So So So Cutie ang Background

The first time I saw this pic painted on one of the PMA buses that transports us daily from Camp Allen to PMA and vice versa, I was awe-struck! Ang cute, cute niya di ba?

I hope that this young man truly is what PMA speaks of. And be the epitome of courage, integrity and honesty!

This pic is presently on the walls of the Lopez Building.

Nikki and Kiel

The inspirations of my life.

They maybe living away from me but there's no denying the fact that each day, they give me hope to live.

The P.O.S. (pain of separation) hurts. It's true. And how am I coping? The thought that they are with my parents is enough to keep me going.

I really thank God for having parents like my parents. So with the whole family of course! Without them, saan kaya ako pupulutin? ...

MA1 Family at Their Best

What's MA1?

It's really very interesting to know these different people with diverse qualities! I'm so amused ...

I'll be giving the details of my observations on the flash pics sooner!

Here we are infront of the Melchor Hall that houses the Academe.

Lunch Break

A family that eats together, stays together?

This remains to be seen as some of the employees here are hired under an E.O. (Executive Order) and their contracts is coming to an end.

And still others are... what?

DND Sec. Gibo Graces PMA Foundation Ceremony

Eat All You Can

Singing and Dancing Make You Healthy and Gay

PMA, Here I Come

The note that surprise the lot of me! Wow ... how could it be?

Then on June 12, we got our contracts at the Baguio Convention Center. With us are Sir Caoili and Ma'am Trudis.

Hmmm...

Reasons to Live

Dad, Mom and my kids enjoyed this visit to the Ocean Park in Manila. We also went to the Manila Zoo, Luneta Park while missing historic spots because of the threat of a strong typhoon that was already in Baguio.

With us is my sis Au and son Pao. My friend Jimmy Lim (former CBO pres. in Korea) acted as our guide and camera man. Thanks pards.
Yes! They really are the reasons for me to go on with life despite and inspite the odds of everyday living. I'm so blessed.

CBO-Baguio Chapter?

Familiar faces. And why not? All are ex-Korean migrant workers. All are CBO members ba? I think so.

My perennial dream of putting up a CBO-Baguio Chapter is coming to reality, in a different name nga lang. It's C.A.M.W.K. (Cordillera Association of Migrant Workers Korea)

Cordilove goes to Edsa Shrine and Malacanang

Once I step down Philippine soil, I was determined to work in Manila.

But my gosh, I can't stand the hot weather! I'll be dehydrated to the bones ...

Edsa Shrine is just across our office so every now and then I go there for a visit and for Sunday Mass.

With my collegues (ako ang pinakabata ha) who visited USEC Ernesto Mendoza of North Quad at Malacanang.

Any updates there?

Coming Home

Now here I come home once again!

Would you guess what's on my mind behind the smile?

I wouldn't tell you... it's a secret! hehehe

PAL

Taking a break from a hectic sched at the 3rd floor.

Pam with Austin Jr at the Embassy

Life is full of complications. If you're weak and drowned with the negatives, you're dead!

But not with my friend Pam. She's so strong, a very determined woman, consumed by love didn't waver. During the times of her difficulties, she hang unto the Lord.

So there, with unwavering faith, her prayers are answered. Truly, our God is greater than our problems.

Here with Pam is Ambassador Cruz at the Philippine Embassy in Korea who showed us the model area at City Hall where the grand 110th Philippine Independence Say will soon be held (supposedly June 8, 2009). Unfortunately, the untimely death of ex-Pres. Kim Dae-jung altered the plan.

The Working Girl

I cherish every moment that I've spent in this office. The Korean Officers and Staff have somehow contributed to my growth in the pursuit of the Korean Dream.

Thanks to you all. My departure is not in vain...

Waiting for the bus just accross my boarding house.

At the back is the Seoul Tower and the 2nd of 3 tunnels below it.

I rush to this busy street every morning. It's a good thing there's an underpass to run through!

What's good about this road is that it's very clean. The neighborhood too is foreigner-friendly. Most of the residential houses are full of foreigners. This place is one of the oldest in Korea where the main American base is located (Yongsan, Seoul).

Nakabahag nga Igorots jay Icheon Park

At first glance one could think that this pic is in Baguio City!

It's in the midst of Seoul where the Cordillera Brotherhood Organization participated during nth International Migrant's Day Festival.

Believe it or not, the igorots always are the highlights of every festivities they attend to. I'm talking about Korea here. Some might give me that weird stare! hehehe ...

After a Wedding

Consul and Second Secretary Jed Dayang Jr. conducted the wedding of a friend of mine (ninang pa nga ako eh!)

He's truly a friend.

Archbishop Osvaldo Padilla, DD, Apostolic Nuncio to Korea

This is the day that the Lord has made let us rejoice and be glad! My brothers and sisters, this is indeed a day to rejoice and be glad because we are so blessed to have with us a very important person, someone who will bring us the Good News, someone whom all of us Filipinos should be proud of, a kababayan, the first Filipino Papal Nuncio, none other than His Excellency, Archbishop Osvaldo Padilla, DD, the Apostolic Nuncio to Korea.
Yes, he is a kababayan, a Cebuano, who hails from Sogod, Philippines. He was born on the 5th of August in 1942, ordained priest on the 20th of February 1966 and consecrated bishop on January 6, 1991. He comes from a big family with 13 siblings. The Padillas in Cebu can definitely be called a very holy and religious family. There are two Apostolic Nuncios in their family, his brother, Archbishop Francisco Padilla, being the third Filipino Papal Nuncio, now assigned in Papua New Guinea and Solomon Islands.
Archbishop Osvaldo Padilla has been assigned as a Titular Archbishop of Pia and Apostolic
Nuncio to several countries such as Panama, Sri Lanka, Nigeria, Costa Rica, and now South Korea and Mongolia.

source: Sambayanan Newsletter

Sulyapinoy's Eli, Reb and Dave

Everybody flocked the St. Michael's Church in Hyehwadong, Seoul, when Archbishop Padilla had his first Mass in Korea as Papal Nuncio.

These writers from sulyapinoy newsletter and sulyapinoy online were among the Filipinos who have warmly welcome the good bishop.

With us is one radio/tv broadcaster from a Catholic mass media network who covered the event.

Tinikling Forever

The forever Tinikling of Edgar Balista and Company performed at the famous Insadong Park through the invitation of KBS.

It was unfortunate though that I was not able to take a shot of their dancing 'coz of my dreading desire to lost weight. I have chosen to walk the 20 minutes road from office to the park. I was not told of the exact time.

My consolation for missing the performance was a group picture with KBS announcers Park Un Yung and Cho Hyon Bu.

(http://www.onfino.com/community/photogalleryView.jsp?cmd=VIEW&bbsId=503&blbId=200808&searchType=X&searchText=+)

La Vida Rosa in Seoul

The 2nd Chungmuro International Film Festival, Bullet and I were the only visible Filipinos who watched the feature film “La Vida Rosa” by Director Chito S. Rono, the lone Philippine entry to the Film Festival.

“La Vida Rosa” is was screened on 04 September, Thursday, 5:00 p.m. at Cinus Myeongdong.

CBO Induction Program

New set of CBO officers 2007 were inducted at Itaewon, Seoul.

Here in the pic are past presidents and now advisers of the organization.

One year na agad ang nakalipas! Congratulations to the officers and members through the leadership of Ms. Lim.

Keep it up!

PEFTOK

Commermoration of the 58th Anniversary of the Participation of the Philippine Expeditionary forces to Korea (PEFTOK) at the Philippine Memorial in Byukje, Goyang City. This was on Tuesday, 30 September 2008. Jointly arranged by the Embassy of the Philippines and UNKWAA. Supported by Patriouts Veterans Affairs, KVA, Goyang City, Korea - Philippine Friendship Association, 30th ROK Army Mechanized Division.

Only very few of the veterans who survived the war came with their families all the way from the Philippines. Dignitaries from the Philippine Embassy lead by Ambassador Cruz, Veterans from both countries, representatives from the United Nations, Filipino Communities and other guests have graced the affair.

Plaque of Appreciation

Ambassador Luis Cruz was the CBO's Guest of Honor when this plaque was presented to me by CBO Pres. Basan Beligen during the organization's anniversary in Majangdong, Seoul last Feb. 2007.

I wonder where was that plaque? I only realized that somebody took it. Was it deliberate? hehehe

Loving Oneself

Am I conceited? Not realy... hehehe

I just love taking pics of just anything in any circumstances ... even myself!

This was in my room one evening after coming home from work.

(Kyongnidan, Yongsan-gu, Seoul, Korea)

Ilga Award bestowed upon Lola Sir. Michaela

Sr. Miguela Santiago The Awardee of the 17th Ilga Awards, Public Service SectorThe Godmother of Philippine Community
There is an old saying, “there are mothers because God cannot touch every corner of the world.” Here in Korea, Filipino workers are far from the reach of God and their mothers. For them, Sr. Miguela Santiago is! (Note: Ilga Awards is similar to Magsaysay Awards. It was established to pay tribute to the memory of the founder of Canaan Farmers School, the late Pastor Yong-Ki, Kim who devoted his whole life to the development of rural communities and the enlightenment of Korean people. Ilga is the pen-name of Pastor Kim and he himself, was an awardee of Magsaysay Awards for his achievements.)

There is a small Philippines on the hill of Seongbuk-Dong.

For more: http://www.onfino.com/community/freeboardView.jsp?cmd=VIEW&bbsId=420&blbId=200801&searchType=X&searchText=+

Summer Outing with the El Shaddai Prayer Partners

Summer time in Korea is so humid that everybody wants out to the open sea.

There's no need to compare this beach with our very own Boracay and other Philippine Beaches. The obvious is very obvious!

This was my 3rd time to go here, in the southern part of Korea, 5 hours away from Seoul.

OUTBACK STAKEHOUSE at the premises of City Hall, Seoul, is the venue where the partnership of onfino.com and sambayanan.org was conceptualized. Here, Frs. Alvin and E with HFCC Pres. Edgar Balista representing sambayanan and Ms. Jessie Kang and me of PAL and onfino.

(Sayang hindi na active ang onfino.com)

Jing Flies to Canada

The exodus of Filipinos from Korea to Canada is coming to a reality. Some are successful, some are not.

Shiela Jaron Dublin as we fondly call her "Jing" is just one of them. Here in the pic, she was awarded a plaque of appreciation by no other than the new Chaplain, Fr. Alvin for her unwavering volunteerism in the church.

But, others say that the Canadian pasture is not that green at all. So better stay put in Korea?

If only the Korean Gov't. would relax further their immigration rules, many will not think of moving out.

The strict measures the gov't is taking would just give more burden to the already burdened TNTs there.

Pacman-Hatton Fight Brings Us Closer

OWWA Bullet Buenaventura with the editors and writers in Seoul during the Pacman-Hatton bout 2008 telecast on KBS.

On pic is me (www.ofino.com), first Filipino Radio Broadcaster in Korea Regina Arquiza, http://www.suyapinoy.org/ editor-in-chief Eli Penaranda and his staff.

With fried chicken, peanuts and coke on the table, we watched the fight with pride and honor.

The Nigerian Connection

Some of my wards at the Sheeps Gate Children's Center. Mixed blood here with Nigerian as the common denominator. We have Nigerian-Filipino, Nigerian-Korean, Nigerian-Russian, Nigerian- Nigerian, Ethiopians, Filipinos, Americans, French and Mongolians.

Whew! what a joyous moment being with them. Kahit galit na galit ka na dahil sa kakulitan nila hindi mo talaga makuhang magalit. Just looking at their faces will bring back the smile. This is how amazing God's creation really is!

Whistle Blower in Seoul

Who wouldn't be surprise to receive a call from a whistle blower!

And there we were at Starbucks, Hyehwadong after the Mass.

Business matters were discussed but nothing came about ... tsk tsk tsk

Missed-out!

Something was missed-out during the festive Independence Day Celebration the previous day. Hence I was called to make bunot of the missing piece. A 2nd major prize!

Maybe, (just maybe ha?) because I'm just a walk away from the Embassy that OWWA Pat took my attention. It's my privilege though.

'twas a Monday, so I have to go there and attend the flag raising ceremony first before rushing to my class nearby.

With me are Sir Cyrus, Amb. Luis Cruz, Consul Jed, OWWA Pat, Labor Attache Delmer Cruz and my friend, OWWA Bullet.

110th Philippine Independence Day

The joint celebraton of the 110th Philippine Independence Day and 13th Migrant Workers Day Celebration at the Hangang Park, Seoul, Korea, (June 8, 2008) epitomized the Filipinos' knack for merriment. Guests were amazed how we could turn the park upside-down with the different presentations of cultural dances and songs. What more with the presence of Geneva Cruz who did a song with a famous Korean Artist!

And of course, the Cordillera Brotherhood Organization participated with their native Takik Dance.

In photo is Ambassador Luis Cruz and me with the Korean Legislative Building as background. Consul and Second Secretary Jed Dayang is flocked by the officers and dancers of the CBO.