Shanghai, China December 10-16, 2006

East Asia PCG Team Dinner at Tang Dynasty Restaurant in Pudong Plaza
Shirley and me at one of the malls near People Square in Puxi

My second time this year to visit Shanghai. It is nice to see again some familiar faces and places. Even my hotel room looked the same because I stayed in the same hotel. Funny feeling to be in the same place where I had a frightful experience last January. (I thought I was in Renaissance Pudong so I tried to open my hotel room to no avail and I got so confused why my key was not working and it turned out that I was in Renaissance Puxi):-(

I noticed that they have added one security measure. You need to insert your room card key to a slot in the same corner where you need to press the room numbers inside the elevator else you can't go up. If this measure was already implemented last time then I would have known that I was in the wrong hotel right away.

It was so cold during my weeklong stay. I had a chance to go to Yuan Garden once again. I enjoyed the 10 minute walk to the Pudong Plaza where Carrefour, KFC, Mcdo and other restaurants are.

A Poem for My Mom

Last November 14, my mother celebrated her 68th birthday.

For others who are physically fit, 68 might still be relatively a young age. But in my mom's case, it isn't so. She has been suffering from type 2 diabetes for so many years already. Her BP shoots up every so often. She is getting her daily shots of insulin. On top of this, she recently had a stroke which made walking a very hard task. Her legs are unstable and she has to depend on her cane a lot...Seeing her like that really makes my heart ache.

How I wish that we could go back to the days when mother is the source of strength...literally and figuratively....

Mother is really affected by the demise of my brother, then my father and then her mother and father in a span of 2 years. The doctor said that her case is aggravated by depression.....

I want to say so many things to her but her hearing has already deterioted. Her eyesight is the same. I can feel her loneliness whenever she envelopes me in her arms to give me a hug. I can feel how she she misses her children. I also want to always be by herside but I have a family now and our house is very far. She wouldn't also like to leave her house...

I also get affected by her tears whenever we got to leave her at the end of a visit. I am just relying on God's mercy for my Mom's condition. God only knows how much my Mom could take and God only knows when is the perfect time for all of us.

I did this poem during my HRM subject in my MBA class. Somehow my recent visit to my mother affected me so much. I couldn't concentrate on what the reporters were saying...so I gave way to my emotions and came up with the poem below.....




My Mom!

When I was a little girl
I look up to her with awe
Is there a thing that she can’t do?
She’s my idol for a lifetime
Though she seemed strict at times
Her love is one thing I am sure of from the start.

She would do everything
The house is clean
The clothes are washed
“Just study your lessons’
Was all she would say to us.

There were so many trying times in our lives
But Mom remained steadfast for us
She says – do focus on your studies
It’s the only thing we could give
We may have lacked other things
But not encouragement from Mom.

We have finished our courses in school
Working and with families now
How I loved to have her in my house.

Mom is very sickly now
Doesn’t want to leave her house
Dad is long gone now
But she is adamant to stay behind
I couldn’t visit her much as I want.

Her strength is slowly going out
Can’t walk independently now
Eyesight and hearing are not that good
How it tears my heart to see her like that.

I will lift my eyes to the maker
I will lift my eyes to the healer

God be near, calm my fear
I love her very much
But I know she got to go home sometime
Where she could once again be with Dad.

Please prepare us for that time
As I can’t bear to accept the thought right now

I also pray Lord that when it comes
She won’t suffer that much
I love her so dearly
Please spare her that….

I know that You, our Mighty God
Have numbered our days from the start
You’ll be there to welcome her back
And embrace her for a job well done!

Savior, please stay close beside,
Be my comfort, Lord, and guide,
When I’m troubled, tempted, tried,
May Your love and grace abide.

WISDOM OF THE SOUL

No one can ruin your day without your permission.
Most people will be about as happy as they decide to be…
Others can stop you temporarily, but only you can do it permanently!
Success stops when you do…

When your ship comes in, make sure you are willing to unload it.
You will never “have it all together.”
Life is a journey, not a destination, ENJOY THE TRIP!

The best way to escape your problem is to solve it.
Life’s precious moments do not have value unless they are shared.
Yesterday was the deadline for ALL complaints.

Look for opportunities, not guarantees.
Life is what’s coming…not what was!

When things go wrong, don’t go with them….

You do not have to attend every argument you are invited to.
Our eyes are placed in front because it is more important to look ahead than to look back.

Chengdu, Sichuan, China (Oct 15-21, 2006)

Group Picture of all CS Capital Analysts taken during the second day of our FTF




I will surely miss this group.. this is my last time to join the Capital FTF...as I am moving to CEA role....

CHRISTIAN WAYS TO REDUCE STRESS

An "Angel" says, "Never borrow from the future. If you worry about what may happen tomorrow and it doesn't happen, you have worried in vain.

Even if it does happen, you have to worry twice."

1. Pray

2. Go to bed on time.

3. Get up on time so you can start the day unrushed.

4. Say No to projects that won't fit into your time schedule or that will compromise your mental health.

5. Delegate tasks to capable others.

6. Simplify and unclutter your life.

7. Less is more. (Although one is often not enough, two are often too many.)

8. Allow extra time to do things and to get to places.

9. Pace yourself. Spread out big changes and difficult projects over time; don't lump the hard things all together.

10. Take one day at a time.

11. Separate worries from concerns. If a situation is a concern, find out what God would have you do and let go of the anxiety.

If you can't do anything about a situation, forget it.

12. Live within your budget; don't use credit cards for ordinary purchases.

13. Have backups; an extra car key in your wallet, an extra house key buried in the garden, extra stamps, etc.

14. K.M.S. (Keep Mouth Shut). This single piece of advice can prevent an enormous amount of trouble.

15. Do something for the Kid in You everyday.

16. Carry a Bible with you to read while waiting in line.

17. Get enough rest.

18. Eat right.

19. Get organized so everything has its place.

20. Listen to a tape while driving that can help improve your quality of life.

21. Write down thoughts and inspirations.

22. Every day, find time to be alone.

23. Having problems? Talk to God on the spot. Try to nip small problems in the bud. Don't wait until it's time to go to bed to try and pray.

24. Make friends with Godly people.

25. Keep a folder of favorite scriptures on hand.

26. Remember that the shortest bridge between despair and hope is often a good "Thank you, Jesus."

27. Laugh.

28. Laugh some more!

29. Take your work seriously, but not yourself at all.

30. Develop a forgiving attitude (most people are doing the best they can).

31. Be kind to unkind people (they probably need it the most).

32. Sit on your ego.

33. Talk less; listen more.

34. Slow down.

35. Remind yourself that you are not the general manager of the universe.

36 . Every night before bed, think of one thing you're grateful for that you've never been grateful for before.

GOD HAS A WAY OF TURNING THINGS AROUND FOR YOU.
"If God is for us, who can be against us?" (Romans
8:31)

Somewhere Only We Know

I walked across an empty land
I knew the pathway like the back of my hand
I felt the earth beneath my feet
Sat by the river and it made me complete

Oh simple thing where have you gone
I'm getting old and I need something to rely on
So tell me when you're gonna let me in
I'm getting tired and I need somewhere to begin

I came across a fallen tree
I felt the branches of it looking at me
Is this the place we used to love?
Is this the place that I've been dreaming of?

Oh simple thing where have you gone
I'm getting old and I need something to rely on
So tell me when you're gonna let me in
I'm getting tired and I need somewhere to begin

And if you have a minute why don't we go
Talk about it somewhere only we know?
This could be the end of everything
So why don't we go
Somewhere only we know?

[break]

Oh simple thing where have you gone
I'm getting old and I need something to rely on
So tell me when you're gonna let me in
I'm getting tired and I need somewhere to begin

So if you have a minute why don't we go
Talk about it somewhere only we know?
This could be the end of everything
So why don't we go
So why don't we go

This could be the end of everything
So why don't we go
Somewhere only we know?

Take a break from PLAN07

It's the time of the year when we try to develop our numbers for the coming year. It is a tedious work and involves a lot of partnership. Our manager knew it so he made sure that everyone gets a break. We went to a restaurant near our plant.
With PCG and Controls group are Matt and Mel....
taken just before we left.. with me is Leah's toy..I named it MIEL...(mike and angel)

Penang, Malaysia (August 13-16, 2006)

Another FTF meeting. I had a nice time bonding with my PCG family in MY.

Bali Hai Restaurant along Gurney Avenue
Facade of Evergreen Laurel Hotel where I stay regularly whenever I am in Penang. It feels good when the receptionist would always say "WELCOME BACK, MA'AM"


Taken in my hotel
Dinner with my MY PCG family in a Korean Restaurant in Gurney Plaza

Water of Baptism........

This is my daughter, Pam. She followed our Lord Jesus Christ in the water of baptism last May 27 at the age of 12 which is the right time for her to do so because she already understands.



Pastor Cris LLantino was the one who baptized her.



As a parent, I am happy that my daughter was baptized thru immersion. The bible says this is the right way to do it. Jesus Christ was baptized the same way...baptism is from the Greek word 'baptizo' which means to immerse.

We had a nice time on the pool afterwards, soaking our tired bodies to fight the heat of the summer......

Father's Day..

Yesterday, all fathers who attended the worship service in our church received coffee mugs with "I LOVE YOU DAD" inscription.

Before that, all fathers gave a special song number which had to be repeated because they got it wrong the first time.... Sons and daughters were called in to say something to their Dads. Kids thanked their Dads, said how much they love them and kissed them, too. I am sure that my husband felt good when it was Pam's turn.

After the service, we had Chinese food for lunch. It was our way to celebrate Father's Day.

Wearing Dad's Hat

Today would had been my father's 72nd birthday if he were still around...I intended to visit his grave last weekend but the weather did not cooperate..... Tonight, our family will have dinner to commemorate the birth of a wonderful, evermissed father ....

Two Sundays from now, the whole world will celebrate Father's day. It is sad that mine is already gone...

Last Saturday, I visited a store where I enjoyed looking at the displayed suggested gift items for Father's day. I bought a pin which says "World's Greatest Father" How I long to be able to give it to my father.... I decided to just attach the pin to his hat. However, I found out that his hat is now being used by my second brother... Maybe, wearing father's hat means a lot to him. Maybe he feels less lonely when he puts it on...maybe more than the protection that the hat brings it also gives my brother some 'strength'.....

More than anything else, I personally believe that when a son wears his dad's hat----he is showing respect to the person. This gesture shows that the son cherishes even the smallest thing the father had left behind...hat being one tangible connection between them....

It is like giving a salute....for recognizing the job well done...if this is so..then ...all your children would love to wear your old hat, Tatay as much as we want to take it off for you as well for a kind of father you had been to us...Hats off....

Chengdu, Sichuan, China May 21-25, 2006

My third time this year to go to our Chengdu site. I arrived in my hotel at about 3pm. I was about to put in order my personal belongings when Joy called to inform me that Steven will pick us up in an hour.

Steven has invited us to watch the US Red Coat band which I heard has about 300 members. The band will be in Shanghai next week.

I enjoyed watching the show as much as I enjoyed once again the camaraderie of my colleagues..

A year after.....

To mark Tatay's first year death anniversary...a memorial service was held...

We were all there..my mother who hasn't gotten over the pain.....my brothers and sisters, grandchildren, relatives and friends....

For me it was a day to remember God's faithfulness. He did not leave us during our great time of sorrow. He was with us all the time..The pain that we all thought would not fade has somehow mellowed....and it was only because the Lord guided and strengthened us through it all......

My personal thought was..starting today I can't tell myself anymore that the same time last year,father was still alive...that last year same time..I was with him....

The gap is getting wider...

It has been 3 years now......

Today is my late brother's 3rd year death anniversary. The late PO3 Jovito Caramol Jr. He was a member of the PNP SAF...it is sad that until now justice is still not given for his death. His murderer is still at large.

To you dear brother - even if you didn't get justice here on earth please be assured that our GOD is righteous and He will revenge for His children...

You would have enjoyed seeing your little Shaun grow up to be such a precocious child...he looks so much like you when you were about his age...seeing him is like seeing you again when you were young.....I miss you bro...

Chengdu, Sichuan, China once again..... (February 19-24, 2006)

For the second time this year, I went to Chengdu,Sichuan, China..



Steven accompanied us to a street which depicted traditional Chinese houses as well as the oldest opera house in China.



It was a lot enjoyable visit this time because I had Chern Chern, Vivian and Steven all the while with me.



We went to so many places and was able to buy some stuff for my daughter as well. My hotel is located in the downtown so it is pretty close to so many shops....



I also enjoyed the foot massage which I had for 2 consecutive nights. Wow! It was indeed a great feeling....



Chengdu had gray skies through out my stay..Temp was 2 -3 degrees but I enjoyed the cold weather coupled with light rainshowers. We also went to several restaurants and have tasted some famous Sichuan local dishes...Yummy!

Shanghai/Chengdu, China (Jan 15-20, 2006)

January 17, 2006
Shanghai, China


Last night, my colleagues here in Shanghai took me to dinner. They said it was the most famous restaurant in Shanghai. The dinner was composed of so many courses and I was able to practice my ‘chopsticks prowess”. The restaurant was located at the Super Brand Mall opposite the famous “TOWER” in Shanghai.

It was freezing when we went out from the restaurant. I have not experienced this kind of weather in the Philippines not even when we had the strongest typhoon. It was like being inside the refrigerator. I enjoyed wearing winter clothing and pretended that I am really used to having winter in my life.

The Tower is enveloped with so many lights. It was fun looking at it remembering that only more than six months ago, I was also here with Leah and Chern.

Joy and I said our goodbyes to Jacky and Kevin. Joy will help me to get a taxi first then she will take a bus to her apartment.

It was so hard to take a cab because there were so many people around considering that offices have just closed for the day and there are many people shopping because of the forthcoming Chinese New year..

Finally, Joy got a taxi for me. Joy spoke to the driver then she told me that everything is okay. The taxi driver will take me to my hotel. I thanked her then immediately board the cab.

I was enjoying all the sceneries before me. It was getting late and I was mesmerized by so many beautiful lights in the city. Then I saw the Renaissance Hotel. I noticed its big, revolving door and I remember how I disliked it this morning because it somehow made me dizzy. I also noticed that Renaissance is fronting a fly over I didn’t see it before.

I paid the taxi driver then proceeded inside the hotel lobby. It was a weird feeling because it looked like the hotel layout is different. Even the furnitures are not the same. How come the dining room is very near the hotel entrance when I remember that it was located in the inner portion. How come I don’t see the big staircase? How come the reception table is not the same? How come they are now giving free candies instead of lollipops that I liked? The place is very similar yet different. It seems that I am in another world. I thought they tried to remodel the lobby because of the Chinese New Year. But how could the layout changed so much in a span of few hours?

I even had a hard time locating the elevator. I knew it was just near the reception but how come I had to walk a bit more???

I took the elevator up to the 10th floor. I looked for my room number, it is room 1014. How come my room is not in the dead end this time? How come my door bell is on the left side when I am very sure that it was on the right? How come my key is not working? Hmnn… maybe I got my room number wrong. Maybe I should try 1004. My key did not work also??? Wonder of all wonders… What is happening to me??? I feel like I am “enchanted” How could these strange things happen all at the same time??? I really tried hard to open the door…tried several times until the door knob flashed red…Ooops..I have to stop…I know that the security will be alarmed if I continue trying…. Finally..I decided that I would ask the receptionists for a new key. Maybe my access is not working.. I took again the elevator to the lobby…I noticed that their faces are not familiar….Could be another shift….that’s why I am seeing different people….. for some reasons, I did not feel like requesting for a new key yet….I went out and tried to inhale several times. Enjoying the ‘smoke like’ thing when I open my mouth….I tried to relax and think why these things are happening….I tried to rationalize….then I noticed the flower pots in the hotel…I looked at the guard who was assisting the guests if they need to take a taxi…. I asked him..Is this Renaissance Pudong? He answered “Yes, I know the place..I could ask the driver to take you there? What??? I felt cold inside….I tried to gatecrash someone else’s hotel room? What could have happened if somebody, say a man opened the door when I was trying to open it? What could have happened if the security people got me then? Ha, ha, ha….this was an experience that I will forever remember…..Seems that I always get into trouble one way or another when I am in China. (Last year, it was the overpricing taxi man who charged me triple more than the usual)

I took another taxi and I made sure that the lobby guard would explain to the taxi driver that I have to be at Renaissance Pudong …I was feeling differently when the taxi started to move away from Renaissance Puxi…..At least, I can now compare the two hotels….. I arrived in my correct hotel before 10 pm ..

I told Joy my experience the following day when we were having lunch at the cafeteria ….. . .….We were laughing so hard…Tomorrow, I am flying to Chengdu…Not sure what this city has in store for me…..


January 18, 2006
Chengdu, China

It was more than 3 hour trip from Shanghai to Chengdu. Really shows how big China is. The temperature was 7 degrees when I arrived. Chengdu’s skies are gray just like Shanghai’s. I guess it is the overall condition in the whole of China right now. I paid RMB70 from the airport to my hotel. Kempinski hotel has an impressive facade. My room number is 1407 on the 14th floor. The walls leading to the rooms are somewhat drab because of brown colors. My room is very grand. The two beds made me wish that my husband and daughter are with me. I really hate being alone in a hotel room. Anyways, the bathroom has a glass shower room. The shower is somewhat complex. Not the usual showers in other hotels that I have been to. There are four button showers plus the one that is detachable and the big one overhead. The bathtub is really great. The lavatory is made of glass as well. The lights in the bedroom do not really strain the eyes because they are placed strategically.

From my window, I could see a park adorned with so many lights. There are many trees and almost all the people promenading are in black winter suits. I could easily spot some benches, some monkey bars as well as some old men enjoying the cold weather while walking in the park. They reminded me so much of my father…Same body built and height…And I remember that father had also a brown jacket suited for winter. How I wish I could still tell him how my trip to China had been. He’d be laughing hard on my experience in Shanghai the other day and of course he would tell me to be extra careful next time. I am sure that he’d ask me questions to confirm all the things he knew about this country on top of the ones that I would be sharing him. My father seemed to have stored knowledge about everything and he was such a joy to talk to because he had a sense of humor as well.

In the past, whenever he learned that I would be going out of the country, he would always tell the people in our neighborhood that his daughter was sent by the company that she is working for to this country and he would be beaming with pride. This is the reason why even I do not have enough money, I would always make it a point to buy him a little something from every country I’d been to.

Ooops, sad thoughts…so depressing…..please leave me…..don’t want to think of such thoughts especially now that I am alone in this beautiful but empty hotel room.

Empty Nest

This is the sala in my parents' house. This is where we usually spend light moments, just talking about anything under the sun, discussing family issues, catching up with each others escapades...watching TV, enjoying karaoke, etc. I still remember that my father and Jun would always occupy those 2 seats in the front window.

Whenever I go home these days, I would look at those chairs and imagine that they are sitting there. Jun would either be laughing about something or teasing one of his nieces or nephews. Most of the time it was Pam who got his playful attention.

Tatay, on the other hand, would be sitting in one of those seats and will tell us that his wallet was getting lonely because there were not much money inside. That was his famous line whenever his children are about to leave the house after visiting them.

It made me really feel light hearted whenever I hear him say that. I find it funny and endearing at the same time. Of course, tatay would understand if his children can't give sometimes. In my case, I would start to joke and I'd ask how much he needed. He would quote an amount and we will end up much below it....Tatay would always complain that when we give the money thru nanay, it would never be given to him...Nanay would of course react and everybody would be laughing because it was just a joke between them...Nanay would say that Tatay sometimes would get more than his share...these are some of the light moments that I miss so much....Whenever our car would start to leave our street, I find myself missing their faces because they would usually be standing near our gate to wave goodbye....


It's hard to imagine until now that two of the people I dearly love in my life are really gone forever. Acceptance doesn't take out the pain and somehow their memories in our house and hearts will always remain...

Our source of pride

During the 2005 Christmas Party of BENCH, my husband was awarded as the MOST OUTSTANDING SUPERVISOR. The recognition came with some amount.

Of course, Pam and I are both proud of his accomplishment. All his hard work paid off. I really hope that our daughter will learn about hardwork from her papa and from me, too.

For All of My Life.....

My husband and our unica hija, Pamela Joy

I got acquainted with this song thru Pam. She is always singing it and she has requested me to print the lyrics from a certain website. I liked the melody and the lyrics.... I find myself singing the song with them in my mind..so I thought I should have it on my blog...The song was popularized by MYMP group...this is how it goes......

E Am/Esus
Come and lay here beside me
B B9 E
I'll tell you how it feel
E Am
There's a secret inside me
C#m7 B E
I'm ready to reveal

========
Refrain:
========
A G#m
To have you close, embrace your heart
C#m7 C#m7-B
With my love over and over
F#m'~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ~ ~(A9)~ Bsus
These are things that i'll promise, my promise to you

=======
Chorus:
=======
E
For all of my life
G#m7'
You are the one
A' Am
I will love you faithfully forever
E
All of my life
G#m7'
You are the one
A' ~~~~~~~~ Am
I'll give to you my greatest love
E G#m7' A' Am
For all of my life hooo hooo yeah yeah

=========
Verse II:
=========

E Am/Esus
Let me lay down beside you
B B9 E
There's something you should know
E Am
I pray that you decide too
C#m7 Bsus E
Open your heart and let me show

===========
Refrain II:
===========

A G#m
Enchanted worlds of fairytales
C#m7 C#m7-B
Are wonder land of love
F#m'~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ~ ~(A9)~ Bsus
These are things that i'll promise, my promise to you

=======
Chorus:
=======
E
For all of my life
G#m7'
You are the one
A' Am
I will love you faithfully forever
E
All of my life
G#m7'
You are the one
A' ~~~~~~~~ Am
I'll give to you my greatest love
D9 E9~~~:
For all of my life
:~~~~~~~~~D9 E9~~~:
All of my life
:~~~~~~~~~B'-D9-C#m7-B~~~~~
All of my Heart
B~~~~~~~~>F#m'~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ~ ~~ >(A9)~<>Bsus
These are things that i'll promise, my promise

=======
Chorus:
=======
E
For all of my life
G#m7'
You are the one
A' Am
I will love you faithfully forever
E
All of my life
G#m7'
You are the one
A' ~~~~~~~~ Am
I'll give to you my greatest love
E
For all of my life
E
For all of my life
G#m7'
You are the one
A' Am
I will love you faithfully forever
E
For all of my life
G#m7'
You are the one
A' ~~~~~~~~ Am
I'll give to you my greatest love
E~strum~~~~~~~~
For all of my life

Ryan & Mateng

This is Ryan, our youngest, in the brood of six. With him is Mateng, his girlfriend. They have been together for so long...wayback their college days; both worked for a time in their school papers which partially paid for their tuition fees. Their hardwork paid off, they both graduated with a course in BSECE.

They are now saving enough for their future....

Well done guys!

Shaun and Joem

My nephew and my niece. Both spitting images of their fathers. Looking at them, I can't help but remember how Jun & Joey looked like in their younger years. Jun didn't live to see his son Shaun grow and become his younger version. However, I remember that Jun called his son "Ingkit" short for singkit (small eyes) when Shaun was still a baby.

Joey is enjoying his Joem, cherishing the passing days as his daughter grows on to resemble him day by day.....While Shaun has small eyes, Joem has big, round eyes...(so much like Jun and Joey)

Note: Ate Pam's legs are on the background of Shaun's picture. The picture was taken by their Tita Mateng in Lola's bed. According to Pam, she has nice legs, huh! that's my daughter, gutsy, indeed!