Here's a must-read...

...it's absolutely worth a few minutes of your "joyful quiet" time!
=========================================================
by Philipina A. Marcelo


I came across a truly well-written and soulful article on New York Times just now, bless my fortune! And, for the first time, I finally understood why, for the last four years, I've been dying to be on a "real vacation"... and never seeming to achieve it, no matter how far away I traveled to "get away from it all"! My "desperation" was such that I have been dreaming of retirement even before I turned 40! Whew!

Just so you know I'm not kidding you, tell me how does this sound to you:

"...I noticed that those who part with $2,285 a night to stay in a cliff-top room at the Post Ranch Inn in Big Sur pay partly for the privilege of not having a TV in their rooms; the future of travel, I’m reliably told, lies in “black-hole resorts,” which charge high prices precisely because you can’t get online in their rooms.

"Has it really come to this?

"In barely one generation we’ve moved from exulting in the time-saving devices that have so expanded our lives to trying to get away from them — often in order to make more time. The more ways we have to connect, the more many of us seem desperate to unplug. Like teenagers, we appear to have gone from knowing nothing about the world to knowing too much all but overnight."

***
Curious now?

I know, and I totally understand!

The article, "The Joy of Quiet", is written by the intellectual and highly gifted essayist and book author (among his many gifts), Pico Iyer. I admit, I have his articles on Harper and Financial
Calm...Times bookmarked somewhere electronically... but, just like my breathless anticipation for retirement, they've been kept in my will-savour-thoroughly-later list... therefore, bookmarked, and unread! Obviously, I haven't been wise in making my choices - nope! Or, maybe, I've ran myself beyond exhaustion at work and let myself get entangled in the www to the point of physical and mental immobility - royally distracted, and that's without Twitter... and without Facebook, too, for half a year now - until deeply savouring precious moments in life turned into a luxury... close to impossibility sometimes.

"The urgency of slowing down — to find the time and space to think — is nothing new, of course, and wiser souls have always reminded us that the more attention we pay to the moment, the less time and energy we have to place it in some larger context. “Distraction is the only thing that consoles us for our miseries,” the French philosopher Blaise Pascal wrote in the 17th century, “and yet it is itself the greatest of our miseries.” He also famously remarked that all of man’s problems come from his inability to sit quietly in a room alone.

"...We have more and more ways to communicate, as Thoreau noted, but less and less to say. Partly because we’re so busy communicating. And — as he might also have said — we’re rushing to meet so many deadlines that we hardly register that what we need most are lifelines."

Related to this is a post in a lovely blog that I usually visit when I'm slowing down and looking for a warm place to curl up in the www.

Alright, I'm going to have to leave you alone now... and savour your very own joy of quiet.

***

Foodie...

...on a Friday!
============================================================
by Philipina A. Marcelo


Nope, it isn't Sunday yet, but I've been absent for so long in this little foodie corner of this blog, so I'm trying to make up while I'm still on a holiday. That's allowed, right? :)

***
Hungry?

Here's a quick solution... straight from the stove!

It was a request from my niece... she wanted chicken with a hint of "teriyaki taste", with "heightened sweetness" (she's 14, she's still into the "sweet stuff"), and a mild "kick".

Huh? Hmmm...

Well, actually, it wasn't that impossible of a mission to grant the request... even for an amateur like me. And because it's Christmas season, I've thrown in something red and green, which should've taken care of the requested "kick", too. I got a seal of approval from a family member who is a "foodie" by profession. :) I was even asked what my secret was. Whoa! Seriously???

I did have a "secret" though - prayer! ;)

***
Seriously, now...

Speaking of food... my students, a number of colleagues, and I visited the Profood International Corporation processing plant in Cebu three weeks ago. They own the famous Philippine Brand, which is primarily a Philippine dried mango (and other tropical fruits) brand. It was one of the first dried mango brands exported by a Filipino-owned company. Now it has grown to several lines of products, such as puree, jam and pudding. While already impressive, I thought that that was just about the extent of their product lines. I couldn't have been anymore mistaken, of course!

The Profood International Corp.'s original dried tropical fruit ideas have not ran dry over the years.

I was absolutely impressed by the extent of their dried tropical fruits line now. Their fruit beverage and fruit jam lines have become so massive, too. Their brands increased to more than ten now, all of which have significant market presence - both local and abroad. Considering that it started as a mere "backyard business", it has grown so incredibly huge over the last two decades into a global company, product distributionwise. In fact, the company is currently constructing a Museum in their Cebu facility that interested parties, such as students and investors, may visit to have an overview of the company's origin and growth, current operations where state-of-the-art technologies are employed, and a glimpse of their future pursuits.

Incidentally, in recognition of the fruitful years of Profood International Corp., its Founder and current President, Justin Uy, has been honored as an "Outstanding Chemical Engineer in Entrepreneurship" by the Board of Chemical Engineering of the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) during the Oathtaking of the new Filipino Chemical Engineers at the Manila Hotel last December 19. Mr. Uy was also recognized for his achievements with Profood by the Philippine Institute of Chemical Engineers (PIChE) earlier this year, and before that, by the Cebu Chamber of Commerce in 2009, among many others.

Yep, exciting... and an inspiring prospect for 2012, too!

***
Something for the singers of Bohol... and everyone!

The little town of Loboc in Bohol, Philippines
The highly indulging Loboc river cruise. is well-known for its people's passion for music. Their Loboc Children's Choir is a multi-awarded group - locally and internationally. The Loboc Youth Ambassadors Orchestra is another pride of the the tiny Bohol town.

While the town is also well-known for its people's warm hospitality, rich cultural heritage, pristine rivers and forests, and the wide array of mouthwatering local delicacies that could be enjoyed by its visitors, trust their local government to know exactly how to protect the town's best asset - their people's singing voices.

Therefore, I wasn't surprised at all to find the "Loboc Salabat" - an instant ginger

powder beverage, developed by the Candabong Multipurpose Coop of Bohol, with assistance from the Department of Science and Technology. The salabat's "unique soothing blend of sweetness and zing" (lifted from the label) could be enjoyed both as hot tea or iced tea - a perfect concoction after contributing to the deafening noise as we welcome the New Year in about 24 hours from now! :)

***

Wednesday nostalgia...

...uhm, wait, is it Thursday already? Oh, well... "hello"! :)
=============================================================
by Philipina A. Marcelo

"...goodbye is not the end. It's a circle, you know... and it starts with one hello."

Oh, boy! Randy Crawford is too good!

I think she recorded this in 1981, after garnering success with that other beautiful song, "People Alone". And then I remember being wow-ed by her again via that duet with Rick Springfield, "Taxi Dancing". Hmmm... a break-up song! :) Anyway, it was from that film that featured RS, "Hard to Hold", released in 1984.

Nope, I don't think it's a "Nostalgic Wednesday". It's more like a "senti Thursday", don't ya think? ;) Don't worry, it'll be a "crazy" New Year's Eve later - much later. :) So, yeah... Joy to the World! ;) Cheers! :)

***

To be a child on Christmas morning...

...becomes one of our heartfelt wishes as we go deeper into that "labyrinth" called "advanced adulthood". :)
=======================================================
by Philipina A. Marcelo

The season is all about love, peace, joy... and the children.
And being child at heart, too!

Huh? Mid-life crisis? Uh, nah... let's not even go there! ;) If anything, there's that silver lining... and it's called "retirement"! :) Although some people I know are terrified by the mere thought of it - something I really don't get - I am excited to experience it! ;) I truly believe that there's just so much the world has to offer... for us to discover and explore in fun adventures (and misadventures), without having to worry about returning to "work mode" all the time. And yet, maybe retirement could, indeed, be terrifying if one viewed it as that stage when one's life comes to a halt rather than a stage where one, after a fulfilling "major adventure", moved on to yet another life's phase that's filled with the promise of more meaningful feelings of fulfillment. A phase where one explored "other interesting turns" in life's labyrinth, which were left unexplored because one was afraid that they might not lead to the exit... and that did turn out to be a practical decision in the end, of course. But, retirement can be a time to be impractical... and unafraid again - like a child - because one can afford that now. Only, this time, there really is nothing to be afraid of because the true hurdles have already been cleared, the treacherous traps marked prominently... and the rest of the lap is just "fun run", where one has really nothing to lose. :)

But 2012 is on its way. Ah, New Year... and I pray for an exciting new beginning! :)

***

Image brag: I took the photos in the collage above on Christmas day using my little point-and-shoot. And the adorable little girls in the photos are my grandnieces! :)

***

Saturday Photo

Gloria in Excelsis Deo!

Ah, it's that most glorious time of year again! Every Christian pauses to seek his/her heart for the One true love that resides there... amidst the noise and the dizzying rush. Before we get lost in the tantalizing glitters and the "crazy" merrymaking around us, we say a little prayer to honor Him who is King - our King! May the celebration of His birth lift our spirits in a joyful and meaningful day with loved ones, bring peace in our hearts, and put love in our midst. May these feelings stay with us and our loved ones for the rest of our lives! And may we learn to commit ourselves to Him whose Love for us is eternal.

A blessed Christmas to one and all!

***

Immense joy...

...a feeling "reserved exclusively" for teachers.
=====================================================
by Philipina A. Marcelo


Just a few months ago, my colleagues and I were savoring the joy of seeing our students finish an important journey... to start a new and more exciting one, with a promise of more meaningful and fulfilling "adventures". While it was wringing our hearts to see them go after (mostly) five years of nurturing them, with inspired commitment, hardwork, and tears (mostly theirs), it excited us to think about the possibilities - their possibilities! It's fantastic to think about the many opportunities in front of them... therefore, despite aching hearts that clung heavily to memories of having them in our midst, we happily let them go - to discover and explore their wonderful possibilities.

The 2011 University of Santo Tomas Faculty of Engineering Solemn Investitute at the Philippine International Convention Center Plenary Hall, March 2011.

After shaking their hands for a job well done, their professional journey commenced. They signed on to pursue professional certification - the Chemical Engineer Licensure Examination. Unlike the hundreds of examinations they took in the University, their first hurdle to full-pledged professional practice was a "test of will and perseverance" rather than technical proficiency... because modesty aside, I believe we have more than sufficiently taken care of that in the University.

And so, like parents of eager toddlers who were learning to walk, we watched them - painfully, too, sometimes - as they languished through the harsh patches along the way. And yet, we secretly smiled to ourselves as they remembered to summon the discipline, strength of character, faith, and intellectual and technical seeds that we planted in them, and that they nurtured to glorious bloom, in the University, as they continued navigating the path to certified professional practice. While we tortured ourselves to useless anxiety sometimes about how they would reach the finish line of their very first "professional race", we were confident that they were fully equipped to finish the race. And finish they did! And it led them to this glorious and storied corridor...

The Historical Manila Hotel - the venue for the 2011 Oathtaking ceremonies for the new licensed Chemical Engineers of the country.

After several months of sleepless nights, preparing for the battle, learning to use the strings after long strings of technical "ammunitions" we packed in their bags as we sent them out to journey - on their own now - they valiantly marched out to confront the "enemy". And, as we so fervently believed in our hearts, they conquered it! They emerged victorious! :) The storied corridor led them to this hallowed four-walls where their certified professional journey begins...

The Rigodon Hall of the Manila Hotel, where the new licensed chemical engineers of the country begin their professional journey.

...and, as they raised their right hands and inducted into the ranks of one of the most elite professional circles known, we felt nothing but pride!

Our dear former students... new certified chemical engineers, all grown-up and full-pledged professionals now!

As they returned their gaze to us... certified licensed chemical engineers now, there was no word to describe the overwhelming joy that filled our hearts, their former teachers! :) And we swam in the glorious sweetness of the moment... like it was exclusively reserved for us!

Ah, a truly joyful occasion! :)

Congratulations to our NEW Thomasian licensed chemical engineers! All the very best in your future endeavors!! We are very proud of you! :)

***

We say a prayer for the victims of floods in Southern Philippines. May the Holy Spirit continue to bring peace and calm in their hearts as they gather strength to pick up the pieces of their fragmented homes and start anew. Amen.

***

Incredible Barça...

...are the 2011 FIFA Club World Cup Winners!
=========================================================
by Philipina A. Marcelo


This one goes out to the Brazilian football legend, Pelé:

"Sir, Lionel Messi weaved his magic on the pitch again. This time he did it at the Yokohama International Stadium in Japan. The
Neymar faded in the shadow of Messi's brilliance.little, uhm, ahem, Argentine genius slotted a brace of goals via a Xavi beautiful assist in the first and through a Dani Alves graceful one in the other against, uhm, ahem, Brazil's Santos FC - the South American champs. Both goals were, uhm, ahem... of undisputed things of beauty and brilliance - both in their making and finishing. But more than that, they helped FC Barcelona win the 2011 FIFA Club World Cup for the second time in three years under Pep Guardiola. Woohoo! Uhm, ahem... pardon me, sir, you've gotta admit, it's quite a feat!

Uh, sir, the Catalans won the final in a lopsided match with a final scoreline of 4-0... and that wasn't because Santos weren't good because they were, it's just that Barça were in their incredible winning form - as always! :) Barça's midfield El Maestro, Xavi, and Cesc Fàbregas contributed a goal each in the first-half of the match to complement Messi's brace in the total tally. The win made official what has long been very obvious to, uhm, ahem, the entire football world that Barça, the current UEFA Champions League holders and champs of uhm,
Dani Alves and El Maestro, Xavi - the architects
of Messi's brace of goals. Alves played Xavi to a
goal of his own, too.ahem, Spanish La Liga are the BEST Football Club in the World! Woohoo!!! Oh, uhm, pardon me, sir... hard to supress excitement after witnessing a fantastic show of football awesomeness... as I'm sure you very well understand, a legend in the beautiful game as you are.

Also, I think it's important that you learn that your boy, Neymar, was rendered, uhm, ahem, "immaterial", he may as well have been invisible on the pitch - shoved in the shadows of Messi's dazzling brilliance, and a no-match to the in-form Carles Puyol's caveman-defensive wisdom, Sergio Busquets's incredible sharpness at the defense-midfield interface, and Andres Iniesta's sumptuous football. You may verify that with your boy, too, sir, if in doubt. But, yes, sir, while the whole Catalan team played an incredibly mesmerizing football (once again), Messi was that Blaugrana-clad figure that needed a lot of figuring out on the pitch for Santos. In fact, the "Little Phenom" received the Golden Ball and the Toyota Award for being the best player in the Club World Cup. But not to worry, your boy
As becoming his "habit" lately, Barça's #4, Cesc
Fàbregas, was at the right place and kicked at the
right time for a goal. Not that we're complaining.might just find consolation in the fact that he is in the company of Cristiano Ronaldo - in Messi's shadow. Good news is, he's young... he has plenty of time to learn Messi's and Barça's trade - and I understand, by his own insinuations, that he is keen to do so as well. But yeah, Messi's magic in Japan won him, uhm, ahem, much deserved praises in the four corners of the planet once again, hailing him as usual as the BEST player of this generation, and probably, uhm, ahem, the greatest of all time! Woohoo!!! Ooops, do pardon me again, sir... too hard to contain gleeful emotions... uhm, especially if they're based on incredible show of, uhm, ahem, never-before-seen brilliance. Uhm... in your case, sir, I think I should emphasize that when all means of "bishy" denial fail, uhm, crying is okay, too... I guess, you know what I mean, sir. Trust that that wouldn't diminish our respect for you... well, especially, not from the level where you have managed to reduce it to after those really petulant insistence against Messi's greatness and the Spanish La Liga's respectability as the strongest football league on the planet... albeit not as organized as the English Premier League.

Uhm, in the spirit of fair assessment, may I invite you, sir, to please check out the video below... yes, it is, uhm, ahem, alright to be awed, too - I'd understand completely! And, no, not to worry - I won't tell either! Shhhh.... Enjoy! :)

Thank you for your attention, sir. And, because I understand totally that you might need "someOne Special" to commiserate with, please feel free to share this with Jose Mourinho - and for his own enlightenment as well. Please be assured that I don't mind at all, sir."

(Ahh-hahaha... just having a little fun here. Sorry if I sounded mean. ;))

***

And now, for the real post... CONGRATULATIONS to you, Pep Guardiola and your brilliant men!! VISCA, EL BARÇA!!! Woohoo!!! :)

Get well soon, David Villa! We missed your awesome world-class form on the pitch today. :(

***

As we enjoy the beautiful game, we pause and offer prayers for the victims of flash floods in Southern Philippines. May the families and loved ones of those who perished find peace and be comforted by the gentle embrace of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Those who would like to send support, donations could be sent through the following:
ABS-CBN Foundation, Inc. "Sagip Kapamilya"
GMA7 Kapuso Foundation
Gawad Kalinga

***
Photo credits: All photos were grabbed at the Zimbio website - thanks.
Video credits: Thanks, YouTube, for the video links.

***

Putting God first...

... this Christmas season, and always.
===================================================
by Philipina A. Marcelo


As in the previous years, Christmas festivities at USTe or "Paskuhan" commenced with the celebration of the Holy Mass,
Day 1 of "Misa de Gallo" or "Simbang Gabi" puts
God first, and in the center, of a Thomasian's
Christmas celebration.officiated by the Rector of the University himself, on the evening of the 15th of December. The Mass marked the beginning of the nine-day preparation, or Misa de Gallo (Midnight Mass or "Simbang Gabi"), for the Christian world's celebration of the birth of its King on Christmas Day. The whole University then shared a sumptuous meal in a feast amidst the pretty glitters of colorful lights that befit the cheers of celebrating the glorious birth of the King of Kings! The celebration continued on the next day with a Christmas concert, gift-giving to Thomasian beneficiaries, alumni Christmas reunions, and fun raffle draws... and it culminated
Christmas merrymaking with
Thomasian family and friends.through one of the most anticipated events that every year brought the Thomasian community together... and with the multitude of Thomasian friends and family, too. The merrymaking skyrocketed to a great climax via the awe-inducing fireworks that sent Thomasian cheers to the heavens above! It was a truly joyful way of sharing the message of Christmas - togetherness... one in faith and in love - as the University sends off its students and employees to a Christmas break, and be together with their loved ones on Christmas day.

Ah, all the truly joyous traditions in our beloved Royal and Pontifical University... our one and only USTe - incredibly heartwarming!

***
Thomasian Christmas Message

To my Thomasian family and friends, please allow me to share with you this Christmas message from the Rector of the University of Santo Tomas:

"Años de Gracia" by Dante V. Lerma, M.D.

Four hundred years ago,
Miguel de Benavides
Looked at everything he had:
a few books, worn-out
clothes, and a few hundred pesos -
his savings of a lifetime.

Benavides scooped everything he had
And laid it at the feet of his fellow Dominicans.
"Here is everything I have,
I give them all up."

He would never have thought that his little act of generosity
Would have given birth to the University of Santo Tomas.
He would never have thought that for the first time in his life,
He would experience real Christmas.
He saw the reason why God chose to be born poor,
To remain poor, and die poor.

Christmas is God's way of telling us:
A poor person is not the one who has nothing,
But the one who is not afraid to lose everything.
and
Real strength is not measured by our ability
To cling to something or to someone;
But by our ability to cling no more.

May we, like Benavides,
Learn to say: "Dear Lord, gently snip
The ropes that bind me
to possessiveness, fear, and anxiety.
Free me, cut me loose, and let me break through
To experience for the first time, real freedom."

A BLESSED CHRISTMAS TO YOU AND YOUR LOVED ONES!

Fr. Rolando V. dela Rosa, O.P.
Rector
University of Santo Tomas

***

We offer prayers for the victims of flash floods in Southern Philippines. Our thoughts are with the suffering families. Those who would like to send support, donations could be sent through the following:
ABS-CBN Foundation, Inc.
GMA7 Kapuso Foundation
Gawad Kalinga

***

Saturday photo

A surprise...that pleasantly surprises.
==========================================================
by Philipina A. Marcelo

Thoughtfulness that deserves no less than the most heartfelt gratitude... and a blog post, too! :)

:) Ah, yeah... there's just so much to smile about.

Just when you've thrown in the towel and accepted the fate of one who's missed out on some of life's special gifts - like a thoughtful son, for instance - all of a sudden, you realized that that couldn't be any farther away from the truth! That you've actually got an extremely thoughtful son... a gift that's wrapped in an unconventional package... but a gift just the same - only, truly special!

But, like a gift that arrived on Christmas morning, when you're being too much of a grown-up blindly preoccupied, dreaming of how the items in your wishlist, wrapped in the fanciest of packages, would end up in your stocking, you missed the moment... and your special gift completely. And just when you're about to declare that jolly Old St. Nick was a "flop" for you this year, a gift, in a rather discrete package stands like a pot of gold under your christmas tree. The unconventionally glitter-free package reveals the most special of gifts, an answer to a fervent prayer - and it is a truly thoughtful son who, like a kindred spirit, understands his Mom's simple wishes of peace of mind and "lightheartedness". :) Naturally, you feel like you're the luckiest person in the Universe - thoroughly loved and cherished... and you know better now than to associate "flop" with St. Nick - ever again! :)

Ah, indeed... life is so full of pleasant surprises, and the most special of them are those that do not bear price tags, too. You just have to stay hopeful and excited about uncovering them here and there - in the most unlikely places... with the innocence and faithful enthusiasm of a little child on Christmas morning rather than with the cynicism of a grown-up on a "life's dead-end"! :)

"It's not about the money, money, money... forget about the price tag."

***

Wednesday nostalgia...

Someone to watch over me...

"I'm a little lamb who's lost in the wood... I know I could always be good to one who'll watch over me...." Oy!

Whew! Too good!

The only thing I do not appreciate about Sting's version of this classic is how he had to sing the line, "Although I may not be the man some girls think of as handsome, to her heart I'll carry the key..." Aw, c'mon! He is Sting, for cryin' out loud! It's hard to imagine that some girls would actually think of him as not handsome. Certainly not a Nat Geo nuts, that's for sure... and ya can bet on it, too! :)

So, how is this a break from all that weekend hyperventilation-inducing football awesomeness? I'm not sure... 'cause, while the music is uber romantic, there is nothing about this video that doesn't involve palpitation - the sweet kind! :) Oh, well...

***

And while we're at it, let's just all drown in this genius's lovely music... taking a firm stand against the "philosophy of violence" this time.

"Perhaps, this final act was meant to clinch a lifetime's argument that nothing comes from violence and nothing ever could."

Definitely a perfection - genius! I know... life isn't fair! ;) And hey, don't you dare play a Gaga-sounding Lady (and the like) within my hearing distance right this moment... unless you'd want to know what "fragile" actually meant! ;)

***
Video credit: Thanks, YouTube and Nat Geo, for the video links.

Visca, El Barça!!!

A classic win in an El Clásico.
==============================================================
by Philipina A. Marcelo


And so, after all the nerve-wracking anticipation that almost induced a nervous breakdown in me, the first El Clásico of the current Spanish La Liga season finally unfolded at Estadio de Santiago Bernebéu. Real Madrid CF went into the Clásico with a 15-match winning streak and was the slight favorite over the seemingly out-of-form and winning-fatigued FC Barcelona... then again, most of those opinions came from Madridistas and those who are "bored" of the Catalans genius on the pitch. The two giants in the beautiful world of football marched to the center of the Madrid pitch... and, as the referee blew his whistle to get the highly-anticipated duel underway, millions of hearts went racing as adrenalin surged and rest at the summit of excitement! I'm still recovering from the heap of football awesomeness... so let me just post this as I savor the moment:

I join the cules all around the globe in rejoicing over this sweetest of victories, Real Madrid CF 1 - 3 FC Barcelona. Oy! Groovy, oy!

***
A fast goal and playing catch-up...

It was a classic "come-from-behind" away victory as the Blaugranes saw Karim Benzema slot the fastest goal in the history of Spanish La
Karim Benzema, slotting the fastest goal in
La Liga history.Liga on the 23rd second via a say-what??? mistake by Victor Valdes. VV kicked the ball to Angel Di Maria (huh??? I know, right?!), who attempted a cross to Karim Benzema, but it was foiled by Sergio Busquets with a kick. The ball was effectively deflected to Mesut Ozil's direction. MO took a shot that got deflected once again by the incredible Busquets - bless him - but, only for the ball to find Benzema, who was a few feet away from the Barça goal. The Frenchman quickly slotted the ball in while Gerard Piqué was still positioning himself in front of the goal and VV still processing what he just did in his head, putting Los Blancos in front. Stunning I must say! Needless to say, the fast moves and the resulting goal thrilled the Madridistas (and most football fans) to the ceiling of enjoyment. Barça's captain, Carles Puyol, called his team to settle down and signaled them to stay focused on the game amidst the Madrid excitement.

Lionel Messi, phenomenal as always no matter the situation, was the first to heed the Catalan captain... and he was not about to be silenced by a stunning goal, history-setting it was notwithstanding. The little genius, in his usual unstoppable form, stole the ball from Sergio Ramos and then flew past Ramos and Xabi Alonso, avoided a blocking Pepe, as he sped and rallied Barça into a response with a kick-on-a-run... only, the tip of Iker Casillas's fingers sent it spinning away to thread-thin safety from the Madrid goal. The wasted chance was matched by
Alexis Sanchez, a classic El Clásico
debut - with an equalizing goal.Cristiano Ronaldo with a lousy miss on the other end of the pitch. :) CR7 decided to finish the cross from Benzema instead of passing to Angel Di Maria who was wide open to make the shot - typical of Ronaldo though. Little did everyone realize that that would define the outcome of the match.

Relentless in his search for an equalizing goal, Messi negotiated a busy Madrid thoroughfare that was intimidatingly lined with four towering defenders. He got through with the ball at his feet, which was not a surprise for any football enthusiast... it's Lionel Messi, hello! The little genius then played Alexis Sanchez, who impressively remained unpurturbed by the mighty task of finishing a Messi assist - not such an easy thing to do, especially on his El Clásico debut. And, clean finish, the Chilean did despite the formidable Iker Casillas of a wall in front of the Madrid goal and two Los Blancos defenders building a fence around him closely as he moved towards the goal! EQUALIZER! Game on!

***
Tactical duel - an El Clásico, indeed!

Level in points now, the guests and the hosts, recalibrated their shot
El Maestro, Xavi, a classic 600th appearance in
Blaugrana shirt - punctuated by a goal.and defense artilleries as they get ready to get deeper into the duel... why not, afterall, it's an El Clásico! In the second half, the men returned on the pitch with renewed vigor. Xavi, who was on his 600th appearance in the Blaugrana shirt, with some sheer determination and a little bit of luck, blasted an off-balanced kick from 30 yards out. Marcelo's toes deflected the ball, an occurence that distracted Casillas into clearing the shot, diving in the wrong side, failing to clear the shot as it happened... therefore, 1-2, in favor of Barça! Ah, classic!

A few exchanges of chance por chance between the giants, great defensive plays by Puyol, some shows of dazzling brilliance in the second-half from Don Andres Iniesta... and some CR7 for-crying-out-loud misses later, Barça "volted in". They took tiki-taka to high gear... and then, in one of those vintage
Cesc Fàbregas, debuting in La Liga El Clásico
with a goal... and a nice haircut - finally. :)Barça moments, Dani Alves, Messi and, the now-well-groomed Cesc Fàbregas sped to the front in a wide triangle, with Alves carrying the ball on the right wing from a Messi pass while Messi and Fàbregas sped in front of the Madrid goal to position themselves for a finish - a perfect puzzle for Casillas to figure out! Both Messi and Fàbregas appeared ready to receive an Alves cross, and drive a cushion goal in to finish Madrid for good. In a decisive stroke, Alves flicked a pretty cross to the farther away Fàbregas who had lesser challenge from the Los Blancos defense, at Casillas's far post. Fàbregas then resurrected himself from silence in the first-half and surged purposely forward for a diving header that sent the ball home before Casillas could take his eyes completely off the speeding Messi in front of him and concentrate on the attacking Cesc! GOAL!!! What an absolutely brilliant play! 1-3 - Barça surged farther up, and Madrid could only stare upward defeatedly!

Los Blancos, the "Special One" and the Madridistas were effectively silenced by that piece of brilliance... just because the Bernabéu Club didn't have an answer to that - even in their best form... and in their own backyard, too. And so, the Catalans went home - classic victory in tow! :)

5 + 6 + 10 (+ 8)... Barça Stalwarts = classic awesomeness!

***
Victory comes to those who respect the power of teamwork...


Pep Guardiola, come on!Congratulations to you, Pep Guardiola and your valiant men, for giving the world yet another brilliant football - a remarkable testament to the beauty of teamwork, focus, hardwork, consistency, and unwavering faith in one's team principles! Once again, you and your men have proven that tactical and technical brilliance can only translate to victory when it is anchored on teamwork - a lesson, not just for footballers and football fans, but for everyone! Thank you for that wonderful victory and the classic display of football beauty - we loved it! All the very best in your next matches.

Visca, El Barça!!!

***
Video credit: Thanks, YouTube, for the video link.
Photo credits: All photos were grabbed from the Zimbio website - thanks!

***

Saturday photo

The "Man-Made" Forest of Bohol...
...an amazing "collaboration" between man and nature.

I joined our graduating students' fieldtrip during the last five days in Cebu and Bohol. While I've visited Cebu three times during the last 15 years, it was my first time to visit one of the most beautiful places in the Philippines that is known to lure many tourists - Bohol. I know, I know, that sounds too pathetic that I'm almost ashamed to admit it! But hey, I worked on it... and, oh, boy, I'm so glad I did!

I got myself sufficiently ready to be awed by the beauty of the Chocolate Hills, enjoy the fun-filled Loboc River cruise
Green ceiling and walls....con terrific Boholano lunch and entertainment, be amazed by that nocturnal little primate - the Philippine Tarsier, and be fascinated by those architectural treasures that abound in the little island paradise in the Central Visayas region. Needless to say, they didn't disappoint. What I didn't expect was to be awed to speechlessness by the man-made forest between the towns of Bilar and Loboc via a 2-km winding road en route to Carmen from Tagbilaran to view the Chocolate Hills. As our bus negotiated the road lined by a dense wall of an almost perfectly uniform-in-height mahogany trees to serve as an inviting allure to go deeper into the mountains on one side and hide the intimidating ravine on the other, I looked up and was greeted by a canopy of green leaves gently swinging with the wind in a playful block-and-unblock game with the sunrays. I was so helplessly awed that a "sweet profanity" slipped out of my lips before I could catch myself... and then the forest completely knocked the breath out of me as we moved deeper into the 2-km "green tunnel" - too beautiful!

I fell in love... with Bohol! Oy!

***

Some good things do last...

...through faith and love. I just know it!
============================================================
by Philipina A. Marcelo


Today, my family celebrated a special occasion. Two special and truly beloved family members, celebrated their 25th wedding anniversary. With us and their dearest friends, they held hands once again in front of the altar and, with solemn prayer, they renewed their wedding vows.

Love can conquer all... it's true!

Ah, love was indeed in the air, as it always is when they are around... and we wish them more joyful years of togetherness.

Best wishes, Kuya and Ate! We love you! :)

***

Every rose has its thorn...

...including this one. However, it is open to having its thorn clipped.
===============================================================
by Philipina A. Marcelo


I'm really pressed for time right now (whew!), but I just have to do this...

Happy birthday, you-hoo!
Ho, ho, ho! :)

And Happy 1st of December to all! :)

There, done! OK then, back to this bed of thorns (a.k.a. work)!

***

Wednesday nostalgia...

...on break-ups et al.
==============================================================
by Philipina A. Marcelo


The weather is not being good to me, not feeling well today... and a friend of mine chose this 'fantastic time' to ask me what my fave "break-up song" is - ever! Can you believe it... that I was actually asked that question... and with the added "ever", too?? So, what was my friend implying... that I was a "break-up veteran" and therefore I should have a fave break-up song? =) Oh, boy... I didn't realize I'm projecting that aura of a "serial break-up girl"! =) Hmmm... if I knew it, my friend has been sulking over the Jade-Andy break-up in "My Binondo Girl"... and I'm just unlucky to be the first single person that crossed my friend's vision. :)

But, just for the record... nope, I'm not - a break-up veteran! :) Even in my professional affiliation, I'm kinda loyal and enduring y'know. :) For how long? How does 20 years (and that's it) sound? Stay tuned! :) Anyway, if one has to have a fave break-up song (yeah, I know that sounds weird, right?), then mine would have to be this...

"It must have been love... but it's over now."

...from the early '90s and by an '80s act, of course! "It must have been love" by Roxette of the "Dressed for success" fame, among many others. Roxette was one of the reasons why Sweden was "a must" destination for me. This "break-up song" of theirs was from the soundtrack of the 1990 phenomenal box office hit, "Pretty Woman". And, just for the record, too, "Pretty Woman" is one of my all-time fave chick flicks (Academics are allowed to have a few, too, right? :)). I think that Richard Gere was really gorgeous, too, and that he made the 'salt and pepper' look truly sexy in that film - long before George Clooney decided to mesmerize and leave many of us breathless with exactly the same look. And Julia Roberts... ah, those legs... and that figure! She was indeed a pretty woman - in this film... and in that other chick flick hit in 1999, "Notting Hill", too.

Now, with all those '80s/early '90s sentiments, this post can be considered "nostalgic", right? Right! :)

Alright then... so, back to work? On a holiday? Ugh! Do I have a choice? :( Loyal and enduring - that's me. =) So, no... no choice - for now.

***
Video credit: Thanks, YouTube, for the video link.

***

Somebody got their mojo back...

...Roger that! :)
============================================================
by Philipina A. Marcelo


So, what did I tell ya a few days back? The Swiss Maestro has gone out of the limelight after his US Open semi-final choke-up against Novak Djokovic, who went on to win the tournament, and his Davis Cup stint in Australia with the Swiss National Team. He then returned with a vangeance! He mounted a "mini-comeback" in Basel, which he followed up with another win in Paris. And now, after the other three in the "Big Four" of men's tennis - Djokovic, Rafael Nadal (who was thoroughly beaten by the Maestro himself in their round-robin, 6-3, 6-0), and Andy Murray (who dropped out of the competition due to injury) - fell one by one in the O2 arena in London as the Top 8 in men's tennis clashed in the ATP World Tours Finals, Roger Federer claimed his record-breaking sixth year-ender trophy against Jo-Wilfried Tsonga! And he did it in three sets, 6-3, 6-7(6), 6-3 that effectively engaged the thrilled audience.

The King is back! Therefore, happy days in tennis are here again, woohoo!

Uhm, ahem, of course, there are those usual RF "yeah-I-know-I'm-awesome-thanks" talk, just very mild this time though. In fact, he sounded a bit philosophical and nostalgic...

"It's one of my greatest accomplishments...
I love this game... I'm not gonna wake up suddenly one morning and say I don't like it anymore... moments like this, it's priceless."

...but, hey, the man just proved everybody wrong again - that his career was over when he turned 30 last August, especially after that Wimbledon QF exit via a wasted two-set lead against Tsonga, which got repeated in the hands of Djokovic in the semis at the US Open. Obviously, he worked so hard to get his mojo back after that, and renewed his commitment to the sport that he loves. His stamina and fitness all throughout the Finals was amazing! How did he regain all that again?? Ah, "it must be love" - for the game, indeed! So, I guess he deserves some "dang-I did-amazing" moment there... just not a la José Mourinho. =) It's one of "his things" that us, fans, have grown to accept about him - part of his love of tennis, and his amazement of what focus, a desire to win and play beautifully on court could do. He balances it with awesome sense of humor and cuteness, too, on other occasions anyway... so, I guess, it's fine. Nah, it is fine!

And so, to celebrate RF's ATP year-ender victory, I rummaged through my fave RF-related YouTube videos, and found one that contained two of my biggest faves in the whole universe - RF and chocolate!

"Swiss... tennis player."

Well, actually, this is so much better...

:D Yowzer!

***

Alright, work, work, work... work!

***
Video credits: Thanks, YouTube, for the videolinks.

Saturday photo...

Prof. Syed S. H. Rizvi - tough... and topnotch!

There are days when I just feel like slacking off a bit and just go through the motion at work... sometimes out of extreme exhaustion, sometimes out of comatose work-related inspiration... most of the time, out of frustration - a precipitate of mediocre and poorly-functioning outdated work systems (if there were "working" systems at all, that is). When the temptation to slack off creeps in, I close my eyes and pray... and then images of the wonderful learnings I have been so lucky to have experienced over the years and the endearing way by which the faces of my students light up as they learned something new in the classroom or in the lab play like a slide show in my head... and that swats away the temptation to slack off.

In the "slide show" are mentors, who have been good influences in my teaching career... if you could call what I do now as that. One of them is Prof. Syed S. H. Rizvi. If there was anyone who has pushed me to my limits... and a few inches farther from breaking point, it would have to be him (and he alone, actually) - my daunting professor at the Institute of Food Science in Cornell University! At many points, my corner in his lab became a "valley of tears", as I tried to comply to the demands of the Program he's drawn for me, which was extremely TOUGH... but TOPNOTCH! Many times, I was on the verge of giving up, almost believing that, really, there was such a thing as "unconquerable, impossible, insurmountable"... and a PhD Program in an Engineering discipline - in an Ivy League institution - was it, and that I was unworthy to even just step in it, much less worthy to conquer it! But the challenge of overcoming the impossible was so strong - he made it so, too - it kept the fire of courage burning in me. I wanted it - unconquerable though it may seemed! His daring strengthened my resolve.

In the beginning, when he challenged me to a duel of intellectual substance, I cowered... like an unworthy good-for-nothing that I thought I was. He didn't stop. He kept pushing, challenging, taunting, hurting - reducing me to nothingness. I think I have called all saints and angels to come to my aid everytime I stepped into his office for yet another "duel". :) Until, one day, I discovered strengths I never thought I possessed... and they all came out as products of extreme and brutal hardwork and perserverance! He pushed, I found the strength to push back! He reasoned, I found the wisdom to reason back. He challenged, I found the courage to engage him in a fiery discussion of hard science and engineering - and I wasn't the first to blink either! Until one day, from some kind of divine intervention, I won the battle... and he himself handed me the prize! :)

Finally, he accepted me as an "equal", of the same level of capabilities as him - and that is a lot for me. I pushed through the boundaries, and I got through! In many respects, he helped me through, too. And the rest of my time in Cornell was an enjoyable learning and glorious days of fascinating discoveries in the scientific realms. And my little corner in his lab became a reservoir of joyful learning. And that made me finally understand what he once said, "your best mentor is also your worst tormentor." Needless to say, he was both to me! :)

Today, it feels truly wonderful to look back, to have been under his supervision... he, the scientist and engineer - professor par excellence - highly accomplished, but remains focused in maximizing his intellectual gifts, these days, for bringing greater global understanding through science and technology... and I would be extremely happy to try and be able to accomplish a little fraction of what he has accomplished, and still accomplishing to this day. Therefore, maybe it is time to move on and follow that path.

***

The World's Call Center Capital...

...the Philippines is. But at what price to some?
======================================================
by Philipina A. Marcelo


I've been thinking about students who work part-time in Call Centers here in Metro-Manila. They work at night and then attend lectures and lab classes during the day - some of them, attend tough Programs, such as Chemical Engineering even! And as I watch some of them zombie their way to school, it makes me wonder... when do they get to sleep? When the going gets tough and they're confronted with a choice between a College degree and keeping their lucrative jobs in the Call Center that feed them and their usually financially struggling families, the choice is usually painful for us, educators - they drop out of school. There are some who brave the towering task and continue attending school... and they usually get hammered by the tough demands of their Academic Programs, too. And how can they hope to survive when even full-time students struggle to meet the tough demands of their Programs? And "softening" those demands will weaken the value of the education, the very same "prize", that they are working so hard for, and therefore, that is not even an option - shouldn't be an option.

I was almost ready to curse that "lure of the big money" in those Call Centers that, I usually think, rob the Philippines's Science and Technology sector with would-be talents. And then I found this article on New York Times....

Hmmm... so, those kids, as they struggled to juggle their Call Center jobs and the tough demands of school in the hope of reaping the promise of a better life for themselves and their family, are actually contributing significantly to the Philippine economy? And yet, there's not much help out there for them to ensure their success in getting a college degree. Is that fair?

***

My suggestion... if I could be allowed to suggest something, how about scrapping the old-fashioned "block sectioning" that is still adopted in many universities? Block sections, especially in the majoring/specialization years, leave the students very little options - it's either they take the morning session or the afternoon session... and that's just about it. Therefore, students who work part-time have very little hope of taking courses required in their Academic Program that match their work schedule, too. This situation is mostly true in private Universities where students try to go to, despite the higher tuition fees, to avail the top-notch education that they seek. And yet, the "unfriendly" block section system makes it hard - close to impossibility - for them to juggle work and school. And when they're not able to enroll the full load of a "regular" student in a block section, they are tagged "irregular" - a stigma that doesn't help their plight - and they are destined to spend longer time in the University, mostly joining "petitioned classes", which are more expensive for them... and most of them are the ones who struggle financially, too!

Is it hard to remedy this? I don't think so... in fact, I think that this is the whole point of having on-line enrollment - let the computers sort out the schedule puzzle for the students. It's just a matter of making them, computers, do their job that way... otherwise, what's the point of computerization when the enrollment system is still as limited as manual enrollment? Then "computerized" would just be some fancy term, and their operation an added expense - with very little added benefits - for the students! "Modenization" and "progress" are empty words unless they actually worked, y'see!

***

Champions League cardiac duel...

...between Italy's best... and, uhm, Europe's best! Oy!
==========================================================
by Philipina A. Marcelo


"Friday (work) madness" is brewing, so let's make this quick! Therefore, let me say, first of all, that the AC Milan vs. FC Barcelona UEFA Champions League fixture in San Siro earlier this morning (Thursday, Manila time) was a monster of a match - in terms of excitement! It got me spewing early morning coffee at many points as a torrent of yellow cards swept the Italian pitch - defining the mood, speed and INTENSITY of the duel between Zlatan Ibrahimovic's current Club and immediate former Club!

Let me say, second of all, that the Barça away kit was, uhm, so
Four from Barça's three generations of superstars
celebrating Xavi's Messi-assisted goal - such an
awesome sight to behold!pretty (hehe... y'know I need to say that, don't ya?)... uhm, even on Sergio Busquets who usually wears the Barça color with very neutral effect even when his ballhandling, er, ballfooting (huh? hehe...) in Barça's midfield can be extra-ordinary, and especially on Lionel Messi who made the minty cotton candy-ish shirt a total "pop hit" in a classic only-for-the-"big-boys" tumultuous affair of footieful brilliance! Aaawww! :) The kit in question also made Cesc Fàbregas worthy of some pause-and-stare in the midst of all that testosteronic intensity despite Cesc's painful (for us, fans) "hair confusion" phase ( I sure wish that it's just a phase). *sigh* :)

The scoreline, AC Milan 2-3 FC Barcelona, doesn't really sum it all up. The three times that Barça took the lead and the two times the San Siro residents equalized, and all the round leather's close encounters with the net in between, were the big dramas that made the duel between the two giants at the Stadio Giuseppe Meazza quite unforgettable... and another day of no-sleep for football fans in this side of the world - but very happy, nevertheless, thank you very much! :)

***
It all began with a tackle...

The dogfight on the pitch started with a bold tackle by, ahem,
El Capitan, Puyi, flying
kick con flying curls.who else but Ibra on Barça's captain, Carles Puyol. As Puyi rose from the Italian pitch amidst that mighty roar from the crowd... and under Pep Guardiola's not-so-surprised stare, the Catalan Captain shrugged the Italian dust and signaled the seriousness of the match. Xavi, rising to the challenge, was not content with 'just' playmaking that night. He relentlessly skimmed the peripheries of the midfield, darting past Milanese defenders in unstoppable determination in front via a Messi-created space - on a hunt for a goal. With Thiago Alcántara behind, beside, and around him, more than ably covering the voids he leaves in the midfield as he penetrated the Milanese defense, Spain's most current "century man" flirted with fire, taunting the mighty Milanese defenders every so often as he tried to slot the ball in the Milan goal. And then, at a moment of sheer daring and
Ibra... on the loose, footloose
dangerous.brilliance, the Maestro caught a Messi long-distance volley via a Seydou Keita cross in front of the goal and pressured Mark van Bommel to slot an own goal, putting Barça in front - where they belong! Woohoo!

While Keita tried to put a fence around Ibra all night, the "Tower of Terror" got away from Javier Mascherano at one striking glory point as the Swede chased a Seedorf cross that Puyi failed to intercept, beating Victor Valdes somehow with a fantastic kick-on-the-run that found its way in Valdes's net - an equalizer for Milan! The economy-ravaged, post-Berlusconi Italian crowd roared! Game on!

***
Killer kicks, blinding speed, some misses... and yellow cards!

Now that both teams expressed their singular intention of winning the UEFA Champions League Group H top spot via a 1-1 scoreline, they stared one another in the eye coldly in a nerve-wracking intensity, matching each other's kick with a kick, speed por speed... and yellow card por yellow card! But, hey, there wasn't any temper-losing incident from both sides, just a great display of tactical duel - which was an awesome way to play the beautiful game!
Kevin-Prince Boateng, he who
left Victor Valdes breathless.There were heartbreaking misses, such as that Fàbregas uh-oh moment - a waste of Thiago-created brilliant chance - and that Robinho say-what???! wasted chance at the very mouth of the Barça goal, which he sent over the net when he could have just tapped it in nicely in a clinical finish! Oh, well....

Ah, and then there was that Messi "spot blink" (hehe...) that fetched him a yellow card from the amused referee, Wolfgang Stark. :) But, of course, La Pulga completed the opportunity via a Xavi-was-brought-down-on-the-pitch confusing situation with a goal on his second try, putting the Catalans in front once again. And then that awesomeness of an equalizing goal by Kevin-Prince Boateng that left Eric Abidal, Boateng's marksman on Barça's danger zone, speechless... and Victor Valdes shaking his head in disbelief! It left me astounded, too, with a whispered, but full of conviction and sincerity, "dang, awesome"! =)

Just when I was about to declare Boateng's goal as the best in the
Ah, Barça... just oh-awesome!match, Lionel Messi, in his phenomenal brilliance, navigated a crowded Milan danger zone, slipping the ball through with incredible dribbling and speed through the narrow thoroughfare, and found the discretely positioned looking-for-a-kill-like-a-panther Xavi in front of Christian Abbiatti, who rejected a number of Catalan attempts with touches of brilliance of his own. In a split second of breathtaking football - Barça style - Messi laser-pointed the ball to Xavi, and the Maestro slotted the ball with zero hesitation and 100% awesomeness! Dang, too fantastic! Milan didn't have an answer to that, and so the BEST OF EUROPE took the top spot in Group H. Woohoo!

While Massimilliano Allegri and his men competed absolutely
El Maestro, the Man of the Match.fantastic, the well-deserved win went to those who are some notches more brilliant... who ran and attacked relentlessly on the pitch - Barça! :) But all clubs expect that when they find themselves on the same pitch as the Catalans... Europe's best run a lot, they take ball possession to heart in an attacking football strategy that is heavily anchored on tiki-taka, they link up on the pitch like a single body that packs tremendous cohesive force (although lately, they're exhibiting some failure in that division via a Guardiola endless combination "experiments" this season. Ah, but what do you do when you have so much talent in your stable, so much options in front of you? You'd experiment, too, wouldn't you? Dang, I would!). AC Milan went into the match with the right game plan, the right attitude, and the right execution with incredible football artistry, too. But in a duel of absolute brilliance, played in good spirits and sportsmanship, the better team emerges victorious! Visca, El Barça! :)

***
Photo credits: All photos were grabbed from the Zimbio website - thanks.
Video credit: Thanks, YouTube, for the video link.

***

Ah, it's game on in London! Roger that!

Two big hurdles cleared, and the high notes reverberate at the O2 arena!
===============================================================
by Philipina A. Marcelo


And so, fresh from "winning ugly" against Jo-Wilfried Tsonga in their three-setter encounter last weekend, El Maestro demolished the Spanish Matador, 6-3, 6-0, at the Barclays ATP World Tours Finals in London. You can say that again, the most awaited encounter between Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal at the O2 Arena didn't turn out to be a nail-biting event. Instead, it did turn out to
Win #2, and into the semi-finals. Roger that!be an exhibition of the "old" Federer breathtaking genius on court... except that it was at the expense of his biggest rival - the warrior from Majorca. RF was going for a kill right from the first set, which he took without much resistance from the other end of the court. And Nadal can't seem to recover from the mighty hiccups that was choking him in the first set, cannot mount a comeback in the second set. Relentless RF didn't give him a chance either, taking the set with a murderous scoreline, 6-0... and winning the match in a little more than just one hour! Oy! But as Nadal said, the world doesn't stop turning today that he got defeated by RF, or something along that line. Sure, sure... 'game on' then! :)

Of course, RF's brilliant performance against Nadal a few hours ago is reminiscent of his dominance of men's tennis in the previous decade. Then again, we, RF fans know that once he decides to take his tennis to high gear, there is no stopping him... especially in non-Grand Slam tours where age-related stamina is hardly a factor. He hasn't lost his incredible touch, even when world ranking suggests that. It's just a matter of deciding that he wants all the numbers that match his genius... or nothing at all.

Uhm, is that Team Djokovic scampering for last-minute anti-RF strategy there? Well, good luck to them! :)

***

Wednesday nostalgia...

...reaching out across the multi-disciplinary interface, and over to the "yummy side".
===============================================================
by Philipina A. Marcelo


Uh-hmm, yeah... it was around the "ber-ber" months of 1999 (whoa! 12 years ago already!) when somebody took this photo of myself...

Lund University - out there... where engineering became "yummy" for me.

...yep, I did live for a year in that lovely Scandinavian country - Sweden - with a population of 9 million (way smaller than the population of Metro-Manila!), including he who is the all-time "clay specialist" of men's tennis, Bjorn Borg, they who made us equate videoke with "Dancing Queen", Abba, and he who is the current tower of terror on the football pitch, Zlatan Ibrahimovic! :) It was there where I first attempted to specialize in an engineering area that is more benign to Mother Nature's faltering health, long before "green technology" has become the "it" thing in processing technology.

So, yeah, I went to Lund University, the pride of Skåne, with the idealistic hope of meeting "the next" Norman Borlaug
The little studio that I "shared" with Vincent van Gogh during
my Lund University days (1999 - 2000).who seeks to feed the world, this time, through the wonders of processing technology. No, I didn't meet the next NB. But I did meet 1/3 of that trio that wrote what an MIT grad student described as "the bible of membrane fouling". It was there where I shared a well-kept office pantry, coffee table and a few ideas with Gun Trägårdh of the "Marshall, Munro and Trägårdh" membrane fame! :) Therefore, I could say that I learned membrane technology from one of the very best in the world! Boy, it feels good just to be able to say that! :) Of course, I have yet to maximize the benefits of that learning, and help spread the joy of that experience - skimming Gun's head. Therefore, time to move on from where I am now.

More on Lund University, the wonderful people I met there, and the beauty of Scandinavia some other time... 'cause, yep, work beckons - again! Tsk!

***

BTW, have you ever looked forward to some big event, worked so hard so you could be a part of it - day and night, even on weekends, foregoing what could've been "life-changing" social events (and giving up blog time, too, hehe...) to do so - and really happy about it, too, just because your effort seemed to be paying off with excellent results, and that heightened your excitement about participating in that "big event"... and then when the big day finally arrived, you weren't even a part of that event? That you were reduced to just a mere spectator - an outsider - rather than an active participant? And the only excuse people could offer is a "glitch" in communication line... yes, in this day and age of ridiculously advanced communication mega hi-ways, too? Did you feel crushed? Yes? Well, I know how that feels now.

Uh, nah... that has nothing to do with Lund University... I had a great time there! :)

***