Filipino cliches

Posted on July 6, 2009 by crisn

“If you can’t beat them…make fun of them.” – me

 

Today I went to a nearby LTO office to have my motorcycle registered for the first time (it will turn just a year-old this August) and as usual I heard another not so surprising one-liner that it should have been made as this government office’s motto: “paumanhin sa lahat, meron lang tayong system slow down (our apologies but we have a system slow down).”

I’ve been hearing a lot of it for years since I started dealing (i.e., driver’s license, vehicle registration renewal) with them that such statement has become as predictable as sunrise (also a cliche). So instead of getting frustrated about the whole thing while standing still and staring blankly at the “efficiency” of LTO’s personnel, I tried to keep myself calm and composed and instead recall other amusing one-liners from different people. Here are some of them:

“Sorry for the inconvenience” – DPWH, Maynilad, MWSS (usually seen on the same area but different time of the year due to poor planning and coordination)

“P 1 – ihi, P 5 – dumi” – supposedly free public toilets.

“Para sa kapakanan ng masa (for the poor people)” – Presidentiables and other politicians.

“Paano yan sir?…” – Kotong cops after pulling over a motorist.

“Mani, mani…mainit-init pa, bagong luto” – Peanut vendors (whose peanuts are obviously burnt after countless times of re-heat).

“Nakainom ako, pero konti lang.” – Drunk drivers after a road mishap.

“Hindi naman masagwa ang kuha.” – Wholesome-turned-sexy actresses justifying their adult magazine pictorials.

And the last but my all-time favorite:

“Kumabyos ang preno, di umabot (brakes slipped, didn’t stopped on time)” – Public utility vehicle driver involved in a car crash.

How about you, any favorite one-liners? I’d love to read them.

***

I’ll be back this afternoon to claim my motorcycle registration renewal. I hope the LTO’s system is already up and running.

 

Mood: 3/10 Honks!

Filed under: Life, Motoring, Politics | Tagged: , , , , , , | Leave a Comment »

Accounting took over blogging

Posted on July 5, 2009 by crisn

 

Eight weeks ago I was expecting my self to fill my need to blog with gusto. Obviously it didn’t came to be that way since I soon got myself pretty occupied ,just like I’ve mentioned before, with so many things (except for work). For the past few weeks it was all about Accounting.  

If my recently spreadsheet-crammed mind serves me right, I already made it a habit to turn off the TV immediately after I get my daily dose of local prime time news. From that time on and almost until midnight, I’m hunched over my thick Manegerial Accounting book and syllabus booklet trying to solve every exercise and problem. The only time I’d have a break is during my regular peek at my Facebook’s and Twitter’s page (which I soon learned to fully ignore during the last few days). And among my nightly routine of course is filling my mug with hot coffee and making one for my wifey who’s usually watching her favorite (but my hated) telenovelas in the room, surfing the net and while watching over our sleeping baby boy all at the same time.

Somehow, and thankfully, all those efforts made me understand more about this subject matter that I’m actually starting to like it already however late – last Friday was our last session and the final exam paper will be submitted after two weeks. So tomorrow, just after two days of taking a break from seeing rows and columns of numbers, I might be back to our dining table again, analyzing one company’s income statement hoping that those nights spent studying will result to something fruitful. And sooner of course, I’d like to put everything to practical use because knowing the concept is one, applying it is another.

***

What amazes me though is that while I’m away from blogging, my page marcuscanblog.com still gets hits after hits as if I’m blogging the way I used to be. Nice, huh. To those who made it possible, thanks for dropping by.

***

I think I forgot to notify some of my blog visitors that I finally decided to use the domain marcuscanblog.com to replace crisn.wordpress.com (although clicking or typing this URL will direct one to marcuscanblog.com) since I got tired and hopeless making it work with my supposedly self-hosted blog (from GoDaddy.com). It’s not that I’m quitting and letting a couple of thousands of 2-year subscription fee get lost in the world wide web, but I’m taking time off trying to figure it out. I might get another domain instead as soon as I find time to do it.

 

 Mood: 3/10 Honks!

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Personality traits and another farewell party

Posted on June 30, 2009 by crisn

“At least you’re a happy bum” – from my Managerial Accounting professor

 

Exactly 1 week ago during our TSLEADER class, we had an interesting topic about Enneagrams. For those who don’t know about it yet, it is just among the many tools that identifies and classifies an individual’s behaviour. And while our professor was discussing about it and each of the nine personality traits it comprises, I began to remember my previous co-supervisors and scribbled names according to his/her dominant trait.

Each trait in the Enneagram is indicated by a corresponding number and each are grouped according to how and where the behaviour most likely originates from. (It also tells which personality one isn’t aware of and might be able to develop through self-awareness.) For example trait numbers 2,3 and 4 belongs to the heart; numbers 5, 6 and 7 belongs to the head; while 8, 9 and 1 personality traits coming from the “gut”. Here are the names that immediately came to mind for each trait numbers.

 

Heart people

Personality Type

Type Description

Fears

Name

2. Helpers

Likes to help others

Of own needs

Cris (that’s me)

3. Performers

Craves for success

Of failing

Dave

4. Artists

Considered unique and creative

Of being ordinary

Edna

Head people

5. Thinkers

Always see the need to understand the world

Of being overwhelmed

Amor

6. Skeptics

(or Questioners)

Range from reserved to outspoken.

Of being abandoned

Jojo

7. Enthusiasts

Happy and open to new things

Of being deprived

Rix

Gut people

8. The Boss

Strong character. They usually don’t care as long as things gets done

Of being weak

Lie

9. Mediators

Avoids confrontation that’s why they’re also know as the peacemakers.

Of separation and conflict

Cocoy

1. Reformers

They like everthing done the right away. Also called perfectionists.

Of being imperfect

Lei

 

***

By some strange coincidence (well, I consider it that way) last Thursday, I was called by “The boss” informing me about a hotel dinner with the rest of my ex-colleagues. Other than the immediate appeal of the word hotel plus dinner, I soon felt excited at the thought of seeing once again the faces behind the personality traits. I said yes without further ado just before I hung up the phone.

***

 

Team 2 in Renaissance Hotel

Team 2 in Renaissance Hotel. Front (L-R) Edna, Rix, Rhia, Lie, me. Rear (L-R) Tammy, Alfred, James, Cocoy, Nedie, Amor, Lei.

 

And so as planned, yesterday night I find myself together with most of the Team 2 supervisors and our manager (with her hubby Mark). We started the reunion with a buffet dinner at the Renaissance Hotel’s M2M area wherein the group’s exuberant demeanor and excited exchange of stories and laughter dominating the warm and elegant place.

 

Merk with Monday nights performer Silk & Steel

Merk with Monday night's performer Silk & Steel

 

Stuffed after almost tasting every variety of food from the buffet tables, the group decided to have some beers at the nearby Greenbelt 3 mall. We settled at the Merk’s Bar Bistro where we caught the acoustic band Silk & Steel playing. We also must have been lucky last night because we saw the actor-comedian-owner Richard Merk. According to him, it’s been almost five months since the last time he dropped by the place.

After a couple of hours getting entertained by the guitar trio, where Merk joined and rendered some great songs as well (I never knew that he’s a good singer until last night), we capped the night (or early morning) by having coffee at the Starbuck’s coffee shop along Macapagal Avenue where sobering up with a hot Americano before the trip back to Cavite became a regular routine for several night outs I have attended since then.

 

Now you know why his personality trait is 7.

Now you know why his personality trait is 7.

***

Last night’s gathering was actually a farewell party for those leaving this time as part of my ex-company’s (funny, but I still haven’t got used to writing the prefix ex) third retrenchment phase. Despite always feeling and talking as-a-matter-of-factly about the whole retrenchment thing, frankly, I find it really sad to see more people going out thus leaving fewer employees behind until the next phase and until the (ex)company finally ends its Philippine operation this year. Well, that’s life, huh?!

 


 

Mood: 3/10 Honks! (TSLeader class cancelled today)

 

 

 

 

Filed under: Changes and Transitions, Food, Learning, Travel, layoff | Tagged: , , , , , | Leave a Comment »

wedding and anniversary

Posted on June 27, 2009 by crisn

“A wedding anniversary is the celebration of LOVE, TRUST, PARTNERSHIP, TOLERANCE & TENACITY. The order varies for any given year.” – Paul Sweeney (as written by wifey in her card)

 

For reasons I can’t even explain and even didn’t mind researching why, June is the time of the year when most couples find it a perfect time to make their marriage vows in front of the altar. This month another lovely pair was added to that June groom and bride list – Rogel and Marivic, who were my co-workers from my previous company, Intel. 

What so special about their wedding is that other than just being invited, it was my first time to be among the principal sponsors of a wedding and that made me seated next to men twice my age (no pun intended) which Rogel and Mavic picked to testify as their witnesses as they declare their binding love and commitment to each other through the sacrament of marriage at the small yet baroque Nuestra Senora de Garcia church in Makati.

The whole wedding ceremony was simple but well celebrated, with almost everyone (especially current and ex-Intel folks) of the attendees knowing what they’ve been through prior to this day. There have been several break ups and make ups which during those times don’t seem to give any hint that they’ll eventually tie the knot. Thankfully, they finally did and I was among those who celebrated with sincerity when they marched out of the church as husband and wife.

***

 
 

 

For my wife and I, June is just as special – we got wed also during this month. Although I still can’t believe how time flies so fast which got us through three more years from the dreaded 7-year itch, being able to celebrate this year’s wedding anniversary together is just amazing…however simple our celebration may be.

10 kilos and 10 years ago

10 kilos and 10 years ago

 

 

I don’t know if it is just me, but the funny thing I notice is that as our marriage anniversaries progress, we tend to give cards that are rather wacky (in appearance) than romantic. Proof to that? On our 10th exchange of wedding anniversary cards, each just reflects how we see our relationship in the past years – that despite the challenges and misunderstandings we never forget to take time to laugh our heart out together. Didn’t they say that laughter is the best medicine? I’d say I’m a believer.

Here are the “lovely” cards we gave each other that made it hard for me to suppress laughter just so as not to disturb our precious 10th anniversary wedding gift – our 1-year old boy.

 

 

Mood: 3/10 Honks! 

 

 

 

Filed under: Event, Life | Tagged: , , , | Leave a Comment »

Inks

Posted on June 19, 2009 by crisn


Inks

Originally uploaded by louiemiranda

This is from my first (yes, first since I’m not fond of adding nor getting Flickr contacts although it has been a plan since I started using CC pics) contact – Louie Miranda, but I find the colors in this picture almost perfect. It could have been better if the lower left part weren’t overexposed. Anyway, it still is worth posting.

I don’t know however, if he has some creative commons photos that I can freely use on my blog posts.

 

Mood: 3/10 Honks!

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Sweetest email

Posted on June 18, 2009 by crisn

I’m sure this is the sweetest email I’ve ever received. A contact forwarded an email prior to this with the subject: Krispy Kreme and with an invitation to click on this link: http://www.chocolatekarnival.com/register.php . I don’t know but if there’s one good way for a virus to infect my PC, it probably would be through a link that I just can’t resist like this. It is during this time that my sweeth tooth takes over my discernment and rationale. *LOL*.

—

—– Forwarded Message —-
From: Krispy Kreme <info@chocolatekarnival.com>
To:
Sent: Thursday, June 18, 2009 6:05:05 PM
Subject: cris, here’s your Krispy Kreme Chocolate Glazed Doughnut and Signature Coffee
 
Hi cris,

You have been GLAZED! Print this email and head on over to the nearest Krispy Kreme store to claim your Krispy Kreme Chocolate Glazed Doughnut and Signature Coffee. If the image of your coupon doesn’t show up in your email, please click “Display images” or “Load images” from the page.

 
 

To GLAZE more friends, click HERE.
And you can view the rules HERE

.
Verification Details:
________, with registered email address _________, you are closest to SM Mall of Asia.

cris, hope to see you soon and remember to bring a valid I.D. and a printout of this e-mail.

 

 

Mood: 2/10 Honks!

 

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Test share from Yahoo!

Posted on June 17, 2009 by crisn
flickr_logo_small_email.gif
1968006486_787ebc06f6_s.jpg
From jaxti…

This is a test of sharing pictures coming from flickr through Yahoo! Mail’s application. Well, it’s a bit small and it has to be clicked for one to view it from where it was originally uploaded in flickr. Not bad for beta (?). Next test will be posting blog using the WordPress.com application directly from Yahoo! Mail.

 

Mood: 3/10 Honks!

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San Vicente unwired

Posted on June 15, 2009 by crisn

 

My wife’s home in Batangas is finally wireless. After weeks of tinkering with the configurations of the TP-Link’s TL-WR340G, it is now working and the house is now a WiFi zone. And how did I do it? Simple, after several weekends of googling for answers (and finding some hope which actually didn’t work), today I find a no-nonsense tip from a local forum – TipidPC.com. Here’s the instruction by a forum member named borg_ph that solved my lingering problem and that made the connection possible: 

first, reset your TP-Link router to factory settings:
a.) turn off your tp-link and press RESET, keep it pressed.
b.) turn ON tp-link and wait for 6 to 8 seconds bago mo release ang reset
* reset natin router just to make sure there are no misconfiguration.

Next, connect your PC to the router’s LAN port (maski saan basta sa LAN port)
a.) logon to 192.168.1.1 (use admin/admin)
b.) click Network, change 192.168.1.1 to 192.168.2.1
c.) click SAVE

Connect H9200 to TP-Link’s WAN port and check if your PC can surf the internet.

 ***

The problem I encountered here was a compatibility problem between Digitel’s BIDA package’s Prolink H9200AR when connected to the TP-Link WR340G wireless router – which I find ironic that two brands having LINK as the common word don’t actually link to each other.

One time I brought this wireless router back home in Cavite after I got frustrated and consequently surrendered figuring what the problem is all about. But after seconds of connecting it to ours (which is also Digitel but a modem of different brand) it worked plug and play. That confirmed my conclusion that it was indeed about compatibility or a conflict IP issue with that modem in Batangas.

And thanks to the internet, especially TipidPC.com, I can now surf the net when I’m on vacation, unwired.

 

Mood: 3/10 Honks!

Filed under: Computer, Web | Tagged: , , , , , , | Leave a Comment »

This car isn’t meant to be in the Philippines

Posted on June 11, 2009 by crisn
(Picture originally uploaded by Trente-deux)
 
 

 

Late last night, while just several kilometers away from home and while cautiously avoiding a number of potholes that seem to appear out of nowhere (every night), I noticed a black car with its hazard lights on coming from my right side view mirror.

The sleek car has a low and wide profile and as it overtook me, I saw that it has this appealing 4 overlapping ring emblem – it was an Audi. Other than being fascinated at the rare sight of one lovely car, I was as well shaking my head (just as much as the bob head on my dashboard did) in disbelief while this Audi attacked the potholes and the uneven asphalt patches.

The Audi’s low profile, and probably the stiff sports suspension, made it act just like a stylus in a phonograph does – it went up and down, left and right as dictated by the bumpy and rough road. I don’t know if its driver cared less, but I was thinking that luxury cars such as this just aren’t meant for the Philippine roads…well, unless, he’s among those who are getting their car maintenance fees from the bottomless taxpayers’ fund. Hmmm.

***

Here’s another reason why an Audi, specifically the TT isn’t for the pinoy and more so to be talked about in Tagalog. Imagine hearing this conversation:

Pare ganda a, ang itim at ang kintab…pwede ba mahipo yan TT mo?
Sige pero wag masyadong diinan ha…bibigay ko yan sa girlfriend ko.

If you didn’t understand this conversation, good for you. If you did, fine. But if you did and you smiled…well, just call it an Audi next time.

 

 

Mood: 4/10 Honks!

Filed under: Car, Driving, Motoring, Politics | Tagged: , , , , | Leave a Comment »

Pancake and Peets day

Posted on June 9, 2009 by crisn

 

Today must be a good a day. I started with a hearty breakfast of pancake (courtesy of wifey) paired with a hot instant coffee.

Its leaning, its oily...its delicious.

It's leaning, it's oily...it's delicious.

As if there’s one coffee god watching while we ate and who finds it pathetic that it could have been made better with a good brewed coffee, he sent over someone from the courier company, LBC. The delivery man handed on to me not 1 but 3 packs of Peets coffee from Vegas (via Bacolod). Wow, isn’t that great?

Dad, the package looks familiar but the brand doesnt.

"Dad, the package looks familiar but the brand doesn't."

 

Can I have this one tomorrow instead of my boring formula?

"Can I have this one tomorrow instead of my boring formula?"

Pure caffeine pleasure days are here again. Hahaha. Thanks again Keren.

***

The package was sent via my cousin’s friend (who also got some of this Peets) who is in Bacolod. I soon learned that he’s an elder brother of a schoolmate back in high school. Small world, huh.

 

 

Mood: 3/10 Honks!

  

Filed under: Life | Tagged: , , , | 2 Comments »

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