Pay Na No

2008-08-09T07:27:00.000-07:00

Chicken na naman???

This isnt a scene from a Nazi concentration camp. These boys are having their usual chicken dinner. Roast chicken by request -without veggies please! So what I did was to ask their yaya to secretly mix in their rice fine mashed veggies - hehehehe. Akala nyo maiisahan nyo si Daddy ha...Ever wonder why they have green and green plastic drinking cups? Well, green is for water while blue is for Coke Zero (well, 1/4 full because I dont want them to drink to much softdrink during meals).

2008-07-05T07:53:00.000-07:00

Kobe plays Golf for the First Time

I enrolled Kobe in golf lessons under Mang Ofring of Valley Golf. This is after a photographer/golfer buddy Ariel S. recommended Mang Ofring as a good golf mentor for kids. Kobe will undergo 14 Saturdays of golfing lessons. Mid into his lessons, Kobe was able to drive the ball up to 40 yards! With perfect stance and posture, he drives balls farther. I look forward to see Kobe play with me on the green. Maybe in some exotic golf course abroad. Ahhh..the makings of a future golfing buddy!

2008-06-09T01:02:00.000-07:00

Kobe's Boracay Escapade

Fortunately, Kobe and I are beach people. We love the beach. Soon Kobe will be a submariner and beach sports champion. These are the things I missed because of school and my being away from the beach. I promised Kobe that he will learn every water sports there is.

2008-06-06T11:06:00.000-07:00

Kobe Surfs the Net (and Milo closely watches!)

(Above) I taught Kobetoy to surf the internet and find websites that will tickle his fancy (and that of his brother Milo).

(above) And guess what site he greatly enjoys....Youtube showing the Mr. Bean Dance clip.

2008-06-03T07:22:00.000-07:00

My old post from Multiply site:

UAAP Dilemna

A few days ago, I found myself in the company of half crazy yuppies rooting their guts out for the UST Growling Tigers. We were watching the deciding Game 3 of the UAAP Men's Basketball Championship in a sports grill at Greenbelt 3. The Growling Tigers were pitted against the Ateneo Blue Eagles.

As I was merely a guest, I sat quietly in a corner just minding my beer. My hosts who are all from UST - shouted in unison every time a basket is counted their way. Dr. Bam who squeezed me in- made the mistake of introducing me as an Atenean. I looked around and noticed that it was only my brother Macky who was cheering for the Ateneo Blue Eagles. This is actually ironic as he is a true yellow tomasino (if there is such a word) having studied at UST from college until finishing his extended medical studies (well, thats my bro).

Macky may have chosen to go the Ateneo way because we have two other siblings who are true blue Ateneans or maybe to piss off his buddies. The venue was neutral ground but packed with mostly Ateneo and UST crowd which skipped work to watch the game. The Ateneans chanted blue babble cheers while the Tomasinos mustered sporadic cheering counter-attacks.

As the game progressed, I realized that sitting in enemy territory is not wisest thing to do. I could be easily mauled by these guys if Ateneo trips their team via a controversial game. But what the heck, they bought me beer so I think its just okay to hang out with them.

Actually, I felt wrongly labelled as an Atenean as I only went to its law school. This does not earn me the "Ar-new" label. I am more of a Iskolar ng Bayan as I endured the UP system in college. Yet, I could not root for the UP Maroons (or Parrots) as I was never enrolled at UP Diliman which the Maroons call home. Even if UP has this "University System" set up, we 'yanos find it hard to relate with the UAAP. What the heck, I cannot even sing UP kong Mahal theme song in its entirety so as to join the victory chant. I am really a good for nothing to my alma mater! That should not be the case if I only enrolled in the Business Administration Accountancy Course being offered at the Diliman campus (a quota course at that!). I chose Visayas instead as it is closer to home. Crazy choice huh...At UPV we have no basketball competition to watch and no basketball heroes to cheer.

So its really hard to watch the UAAP as I really dont feel related to the teams competing for the championship. I cannot help but envy my kid brothers who are either true blood Tomasinos or Ateneans. I dont know in the case of AK though. Well, he is one kid brother who is surely torn between UST and Ateneo. AK studied at the Ateneo Loyola as a full scholar but when he pursued medicine, he inevitably enrolled at UST Med School. So just like me, he may have thea same dilemna. Oh well...

Thank God the Growling Tigers won. While the Tomasinos are basking in success, I continued drinking my beer like coffee. I saw them giving high fives to the orphaned DLSU fans who were there maybe just to see their rival Ateneo bleed to death (one Lasallite gamely told the Tomasinos - "pare...buti na lang natalo ang blue eagles!!!...next year tayo na magkalaban..").

So I may be pseudo UP and pseudo Ateneo. I realized that I am no different from those puzzled kibitzers outside the sports bar wondering why a basketball game can generate a lot of fuzz.

2008-05-27T22:01:00.000-07:00

Bonding with Kobe in Boracay

Kobetoy went with me diving in Boracay. For a 6 year old boy, I was amazed at Kobe's energy especially when we travel to the province. I call him the Marco Polo child being an inborn traveller - at age 3 he went with his Mom to San Francisco, U.S.A. His Mom was equally surprised to observe that the little boy seems not bothered by long travels aboard airplanes, buses and ships.

In Boracay, we went diving to feed the beautiful reef fishes...Kobe had no hesitation jumping into the water and diving with the big boys.

Kobe...if this is a sign of the things to come...then you will be off to an adventurous future.

2008-02-22T06:53:00.000-08:00

A Father's Dream

If only my father Alois can see us now. He will be surely proud of his Calumpang kids. We are nearly fulfilling his grand dream - children of lawyers and doctors. This was his dream and it was the reason why he worked hard and aimed high.

I think any parent will wonder how my parents have managed to tailor made us into become an exclusively lawyer-doctor brood. It is indeed a great feat - sometimes hard to believe. Actually, we just tried to emulate our parents and forefather's examples. Like them we did not let our limitations get in the way.

We are proudly children of Aloysius Pacelli Icamina dela Cruz.....

Alois' lawyers : Atty. Beato Alessandro and Atty. Aloysius II (both members of Ateneo Law Batch 96 and passed the Bar Exams at the same time) and Atty. Buenas Aires (USA Law)

Alois' Doctors: Dr. Makarius Tel Aviv (UST Medicine 2005), Dr. Arik Paolo Isaiah (WSVU Medicine 2006, Board Topnotcher Rank No. 3), and Dr. Alistair Kashmir (UST Medicine 2008 graduating cum laude).

2008-02-21T16:10:00.000-08:00

When Brother No. 5 becomes No. 3

I always believe that Arik is the real genius in our family. He is a natural smart guy who proves that smart men are born, not bred.

Arik having been born on the same month as I am - inevitably became my partner. As such, he got to inherit my stuff and bedroom when I left for law school. One thing we have in common is our passion for the visual design and photography. During his college years at the Ateneo, Arik has excelled as digital art designer. That is over and above his being an honor student. Being a Pisay graduate and Ateneo College scholar, Arik seemed to have the whole world at his fingertips.

With the early passing of our father, Arik went back to Iloilo for his medical studies. He studied at the West Visayas State University College of Medicine where our family legacy in education is long known. Our Lolo, Beato Aguirre Dela Cruz was once a Dean of Graduate Studies and Tita Cynthia Cerrada-Dela Cruz is an honored alumna of the WVSU med school. During those times, I saw the great potential in Arik has never changed. I am also a witness to his sacrifices - he rides the jeepney to school everyday and wears hand me down clothes from his older brothers. Yet, he has somehow enjoyed his schooling and won admiration from his classmates and professors. I heard he was known as the "Atenean Kid who went home."

Arik took the Board Exams two weeks ago armed to the teeth and with high morale. I never had any doubt that he will make it. A day before the results came out, I took him to a traditional Marian Pilgrimage in Lipa City. There I told him that I have petitioned the Almighty through the intercession of St. Therese that He makes him an instrument of love just like how our other siblings have been manifestations of his immense love and power. On the way back, we did not miss the must treat of Crispy Pata and Bulalo at Grace Restaurant in Sto. Tomas, Batangas. Now, I am revealing our secret formula of our success with the Medical Board and Bar Exams- solid preparation, strong trust in God 's grace and a tasty bite of Grace's Crispa Pata and Bulalo.

Arik my no. 5 brother is a Pisay scholar, Atenean Honor Student, WVSU trained doctor and Medical Board Exam Topnotcher (no. 3)!

2008-02-07T07:21:00.000-08:00

The "IPIT" Phenomenon

There is one habit my kids Kobe and Milo have which drives me and their mom crazy. This is what we call the "Ipit Phenomenon".

The two boys almost always slip their hands under their mom's belly while sleeping. I really don't remember how its started. I think its just their way of showing their endearment to their mom by creating this "connection" whenever they sleep beside her. In this video, Kobe who is 6 years old explains why he likes to "ipit".

2008-02-01T08:48:00.000-08:00

Kobe Makes it 3 in a row!

In the tradition of the brainy dela Cruz children, Kobe made it again in the Honor Roll. I am proud of you Kobe!!! Keep it up and you will be the next boy genius like your Tito AK and Tito Arik.

2008-01-22T05:46:00.000-08:00

Sipping Coffee at the "Gaza Strip"

One of the joys of coming home to Kalibo is having lengthy conversations with Lola Susing. The moment I step into our our ancestral house, I look for my lola. Nowadays, Lola Susing's favorite hang-out is the "Gaza Strip". Well, don't ask me why I call it with that way. Its origin is classified "Top Secret" and protected by the Bangkaya Mossad.

Lola Susing is always prepared for her grandchildren's homecomings that a cup of hot coffee, suman and ibus (native rice treats) await them at the kitchen table. As I settle and rest my aching back into one of the monoblock chairs, Lola Susing immediately embarks on our long yet heart warming conversation. She usually starts interrogating me - where I came from, how long will I be staying, or how is my family in Antipolo. I came to understand that this is Lola Susing's own version of showing affection. It makes up for tight embraces that most grandmothers do. But I have long understand that Lola Susing has her own special way. I guess I became accustomed to it.

Talking of Gaza Strip, I consider Lola Susing as our family's version of Golda Meir (the outspoken Israeli Prime Minister who incidentally is my late father's favorite). Like the Israeli stalwart, she has been our family's strongest post and refuge. Through hard times she has radiated unwavering confidence. It is her reassurances that made her brood surmount battery of tests. It is her unmatched love which is the source of a strong and true affection that bind our souls through the pains of existence.

2008-01-09T03:54:00.000-08:00

Bee Movie: Just another Lawyer Bashing Film

I watched "Bee Movie" with my kids expecting that I had to drag my feet to the movie theater and sleep through out the movie. I was wrong.

It was an enjoyable experience. What made me like the movie is how it bashes lawyers by calling them "blood sucking" vampires who just victimize poor litigants. The lawyer in the movie, Layton T. Montgomery (voice by John Goodman) is a very irritating and scheming character who does court room theatricals to a tee. However, the hardest blow to a lawyer's ego was delivered by a lowly mosquito, Mooseblood (voice by Chris Rock). Just before the movie ends, Mooseblood had this bomb of a dialogue, "Yes, I am a lawyer. I am a blood sucker and all I need is a brief case" (or something like that).

The legal profession is severely bashed in movies that one will easily agree that Hollywood must have been screwed hard by lawyers. Through out the years, films consistently labelled lawyers as good for nothing characters. Who can forget the good for nothing lawyer-friend of Richard Gere's Pretty Woman or the coward of a lawyer who became dino snack in Jurassic Park. My personal favorite is Woody Harrelson's lawyer (played well by Oliver Platt) in the movie, Indecent Proposal. Just imagine somebody who can craft a contract which paved way for Robert Redford's character to spend one night with a married woman. In the real world, hatred for lawyers as notorious fixers was confirmed when Johnny Cochranmoved heaven and earth to spare O.J. Simpson from what was supposed to be a sure guilty verdict.

Yet, lawyers do not really care. I think this sets us apart from the members of the medical profession who easily over react against media attacks. Lawyers have not demanded for blood if one of their kind is butchered by some TV show like how Desperate Housewives sullied the image of the Filipino doctor. Maybe this proves that lawyers are just naturally thick skinned.

After leaving the movie theater I really hoped that my kids have not noticed the lawyer bashing. They might end up making jokes about my career. Whew! I'm lucky that the movie was really enjoyable that my kids were contented with tthe cartoons.

2008-01-09T02:57:00.000-08:00

Dining at Cesar's Italy

We dined at Bellissimo restaurant which is rumored to be owned by movie star Cesar Montano. It was my wife's request as it was her birthday. After surveying the entire stretch of Morato Avenue, we found the restaurant because of its bright neon lights. The restaurant is a 2 storey old house which is not readily visible from the street. You have to go through a driveway and into the casually designed Italian restaurant. Inside the restaurant movie memorabilia confirms that it is indeed Cesar's place.

The menu is predominantly Italian food and wine. They say it is Cesar's sister who personally brings these from Italy.

Since it was a Tuesday night, patrons trickled in. Its good for us, I brought the whole Kingsville shebang -my wife, two kids and their yayas. The near empty restaurant made us relax and behave casually as we want to be. The food is not that impressively Italian. I honestly enjoyed other Italian restaurants. But the pizza was served fast and tasted better than my usual Yellow Cab favorite. Out of curiousity I ordered the Ice Tea Ceasari (?) and found it too sweet. I should have ordered the usual coke light instead. But what has drawn me to this place is the nicely designed interior which made the restaurant a very casual venue. My mom will surely like the brick decors on the walls as she has seemed to have invented it.

Going back to Bellissimo, I didn't care if its interior is not Italian for my taste (yeah i am familiar with the Godfather/Sicilian type interior), I like the simple ambiance. Its too bad Cesar seemed to limit his memorabilia. Maybe he does not want it to take over the Italian theme. For me he should have stuck with the "This is Cesar Montano Restaurant" and not be a "pseudo italian mafia restaurant-with-Cesar Montano-memorabilia". He could have added more interesting items on the walls like his Rizal and Muruami outfits etc. or cover it with dozens of interesting pictures from his illustrious movie career. And surely it would be full of beautiful leading ladies and ex-girlfriends!

I have mixed reactions when I came out of the restaurant. But when the birthday girl told me that she enjoyed the evening with me and the kids, dining at Cesar's restaurant is like a night in Italy.

2008-01-04T21:42:00.000-08:00

There is life after Law Practice: David E. Kelley

There is always an unexplainable joy whenever I am able to catch my favorite legal drama series, "The Practice". No matter how crappy the episodes were delivered by RPN 9, I look forward to watch with my wife who also enjoyed it. We also enjoyed another legal TV drama " Ally Mcbeal" despite its cheesy and sexy version of the legal profession. Both shows are not my source of relaxation but also a brief departure from a stressful day at the office or in court. Watching these shows never fails to inspire me -supplying me with morale boosting mojo to endure the sometimes frustrating legal profession.

After several episodes, I discovered that two soaps have something in common -writer and producer David E. Kelley. I read this guy's mini-biography and it somehow got my interest:

"David Kelley might be described as living the American Dream, 1990s' style: write a screenplay, move to Hollywood, make millions and marry a movie star. A former Boston lawyer, in the last decade, he switched careers to become a successful television producer whose shows are recognized for their quality as well as receiving top ratings. David Kelley was born in 1956 and is originally from Maine. He attended Princeton University and Boston University Law School. He married actress Michelle Pfeiffer in November 1993. They have two children: Claudia Rose Kelley, born in March 1993, who was adopted by Ms. Pfeiffer eight months before their marriage, and John Henry, born in August 1994. Claudia Rose Kelley was christened and given Mr. Kelley's name at the couple's wedding ceremony. Mr. Kelley was an associate at Fine & Ambrogne in 1983 when he wrote a film script based on some of his legal experiences. Through a family friend, he got the script optioned and acquired an agent in 1986."

My goodness, I am amazed! This Kelley guy has everything I always dreamed of - a good law school education, a law career, a gorgeous lady for a wife ( Michelle Pfeiffer!!), beautiful children, and a multi-million dollar showbiz writing career to boot. I figured out that I only thing I don't share with him is a multi million writing career- heck, I even have a pretty and sexy Michelle for a wife!

But what really impressed me about David is his sheer simplicity despite their fame and fortune. From what I have read, David have maintained a humble family life which should be emulated not only by other Hollywood millionaires but by lawyers like me. Although I agree that David isn't a leading man material - his millions and Hollywood connections can easily enable him to dump Michelle for some younger Hollywood bod (Megan Foxx perhaps?). Yet he has been married to Michelle since 1993 and seems to have a strong union.

Because of my fascination with movies, I always wanted to write a screenplay no matter what hardship or humiliation it takes. This dream is achievable if I start with one sensible script. Anyway, I still have dozens of years to become a famous TV or movie writer. Well as for now, I can always dream and somehow look forward after a bad day in court, there can be better life after law practice - the path proven to exist by my idol, Atty. David E. Kelley.

2007-12-15T23:49:00.000-08:00

Kobe does it Again!

My son Kobe is just a wonder boy. For the second time, he wowed us with his performance at school. At the moment, I am reviewing him for a math exam tomorrow. He is having some hard time but problem solving problems in arithmetic and subtraction is tough for a normal prep student. I remember having gone through that trouble in grade 2 or 3. My son learns fast and seems to find new lessons very interesting.

2007-10-19T08:14:00.000-07:00

Josh Ko Dhay!!!

One thing I always wanted is to do is to make good my promises to my mom. So when I first saw the full page ad of the upcoming Josh Groban concert at the PICC, I did not hesitate to buy tickets - no matter what the cost!

Mama is head over heels in love with Josh Groban's songs. This is the other half of her magic formula in overcoming the pain of my dad's untimely passing (the other half being Arirang Korean Channel on cable TV). Frankly, I knew Josh Groban through her. My mom's persistent requests for Josh Groban concert DVDs and CDs sent me searching the nook and cranny of video stores. I found two videos actually - Josh's concert with David Foster and one at the Greek. My mom's obsession with the fair haired Californian musician has rubbed on my sister, Aiai and my brothers. Josh was just like one ravaging virus.....we all became Grobanites.

I was lucky to score two tickets for the SMART Infinity Gala concert. I did not mind the price (dont ask me how much..hehehe). I hurriedly called my mom who was in Kalibo and told her the good news. Next thing I knew she had her plane ticket booked. She was also excited! When the concert date arrived, my mom and I were early at concert venue. PICC was bursting with the crowd of Manila's finest (whos-who)who were in their sunday's best. Fortunately mom was appropriately dressed for the occassion...me?...well....anyway...Josh was also wearing jeans right?

I was so happy to see that Josh brought along his usual road musicians: the towering black guitarist Tariqh Akoni, the guy with the dozen instruments whose name I have now forgotten, drummer Craig Mcintire and of course, a slimmer and sexier (with bangs) half-Korean, half-Italian-all goddess Lucia Micarelli. I swear I was blown away by her rendition of "Kashmir" by Led Zeppelin. Pucha talaga sa galing ni Lucia! ang ganda, ang sexy...lahat na...hehehe!!! Take me with you, Lucia!!! (pardon my French!).

Seeing and hearing Josh sing "The Prayer" (with Lani Misalucha - who was equally impressive that evening), "To Where you are", "Shes out of my Life' and Alejate is a dream come true. Even the hoity-toity crowd (including Madame Imelda Marcos) threw caution to the wind and clapped their hands like crazy monkeys each time Josh sings a high note or ends a number. On the other hand, Josh was also blown away by his Manila fans and could not help but comment that never seen people so mesmerized by his music. It made him wild. He ran across the stage and just popped out of no where to wow the crowd. There was powerful energy in the air!

My mom and I went home as very very happy and contented Josh Groban fans...till next time Josh...Hope to see you again...i hope and pray...here again in Grobanila...err...Manila!

2007-10-14T03:57:00.000-07:00

My Dream Car Come True

I don't know what really made me choose this mid-sized SUV. Maybe because a lot of young lawyers are driving it. Nah...maybe the sheer Honda engineering which is hard to disregard. Although the CRV is no economical car (a notorious 8km to a liter gas guzzler!), I was able to up my fuel consumption to 8.5kms per liter. Not bad....considering thats its an automatic. And my goodness - this little gremlin is fast!!! Look at how I was able to overtake a BMW X5 SUV (which happens to be my other "dream car"). Matagtag nga lang not like the Civic I used to own. But then its not as bumpy as my Isuzu Crosswind. Dito poging-pogi naman ang dating..hehehe

2007-10-13T03:17:00.002-07:00

My Brother's Idol Second Coming....

I know my brother Jun will be very happy to see his basketball idol's comeback as commercial model. Samboy Lim, the PBA's Skywalker became Jun's idol when mine was the whole Purefoods squad (with Pido Jarencio, Jack Tanauan and Willie Generalao). It was in the late 80s when Papa brought us to Manila for our first PBA game. I can remember how happy I was (the same feeling when I went to see my First NBA game - the Los Angeles Clippers battled the Cleveland Cavaliers at the Staples Center in 2001). Before that it was all those wide page sports magazines and taped videos of PBA games from our suki betamax shop that fed our thirst for basketball action. It was not until the early 90s when Sugbahan Plaza along Delgado Street has started to show live NBA games via their giant parabolic satellite dish.

So when Jun and I set foot on Philsports Arena, we were like starry eyed kids left to run amuck inside a toy store. I remember how dark skinned David Thirdkill was. Jun has always idolized Samboy Lim and the San Miguel Beermen so he went crazy when he saw the Skywalker dunked over Dondon Ampalayo and Dante Gonzalgo of the Ginebra team. He did not care if Samboy Lim had his boyscout socks upped to his knees or the dozen times he was waylaid by injuries.

I dont know if Jun still remember when we lined up for the SMB game in Iloilo and his wallet was snatched....He just disregarded it. He is just crazy over SMB and the Skywalker that he just wanted to see them live. For Jun, Samboy was the man....

2007-10-13T02:54:00.000-07:00

God Talking To Me

While I was driving along Ortigas Avenue, God talked to me. "Dont Worry, Andro...Be Happy" or "Hakuna Matata, Andro...", God must be smiling at me that day.

2007-09-13T02:39:00.000-07:00

I am very proud of you Kobe!!

My son Jakob Emilio (also known as Kobe) has made waves in his studies this early. Looking closely at the wordings of his Honor Card, I can't help but marvel that my son has maintained an average of 92 or higher with no grade lower than 89 in any subject for the first quarter of this school year.

Now I know how happy a parent is seeing his son shines in his studies.

To Kobe....you make me and your Mommy very very proud.

(now, I can put up an Honor Wall just like what my parents have in Iloilo. My brother Jun who has also an exemplary kid in Kibboy boasts in having an Honor Room...well, sooner or later Ill be able to do that as well...hehehe).

2007-08-19T02:45:00.000-07:00

An OFW Story

(above) An Aklanon in Hongkong

(above) Meeting in Beijing

During the last five months, I have been abroad three times. Two for business and one for semi-business. I logged in a thousand miles. Too bad I did not accumulate airline miles. But I don’t mind, the trips did not cost me a dime. Oh well, may be for the semi-business trip to Malaysia and Singapore with my wife, I coughed a few thousand pesos on a Cebu Pacific promo rate. It took in-depth travel planning to save me a couple of precious dollars. Thats me...the budget business traveler.

It was a fun experience. I always enjoy air travel despite being an avid fan of National Geographic Aircrash investigations and Seconds from Disaster. Anyway those flights are short ones – the longest is Manila to Beijing which is a five hour trip.

My trips abroad have not only enriched my legal experience but rekindled my interest in history and culture. Thanks to clients who think that their mission can be easily achieved with me in tow. And so I believe! Well, for as long as they fly me on the same plane, billet me at the same nice hotel and feed me with the same food they order, I am fine. But surely there was work involved. After all it was a business trip and my presence is a bonafide chargeable business expense. As such, they can bring me anytime. I don't mind being an overseas contract worker once in a while.

One of the things I have observe during my trips abroad is the sad plight of the real Overseas Filipino Workers (OFW). Unlike my short sojourn, most of them are leaving for work in a foreign land for a long time. Some for a period of 5 years or more. For an ordinary filipino family man, this means a sad and tormenting existence away from their families and love ones.

I also realized that there are a lot of Filipinos abroad. In Macau for example, almost all of the hotel employees from the door man to room service are Filipinos. Oh my goodness! Just call Hongkong a second Philippines. There are Pinoys in every corner! Thank God I am not easily identified as a Filipino as I got chinito features or else somebody might ask me for a working permit! Whenever I greet a kababayan on the street, they would surprisingly answer with quick smile. This is a strange...a instant and strong connection between Filipinos as if we are connected by one network. But then I should clarify this observation. This may only be true with working Filipinos in Asian or Middle East countries. I had bad experience with snobbish Filipinos in New York who think snow on their heads have turned them into a different specie. Snubbish TNTs!

It is not also hard to pinpoint Pinoys abroad. It easy to spot them. They are usually loud when in a group (usually at airports). And their dress...oh..the usual layback ensemble that foreigners would not dare wear. Just recently, heavily decorated Nokia cellphones have easily given away Filipinos. In Hongkong, it seems that those who usually send text messages from their cellphones are Filipinos. Oh well..

The sad thing is that Filipinos abroad are stereotyped as either entertainment, hospitality or domestic workers. Cheap labor to be blunt. I read somewhere that even the sexy Urnussa Cadness who is the model-girlfriend of Borgy Marcos had a bad episode at Hongkong immigrations. She was quizzed if she is a maid. For goodness sake, she is not even Filipina! Yeah, sad but it happens. Filipinas traveling alone to Hongkong usually spend a longer time at the immigration counter. Personally, whenever my chinese clients introduces me as a Filipino lawyer to a fellow chinese, the latter is amazed. He just could not believe that there are Filipinos professionals other than hotel bellhops or domestic helpers. Sad sad...but true.

I hope the Philippine government will bolster the image of OFW and not brand them as "bagong bayani" when in reality they are not given the best care here or abroad. It would be good if there is an OFW airport with world amenities for them and their love ones where they can be given the royal treatment. Maybe a 24-hour emergency counseling center in countries with highest concentration of OFWs. Better yet a one stop OFW Assistance center which assists in sending of remittances, addressing labor complaints and repatriation if necessary. Well...our government has the biggest say in the improvement of OFW's welfare. Sadly, there is more work to be done. Its good the Pinoys abroad naturally bond with each other. This somehow makes working abroad a bearable predicament.

2007-08-15T04:37:00.000-07:00

Eating Everything in China

2007-08-11T01:51:00.000-07:00

Andro in Beijing (August 6, 7 and 8, 2007)

2007-08-05T00:18:00.000-07:00

My Space

Welcome to my nook: Gadgets galore: Pentium 4 desktop pc, scanner, color printer, webcam, Apple G4 ibook, Sony PSP (white), XDA2 PDA Phone, Motorola Razor, Nokia N70, and the Canon 300D DSLR; Collection Galore: Spidey and his friends (Ben Ten, Justice League, Marvel) toy collection conveniently shared by my wife Michelle and sons Kobe and Milo, model airplanes and ships, orig DVD Collection (38 good titles and counting), Movie Poster collection, comics and magazine collection (not in the picture).

added 8/21/07- hp laserjet 1020

added: unknown date- Sony 29 inch flat TV

(moved into the room): xbox game console

added sometime December 2007: DVD writer, PS2, a Philips DVD player, new toys (a couple of Transformers and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles that my kids got from Christmas).

2008 acquisitions and gifts:

Canon 40D, 17-40mm L, Nokia N90, Nokia 6600, a stand alone dvd burner, a tripod, an original Mont Blanc pen.

4gig Ipod NANO...

more toys for the kids....

2007-06-27T08:15:00.000-07:00

La Madrina (The Godmother)

If there is a "Godfather" in our house, "he" is surely our only sister, Atty. Buenas Aires Celi C. dela Cruz. She is our Don Michael Corleone while Jun is consigliare who is a combination of Tom Hagen and Don Tomassino, Vivi the free spirit Clemenza, Arik the deep thinker Vito Andolini, and AK the promising Vincent Mancini. Well, me? I am the combination of Sonny and Connie.....You have to read the book to understand.