Bakas

Bakas in the Filipino language means print, mark, trace, trail or vestige. This blog, then, records all those that left their marks or my impressions on anything under the sun :)

Thursday, June 29, 2006

"German-Philippine Partnerships"

I found the following as I was searching for a city in Germany that I
can use for my report.

sayong
06-29-06 5:55pm

====================
In the Rhein area of Germany, the agency DPP Ruhrgebiet -
German-Philippine Partnerships promises that: "The Philippines mean
joy of life". This marriage agency completely arranges services to the
Philippines and personal contacts to Filipino women. Videos from the
women, email forwarding, organisation of the trips, arrangement of
apartments/hotels, dates or meetings and personal care, costs about
1800 Euro. The agency advertises: "Attention! Attention!Attention! We
are able to take care only of a few number of members.... So have your
registration now!". It is possible to buy single address of women for
15 Euro. Otherwise, the members are able to get a video, for 75- 100
Euro. The homepage shows different slide shows and "galleries" of the
girls (www.dpp-bayern.de). The same agency has a branch in Weede. DPP
Zentrale offers women from the Philippines to western men. The website
starts with the slogan "A woman from the Philippines means joy of
life!". The page is badly arranged, because of its colourful
background and its number of comments and statements. It also displays
a banner, with the total number of visitors to the page. The costs for
procurement and travelling are 1800 euros, and include air tickets
from Frankfurt to Manila, personal care, arrangement of visa and
passports, arrangement of apartments or hotels, translation service as
well as 10 addresses from the women and DVD, videos or pictures.
Additionally, the website contains links to an introduction of the
Philippines and some slide shows, showing the different women and the
landscape (www.dppphilipinen.de).

From:
Marriage Migration and the Significance of this Migration
Issue in Germany. Country Study.
by Mária Gulièová – Grethe
http://www.emz-berlin.de/projekte_e/pj48_pdf/GermanyCountryStudy.pdf

Sunday, June 25, 2006

Career Executive Officer Examination

It would be a miracle if I passed the Career Executive
Officer Examination.
But were I to fail, I'd be in good company. It seems that
all government officials and aspiring officials tuned up at the Fort
Bonifacio High School in West Rembo, Makati, today.
Though I left home early, I got there just before 7am. I
was held up by the traffic caused by the influx of people in Fort
Bonifacio High School and half of whom it seemed, brought cars.

sayong
06-25-06

Saturday, June 24, 2006

Araw ng Maynila

I don't know about "Ipu-ipo" but I surely got wet -- not from the
residents of San Juan but -- from the heavy rains today.

sayong

http://sayscrapbook.blogspot.com/2006/06/araw-ng-maynila.html

Friday, June 23, 2006

cramming for an exam

I could have used the slack time yesterday at the office to
review for my exam (Career Service Executive Examination) on Sunday.
Instead, I reviewed for the quiz in my German class. I only review my
notes when there's an examination :) As it happened, my German
teacher decided to forgo our exam because she came in late from
talking with the new director of FSI's language program. Anyway, it's
done.

I haven't gotten over my habit of cramming. I bought my
reviewer for the Career Service Executive Examination last June 7 and
I have yet to read it. Instead, I read now and again a pocketbook on
speed math. I'm also not done with it yet.

Knowing that today would not be a busy day, I brought my old
SAT reviewer to work. And I am now trying to answer it. As expected,
I have enough time left with the language portions. And as expected,
I can't finish the math portion on its allotted time.

I am not yet ready for the exam if math is the indicator.
And yet, I am already planning what else to do tomorrow, which is
Manila Day. This means that there would be lots of activities and
free performances in Manila. And I don't like to miss it.

Anyway, I know that this exam is not the end of everything
and that I can re-take it. But, it would be the first :) So I'd
better psyche myself on at least passing the exam :)

sayong
06-23-06 6:50pm

====================
Cramming Techniques for Tests & Exams
(http://www.testtakingtips.com/cramming/index.htm)

eine Abschiedsparty

My classmate William shouldered all the expenses for the despedida
party tonight.

sayong
06-22-06

Wednesday, June 21, 2006

ungebunden: free

I rushed to SM City Manila to buy the Eco-Charger I saw last
Monday. Of course, I checked the prices of the other brands again
before I finally decided to buy it.

I am charging it now for I will bring my digital camera to
my German teacher's despedida or farewell party tomorrow. We'll first
have our last German lessons, a quiz and then proceed to Dragon Gate
Restaurant located in Roxas Blvd. for the farewell party. Our teacher
will teach at the University of Wisconsin this summer.

We'll resume our German lessons level 5 & 6 on September.
It only means that after my German lessons this term and my exam on
Sunday, I will be "ungebunden" or free for two months :)

sayong
06-21-06 10:45pm

Tuesday, June 20, 2006

battery charger and rechargeable batteries

Tired as I was last night after German class, I still went
to SM City Manila.

I had to do two things – to buy a cake for my older sister
Josephine as it was her birthday yesterday and to canvass for a
charger with rechargeable batteries for my new digital camera.

I didn't notice that it was well past 8pm when I got there
(no wonder when my German class is from 5 to 8 pm) and thus, all the
shops were getting ready for closing.

I had to hurry from one store to the next and in truth, I
could hardly remember which stores sell cheaper chargers. But I
remember Sanyo's Eco-charger because of its name. I asked from
Photoline last night the difference of the Sanyo's Eco-charger from
the other Sanyo being sold (they have the same price) but they
couldn't tell me.

I searched for its description today and I might just buy it
and help the environment.

But I will still think about.

sayong
06-20-06 11:50pm


06-20-06-Ardi Posted by Picasa

Sunday, June 18, 2006

power of your love

Power of Your Love Lyrics
by Rebecca St. James


Lord I come to You
Let my heart be changed, renewed
Flowing from the grace
That I've found in You
And Lord I've come to know
The weaknesses I see in me
Will be stripped away
By the power of Your love

Hold me close
Let Your love surround me
Bring me near
Draw me to Your side
And as I wait
I'll rise up like the eagle
And I will soar with You
Your spirit leads me on
In the Power of Your love

Lord unveil my eyes
Let me see You face to face
The knowledge of Your love
As you live in me
And Lord renew my mind
As Your will unfolds in my life
In living every day
By the Power of Your love

Hold me close
Let Your love surround me
Bring me near
Draw me to Your side
And as I wait
I'll rise up like the eagle
And I will soar with You
Your Spirit leads me on
In the power of Your love


(Draw me close
Hold me near
Draw me closer
Hold me near
You draw me close to You
And never let me go)

And as I wait
I'll rise up like the eagle
And I will soar with You
Your spirit leads me on
In the power of Your love
In the power of Your love

=====
from: http://www.sing365.com/music/lyric.nsf/Power-of-Your-Love-lyrics-Rebecca-St-James/E7897CB97D1EB4C448256F71000C1001

My first digital camera: Kodak C310

I finally bought my first digital camera today. And it is the cheapest Kodak that I could find :)

There were cheaper digital cameras but I didn’t want to risk other brands.

Since last year, when I got the hang of using my brother-in-law’s Kodak digital camera, I’ve been looking for one of my own. But the thrifty Ilocana that I am, I had to time my purchase – and waited for an offer of O% installment.

All participating stores in the BPI Madness (which offers O% installment) at the Glorietta Activity Center, Makati City offered the same price for the same products. They differed in their freebies or packages. I bought my camera from Silicon Valley store because its offer included a free SD card.

Below are pictures taken with my new camera.

I wish that I bought it a little earlier. Then I would have been able to take pictures of Gary Valenciano’s free concert at the Glorietta 4 Park this Fathers’ Day.


sayong
06-18-06 11:55pm



Manang Josie and Ardi
McDonalds, Glorietta, Makati
June 18, 2006

06-18-06-McDonalds-Glorietta-Manang-Ardi-a Posted by Picasa


06-18-06-McDonalds-Glorietta-Manang-Ardi-b Posted by Picasa



Jollibee, Glorietta 4, Makati
June 18, 2006

06-18-06-Jollibee-Glorietta4-Ardi-Nay-a Posted by Picasa


06-18-06-Jollibee-Glorietta4-Ardi-Nay-b Posted by Picasa


06-18-06-Jollibee-Glorietta4- Manang-Ardi-Nay-Tet Posted by Picasa


06-18-06-Jollibee-Glorietta4- YayaTet-Ardi-a Posted by Picasa


06-18-06-Jollibee-Glorietta4- YayaTet-Ardi-b Posted by Picasa


06-18-06-Jollibee-Glorietta4- YayaTet-Ardi-c Posted by Picasa


06-18-06-Jollibee-Glorietta4- Tet-Ardi-Nay-Say-Josie-b Posted by Picasa


06-18-06-Jollibee-Glorietta4-Say-Josie Posted by Picasa

Saturday, June 17, 2006

a mother's silence

Even when a mother's load is heavy, she'll keep her silence. And I
mean this literally :)

rugby boys

I know of them but I don't think I was ever faced with this
reality until last night and more, today.

And they are not all boys…addiction doesn't have an age limit.

From the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) last night, my
classmates Marc, Tranqs and I accompanied our German teacher to a bank
in EDSA, where she withdrew money to buy a computer. Because of this,
Tranqs and I had to forgo our normal route, which is to travel by FX
taxi along Roxas Blvd. to Manila City Hall. Instead, we rode a
jeepney that passes F.B. Harrison St.

When I saw a dirty middle-aged man sitting on the dirty
pavement and leaning against a closed establishment door, I told
Tranqs that were I that dirty man, I wouldn't wish to live anymore.
Then I saw him raised a mineral water bottle inside a can of Coke to
his nose and sniffed. No wonder that he could forget his pitiful
existence.

sayong
06-17-06 9:50pm

Thursday, June 15, 2006

Dios ti agngina

--
====================
Shang Yi

Credo in unum Deum
For He that is mighty has done great things for me - Luke 1:49

from June 22 - July 19: Made in Germany: Architecture + Ecology

The institute, in cooperation with the United Architects of the
Philippines, proudly presents "Made in Germany: Architecture +
Ecology". This architecture exhibit presents nine sample building
projects which demonstrate the variety of environmentally friendly
building methods which have been developed in Germany in recent
years. The projects-which cover a wide range from a daycare center to
a zero-emissions factory to a train station-display the multitude of
architectural and technical developments taking place in ecological
building virtually everywhere in Germany. This diversity of resource
and energy-conserving building-along with continuing research into
renewable raw materials, household energy use and heat recovery-is
constantly producing new insights, technical standards and norms.
Altogether, such developments have transformed ecological building
into a significant economic factor-and into the architecture of the
future.

"Made in Germany: Architecture + Ecology" formally opens on 22 June
2006, 6pm at the Goethe-Insitut Manila, 5/F Adamson Centre, 121 L.P.
Leviste St., Salcedo Village, Makati City. The exhibit runs until 19
July 2006. We hope to see you at the exhibit!

Paula Guevara
Program Department
goethepr@pldtdsl.net

Arlene Gonzales
goetheinfo@pldtdsl.net

Goethe-Institut
4-5/F Adamson Center
121 L.P. Leviste St.
Salcedo Village
1227 Makati City
Tel. (63-2) 840-5723 to 24
817-0978
Fax: (63-2) 817-0979

www.goethe.de/manila

====================
From: goetheinfo@pldtdsl.net

down, down

When I saw the Inquirer's business headline today, I could
only think, "Patay!" (I'm dead). Its headline is "Peso shaken,
markets stirred". (URL:
http://money.inq7.net/topstories/view_topstories.php?yyyy=2006&mon=06&dd=14&file=1)

I didn't use to bother about money market. It's just
statistics to me.

But when I tried to include my mother in my bank account
last Saturday, I learned just how important these numbers and
movements are to me.

I was told that if I included my mother in my UITF (unit
investment trust fund) in Banco de Oro, it would be terminated. Only
then could we open a joint UITF account. But if my account was
cancelled, my money's worth would be 3,000 pesos less than my original
placement. I was told that since Monday last week, UITF has been on a
downward trend. I was advised to close the account to minimize my
loses, just like other account holders are doing. I was advised that
this trend could be for several months. But I opted to let my money
be and hopefully regain its value soon. Since the other banks are
also losing in UITF, I can't think of any other place to invest my
savings.

sayong
06-14-06

Wednesday, June 14, 2006

disaster management

I wasn't able to attend the seminar on emergency life support at the office today. Since President Arroyo ordered earthquake-preparedness drills in schools, business districts and public places nationwide as part of a massive disaster awareness campaign last May 29, our agency has been more earnest in its disaster preparations.

Even before the earthquake in Java, our agency already had a disaster management plan and manual prepared. Our building was reinforced. The exits are being repaired and strengthened. The rooms were all provided with fire extinguishers, etc.

We were all assigned in different teams. I was assigned in the communication team. And the week before the Java quake, I already prepared our office's brochures on what to do when faced with certain types of disaster.

On May 31, we had our first seminar on disaster preparedness. The speakers talked about different types of disaster, roles of the different disaster management teams, the role of the National Disaster Coordinating Council and the Office of Civil Defense, and other preparations. I learned that Philippines is the 4th most disaster-prone country.

On June 5, our speaker was Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Philvolcs) Director Renato Solidum. I always thought that it was more dangerous to be inside high buildings when an earthquake occurs. Director Solidum said that if a 7.2 intensity earthquake occurs here, there would be more homes (especially low-cost housing) damaged than buildings. This is because of substandard materials, insufficient reinforcement bars and other construction inadequacy.

On June 8, Engr. Ariel Miranda from the Bureau of Fire Protection gave us some backgrounder on fire, safety precautions and what to do if there’s one. I learned that there are different kinds of fire extinguishers and ways of suppressing fire, depending on its nature. But there are two things that I really remember from his talks: Plan your escape route and dial 117.

sayong
06-13-06 11:55pm

Monday, June 12, 2006

of brownies and buko pandan

--
====================
Shang Yi

Credo in unum Deum
For He that is mighty has done great things for me - Luke 1:49

Sunday, June 11, 2006

on progesterone

Tomorrow is the last day that I'll take Ladogal (Danazol).
My doctor prescribed another one -- progesterone -- to treat my
endometriosis. It's quite confusing for she prescribed Depo-Trust
although she was telling me about Depo-Provera. Most likely, it's
"the same difference". Different brands but the same medicine.

I was just searching the internet about its side effects.
I've had enough from Ladogal. But it seems that both have the same
number of negative side effects.

According to Remedyfind
(http://remedyfind.com/rem.asp?ID=23129), "The side effects of
progestogenic agents include weight gain, loss of libido, depression,
breast changes, irregular vaginal bleeding and significant
breakthrough bleeding. Other symptoms may include nausea, ankle and
foot swelling, tiredness, acne, increased facial hair and breast
tenderness."

At least, it doesn't state muscle pain, which I am
experiencing now.

sayong
06-11-06 11:55pm

a miracle called body

My mother and I went grocery shopping today. It's hard to
imagine that just Saturday last week, I could hardly stand, much less
walk, when we went to SM City Sta. Mesa.

Our bodies are truly wonderful and I've only truly realized
it after my operation last November. Since then, what the body can do
has never ceased to amaze me.

sayong
06-10-06

Saturday, June 10, 2006


05-17-06 Dr. Velasco's last day at PMS Posted by Picasa

government support

Many people curse and blame the government for almost everything that went wrong in their lives.

But I, am grateful for all that the government has done for me.

I am a product of the public school system from elementary to graduate school.

In my time, as if I am ancient :), the state of Philippine public education was still good. Until I graduated from high school, there were no more than 40 students in one classroom. Although two to three of us shared a book in a subject, there were still time to visit a classmate to do our homework. There were no supermalls then or videogames to entice us to forgo our homework and to skip classes. The farthest we could go then was C.M. Recto Ave. -- to watch movies once in a while and to buy pocketbooks from National Bookstore and the sidewalks.

I got accepted in the so-called “only university in the Philippines,” and with a stipend at that :)

When I was ready to take graduate study, the Civil Service Commission gave me the chance to do so without spending a cent – through the Local Scholarship Program for Master’s Degree.

And now, I am studying the German language at the Foreign Service Institute for free. I am on my fifth term and will finish the advance levels on December. I hope that by then, I can properly claim that I speak German :)

As the office van brought me to the FSI today, I am reminded of all these and of other things that I managed to do, through the programs of the government.


sayong
06-09-06 11:55pm

Friday, June 09, 2006

financial blessing

I've so much to be grateful for.

I called the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO)
today to ask how I would return (in cash or check) what is left of its
financial assistance for my medication. A friend there was surprised
that there is still money to return when my medicines are expensive.

But after an ultrasound last Tuesday (June 6), my OB-gyne
prescribed a new medicine that is a lot cheaper than what I am taking
now. My doctor also said that it has fewer negative side effects.

My friend suggested that I use the remaining money for my
new medicine and other related medical treatment and return what I
will no longer need.

But I wanted to make sure that it was possible for I don't
want her or anyone there to be accused of malversation or any such
thing just because I used the money to buy a medicine that wasn't
included in the prescription or quotation I provided them before.

Anyway, I am thankful that I have money to buy my medicines

sayong
06-08-06

Wednesday, June 07, 2006


06-07-06-at SM Pampanga Foodcourt Posted by Picasa

in search of a reviewer


06-07-06-NBS Receipt Posted by Picasa



I finally found the book that I was looking for at the National Book Store in SM San Fernando, Pampanga :)

It is a reviewer for the Career Service Executive Examination. I only decided to take it last May 22.

Last May 23, I went to SM Manila to have ID pictures taken. While waiting for the pictures, I searched for a reviewer at National Book Store. Except for the portion of the reviewer section which was blocked by an older man, I have searched everywhere but didn’t find the reviewer. The man finally moved aside and I immediately saw the book. The man noticed it. It was also the one he was looking for and he got a copy. In my irritation that I was forced to wait while he searched for the book, (which I finally found for him), I didn’t buy the reviewer.

I decided to get a copy from PowerBooks the following week. But when I went to PowerBooks in SM Megamall, they didn’t have one. I went back to SM City Manila the following day but it was already out of stock :(

So when our unit decided to visit SM Pampanga, I immediately went to National Book Store. I figured that a reviewer for a third level position in the government wouldn’t be in demand in Pampanga or any province for that matter. And it seemed that I was right. There were many copies of the reviewer. I didn’t find it immediately as it was covered by other types of reviewers.

How glad I am to finally get my own reviewer :)


sayong
06-07-06 11:30pm