The 7-11 Store at BF Almanza, Las Pinas City

7-11 Store at BF Almanza, Las Pinas City

Outside of the subdivision where I live, is a 7-11 store where I buy some of the things that I need. That would include, the daily newspaper (Philippine Daily Inquirer), instant coffee drinks with hazelnut/mocha flavor, siopao or donuts, and the P15 ice cream cone with a choice of Choco or Ube flavor.

Of course, that is also where I buy Maling meat loaf, pork and beans, canned tuna, and other needs like laundry soap and fabric softeners. The people manning the store know that whenever I come in --- I buy a few things, read the daily newspaper, and munch a siopao with my liter of mineral water, while sitting comfortably in the snack area.

You can say, that I am one of their regulars whom they oftentimes see around. I go to the store too to buy my Sun Broadband cards, which cost me a thousand pesos a month. They often tell me that I am their number one buyer of Sun Broadband cards. I tell them that I am a writer and I am always online; hence, my apparent need for internet broadband cards.

The 7-11 flyer outside the store

The store has a fully functioning air-conditioning unit that makes it cool to sit around and relax. It is manned by a pool of friendly staff and a place where I go to before I do other things. Having a 7-11 store outside the subdivision is a good business idea as it gets a free flow of customers from the nearby subdivision.

However, there is also the so-called risk of the trade. The other day, a dishevelled man entered the store and ran amuck inside. He was cursing and shouting, and the staff just stared and unable to do anything about it. Since the store does not have a security guard during the daytime, the all girl staff was petrified and unable to do anything. What I did was ran outside and called for help.

Apparently that same man, have always entered the store, but does not do anything drastic. But that is beyond the point and I feel that the store owners should do something about it. If I come across the same incident again, I will not take it sitting down. I would write the store owners and file a letter of  complaint. There is something very wrong with how they run the business if they would not act on it immediately.




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Onli in da Pilipins: A Whiter's Journal
Copyright © csmiravite™. All Rights Reserved

THE USE OF TECHNOLOGY TO KEEP WATCH OF YOUR MAN

Tricycle driver with a tablet on his dashboard

I often hear both young and old women complain about the roving eye of their better halves or significant other. Filipino males of whatever persuasion, have the tendency to pursue anybody who catch their fancy.

This specie, with even an iota of rugged handsomeness in them, would have the spunk to believe that they are God's gift to women. Mind you, I say women --- in plural form. So, for a hunk of a husband, what has the missus got to do?

The answer is, technology!

On my way to the fruit stall outside of the subdivision, I came across a tricycle with a middle aged man driving it. As most of these drivers know the residents of the place,it was not unusual for me to strike a conversation with them.

However, this particular gigolo, suddenly made cooing sounds to somebody when there was only an old woman around --- me! Lol! I was petrified, and asked him indignantly, "To whom are you talking to? There is no one around!"

He smiled at me bemused and pointed at the gadget in front of him. It was a tablet that was snugly placed in his dashboard, and he replied, 

"It is my wife Ma'am. We are on Skype."

I laughed out loud that the wife had found a way of keeping track on the whereabouts of this "handsome" fellow. Believe me, I could not have thought of that in a million years!

Lol!

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Onli in da Pilipins:  A Writer's Journal

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ROBBERY WHILE ON A JEEPNEY RIDE

Jeepney in Chinatown

I took a jeepney from Vito Cruz to Binondo this morning. I was on my way to Chinatown to take some pictures and sample the food that were mentioned in Rappler a few days ago.

While on the jeepney, I noticed two elderly ladies talking animatedly. They were nicely dressed --- dapper-looking attire, nice bags, and a little jewelry by way of a necklace, ring, and earrings.

All of a sudden, I saw a young man sitting on the wayside suddenly stood up and approached the woman facing me. He moved fast and held both of her ears. I then heard a piercing shout from her, and I thought that she must have been hurt.

She told us that the man grabbed both her earrings that were clip-ons. Those were a pearl jewelry set, consisting of a necklace and ring that she was still wearing at that time, and it cost her around P20,000.

Well, it really looked expensive and I wonder why she wore it in the first place. It was good that the robber did not get her bag and other jewelries.

This all took place in broad daylight with many people milling around. Robberies in public transport are now becoming rampant with the coming Christmas season, and some people may now be that desperate.

Please be careful when you are out in the streets. Never dress up in a way that would call attention to yourself. Always keep watch on where you are going and look around, as somebody can just jump in on you; and before you know it, you have just been robbed!

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Onli in da Pilipins: A Writer's Journal
 Copyright © csmiravite™. All Rights Reserved

Rustic Life of a Filipino Farmer

Newly planted Palay

The onset of the rainy months triggers the planting season in the Philippines by farmers in the  Region Four of Laguna. The season is a welcome respite for farmers whose farms are not irrigated, since the rains would mean enough water in the fields until harvest time.

However, this season would also mean more pest and rats on the fields. As a consequence, farmers don't usually put in that much inputs in the form of fertilizers, labor and pesticides. It has been experienced several times that the yield during the rainy months is lower that those in summer months.

Caretakers-farmers of the farm, Willy and Zaldy

There are times too that the fields may be submerged in floodwaters with farmers losing their investments in the process. Hence, we say that farming is akin to gambling, since you cannot tell with certainty on what will happen in the future.

The planting technique during the rainy months is different from that in the summer. Farmers cannot plant sweet smelling rice like Bordagol, that would attract rats. Rice varieties should also be tolerant of flood waters and be harvestable in 3 1/2 months. The reason behind it is, so you can harvest right away and not exposed the field to further risk.

Caretaker's wife,  Wilma and child,  keep watch of the place

Planting should be in coordination with your neighbors, as those who plant first or last,  may experience the onslaught of rats, pests, and Maya birds that could lead to insurmountable losses. Planting is a scary endeavor if you do not plan ahead, since you don't know how mother nature will play it out in the next few months.

I am doing a study of farm techniques, financing, and support from the local government. It will be submitted to HubPages, a portal where I submit my more serious work on the Philippine economy and politics. Meanwhile, I have collated pictures that will go with my articles and among them are posted on this article.

Caretaker's Panabong lined the pathway

Roadside eatery of the town where choices of viands abound

Dining area of roadside eatery, very informal with local motif

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Onli in Da Pilipins: A Writer's Journal

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ON THE PSYCHOLOGICAL NEED FOR FOOD

Food Cravings of the Elderly

I often wonder why my 79 year old mother always craves for food. But if you give her food, she would just nibble on it. She is a picky eater, so I often wonder why this incessant craving for food.

I am not big on food either, as I eat whatever is within my reach. If hungry, I drink coffee, eat a banana, or any food that's just nearby.

I don't have cravings nor do I go out of my way  to eat a particular kind of  food. My mom's incessant food demands that she won't even eat, makes me go crazy. I can't understand it, and it makes me go ballistic --- just like what happened this morning.

I say to her, that we buy biscuits and fruits and put them in a table near her. If she gets hungry, she can just grab anything she likes and munch on it as much as she wants.

I don't think that she is even hungry, and these demands are just her psychological need for attention.  I think, that as you get older, food becomes unimportant. It  simply becomes a means to drive  the hunger pangs away.

POSTSCRIPT:
 
It finally dawned on me that my mom's urgent need for food early in the morning, is so she can feed her cats! Whoa! I now realized that taking care of an elderly parent, would also include feeding her pets of three cats and a dog!

Now, go tell that to the birds! :D


Photo credit: pixabay.com by Surfeliper/Public Domain CCO




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Onli in da Pilipins: A Writer's Journal
Copyright © csmiravite™. All Rights Reserved

Going Gaga on Takoyaki

Takoyaki stall in Metropolis Mall, Muntinlupa City

Filipinos are fond of eating out. Anyone can come up with this conclusion if he sees the numerous food stalls lining up the malls, train stations, and every nook and cranny of the metropolis.

Among the food trips enjoyed by everyone is the Japanese-inspired Takoyaki. These are small chewy balls with snippets of squids and vegetables on the insides.  It is usually topped with mayonnaise and sprinkled with powdered condiments before being served.

How it is cooked is a feast for the eyes. The ones in the malls would have a rectangular plate with small concave indentions of around 100 holes. The balls can be cooked by dropping the flour-like mixture into these holes, and when half-cooked, the vegetables and squid are placed in the middle. Halfway through the cooking, a topping of the flour-like mixture is again poured to create small balls that can be eaten as soon as it’s off the plate.

This is an acquired taste as far as I am concerned. My daughter introduced me to this fast-food concoction and I became an instant convert. I always look for Takoyaki stalls whenever I am out of the house and have my fill whenever I see them. I have gotten used to the queasy concoction and spicy taste that makes me salivate after partaking of this luscious delight.

Takoyaki comes cheap, costing around $0.70 cents for four mushy balls. I am able to finish two servings of eight balls in one sitting, with no difficulty.  It is one street food that most Filipinos now enjoy and embrace  it as one of their very own. 

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Onli in da Pilipins: A Writer's Journal

Copyright © csmiravite™. All Rights Reserved
 

Supermoon and Heavenly Apparitions

The Supermoon Phenomenon

The Supermoon was coined in 1979 by Richard Nolte, an astrologer which describes the occurrence when the Moon is at its nearest point to the earth. What results is a phenomenon that is seldom seen --- an eerily large moon whose brilliance is about 30 percent more than the ordinary full moon. 

There are strange beliefs that scares some people--- that since man and other living things are mostly made up water, the gravitational pull of the moon may cause the body to react negatively. They fear that it may exacerbate the lunacy and weird behavior in people and other living creatures. Hence, the occurrence of the Supermoon, which happens from four to six times in a year makes people extremely scared. 

The last extreme occurrence happened in March 19, 2011 and the supermoon in 2014 is not expected to be as brilliant as this last known occurrence. 

Supermoon Photos by a Neophyte Photographer

I woke up early --- at around 1 to 2am on August 10 to take pictures of the Supermoon. When I focused my Nikon S100 camera on the bright moon, I got amazed by its brilliance in the dark sky. The moon was brighter than anything that I ever saw.  There were dark spots, that was seen through the naked eye and it looked very eerie.

When I took my first shot, I got surprised that what came out was the number “7.” I must have moved the camera at an angle, but seeing a brightly lighted number seven in the sky was a most humbling experience. Being God-fearing, I felt that the Lord Almighty must be giving me a sign.

Many friends said that it was God’s number which meant --- perfection or completion. I tried to understand what it really meant, fearing that it may be something ominous. Maybe, God was telling me that I have to do another endeavor or that my work on earth is already complete. Oh, how morbid!

Holy Almighty One! I am far from the finish line and I still have lots of things to do. I hope, that what it really means is another line of work that I have to concentrate on.

What happened on that day?

In the Philippines, one city suspended operations in the locality because of the high tide. Nonetheless, no other incidents like volcanic eruptions or of lunatics prowling the countryside or the city were reported. It was business as usual. 

Well, I hope it stays that way!

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Onli in da Pilipins: A Writer's Journal
Copyright © csmiravite™. All Rights Reserved
 

Tell Me Frankly, Did You Miss Me?

On Relationships

As somebody who goes through life with a passion, I sometimes fail to notice how I affect other people. I always have the knack of feeling other people’s pain, turmoil and joy even from afar. I can sense what they are going through even if they try hard to hide it from me.

I knew this sense of perceptiveness as a child – and it scared me like crazy! I knew that I can instantly connect with people, and would know offhand what they feel even without talking. Not exactly their thoughts, but more on how they feel at that particular moment.

This knowledge leads me to study a difficult course --- Accountancy to take my mind out of it. The study would make me grounded on things that are earth-bound and practical.

Nothing ephemeral for me, all things that I see must be run by logic and with mathematical precision. Early on, I decided to run away from things that I don’t understand. This perceptiveness however, does not go away. I have used it several times when I deal with people and have taken advantage of it ---in business. But personal relationships are different. I am still clueless when it comes to my friends and the significant other.

I supposed, God’s given gift does not cover everyone! LOL!

POSTSCRIPT: I asked some friends if they missed me when I was gone for a few days. They said, "Nope. We didn't notice." I knew they were lying. I can tell. LOL!

A blessed day everyone!

Photo credit: pixabay.com by  geralt

Onli in da Pilipins: A Writer's Journal
Copyright © csmiravite™. All Rights Reserved


Republished from bubblews.com with nom de plume, avila_fajardo

A Friend's Tale: Love Among the Oldies

Tete-a-Tete with a Friend...

There was once a local movie actor, when asked who his crush is in the local pool of movie actresses, he said --- “I don’t have crushes. It’s either I have a wife, a girlfriend, or a significant other.” That response struck me, since I know that it is true. After a certain age, past my 20th birthday --- I don’t have crushes anymore.

What I have, was a boyfriend or a significant other. And when in a relationship, I never look at the others --- lustily! Lol! I was not lucky in picking the right person, though, I never look at the others but they do! That is ironic, but I accept it as a part of life and never lose sleep when that happens.

I am now in a happy compromise. The significant other is in faraway Djakarta and I am happily grounded in Manila. We have been in this relationship for more than a decade, and comfortable with it. He does his thing, and I do mine. He is happy with what he does, and so am I. The only thing is that we are not together.

We have been in and out of this relationship, for the past decade. We get waylaid, by other people ---- either he or I did. Those were the times when we were much younger. But we are now too old for anything. The only problem, is I am the only one who feels this way, he does not.

He calls up early in the morning, probably trying to check if there is somebody with me. Well, he either finds me working or asleep. Just like tonight --- I was in dreamland and enjoying every moment of it, when the phone rang. As usual, he was on the other line and cooed, “ I love you, honey! I can’t wait to be home!”

POSTSCRIPT: If young people can be gingerly sweet, so can the oldies! Lololol!

I just woke up. It is 2:30am Manila time. Good morning everyone! :D

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Onli in da Pilipins: A Writer's Journal
Copyright © csmiravite™. All Rights Reserved


Republished from bubblews.com with nom de plume, avila_fajardo

Writer's Dilemma: Procrastination

 

 

Procrastination in Freelance writing spells ---disaster. It is when you have a deadline to meet, but your mind does not go along with your body. You just stare at the blank screen and do nothing. It is not because you don't know what to write; it is the body that does not want to move. I have a 2,000 word report that was due yesterday. I am still looking at it and not doing anything. I started to write the 1st two paragraphs, and it was ok. I have no difficulty doing it. This is something that I am familiar with, but here I am just staring at it.

I have to force myself to finish this work or I will have an angry employer who will be bombarding me with emails. I cannot let this "despicable thing" defeat me. I have to work and put words on that blank screen. If I need to bleed my brains dry just to do it, I will do it. It is my body acting up again, with this wayward behavior. I have to do it....I need to do it.... no ifs..... no buts. This is work. This is not an ego trip. I need to work to retain this client. I need to work to earn my keeps. I need to work, because that is what I do. I write.

Just yapping about.....when my mind seems to go nowhere. Bubblews say, you write your world. Oh, here is mine. It is nothing but a blank wall!

Good evening everyone! It is 11pm, Manila time and I need to go back and work.

Have a good day everyone! :D

Photo credit: pixabay.com by Stevebidmead

 

 

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Onli in da Pilipins: A Writer's Journal
Copyright © csmiravite™. All Rights Reserved


Republished from bubblews.com with nom de plume, avila_fajardo

 

 

 

 

Sexy Lady: One Hot Momma For a Friend

As the saying goes, “Birds of a feather flock together.” I heard this said so often, that it must have been embedded in my grey area by now. If this is true, then I must be one multi-colored bird that flies around with different flocks.

I am always typecasted with those in the academe and the writer’s group --- and often branded as one nerdy and esoteric character. I admit, I am guilty on all counts! But, I am more than that! I have friends too who are of a different breed, that most nerdy friends would not even know exist.

Me: “Why are you here? I am working…. I’ll see you Sunday!”

Martha: “You’re one old woman! Why don’t we go out? Let us go malling and watch a movie later!”

Me: “You know I don’t like to go out! Hey, what is that? You’re wearing a micro-mini with a slit on the sides? Everything is showing! Why don’t you put on something decent?”

Martha: “This is decent! You’re too cooped up in your work that you don’t know how to live anymore!” LOL!

Me: “What is that thing popping out? Better change your dress to hide that! What you’re doing is black-hat advertising! You’re pushing things too far, girl!” Heheheh!

Martha: “What black hat are you talking about? I am fiery red and always hot!”

Me: “Ok, hot mamma ---- get out of here so I can finish my work!”

POSTSCRIPT: This hot mamma is a 68 yr old grandmother of seven who, they say, is the cause of her children’s migraine attacks! Lol! But, I don’t mind her. She is one of those characters that I can adroitly see beyond the exterior. When I get to take out the entire flap, make-up, and esoteric clothes ---- underneath it lies a true and trusted friend!

Photo credit:  pixabay.com by 25621

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Onli in da Pilipins: A Writer's Journal
Copyright © csmiravite™. All Rights Reserved


Republished from bubblews.com with nom de plume, avila_fajardo

Freelance Writing: Work, Compensation, and the Christian Faith

 

 

 

Author’s Note: The bubblews site was down for a few hours. It prompted a 705 error. Horrible! I wrote this post when the site was down, before doing my next round of assignments in another portal. Good it is up and running now! 

ON WORK, COMPENSATION, & CHRISTIAN FAITH

This is the first week in my almost two years as freelance writer that I earned much. Not really much, but this week tops it all. This trend is going to last till next week. How I did it is pretty much the same way as how others do it----I view my current project as if it will be my last work on earth. Hence, it has to be the best that I can do at the moment.

It has been a long and hard climb, of keeping the faith and driving myself to excel in a craft which is not my first passion. At the back of my head, I know that I am first and foremost –--an Accountant. It is my reality where I can swim most confidently in an ocean that I call home. Writing is a passion, and I didn’t know that it is one, until circumstances forced me into it.

I got another round of assignments just this minute, and it will keep me busy for sometime. What is the topic all about? No, it is not about stock trading or the techie stuff that I usually crank out. It is coming up with a book--- of Christian Prayers. Fifty prayers for everyday experiences at 150 words each. I did not know that my faith can drive me to this extreme. I love my God and I adhere to my faith. But writing a whole book of prayers ---is something I never imagine that I can do.

I am ever thankful to the Lord and Master for all the gifts that He has given this faithful servant. I am happy that I still walk God’s path towards eternal life where I will find my Master’s abode.

In Jesus Name, I pray.

Amen

Have a Blessed Day everyone!

Photo credit: pixabay.com by Iwona_Olczyk

 

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Onli in da Pilipins: A Writer's Journal
Copyright © csmiravite™. All Rights Reserved


Republished from bubblews.com with nom de plume, avila_fajardo
 

Sun Broadband: One Significant Day of a Writer

What happened today? Nothing really, just these…….

My BroadBand Connection Gone Bonkers

I woke at around noontime to find my sun broadband dead as a dodo. I cannot connect online! All work assignments for submission today have been re-scheduled for tomorrow. Real nasty! I tried to fix it myself, but nothing happened. I had to go to the nearby mall to inquire if there was something wrong at their end --- well, I was right. They had glitches from noontime till around 7pm today. Woe to freelance writers, that’s money down the drain for us!

Offer from Academe

I got a call from one university south of Manila, to join their faculty in Accountancy on a full time basis this coming semester. The school is run by Rotarian fathers and they need a faculty to handle their higher accounting subjects. This is my area of expertise, but I have to refuse. There are still many things that I have to do. I have not gone headway into the Accounting outsourcing work, that I had planned for a year now. Another offer was to teach Cost Accounting to Financial Management students. Again the subject matter is my forte, but I know that I will have problems with non-accountancy students. It is always hard for them to grasp accounting in a manufacturing set-up, and that's difficult for me.

RECAPITULATION

I have not done much today and may do several articles tonight. The physical world can sometimes get into our online work, that if we can't schedule it adroitly, either one of them suffers in the long haul.

Have a good day everyone! :D

+Broadband
+Batik
+Academe
+Financial-management
+Cost-accounting


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Photo credit: pixabay.com by  Hochspannung

Onli in da Pilipins: A Writer's Journal
Copyright © csmiravite™. All Rights Reserved





Republished from bubblews.com with nom de plume, avila_fajardo