The Water Child's Pond

Kalye Hits and Exotic Pinoy Foods Like Isaw in the US

2011-05-17T11:07:00.001-07:00

Today, I felt compelled to write this blog.

In the US, I live in a area that is densely populated with Filipinos. Well that’s California for you. As far as North of San Francisco to the Southern edge of Chula Vista right near the border of Tijuana Mexico. You will find niches of Filipino towns, Filipino malls that makes you feel home away from home.

I am ashamed to say though given my mixed Pinoy heritage that there are certain Filipino foods I strongly refuse to eat.

Number one is Adobo ( yes yes shame on me ) and the next is Lumpia. The first was due to a bad experience I had with my Nana which she feed me adobo everyday for nearly a month that I have lost all the desire to eat or even smell the meal without gagging, no matter how good the chef who prepares it.

Lumpia for me is overrated. Chinese restaurants have it, Japanese places serve it….American Buffets have them. So I’m kinda over the flood of Lumpia everywhere.

I do like though is Pork Belly or Liempo…most Americans call them giant slabs of bacon. I like em grilled and dipped in vinegar with some crushed garlic and soy sauce. Then there's the other favorites like Sinigang, Nilaga, Pancit… which if you live right next to a Goldilocks in San Francisco or San Diego…you have no problem of running out of your Pinoy food craves.

However, if you are craving for old school Filipino exotic street foods like Isaw ( barbecued pork or chicken innards). Kwek-Kwek ( deep friend quail eggs ), Addidas ( barbecued chicken foot), Fish balls and Kikiam ( Filipino Fishsticks ), then you have better luck in just buying a plane ticket back to the Philippines because not all Filipino restaurants here serve these.

Ironically the ingredients to make the above mentioned are inexpensive and easy to make. In the Philippines alone, they are called "street food" since you can see any person at a corner street, roadside or sari sari store barbecuing them by mid-day till late night in a makeshift coal grill. They are also called Pulutan food…food that you normally eat when you are having some beers with friends. Its funny because my dad would warn me how dirty some of them are yet I still eat them anyway..the thrill of meal, plus a quick and inexpensive lunch when you are on a tight budget back in High School and College.

I was lucky enough that a friend showed me recently the possibly ONLY place in California and surrounding states that serve these. Seriously Google it and this is the only name that comes up.

The place is called Kalye Hits. Its located in National City, CA in a literally hole-in-the wall location right next to another Pinoy restaurant called Point Point Joint ( or in Tagalog Turo Turo). Their hours are awesome, open till late and they are always busy:

Mon - Thurs: 11:00 am - 11:00 pm

Fri - Sat: 11:00 am - 3:00 am

Sun: 11:00 am - 11:00 pm

In addition to the street foods, they also sell other Pinoy favorites like Shawarma, Goto, Arroz Caldo, Pork and Chicken Barbecue even birthday cakes. The isaw and barbecue sticks are sold per stick and its not a small serving either. I have friends from as far as Oxnard ( that’s a nearly 3 hours drive) that venture to this little shop in a weekly pilgrimage for a taste of their old favorites.

The place is popular but doesn’t get that much web buzz….YET. So hence me posting this article to inform my other Pinoy foodies in the US.

Also to other Filipino Entrepreneurs in the US this may be a great idea for you as a start up business. Seriously.. if there is only one Pinoy Street food restaurant in the whole of California serving this that is doing good business..think what it can do for you.

Links to the place are as follows

http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/Z8dDAvsbWjcdYiaaYJHU8g?select=VfjYi8DfKrF7MPxjNiFglg
Facebook page

Was He Really Arrogant?

2011-05-16T10:08:00.000-07:00

Last week has been a flurry of debates about the infamous Youtube video of US Pop Idol Justin Bieber titled “ Justin Bieber: How arrogant can you be” posted by a scorned fan and daughter of the father featured in the video being brushed off by the singer. The video for me was too choppy for me to see, some say he was pushed away other seems he was ignored. In my interpretation, the man quickly rushed over to Justin as he was quickly walking out of the tarmac and brushed passed the man who dropped something on the floor. The daughter immediately posted the video and closed the comments section in her Youtube account.

Since then PEP and Yahoo Philippines and other media sites has picked up the story of the Viral Vid calling Justin ungrateful to the very fans that lifted him up to his fame. And the opinions and flurry of comments came flooding in on whether the pop idol or the employee was on the wrong for their actions.

The work I am in now allows me to work and interact with VIP clients such as high profile celebrities and politicians. Most of who have a similar crazed fan base as Justin Bieber. As a fan myself, say if I am in the presence of the cast of Fringe or of Jonny Depp, my human side is fighting every last cell of my body from trying to give one of them a hug, a kiss and ask for an autograph.

However before the start of our shift we are briefed such actions are unprofessional, can cause problems with the security detail and can also get us suspended or worse fired. Already the fact the fan approached the VIP and another video taping the incident by both employees of the airport questions security and protocol issues by the managers of NAIA.

After a while working with such VIPS, some I can say ARE snobs, others seem like they are, not because of choice but because they are instructed to ignore fans at certain areas by their agents and bodyguards due to security reasons. In most cases celebrities can only pose for pictures and sign autographs for a short period of time at certain public areas.

I understand that the Tatay in the video was trying his best to give his daughter such a great gift. After all his daughters greatest fan can walk up to him once in a lifetime. However the viral buzz of the video has taken the whole thing out of context. Maybe JB was sick, maybe he was running late behind schedule, maybe his agents told him to ignore any fans that come his way as he walks out, maybe he really is arrogant. There are many factors here to consider and we have yet to hear from the actors side. And also remember that US has a different way of how their celebrities interact with fans as compared to Philippine celebrities. Seriously its only in the Philippines I find certain people actually do a live interview that they have an STD or tweet how jealous they are of another co-host or air.

I am not defending the actor here, but the issue is now a mountain of a molehill. What does the daughter want? A public apology from JB which I am sure the Philippine fan base will be gain spilt on their opinions about him, and rebirth of new issues about his actions. This can cause a gaffe between possible future concerts of the actor in Manila. Because seriously, every US based celebrity that visits our country seems to get a bad rep the moment they leave.

And the father who IMO broke some serious protocol in walking over to him to ask for an autograph. He was actually lucky he was just brushed aside. I have witnessed and myself have been tackled by a bodyguard simply by being within a few feets space of an VIP. If I was NAIA’s marketing and security manager, the best way I could have deflected this issue was give everyone involved a serious briefing on professionalism when facing a VIP. And then speak to the agents/publicists of the VIP for a latter photoshoot with the crew as a complimentary gift in exchange for assisting JB on both his arrival and departure in Manila. Most celebrity agents allow this because it builds rapport with them and the company and can be used as a positive publicity stunt.

Reading most of the comments in PEP and Yahoo Philippines, show that the fans are running mostly on emotions. But we need to see all sides of things in every issue and controversy before making hasty judgments and conclusions.

Unfortunately humanity nowadays with the rise of social media, have an unsalable hunger for negativity, trolling and controversy.

Beggars cannot be choosers

2011-03-22T12:33:00.000-07:00

Once again I have not posted for the longest time. last time i did I was preparing for my trip back to Manila. the trip was awesome and I got to meet up with the first gen and second gen GM's from Level Up. Also all of us have moved on from our Ragnarok days cept for me who still act as an on and off mod for the LU forums (I blame my PC for that)

So Updates ,Updates

1. Manila Trip was awesome. The best part was cooking food in a stone grill back in the farm ( in laguna) and picking fresh veggies at the garden

2. Trip back was ok, first time I actually gotten jet lag after all these years of me travelling

3. Tonsillitis Galore. The weather back here in the US is not good for us. Been getting Tonsilitis that has been lingering for weeks on what could just have been a 4 day thing.

4. Japan trip for 2011 is possibly cancelled due to the recent earthquake and Tsunami. Though my dear is insisting for a Japan trip still in Sept for the Tokyo Game show, we had a bit of an argument about that stating budgetary reasons and his overzealous endeavors for all Japan ( he's one of those Japanaholics) and Capcom related events, outweighs the crisis of the country and my fears of safety due to the radiation issue. Please bear in mid that I keep Japan in my thoughts and prayers and is hopeful that their country will recover

5. I have 3 Family members in Japan all confirmed safe and one awaiting for a flight back to the Philippines

6. My new HP desktop died on me. HP says I was out of warranty by just 2 days and refused to do any type of support. So I have an expensive desktop with a shot motherboard sitting in my room.

On a more recent update. I feel blessed with the current state of my employment, whilst a frenemie of mine was given the 2 month notice after 4 years of working in accounting. The person in question is about 1 years my senior. And an accomplished Business Finance employee in his own right. In fact I will praise his work very well, unfortunately the work he does ( saving companies millions of dollars) is rather the opposite in his personal finances, often being conned by friends for pyramid scams and quick money marketing schemes.

Thus our arguments arose. My family being a victim of a car theft ring back in Manila back in 04 and was previously scammed out of my parents life savings back in the 80's, my mother taught me well to weed out back financial investments. I'm not perfect managing my finances and will say the culprit of my credit card debt was due to lack of employment 3 years prior and had to pay bills to my credit cards. But I did not splurge on unnecessary "investments" and rather focused on survival.

When he was given the ill fated 2 month notice, his company placed him into a supposedly "career saving probation" that took most of his time and left him working long hours giving little time to search for other employment. He asked me for help. Asking for work in my company and our sister locations. Unfortunately we haven’t had a Finance and Management opening in years as most of our employees has endured more than 5 years to 10 in their positions.

I decided to assist him in revising his resume. The hiring trends vary every 2 years. Back then a career objective was a must on resumes. I deleted that. No "I's" and "Me's" in the skills description.

He lacked details on his past employments which would be a plus to major companies that rely on using keyword searches on their HR/Applicant database. that was easily fixed by me.

I also noted there are alternative positions for him to take. There were many. Tons. I could surf for hours on the weekends pointing each out.

However after more than years of a high level position, he had a LOT of Pride. No to this, its too low for me, I used to be higher than that.

I explained to him in today's tough economy Beggars cannot be Choosers. If he needed to pay his bills and have survival money if he gets unemployed, i advised him to cast his pride aside. Don't ask for too much when an offer comes your way. I cited my example when I lost a desirable position in a gaming company (not Level Up)

I worked meager jobs while still applying for a stable one. I was grateful to find what I have now, with a wonderful team to boot.

Unfortunately, the stress of his current work altered his attitude and he would often lash out on me. The most common of his verbal tirades on how he would point out his Career Seniority over me. That unlike him I was immature and naive, young and do not have the same field of expertise he has. I have rebuttals that I could throw at him, yet decided in the end that there is no cure for PRIDE.

Karma somehow reared its ugly head. His brother ( who detest me I am sure of it) lost a job and like him is seeking for a high paying position that in this economy does not longer exists.

SIGH...... There's little help you can do for those who refuse good and wise advise.

My 2010-2011 Philippine Vacation Rant and Rave

2011-01-12T06:53:00.000-08:00

My 2010-2011 Philippine Vacation Rant and Rave

Picture borrowed from the web

After working abroad for so long I was looking forward for some much needed me time. The girly girl in me was desperately craving for a good makeover and back massage. The good thing about the Philippines is that compared to most US prices for Spa’s and salons, we get the most bang for our buck even in the most luxurious establishments.

Caution though to the wise and seeking, it’s a hit and miss for most. And these are my Rants and Raves of my R and R experiences

THE RAVE: Studio FIX by Alex Carbonell ( Green Belt 5)

I normally get my haircuts and mani-pedis at the Fix Bench salon franchise. My favorite and most trusted branch would be the one located in Glorieta Makati right next to the Cinema. My hair was already near waist length and after an unfortunate accident with an escalator, I decided that my untamed mane needed some serious hairscaping. The Fix Bench salon in Glorieta was able to fix the dryness, remove the split-ends and give my bangs a softer look. However my friends noticed that there was very little change to my hairstyle. It got a trim bit shorter but lacked flair or style.

My friend GM Mikou recommended me to go to Rever salon located inside the Pacific Star Building in Makati. Her stylist gave her an awesome K-Pop ish like hair do. Unfortunately, it rained that day and I decided to stay put in Green Belt rather than braving a Taxi ride to my old workplace.

Two days prior, I was walking around Green Belt 5 and stumbled along the Studio Fix salon owned by famed hairstylist Alex Carbonell. The salon is also part of the Fix bench salon franchise but this was more personally owned/managed by Alex.

I have to admit that my knowledge of the latest fashion trends and who’s are scarce and had to google his name to find out who he was. But even before I did my research I decided to take a leap of faith and put my locks under the guiding care of their senior stylists. Being I was walk in setting up an appointment with the master cutter would take days or weeks at most. Unfortunately I was closing in my fly back date to the US and Japan and had to settle with one of their senior stylist.

My experience with Studio Fix was absolutely STELLAR. Let me walk you through my first ten minutes. The location is on the 5^th level of GB 5. It’s a bit hidden, but I trust me that people do come and line up. The facility is clean and has a crisp feel. There are a few salons, even the posh ones ( except if they are collaborated with a Spa) that offers you a drink with a selection of water, juice and ice tea. The staff was cheery and extraordinarily helpful. What struck me most was their attentiveness. It was non verbal and on cue. Like how they knew when my glass was a quarter finished, that they would offer for a refill, or move it to the coaster. I was then fitted into a robe as I was led to my shampoo area

My shampoo-ist was absolutely, hypnotically amazing. She tended to my mane with her gentle fingers and massage my scalped so good that I was fighting not to doze off. This went on for a good 10-15 minutes for pure bliss for me.

The stylist who was assigned to me was Romeo Torente, he was a handsome man with a lean built and gentle fingers that I barely felt as he ran them through my hair while listening to my styling request. I wanted my hair to have more flair and to frame my face. He worked meticulously on my tresses for a good 30-45 minutes. My hair was trimmed a bit shorter and a fitting layered cut was added. He personally blow dried my hair ( on other salons, another person will be assigned to that task) snipping on areas that needed work. He spoke very little and had a warm smile. He would nod at his assistants every now and then as if giving them nonverbal commands . When he was done I thanked him as he proudly showed me his work. I was giggling in satisfaction and joy and he was quickly ushered off to his next client. I remembered to award him graciously for his services, praising the salon as I left.

The cut was soft and had a slight flair that was wash and wear yet can be styled to either rocker chic or classic polish. I was happy and told them I would HIGHLY recommend them to my friends.

The Rant: Wensha Spa ( located near Boom na Boom)

I should have just listened to my guts and not my wallet when I promised GM Sumire that I would treat her to a Spa massage and scrub. I normally go only to The Spa ( either the Alabang or Green Belt branches) however their prices have skyrocketed massively .

We heard about Wensha Spa a 24 hour spa located near the boom the boom and CCP complex . I’ve read only one web review from them a costly mistake that I learned later on. The prices are good and the website description was attractive, especially the steam room and sauna and a free buffet.

We headed there on a Saturday after weighing our options. Going to QC was a no-no given it was the feast of the Black Nazarene and we would have been stuck in traffic for 2-3 hours at least for 5-10 mile drive.

Upon entering the large Thai like facility, the first thing I noticed was the crowd and noise. There was a lot of human traffic on the place that immediately killed the ambiance. They offered us slippers that were laid out on the greeting area, something not very appealing to me. We were then lead to the locker rooms which served as a changing room.

There were about 20+ women on the locker area, undressing before us. I’m a private person when it comes to my body and though I have shared a nudity or two at The Spa, I felt I was walking at a nudist camp. People just undressing everywhere. The staff or rather only girl in the locker area seemed cross when I asked for towels.

The wet area for me was absolutely HORRIBLE. If not for me paying upon entrance I would have backed out already. The Hot pool was crowded with women, the water smelled strong of bleach and chlorine.

I have worked in the Hospitality industry for almost 2 years now and worked with the pool maintenance crew at my company, I knew exactly when a Jacuzzi/pool water is bad. Upon dipping my feet at the hot tub, the water had a thick and nearly itchy consistency.

The shower area was ICKY and smelly, with barely any hot water. I wore my slippers all the time due to the stench on the floors. The only thing I liked was the steam room, which I wailed out my Gripe to Sumire about how I wish their service would offset the sucky facility. There were others who agreed to my silent disgust, as a group of Spanish patron entered with a “WTF” look on their faces upon entering the wet area.

After washing up, we went to the eating area, the meal was shabu-shabu and some buffet. However if you leave a piece of food on your plate, you would need to pay up to P600.00 in fines. The meat was scarce and at one point had to fight for a plate against a foreigner.

We both had body scrubs in which we were ushered to this clinic like area which the lying table was loosely covered with a towel. NOT SANITARY for my standards.

I was right though on one thing, the staff did an ok job with the scrub but there was no ambient music to relax us and we could hear the loud chatter from below. After a second shower we were led to our “massage” area.

If i were to describe the place, it is a closest to that of a horse barn stall, you know with dividers and such. There was NO Music, and again the bed was just covered with a towel. I was glad I was wearing shorts when I lied down.

The massage was awesome. And the lady was able to find mines and Sumire’s kinks. However there was a LOUD guest from across the room, yapping loudly for a good 15 minutes. Noen of the staff asked her to observe silence, however the guest must have heard me later on, as I loudly quipped how it was unrelaxing to hear ones unnecessary chatter.

When we left the area, I cursed to my hearts content in the car and apologized profusely to Sumire. It was a horrible experience if not only for the above average massage we received. Sumire noted that that may be the only thing besides the rate that makes people come back to Wensha.

Unfortunately, I would not recommend this spa to anyone and would never return, I have been to more affordable spas with average and cleaner facilities than Wensha. And will suggest to do a lot of homework and ocular inspection first before going to one. Or perhaps save up to slightly expensive but more fulfilling experience. After all your body's care and relaxation is worth a few hundred pesos more.

So there you go, my gripes and raves on my two pampering highlights so far. I hope for the Google searchers that this would be helpful and would discover the greatness of Studio Fix and be wise when having your body taken care of wellness clinics by doing your homework first and scanning reviews such as mine.

Happy New Year and Royal Milk Tea

2010-12-31T03:19:00.000-08:00

Firts and Foremost HAPPY NEW YEAR. I was finally able to save up to fly home for the Holidays and half of my salary went to Fireworks. Something I asked my Dad to do for me, that and to cook for me every Filipino food I requested.

It has been a good 2010. Best year actually I had in a while and I am hoping 2011 will bring more great blessings.

Next is a great shout out to Magnetic Rose whose website gave me the information where to find Royal Milk Tea. My FAMILY thanks you. I have a lil one addicted to the stuff.

We went on Dec 30th to Chotto Stop located in Makati right smack in a very tiny Little Tokyo district . They sell authentic Japanese spices, condiments and have a small Japanese restaurant at the backstore that serves authentic Japanese style cuisine. Not like those shops that just have a fancy Japanese name claiming they have sushi and Yakiniku. These guys are the real thing. The best part is that they sell the ever elusive Kochakaden Royal Milk Tea that is NOT available in the US. And Golden Curry..... yummmmmm

Its the 31st now as we speak. In a few hours, me and dad will be lighting up the streets (or rather granading them with PlaPla's)
I feel blessed to have a family of Pyromaniacs (on new years).

I'll keep this post short. Happy New Year to all
2011 Here we come

Travelling Back Home and other Blessings

2010-11-03T21:33:00.000-07:00

After Traveling abroad for a while, I am glad that I will finally get a break to spend New years at home. I'll be flying probably on Christmas Eve and am preparing myself for the worst traffic and crowds I will get.

On a good note, I am migrating to the new Level Up forums as a mod and hopefully soon Ragnaboards will also be transfered there.

The other day I was asked by my boss to find paintings to decorate our long hallway at work. The hallway spans about a good 7-8 offices down and the walls are white and barren.

Since neither of us has a compny car to go searching for an approrpiate artwork for our company, I suggested suposedly a cost effective way of just taking SLR shots of our company and edit them in a artistic way. I bit off more than i can chew since when he told me when we needed it. I had less than 48 hours to find a DSLR camera which I do not own one, print them by 20 x 20, edit them, and custom frame them. Plus of course getting managers approvals on the artwork.

Mike, a friend of mine saved the day by driving to my place of work around 5:00pm and allowed me to borrow his camera. In 1.5 hours, I scrambled to take pictures of anything I thought would look cool.

About 60 shots later I was able to take a few decent shots. With a help of a photo editor to turn some of the pictures to Black and white ( I used Picnik ).

Shot of our " Alien Lights"

The gallery should be up by tomorrow Novemvber 4. And the Next day is my mom's birthday to which I will call my dad asking to make sure to send mom something.

My thoughts On the Rolando Mendoza Hong Kong Bus Siege.

2010-08-30T11:31:00.000-07:00

My thoughts On the Rolando Mendoza Hong Kong Bus Siege.

It riles me up on the injustice and senseless violence this man has cause to us many Filipinos.
As a man who was once a decorated Police officer back in his day. He knew the in's and outs of the PNP procedures for hostage situations and the dirty politics behind it.

I understand him for his grievance as of any man losing his job giving the above circumstances.
But I DO BLAME him for the trauma and grief he has caused not only to the 8 HK tourist on that fated tourist bus, their families but also to Filipinos in Taiwan and Hong Kong that even before this tragedy, our OFW's domestic workers are viewed as the lowest classes the majority of their employers and now are subjected to magnified discrimination and harm.

Rolando Mendoza, delivered a well calculated point when he took over that bus and shot his victims. Knowing there would be no easy way out of his predicament, jobless, desperate, depressed and angry. At the same time no financial salvation from already a distressed economy and an equally shady justice system.
Rolando in the back of his head decided since he is going down, he will take the Filipino world with him. And that he did as he pulled the trigger on his victims. A well planned and cruel calculated move.

Each day as I open a newspaper or turn on the TV, I would read a news article about Filipino's domestic helpers, even tourists in Hong Kong subjected to discrimination and hate. Workers being fired, some subjected to physical violence.
However our OFW's persevere out of fear. They have families to feed and going back will not ensure them a secure employment.

I was outraged more on the immaturity of some of the Pinoy officers taking souvenir shots of the crime scene.
REALLY!!!!???? %%#!#$ REALLY???!!!!

How would you feel if your family was massacred and people decide to take group shots of the crime scene.
You F)*)$$$ yes thats my thought about that.
As much as I am proud to be Pinoy, I am ashamed of the several bad apples in our barrel.
The actions of those people already a spat to the face of the grieving victim's families. I can only imagine their pain.

And behalf to any HK nationals reading my blog/article. We pray for the souls of your fallen, we share in your grief and offer our deepest condolences.
But also we beg for your mercy to please not spite us. We are NOT all like Rolando Mendoza, nor the dim-witted officers that defiled the crime scene. We are just as outraged of this senseless violence that could have been avoided. And I am sure the Filipino public will call for proper Justice.

----

However there is a part of me that questions how come we Filipino’s are looked down upon so much in the world?
We are known for our Warm Hospitality
We have one of the most beautiful people born to our race. A mix of Kastilla, Malay and Chinese.
Great place to actually retire despite the misconceptions of most that were are ALL that crime ridden and such ( trust me there are WORST places than The Philippines when it comes to violence)
In a world riddled with moral liberties, often whitewashed with western culture, Filipinos continue to raise families with the morals and values of respect and love to elders. Something that many foreigners applaud us for.
We are considered as valuable people in the workforce. Pinoy's are known to be very industrious, hardworking and loyal to employers. Driven and goaled. focused and friendly, warm and loving.
As a country often riddled with massive storms and super-typhoons we learn from them an no matter what natural disaster topples us down, we Filipinos always get back at our feet.

And yet even with all these positives we are looked upon with racial hate. Out casted as a 3rd world minority to many.
When a Pinoy is a cause of a crime. The whole world gangs up on us. And yet when a foreigner kills/rapes another Filipino, or causes one harm. We barely get any sympathy from the world.
No support, no condolences, barely mentioned and worse no justice given sometimes to the Filipino victims. News regarding Pinoy injustice s often hushed and hidden to the point of obscurity.
We become the pun of Jokes in American TV shows and late night comedies.
Our women called whores, uneducated and nothing but gold diggers. As if any crimes against us is well deserved
ARE WE THAT UNWORTHY to the eyes of the world?

WHAT IF it was not Rolando Mendoza a Filipino that killed those 8 HK victims? WHAT IF it was one of their fellow countryman, or an American, perhaps a French or British national. Would HK and the world show as much hatred to our countrymen?
I believe not. Maybe because the above mentioned are super nations whose racial status are above the eyes of many.
Everyday in the news I see violence in Afghanistan, Iraq, and other parts of Asia. Yet why do I feel that our whole nation must suffer for this one man's crimes. Magnified and over exaggerated.

I say BLAME MENDOZA, the individual, and yes blame our failed justice system. Our people are supportive to the Hong Kong families who demand proper justice. But please spare our people the persecution.
To my Hongkong readers, please pity them, they have families to feed, and have sacrificed so much for our country as well. Did they not serve you well? Did they not show you the warmth and loving smile of a true Filipino could be? Would you truly hate us just because of the color of our skin and one man's crimes?
We are not all Rolando Mendoza's

We are Filipinos. Cultured, Colorful, Loving, Morale, Dignified, Mixed. Oppressed yet Vigilant. God fearing. Thriving. Loving and Deserving of respect and Dignity

As I end this article.
I wish to the Hongkong Victims, Their Survivors and Families and Countrymen
Our DEEPEST CONDOLENCES and Prayer to your loved ones
And to my countrymen, Persevere my brethren and God be with us.

August Updates so far

2010-08-25T10:39:00.001-07:00

Sometimes I swear that I feel like its been months and months since I last posted.

Updates. Well I'm excited for Decemeber since it will be a BIG, HUGE family reunion.
Another thing up is that my BFF Dobs will be getting married and being I am part of her entourage, I need to loose a good 10-15 lbs before next year August. I know its a year away and should be a snatch.

However given I am older now and less active and metabolistic as I used to be, simple exercises for me has been more of torture.
I've started running again recently. Fells good. I need better running shoes.

I still patrol Ragnaboards when I do have time. And when there is no IPBS error.

Other than that its Work.Life.Work.Life

Long time no post old Blog

2010-07-06T10:16:00.000-07:00

Hello Hello All.

It has been a long, long time since my last log back.

What’s been up?

WORK, persona life which have bags full of good, bad and just plain weird issues.

The fact that Ragnaboard was down a lot due to the e-PLDT connection errors came both as a blessing and a curse to me.

Curse: I've been lagging on what's going on with my moderator group and updates with RB/RO. Being I travel a lot, I'm nor always home or am available to speak to any of my LU colleages. Not to mention some of my old contacts have moved on to other companies after several years in LU.

If I didn’t leave LU ( Physically Office wise) I myself would have been in my 5th year there.

Blessing: Not being able to mod which is like a 2 hour obsession for me on a normal afternoon or late night means I have a good hour or so to do other stuff. Or just plainly relax.

----

On other news, Its been work home, work home for me. I had a couple of adventures along the way. Such as recently tracking down my grandfather whom his grave I have not visited in 20 years. There's that friend of mine who ran away from home ( she's 24) that cooked up quite the drama when she stayed our house.

Been watching a lot of movies. Good movies gone bad like Jonah Hex and the recently massacred version of Avatar: Last Airbender ( damn you M. Night !!!! )

I finally did some professional photography shots of my pets. Am SOOOOOO happy about that. here is a shot of my cat Silver with a Canon DSLR

I am looking forward to my birthday this year, as I plan to do something physically adventurous, which celebrates the fact i can walk again after recovering from a nasty fall and undergoing PT.

Well this is all for now. Happy July everyone and till my next update.

Sorry, I never liked the 80's

2010-03-29T10:44:00.000-07:00

Wow it has been ages since I last wrote.

Well to top things off.
How to Train your Dragon was uber cool. It wont top my Wall-E yet or my Disney's Up.
But I'll definitely watch it hopefully in Imax

Next week is Clash with the Titans. I think i still like the long locks of the 1981 version, than the crew cut look of the remake.

Anywho. I haven't been RB-ing as much lately. I know shame on me. I did however streamed 2 weeks ago for Ragnaboards the Pacman fight from my home.

The fight itself was Ho-Hum. Maybe a Maryweather one would be more exciting. I just want to see him beat the crap off the loudmouth ( sorry)

The weather has been good lately. I gained a couple of pounds which I plan to shed off. Jogging.

Ohh, I got a lot of heat from friends for saying I am not an 80's person.

Im sorry but I really am not. And I'm one of those rare breeds that aint an 80's person. Live with it and there's no use trying to convert me
Im Thankful i was born in the 80's
But between the bad hair, the wacky, MTV videos, and getting bullied by the rich meztisa kids in gradeschool...lets not forget Marcos regime and all those brown outs. the 80's was an era I was more than happy that it slipped by fast.

The only thing I like about the 80's. Carebears.
But I know someday when i much much older, at least i can say in my "back in the days" speech, we didn't have texting, or cellphones, or internet, or IM-ing. And I still had a rotary phone.

Im a rare breed. I'll respect anyone who loves the 80's. I just dont share the same attraction to the era.

Well other than that. That is all.

Till my next post

2010 Beginnings

2010-01-02T17:39:00.000-08:00

Its 2010.

The Bad. I got a nasty flu on New Years Eve and had to sleep throughout the while celebration.
However I did had a blast this past year.
half being UGHH and the last 4 months being great a a sign of good things to come

1. I got my PS3 for the Holidays which is good
2. Renovating my bedroom with new furniture since the ones we are using are the hand me owns from grandma and the bed frame is falling off.

3. Got my drivers license, and am slowly learning to drive on the freeway without killing anyone

4. Better self defense ( since for some reason Im a target of sexual predetaors through out the years)

5. Have a GREAT job which I love Love Love Love Love

6. Have a lot of bundle of joy

To start of my 2010. I went to a Auto show today and here are a few pictures of the event. Mind you I am still feverish at this point but didnt care as long as I got to get my shots.

So Heres to 2010. Hope it will be a blast!

Thanksgiving and pups

2009-11-23T10:39:00.000-08:00

So far it has been a Thankful few months for meI finally got my drivers license. Something that I have been trying to get for months.I have a new job which i absolutely LOVE. Its not as exciting as my work in Level Up and dont get me wrong, I'm still am part of the LUG family, but its great to have a 8-5 job again.The only lowdown is that I have to play catch up on a LOT of bills.
I am aiming on getting a Samoyed Dog

A Samoyed is under the families of huskies, they look like a pure white Chow Chow. But unlike the Chow that has quite the temperment, Samoyeds are companion dogs, often used in the Alaskan outback as part of the hunting and sleigh dog crew. They have a good mannered temperment since they are the type of dogs who are brought up to be either rescue or family dogs and are known to be great with small children. I was able to have this dog for 2 days after a lots one wandered in our neighborhood and I fell inlove with it. Too bad I had to give the dog back to its owner. (not after taking TONS of pictures of her)

I'll keep my post today short for now.

Jacque Bermejo: Filipino Racists or Victim of Cyber Bullying and Identity Theft?

2009-09-27T13:22:00.000-07:00

The Philippines this week has been struck by its worst Typhoon in decades.

Ondoy, Internationally known as Ketsana, has left thousands of Filipino's homeless or displaced and hundreds dead or missing.
The Typhoon spared no one, people in the posh villages and business sectors of Makati watched in horror as their cars got washed away. Middle class families and the poor alike on top of their roofs waiting for rescue. Hundreds stranded at their work, or other parts of the Philippines unable to re-enter Luzon.

My own family suffered its own worries when a relative of ours to this day in Batangas, we have no news of them.

I saw a video in Youtube taken by a hospital nurse filming cars being violently moved by flood currents only to realize a CRV had a woman in it, she climbed up the roof of her car while doctors from the nearby building tried to rescue her.

Americans and Fil-ams can safely say that Ondoy is the Philippines version of Katrina.
We are in a State of Calamity indeed.

The storm has passed, and the whole world seems to be in sympathy with us. Relief and Donation drives are being dispatched to those in need and resources are being pulled not only from the Philippine Navy and Police but possibly form the US and other organizations for rescue missions.
People are now wearing their hearts on their sleeves, rich or poor we are helping each other. This is what raw Human Nature is in time of adversity.

However there are still those who can find the time to think what happened to us is either deserving or maybe they are just plain ignorant of the times. Perhaps some not raised properly by their parents, a social deviant? I don't know. You can find them everywhere. In comment sections of youtube, yahoo answers and other blog sites.

But one particular person gained notoriety. Jacque Bermejo or Jackie Bermejo. A Filipina Dubai OFW worker, in text talk like English posted an insensitive comment as follows in her Facebook:

"buti n lng am hir in dubai! maybe so many sinners back der! so yeah deserving what happened"

Within hours enraged Pinoys from all over hunted down her Facebook and Multiply account. Fake Motivational Posters of her have been created, where pictures of her were used.
Her blog site flooded with hate comments, some with threats and other anti-Jacques pages were made.

Mind you I do not know her. And yes anyone who has read her statement even me would like to give her a smart slap on the cheek. However something didn’t feel right for me. Since then she has locked her Facebook account, which If I was her, I would have just deleted it along with her multiply account since it contained pictures of her and her work.

Upon the various sources I claimed from the net, she works as a PR person in one of the media firms in Dubai, hat of course is yet to be proven. One en so as tried posting telephone numbers of her location

These are things people can use against her, can harm her, humiliate her.
Then I thought, maybe her account was hacked? Maybe those other comments in Youtube were true, that she is a victim of Cyber Bullying?

I have been a victim of that just a few months ago, I know too well of the stress it can cause. My case was not as messy as she was, but I had my pictures taken from my Highschool webpage, Facebook, Multiply and such. Posted in sites such as 4chan. I knew the people who did it too; looking back the reasons of why they did it are petty to me, maybe to them no, but they took great pride in their work. That issue is dead over, but I do understand how the REAL Jacque feels if this is really the case.

I’ve heard and seen other Cyber Bullying horror stories. Most that of kids being picked on at school. The reasons are always the same. They may have ignited the temper of a group of techno savy kids rather indirectly or directly. The next thing you know MMS messages are being sent around in school, some in sexually compromising pictures of them, either digitally edited or not. Worse such personal information are in the hands of REAL monsters like pedophiles or serial killers.

In my years being a forum moderator, I have seen cases of Cyber Bullying gone wrong. A group of Caviteno friends decided to steal profile pictures of various people in their friends network, some are intimate family photos. With that, they created fake Friendster sites, and posted blog profiles claiming they are this person making a fool of themselves.
My team was wise enough to track them down and have the real owners alerted. But by then, their pictures have been posted all over the forums, jaunted by many.

Looking at this whole Jacque Bermejo issue, kinda makes you wanna think. Why would an OFW her age and stature would want to decide to make such bold and possibly dangerous comment that will cause such damage to her personally and publicly?
Why didn’t she locked her profile pages? Is she the real Jacque Bermejo or an Impostor? Or Perhaps some media hungry commoner basking in any type of fame the world can give her in this time of need.

Within hours enraged Pinoys from all over hunted down her Facebook and Multiply account. Fake Motivational Posters of her have been created, where pictures of her were used.
Her blog site flooded with hate comments, some with threats and other anti-Jacques pages were made.
A few claiming to know here tried to defend her. One in yahoo answers claiming to be her officemate said that she is already fearing for her public safety and that that is NOT HER REAL FACEBOOK ACCOUNT.
The same was in another youtube comment, but all fell onto the deaf ears of the angry commenters, enraged with her statement. “ Die Jacque! Die!” They clamored.

For now we may never know. The public's emotion is quick to judge. And though I am expressing my disappointment on her alleged statement, I still would like to give her that benefit of a doubt.

Rather than focusing on hate and despise towards that one person, it would be best if all this energy would be focused more on helping the Victims of Ondoy.
In the end, regardless if she is a real person or not, her comment would be the butt of jokes in the near future, she would be insignificant and perhaps forgotten.
The storm and its tragedies are bigger than her. And the morals learned from it will be far greater remembered.

As an End Note:
Knowing how our Philippine Showbiz works somehow she will be track down by some local TV talks show for an interview to clear her name. Hopefully if that's the case bygones will be bygones. That or the truth will be told.

For now, the only number that matters is that of the Philippine Red Cross

Months in Review

2009-09-05T21:55:00.000-07:00

Hello guys Its been a while since Ive posted

What have I done in the pas few months.
Well I've worked for Square enix, I taken my passion for cooking to new heights

And sad news bro. Ernano Manalo died last Monday, so Condolence to all INC members.

This will be a short post for now. My RB Issues includes the spam bots in the forums so in Guard mode in the validating section untill we can find some solution.

Trips

2009-08-01T12:57:00.000-07:00

The early morning route.Off to Tagaytay we go.

I got some distrubing news in the boards, nothing to concered about 2-3 unrully kidsIm enjoying my cake and my moonie. I was soo happy cause my Tita flew from London to be with us on the big day

Two days and a Bitch

2009-07-30T03:20:00.000-07:00

2 days before W.
Two days before my big day, 2 bugs came a buzzing by my ear.I recently read a blog that publicly defamated a close friend of mine.You see My friends GF was stolen from him and the new guy has the audacity to blog about it, as well as his lucid advances to my now friends EX.

Recently that bastard has been haunting me on some of my topics in RB.I tried to ignore him and the girl as much, but he did a bad move of rubbing in their new relationship at my face and my friends face.

From here the gloves are off.See Im on Bridezilla mode, bad bad bad move to do.
Now the girl, made a threat towards me. sorry IRL wise, you can do nothing to me.
And to be honest, I think she and her MINOR of a new BF deserves each other. And good luck on the new guy, if he only knew what he's up to.And that hussy, ahh what did a colleague told me about her...ah yes a Femme Narcissist, who only clamors for Deviant art fame, thinking she'd be that known. Tia Tequila is a better saint than her if you ask me.

My friend deserves better than her, and its a good thing he's rid of the leech. Or better yet at least he's no longer dating a cradle snatcher.

As for the whole W thing. The big day is Saturday. To be honest I feel very blessed about it.I wasn't really expecting it to happen. For us to hook up and all.Being friends all these years and more partners in crime ( good cop, bad cop )It was weird when he just asked me out of the blue, lets get married. It wasn't very romantic.He isn't really that much of the mush, it comes with the whole friendship territory.We became to comfortable with each other, the fact I always have his back and vice versa.That was ALL we really ever needed from each other.With that, I am blessed, I am happy. He makes me laugh. He makes me songs and he makes me feel as real as it gets.

So now I'm on Bridezilla mode, and cant waitt for the day.
On to the next chapter in life

Bride Kidnapping - ATradition that must be stopped

2009-06-15T01:19:00.000-07:00

Bride Kidnapping ( From Wikipedia )

also known as marriage by abduction or marriage by capture, is a practice throughout history and around the world in which a man abducts the woman he wishes to marry. Bride kidnapping still occurs in countries spanning Central Asia, the Caucasus region, and parts of Africa, and among peoples as diverse as the Hmong in southeast Asia, the Tzeltal in Mexico, and the Romani in Europe. In most countries, bride kidnapping is considered a sex crime, rather than a valid form of marriage. Some versions of it may also be seen as falling along the continuum between forced marriage and arranged marriage. The term is sometimes used to include not only abductions, but also elopements, in which a couple runs away together and seeks the consent of their parents later; these may be referred to as nonconsensual and consensual abductions respectively. However, even when the practice is against the law, judicial enforcement remains lax, particularly in Kyrgyzstan, Chechnya, and Georgia.

----

I remember back in College my mom used to tell me to be cautious of dating a pure Caviteneo since it was an old saying that if a traditional Cavitenoe likes you, "itatanan ka nila " till your family agrees to the marriage.
True or not, in this modern age, that saying has become more of an old wives tale.

However in some countries and as parodied in the movie Borat, Bride Kidnappings are still rampant
Sad to say brides kidnapped are also victim of rape as a way to coerce them to the forced marriage.
In some cases even if they remain pure and are able to escape or is rescued, they are no longer a marraigable woman

This You Tube Video a Documentary of a Bride Kidnapping in Kyrgystan shows how the men will "kidnap" a girl he likes.
What made me mad is his reasons for doing such
His family needs an extra helper
He needs to move up in his family heirchy through marriage

And what pissed me off is that the man treats the gilr as a dog to be trained and the man's family was no help either. The grandmother was thinking of making the poor girl do the chores. And even when the girl was rescued, is planning to get the poor girl back.

Part 1: Bride Kidnapping Documentary

What saddens me most is that in part 2 of the video, even the girls parents are now forcing her to go on with the marriage to save face. This even with the support of a local school and support group

If you look at the film, this rural country is just as modern as the Philippine farm provinces, the men had a car, they even had cellphones ( Nokia brands ). They wore modern clothes. I noticed that one of the girls wore a D and G pink shirt.
Technologically wise they were catching up to the world.
Moral wise they are declining. Studies show that the case of child and bride kidnappings has risen throughout the years, and even when some countries have laws against them, little or nothing are done to apprehend the suspects.

I am posting this thread to raise awareness for women's rights hopefully that in the near future, such type of sex crimes will be prevented.

The Seaworld Experience

2009-05-25T21:50:00.000-07:00

Hello

It has been forever since my last post.

As a recap of things. I went back home to the Philippine after a much needed vacation due to stress at work, life and just basic burnout and homesickness.

When I came back, there is a noticeable change in my character. The word would be “ Recharged “.

Philippines was fun, but too short. I was able to save enough money despite my debts for a meager vacation, which was monopolized by my dad wanting to take me to all my relatives. Other than that, I went to see the docs to make the necessary check ups. I do have to admit my weakness were these Luxury massages that eased my back pains. You can get a really got classy massage in the Philippines for as low as $14.oo.

This Memorial day weekend, I needed additional unwinding. Since I have this long bucket list of things that I wanted to do. I finally crossed out one. A close encounter with a Dolphin.

I was able to save 45 Dollars to pay the extra fee in Seaworld to do the Dolphin experience. It was really fun and the professional photos taken by the overpriced staff photographer showed how much I was giggling and glowing on the delight of being able to fulfill one of my childhood dreams.

My luck got better when Seaworld had the interact with a Manta Ray pool for free. Despite the scary rep it has, manta Rays are like piglets. The suck the fish out of your hands and when they go up to the water, their faces have a snout like mouth. Infact THEY HAVE A SNOUT. They even make snorting sounds like a pig. It was cute and they were gentle creatures.

I also rode Journey to Atlantis, a water log ride similar to the Philippines Splash island ride in Magic Kingdom. But since I have a fear of falling down ( not heights ), I remedied my situation by hiding in my sweater and brazing myself for the fall. WHICH I WILL NEVER DO AGAIN.

In other words, I had such fun and it was a well deserved, well spend weekend. A change from my last posts which were sad.

Till my next post guys.

The trip to back to Manila and Mothers day

2009-05-09T22:39:00.001-07:00

First and foremost

Happy Mothers Day.

To all mothers and mothers to be. My mom passed away 2 years ago and yet even though we did not get along much in the latter years. I am finding myself loving more and missing her more as each day pass by. Why? Not becuase she was my mom, but becuase it was her character that defined her. And if not then it would not be her.

As for my trip. Japan was a blast. I tried this Vending Machine Shower. It was 500 Yen, and small room not more bigger that you outstreching your arms. But it had a power shower head. Great shampoo, clean facilities and soft towels.

I also went to a store that had this origami display of complicated and articstic proportions.

I did a little shopping and embrassed myself by tripping yet my japanese is at least flawless

In Manila, upon arriving from the airport. Awave of heat hit me. Not before we got stuck in a 4 hour delay after a plane busted its tires in the NAIA runway. We had to be diverted first to Clark Airbase.

I arrived with no one to pick me up. My arrival was a suprise to my family. Unfortunately, I was alone and looking stupid outside NAIA with all these blood suckers asking for tips at the airport.

So I armed myself with a baseball bat and a mi game face. Rode a taxi and arrived at my home at 5 am. the ringer was out so I had to bang at the door. More funny was that my dad was out in Laugna, since his two other siblings arrived from London and Virginia. They were out drinking.

Papa was drunk when I called him. He thought I was still in Japa. By the time he realized I was really home, he came rushing back home 2 hours later. Along with him was a hoard of my relatives.

In my 2 weeks in the Philippines, I came to see my mom's grave, I went to Sampalok lake, I went to Levle Up, Moa, horseback riding and China town.

The best part were the Spa's. I had a spa every 4 days. It was affordable in my part. I save up for it and had the most expensive and longest massage I can afford. My back has been killing me all month.

I bought my first jade bracelet in the Vira Mall shopping area. I was tempted to buy a new phone but ddint.

The food was great. First thing I asked my dad to make was Ginataang Alimango claws. And it was sooo good

I enjoyed my stay sooo much.

Till next year

Going Back to Tokyo, Manila and Month Wrap up

2009-04-05T01:52:00.000-07:00

Finally after months of trying to get Vacation time from my current company,
I was finally given the GO to take my PTO
I'm coming back home to Manila for 2 weeks but will stop by Tokyo for 1 day :-)

However since I was really never sure when they would be approving me of my vacation time, I barely had time to save for the trip. I wasn't expecting them to give me the go for April.
To make matters worse my finances were really down after a series of unfortunate events. Most recently with me losing my renter.

The ticket booking was another issue. I also needed to be in japan and all the plane flights that were cheapest were taking me to Korea, to make matters worse, with a 5-7 hours layover in Seoul.

I had to give up my Seat in Philippine Airlines and got Thank God a great deal with Northwest.
So Ill be home on the 20th earliest.

On other news, my Uncle Eliseo Vidal passed away recently. He had cancer and a severe diabetes problem but what took him was a stroke. Similar to my mom, he was in a coma for nearly 2 months.

Uncle Eli knew his time was up, 2 years prior, he came to see my mom and took my mom to watch the show Wowowee ( a Philippine noon time variety show )
He lived his life to the fullest while he was with my parents. Him and my dad were bests of buddies and Dad took the loss seriously

He was also a war veteran like my dad. In his Funeral he had a Full Guard ceremony.
It was my first time to see some one from the military and also a decorated hero have the Military Honors during his death.
Strangely enough I wondered and feared about my fathers future if the time comes he passes away. He rarely talks about his work with the Feds and the Navy. All I knew he was with project Dessert storm when I was a kid and my mom was very sure my dad was a target for enemy attacks if his location was found.

That given, I moved my flight earlier from the 24th to the 19th to see dad. I was missing him badly.

When I get home, I have a lot of things to do. Visiting LUG will be one of my top priorities.

I can't wait too see everyone again

Hits and Misses...good and bad

2009-03-01T18:52:00.000-08:00

Hello guys. Its been a while since I last bloged. The good news is is that I had a colorful weekend so far.
Both filled with Happiness and Tragedy.

Lets go with the Bad news

1.I found out my Uncle who owns the house I'm living is on a deep coma. He has both cancer and diabetes. On a routine dialysis his body couldn't take much of the pressure and he went into a stroke. It happened on February 6. I wasnt informed until 3 days ago. His eyes are now open but he is in a critical and near vegetable state. The fact that he breathes on his own and has a few stable responses say that he may pull through it. Its hard for me to see him in ICU since my mom too was in a deep coma before her death.

2.I got reported at my church over false rumors which I cannot tell. Unlike the church in the Philippines, there are some people who have nothing else better to do especially when the Holy Passover is nearing. Hence me being called to our local pastors office, interrogated about my beliefs of what a woman living alone should do ( like marry immediately)
Unfortunately personal things like that are None Of Their Business, and the fact they even said that they will drive by my house like some cop is a violation of my privacy.

3.My Uncle being sick also means that the rent is going up so now I'm gonna be in a financial pinch for a long while

The good news was, due to certain circumstances my friend May dropped by my home over the weekend. Prompting me and a common barkada of ours to take her to the local hot spots of the city. We drove all the way to San Diego Zoo a few hours ago and it was a blast. I was lucky to take a picture with a Mere Cat. I wasnt too happy though with her late night trysts. She would leave my home at 11:00 and come back at 3:30 I had to stay awake for her because my doorbell is broken.

Another good news is that the nasty housemate of mine is moving out. So no more food stealing and I'll be really alone for a while. And it will give me time next weekend to do a MAJOR home makeover once she is gone

So far thats the report I have. And yes, Ive been Ragnaboarding again...for now.

The " I'm hell better than you notion."

2009-01-24T15:46:00.000-08:00

I have a close person named Lumox who has access to my blog. Unfortunately the idiot has access to my friendster as he has access to my blog. He later decided to show my blog to his officemate named Rod.

Now Mr. Rod here is one of those ummmm…how should I say this, big talkers who bragg about their lifestyle and how better the world would be if its lived by their rules. Unfortunately, financially blessed as he may be, from how Lumox describes him, he has a tendency to put down women who have limited education or skill sets, even the one that he dates.

Another idiot friend of Lumox is Ron. A guy who wishes to get rich soon. A UP graguate who think that me as a Lassalian is better than others. He frowns upon doctors and treat women like crap. He also preaches, brags or vido tapes how immoral he is to the his friends. I have taken crap from this guy more than once often, griting my teeth becuase even though I am not the most perfect daughter, friend, employee or girlfriend to those around me; I know my standard of morale is WAAAAAAAAAAAAAYYY higher than his peanut brain and imaginary ” I’m the best thing you’ve ever had” attitude.

Men like these who infleunce my Lumox so greatly, roughly rubs on on his attutude and how he treats a person/people. In the years I’ve known Lumox, he has become biased, racists and even derogatory and negatively judgemental towards people.

I do not need to hear that each single mom femal friend of mine are low lifes just becuase they are single moms despite of what ever caused theuir situation. Or that people like me who grew in the Philippines are uneducated and unsophisticated just because most of us cant drive.

I’m sorry, try driving in 4 hour traffic at 15mph on a freeway in Manila. People there commute, there's no law that says ” Sucks to be you just because you cannot F*** drive” in any society. Try telling that to other cultures that lives on ZERO technology and yet thrive.

The problem with people these days, especially with MEN is their over bloated egos, grandeur illusions of greatness and undermining the capabilities of us women.

So ROD and RON. It was nice knowing ya but SCREW YOU!!! I hope if ever your GF’s ever get a gist of how you people really talk back to them or when you secretly film them and show your sick hobbies to your friends, that ONE day Karma will get you back in the ASS. Oh btw thats a criminal offense of I hope you go to jail!

Celebrating the New Year

2009-01-02T10:13:00.000-08:00

How was my new year?
See unlike the Philippines where me and my crazy cousins get a hold of Firecrackers and roman candles;
Running around crazy in the streets and lighting up the ” Sinturon ni Hudas” on our poor old dead mango tree
The jumping for cover like were in the Iraq war zone. Often getting blasted by some renegade cracker.

The US has a more non- pyrotechnic type of Holiday.
Just an FYI ” Sinturon Ni Hudas” is either a 10-20 foot long belt/rope of fire crackers with a short fuse at both ends.
It makes a loud crackling sound once lighted since the belt is fused with little but strong fire power. This is one of the most deadliest/dangerous Philippine fireworks that cause the most death and injury to children and people during New Years Eve.

Here in California, the closest I got from any fireworks was just watching then from the bay. The weather was very cold. I had a blanket and 2 jackets ( one from my friend) wrapped around me.
But before that, we dined in this authentic Italian restaurant called Piatti. Normally I would always order Fettuccini but strangely enough the didn’t have one in the menu. I instead choose to have this Baked Bass with asparagus and it was soooo goood. My firt time too having Bass.

After the countdown by the Bay, we decided to cruise down town. We saw the heavily paparatzi’d party at the Hard Rock hotel and we got stuck in traffic right in front of Bondi’s a very cool Australian bar/restaurant
I was able to see this girl nearly half naked being arrested. Such a shame she was very pretty but very drunk.
The poor cop, I feel sorry for him was trying to cover up her lower private part. She does not look like she was wearing anything underneath and since she kept squatting on the side walk, her tube dress was riding up. The cop had to pull her dress down while making sure she didn’t run into oncoming traffic. I tried taking some pictures but they were too blurry.

In the end it was a fun and quite Americanized style of New Years eve.
I didn’t get drunk like most of the people we saw downtown. Once home I used my Skype account to do a conference call to my Family in Manila. Calling using the landline was nearly impossible, with the rest of the Filipinos abroad jamming the international lines. Plus the quality was clearer. It was very Nostalgic, the girls ( my nieces) were all at home. Screaming their heads off as usual. They are drinking now liked I used too at their age, sneaking off for a sip of beer.
My Cousin Rela now had her 2nd baby. And yes I was getting the, when are you marrying question again.

But overall it was all good. And I enjoyed my first happy new year in a long time.

Happy 2009 everyone.

Happy Holidays and lets welcome 2009

2008-12-27T00:44:00.000-08:00

Jealousy and Envy.

Were the two mixed feelings I felt this Holidays when after I received a iTouch this Christmas, my officemates in the next few days upgraded theirs to an iPhone

Dont get me wrong. My iTouch now is my Siamese twin. And I still can't let go f my Nokia N80

But the annoying fact that I need to scavenge for wifi while my colleagues are connected to 3G anytime anywhere irks my envy nerve the most.

I love the fact that I can Sync now my iTouch with my office email

I hate the fact when i need he GPS system the most... I dont have wifi on the road to guide me

Unfortunately, I dont have the extra mullah to spend on an iPhone..worse on anew cellphone plan.

However there's the G1 ( Google Phone) I invested in, its not as fully savvy as an iPhone but it has its few pro's like the bar code scanner.

Other than that I had a great Holidays. I miss my family that’s a given. I called my dad, he sent me loads of presents. And G and me are doing good.

I have my friends here too, my new family. Basically just came back from a crazy bday party with Giant inflatables.

Im happy I'm having a good time and I still have my job

Yes I still miss LU.

I also tried Sype for the first time. I called my friend in Japan. Hahahaha he sent me the wrong number and my Nihongo was soo bad the other guy hang up on me.

But the service is really good.

Other than that, I'm keeping my green eyed mosnter away. Plus its baaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaad for the wallet.

I want to say Happy Holidays everyone. In a few days its gonna be 2009.

New years in the past 3 years left a bad taste for me but the bitterness is dying slowly. And please guys don’t “silently” break up with ur confused GF’s on January 1…masakit yun

Ohh Manuel R. Happy Birthday and Dittooooo!!!!

History and Sheer Luck

2008-11-11T20:55:00.000-08:00

Being alive to take part in a change in History
Now that is something to brag about.

To have 2 pieces of History in your plate...one a Once in a lifetime chance
Now that's just luck overloaded.

24 Hour last minute, in the 24 hour watch of the Elections. My friend D called me up for a surprise
I was supposed to give some Physical and Moral support on a suuuuper killer fitness gym training.
But was in store for me was that my friend had a free ticket to a Madonna concert.
And my friends were like " Go for it!!!"

So I went with D. It was freaking cold. He still was mum on the who were we were gonna seat thing. Especially when I saw a mile long line at the stadium, I was getting a bit nervous.
Parking too was crazy. I busied myself with the Iphone. Im a Nokia Loyalist, but I will ride on anyone's uber cool cellphone if they let me, so i was youtubing away while we were walking to the stadium.

The good news was, the long line was for the ticket line.
We already have tickets so all we really had to do was SQUEEEZE our way to the crazy Madonna crowd, some dressed up like her 80's Like a Virgin self.

I was floored when I realized where we sat. We were not exactly front roow, becuase there was front row, then there was the floor seating.
Basically what we had was the front row BEFORE the front seating. A good 100 Meters from the stage. WAAAY better than being up the stands.
D was diddling in his iPhone and through the crowd he said

" Obama won"

I have a shriller voice... so when I sain " OMG Obama won!" a wave of
"What?!" was heard around us.
Second...literally seconds later people were making calls confirming what we just said. And the crowed roared. Obama won.

10 Minutes later, the lights dimmed and the queen of pop came out. She was first wearing her basic leather wear, some butt naked dancers...but the kicker was when she screamed out,

Thank You for Voting!!!

And Obama's picture was behind her.
She later came out with an Obama T-shirt that was selling a shirt and an arm at the souvenir stand.

It was a great night.
A week later though I got sick. Found myself in the hospital with the worst of luck. However, Im glad I was part of history :-)

Why we hate Call Centers.

2008-10-14T10:03:00.000-07:00

The other night I was with some of my friends and G and we were resting at around 9 PM before we hit the road back to work ( yes I’m on call )

Suddenly we got a call from his cell phone and since I was the closest to the phone, I picked it up with my voice half groggy.

Naturally If I was a Call Center Agent who is calling a guy I would think that if a woman picked up a man's phone its either

1. That’s his wife
2. That’s his GF
3. That’s his daughter
4. That’s his secretary ( for business lines)

But this woman and she was from a call center in Makati, was just plain rude.
After saying " Hello" she went ahead to look for my friend. And I don't know if our local call center companies still do any type of etiquette training, but she had no tact at all.

I asked her who is this. She responded " This is Rachel, his friend. Where is he?" Naturally, I was taken aback by her sudden rashness. And glared at G as I passed the phone to him.

Basically it was a lie. The number in his cell phone was some weird 000055444 number.
Naturally, I acted all hissy. Its 9:00 PM, The woman has no manners at all and she demanded looking for G.
I passed the phone to G. We were all now looking at him half wondering if its really a sales call or if this " Rachel" does really exist.

3 minutes into the call, it was already confirmed that the woman was selling Vacation Time Shares. Vacations to Cancun and other islands around the world. off your with a hefty price.
He told her he was not interested. Not to mention he was getting burning stares from people around him. We can hear her high pitched voice over the phone.
She had a bad English accent.
Don't get me wrong, I have a bad one too. But when I went to my first job as a CCA we had a 4 month training in Customer Service. And 4 weeks in proper tonation and phone etiquette.

This woman chucked the book and burned it too. Would even go as far as flirting to a man she barely know just to get a sale.

I told G, " Hey, just say to take you off their list."
Unfortunately that rule does not apply. They would say they will. Not call you for 5 weeks, then pass off your number to another call center department.
In some countries, that type of business attitude is deemed illegal.

My suggestion to the Call Center Agencies out there.
I was a CC Agent since 2003. I have taken great pride in the training and experience that I received. I even went far as training other agents myself.
However, since when have you downgraded your business standards by being disrespectful to family members of the people you call?
Often being rude to people who can be their significant others, spouses, or even children.
There’s a difference between aggressive sales calling and just plain having no manners at all.

I mean, what ever happen to the " Hello, good evening." " Can, I call on a better time." speech that you use to teach? And arent Team Leads supposed to listen in on these calls to make sure they don’t make such mistakes.

And flirting is a nono. Especially when you are calling some one who may be married.
Lying is a no no either. Don't say that you are a friend when you are not. Don’t tell the Wife, the GF or the daughter a lie when you want to speak to the husband. Same goes if you are looking for a possible married woman and her significant other picks up.
Imagine the misunderstanding that will ensue later on.

Yes, I am soo pissed off. And within good reason.
This is why we hate call centers.
Not only because of the late night calls
Not because of them selling us time shares we could not even afford.
But it is because of their lying, scheming and abrasive selves. lack of tact and lack of professionalism that ticks us off.

Football and Hamburger

2008-09-07T15:01:00.000-07:00

2 weeks ago my laptop gave me the BSOD ( Blue screen of death)
Being literally veined ( yes veined) to my PC, I was like a drug addict on rehab with withdrawal symptoms.

I realized how much I was too dependent on the Internet. Not the PC itself but the Internet.
I have been working here in California on my new job for nearly a month now.

Surprisingly there are a LOT of Filipino's here (Tagalog speaking too) so I felt relieved on having a small chika group during lunch.
The bad news is I work CLOSELY with the high level management.
The US Co prorate culture is a wee bit more cutthroat and unforgiving than the US one. California having the most meticulous of Office laws and compliance. Even something you say, mispelled or used a wrong adjective when telling a story can be grounds for Discrimination, sexual harassment and many other violations.
I found it very difficult to fit in because everyday I was walking on eggshells with the CFO, CEO and my own supervisor. I love my job by I can say the head cutting in my position is very certain with no mercy nor warning.

This weekend, I came to finally get some R and R after a rough week and anticipating a new one.
Its NFL Football season kick off.
On the street where I live the horns are honking as the local NFL team made a touchdown against the Panters.

I became totally a guy, I had a grill fired up, bought some coal, hamburger patties, mustard, lemon, tomatoes.
I spent nearly 50$, and that buying on a super cheap store.

I was busy cooking for my male friends who came buy. I knew them for a long time now. I was wearing a Tshirt and undies I wasnt ashamed since they have seen me naked and vice versa since we even began to walk. I was one of the boys, sorta. I was strutting outside just a few minutes ago with what Im wearing...Why, its a 70 degree weather, Id walk naked if it was legal or morally decent to do so. I was being baked either in my room, in my car or anywhere. Even at night its still FRAWKIN HOT!!!

And Unlike Philippine weather that is nearly 80 degrees hotter at least its like Hot Humid, not like here Desert HOT HOT

I finally got my weight down from 135-125lbs due to cardio and walking 2 miles every other day. Last Dec I was a 140. But I have to throw my Cardio out for a while to do some barbecuing.

Having my own homemade marinade of Worcestershire sauce, with garlic salt, pepper, soy sauce and lil ketsup, I slabbed it on the patties and did my magic on the grill.

It was good to finally get disconnected with the virtual world and enjoy the outdoors

YUMMMY.

Its still hot so Im chilling here now in my room.
Ohh yeah I miss RO and RB, terribly

I finally Got my PC back now, reformatted, erased of my files but Im not fretting. Its all good like new fresh start.

Olympics and sleep

2008-08-18T23:48:00.000-07:00

Olympics and sleep do not mix.

Why? Number one. I'll marry Michael Phelps any day of the week ( Sorry G)
He's hot, he's cute, he's HOT
and yeah the possibly greatest olympian of all time.
Unfortunately watching Olympics live while traveling means watching him win all 8 world reocrds at 2-3:00 am in the morning.

Then there's Gymnastics. I did Gymnastics back in gradeschool. We had the balancing beam while the boys had the vault ( kiddy size). Too bad we didnt have a Philippine athlete to make it into the the finals. However it was a pain to see all the anomalies in the judging.

Ohh yeah, the opening ceremonies, who was said to be the vision of one man in China. 4 ours sitting in the living room of my friend who had her bday. I was sitting beside a Cuban who was cheering on his hometeam while all of us were painstakingly waiting for the Philippine team to take their turn on the parade of Nations. Too bad Pacman could not fight for the Olympics :-(

But finally I will get to have some sleep soon

Comic Con 2008 and a LOT of good luck

2008-07-28T01:09:00.000-07:00

What a weekend I had

I was kinda down and out on luck. My budget was really getting strained and it was 3am in the morning on the 23^rd of July.

I was trying to make a deadline for this SDSU ( San Diego State University) Teen Camp seminar on Video Games. I was to talk about Work Ethics. To top that I had to again refuse a position from a video game test company due to the fact the location was REALLY FAR.

So there I was trying to revive most of my Power Point skills. I was at the end of my 7 page template on Do’s and Don’ts when working in a gaming company, importance of customer service, blah blah blah…all the important stuff. I was really in a bad mood. Budget down, I left being an RB Mod. I posted too that very risky article about how disappointed I was with the RB Mod Management.

The friend I had also was gloating the whole week about how she got Comic Con Tickets. Just so you know, Comic Con is one of the biggest pop culture and media convention. Big stars from film, comic and movie industry would go there and mingle with fans. This year they had Heroes as usual, people from the Iron Man movie, Kim Kardashi, Stan Lee, Keanu Reeves and many more. If you did not pre register yourself for the tickets, the tickets itself for the Saturday event would sell up to 200$ from its original 60$ value. Of course the fact she can go and I would be stuck at home made me extra miserable as is.

I then got a call from my ex. He’s here in California. I dated him during the time I was in Sony Playstation well actually after I left Sony then went back to work with them again hahaha. He had a free ticket to Comic Con on the Most Wanted day event. The Saturday event. But being stoned I was from staring at the laptop monitor for the last 5 hours, the realization of what LUCK I got didn’t hit me till the next morning.

The Gaming seminar followed smoothly. I spoke to some highschool kids. They were a quiet bunch. The topic should be boring but surprisingly, a lot participated in the discussion. I was happy about that. To top it off I got to speak with David Hernandez, a game animator who was the head of the Video Game camp. He was cuuuuuuttttteee. We got to speak about the Thor Movie and the new Xmen Origins and Comic Con.

The next day, I got a call from a company that I had previously interviewed for. I was put in conference call. This interviewed took WEEEKS before they got back to me on anything, I went through a lot with the final interview after being dissected by their company VP. In the end they made me a lucrative offer. I was sobbing on the phone. Miffling it really. What LUCK I am having. All I could think was, I have to get to church. I needed to pray. In addition, my weight has been going down constantly due to my Cardio. Im sooooo happy.

It was Pasalamat at our church. I was able to get to our Local at the right time. My friend James drove me there. He spent the night at the boarding house Im staying to save gas. At church, I was sobbing during the prayer. It was a tough year. And this was the first sign of good stuff that happened to me. However, my good luck meant bad for my friend who originally got Comic Con passes. Her own contact never came through for her, you can imagine how PISSED she was at me when I told her I finally had tickets. At that time I assumed she had hers and wanted to go together with her

It did not end there. I got to attend a Bridal Convention too. The entrance fee was really cheap. And I went there for the free cake tasting. I won a contest for a free banquet room at a local water hole. I still need to think HOW to use it.

Roll in Comic Con which I attended 2 days ago. I had to wait for Daniel to give out my pass. When he did, he wanted us to walk 3 blocks to the parking lot which I was swearing like mad because I was getting trampled by the cosplayers on our way. He then treated me to a REALLY posh Hotel Restaurant…man was I intimidated.

Then we finally headed off to the
Comic Con convention area. On our way there I didn’t know I bumped into Seth Green and guys from Adult swim. I was sooooooo annoyed that I wasn’t able to get a picture. But once we reached the main halls, the first place I jumped into was the Square Enix Booth. One guy wanted me to buy Aeriths Mana necklace…wahhh no budget yet. Then off to DC. Where I got a cool piture with the Batman team. I was really shy. But my eyes were locked on to Robin. He was cute. I said I wanted to take a picture with him. To his reply “ IT’S ABOUT TIME!!!”

It was really funny since if you see the pic all the rest of the DC crew were staring at him as he had my arms wrapped around him. My ex was pretty annoyed too. Dragging me out of the DC Booth. He blamed the flower on my head. He’s half Hawaiian, so I wore the flower on the side of my head that says Single…after that I REALLY got good pictures. ( Sorry Goenitz huhuhu)

I did pass by the Capcom section and bought my dear Goenitz a limited edition Capcon Hologram comic

My luck didn’t ended there. Remember that article I made? I never thought anyone would take notice. An RBer actually made a topic about it. I gained some good comments but I did had to clear some issues, just to make sure I don’t have animosity towards some of my ex managers. The article was deleted but I felt happy and really grateful on some of the supportive comments they gave me.

Its been a good week so far. And God is good. Bad things happened too, but that’s another story for now

Birthday week

2008-07-15T02:45:00.000-07:00

Birthday week

I didnt realized how fast my bday was approaching until my laptop told me it was already the 15th.

Its still a few days short of the B-day but since budget has been tight, Ill just have a cupcake for my bday cake.

I'll be attending a Bridal bazaar on my bday too, I got a free pass ( sorta) so I'll get to sample some free wedding cakes. At least I have cakes ( damn you Goenitz where are u lately)

On the other hand, I have finally relinquished my Ragnaboards role as Moderator...sorta.

I always thought that, I would never have to be touched by the "political games" Level Up tends to play with its employees from time to time. I have my own share of horror stories, that I personally have witnessed from former co-workers and some even got a few hits and misses myself. If not for a few good friends in LU who knew of my naiveness that helped me out before

However, most of them are gone now.

I left being a Moderator in Ragnaboards for maaaany personal reasons

I RB more than I work, so yeah my IRL work sometimes gets affected however I never got caught :-)

I loose sleep on weekends just RBing

Ever since my PC downgraded, I cant play RO as much so I have limited knowledge of the game nowadays.

But the main reason perhaps that I also fail to admit to myself and everyone, is that I am losing motivation to manage RB. Being of what it has become. The rowdy people, disrespectful ( often idiotic players), but most of all the obvious rift between the mod team and me.

To make matters worse I think I left RB just in time. You see the rules in the boards? Thats about to change soon. I spoke to the manager handling RB about the " professionalism " issues we were having internally in the team.

When the manager told me that she doesnt care about the personal, team fighting issues as long as we do the job right, that statement hit a very sensitive chord. I told her that in LU and in Rb during my time, that wasnt how things run. Since you need team work to make everything run smoother and at least some level of reprimandation for those few mods who tend to lose their way ( that includes me).

The response she gave me was very disappointing. She told me since we mods are not being paid, its ok to do " whatever" we want in the boards as long as we do the job. Any personal issues, or fights, wala na sya don. Also she said " Iba yung dati, iba na yung ngayon: pertaining how LUG/RB was before to the now system. Frankly I dont like the Now system

The RB Mod team in the past few months has its shares of ups and downs. More downs than ups to be exact. We had a couple of rouge mods who basically said things that are NOT supposed to be said to players. We had internal issues in which a few mods would take leaves yet they still used the mod account to just chat ( The manager told me that NOW thats ok). I spoke to other former LU managers, they said that action is a bit irresponsible since a mod on leave should not use a property of LU for personal reasons, in case that mod makes a mistakes its LU who will get the negative hit.

We had mods who would NOT pass reports, and basically what just ticked me off in the end was the blatant disrespect and arrogance of some of them.

In my opinion, perhaps because we have a difference of what we think is morally correct is the one thing that divided us the most. Some of the mods have gained more preference from both LU and the public despite if what they do is right or wrong...basically, I got outnumbered and they have the public to back them up.

What I find wrong too is the amnesty they would give to their friends when they commit offenses or offensive remarks to other or to me. In some cases they too would chime in with the crudeness of the pack. And when you point it out the call you the one being " Unprofessional or childish"

Im not saying Im the perfect mod or GM either I have my mood swings. And lets face it, my grammar can even be beaten by a 3rd grader. Sometimes I often over reprimand a person in the forums, and my " Ate" attitude gets the best of me when reprimanding anyone younger than me.

Bottom line, I can make as much terrible mistakes as anyone. And no matter how much anger sometimes boils in my heart, in the end I really would rather would like to resolve things. That is the one thing many of the LU employees lack especially people in the mod team. Apologize doesnt seem to be an option

The last few days I had in RB were really sad. And in one instance some one used a very personal and uncalled for remark about my family member.

I'm tired of it, the politics, the corruption, all the red tape crap. And I am losing my pride to have once worked with Level Up after the way they have taken advantage of most of its employees, not just mods but good people in general . Everything I stand up for, defended and believed that RB was the one good place in Level Ups' bad rep, was shattered in an instant.

Worse is that I lost the people whom I thought were my friends.

Maybe Im being too emotional about all this. But only because, I always regarded my role in Level Up as one of the best Jobs I had in my life. The relationships I built were some of the strongest I still have. I cant say entirely for the mod team its the same. You cannot please people who do not want to be pleased.

I should have listened to my friend in LUG who told me, that I should play the politics game...too bad I never did. I don't entirely regret it, but at least maybe i could have made changes to prevent whats become of RB now...I dunno.

I do however feel that whatever contributions I did do for RB or LU were completely forgotten if not taken for granted. I sometimes even fear pointing them out due to the fact I dont want to be labeled as a person who thrives on attention or my "laurels"

Wouldnt matter anymore.

Ohhhh well Happy Bday then to me.

Anime Expo 2009

2008-07-06T14:07:00.000-07:00

Anime Expo 2008. How did it go?

I would give the experience a 50/50 score.

The Los Angeles Convention Center was too big that everything in the convention was spread out. By walking from one event to another, takes time making us miss other core shows.

Our day started out slightly wrong. The video cam I bought for a cheap 20$ got broken right out of the store and needed an exchange.

We spent 50$ just for the gas going there. The car were in had no aircon, we needed to have our windows down on desert heat weather.

The good news is there was no line anymore on the badge claim section. And there were fewer Naruto cosplays. Not that I’m against Naruto however, most Naruto cosplays always ended up in disaster. There were fewer Deathnote cosplayers though.

The place was HUGE parking was 13$. And the cafeteria was too small for all the thousands of attendees. But there was some decent short ribs.

There was Japanese Traditional dancing and Japan paranormal panels both I missed because I got stuck in the cosplay exhibition.

But when I saw the Gravity station I basically stayed there as much as I could. There were to give away RO2 box sets. I didn’t win it though I got through the raffle. The Gravity exhibitioners were nice enough to tell me that the USA team for RWC were preparing for their server eliminations.

I do feel though there were fewer cosplays this year.

There were other kiosks too like Funimation, Manibogi games ( RO competion in Korea) Maple Story, Xbox, Viz media, lots of Lolita/Goth fashion stands and many more.

We skipped the 2^nd day fast and decided to enjoy the rest of LA by going to the beach. Santa Monica Beach ( Beverly Hills was too far).

The beach had a pier with a small theme park. The Jonas Brothers were there as well. They had roller coasters, a small beach memorial for the soldiers and victims who died in the Iraq war.

Back at the hotel was a slight disaster. We booked a semi posh hotel with a nice whirpool and soft beds. Like the one in the websites. Well websites are misleading. The hallway stinked of cigarettes, the pool was by the paring lot and the outdoor Jacuzzi had a smell.

The good news, we had a place to sleep and we had the pool to ourselves at night.

Next year though we may not anymore participate for the 09 Anime Expo but instead do the Comic Con instead. Depends if I have cash

Kaliwanagan Article

2008-07-01T14:23:00.000-07:00

When it comes to popularity contests in the realm of the MMORPG icon

Ragnarok Online, there are very noted few that are mentioned not only based on their skills and greatness as a player.

But because of the mere impact and change that they have contributed to the game and its society, they themselves become the very core of its Online Soul.

To name a few: We have at first GM Preator and GM Joe who started it all.

Then there’s Goenitz, my good partner ( and sometimes headache) who strived the hard fight against the botting problem. Then we have GM Phage, well loved for her Charisma, Lilith too who did not only extends her charm in pRO but also in pROSE. And who can ever forget the name Carlo Ople aka Waukeen former WOE vet now LUG manager, GM Tristan and acquaintance of mine gamer turned gamer blogtologist Diwa de Leon.

I am sure that there are many more in both the community and the industry that have carved out their names in Philippine Online gaming history. However, if there is one dark

horse that his name has become a household impact and a sworn enemy of most anti-botting propagandas. Only one name comes to our mind.

KALIWANAGAN

I respect the person behind the name. Often a discussion between me and Goenitz, we found him as like many rumors come, as the founder and some even say the creator of Openkore itself.

However I begged to disagree on his general public portrayal as the connoisseur of the MMORPG sin as most players would view him as an arrogant if not mad scientist of sorts, and other rumor marveling mythos that can label him. Many who are pro-botters/botting see him as a god.

Yet I noticed that Kaliwanagan must have more than just the title of Bot Master than he is generally portrayed. I read Master Diwa's first interview with him. I even have the rough draft of the original interview. And though I would say my friend's article on him was groundbreaking I felt there is a lack explanation on other issues that surround his personal character, WHY he does his work and how Mr. Kali is a normal person. In my observation, (and G-man will hate me for this) He had a sense of humility and noble pride on what he does. He carries good knowledge as a consultant to

his craft ( Openkore) and like us GMs and mods of the game, try our best to help our customers. In some weird way we are both alike.

So I decided to go ahead and speak to him. I tried contacting him through his blog which unfortunately shut down the same time my mom passed away. The shutting down of his blog caused massive disarray of issues and rumors. Some even saying he was fired on his status on the Openkore team. But we were able to converse again mere days after my

Mother’s burial which Ill have to admit kept me alive emotionally while coping with the grief. He agreed to an interview to clear some mythos about him and the much despised if not coveted Bot Program Issue. I decided for months to keep this from Goenitz (though I know this for him is an act of betrayal on my part since I have never kept a secretfrom him) . Not to mention I actually enjoyed speaking to Kali as a person despite us being in the opposite sides of the fence.

You will find in this article an account of our conversations over the past weeks

The Interview

Kali I wanted to still know if you would still be interested in a interview or just doing comments on some stuff that you wanted to clarify. It would be of great help if you still would like to get some of your points across or clear your name in other misunderstandings the public eye has upon you. I thought that Diwa may have left out some stuff that could clear your name maybe a more in dept discussion between us can

give us a more clearer side.

One issue is the rumors circulating why you shut down your blog.

Kali: I'd love to do a commentary or interview, but I'm afraid I am hard-pressed for time right now. I am not sure about the incident you are talking about, but I took down the blog because botters are somehow twisting my words to make it seem as if I am their champion.
That, plus the fact that I barely have time to update it. Also I don't really want to create that much fanfare over my online personality.

The number one question now is that a lot of the Bot supporters and even anti-botters were taken aback after your sudden shut down of your blog and very vague announcement of it that you posted in a commentary section of a pRO players blog.

This sudden disappearance of yours speculated a lot of rumors, the number one was that you were " fired" in your role under the Openkore team.

Kali: The rumors, though untrue, are perfectly acceptable for me. I took down the blog because I'm unable to maintain it. I was afraid that if I let it stay up without any updates, people will use it as a rallying point for the wrong reasons. I don't intend to fan nor quench the rumors; remaining a mystery is just fine. Who knows, maybe someday

I'll spread a rumor that the persona "Kali" was actually many people taking up the name (ala Phantom) and that the current Kali is the successor of the previous one.

Tell me about your current position in the Openkore community and your teammates. Besides you, there are other major names in the Opnekore society. Three of them being Don, Heero and Chaotic good. And the VCL too. Are their roles similar to yours or better yet, what are their representation in the upper hierarchy in the Openkore organization?

Kali: You'd have to understand that this is a very informal project, not some formal corporation. As such, there really isn't any "hierarchy" in the strict sense of the word.

I'd describe it more as a meritocracy: the more you contribute, the more authority you assume. Don and Chaoticgood are one of the Administrators of the local support arm of OpenKore in the Philippines. Heero is a talented contributor who had been very generous in his contributions of bugfixes and features. As I've mentioned, the meritocracy in OpenKore propelled them to the authority they have now - since they have contributed more, they are respected more.

On the Openkore website VLC says that he is the Openkore project leader. But is he also one of the main developers? And the Myths that claim that Openkore was developed in the Philippines. Any clarifications you want to dispel about that?

Kali: It's VCL, and yes he's the project leader and one of the main developers too The Openkore website can answer that question.

Have you been conversing with any Level Up employees about what they can do to better do the anti bot issue? What has been the outcome so far?

Kali: Not including this one, nope not directly. The latest would be the blog (hope it woke up some people).

Waukeen has stated in his blog that the Gravity game developers themselves came down here now to address the Botting situation in Valhalla and Valkyrie server as well as the Dupe issue in all commercial servers. What is yours and your teams prognosis on Level Up/Gravity's action as of late?

Kali: I'll address a very serious misconception. We're not here to battle with LU - to us LU is just a simple franchisee of the Ragnarok game. That said, Gravity's design with Ragnarok is *really* sloppy to say the least, and it's about time they went ahead and fixed it. Fix the bot issue, and they'll fix the entry of third-party programs (and with that I mean crashers, duping scripts, force deal, exploits, etc.)

Like I mentioned before, bots are only the tip of the iceberg - you'd think the iceberg is huge based on what you see floating in the ocean, but if you chop away that symptom, you'll find out there is something even more huge that will surface.

Our manual MP catching techniques has its limits, depending on the situations. Any advice you can give on how to summon a player or catch difficult bots?

Kali: You are right, the RO client is very limited when it comes to those things. Unfortunately, the only way I can think of to easily summon characters is through a third-party program. Actually, one of the developers made a bot-catching plugin for OpenKore specifically made for GMs.

The GM-bot will teleport itself to different maps while in perfect hiding mode (the mode where even a bot will not know there is another character with it in the map) and creates a database of which characters were seen in which maps, whether it was moving or attacking or just sitting down, and how long has it been staying in the map. It's very effective in profiling a certain map - you can easily spot a botter through the patterns

Does your peers in the Openkore family share the same sentiments you have that you are willing to help out with the anti bot situation?

Some pRO players question your alliance and how does this affect your disposition with the openkore team.

Kali: Since we're a very diverse team with different ideals, I cannot say that we share the same sentiments regarding botting. On the other hand, we all share the same drive in making OpenKore the best AI for Ragnarok there is, and to continually improve it.

You also moderate the Darkmoon forums. How is it different from the Ragnaboards? I mean besides the basic support/ assistance and updates you give your forumers, what type of rule implementation do you do there?

Kali: I'm just a guest in the Darkmoon forums. It's just a local support arm of OpenKore anyway. I don't really have any business there, but I sometimes help out by trashing posts (my favourite job)

Is the Openkore team creating a Bot for RO2? 2. If no, do you know of any news that LUG should be ready for the possible Bot threats for RO2?

Kali: No.

What’s you’re comment on this website that are making claims that they are associated with you http://ragnarokfiles.blogspot.com/

Kali: Okay I have skimmed through the link you posted. It looks like a demolition job of Heero and RB. I think this person is just causing a lot of drama to stir up the whole community. It's happened in iRO. He might also be just twisting words. A person "participates" in an OpenSource project merely by using it - so if you replace

""nagpaparticipate sa" with "gumagamit ng" you have a perfectly acceptable statement. I control who receives write permission in OpenKore - having write permission means that you have the privileges to actually modify the program being downloaded by other people. Thus,write permissions are only offered to certain trustworthy and skilled
individuals, not just some 2005-2007 CS graduate. Besides, *very* few Filipinos are granted this privilege - most of the OpenKore dev team are from International countries.

If he were even part of the group to begin with, he would have already been kicked out long ago. He doesn't possess the professionalism we require (as well as basic English communication skills).

Kali: For one thing, I'm not that interested in vindicating myself - people have seen me as a bad guy, and rightly so because that is the persona I've taken up. Just like the DeathNote analogy, Light might be helping the world by killing criminals, but he's still committing murder. It all boils down to a moral question, and I'd like to keep it at that There is a thread in Ragnaboard thread before that claims the Bot programs is to blame for disappearance of items.

Kali: On the day that topic came up I have tried monitoring who else will be trolling on the boards. The safety of OpenKore is guaranteed by the fact that all the source code is freely available for anyone to view, inspect, and even modify. this is again another case of pRO players getting too big an ego and thinking that OpenKore was made for them. In fact, pRO is just small fry - the real target market is iRO and euRO.

It just so happens that Gravity (and LU) implements the same technologies throughout their licensees, so it's a safe bet that whatever anti-bot patches they put in the Asian servers, they will also be placing in the American and European servers (and they did). If there was rogue code in OpenKore, it should be affecting these bigger (and more tech-savvy population) servers.

I am not discounting the fact that some shenanigans have taken OpenKore and made modifications to it, and then disseminated such modified versions to the public. Oftentimes these modifications include a "kill-steal" capability (something we have taken great lengths to prevent.)

Or some hacking ability that we have not included in OpenKore, or a new version that will work with a new patch (mostly seen during server updates). However, these modified versions are usually compiled and thus nobody is unable to inspect the source code (there have been times that the modified kores have their source codes available - we have acted on those reports by proving that certain lines will cause the username and password to be sent to a certain address). These versions are not in our control, and we have always reminded people to only download OpenKore from official sources.

In my opinion, this is a simple demolition job against OpenKore to try and convince people not to use it.

Personal Question: Are you Married?

Kali: No I'm not married. Though I prefer girls who are spunky and not kikay; someone who can go on a mountain expedition date today with me while still being gorgeous in a backless gown for a date tomorrow night.

What kind of foods do you like

Kali: I like spicy foods (Bicol Express, Laing) and sweet foods (Ice Cream)

Hobbies that you enjoy? Like types of movies? Sport or things you do to relax?

Kali: I enjoy just sitting or walking around aimlessly. I don't really watch movies (but I liked Return of the Condor Heroes). When I want to relay

I just lie down and sleep :P

Tell me a funny joke : -) I know u have a sense of humor

Kali: Actually I don't :(

End Notes:

The plans of this article started on December 2007 and ended June 2008. In which I had a chance to get to know Kaliwanagan on a different level.

* I would like to thank him for the time and patience he had with me in the making of this article. We both had a busy schedules. The article would have been longer but there are better things left unsaid

I would not say that we are close but I have gained a new sense of respect for the man. Naturally he and my friend G and myself as well are on different sides of the war fence. Yet in some sense, the fact he finds a great purpose of what he does, gives him that “ Light” of nobility that perhaps is worthy of his name of Kaliwanangan.

This my dear friends is one of the last articles I will be doing for RB/ and RO. After this article I will be taking my leave being a Ragnaboard Moderator by early July.

1 Week , 2 Weeks, 3 Weeks

2008-06-28T03:16:00.000-07:00

1 Week

1 week more till the Anime Convention on July 3-7. Im here already. So far I have a nasty nasty headache.
I stayed with a friends house. Rather than the old home over here we had. We had some plumbing problems and the tub was literally flooding with RAW sewage. However my friend has quite some quirks...hence my stay with her ( even though her home was luxurious) was a bit of a drag. She had a nasty temper tantrum, she smoked which added to my headache.

I was also on some time pressure with the Gaming Seminar, I needed additional materials for my Q&A speech. I decided to post a thread in RB to get players opinions about workplace ethics. Unfortunately the topic was shot down by my very own RB colleague Red. Calling it lame and senseless. Regardless if he thinks of my efforts of teaching kids as lame or it was his own personal distatse for me, I find it quite insulting that he rather make a posts through his mod account rather than YM me, since IM ALWAYS ONLINE.
- Perhaps Im acting childish by now posting this, but I rarely let out my feelings nowadays and Im really all bottled up. Besides no one reads my blogs much so if they read this is like WOW.

Im sorry my blood pressure is high. personal matters should be confronted in private matter. Just becuase LUG has now given mods the free reign doesnt mean people like you and some of your friends can continue using sarcasm to put people down. I dont treat you as low as some of you do. RESPECT is the key word here. People may not like me sometimes but as a team member LEARN TOLERATE things for the sake of work. That how humans learn to get along.

On a good side. At least I got to ride elephants the other day and perhaps will have a chance to do it again come Monday. 5$ to ride an Indian Elephant. That was once in a lifetime experience.

2 Week

Will be my dreaded birthday week. I hate my 2008 Birthday. This is the 1st time I'll be celebrating my birthday without my mom. Stuck in a country that I barely know anyone. Little budget an such.
I still need to prepare my self for our Pasalamat. My current faith now in God needs a lot of help. 2007 and 2008 hasnt been kind to me. I am gradually losing my cheerful disposition and I am increasing becoming more bitter as a person. My mood swings has taken a turn for the worse as well. And for some reason I am always.... ALWAYS surrounded by the worse type of people

Sarcastic, Cynical, Know it All, Mean Girl, Im better than you BRATS and Pricks. Ohh yeah lets not forget the Anal Retentive types who would even nitpick at my Filipino style handshake.

By this time I will be contemplating about my resignation from RB.No one will miss me, no one would care...

3 Week

The University Seminar on Gaming Ethics and Comic Con. I would be teaching American Kids/Preteens on how to act accordingly even though they could be hired on one of the greatests jobs in the world. And other career advancement options.
I still havent drafted my speech. I wanted to be a casual Q/A type of seminar.
Basically my end note in the whole seminar that fun as the job description would be

Its a Cutthroat environment.

Leaving on a Jet Plane

2008-06-13T13:30:00.000-07:00

Ive decided to resign as mod.

The plan came up after I had some sort of epiphany sometime in December. After my mom had passed away, I really really changed. Sad to say for the worst.

Being an only daughter and my step sibling so far away from me, I had a hard time coping with her death. Miserably. Then the pressure at my former work got to me. When my last company had financial problems, they had no choice but to lay people off. I was part of the list, regardless of my bosses objection. The dept needed me, but our budget could not afford me. Along with 30 more of our staff. I have to crunch the major financial troubles I knew I will be having

My mood soured a lot. Eventually my friend noticed how I would avoid meeting up with them. I lost motivation a lot. And being alone doesn’t really make it easy. even with the person i cared the most, I would pick fights with him, I could not help it nor neither wanted the me state I was in.

Im not trying to be emo. When I say alone. It means after my moms death I had to return to a house miles away from family, travel the world alone and try to go on with life. No friends to speak to, cook food by myself, LITERALLY LIVE ALONE. I hated the weekends sometimes, I had to stay indoors and do laundry and iron. My only other living companion, a cat.

No step brother ( where ever the hell he is) to support me, and all my friends were caught up with married life to even bother to comfort me. Ohh and there was that one old classmate I have who really, really gets TOOOO defensive in any criticism so basically were not in speaking terms until she Grows Up ( I pity your Husband sometimes too)

I did had one friend in the immediate area but she had BF problems like crazy and she picks fights as a hobby ( like I wanna beat up up type) so I try to stay away from her when she feels feisty. She also has a nasty tendency in trying to fight my battles unfortunately her tactics are often wrong. Involving cigarettes, anything that has to do with a cellphone, blog, email or sending herself or some one else in jail. NO THANK YOU I need not anymore drama

I tried to use my modding in RB as my sanctuary, but since my personality has changed a tune. I was close minded. Very, very hurt and always angry. You see, I blame myself for my mothers death.

But Murphys law was on my side. Everything was going wrong. Goenitz had to go away. Half our mods were on leave and I struggled to manage MP team and RB on my own from early February-April. In the end I asked LU to hire new mods. And on time, finally.

However my relationship with my own mod team soured. It’s a long story to state I'll post an update on this issue on another time

The only person who seemed to care was Goenitz.

Yeah G.

I finally decided to tell him. I have to resign. I cant do it anymore. If I stayed any longer in RB I’ll end up doing something I’ll regret. he's not to happy about it. But I told him he still has me.

RB already had its shares of horror stories about mods. I don’t need to add mine to the cauldron. I told G last. I told Rue ( aka Mod Megaman ) first. He said no.

I explained to him. I was time. Ive been with LU since 2003. My own older peers has moved on. Maybe I should to. Rue was very, very insistent that I should not leave. Though there were a few mods that In my heart would want me to leave, I wasn’t born yesterday…I had antennas for that type of unwelcome reception. Then there was that incident with Level Up IT, it’s a personal issue. They were just a messenger that told me something I need not know. My GM friend confirmed the news to me. That killed my week.

To add insult to injury, I got involved in a shoot out. Yes GUNS. It was definitely covered up by the media. That was traumatizing enough. My social skills hit a new low. I need healing I keep telling myself, else I’ll explode. Speaking of healing, my health has failed me too. My asthma has taken a bad turn on weekends. Plus there’s that other disease I have….yah the life threatening one. Again Im not being emo, Im just a magnet of bad luck.

It doesnt also help when you live in a world where everone becomes greedy selfish. Not the Greedy for money selfish. Just plain RUDE selfish " I dont Care if you die, BITCH because Im better than you" selfish. I wonder sometimes if their parents dropped them as a baby that they grew up that way?

The original talk I had with G was if I ever resign it was to state our marriage. But I had to leave the modship early. Sometime in July. Im waiting for K to help finish my final project in RB ( Dong Feng will have a field day with this one).

Don’t get me wrong. I love Ragnaboards. I Love my time in LUG. I would never have wanted to leave. Life just caught up, along with its spikes and sarcastic humor. I need a good break. Even when people said LU was this and that, I always, always look at the other cheek. I knew that CS were great people who try to work as hard as they could. I should know. I was once one of them. And that the LU managers are not as harsh as some claim them to be. Even the ones I don’t like. Same in mod team.

But the circumstances have now changed, Sad to say.

Ill be updating this topic as the weeks go by. Maybe my flight to the US will do me some good.

Anime Expo 2008 ( IM GOING TO LA!!!! )

2008-06-09T13:16:00.000-07:00

Im Going to Los Angeles
YEY!!!!

To simply put Anime Expo 2008

Ill be there for 3 blissful days. Hopefully I can go there a few days before and see Little Tokyo and get myself a Kimono though I know its cheaper to get one in Narita Japan, but who cares. Tehehe Im spoiling myself on July 3-6. Buying my manga paraphernalia, seeing cosplays, and meeting with the different Console and MMORPG game developers.
If I'm lucky and still have some time maybe I can save up for a little Disneyland.
The original plan was Universal Studios Hollywood. But since the place sorta burned down... so scratch that.

Then there the Hotel issue. With limited budget and transportation options I need to find a Hotel under 150$ . My companions want a tub. Im not picky. I just want a bed. But they want the tub.

Teheheh But Im sure am Excited. Weeeeee!

* Just an additional note
I have a 70% to be a speaker for a Video game Seminar in one San Diego State University. They will be having a program on Video gaming careers and development and I was given an option to be a speaker. OMG!!!! I'll be working with people from Blizzard there YEY!!!

This Person

2008-05-27T16:23:00.000-07:00

Grow up

Shape up

Stop acting childish

I GIVE UP!

These are the common rebuttals either you would throw to some one later down the line or either hear them directed at you.

Painful as it may seem, most of the times half of its meaning are true.

There’s a saying the dog that barks the loudest bites less.

Same supposedly goes for those who throw those types of comments.

that if they say

"You’re the immature one"

Its usually the other way around.

But there are sharp times that when you say that to someone, it really means that that some one is the one at the wrong. And its frustrating when they act like

" Ehh??" as if they didn’t know what the did wrong and sometimes they really are oblivious.

Cue in the Middle Man,the person who serves as the referee when the argument becomes too hot to handle. When friends fight, he/she will be that common friend that acts as a medium between the two. often known as the voice of reason. But in my case that I wasnt as lucky.

Rules of Engagement cites that the Middle Man MUST be neutral. To a certain point at least ( case to case basis)

Often he becomes the secret keeper. And if he needs to pass a particularly harsh message to the opposing party, the Middle Mans role would tone it down to avoid further complications if not withheld such information.

Then there’s that rule of "if it’s your mistake go figure it out yourself”.

Middle Men/women often use this line regularly when it comes to the point of the argument in which, they already KNEW of the source of the problems but rather have the ones involve go figure out themselves and not be the deciding factor of the resolve.

Reasons they use are:

1. Its not my fight to finish

2. Im just the middle man

3. Go figure it out yourself if you wanna improve

4. I dont really give a damn

and my most favorite

5. I just love seeing you go around in circles

Now here’s MY story

See I had a nasty, nasty misunderstanding with an acquaintance. I’ll call this person an a acquaintance because its rare now in my character to severe friendships as how "This Person" has pushed me to my limits.

Being younger "This Person" was than me, I heard from our Middle Man friend that "This Person" ooks up to me as some sort of mentor.

I'd be flattered by it by being there’s little in my short life worth appreciating...YET.

Being younger, "This Person" also has had a string of emotional outburst that mimics that of a 5 year old child. Often that needs coaxing in able to get "This Person" to warm up again to anyone. A VERY, VERY tiring process indeed.

Now me being older. I see things outside the box. I will admit I have my own mistakes. Lately being temperamental after the decline of my health and a very strong depression lapse after my mothers death. My mood swings which I often can hide so well would pop out every now and then often in an outburst of anger, clouding my judgments for the moment but non destructive YET to those around me.

When I once cited "This Persons" mistakes...or a mistake some one dear to "This Person" caused, you could imagine the barrage of insensitive phrases thrown at me.

I will admit perhaps somewhere along the line I may had said a touch a sensitive issue that affected "This Person" but automatically "This Person" set up their barrier so high that no logical reasoning and any form of compromise can break through.

It did not end there. After some sound advice from common acquaintances and friends they told me to leave the person be. However giving that me and "This Person" works into such close proximity it was hard to not notice when an antic or two comes up.

The latest was being part of a group effort in which "This Person" took a leave from. It was excusable for the moment. Giving the emotional distress, the drama the other little nitpicks of how sad life was and not being ready. We accepted that. But not everyone did.

As time passed "This Person" Became callous. More than often using the reason for its MIA status to excuse itself from certain responsibilities. While "That Person" on the other limelight of things, basked in the glory of other people's attention.

Not that its bad, but when your teammates are pulling strings to keep their project afloat, then that person becomes the insensitive one. And it was obvious to a few who rather keep mum on the situation.

The showdown commenced later on after "This Person" basically did not care anymore about the project. Threw tantrums after some administrative order was to be settled on a case of that did not involve "This Person" but another common acquaintance.

When asked for support "This Person" would simply say NO, or "I’m busy" or the overrated " Im not ready” excuse.

The line was finaly drawn when "This Person" DEMANDED I reveal a personal secret I have with G-man.

It was a very sensitive and personal secret given the status of friendship me a G have, spanning since 2003. That man (G that is) knows most of my darkest secrets and if there was anyone who could persuade me it would be him. But "This Person" after a polite decline (obviously) gave me the most shocking reaction

" Youve always put me down! You never saw me as a friend or as a person." And stomped off.

It happened so fast I couldn’t barely react.

How can I be mean after I refused to tell this person a secret I have with a friend that does not whatsoever concerns "This Person".

I tried to stay silent with the whole issue. Until hell came falling down on me on a Saturday weekend.

After a traumatic incident involving a encounter with a gang fight ( possible ballistics involved) and obviously in my opinion some media cover-up ( I wont disclose the location for this) I was left shaken up and was seriously considering some time off and counseling.

I opened up my email and low and behold, InRO merged with Ragnaboards. The forums cracked up to 2000 Online subscribers with very little mods to assist me.

There were other IRL issues need not mention too.

So when asked "This Person"to help out since now WE ALL GOT BIGGER problems, "This Person" has now evolved into a selfish child who was spoiled by the sunlight of attention, coaxing and having his/her way done in the months that I and maybe some other people put up with.

Just to make "This Person" happy.

The Pandora’s box was now open. I tried to nicely again explain my side, plus some add complaints Ive receive from others. That person does not care.

" Im simply not motivated" was the usual cold and nonchalant response. Giving the pity me puppy eyes. In my imagination a smug grin as "This Person" do as they pleased.

Then comes in Middle Man. After a long 4 hour conversation with him. I told him I was at my brink.

He later then told me in a LONG RIDDLE type explanation that he already knew the reason why "This Person" acts the way it does.

WHAT??!!. I begged Middle Man, a supposedly close friend of mine to tell me. I wrecked my brains trying to figure out, what was it soo cruel that i did that "This Person" became the person it became now.

Middle Man declined any support

" Figure it out yourself" he says.

Then after some coaxing he game me some Marshmallow tests. I was pissed, and tired. It was 2 am in the morning. And he opted to do more mind games and puzzles.

He had the answer. We could end the issue that evening. It was terribly frustrating that I was so close to ending this yet someone decides to play GOD infront of me

But I assume Middle man has subconsciously chosen his side. Not that Im asking his. However, after him playing with my emotions long enough.

Withholding from me pertinent information that involved me. And The Lies that "This Person" also has been apparently been spreading making me look like the fool. The big bad fox.

In the end he. Mr. Middle man, stood his ground. He knew I was really exhausted about the issue. It’s affecting us as a team. But in the end he would rather see me see me complicate, stumble and make more mistakes when he could have at least assisted in helping me end the long wary fight.

Basically from how he seems to say, he wants me to bend to "That Person’s" will. Be submissive even to "That Person’s" mistakes. He admits "That Person" has mistakes but just let it go, he suggested and yeah " go figure out what you did"

NO. I wont turn my back on the issue yet. Not this way at least.

You see. Right now……

I am VERY VERY UPSET

It wouldn’t be fair anymore. Not for me who once genuinely cared for "That Person" only to be used the way I was used. If I had my mistakes I would apologize to them but don’t create a scenario of lies and make yourself like some vulnerable child to grant sympathy. You will lose more friends that way.

Backstabbers are sisters of Traitors in my eyes.

For now I’m letting my temper reside as I write this.

But there’s a line so gravely drawn already, I pity the situation. I pity you...I know you wont read this. But may the fates help once you reap what you sow.

Ballroom Dancing

2008-05-12T23:37:00.000-07:00

Ballroom Dancing 101

Today was my first try in years on a real ballroom dancing class. This is not your normal PE ballroom dancing. This is Dancing with the Stars extreme crash course style dancing.

I was invited by my friend Terri who introduced me to her dancing class as her older sister.

I was thinking the class would be filled with middle aged men and women but to my surprise. 2 HOT Cubans, 3 CUTE pinoys and other men I dont who what their nationalities are; were leading the warm up dance floor with the Cha~cha and Tango. Terri started off the class with a Polynesian performance, she was one of the star students and her colleagues were expecting that I as her " sister" should come to par as her....which Im not. I cant dance nor can I sing. I however can cook!

To add, I was quite intimidated by some of the female student. Long legged, bouncy and beautiful. It was like the prom night I feared where’d I be left on the bleachers with no one to dance with.

I haven’t danced in a long while even though I did get a good score on my Ballroom PE... then again we had folk dances too and some were no brainers. The class was more focused on graceful competition type performances so technicality in the routines are a must.

Bottom line, I suck at professional dancing. Though my outfit fitted the occasion. I was wearing a purple Greek style dress, and some 3 inch sandals that looked like and perhaps were dancing shoes that I bought for P700.00 on a good sale. The other women were decked with professional dancing tapshoes, leggings and flowing skirts. However a few commented that my dress flowed gracefully on me even though when I was asked to do the line dance I tripped and fell and stepped on one of the professionals foot.

I sulked by sitting on the benches for a while. I was watching the cute Goefrey Eigelman look alike dancing all the cute 20 something year olds, giggling and smiling. I watched their foot work. I realized that Dancing with the Stars.

I felt a strangers hand tugged me. One of the class veterans asked me like a prom style way to dance with him. We did the salsa. I was bad at it but he tried patiently to guide me to the steps. Then I sat, another man asked me to dance. It was the waltz. He was more easier to understand than the first. Though he twirled me wayyyyy to much.

Then the Cha~cha. That I can do It was the very first dance my own mother taught me when I was 5. I got the basic foot work right. Much to the surprise of those around me since I tripped and fell. then the instructor changed the song midway to salsa. My partner being adventurous as he was asked me to relax, put my chin up and just let the music flow. He later then engaged me on a conversation about our personal professions. I totally forgot he was already twirling me and turning me. It felt great. I realized I was too tense at first that I didn’t allow my body to soften up to the movements. Then he did a chirography that made my body just decided to move on its own.

You see Salsa and Mambo are fast dances. In Salsa your hips should be twisting in a 45mph speed and your foot work should be quick as you twist.

He took a turn and my body automatically took 8 quick twists as he turned me, to my own shock and to my friend Terri who saw me do a PERFECT salsa twist after I just humiliated myself earlier in class. My partner complimented me by asking " Are you sure you’ve never ballr0om danced before?"

We did a group waltz similar to a cotillion dance on a debut. I got to dance with the Geoffrey Eigelmann look a like during the change partner routine. But my last partner was this Brazilian/ Cuban foreigner named Carlos. Who turned me gracefully on our waltz. Then dragged me back to the dance floor to dance do a Mambo. He was an obvious flirt. But who cares. HE WAS HOT.

Would I ever try the class again? Perhaps in the future. My soles now are aching and my belly has a cramp coming down after that really fast salsa move I did.

But after many years of wanting to know the feeling of being FORMALLY asked out to dance. It felt good and it was a nice experience. It was a fun and even fleeting romantic feeling. Salsa gave me the dance of confidence while the waltz made me feel very feminine and cherished.

Plus it burns calories too.

Ahhhh And I was there!!!!!

2008-04-04T21:29:00.000-07:00

Sometimes there are just things that will make you wanna hit your head in a brick wall. And hope you wake up some logic into yourself
You ask yourself
" Why did you do it."

I barely post bragging rights to my life
There are however a few things i have done that Im happy off

Im proud to say Im part of the team that did Shadow of the Colossus
Im proud to say HELL YEAH! I worked for Sony Playstation

But more proud and also embarassing to say I 2x turned down an offer to work for Sony Everquest and Final Fantasy series

and now I want to hit my head

I TURNED DOWN a possible offer for the creators of the Mortal Combat series

WHY!!!
WHYYYYY!!!

Location was why. these game makers put thier corporations on these hard to drive places out of nowhere. The latter being a batcage of sorts ( yes like that of Batman- well hidden)

I was reading sir Carlo Oples blog on the Blizzard thing. Back in 2006 I actually passed an application for Blizzard as a joke but 2 weeks later I got a reply letter of putting me in consideration for the application.

I remeber screaming. Im a fan of Diablo. Not of starcraft though. However I counldt pass the preliminary
I cant drive thousands of miles... just for work everyday

So now. Im hitting my head with a brick. Another dream job offer I have to let go

OHHH JUST LET ME WIN THE LOTTERY ALREADY!!

Ready for White Day?

2008-03-05T12:57:00.000-08:00

I was recently assigned the very frustrating task of “ pleasing” our Korean Client last week.

No not the sexual type of pleasing you perverted green heads

We had a $1M project due in days and he flew all over from Seoul to make sure that the project which I call “ Weapon of Mass Destruction” would be finished on due time.

However being alone and with limited English, and less the usual kimchi meals he is used of, we often feel sorry for Mr. Lim especially after he forgot to bring his roaming cell charger and his phone died.

For some reason my managers though I was the Wikipedia of lost causes. Finding a Korean charger for our client just to keep him happy became my task. So at 8pm at night I ran to the ONLY Korean supermarket I knew of and lo and behold the owner has the charger ( he cells phones too). To boot I got him some Polyethylene cakes ( Chemical induced Chocolate squares), Aloe tea and a Korean newspaper. That kept him very happy. Not to mention I did a crash course on my Korean language though I can only say perfectly Good Morning, Yes and Good Bye in perfect diction. Making sure that I didn’t slip by speaking in either Japanese or Chinese to him.

As I was browsing though all the crap I had this week, and the latent blood pressure rise do to my Mod issues I finally got a set date for the Ragnaboards Mod Screening. Set on March 14 at the Level Up office.

As I was finishing up on making the acceptance letters to the lucky screenies I realized that March 14 is also White Day. A Japanese love holiday where Guys give Chocolates to the girls whilst February 14 it’s the girls that give Chocolates to the guys.

I laughed to myself since on all God given Holidays its Valentines day I hate the most. Though I wish I had a small window to the past to find my old gradeshcool sweetheart and told him I really, really liked him ( at the ripe age of 8) and give him that tattered Heart card made of construction paper.

I mused over the fact too bad that our culture does not have a so~so Holiday where its ok for girls to offer their homemade chocolate ( Truffles preferable) to their crushes. However this Holiday has a down side since boy could easily refuse the gifts breaking the girls heart.

In my case if that were to happen to me, Mr. Crush would meet Mr. Mallet smacking right at his face after he says “ No Thanks.”

Security Breach and 2 months after on a Valentines day

2008-02-13T09:04:00.000-08:00

Security Breach and 2 months after on a Valentines day

The past few months has been really truely tough on me and the family

My dad feel into bouts of depression after my mom's death and Im back here in my Pad.

My own trauma of her passing didn't kicked in until a few weeks after.

After mom passed away I didn't realized that my body was exhausting myself with work. Taking up more hours on my Ragnaboarding, doing more than usual household chores. Doing overtime like crazy.

I also have taken become re-addicted to playing the Playstation 2 game. Kingdom hearts 2 which up to this day I have not completed yet tales up most of my time when I have free spare hours.

Then I just fall asleep and wake up and do the same ritual the next day.

Till one cold night, I just broke down and cried realizing that how I terribly missed her. The first few weeks after my moms death also riddled me with the flu and my usual asthma attacks due to sleep deprivation from December and early January.

To make matters worse I got a call from home that told me dad had lumps in his throat.

Our family has a strong line of Cancer, so you can imagine the sickness in my gut when I heard the news.

Fortunately it wasnt malignant and can be taken out through an out patient operation.

On other issues with the curse of valentines day coming I had started getting call at night from various friends about their love woes.

Mike was one of the firsts, calling me at 1am in the morning after fears his GF who had a nasty history of breaking up with her BF's all of a sudden were showing signs of the same behavior she has before ending a relationship.

Next up I found out that a GF for a close friend of mine has been playing my friend. To add additional annoyance my friend even after presented with the evidences would easily be persuaded by his girl after some sweet-talk. But later then would succumb to a state of uneasiness after he feels that the girl is up to her old tricks.

As for me Valentines is again, cursed for my own good. But this year Im a love doctor of sorts for many.

Id be baking cupcakes at most to my friends and officemates.

Then as for the Breach of Security.

As for some know in my community the Ragnaboards, a fellow Midgard Police has recently resigned.

However he did this untimely after a slight misunderstanding we had over YM

You see Goenitz just introduced him to me briefly. After a week or two of conversation, he one night Pmed me with some outburst of confidence. he was actually slightly tipsy from a drinking bout with friends.

I passed the silly conversation he had with me as nothing since in my thoughts he was drunk.

But after a few days he kept pestering me on giving him my personal information such as a picture, my name, where i work and Im from as a token of trust...this is barely 2 weeks of me and him speaking

That’s when I drew the line and forgive me to those who may have find my next few words, too highly of me.

I said " I think as your superior I have every right to withdraw that info from you."

In which to his respond he does not see his job as an MP as work but only merely as play. Naturally, that raised eyebrows for me. I did HR work for some time and Ive seen Call center people and even sales or young executives fired for comments such as those.

Nonetheless after I explained to him that we must conduct a bout of professionalism in our MP-MOD relationship despite the casualness of our conversation, he still hinted that "His sources" can figure where I live, who I am, My pic, my dirt, etc... and his tone of saying was more of bragging than friendly

This was too after the fact that Riean aka Silverstien had been harassing my work YM and email with threats.

Yesterday I got the link of the said MP's resignation, and also the most annoying conversation i had with him in which he sarcastically calls me “mam” as pun to the " See me as your superior topic" we had a few days.

On a few hours he was posting links to my personal website telling me he was doing this for fun.

With the breach of security we have been having lately in our MP team and in the current status of our mod hiring, it has been more than once that I stated to the MP team leader Goenitz to take SERIOUS pre-caution of who they hire. Same goes for me since Im helping out with the moderator hiring and hope we choose the best ones fitted with the highest integrity.

Other Than That

Happy Valentines Day

The Goenitz Expose!

2007-12-23T12:02:00.000-08:00

FINALLY THE LEOPOLD GOENITZ EXPOSE.

Weeeee!

Yey.

And yes here is his most awaited picture

What to say? What to say. Or rather, where to start.

The expose idea came about when during the time of my Mothers confinement at Makati Medical Hospital, Goenitz along with the rest of the mod team. But second to Rue he kept a very close tab on me.

Close tab meaning he calls me nearly every night or asking me to call him even at 3 am in the morning to make sure I was ok. It was then, at the very highlight of my mom’s sort of awakening from mid-coma, where I realized that Goenitz ain’t as godly as he seems to be in the Ragnaboard and the Bot Hunters world.

But let’s go back in time, nearly 5 years ago. Yes 5 years ago. Even before I was a Game Master, as a few knew I was a beta player for then CHAOS server under the surveillance of GM Preator. I was like the first batch of primitive version of the Midgard Police.

He gave me then access to the old killprobots the YM that was being handled by a very, very much younger ( and way thinner) Goenitz. Though then the Bot issue wasn’t as big as today, the scamming reports were. Killprobots was a hotline to live scamming and hack on site situations. He at first spoke very rarely to me in YM but he then opened up to me more. Opened up meaning he spoke more than 5 words in a sentence to me.

Half a year later I was working in Level Up, around a month in my employment, I ever wondered whatever happened to my dear old friend who I have never seen before yet interacted with so much when catching scammers. Little did I know he was the puny lil guy sitting behind me. Preator pointed him out to me and I immediately hugged him in which Goenitz responded with a glare. To think we’d come a long way 5 years later. Him being one of my closest pals and secret keeper.

And he’s not as puny as he was 5 years ago…so to speak.

Now back to the hospital incident. You see I stated to my previous blog that Senator Rene Saguisag was our ICU neighbor hence the crowd of reporters and bodyguards galore that flood the 2^nd floor of the Makati Med.

The day Goenitz visited me he saw me at my absolute worse. He was 3 hours late. And the visitors area was crowded already with my fathers clan. My mom at that time showed first signs of recognizing us. Hence me in haggard tears, running out of the ICU room to tell everyone when I noticed in the corner of my eye my Ragnaboards boss, staring at me. With me drippy nose and tears, yeah that’s a great way to see your boss again.

After everything calmed down I said “ GOENITZ! You’re Late!” In which he cover my mouth and said. “ SHHHHHH…don’t call me by my RB name call my by my real name which is TOOOOOOT “

Later on Rue and I were watching Goenitz walking around, talking about the whole third party program issue. I guess I was just enjoying the while scene because this is what I saw.

Goenitz, giving us a good spill on the Midgard Police and Level Up issues. Wearing a BIG BLUE Level Up Tshirt. With the word VALKYRIE on front. While waiting in front of the whole MEDIA who at the time was recording LIVE ( because of Rene Saguisag).

And to top this off, he told me he had the new Bot hunting strategy and mechanics with him that he wanted to show me through my laptop. Asking him where it was. There dangling around his neck on a wee thin piece of string was the USB flash drive that holds the key to the Valkyrie server secrets.

And he was prancing around In FRONT of the media with it.

I couldn’t contain myself and just had to point it out. “ Uhhh Goenitz, you do know that you’re spilling Level Up secrets live on TV?” My finger pointing at the camera men behind him clicking away like paparazzi in which he retaliated with a war cry of HORROR. So much for his fool proof plan of hiding and securing his identity…and company secrets.

Now before I continue with the rest of the Expose. Here’s a part of an exclusive Interview I had with the G man.

Nirvelli-chan-chan Asks: ok Bot related stuff: Whats the worse thing that can happen

while you are bot hunting?

Goenitz: BROWNOUT or BSOD

Nirvelli-chan-chan Asks: Ha anong BSOD?

Goenitz: Blue Screen of Death. Remember windows 98 era

Nirvelli-chan-chan Asks: You get a LOT of suggestions in-game and RB on how to catch bots. Are any of them effective? If yes what was the BEST suggestion you ever got from a player/anti botter that sends you their ideas.

Goenitz: Many of them were already applied, but some like monster summoning actually worked

Nirvelli-chan-chan Says: People who submit like bot catching strategies to you and get no reply feel they are being ignored. What is your say to your supporters in your fight against the bots on WHY You cant respond back to their mail?

Goenitz: Well, if I don't respond, I'm up to something or something

is bugging me. But don't take non-responsiveness as ignorance. I'm in

charge of getting new MPs, and pulling RB together, and add my personal matters, it's no easy task

Nirvelli-chan-chan Asks: But you do read the letters they send you? After all that is what they wanna know

Goenitz: Yep, if it's reports, I read and file them too.

Goenitz: Lame mails like asking their bots to be freed in the spirit

of Christmas... will be ignored.

Nirvelli-chan-chan Asks: HAHAHAHA good one.

Nirvelli-chan-chan Asks: Ok we know now that Level Up has hired some new MP's

Nirvelli-chan-chan Asks: What would be your advise to them when coming to the reality of Bot catching?

Goenitz: My advice: Get some really thick skin, motivation and trust and trustworthiness.

Nirvelli-chan-chan Adds: How about professionalism? What’s your best tip when it comes to professionalism?

Goenitz: Use professionalism as much as possible. Even when other people don't show it. When it comes to whooping butt... that will come

naturally in you.

Nirvelli-chan-chan adds: Ok give an example.

Goenitz: Professionalism for MPs: Talking to people in respectable manner, accomplishing commitments, punctuality, and responsibility.

When it comes to Whooping butt: sowing fear to those who deserve it, inflicting the maximum pain possible to those who deserve it, and making your MP so scary you yourself is afraid of your own alter ego.

Nirvelli-chan-chan: How do you see yourself in the future?

Goenitz: Leading these people, but now as part of the company. Successful, positively popular, accomplished and organized.

Nirvelli-chan-chan Assumes: Ah so you do plan to be part of the Level Up Team ( office wise)? what department are you aiming for

Goenitz chuckles: What else, but Game Operations community? I may cause people to flee though.

Nirvelli-chan-chan: What is the most number 1 thing people misunderstood you for?

Goenitz thought for a moment…. Then replies: That would be being arrogant. Being all-talk-but-no-substance. Then there’s the Narcissist issue.

Nirvelli-chan-chan says: Then who is the REAL Goenitz ( give me something to shed light that you are Human)

Goenitz: The real Goenitz wouldn't be talking to sinful humans, but
rather dispose of them. To those who show charity, he'll be more than glad to help them out.

Nirvelli-chan-chan adds: And outside RB/Bot hunting, what do you do which could be considered as normal as the rest of us?

Goenitz: Watching the scenery and appreciating a picturesque view of the city. Fawning over positive advances of human society, listening to woes of just people, and making solutions for the problems encountered.

Now here comes another section of this expose that ever since Master Diwa Interviewed Kaliwanagan of Openkore, Goenitz had very limited responses online in regards to Kaliwanagan’s message in regards why he ( Kali) supports the Openkore side. Kali’s supposed message was that he did this to “wake” Level Up from the game and point out the exploit of the game.

Nirvelli-chan-chan asks: And the question everyone wants to hear since Master Diwa's

Interview with Kaliwanagan. Any message you want to tell him? ( Hands over the megaphone)

Goenitz: Stop developing bots for society's sake.

Nirvelli-chan-chan Adds: CORRECTION: Kaliwanagan says that he does not make/or created the botkore but helps out only with the programming and users who need quick FAQ's on how to use it. He says he does this so that LUG will WAKE up and step up with their Anti Bot strategies.

Infact Kaliwanagan is WILLING to help out with LUG if given the chance. What’s your say on that?

Goenitz Responds: Giving operational help to botters is not a sincere gesture. If he's willing to help, he should not aid these people whatsoever. I will welcome help from him, but he has to prove his sincerity first, because, let's face it, I consider him an enemy. An enemy that is willing to help to achieve an enemy's goal is suspicious, isn't it?

Now here’s a part of Goenitz out of random candidness I asked which got me in stitches when our topic went to politics

Nirvelli-chan-chan Asks: What do you think about the way Gloria Arroyo is running the country and are you in favor of the National Curfew law ( Subversion Law)?

Goenitz: Gloria: If her measures, however unpopular, makes the country better, no beef.

National Curfew Law, my take: Give proper exceptions and you have a deal. ( This is coming from the guy who was frantic when he got caught in the middle of the Curfew caused by the Trillianes-Penninsula event)

My mother’s wake fell upon the same time the Trillianes event happened. When the National Curfew hit, Goenitz was again late on coming to see me at the funeral home. Milkshake came first we ended up walking the Hallway Flower of Death just to go and watch the news in regards to the traffic the standoff created. By the time he arrived he could only stay for 20 mins because the National Curfew was announced. Traffic was already bad and the next best option he him sleeping over at Rues house or with us at the Funeral home. You could imagine, Goenitz wolfing down on the pansit I gave him and cussing later on how annoying the Curfew/traffic was.

Nirvelli-chan: You have been getting death threats ( obviously) but we mods know you have some famous stalkers...some we may even think is obsessed with you, what’s your call on that?

Goenitz: On stalkers; those who do not have good intentions, watch out.

Nirvelli-chan-chan : Do you think you’re clumsy?

Goenitz proudly says: Clumsy? Why should I be clumsy? I've never been clumsy on purpose. ( at this point memories of Goenitz being clumsy in a 3day period flashed though my mind)

OK CUT!!! Now back to my expose. Goenitz doesn’t think he is clumsy….RIGHHHT

Why I can disprove that?

Goenitz Hit HIMSELF with a LAMP after he hit it with a restaurant menue. Oh yeah he hit himself back with the menu too
He kept dropping the Valkyrie USB flash drive ( The Horror)
He blew up a 300 Watt Capacitor for a PC by installing it with a 500Watt power….( Ohh dear lord)
He dropped his cellphone to beyond recognition.
He dropped pancit on his shirt
He was raving about Bots infront of the media.
For some reason whereever he goes a PC gets broken... hmmmm

Ok back to the interview

Nirvelli-chan-chan: Ok its gonna be Christmas soon, what do you want for Christmas

Goenitz: DEATH TO ALL BOTTERS!.....wait not that. BETTER COMPUTER HARDWARE! (Just in time after this interview his PC capcitator blew up)

Nirvelli-chan-chan: Ok if you will give pRO a gift for this Christmas given you have the finances and authority what would it be?

Goenitz says: Zero backlog for bot reports and instant report action.

Nirvelli-chan Asks: If you have a weakness that you would be willing to reveal, what would it be?

Goenitz: I don't reveal my weakness to potential enemies that will certainly take advantage of it.

Nirvelli-chan: A reliable source told me that Goenitz does have a weakness, besides that I have discovered…This very reliable source says that Goenitz has a weakness for a GOLDEN UNDERWEAR

Now lets go to what may be his fears.

Rue and I had different ideas what the great G-man would be afraid of. Like me Goenitz is anti Jologs, but that’s not a fear.

After my mother passed away, when he and the rest of the Mod team came to visit me. I noticed how very planted his feet were to the floor when I tried pushing him to my moms coffin.

By the way, I have an Eternal fear of the dead…and coffins so my mothers passing was really hard on me in regards to overcoming that phobia. Delicious Cake I think was the one who teased that Goenitz is afraid of dead bodies like me.

He did however, went to see my mom on his own…with a very relative distance from the coffin.

As classic as Showbiz like interviews would be, there are many in the Ragnaboard ( and even some of us in the Moderating team) wonder. If Goenitz would have a special some one, that person must be hell of a saint. So after trying to squeeze out stuff for the G-man ( by feeding him loads of drugged pancit) I went on asking him one of the top mysteries that people would want to know

Does Goenitz have a Lovelife?

Nirvelli-chan asks: What do you find in a life partner?

Goenitz: Dependability, loyalty, and wisdom

Nirvelli-chan says: Dont we all, now be a lil bit more specific *wrangles his neck*

Goenitz: the sweet caring type that dispells even the strongest of hatreds

But wait a minute, there was an issue before about Goenitz’s true gender which earned him the moniker Gay-nitz to his haters. So here I am trying to straighten the issue straight from the uhhh…horses mouth? The response shocked me…

Nirvelli-chan: Hey lets just get this long issue about your being gay IRL. What are your thoughts that you are neither man nor woman, or even possibly gay?

Goenitz shocker reply: Anything that will help in my mission will be fine. Even if it will psychologically scar them

Nirvelli-chan ( Jaw Drops): Ahhh so you admit that you may be POSSIBLY GAY???

Goenitz: well, roleplayers sometimes must pretend being a girl now, must they?

Nirvelli-chan (Grabs frying pan and whacks him with it): Answer me ng matino damn you! Are you Gay or not!!!!!???

Goenitz: ( is running around) I'm not gay! Im STRAIGHT!!

Nirvelli-chan: Ok then define LOVE!

Goenitz: Ahh LOve, like Kain R. Heinlien would say, feelings and emotions can interfere with my job, though I disagree with him that emotions are a sign of weakness.

Nirvelli-chan: Ok since you said you are not gay. Do you have a GF? If not are you available, what is it you look for in a lolita ( cough) girl?

Goenitz: I have no interest for love and the stuff I do is enough to keep me busy, in fact so busy I'm wondering if I should be a full-time MP.

Nirvelli-chan: If you resign from RB I'll skin you alive...

I still wasn’t still convinced that the public would be convinced that they will buy his response so I decided to test him myself by asking him some Babesilog questions.

Nirvelli-chan-chan: Choose the best Answer. Eat Bulaga girls or Wowowee Girls ?

Goenitz: Eat bulaga girls?

Nirvelli-chan-chan: yeah yung mga dancer sa Eat bulaga

Goenitz: them

Nirvelli-chan-chan: na pumalit sa sexbomb

Goenitz: they're okay

Goenitz: WoWowee girls are so OA

Nirvelli-chan-chan: Ohhhhkay ( I watch ABC-CBN more) Lemme change that. Angel Locsin or Angelica Pnagniban?

Goenitz: Angelica

Goenitz: She’s the marimar star, right?

Nirvelli-chan-chan: ...............

Nirvelli-chan-chan: Ok lets change that Angel Locsin or Marian Rivera ( the

Marimar Star)

Goenitz: ....

Goenitz: As you can see, hindi ako familiar sa showbiz ( Obvious ba)

I guess he’s man enough for me. Unfortunately, like most straight guys…clueless.

However even us female mods get a little bit deviceful when it comes to the idea of Goenitz being possibly gay….or any mod/GM for that matter. What happens when you leave 2 female mods alone with a glass separating each other? One Mod has a Nitendo DS and me on the other hand holding a notebook and pen?

Well in mine’s and Chocolate Milkshakes case, we communicated by writing on both the notebook and the Nitendo DS then showing it through the glass window. We were bored not to mention totally mental to the passerbys watching us pass time.

The boy Mods and GM went out to get some food. Some how one thing led to another ( with Milkshake telling me the rocking chair behind me was moving on its own) and we end up drawing all the male mods and male GM’s in a yaoi (gayyyyy) pose. We later on presented it to Goenitz with him in a famous ZhaZha Zhaturna pose.

Also I should have taken heed of the warning the whole moderator team gave me about not standing between Goenitz and his pizza.

Pizza= 1 Large Yellow Cab Pizza. And 2 minutes record time. GONE!

Anyway back to the interview

Nirvelli-chan: What will be one of your memorable moments with the mods.

Goenitz: This was a long time ago with the old mod team. Pestering a moderator couple who just recently got hooked.

1. catcalls

2. Clinking glasses and bottles when eating out during

Meetings

Now since you heard me blab so much about Goenitz;

Lets hear what our Mods say about him.

Moderator Cassandra: He’s just weird

Chocolate Milkshake: Hard on the outside, soft on the inside. Pretty boy Goenitz, the hardcore modcore. XD

Rue Aerith: Hmmmm the only thing that can whip Goenitz is Chuck Norris and bullhide.

Anyway, there was this time sa siege. Nagtataka siya kung bakit hindi siya makagamit ng double strafe.
Malamang kutsilyo gamit niya e.

Delicious Cake: A hardcore motherfucker who plays by his own rules in his effort to get rid of bots. A bit messed up in the head, but a great leader. Keep anything sacred away from him

Lastly to wrap up this expose. People think that Goenitz is only big in the Forums because he can hide behind some admin account. Some even claim and curse that he’s just a nobody in real life

My own take: he gets a tad bit sablay when it comes to being a sympathetic friend like, asking you to do a last min shopping online 7 hours before your flight and expecting it to be delivered within that time frame. He also gets demanding when it comes to anything abut Egames and botting secrets. He’s always hungry. But other than that he hits you in the right spot when it comes to sheering a person up and protecting them too.

Lastly, to wrap up this expose. People think that Goenitz is only big in the Forums because he can hide behind some admin account. Some even claim and curse that he’s just a nobody in real life

The ending question would be. What for him is his greatest accomplishment in real life that did not involve Ragnarok Online. In his case he has 2.

The first being is that he tops all his computer related subjects and the second. Saving a house from fire.

Goenitz: Yes, nakasave ako ng house when their gas stove went out of control using a fire extinguisher. GO Fire Extinguishers!

Ohh yeah there was his text to me one time that baffled us all mods " IM CUMMING" when asked if he was going to be late.

G Quick Facts

Allergic food: none;

Least liked food: mushrooms

Hated Food: Upo with Hibi ( dried shrimp)

Favorite Movie: Independence Day

Hated sports: none

Other games besides RO: fighting games, arcade games

Favorite dessert: gellatin

Favorite Food: Kare Kare

A note that this will be re-edited on Tuesday for more inputs

My Mothers Passing

2007-12-14T20:10:00.000-08:00

A lot has happened in the past few weeks and for those who knew me and especially to my workmates in Ragnaboards that has been with me throughout the ordeal I have been through, this is now the toughest and hardest hurdle that came to my family’s life

November 18 me and my Dad got a call long distance that my mom had a stroke and was rushed to the Paranaque Medical center.

However the doctors refused to do any major operation to my mom unless there was a next of kin to decide.

My cousin and some friends of my mom in church then moved my mom to Makati Med. At this time they got a hold of me and handed me to the doctor who gave me the option of having my mom operated to remove a Cerebral Hemorrhage that was caused by her stroke. Her chances of survival was below 50% at that point.

I told the doctor with the last bit of emotional strength to make her survive just until me and my dad could fly over ( we were abroad)

After wards after the stress I passed out due to the fact I too have a very weak body and could not take massive amounts of emotional stress.

My dad was able to fly first. The next day I was there. And one the very first day as well my friends Nicole and Rue of Ragnaboards were the first one to be with me at the Hospital

I barely could contain myself when I saw my mom. She had tubes all over. The good news she survived the operation, bad news was that she was still in critical condition

Plus Makati Med decided not to accept our medical insurance due to some bad history it had with the insurance company nearly 4 years ago. Our bill were raking up as each day passed by.

The hard part was that my mom in her time she was comatose she did not woke up. But she did move and she seems to shed tears when she hears voices of friends and family. The only time I knew she was aware I was there when I asked her to move her lips upon me touching it was that she did.

On those time my friends from RB, the Moderators. The full cast of Goenitz, Delicious Cake, Rue, Strawberry Milkshake and Kamesh were there nearly everyday seeing me.

According to Rue in the 8 days they came to see me and my mom they rarely saw me eat, which was true. I barely ate after I saw my mom suffer the way she did.

The reality was because I harbored guilty feelings in the sense me and my mom never got along, she had begged me to come home numerous times but since we argued to much I decided to ignore her plea and even lessened my calls to her.

Any chance I got in the ICU I would cry to her to wake up so I could ask for her forgiveness, begging her to open her eyes. On lighter afternoons I had my Ipod at my moms ear, letting her listen to Philippine Madrigal Singers in hopes the songs will slowly awaken her.

She showed some progress and the doctors even said that she may soon wake up, she was moving, she even had a personality of her blood pressure going up when me and relatives talked about something she disliked.

Sen. Rene Saguisag was 2 doors down from us and on happier hours wed muss over the celebrities that visited him. But according to the nurses my mother far of all had more visitors than the famed politician. At one point there was a line of visitors that waited turns to see my mom.

We truly believed she would recover. However Nov 25 at night, I was in my room when me and our househelp felt as if some one was walkin the hallways of our house, knocking on doors and tried to open mine.

I realized what it was when I returned to the hospital the next morning, my mother had a relapse, there was a rebleeding and she did not move anymore. She was now fully dependent on life support. Come Monday the 26^th she was declared brain dead.

The doctors suggested to my father to now cut off the life support but even to my moms family wishes he refused. You see my dad spent 40 wonderful years with her, he loved her very much and refused to give up.

My mother Virginia Bonilla a former actress and loving wife and sometimes a complicated mother, passed away Nov 27.

I did not cry when she died. I was too shocked. I watched her die as each of her bodily functions failed. When we got the call from the car, I was up to my feet rushing around the house calling family, friends and picking out her dress, makeup.

I could not cry. I didn’t want to

My ex Fiancée arrived and was my stronghold on that day along with Anna. Dobie and Lumox were also supportive from afar.

My father decided to hold the funeral for 3 days. He takes the guilt worse for he feels if he was there my mom would have still been with us. He partially blames me as well though he may not speak it. The days my mom was in her burol me and my dad felt very estrange.

It broke my heart.

My friends again from RB were there and on the last day of the burol, lo and behold after a few friends from LUG made a last min change they weren’t able to attend I had a unexpected guests Egames came to my moms funeral. We had a long discussion too about some confidential matters between Level Up and Egames ( business wars)

But I had to say the Moderators pulled through so much to be there nearly everyday.

Then my mom’s church friends were there everyday. The funny part on this ordeal was each day my mom had a new hairstyle, she had a front operation at her head, so she need a veil to cover it. But since some people disagreed on the style I often see my mom with a hat, veil, no veil or whatever head design my mom friends and sisters decided ( or war on) And they even told me to make sure my mom didn’t wear shoes so that we wont have any “ dalaw”

The total guest we had were around 500. At my moms funeral my dad hired a videographer to take professional shots, however the guy was wrong timing and insensitive to ask us to pose.

At that point I wanted to grab a chair and swing it at him.

Then when it came to my turn to say farewell to my mom, though before I used to think it was stupid to hug the casket as seen on TV, I was overwhelmed with emotions.

I miss my mom. So yes I bawled. I bawled since I haven’t cried yet for 4 days. But my moms family was too traditional on “ wag luluha sa kabaong ni mama” that took 4 people to hold me down, there were making sure not a drop of my tear fall at my mom’s casket.

After the funeral my dad would always visit my mom with me. I decided to return to work to help out with the finances. However It was still hard to watch my dad wither away, he'd cry out of the blue while I would cry myself to sleep. I only pray my mom could hear how much I miss her, how she massages my head when I have a fever. I even miss her scolding me. I wish my words of love can reach her in heaven

But I also learned through this ordeal how much you would appreciate and love some one until you lose them.

Regardless of the difference you may have with that person.

I discovered too, how many people my mother has touched, how many have loved and respected her.

As I also found out who my real friends are. And some who are not…

And I want to thank them. I had friends from HS that were there, friends from AB Com 4-3, The Ragnaboards Team, Level Up, Tita Josie, Tita Merlin, INC, our pastors, Dobie, Lumox and even my friends since I was just a child that came from afar. Relatives, cousins and sisters

Thank you all

Moving on from this point will be hard. Words cannot describe both the pain and gratitude I have for now… But thank you.