Ticket Rejected

If you happen to go to work everyday and just like the rest of the normal people you can’t afford to have your own car and then face the daily commuter’s consequences… deal with a horrible traffic while passing thru Edsa.

Before I don’t worry about it that much…for I was a part of a morning newscast show that requires me to commute very early. In as fast as 15minutes from Monumento, Caloocan…I can be at Shaw Boulevard, Mandaluyong City where my office is currently situated. But my present schedule is now set where most commuters rush to their work.

At first, I tried leaving the house two hours before my actual time at the office…but I found myself still caught in the traffic. Now, I was force to ride via the Metro Rail Transit or MRT, for the purpose of saving more time and a test for me to overcome my fear or phobia in a crowded transportation like that of a train.

I must say that most people riding the MRT were far from their old habits like that of not falling in line. But one thing is not fix yet and that is…learning how to allow passengers go out first before going inside the train. But the bottom line is… there are obviously more passengers where in they lack trains to accommodate the volume of commuters.

Most of the times you’ve been hearing the pilot of the train telling the commuters don’t hold the door to avoid delay…next train will be on its way shortly.  But the eager passengers were still forcing the door despite of the lack of space inside. Sometimes, announcement such as “The upcoming train will just pass by and will not load commuters”, that pissed me off and I believe the exact sentiments of the many.

Recently, it was announced that there will be an increase in the fare of the train…I just hope that this will be the best answer to resolve the daily jam-pack volume of commuters and soon enough we will be seeing more trains.

And I do hope that they can also fix the trouble I recently encountered at the time I previously inserted the MRT Magnetic card on their machine…”Ticket Rejected” (in a red warning). It was pretty normal for every individual to ask why such thing occurred. The only response I got from one of the MRT staff was it was expired…and it was purchased last December 2012.

Upon hearing that I was shocked…WHAT?! I happened to purchase a stored value worth P100 exactly a week ago. How come?  I wanted to explain myself…but guys believe me they trust their machine more than the explanation I was making.

I just nodded but dismayed. And the saddest part…I was left with a choice purchasing a single journey ticket again. I will describe the feeling with the following words…GRRR!

To explain my side which was never heard…aside from I just got it a week ago, the same ticket showed a “ticket rejected”, at the very time I first inserted it in their machine. But since, I think such “error” occurred sometimes…I let the train staff to fix it. Never in my expectation…that the same problem will happen again and what worse was I was the one paying for the consequence of it.

The unexpected one

On a daily basis especially on a normal day, most of my time was devoted at my work. It is a five day office attendance and usually sometimes six or more if we have breaking news or special coverages that will fall during weekend. It was pretty normal for a guy who committed himself at a TV Network, especially that of News. If I don’t work on my day-off…I usually invite my family strolling at the mall, or if we wanted to break the monotony…we explore famous parks here in the Philippines, and to name a very popular one…Luneta Park.

When everything seems to be programmed, I usually think of other means to enjoy my spare time. One friend from College days just proposed a get together swimming. At first, everything was not definite for one…the location, who’s coming, and even on the last two days if we are pushing thru or not.

But despite of some dilemma, fate has intervened…the “whole barkada” found our happiness at the Jeds Resort, situated at the Calumpit, Bulacan!

There was a feast of foods from a simple adobong manok , fried hotdog and chicken, lumpiang shanghai, liempo, menudo, and bangus (milk fish).

There was a drizzle of rains that welcomed us before entering the swimming venue. And it didn't stop the whole day. Though the weather didn't match our happy thoughts…it didn't stop us from attaining ecstasy.

My daughter Althea was so excited even before everything happened. I and my wife Mary Anne was very happy to see here dipping in the water, and even mesmerized when she showed us how to swim. Very different from a fearful Althea that we used to know. This time, she was out of the water for longer hours.

It was a whole day activity. But indeed...it was FUN!

The power to explore at the palm of your hand

I remember I had my first cellular phone year 2001. And at the time, I was lucky to have a Nokia 3210 mobile phone. Back then, the very purpose of introducing it to the market was to experience an instant call and sending of text messages anywhere you are. And such brilliant idea made every “Juan” and people from different parts of the world finally changed the way how communication works.

I remember when I was taking my Master's degree in Broadcast Communication in U.P. Diliman,
I proposed a thesis study for the class on understanding how these technology works for a paradigm shift. And back then, our country according to one legislator was believe it or not...a “texting capital of the world”.

And that was how most Filipinos patronized and enjoyed it. Today, there are so many names of service providers and mobile phone makers making their way to continue develop and add more features in the use of such technology. With the advent of popular brands of cellular phones today like that of…Iphone,  HTC,  Nokia, Samsung and a lot more… this gave more people from different walks of life, more reasons to get indulge with it.

Now, most people no longer rely on their personal computer that was taking so much space to set-up. Today, I believe most offices, homes, and businesses has more valid reason to use them. On the other hand, most individuals like young professionals (yuppies), merely depends on their personal mobile phone that has exciting features like that of having an unlimited internet access right at the palm of their hands.

Lately, I was lucky to have a post paid mobile phone provided by Smart that comes with the Unlimited LTE internet access. This was absolutely new to me, for I have been using another brand of phone that limits me from a simple functions...the call and text.The unlimited access I got from my service provider is giving me the power to be on-line anytime, anywhere.

I am very particular on looking at the importance of it in checking my e-mails, updating my twitter and Facebook (FB) posts, on writing a blog, and indeed very functional and helpful in my current work in the media.

The access also gave me some form of entertainment in my long hours of daily travel going in and out of the office.  That is why I don’t bother that much when my monthly post paid bill comes in.

But honestly speaking, a good internet access will be best enjoyed with a mobile phone that comes with the best features. 

To the best MOM of the world!

I want all of you to meet the woman behind our strength and the symbol of hope for Me...my Mom Teresite Alvarez Garabot.
Today, next to my wife I believe my mom is the strongest woman I know alive. For one, Aling Tessie was able to raise all five of us. Sending all of us to College was really a very tough job, but she managed to do this with all her might and courage.
Aling Tessie, never fails to give us a delicious meal despite of a budget deficiency. I think if she happens to have a profession...she would be the best Chef ever. I can't stand a day without her Menudo, Dinuguan, Tinola, Giniling na baboy, to name a few.
Though, I remember when I was a kid she was a disciplinarian, I might not know the value of it before...but now I think I am what I am today without all her shared valuable lessons in life for me.
I wish to the Lord Almighty to give her more strength and divine grace and never give up on any trials life offers her.
For Aling Tessie is one of the many reasons why we are always looking forward for a sunny and a brighter future.
I, my wife Mary Anne Garabot, your apo Kirsten Althea Garabot, my siblings namely;Rachelle Garabot, Richel Diaz de Rivera, Rosalie Ahlie Garabot, Ralph Penny LangGarabot and your husband Oscar Garabot...We All Love You So Much!
Happy 62nd Birthday Mother!

Ang araw na ito ay para sa Atin!

 

The day I became a genuine FATHER!

 

 

Akala ng iba kapag nagkaron ka na ng anak...tatawagin ka ng tatay.
Ang hindi nila alam madaling maging Ama pero mahirap magpaka-Ama.
Kasama nito ang kabit-kabit na responsibilidad upang patuloy mong maitaguyod ang iyong pamilya.
Kailangan matatag ka laging masasandalan at maasahan.
Hindi ka rin papatalo sa anumang mabigat na pagsubok...dahil alam mong maraming humuhugot ng lakas sa'yo.
Minsan dumarating sa puntong maging ang kakayahan mo para itaguyod ang iyong pamilya ay pinagdududahan.
Pero ang mahalaga kahit na masaktan ka sa batikos na ito...nananatili ka pa ring taas noo sa pagganap sa mga obligasyon mo sa pamilya mo.
Dumating man ang panahon makaramdam ka ng pagkapagod...huminga lang ng malalim, kaya mo 'yan.
Ang mahalaga lahat ng bagay mahirap man o madali ginagawa mo ng may pagmamaghal sa iyong pamilya.
Maligayang araw sa ating lahat!

Cheche Lazaro Presents...Si Ser Chief, Si Maya, at ang Teleserye.

Isang makatawag pansin ang naging paksa at sentro ng dokumentaryo.Nagawa nitong pukawin ang atensyon ng mga manonood. Marami kasi sa ating mga pinoy ang sumusubaybay sa naturang teleserye.

Nakakatuwang panoorin ang ginawang pagtalakay dahil iminulat tayo nito sa mga bagay na dapat nating malaman.
Aaminin ko, isa ako sa ilang masugid na tagasubaybay ng naturang dokumentaryo at hindi man madalas na nonood ng teleseryeng..."Be Careful with My Heart" ay alam ko kung pa'no tumatakbo ang istorya.

Sa paggamit ng paksa, may ilan lamang akong mga kapuna-punang bagay na nakita.
Ang ilan sa mga ito ay magiiwan sa'yo  ng katanungan... mapapaisip ka ha? Bakit ganun?

Una, ang dokumentaryo ay dapat na ginawa upang alamin kung bakit nahuhumaling ang tao sa teleserye. Hindi sa kung anong teleserye ang sikat na sikat ngayon.

Pero ang pagpili ng pamagat ay isang mainam na paraan upang makatawag ng pansin ng mga manonood. Kung baga doon sa titulo pa lang alam mo na kung ano ang iyong dapat abangan.

Isang sinasadyang pagkakataon upang paboran ang istasyon ng telebisyon na gumawa at nagpapalabas nito. Upang mas lalo pang pag-usapan ang teleserye ni Ser Chief at ni Maya.
Sa madaling salita...isang promosyon.

Pangalawa, pinapakita lamang nito na ang mga manonood na nabighani sa ganda ng teleserye ay na-kondisyon na ang mga isipan na ang pantasya ay maaaring hindi malayong mangyari sa tunay na buhay?
Gaya ng nakasaad sa kuwento ng teleserye na may posibilidad na ang Amo ay maaaring mahulog ang loob sa isang katulong o taga-alaga ng bata.  
Matindi ito at nakababahala. Ang emosyon na nakapaloob sa teleserye ang siyang ginamit na behikulo upang hindi na magisip ang karamihan.
Sa madaling salita, puso muna ang paganahin bago ang isip.

Pangatlo, ang pagkakagawa ng dokumentaryo ay mag-aangat pang lalo sa mga lumalabas, lumabas na, at lalabas pang mga teleserye ng isang partikular na istasyon.
Sa madaling salita...negosyo.

A visit to a Paradise

At the Kamana, Subic Zambales.
June 2, 2013 Sunday.

I never had the chance to swim or visit a beach due to a lack of time and a budget difficulty.
I just thought I will never experience going out far from Manila.
But fate allow this impossible dream came true.

I was a bit shocked then when I was told days ago that the company where I am currently working will be having a team building.

I was then a little worried for I will be days away from my family.
I used to remember that I was telling it to my wife in melancholy.

I will be exactly not seeing my family for two days.
I can't even imagine myself missing them so much if I will be travelling abroad and will be gone for months
or even years.

But the clock tick so fast, it was May 31st when we departed Manila going to Subic, Zambales.
I never had the chance to do a little research about the venue.
I was with the first batch. We came-in almost 7 in the evening.

After our dinner, most of my officemates can't afford to miss dipping at the pool.
I thought the water was pretty cold, but it's not.
Even though, I lack sleep...I never let the opportunity pass.
I mingled with some officemates and enjoyed swimming.

I never had the chance to see how beautiful Kamana was.
This was because the whole day of Saturday, was spent on the very purpose of the visit...planning.

The following day, first thing in the morning, I was mesmerize with a captivating view the place has offered me.
The last thing I remember was I was swimming with friends at the beach.
And what I will never forget was the happiness felt when we were all posing for pictures.

It was indeed such a lovely place.
I thought before everything in the world today is polluted.
And that I cannot find a perfect place to unwind and relax.
But that perspective was change...when my foot had a close encounter with a sand.

The sea water was so clear. 
You can even see small fishes swimming and flying and jumping all together.
I also witnessed a captivating view of a mountain.
I even seen a jelly fish in the sea...the reason why I immediately left it and reach the dried sand as fast as I can.

I heard It was an expensive stay.
But I think every penny spent of any visitors including us...was worth it.