I don't remember exactly when I first heard about Orman Manansala, but I think I met him for the first time during the Avatar Media Practical Photojournalism Workshop. We didn't talk much but I remember him to be a jolly person, very personable. The second time I met him was during his visit to Davao last December 2009 which coincided with Mica Rodriguez's visit to Davao. It was during this visit that Orman invited me and the other Avatar Media members to cover and participate during the General Santos City Kalilangan Festival 2010. It was during this five day trip to General Santos City that I experienced how much of a great person Orman is. For one, he is a damn good host. Even if he was very busy as Festival Director, he managed to take very good care of us and even accompanied us to most of our trips and stops during the five day trip. Going above and beyond his duty as Festival Director and host, Orman fed us, gave us shelter, and entertained us to the hilt during those five days. He even managed to introduce us to some *ehem* boys to keep me company during my…
Month: July 2010
Planters’ Bank SME Series: Ethics Adding Values to Your Business
Last July 13, 2010, I was able to attend the Planters' Bank SME Speakers Series held at the Apo View Hotel here in Davao City. And I learned a lot from it. The talk was about Ethics: Adding Values to Your Business with Francis J. Kong as the featured speaker. Mr. Kong is an entrepreneur, writer, tv show host, and professional public speaker. He gave a very rousing and inspiring talk on ethics, emphasizing that there is no such thing as "business ethics," only ethics. Kong asserted that the way one lives his life is reflected on how he does business. Thus, he conducts himself ethically inside and outside of his business. He also prefers to work with and deal with ethical people who are honest and disciplined inside and and outside of the office. Kong was not just knowledgeable about business, he was a damn good speaker. He knew what to say and how it say it effectively. His topic was serious but his talk was light-hearted and funny. His jokes were relevant and didn't lessen the impact of his points. Rather, his jokes and asides highlighted his very serious points. The talk was definitely very useful and practical…
My Super Mommy
I might not have been lucky enough to be born with a picture perfect family, but I was lucky to have a super Mommy. She's not my biological mother, but she was the one who took care of me since I was a baby until I was nine years old. She is Teresita "Ching" J. Bonguyan, she is my biological father's sister. When I was left with her, she was already married and had two children of her own, with another one on the way. She gave birth to another child when I was almost four years old. Even when she already had four children, she treated me, took care of me, and loved me like one of her own. She didn't love any one of us better than the others, only differently. She knows our strengths and weaknesses, and she would always encourage us to do the things that would make us happy. In fact, it was Mommy who encouraged me to go to culinary school even if I didn't ask her or tell her that I wanted to do it. She saw how much I loved watching cooking shows and she suggested I attend culinary school. She is…
How to be a Dedicated Smoker
The following is a product of a writing exercise that the blogger made during the Davao Bloggers Creative Writing Workshop 2 with Rene Lizada. The exercise is called "Steps in an Irony Process Pararaph." It takes determination and diligence to become a dedicated smoker. However, there are simple steps you can follow to easily achieve this feat. First, make sure you always have cigarettes with you. Don't buy sticks, buy packs. And I don't mean those flimsy packs of tens or fives which some stores sell. Always have a pack of 20 sticks of your preferred cigarettes. Or if you go grocery shopping, buy a box of packs. And with that, you must always have your own lighter. The fancy refillable ones are preferred. Or a box of matches. This way, when you have the urge to smoke, you don't have to mooch off others or waste time looking for a pack to buy. Second, do not share your cigarettes so that you won't run out of supplies. Keep them in a safe place. Especially, when you are out drinking with your friends, do not put your pack on the table where everybody else can access it. Same goes for…
War is Coming
Make no mistake about it. War is coming. With all its glory. And all its horror. That's my SMS tone. Uh huh! I've been very excited to see and play this game, StarCraft II. In the summer of 1998, I spent my vacation in Manila. With three guy cousins. I spent more time in arcades than in stores. And eating instead of shopping. One of the things I learned that summer was how to play StarCraft. I instantly fell in love with the graphics and the game's story. I was eager to finish the campaign so I would know how things ended for Raynor, Kerrigan, and the Duke. All through college, until my third year I played StarCraft with my friends through LAN and through the Battlenet. I wasn't a good player but I kept at it. Then, came WarCraft III: Reign of Chaos and WarCraft III: The Frozen Throne. I also learned Age of Empires, Red Alert, and many other games. And finally, DotA and now, League of Legends. But StarCraft will always be StarCraft. I was super excited when I first heard news that StarCraft II will finally be released. Sometime. Maybe in a year or so. That…
Poker + Blogging Skills = TV Show
When I heard that a local poker tv show is on the works and they're looking for a host, I didn't hesitate. I WANTED TO BE PART OF IT! Yes, I wanted to host the show, but I wanted to be part of the production more. Having played poker for more than two years, and being a blogger / writer / PR consultant, I thought I had the credentials to be part of the show. Two nights ago, I went to the production company's office to audition, telling the director I would also be interested in being a writer for the show or as part of the production team. Yesterday morning, I received a message that I have been chosen to be part of the team. WOOHOO! And that there would be a meeting and technical rehearsal at around 3 pm. Ooops! I had a workshop/dinner with my friends. I wen to the workshop/dinner but left for about an hour for the meeting at the poker club. Met the two hosts, Carol Smith who has been a poker player and a former DJ. I told the director that she would be the perfect host. And I'm happy they agreed. The…