Dubai to bid for Olympics!

Dubai will bid for the Olympic Games and will host it at Dubai Sports City.

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, also vice president and prime minister of the UAE, was briefing journalists on a flight from Beijing to Shanghai as part of his state visit to China when he revealed his intention to begin studying an Olympic bid.

He declined to give further details and did not name a target year to host the games.
Dubai Sport City is currently under construction and will feature a 25,000-seater cricket stadium, a 60,000-seater outdoor arena that could hold track and field events, and a 10,000-seater multi-purpose indoor arena.

It will be one of the largest sports complexes in the world.

Dubai has long been associated with major sporting events and global sports sponsorship deals. The emirate already hosts professional tennis, golf and rugby events.

The UAE’s capital, Abu Dhabi, will host its first ever Formula 1 Grand Prix next year.

If I am dreaming, let me not awake..

It may be a dream i don't want to wake up whenever I go into a relationship...

I must admit, i have to wake up to the point where my dream has to disappear and perhaps, if only I can organize to stay in bed forever and carry on with it...indefinitely!

Happy V Day, My Love!

I ask if I may kiss you.
You just smile; no answer is necessary.
My initial kiss is just a flirting of our lips.
My tongue lightly flicking -
Like I am asking, "Do you want me?"
The tip of my tongue runs all around your lips.
Touching every part,
Inside and out -
Over and over again.
Tickling you, tickle, tickle, goes my tongue.
Now I press my lips gently to yours.
Rubbing your lips back and forth against mine.
My kisses are hot and fast.
I cannot rest long in any one place.
I have such a need to go on.
I trail kisses of passion all over your face.
Then back to your mouth.
Our tongues dance together.
We are exploring.
I circle your tongue with the tip of mine.
You echo the pattern back to me.
I lick the sides, underside and the top.
You echo back.
I suck your lower lip.
You echo back.
We repeat, repeat, repeat.
The sensations are driving our emotions.
We are wild for each other.
You thrust your tongue in and out.
The movements are rhythmic and stabbing.
Simulating our love making during mating.
I ask again, do you want me?
I can tell that you do.
No words are necessary.

Happy Birthday my Love... You just made my night so special!

Issues of National Concern

I'm back after a week of spending the holidays!


I received a personal commentary from Jayme Nava Cruz, an OFW Writer, Composer and Documentarist, here in Riyadh who founded the Sining Pinoy (?)- a newly organized cultural group in Riyadh.


"Within each of us lies the power of our consent to health and sickness, to riches and poverty, to freedom and to slavery. It is we who control these, and not another".

Time and again, it's New Year (2008), and I want to take this privilege to share a few thoughts and comments about some topics that should be near to your hearts, and certainly, of tantamount interest to you, all.

In doing so, let me jumpstart by saying that "freedom of expression", or 'freedom of speech', as preferred to be called by many, is indeed, a great 'license', (though associated with consequences), for everyone in most cases. In saying so, the bold fact connotes that we are also entitled to 'freedom of criticism', as long it is within the perimeters of fairness and decency. And in view of this, I have 3-major-comment to make:

I. Appreciation of PPeso against the Green bucks!

It is noteworthy to highlight the claim of our government, which is regularly mentioned on the pages of local and international newspapers, citing that our present government presides a strong economic growth, "kahit sabihin pang nariyang ang milyong outcries nang milyon-milyong OFWs sa nararamdamang hirap nang buhay, especially taking into view the 'all-time-high' appreciation of PPeso against the Dollars, na tunay namang nakapekto sa 'purchasing power' nang lahat nang OFWs. Of course, having a "bullish economy", now and ahead on, is a very good sign of economic recovery. (Sino nga bang Pinoy ang hindi matutuwa?) Nevertheless, we could not deny the fact that unless the benefits of this so called, affluence, is filtered down to the poor, especially to the poorest component of our society, walang makakaramdam nang tutuong kaligayan sa sinasabing uptrend economic recovery. And although one may say that, "it will take sometime to feel and enjoy the positive results of this "economic growth", pero hanggang KAILAN nga ba ang gagawing paghihintay?

Personally, as an OFW, or a "FilExpat" (title nang short film narrative that I've recently wrapped-up), lalu kong nararamdam ang hirap nang pagpasan nang mga gastusin sa pang-araw araw na pangangailangan nang aking pamilya sa Pilipinas sa nagdaang taon. Sa pagbagsak nang dolyar against the PPeso sa merkado, na hindi tumutugma sa hindi natitinag na presyo nang mga bilihin sa Pilipinas, I note that it is now becoming very difficult to ''rehydrate' my bank accounts back home. Nagsimula ang ganitong kondisyon since the 3rd Quarter of 2007. Pretty sure, if this situation will go on "fully unattended", and 'no concrete counter strategies' will be considered and put in place, I won't doubt that in due time, my savings will soon be slowly "dehydrated", and even, bone-dry!

Frankly, the instant move of one of our community groups in Jeddah, na kaagad sumulat kay President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo to quickly act on this issue, (consider the $ - PPeso exchange rate of 1$ = 50PPeso), is indeed heroic, at tunay na napapanahon. Yung ginawa nilang pangangalampag is one-perfect-way to show, "what and how to make an issue on, and not". At tunay namang issue ito! Imposible namang bumagsak na ang aming "purchasing power", and yet, we are expected na magawa pang mag cartwheels and dance the Macarena! The Big Q! is, paano nga ba tunay pang nakakatawid yung mga kababayan nating naghihirap din sa Pinas na walang permanenteng tarbaho at nagkakasya na lamang sa kanilang shoestring budget? OK sana yung pagbaba nang dolyar at yang "bullish economy" if it is coincided sa pagbaba nang prices of our basic commodities. The truth of the matter is, both sides, (kaming OFws at yung mga naghihirap na kababayan sa Pilipinas), ang tunay na nakakaramdam nang parusa at problema.

What I am confused of is: Many of our politicians are claiming that they are the best, if not, best of the bests (political and economic tacticians, etc.). Granted that we enjoy great collections of intellectual talents, PERO bakit hindi natin tunay na maramdaman ang tutuong pag-usad bilang isang isang bansa? Perhaps, our 'national guards' should do some moral inquests, i.e. on how they can serve most good the greater number of our populace especially the poor, (tulad nang karamihan naming OFWs) given the resources they have. Sabi nga ni Bill Gates during his 2006 commencement speech sa Harvard, "To whom much is given much is expected!".

I hope, as early as today, (January 1, 2008), our beloved President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, finally find ways and means to smoothen things up para sa aming mga OFWs na tunay namang nahihirapan sa extreme slided-value of US Dollars against the 'all-time-high-appreciation' of PPeso. (The Year 2007 was indeed an 'annus horribilis' sa mga OFWs.). I hope, too, that the concerned government agencies won't suffer of the "will-not-to-know-attitude" with respect to our predicaments on this issue of US$ - PPeso exchange trend. (Ok sana kung sa bawat pagbagsak nang dolyar ay tumataas din ang aming sulwedo.)

II. Importance of Cash Management, etc.

Given the issue as narrated in Item 1-above, I believe it is imperative and prudent that OFWs, (all of us), consider, observe and practice in truth the importance of "'CASH MANAGEMENT". In advocating so, I mean:

a. Yung excessive na paggastos nang wala namang katuturan. Let's face the fact na maraming kababayang Pinoy ang mahilig mag-purchase nang doble-dobleng equipment. Tatlong TV... may pang sala, pang bedroom at pang kitchen. Dalawang 'component'. The sad truth is, some of us are always forgetful of the saying: "Always differentiate what you want to what you only need". I hate to say this, but it is becoming part and parcel of our "Pinoy social attitude". Let's take note that "having the status of Sharon Cuneta" vis-a-vis having the attitude of "feeling Sharon Cuneta" are two different things.

b. Let's tighten our belt. (Maghigpit nang sinturon!) One way of doing so is, umiwas sa gastusin such as throwing 'parties' every now and then. Dito ko lamang nakita at naranasan sa Kingdom na mag-birthday lang, or mag-celebrate nang Valentine's Day kaya, "nagpapa social party na", and take note, imbitado ang halos buong barangay. Para bang laging mayroong 'meeting de avance. Dito ko din halos nakita na marami sa atin ang tunay na "branded conscious". Yun bang dapat naka Armani, Versace at D&G... (kahit sabihin pang hindi magawang bigkasin nang tama ang 'Dolce', idagdag pa ang 'Versace'). It is pretty okay kung can afford at kaya nang bulsa. Paano kung hindi? Though one may argue or make counter comments, albeit, marami sa atin ang may ganitong attitude. Masarap mabuhay sa epicenter of reality. At mas lalung masarap makita at madama na tanggapin ka nang mga kaibigan bilang ikaw..... maging mahirap ka man o mayaman. Matalino man o mayroong mga kakulangan.

In considering our present situation sa pagbagsak nang dolyar, lalu nating isipin ang ating truest and sincerest mission why we are working in here, or elsewhere overseas: Yung kumita nang Pera. Mag-save. (Isn't it that "money saved is money earned?"). Umunlad ang buhay at magkaroon nang comfortable retirement pagdating nang araw. Which in the long run, ay makakatulong sa pag-usad ang ating ekonomiya. In doing so, we will find out that we are helping ourselves more than we ever know.

III. On a totally different subject: (Various Pinoy artists, art and cultural groups in the Kingdom).

It's a common knowledge, which we should realize, that no matter how much natural talent and ability we might have, we will never reach our full potential without getting a broad experience of our chosen field; that unless our talent comes into contact with an environment where it can develop and flourish, it might lie dormant forever.

The issue in here is: If and when possible, one should get guidelines and trainings from people who sincerely know the craft. Kung kayang pumunta sa mga schools of arts, do it; why not! In addition to our experience na nakukuha sa ibat-ibang undertakings tulad nang mga various cultural and artistic presentations nang bawat art groups, tunay na makakatulong at makakadagdag ang pagkuha nang formal schooling at trainings.

My personal observation is, again, though one may argue: Sa halip na tunay na "i-polish" ang natural talents nang ibang Pinoy artists, they opt na mag-compare at mamintas na lamang. Some are only satisfied sa "feeling-artist- attitude". The grain of truth is: tunay na maraming competent at well-disciplined Pinoy artists na OFWs sa Kingdom. For one, I know so many, pero marami rin yung mayroon lamang na "feeling popular" at may "know-all-attitude". I mean, makasayaw lamang nang modern jazz, feeling na nasa kategorya na nang dating "Ms. Liza Macua", or, Angel Reyes, or, David Pantoja. Nakatulong or na-assign lamang mag design nang stage for a certain cultural program, ayun at feeling "certified art director' na.

Perhaps, it is prudent to consider that our natural creative ability, if it is not honed (via experience and education), let alone, practiced (via various artistic and serious undertakings), is an obvious waste of human talent. And the concerned artist must know this fact.

Now, on the issue of those claiming they are great, well-disciplined artists: Why not share yur real talents and expertise to others? Certainly, knowing what we know, why we can't (share)? Isn't it iyan ang ilan sa mga dahilan kaya tayo binigyan nang nasa Itaas nang talino at opportunity for a full access sa edukasyon?

And finally, doon sa ating mga kababayan, who always find na laging "kabadingan": ang parameters and perimeters of SINING, Pinoy artist man (Pinilakang Tabing), Bollywood, Lollywood, Hollywood, ....... (GISING!).
Again, it has something to do with our mental factors and social attitude...... (yung social insensibilities and artistic bankruptcies) nang ilan regarding the whole matter. As for our Pinoy artists, professional and amateur, in the Kingdom, let us all remember that: "Artists ought to be judged by their artwork, not whether they are gays, lesbians or not!".



Sa inyo Pong Lahat
Manigong Bagong Taon 2008

Born or bred?

There is no simple answer to the question, "Are some people born lesbian or gay?"

No one knows what causes heterosexuality, homosexuality, or bisexuality.

Homosexuality was once thought as the result of a troubled family or faulty psychological development, but these assumptions are "now understood to have been based on misinformation and prejudice."

While there have been many researches into the biological cause of homosexuality - ranging from the size of the hypothalamus to the difference in the lengths of a person's index and ring fingers "to date there are no replicated scientific studies supporting any specific biological etiology for homosexuality."

Similarly, no specific psychosocial or family dynamic cause for homosexuality has been identified, including histories of childhood sexual abuse. Sexual abuse does not appear to be more prevalent in children who grow up to identify as gay, lesbian or bisexual, than in children who identify as heterosexual.

What researchers have established is, that lesbian and gay young people are not "failed" heterosexuals and that homosexual partners are generally of the same age, proving wrong the assumptions that young people are "turned gay" by older people.

But experts also acknowledge, that "people's behavior is influenced by their family environment, their experiences and their sense of themselves. Beliefs about sex are initially shaped by family values. Later on these beliefs may be shaped by pleasant and unpleasant experiences of sex and also shape their choice of activities and partners. Throughout their life a person's sense of who and what they are has a strong impact on their sexual development and experience."

What makes “Pinangat “ or Laing Special?

Yesterday, I came across an article in PDI about the famous native delicacy of Bicolanos, particularly the Camalignons, becoming a lucrative business nowadays – the Pinangat.

The article brings back my childhood memory in my hometown in Legazpi.

“Natong” or laing/gabi (Manila) or the taro leaves (Alocasia macrorrhiza) are abundantly growing in every household’s backyards, riverbanks and swamp areas in our place, but we, Bicolanos know the best variety. We won’t settle for those plants that grow elsewhere. This skill of knowing if a particular natong leaf or a batch of it would be good for cooking, or not, makes the difference. No doubt, if you plan to visit during meal time, you will certainly see delicious “laing” serve in our table. You would come back raving about it.

But how we, the Oragons, made this dish so special?

I was 9 when I learned to cook.

My mother would always insist that we should watch her cook and help prepare the food every night. Even as a kid, I have always been fascinated watching my mother prepare this special dish. Although we hired a “katulong”, she made sure that she spent time cooking for us. My sister will prepare the “natong” or laing and I was in charge of flaking, cracking and grating the coconut manually in a “kudkudan”. And I was sure the flavor is well worth all the tedious effort.

It took her less than an hour to cook sumptuous” laing” dish. When it was almost done, she set aside half of it from the pot (for us) and then put “sambalas” (siling labuyo) to the remaining half while still on fire, for her and my father.
She cooked pinangat in a palayok and firewood because according to her, it gives a better and more inviting smell. You must have a palayok or earthen pot in order to cook pinangat, otherwise it won’t taste as good as what my mother tells me.


"Natong" or Gabi/Taro Leaves (Alocasia macrorrhiza)

There are two ways of cooking the laing – “palu-sag” and the classic way.

In “palusag”, you put all the ingredients (natong, onion, garlic, orabang, pork, dried fish, etc) and bring to boil, while the classic way, you have to boil the coconut milk until it thickens (with the other ingredients (garlic, ginger, onions, dried fish, pork), then later the shredded “natong” leaves and “orabang” on top of it.

The cooking takes some secrets and techniques in order not to produce itchiness on the tongue and throat after eating. Here are some:

1. Choose the right variety of natong – best kind is the heart-shaped, light greenish leaves, smooth top layer, with soft clear stem.
2. Wash the natong leaves immediately.
3. Split the leaves by following the large veins, don’t use a knife. Don’t wash after.
4. In the classic way, stir constantly the coconut milk until it boils. Stop stirring when you add already the “natong” to avoid itchy result. Press it on top and side to side from time to time to avoid sticking to the pot.
5. When the natong is done, add the “kakang-gata” (first squeeze coconut milk) on top and cook in low fire for 15 minutes.

Pinangat is a special kind of cooking the “natong”. The only difference from the natural way of cooking is the appearance (the shredded leaves and ingredients are wrapped in a whole leaf and tied) and its added ingredients like crab meat, chopped shrimps and pork fat. It is different from Pinangat of Batangas.

KEEPING A RELATIONSHIP

It's best to wait for the one you want than settle for the one available.

Best to wait for the one you love than one who's around.

Best to wait for the right one because life's too short to be wasted on just someone.

An African proverb states, "Before you get married, keep both eyes open, and after you marry, close one eye."

Before you get involved and make a commitment to someone, don't let lust, desperation, immaturity, ignorance, pressure from others or a low self-esteem make you blind to warning signs.

Keep your eyes open, and don't fool yourself that you can change someone or that what you see as faults aren't really that important.

Once you decide to commit to someone, over time, their flaws, vulnerabilities, pet peeves, and differences will become more obvious.

If you love your mate and want the relationship to grow and evolve, you've got to learn how to close one eye and not let every little thing bother you. You and your mate have many different expectations, emotional needs, values, dreams, weaknesses, and strengths. You are two unique individual children of God who have decided to share a life together.

Neither one of you are perfect, but are you perfect for each other? Do you bring out the best in each other?

Do you compliment and compromise with each other, or do you compete, compare and control?

What do you bring to the relationship?

Do you bring past relationships, past hurt, past mistrust, past pain? You can't take someone to the altar to alter them. You can't make someone love you or make someone stay.

Manipulation, control, jealousy, neediness, and selfishness are not the ingredients of a thriving, healthy, loving and lasting relationship.

Seeking status, ! sex, and security are the wrong reasons to be in a relationship.

What keeps a relationship strong?
- communication
- intimacy
- a sense of humor
- sharing household tasks
- some getaway time without business or children
- daily exchanges (a meal, shared activity, a hug, a call, a touch, a note)
- sharing common goals and interests
- giving each other space to grow without feeling insecure
- giving each other a sense of belonging and assurances of commitment
- asking God to be the center of your relationship.

***If these qualities are missing, the relationship will erode as resentment, withdrawal, abuse, neglect, dishonesty and pain replace the passion.

"A loving relationship is one in which the loved one is free to be himself; to laugh with me, but never at me; to cry with me, but never because of me; to love life, to love himself, to love being loved. Such a relationship is based upon freedom and can never grow in a jealous heart."

Breaking Up Is Hard To Do

When you break up with someone, it's hard to transition immediately into the friend phase. I once had a roommate who insisted that I befriend his soon-to-be ex-boyfriend because he genuinely wanted to be friends with the guy. He knew that wasn't possible right away, but if I kept the friendship alive there was a chance they could get back to being friends later on. The plan worked, and years later they are the best of friends again. Those two are the lucky ones, of course. Most people break up and then are left with two broken pieces instead of the whole piece they started with.

Ending a relationship on bad terms can be rough, depending on how invested the person is in your life. I think this is why so many gay men keep their relationships separate from their friends and family. So many gay relationships don't work out, so why get everyone involved? Once all your friends and family get into the act, you aren't just breaking up with one person, you are breaking up (in various degrees) with most of the people in his life. It's so much simpler when all you have to do is return a box of stuff the creep left in your apartment without having to awkwardly run into his mother at the local supermarket.

Sometimes seeing an ex-boyfriend is unavoidable. Dating someone who is a close friend of a close friend just opens you up to a world of hurt. One friend of mine dated the next-door neighbor of another friend and now it is weird for him to even be in their shared apartment building. I guess we all won't be getting together for Scrabble again anytime soon. When you date someone at work, the experience of running into an ex is magnified to a near breaking point: Just a trip to the bathroom or past the receptionist could lead you into another unwanted encounter. It's always great to date a
guy who lives in your neighborhood, until you break up and then run into him at the supermarket.

The worst of all ex situations is one in which you introduce someone into your social gene pool and then, after a breakup, they further embed themselves with your friends. It creates endless awkwardness when old friends have to choose between someone they have known a long time and a fun new person they know their old friend hates. Naturally, we expect people to side with their oldest and dearest friends in any dispute with an ex, but, as we all know, the gays have a bad habit of selling out their own in exchange for flattery, mere trinkets or even blowjobs at a sex club.

Like it or not, once you date someone for a while, they are in your life for the long haul. You may not still be romantically engaged by them, but once your lives have been woven together, it's difficult to pull apart that fabric. We create webs of relationship as we move through life, pulling in family, friends, lovers and co-workers. Along the way, we become very attached to some and just connected to others. With an ex, as much as you may want to see him fall off a cliff, disappear forever or never have existed in the first place, the fact remains that you brought him into your own world. It isn't so easy to reverse the process, so you might as well live as cheerfully as you can with the result.

FOREPLAY

When you break up with someone, it's hard to transition immediately into the friend phase. I once had a roommate who insisted that I befriend his soon-to-be ex-boyfriend because he genuinely wanted to be friends with the guy. He knew that wasn't possible right away, but if I kept the friendship alive there was a chance they could get back to being friends later on. The plan worked, and years later they are the best of friends again. Those two are the lucky ones, of course. Most people break up and then are left with two broken pieces instead of the whole piece they started with.

Ending a relationship on bad terms can be rough, depending on how invested the person is in your life. I think this is why so many gay men keep their relationships separate from their friends and family. So many gay relationships don't work out, so why get everyone involved? Once all your friends and family get into the act, you aren't just breaking up with one person, you are breaking up (in various degrees) with most of the people in his life. It's so much simpler when all you have to do is return a box of stuff the creep left in your apartment without having to awkwardly run into his
mother at the local supermarket.

Sometimes seeing an ex-boyfriend is unavoidable. Dating someone who is a close friend of a close friend just opens you up to a world of hurt. One friend of mine dated the next-door neighbor of another friend and now it is weird for him to even be in their shared apartment building. I guess we all won't be getting together for Scrabble again anytime soon. When you date someone at work, the experience of running into an ex is magnified to a near breaking point: Just a trip to the bathroom or past the receptionist could lead you into another unwanted encounter. It's always great to date a
guy who lives in your neighborhood, until you break up and then run into him at the supermarket.

The worst of all ex situations is one in which you introduce someone into your social gene pool and then, after a breakup, they further embed themselves with your friends. It creates endless awkwardness when old friends have to choose between someone they have known a long time and a fun new person they know their old friend hates. Naturally, we expect people to side with their oldest and dearest friends in any dispute with an ex, but, as we all know, the gays have a bad habit of selling out their own in exchange for flattery, mere trinkets or even blowjobs at a sex club.

Like it or not, once you date someone for a while, they are in your life for the long haul. You may not still be romantically engaged by them, but once your lives have been woven together, it's difficult to pull apart that fabric. We create webs of relationship as we move through life, pulling in family, friends, lovers and co-workers. Along the way, we become very attached to some and just connected to others. With an ex, as much as you may want to see him fall off a cliff, disappear forever or never have existed in the first place, the fact remains that you brought him into your own world. It isn't so easy to reverse the process, so you might as well live as cheerfully as you can with the result.

Hey Dad..Did I Say Thank You?

Today is my Dad's death anniversary...



My dad passed away 3 years ago… Stunned, I flew home from Riyadh to be with my family. (The flight from Riyadh to Manila was the longest 9 hours I have ever experienced in my life.)

While on board, I repeatedly asked myself if I had thanked everything to my Dad for giving me a wonderful life. Did I miss something? I couldn’t control my tears as I remembered the many kindness and favors he had given to us…Without his love, I may not be what I am today.

Yes, still, I had much to be thankful to him which I had remembered lately.
Did I ever say thanks for all the toys my father had mended? The games we played and the way he always tried to cheer me when I was down?

Did I ever say thanks for the sacrifices he made so I could be involved in so many enriching activities in school?

Did I ever thank him for working so hard to provide for our family?

Did I ever thank him for having such faith in me and always being there when I needed him?

Did I ever say thanks for waking me up every Sunday so we can go to the church together with mom, and my other siblings?

Most of all, Did I ever say thanks for caring?



Dad….I just wanted to thank you so much for the great childhood you and mom gave me. I often want to be a child again so that I can feel the love, warmth, joy and security you always gave me.

Although money was very hard to come by while we were growing up, I never felt deprived of anything. Your love has given me more wealth than money could ever buy.
I will never forget the time you held me in your arms when I was scorched because I accidentally spilled out a bottle of ethyl alcohol to my body while you’re lighting the Coleman Kerosene Lantern.. I was 3 years old then..

I will never forget your tears of joy when I asked you and my mom to pin my academic medals every year in our school.

I will never forget you adjusting my tie and let me borrow your perfume during my first JS Prom.

I will never forget waving goodbye to you when I left the province to find my luck in Manila. Not knowing if I would succeed. In my mind I still see the slow motion image of you with your arm around mom waving goodbye to me as I boarded the bus.

Thank you dad for giving me the best childhood a person could ever hope for.

If you want your Dad to know how you feel. Don’t wait. Tell them today because tomorrow might be too late

Love It! Play It! Live It!

I stopped my work-out @ BodyMaster Gym in Takhassusi for almost two years now, because my job demands more time and I couldn’t catch up with my schedule. Our company decided to have broken time office hours. Morning from 7:30 to 12:30 and in the afternoon 4:30 to 8:30pm. Besides, I can’t find “sponsor” anymore. My ”good friend” Fahad is still in London for his college studies.

Wala naman kaming magawa, kasi desisyon ng Company. Arabs usually spare their afternoon time for siesta. Mas gusto pa nilang matulog at magpahinga after lunch kaysa magtrabaho. No wonder, maraming obese sa kanila.. Karamihan din sa mga Pinoy expats, nagiging prone na sa hypertension and other illnesses. Actually, hypertension/stroke is the main cause of death for Filipinos here in Middle East.

Last week, I had my annual medical check-up and to my surprised, my laboratory test shown that my uric acid is high. This is the first time that I had a terrible laboratory result after I stopped my regular work-out and became a couch-potato in my villa. It maybe because I had been in bad eating habits because I had no choice but to have my daily meals in our mess hall. Wala akong pagpipilian ng pagkain…. “Papaitan”, “Bopis”, Nilaga, and Bulalo…they are just few of the superfluous menu served to us. Mura kasi ang meat kaysa sa mga isda’t gulay. Not to mentioned the i-can’t-resist bunch of mixed nuts on my table, which our gay receptionist-turned-entrepreneur is so persistent that we can’t say no to his offer and buy his stuff everyday. Sino ba naman ang hindi tataas ang BP at uric acid kung araw-araw may kinakain ako habang nagtatrabaho. As a matter of fact, 3 of my officemates had been treated with hypertension and had their mild stroke just this year.

I am still fortunate that despite of my high uric acid, I was able to know it at an earlier stage, kung hindi, sabi ng doctor, baka magkaroon ako ng gout and kidney problems.. He recommended plenty of water intake and exercise.

Immediately, I asked my friend Richard if I can join him in his badminton class. Sad to say, tigil muna ang sessions nila coz they don’t have place for practice. Mahirap kasing maghanap ng available slots sa mga schools sa dami ng mga activities. Dito kasi sa Saudi, mas safe ang magkaroon ka ng indoor games sa schools lalo na pag mixed crowds, kaysa sa makipagsisikan sa mga sports centers.

At that time, I had already bought my YONEX racquet at gusto ko nang subukan ang badminton. Besides, mabilis daw na bumalik ang agility dito.

Badminton is an extremely demanding sport. At an elite level, players are often required to perform at their limits of speed, agility, flexibility, endurance and strength. On top of all of this, players must maintain a high state of concentration.

Fortunately, I was able to join other badminton club where they play regularly in one of the schools here in Riyadh.

After a month of training and assiduous weekly attendance to their practices, daily diets and abstinence from foods rich in purine, my uric acid subsided hastily. From an alarming one, now its just a little above normal.

I decided to continue my full time affiliations to the club and enjoy playing with them. As a matter of fact,, recently, we had our elections and unexpectedly, I was elected as one of the officer. Well, okey na rin yon, at least, magiging active ulit ako sa past time ko. From a cultural group before, now sa sports naman… biro ko nga sa friends ko, next time, “education” naman para kompleto na yong acronym ng DECS.

Our badminton session is every Wednesday and Thursday, but sometimes, I also attended Friday and Monday sessions sa parehong school kasi nakaka-addict talaga maglaro. This is my first time to learn how to play badminton kaya medyo marami pa akong dapat matutunan. Sooner or later, baka sumabak na rin ako sa mga tournaments. I’ve seen some of my colleagues, who are considered as Class A & B players, at talagang ang galing ng mga slices and smashes nila. Hope I can be like them in the future. Dami ko pang shuttle COCKS na dapat hawakan….pisil-pisilin…paglaruan at pagsawaan..he.he.he.he.he

Philippinenurses won Week 69 Blog Award

Congratulations to philippinenurses for winning Week 69 Blog Award.

You deserve it!

Being a nominee is a great privilege and i thank "The Composed Gentleman" for recognizing my effort to share my life...my knowledge and my identity. It's my own little way to put into writing what i can't tell.... share to others where nobody dares to listen to me.

I started my daily digest last June 2007 and i make sure that everyday, i feed my blog.

I admit, i still have to learn more..share more and prepare myself to go publicly, no matter what it takes..I feel better if i noticed that there are bloggers who visited my site and give me inspiration, encourage me to write, and some has criticize my works. I welcome them all. I may not be perfect with my rhetorics and compositions, but my true intention to educate, inspire and touch other's lives is genuine...

Again thanks to those who voted me.. to Richard Lionheart...to hush & listen (Khalel) and all members of my blog community... you guys give me lot of inspiration..

To The Composed Gentleman... i salute your kindness... God Bless You!

Let us all keep blogging!!

To My Friends.....

1.To My Friends Who Are - SINGLE

Love is like a butterfly. The more you chase it, the more it eludes
you. But if you just let it fly, it will come to you when you least expect
it. Love can make you happy but often it hurts, but love's only special
when you give it to someone who is really worth it. So take your time and choose the best.

2.To My Friends Who Are - NOT SO SINGLE

Love isn't about becoming somebody else's "perfect person." It's about finding someone who helps you become the best person you can be.

3.To My Friends Who Are - PLAYBOY/GIRL TYPE

Never say "I love you" if you don't care. Never talk about feelings if
they aren't there. Never touch a life if you mean to break a heart.
Never look in the eye when all you do is lie. The cruelest thing a guy can do to a girl is to let her fall in love when he doesn't intend to catch her fall and it works both ways...

4.To My Friends Who Are - MARRIED

Love is not about "it's your fault", but "I'm sorry." Not "where are
you", but "I'm right here." Not "how could you", but "I understand." Not "I wish you were", but "I'm thankful you are."


5.To My Friends Who Are - ENGAGED

The true measure of compatibility is not the years spent together but
how good you are for each other.

6.To My Friends Who Are - HEARTBROKEN

Heartbreaks last as long as you want and cut as deep as you allow them to go. The challenge is not how to survive heartbreaks but to learn from them .


7.To My Friends Who Are - NAIVE

How to be in love: Fall but don't stumble, be consistent but not too
persistent, share and never be unfair, understand and try not to demand, and get hurt but never keep the pain.


8.To My Friends Who Are - POSSESSIVE

It breaks your heart to see the one you love happy with someone else
but it's more painful to know that the one you love is unhappy with you.

9.To My Friends Who Are - AFRAID TO CONFESS

Love hurts when you break up with someone. It hurts even more when someone breaks up with you. But love hurts the most when the person you Love has no idea how you feel. . .

10.To My Friends Who Are - STILL HOLDING ON

A sad thing about life is when you meet someone and fall in love, only
to find out in the end that it was never meant to be and that you have
wasted years on someone who wasn't worth it. If he/she isn't worth it now he's/She's not going to be worth it a year or 10 years from now. Let go . . .


11.TO ALL MY FRIENDS . . .

My wish for you is a man/women whose love is honest, strong
,mature ,never-changing, uplifting, protective, encouraging,
rewarding and unselfish.

Sana Nga Huwag Na....

August 14, 2007 ....4:42 AM Ginising ako ng tunog galing sa aking CP “Minamasdan kita ng hindi mo alam..Pinapangarap na ikaw ay akin....”

“1 New Message”

“Musta na, ano na blta, wla na gimik noh, lge nlang trbho. Labas nman tau minsan kung ok lang sau.”

Galing kay Mhel ang unexpected text..





February 2007.. Birthday ng friend ko…Niyaya niya ako at isama ko daw ang Habibi ko..

“Pasensya na friend, hindi puwede ko siyang isama… alam mo naman ang sitwasyon namin..”.

Actually kahit anong pilit nila na ilantad ko ang habibi ko sa public, talagang hindi puwede dahil ayaw niyang mabuko ang pagkatao niya lalo na sa circle of friends namin. Malihim kasi siya… ayaw niya na pag usapan at pag piyestahan ang relasyon namin kaya hanggang ngayon kahit bestfriend ko, hindi nila alam na may relasyon kami …Kilala kasi niya…Sa akin, okey lang ang ganitong arrangement.. saka hindi naman siya maramot sa akin..love niya ko… love ko rin siya.. (parang Mcdo he.he.he.he.)..inisip ko rin na mabuti na yon kaysa may magkagusto pa at malaman na habibi ko siya, mahirap na..makamandag pa naman ngayon ang mga rattlesnakes sa disyerto. And mind you, pag nalaman nila, naku, malakinggulo at maraming magkakandarapa sa kanya.. Habulin ata siya!

“Basta punta ka! Me ipapakilala ako sa sa’yo.”

Sounds good! Sarap maging single for a night!

Maaga akong pumunta sa kanila para tulungan siya sa pagluluto. Andoon na yong iba naming friends.

“Friend, mamaya pa labas ng ipapakilala ko sa’yo.. panggabi kasi duty niya”

Ok lang sa akin, at least , may time pa akong maki jamming sa barkada namin..


Dabarkads sa Riyadh

Past midnight na ng dumating si Art, ang Habibi ng friend ko at may kasama niya.

“O ayan friend.. si Mhel.. katrabaho ni Art, siya yong sinasabi ko sa iyo.”

“Hi Mhel.. glad to meet you!”

Bata pa si Mhel. Siguro nasa early twenties. Moreno, slim ang katawan.. guwapo kung ngumiti at medyo tahimik..

Kumain muna sila at pagkatapos, sumali na rin sa amin..

Habang tumatagal at dahil na rin sa “agua de pataranta”, madaling tinablan si Mhel. Siguro dahil sa pagod..at ang sa una ay tahimik, naging komportable na sa usapan at lumabas ang tunay na pagiging kalog..

Inabot kami ng 5 ng umaga na panay kuwentuhan, kumustahan at may koting harutan.. Yong iba natulog na…

Naging kampante na rin ako sa kanya hanggang sa matulog kaming magkatabi..

Pag gising namin, tuksuhan ang inabot ko sa mga barkada ko….

Nagpalitan kami ng cp no. at simula noon madalas na kaming magtawagan at nagkita..gumigimik pag wala siyang pasok…

Alam ko I find him nice as a friend, pero hindi puwedeng lumagpas doon..besides, ayokong maging unfair sa Habibi ko at marami pa akong dahilan para iwasan siya…

“Hi! Ginising mo ko ha! Kmusta kn rin? oo nga, ala na tau gimik..How’s ur work? Hayaan mo f im free, ta2wagan kita. Ingat!

“Message Sent”

My Forbidden Questions

It is better yo be open than to hide it from others or deny to yourself. If you suppress it, your heart will try to trick your head..


1. How old were you when you lost your virginity? With whom?
12, but tried sex at 7. “Iggy”

2. Worst thing done while drunk?
stripped off sa beach

3. Have you slept with any blogger contact?
nope

4. Have you ever cheated when you were in a relationship?
Yup, 3 times

5. How far how you gone to check if your partner is cheating you?
Check his CP almost everyday.

6. Mancrush, 1 local and 1 foreign celebrity?
Local: John Lloyd Cruz
Foreign: Josh Hartnett

7. Last time you pleasured yourself?
15 minutes ago

8. How big is your wang (dick-size)?
5-6 in.

9. What's the 8th message on your inbox, and who sent it?
“I'm back..If you have time, call me, I ned 2 talk 2 u. Miss u"

10. Kissed in public?
YES

11. How many one-night stands did you have?
One..two..three..four..five... i can't count anymore!

12. Craziest place you've done it with?
Bus

13. Have you slept with anyone famous?
YES

14. Do you have a Sex tape out there? In YouTube? Or naked pictures?
Absolutely none!

15. Have you been in a threesome?
Yes, more than threesome!

16. Tried illegal drugs. What drugs?
Yes.. S

17. How many (if you can still count them) have you slept with?
I can’t count anymore

18. Dude we all know you’re gay, so just admit it.
Paolo Ballesteros & Josh Santana

19. Have you ever had an indecent proposal?
Yes

20. Actor you think has a big wang
Mon Confiado

21. When was the last time you watched or read a porn material?
While im answering these questions

22 What will be your pornstar name and what will be the title of your first porn movie?
I would be kknown as Jeff S.... The title "Sagad"

23. Worst TV show?
Daisy Siyete (GMA), Bakekang (GMA), Lovely Day (GMA)

24. Spit or Swallow?
It depends

25. Longest time when you were "doing it" with someone?
4 hours

26. Shortest time?
5 minutes

27. Last time you had sex with someone?
1 hour ago

28. What's your favorite sex position?
Dog style

29. What was your strangest dream?
I dreamed of spending a night with Rico Yan (pbwh) a night after his death

30. If you HAVE TO sleep with a blogger contact, who would that be
Khalel

Joke time!!!

"Tigang" by jerishoots

FACT: did you know that those people who laugh with "hehe" loves sex and
people who laugh with "haha" are intelligent?

wala lang, just to let you know. hehe...

Ay, haha pala!




Bakla at Macho nagkasabay sa CR...
Bakla: Ang laki naman nyan sayo...
Macho: Wala na tong silbi kasi iniwan na ako ng GF ko... puputulin ko na lang at ipapakain sa aso!
Bakla: aw! aw! aw!

Kapag may kaaway ka,
tandaan mo...
dito lang ako...
dito lang talaga ako...
tapos dyan ka lang,
wag kang pupunta dito!
baka madamay ako!

Women are physically stronger than men...
Why?
Because women can carry two mountains at a time!
while men can carry only two eggs...
Take Note!
with the help of a bird pa!


4 kinds of "Utot"

1. Long but Harmless
2. Loud and Proud
3. Silent but Violent
4. Wet and Wild

Lasing (takot): may multo sa banyo natin!
Wife: ha? Bakit?
Lasing: kasi bumubukas yung ilaw pag papasok ako ng banyo eh.
Wife: punyeta ka! ikaw pala umiihi sa ref!

A Terrible Day

July 17, 2007 is a disastrous day for me! I won’t forget this day!

It is unusual for me to experience successive adversities in a day. From daylight to sundown, i was so unlucky..

1st Bad Luck

I woke up 6:00 am since I expected that our salary will be due today.

I dialed several times on my phone banking service to check my ATM balance.

“Sorry, your transaction cannot be completed…”

Patience.. patience….

After several dials I did, still no response.

So I tried calling through my mobile.. It works…

I inquired my balance and I felt relieve coz' the salary was already credited.

So I hurriedly prepare myself to go to the nearest ATM machine ( one kilometer distance from my villa) I just walked since it’s still too early to report for work although the high temperature started to upsurge.

Great… no one is queuing outside the machine. I got my card and inserted to the machine to withdraw the full amount.

“We cannot process your transaction… Sorry for the Inconvenience”..

Damn! I tried again, but still, no money was dispensed. So I called the phone banking service to inquire my balance..To my surprise, the whole amount i am about to withdraw was debited already!..

@##@!.. I can’t withdraw anymore… besides the bank will be opened at 9:30..

I was pissed off….. I went to the office….

I waited until 9:30 to go back to the bank hoping that they will credit back the amount. This time I took a cab, spending SR20.00 (P260). But the bank told me to wait for their action in 48 hours!..


2nd Bad Luck

At the office, I go back to work….I was asked to make more than 5000 colored copies of Houston Manual since yesterday. No one can do the job because I have the password for the RICOH Aficio 3224 inside my room.

Since the day started with my ATM trouble, I can’t work attentively.

I was about to start copying the manuals, when the machine stopped and message on the screen appeared “Toner tube needs to be replaced. Call the maintenance”.

Fucking shit! I need to finish the manuals!

So I tried fixing the machine.. remove the cover … pull out the over-flowing toner tube inside. I tried removing the powder, but it suddenly burst out to my clothes. The powder is all over my newly bought M&S pants and white sleeves. Damn!!

Again, another catastrophe.

3rd Bad Luck

Lunch time… I was half my cooking when the gas run-out.. So I ended up having canned sardines as my lunch…

4th Bad Luck

LAte afternoon...I decided to avail of the pre-paid card 50% promotion (Actually it’s 2 sim cards with full load for a price of 1), but they refused to issue me since my working permit is still under renewal…

5th Bad Luck

….. I got the laboratory result from our clinic and my uric acid is high…meaning no more alcoholic drinks… no red meat…. No soft drinks!


Grrrrr….Hope this day never exist!

Anyway, God will not abandon me as I thank Him before going to bed tonight.

Di Bale Na Lang......

Sabi mo walang masama kung walang masasaktan…
Kaya sa halip na iwasan mo ako, lumalapit ka..

At sa mga kilos mo, pilitin ko mang huwag bigyang kahulugan
Ay nagbabadya na tila nais mo rin na maging bahagi ng buhay ko

Pigilin ko mang huwag sabihin sa iyo ang tunay kong damdamin,
Ngunit hindi ko maitago ang kahinaang taglay ng puso ko.

Dahil doon, naging mahina ako’t mapagparaya sa iyong hamon
Oo nga naman.. bakit nga hindi ko subukang mahalin ka..
Gayong wala namang masama kung maging akin ka..

Ngunit biglang naisip ko na baka nga may masaktan
Kung hindi ngayon, baka sa mga darating na araw…
Kung hindi sila.... baka ako.

Dahil sa angkin mong katangian
Baka hindi ko makaya kapag ika'y biglang mawala sa akin.

Mas sigurado akong maging maayos ang lahat
Kung ika’y mananatiling laman ng puso ko
Hindi bilang kahati, kung hindi bilang bahagi lang.

Breaking a Habit

Some habits are
harder to break than others.

Often, even if we do manage to stop
ourselves from doing something that isn’t so smart,
we end up taking on an alternative activity of dubious merit.



Although I made good progress in a key area of life,
I can’t afford to rest on my laurels.
Already, I am slipping into a pattern I had hoped not to repeat.
With all problems, though, diagnosis is half the cure.
I can see what I need to fix.
Now all I have to do is fix it!


Only then I see exactly what’s wrong and I start to stand a good chance of making everything right.

Driven by Guilt

My apology for protecting the identity of the person involved.

I rented a condo-type in QC after i decided to leave the house we rented with Mark and Allan. I lived alone, pero madalas bumibisita pa rin sa akin yong iba kong friends..Gimik pa rin dito, fling doon…

Because of being alone sa inuupahan ko, I found companionship with Gelo. Actually, kaibigan ko si Gelo..guapo… habulin ng kahit sino…

May asawa’t anak siya pero happy-go-lucky pa rin. Hilig makipag barkada kasi he was too young when he got married at tipong madalas silang mag away ng asawa niya kaya nag hahanap siya ng way para mabawasan ang problema niya

Naging madalas ang pasyal sa bahay ni Gelo… Hanggang sa napansin namin na may namamagitan na pala sa aming dalawa. Sa akin niya sinasabi lahat ng problema niya sa pamilya…. Kaya noong nagsimula ang aming relation, mas marami pang oras ang ginigugol niya sa akin kasya sa kanyang pamilya. Naging intimate ang aming pagsasama… Naging masaya pero may guilt akong nararamdaman. I don’t want to be a home-wreaker. Mahirap….

Na konsyensiya ako lalo na nang unti-unti kong napapansin ang paghakot ng kanyang mga damit sa bahay. Na shock lalo ako ng madalas niyang kasama ang kanyang 2 anak pag pumupunta sa bahay tuwing week-end. This was an eye-opener sa akin. Hindi dapat na magsama kami tapos hihiwalayan niya ang kanyang asawa, which he told me before na naghahanap lang siya ng pagkakataon para mangyari yon.

Gusto niya na magsama na kami… Hindi ko alam kasi not even in his dream na papatol daw siya sa kapwa niya lalaki….. ngayon lang daw nangyari ang lahat…..

Gusto kong umiwas, pero sadyang desidido na siya to live with me.

Sa tindi ng pangyayari, I decided to take the offer for me to work abroad.. Para na rin maiwasan ang anumang posibleng mangyari and at the same time para na rin sa future ko.….

Nagalit sa akin si Gelo nang sabihin ko na aalis muna ako for a while kasi may training ako for six months sa Canada. Di niya alam ang totoo, na I will be away for longer time and decide not to come back….Doon ko nakita ang kanyang pagkabigla… I saw how he control his tears to fall down.. Pero umaasa siya na babalik ako…

Bago ako umalis, nagpa-alam ako kina Allan… medyo naging casual ang aming pag uusap, pero deep inside, naiisip ko papano kung aalis ako? I will miss him…

Si Jhun (isa kong talent na pinasok sa Club), binigyan ako ng souvenir para daw di ko siya makalimutan. He thanked me kasi wala na rin siya sa Club at nakapag-asawa na ng Haponesa.

Naiyak ako pero naawa sa iba kung kaibigan dahil di ko alam kung kalian kami magkikitang muli.

Isa si Mark sa nakita ko how he feel sad na malamang aalis na ako. Isa kasi siya sa mga nakilala ko na binigyan ko ng pag aruga na hindi niya naranasan sa kanyang family (broken family siya). Ma mimiss daw niya lahat ng pagbibigay ko ng advises ko, yong pagtatanggol ko sa kanya pag inaapi siya.. yong pag-aawat ko sa kanilang mag-siyota pag nag-aaway sila… yong pag luluto ko ng sinigang na paborito niya.. yong pagtulog niya sa kuwarto na parang bata na kayakap ako… yong masasabihan niya ng sama ng loob at mga problema…at yong taong bilib sa kakayahan niya bilang isang performer.

I was driven by my guilt.... hindi kaya ng konsensya ko na makitang may madadamay sa maling relasyon... Mas pipiliin ko, kahit mahirap, ang lumayo kaysa sa dumating ang oras na pareho lang kaming labis na masasaktan..

Salamin

Sa pagmulat ng aking mata sa umaga, tanging ang mga mata ko ang bukas para makita ang liwanag sa aking paligid...



Ang isipan ko ay unti-unting nanunumbalik mula sa mahabang pamamahinga pero tila pagod sa mga iba’t ibang panaginip sa loob ng magdamag..

Sa pag salubong ng liwanag at aking kamalayan, ay tila may nabubuong paghahanda sa panibagong hamon ng buhay sa bagong araw.

Ang kamalayan ko ang siyang nag udyok at nagbigay lakas sa aking katawan upang bumangon para harapin ang umaga..

Isang umaga na walang katiyakan kung ito ba’y magiging tagumpay o katulad ng dati na sa bawat minuto ay walang patid na lungkot at kabiguan....

Pero life must go on, ika nga.

Kahit nakapanghihina ang mga kabiguan, kailangan kong maging malakas sa hamon ng buhay…

Lakas na nanggagaling sa mga kabiguang iyon…

Lakas na binibigay ng Maykapal na siyang tanging may alam sa lahat na mangyayari…

Lakas na naiipon dahil sa aking mga pangarap at sa mga mahal ko sa buhay…

Sa paghahanda ko sa bagong umaga, ang salamin ang siyang nagbibigay hudyat sa lahat ng mga maari kong gawin para maging matatag at maging handa sa anumang mangyayari.

Pilit niya akong inihahanda sa aking pakikisalamuha sa bawat taong aking makakasalubong at makakausap.. Hindi man siya makapagsalita, pero sinasabi niya kung handa na ako.

Siya ang nagtututuro sa akin sa mga dapat kung gawin upang maging matagumpay ang araw ko at maging hitik sa pasasalamat sa bandang huli…

Siya ang nagpapaalaala sa akin sa “Golden Rule” na dapat kung isipin sa lahat ng oras…

Sa pagharap ko sa salamin, ang aking repleksyon ang aking nakikita….isang bagay na pumupukaw sa aking sarili sa mga bagay na dapat suriin muna bago gawin o sabihin…

Ang dumi sa aking mga mata… ang ayos ng aking mukha… ang galaw ng bawat parte ng aking katawan…Kailangang sigurado ako sa lahat ng bagay…para sa bawat kilos at sa tuwing may kausap ako dapat ay walang salamin na nakaharap sa akin…. Na sa tuwing manghuhusga ako ng aking kapwa, malinis ang aking sarili para maging katatanggap-tanggap ang aking mga sinasabi.

At sa huli, bago ko ipikit ang aking mga mata at ipahinga ang aking isipan, ang salamin ang siyang maghuhusga sa mga nagawa ko sa araw na ito…

Siya ang magsasabing kailangan kong matulog na may ngiti’t kapayapaan sa isipan dahil nagawa ko ang aking misyon….sa aking sarili…sa iba.. at sa Kanya.