You'll know you've reached the right place if you see the sign above. Register right away and rent a 4x4 all terrain vehicle to take you the the trek start point.

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Tuesday, March 26, 2013

Team Philippines Closing Exhibition at the 4th PyroMusical Competition

Team Philippines represented by Platinum Fireworks.

Closing fireworks exhibition at the 4th Philippine International PyroMusical Competion at SM Mall of Asia.

An upbeat performance featuring more recent popular music for the first half and overwhelming the crowd by using not only the platform but the whole bay side area of the Mall of Asia.  From our vantage point, it wasn't as in sync with the music during the first half.  The second half though was quite exquisite and explosive.  You know they really spent for that fireworks display - ingenious and impressive with innovative new fireworks.

Here's the video sourced from Platinum Fireworks. Enjoy!

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