Journey to fitness

Most of us are busy with a lot of things, career, family, and other extra-curricular activities in our everyday life.
But are all above mentioned are enough reason for you to forget about taking good care of your health?

The same question, I asked myself over and over again.
The reason why, I gained, I lack energy, and most of the time felt the feeling of over fatigue.

Several times, I attempted on working out but just like many, I ended up going back to my old bad habit...getting lazy to hit the gym or exercise at home.

But again, realization came after about several months this year.
I said, I must do something to win this battle. And I should do it now.

So one morning, I wake up early and tried jogging.
The first week was really hard because there was really a struggle in convincing myself to go-up early every other day.
But after the first week, it became month and now several months I'm still into fitness.
I feel now that eventually the normal routine became a habit.

Now, I am religiously going to gym every other day.
And I am really taking my work out seriously with my gym instructor.

Up to now, its still a battle that I have to win, but one thing is precise, I am not giving up on this.
I just keep on telling myself that..."Consistency is the key to result."

About a month from now, I promise to myself that I will be seeing great results on my body.
Honestly speaking, I'm seeing great changes now.
Just before my birth month unfolds, that will be my gift to myself...
a gift of being fit and healthy inside and out.

'Till we work again...Sir. Jing!

With Sir. Jing Magsaysay

Photo Courtesy: Noel Ojeda (CNN Philippines co-worker)

Photo Courtesy: Noel Ojeda (CNN Philippines co-worker)

Photo courtesy: Jing Magsaysay's Facebook Account

"There's always a good "hello," when you meet someone.
But the exact opposite of it, which is saying "goodbye," is what we all never wanted to do."

Like today, a very good boss is saying farewell to all of us.
I think, everyone will agree on me if I say we're saying goodbye
to the "Pillar," of the station where I am currently working right now...CNN Philippines.

Thus, I am referring to the great...Sir. Jing Magsaysay, our Senior Vice President for News and Current Affairs who just resigned from his post effective today.

How do I know Sir. Jing?
For one, he's an experienced boss in the business of journalism.
No wonder, for Sir. Jing has been in the Media world for a very long time.
The reason why, everybody respects him and honor his every decision.

Secondly, he's very approachable.
To all the boss, I worked with he's one of kind.
Sir. Jing never refuses to talk to anyone whether you're a Production Assistant or just an ordinary people.
And when you reach out to him, you will feel enlightened after.
He never raises his voice.
I never even seen him getting mad, he's very graceful and always never fails to give better solution even in a very tight situation.

And lastly, more than Sir. Jing thinks of himself...he'll always think of his people.
In short a very good leader.
I am one those very lucky to say that I have worked with Sir. Jing.
Just wanted to say thank you for being a great boss, a brother, and somehow a good friend to all of us.
We wish you Sir. Jing, all the happiness in the world.
And may God continue to shower you with his blessings, so that you'll continue to be a good blessing to others.
'Till we work again Sir. Jing!

Goodbye old TURNSTILE and HELLO to...Beep Card!

We believe in the saying that..."the only permanent thing in this world is change." 

One great example to that is the mass transportation like that of MRT3, who's now getting ready for the use of  the Tap and Go,.."Beep Card," or in other neighboring country like Japan, they call it "OCTOPUS CARD," which will took effect on the 3rd of October 2015.

This is very much different for this one is "UNIFIED." Meaning an access not only limited to MRT3 but also to the two trains serving commuters like that of LRT1 and LRT2.

The perfect advantage, I see here is the zero inconvenience on the part of commuters who normally getting different magnetic cards for every trains.

Now, not most of the commuters are happy about this. Some would always put a debate on why focus on small things where in the attention should address on how to improve the mass transport like that of MRT3 by adding more trains to serve public commuters better.

Currently, we lack trains due to some technical problems brought about by daily whooping numbers of passengers using it as their means of transportation. 

Just imagine, according to the available data provided by DOTC, LRT lines carry about 579,00 passengers each day, while MRT3 has 650, 000, which is above its maximum capacity of 350, 000 passengers.While, PNR serves some 100, 000 passengers daily.  

The MRT3 prototype arrived at the MRT3 depot last September 8, 2015, and Presidential aspirant Senator Grace Poe, and Senator Nancy Binay made an inspection that day.

The Department of Trade and Commerce, DOTC, as posted on their website announced that the dynamic testing of the Prototype will initiate on November, while starting 2016 there will be a monthly arrival of its prototype.

See link below...

http://www.dotc.gov.ph/index.php/2014-09-02-05-01-41/2014-09-03-06-43-32/134-mrt-3-prototype-on-schedule-for-mid-august-arrival

Going back, some commuters where suggesting that only if a BEEP CARD is reloadable, you can do this at any convenience store, to lessen inconvenience to avoid long-lines just to get one.

For now, we'll say goodbye to "BONUS RIDES," from the old stored value card, commuters can still use the remaining balance left on his/her card, now before exiting...payment is a must.

Senior Citizens and Persons with Disabilities can apply for Special Beep Cards starting September 28, 2015 to avail a 20-percent fare discount.

And really for now, we have to wait for the coming of new MRT3 trains to improved its services.

But I am looking forward for a more safer loading of passengers by the coming of  "TRAIN PLATFORM SCREEN DOORS," that opens as soon as the trains arrived.

And that will immediately, define CHANGE which is very permanent thing happening in every part of the world.

For now, literally we have to wait for the MRT3 to fixed their defective escalators and elevators, as well as some air-con failures and still expect rampant train technical related problems.

To know more related information about "BEEP CARD," you may visit the link below...

https://www.facebook.com/beepcardph/photos/a.2140878952719488.1073741828.2113439685463415/2172488482891868/?type=3

Hanggang sa muli...kaibigang Boni!

Bonnie Andrew "Boni" Cruz

Nakilala ko si Bonnie Andrew Cruz, a.k.a. "Boni," when I was in UE during my College days.
One of the creative and intelligent people I know. Plus factor pa yung pagkakaroon niya ng "Bubbly," na personality.

Maliit lang kasi ang bilang nung A.B. Comm. Arts nun sa UE kaya sigurado magkakakilala kaming lahat.
Ang alam ko kay Boni, he's always a leader.
Kapag may class presentation for sure siya ang magiging leader.

I remember, we formed a group, Christmas season nun siya yung gumawa ng tula ng ipe-present ng grupo. Sabayang bigkas siya, so siya yung coach namin how to deliver every words.
Something like this yung content nung tula...
"Ito ba ang Belen ng bagong panahon, sira-sirang bubong at dingding na gawa sa kahon.
Magulong paligid o anong hirap mula roon. "

Isa pang memory, I had with Bonnie was when we were in the field kasama naman si Roman Cruz noon, kumakanta kami ng OST ng "Ang TV."'
Wag ka, ang ganda ng blending naming tatlo.

And also natatandaan ko nun, mahilig din siyang makipagpaligsahan sa isa naming kaklase na si Violet Grosser.
Yung palaliman ng English tapos ano yung meaning nun. Matatawa ka kasi kahit na alam nating mas marami siyang alam, minsan kapag may bago si Violet, iaadmit niya na ..."aba bago yun ah, hindi ko alam yun ha." At saka iisip ulit ng bagong ingles, lalabanan ulit si Violet.

Meron din chapter noon na pagkatapos ng klase namin, sabay-sabay kaming pupunta dun sa Tatay ni Nina Komiyama na masarap
magluto ng pagkain. That I believe, na si Bonnie rin nagendorse at nagpakilala sa amin.
At kung hindi naman at may mga pera pa kaming natira sa aming baon, dun kaming lahat magstay sa Mcdonalds sa Victoneta, Monumento.

And then, a few years after nung natapos ko na yung studies ko sa UE Caloocan, reality check ang hirap pala talagang humanap ng work.
Thru a common friend, I think si Cecil yun, nagsabi daw si Bonnie na need nila ng mga researchers sa "Balitang K," show ito ni Korina Sanchez sa Channel 2, bago pa naging "Rated K," siya sa ating generation now.
In short, nakapasok ako sa show na yun at dahil yun sa kaniya.

Mahirap nun ang work ko sa Balitang K, ang daming ginagawa ng isang Researcher.
I remember, halos 3 days ako sa ABS hindi na umuuwi.
And then, later on, even pati yung tinitirhan nilang maliit na bahay, inoffer niya pa sa akin na pwede rin naming tulugan kung hindi na kami makauwi.
That's how Bonnie care and love a friend.

Actually, hanggang ngayon hindi pa rin nagsi-sinc in yung pagkawala niya.
Parang nasasayangan nga ako kasi nga dahil sa dami ng talent ng taong ito...malamang at sigurado na malayo ang kanyang mararating.

Pero sa buhay ni Bonnie, nagiwan din siya ng isang mahalagang mensahe na dapat laging alagaan ang sarili.
Lalo na't kung ikaw ang inaasahan ng iyong pamilya, dapat wag kalimutang alagaan din ang sarili.

Malungkot ako at ang mga taong nagmamahal sayo sa pagkawala mo.
Pero gusto kong sabihin na salamat kaibigan sa isang napakagandang alaala.
Hindi ka namin malilimutan.

On Facebook proposed DISLIKE button

To most of us who has a social media account particularly the famous Facebook, sharing our daily activities is something that became a part of our being and eventually we develop a habit out of it.

We upload photos and share our personal status to connect with families, loved-ones, relatives and to all of our FB friends and even to the public if we want.

Currently, we are hearing feedback from people through a comment reply or by just simply clicking the “LIKE, ” button.

But do you think, it’s possible that there will be another button to specifically express what we feel?

Believe it or not, the founder Mark Zuckerberg will be introducing a “DISLIKE,” button in facebook.
But this proposed idea is now actually getting reactions from most users. Some were against it because this will only add to the growing numbers of social media users that are being bullied on cyberspace.
But in some scenarios like one of your FB friend posted one member of a family who died in a car accident, a LIKE button is not enough.
In some instances, by clicking a “LIKE,” button somehow it says that you are happy about the accident.
But for most users like me, I believe that there are other options to directly show your sympathy to a friend by leaving a comment instead of clicking the LIKE button.

Well, FB says its just temporary, and that everything will depend on users responses if they will feel the need of it.
But like any other social media sites introducing changes as to its content is something very permanent.

Bakuna iwas sakit at impeksyon

Magkakaroon po ng bakuna para sa Measles at Tetanus Diptheria ang mga batang nagaaral ng grade 1 at 7.
Ito po ay sa pamamahala ng DOH at pakikipagtulungan ng mga pampublikong paaralan sa Navotas.
Ito po ay nationwide na aktibidad sa buong buwan ng Septyembre ngayong taon sa lahat ng pampublikong paaralan sa buong bansa. Alinsunod sa memo ng DepEd Memorandum No.82 na nilagdaan noong Ika-31 ng Hulyo.

Sila po ay babakunahan sa kanan at kaliwang braso.
Hinihiling ng eskwelahan na dalhin ang record ng immunization ng inyong anak noong ito ay bata pa. Ito kasi ang magiging basehan kung ilang dosis na bakuna sa tigdas ang ibibigay.
Kung wala, sila ay otomatikong tatanggap ng dalawang turok ng bakuna laban sa tigdas na may isang buwan ang pagitan.

Mga posibleng epekto ng Bakuna

Fainting (pagkawala ng malay)
Swelling (pamamaga ng bahaging nabakunahan)
Fever (pagkakaron ng lagnat)
Rashes (pamumula ng balat o pagkakaron ng butlig)

Kung lalagnatin at may pamamaga sa bahaging nabakunahan...ipinapayong painumin ng paracetamol kada 4 na oras ang bata hanggang sa ito'y mawala.

Sa iba pong sintomas, gaya ng pagkawala ng malay at pagkakaron ng Rashes...dalhin at kumunsulta sa pinakamalapit na health centers.

Mga magulang sigaduhin lamang po na pakainin ang inyong anak bago gawin ang bakuna. At basahin ng mabuti ang lalagdaang kasunduan na galing sa DOH bago ito pirmahan.

What a trip

A pretty sunny Tuesday in the morning and afternoon, when
eventually comes the rain around 6 in the evening.
And you know what's next after that, comes stranded passengers
because of traffic jams.
Some commuters, choose to wait at their respective
office for an hour or two. A simple strategy to avoid gridlock.
Luckily, my work ends far from the rush hour. But there was a big surprise
that I didn't know awaits me.
I'm coming from Shaw Boulevard, one of the six identified
chokepoints in Edsa.
A lot of people I still see struggling to get their means
just to go home.
Luckily, an MRT station was situated on my whereabouts.
And, looking at Edsa commuting via Bus is not a win win solution.
The MRT just gave me a smooth access until North.
But at the time, I was thinking I am okay...no I'm not.
At this time, I don't see any traffic constable manning Edsa.
The reason why streets were jampacks with commuters, using every
strategy they have just to be home.
I tried but it's not really working for me. After
my drop off at the MRT North Avenue, I willingly walk
until Munoz.
I remember, I had a biscuits and that helps me a lot, by not worrying how much walk
I'm going to take.
Never did I know, that there was so much road works done by DPWH in the stretch of Munoz.
Every step I'm taking has a precautionary measure. Because if I happen to slip...for sure I will
end up in a big hole.
From 10 in the evening, I remember I started walking. Only it was around 10:25
with God's grace, I was able to be with one of the Bus going to Letre.
I just told myself, I'm too lucky its not raining while I'm walking.
And it started to pour again, while we were approaching MCU.
Honestly speaking, expect a struggle in commuting when it rains.
Being the responsible me, I always bring umbrella with me.
But thank God, because my trip struggle ends at around 11 on the evening
when I reach my end destination.
One more ride, and I'll be home sweet home!

The Highway Patrol Group

We've all been became so paranoid, worried about terrible traffic jams about two weeks ago.
And because of that, we were able to call groups of people and later on government attentions to if not resolve it...at least, lessen the Edsa gridlock.
And the whole day today, 17th of September, news about the "Highway Patrol Group, HPG" are almost everywhere.
A total number of 150 HPG personnel have been deployed to six major chokepoints on EDSA -Shaw Boulevard, Taft Avenue, Guadalupe, Ortigas, Cubao and Balintawak.
But opinions of people will always be transparent as black and white.
Some  are happy about it, while some look at it as solution that never work at all.
But it isn't early to judge?
Today, is actually the pilot day.
One member of HPG were being interviewed and told the news to please give them more time.
Well, people wanted results right away. But I think it is too unfair for the HPG to come up with the assessment that their solution to address the gridlock is a total failure.
Just imagine, their job is not easy. They were all up just before the sun came out, and were all exposed in the sun almost the whole day.
We have to take into considerations the number of vehicles that they have to look at everyday.
Plus the fact that, the main road is not that wide.
And an extra effort that they have to make just to discipline public utility buses drivers who load and unload passengers anytime they please.
I have a very good experience commuting today, and I can't believe that I was able to make it just before my work grace period.
And with that, I must say that the HPG, must have done something very good.
But the MMDA and some traffic constable has to review the allowed time to load and unload passengers and their designated areas.
Like what we have today, every buses were given a 30 second load and unloading limits to stop.
But this complicate things when there's a lot of passengers blocking the exit, which also serves as the entrance as well.
And there are times that public buses are carrying kids and has old passengers. And that alone, could add up to the cause of traffic.
One great solution, I heard their proposing is to look for a specific spacious bus stops.
Let's hope for the best results on all of these proposals...after all were all going to benefit on this.

Mikayla "kayla" Ysabelle Garabot, Turns 4 (a monthsary celebration)

Exactly, 4 months ago, when the Philippines and the rest of the world await the Manny Pacquiao and Floyd Mayweather Jr. fight, at around 4 in the morning, my wife Mary Anne, gave birth to a 6.5lbs baby girl we named..."Kayla."

My very first glance with her, I remember was seeing her right eye open. As if Kayla, was very excited to finally meet her dad in flesh.

The whole family celebrates especially Althea, whom at the time officially became our Eldest.

I and my wife was so happy. We consider the coming of Kayla into our life as God's blessings to us.

And now, that you are in your 4th month, the whole family is even more excited to see how you grow and the everyday changes in your body.

Again, Happy 4th month Kayla...Ate Althea, Mama and Papa loves you so so much!

In control room, directly in-control

Control room experience 090115

I am pretty sure that the control room temperature during our airing is never lowered than 17 degrees. But, at the time, I never felt I'm cold...it was the opposite.
Why I will not, If I know that at that very moment, I'm on a hot seat...positioned to guide the live airing of our program.
It's not that, I am completely new on it. I am actually doing a similar job within the same company but not exactly like this.
Here, because I am in-charge, I have to do math. This one is very vital for the calculations of exact body of the program per gap...including all the commercial loads.
And if that is not enough, in-direct control of stories or segment that should be remove to meet the exact air time.
Now, I'm seeing our Program Director throwing direct questions on me.
But I am also seeing him changing mood at the time.
One story, have been removed re: US Open, and one producer also suggested to cut the FANSPEAK responses from 5 to 3.
I think, I'm in great trouble, we are airing too much.
I am fully aware that we begin the program at 10pm and ends at around 10:25pm.
But I have one VTR from one of our anchor that was over 4minutes, and there was also a reminder not to forget to air PETRON story, a must and a paid segment.
I lack time to act on this.
And it happened, we end the program exceeding to 10:30pm.

I'm quite sad after the show.
I felt that because I am directly in-control...there should always be an anticipation of per gap's total body running time.
After the show, as our rule, one must do a production report.
Lessons learned, consider all the possibilities.
But since this is mainly not the nature of my job as an Associate Producer, I'm still trying to not to put so much blame on myself...after all, I just give somebody a favor to supervised it's airing because the person in-charge is on leave at the time.

A Lovely Day

Our Mcdonalds midbreakfast date

I don't know but when I wake up earlier this morning, I got so excited.
After sending my daughter to school, I immediately went back home and
asked my wife to buy some groceries.
I just told her, I will be asking my Mom to look after our youngest daughter while we were away.
This is not a normal scene, we commute using our bike.
We were like "Dao Ming Si," and "San Chai," a popular couple in a hit Korean Novela dubbed in Tagalog popularly known by many as "Meteor Garden."
Well, my wife wasn't so comfortable on a ride, because she doesn't normally rode on a bike. But of course, I made her feel so secured.
But on our way to grocery, several steps from it, I felt we were on a flat tire. When I double checked...yes we were.
But we won't allow little hindrances kill our happy and excited emotions.
After, our grocery, we were like again a little memorable scene now in movie, I was holding our bike with some groceries, so she was.
And, were having little chats, like were doing it for the first time.
Along the way, I told her I'm hungry.
My wife proposed that I will bring all the groceries at home and she'll just wait for me somewhere.
We end up, having midbreakfast at the nearest Mcdonalds in the City.
I just ordered for my all-time favorite pancakes, while my wife enjoyed her longganisa with rice meal and french fries.
Over a long period of time, we were not dating. Though, we had our first movie attempt a month ago.
But you see, small things like this really matters.
And I really felt that my wife enjoyed it.
She even thanked me for it. which for me is not necessary.
But knowing my wife, who's very appreciative...should I say, it's her nature.
For a simple remembrance, I just asked one crew, to have our picture taken.