Game on...

...in Wimbledon!
==========================================================================
by PAM


It's been a while, and I need to really do this!  I need to write about Wimbledon 2017, especially that so much drama has been unfolding.  It wasn't even quarterfinals yet, and Rafa Nadal has been ousted already... and it was in 4.5-hr five-set epic of a match with Gilles Muller.  My heart went to Rafa... seriously.  And yet, I'm very happy for Gilles Muller.  He did fight a good fight at SW19, but it wasn't so much his tennis as his resolve to win that was absolutely impressive.  What with Rafa, who just snatched an unprecedented 10th title at Roland Garros, on the other side of the net?  Rafa Nadal was looking and moving imperious on court - looking absolutely unbeatable.  Muller really packed a steel of nerve in his mental game, and just fired away.  He was rewarded in the end... but to the dismay of the multitude of Nadal fans who watched their idol walk out of Center Court in defeat at the end of the match, and it was only the Round of 16.

Gilles Muller was eventually beaten by Marin Cilic in the Quarter-final.  And then, one by one, the 'big four' bowed out.  The defending champion, Andy Murray, fell in the hands of Sam Querrey in another

Garbine Muguruza: A new ladies tennis superstar is born...
and she took on both Williams sisters in the 'big courts'.

five-set slug-fest in their QF match.  A few minutes later, Novak Djokovic retired from an elbow injury after losing the first set on a tie break and the first two games in the second set to Tomas Berdych in their own QF.  That left Roger Federer as the only 'survivor' of the 'big four' into the semi-finals after beating Milos Raonic in straight-set.

Yesterday was the big Semi-final matches between RF and Berdych, and between Cilic and Querrey.  RF beat Berdych in a straight-set while Cilic was given a run for his money by Querrey in a four-set thriller.  These leave the Gentlemen's Championship match to be truly special with RF on the verge of making history with a record-breaking eighth win at Wimbledon, and 19th Grand Slam titles overall to his name.  On the other hand, Marin Cilic could be the first player in fifteen years to win Wimbledon outside the formidable 'big four' in Men's tennis. So much is at stake... so much to look forward to.  Game on!

But, today, the spotlight is on the women.  The really charming, Garbine Muguruza of Spain, set up a championship clash with five-time Wimbledon winner, Venus Williams. Garbi, the 2016 Roland Garros winner, clashed with Serena Williams at SW19 two years ago, and she finished as a runner-up to the mighty Serena.  Now, with Serena on leave, Venus was dominating the All England Club among the ladies.  But, Garbi was unstoppable today... she walloped Venus, big time, 7-5, 6-0, and snatched her first Venus Rosewater Dish.  She carried her trophy as if it was meant for her... one would think that she was born for this... to be a Champion at Wimbledon. And, what a beautiful champ she is, too! 🎾🏆

Congrats, Garbi! 🎊

Here's a piece of that adorable Spanish charm...

"...once I go to a big court, I feel good.  I feel like that's where I wanna be.
That's where I practice for. That's where I play good."

***
Video credit:  Thanks, YouTube, for the Wimbledon video link.
Photo credit:  The photo was snapped on tv screen during the live coverage of Ladies Championship match in Wimbledon by Fox Sports via Skycable - thanks.

***

QOTD

QOTD #25: Isn't it ironic?
============================================================================
by PAM

"Bad things happen to good people... all the time."

           - by Everyone... all the time

Perhaps, it's not enough that people tell you this.  Perhaps, it's not enough that you repeat these words to yourself over and over again.  Hearing them, saying them... it may

Faith... the light that's even more vivid in darkness.

not be enough.  I know.  I thought I'd write them - here, so I'd believe, too.

So bad things happen... to us.  Even if we don't believe we deserve it.  Does that make us bad?  Does that make us lacking in humility?  Are we guilty of owning a heart so fattened by pride and conceit?  Is it bad to imagine one's self as good?  Is it wrong to expect to never suffer from bad things because we work hard to be good?  

You do good things, you wish for good things for other people, you dedicate your life to doing good things - as much as you can, as hard as you can.  And yet, bad things happen - to you.  Unfair?  Maybe. I guess we'll never know.  And yet, we dare to hope... even when we're afraid.  Courage.  Isn't that what they say?  The antidote of fear?  Faith. We cling to it - steadfastly.  Because in the end, our hands are empty... without faith.  And it's only really, really bad... when our hands are empty.

***

Getting fascinated...

...in the South of mainland China.
========================================================================
by PAM

Chinese snacks define 'assortment' in a different level.

I recently traveled to mainland China, and people found it strange that it was my first time to travel to the mainland.  To be honest, apart from visiting the Great Wall of China and the Forbidden City someday, the tourist in me haven't really given China much thought.  I enjoy Hong Kong and Macau, and it was enough for me.  I've also visited Taiwan, which was a fascinating place, and I thought these were enough Chinese experience for me. Many of my friends, of course, do not agree, especially those who've traveled or lived in the mainland.  So, I kept my options open.

I thought one of these days, I'd visit mainland China and do all the 'touristic' stuff... but I didn't realize I'd do it soon enough. I traveled for work to Shenzhen, a major city in the

The Wuzhou Guest House: where State Visitors in
Shenzhen stay. 

Guangdong Province in the south of China. It is considered the "gateway" to mainland China, via Hong Kong.  But because I was traveling on very tight schedule for work, I did not really get to explore the City.  I did stay in the famed Wuzhou Guest House on Shennan Road, which gave me a view of one of the best parts of the City.  But I felt 'cocooned' inside.  The place was surrounded by high-end Malls, towering buildings of Shenzhen's financial district and a huge golf course.  The hotel food was very good but was not in any way 'traditional' Chinese.  They served mostly continental food with some Asians thrown in here and there.  Or, perhaps, we were given the 'continental treatment'. On the last evening of my stay, I did check out more popular eating places that locals frequent.  I loved the eating places, especially those located in buildings where one pass through labyrinth-like passage ways finding hip Chinese restaurant at every turn.  The passage ways opened up occasionally to coffee and/or tea shops on open decks, adorned with vertical gardens.  And then, the hallways seemed to invite you again to the 'labyrinth', to winding stairways that went round and round the building with walls that were a work of art... and it was hard to resist.  More eating places lined up hallways.  The colors and decor of some are truly striking - a mix of traditional Chinese and very modern glitter.  There was one with purple decor and very posh smallish chandeliers.  It had wing-back seats, ottomans and bean bags that were in purple velvet sewn with glassy studs. And there were vases of pale colored blooms everywhere you turned, which balanced the striking purple.  Some played music... that I didn't recognize, but definitely sounding current and edgy.  Perhaps, from local artists with international aspirations. I never imagined that "hip" and "Chinese restaurant" would ever be used in one sentence... but there was no other way to describe the scene.  You wouldn't believe that you were in mainland China (at least, based on how people describe mainland China) because it had that vibrant Hong Kong vibes about it...

When in China, gotta buy authentic chinaware.

and some restaurants felt like some hip restaurant in Berkeley, California.  Very surprising, indeed.  

I had a huge dinner in the hip side of town with colleagues that I met in the conference that I attended.  Authentic Guangdong food was quite spicy but very tasty.  They had a variety of reptile meat dishes, which I was not feeling too adventurous to try.  So, I went for the more traditional choices, which were all delicious.  After dinner, I squeezed out time to explore the local shopping center where locals hangout and where locally made products were sold.  People, mostly young people, were dressed like "Westerners", and they were tinkering with their gadgets like most people in cosmopolitan Western cities do. They had an assortment of products that looked very tempting to buy, and they were mostly very affordable.  I got myself a pretty paper fan painted with traditional Chinese scenes, and a set of placemats and chopsticks - so pretty. 

I explored one supermarket just to see what people buy... they have tons of snacks and lots and lots of tea products!  Just amazing!  I took one of each kind that I can find, and that I can afford 😊 - mostly out of curiosity.  Some of which I brought home so my family and friends at work can have a taste.  The fruit tea and the flower tea was more than fascinating, and they taste wonderful. And, since I was in China, I did check out posh chinaware stores.  My mouth watered at the sight of those beautifully crafted stuff they have, but all were very, very pricey.  I bought a memento... just a little something that someone like me can afford, which wasn't all that much really. 😐

Did I like my first visit to mainland China?  Yes, I did.  It was actually a good visit.  Most people did not speak English, but they were very accommodating, they tried communicating using figures and numbers in their cellphone.  And they were very patient, too. Do I want to return to China for more 'touristic' activity?  Certainly.  When?  Oh, work comes to mind... and I feel stressed out again. *sigh*  Writing here usually has that 'magical' therapeutic effect on me... but, this time, it's not working all that well.  I guess, stress from work has reached an insurmountable level, I completely lost work-life balance.  I've grown dull, lost my sense of humor, and my love for adventure and fun.  

I need a break - very badly.  And I intend to take one.

***

QOTD

QOTD #24: 'bop til you drop'
=========================================================================
by PAM

"...because peace and quiet was the last thing he needed.  This had to be like everything else in his life.  If you wanted to excel, you worked hard, you trained, you practiced. 

You didn't lie in bed, hoping for peace and quiet."

         - From "The Girl with the Make-believe Husband"
           by Julia Quinn


Yep, it's that time of year... my birth month just rounded the corner, and it's here!  Hello, July! So good to see ya!

And what did my favorite month dragged in?  Well, it's something for the heart, the wit

A not-so-subtle title...
Fast forward to the banter, please!

and those funny bones: a Julia Quinn! 😍 It's out!  The second installment in JQ's Rokesby Series, "The Girl with the Make-Believe Husband".  And the excerpts are totally promising... Chapters 1 and 2, and I was already laughing out loud in the dark as I read them after taking flu medicine. Of course, I perused them already, 'cause I'm guessing, it probably hasn't reached the shelves of Manila bookstores yet. How do I know this?  Well, it has just been released last May 30, and it isn't available for download yet in the Philippines. I know, what kind of a fan would let a good month pass before finding out that the book is already out, right?  Well, you know my 'usual excuse': work!  Oh, well....

Anyway, I'm quite excited about the book. After all, it has been more than a year now since I got a hold of a copy of the first book in the series, "Because of Miss Bridgerton" (BoMB).  As I said after reading BoMB, I was curious about many things, among them was Edward's plight in the Americas.  Now, here we are, the focus is on the second Rokesby sibling.  It's time for Edward's story!  Wish granted!  He might have lost some of his memory due to head injury but, boy, the wit and the humor, it's pure Rokesby!  Or, should I say, 'bloody hell', it's pure JQ?!

As our QOTD indicates, our hero is all about working hard and deserving one's place in the world through hard work.  It's a very good principle, especially for someone of noble lineage, molded in aristocratic breeding, and never had to work hard and still guaranteed a place in the high society.  I think I'm going to like our heroine, Cecilia Harcourt, too.  She seems daring but takes well-calculated risks, intelligent but kind of sweet, feisty but doesn't seem to see the need to keep proving her worth because she seems worthy of admiration without even trying. Most of all, she is all about love of family and loyalty to family. It's a good trait.

***

"My head", Edward gasped. He must have shaken it too quickly.  It felt as if his brain is slamming into his skull.

"Are you remembering something?" Colonel Stubbs asked.

"No, you bloody--" Edward cut himself off before he called him something unforgivable. "It just hurts."

"That's enough," Cecilia declared. "I will not permit you to question him any further."

"You will not permit me?" Colonel Stubbs countered. "I am his commanding officer."

It was really a pity that Edward could not bring himself to open his eyes, because he would really have liked to have seen the colonel's face when Cecilia said, "You are not my commanding officer."

***

Uhm-hmm... she's something, right?  She is!  

I might just adore the Rokesbys like I adore 'my good friends', the Bridgertons.  Looking forward to a good read soon!  

Hmmm... I'm still stuck with the flu... but I'm writing about reading a book on the first day of my favorite month.  Sounds promising! 😊

*** 
Image credit:  This is a screenshot of the book's cover from Julian Quinn's website, thank you.

Reference: The Excerpt from the novel (Chapter 2) above was borrowed from Julia Quinn's website, thank you.

***  

Busted TV...

...happy heart!
==========================================================================
by PAM

I have been recuperating from 'good old flu', which seemed jealous that I'm being thrown off track by vertigo and other stuff more effectively than it ever did, and that, no matter what, I've still been able to work through all the stuff.  What I found out was, there's nothing like a 'jealous flu'... it comes raging like a wild bull on a, uhm... yeah, wild attack!  And, when you're hit... there's no other way for ya but... uhm, down!  So, yep... I've been down with good old flu! 😷

To feel a bit better, I've been 'glued' to the TV... BBC there, HGTV here with some sprinkling of HBO and Star Movies, a handsome dash of Diva Universal and a dose of GMA Network News in between meals, plus a whole lot of National Geographic and Discovery Channel... that is, if I were able at all to stay away from my e-mail and cellphone to monitor the goings on in the Office!  Yep, what can I say... I'm an 'overworked workaholic'!  And good old flu loves yours truly!  But, that's fine because I have the perfect antidote... my good old TV (and I mean, really actually 'old'), of course! 😏

So, imagine my misery when my TV conked out on me!  

I was having an extended afternoon nap when there was this incredible burst of lightning that, I imagined, lit up the whole Metro Manila... followed by a deafening rumble of thunder.  It was so loud, like some missile hitting something solid. It made me utter a heartfelt prayer.  It was so frightening that I actually imagined my old TV almost leapt to the bed for cover!  That left me dazed for a while.  I thought something might have been hit by that lightning or something went rolling with that thunder... so I reached for my remote control to switch the TV on, and find out in the news.  Click, nothing.  So, I tapped the remote, perhaps, the battery was 'frightened' by the thunder, it needed some 'shake and slap'. Click... click, click... nothing. I reached out to manually switch the TV on... it gave a weak 'ccclick', and then... nothing.  After a few more attempts, I decided to bring the TV down from the entertainment cabinet, and put my engineer's hands to work.  The verdict... the lightning and thunder probably scared the spirit out of my old TV... forever!  RIP. 😢

***
Out with the old, in with the new

So, after a few attempts to satisfy my craving for entertainment, going out to the family room to watch TV, and feeling incredibly dizzy in the process... I decided to stay in bed and seek YouTube for entertainment, instead.  It's more convenient... I get to monitor my e-mail more closely, too.  It was tough though 'cause I kept clicking the e-mail tab in my Safari browser... often leaving YouTube forgotten.  

And then, I chanced upon this 2012 Hallmark TV Movie, "Christmas with Holly", which I gathered was based on a Lisa Kleypas novel titled, "Christmas Eve at Friday Harbor".  

Tom Cruise + Rafa Nadal = Sean Faris

Before I knew it, I was actually glued to the computer screen.  At first, it was because of this really beautiful kid, Sean Faris, who was the lead actor in the movie.  That boy's face was so mesmerizing, indeed!  It was like staring at the face of a young Tom Cruise and a young Rafa Nadal - combined.  Imagine that!  So beautiful!  He didn't have to do much 'cause the camera loves his face.  He just needed to be on the screen... and it's worth-watching already!  Of course, I'm exaggerating... but I'm sick, I'm allowed to exaggerate. 😜

Well, to be honest, I was not paying attention to the movie for the first 10 minutes or so. I was merely getting mesmerized by Faris's face.  And then, the storyline just went better and better (well, for a sick person, that is)... starting from that scene when Faris's character, Mark Nagle, went home to Friday Harbor, reunited with his brothers in an old house that his older brother, Scott (played by another scruffily beautiful man, Dana Watkins) was renovating, and where his other brother, Alex (played by the hugely charming and funny Daniel Eric Gold), was taking refuge in between and-how-are-those-important-to-the-world scientific expeditions.  The broken-hearted Maggie (Eloise Mumford) who was quite literally left at the altar by his would-be groom, struggling to put her life together, fulfilling a childhood dream as a toy store owner in Friday Harbor, was so lovable.  So much so that when she started 'stealing' Mark's heart in her melancholy con quirky and warm ways, I find myself 'praying' that it'd work out for them

Mark and Holly, lost souls...
...finding their way home with love's eyes.

because she really deserved a kind and beautiful man like Mark, too (my excuse: I was sick).  And Holly (played by twins Josie and Lucy Gallina)... oh, what an adorable little girl!  It was easy empathizing with her and her uncle Mark.

It was a simple enough plot (spoiler alert!)... three souls (Holly, Mark and Maggie), battered by life's curve balls, crossing paths, finding the goodness that each one sought in life in each other, and finding love blooming around them in the process.  Mark's sister, Victoria or 'Vicky', was a single mother.  She left island living in Friday

The Nagle brothers: when all is said and done...
...family, home is all you'll ever really need.

Harbor as a 19-year-old to lead a life of adventure in Seattle, leaving her family and home behind.  Mark, her youngest brother, who was her 'favorite', begged her to stay to no avail. She met a sudden and tragic death, leaving her little girl, Holly, alone.  As Mark was Holly's legal guardian, chosen by Vicky when she decided to have Holly as a single mother, he was obliged to take care of Holly.  He had a coffee brewing business in Friday Harbor, but he left those to his business partner to be with Holly in Seattle.  Holly was so shocked and traumatized by the loss of her mother that she became 'mute'.  Mark did not know anything about raising a kid, but he followed what Vicky told him when she asked him to be Holly's guardian... "you just start by loving her. The rest will follow".  He was devoted to Holly, but nothing was ever working for her in Seattle.  So, he decided to bring her to Friday Harbor to be close to the family, in a homey surroundings with his brothers and childhood friends, and to study in the island's school where he and his siblings felt nurtured as children. In the process, he left his relationship with Shelby (Alex Paxton-Beesley) in Seattle to

Maggie and Holly...
...to truly care is to speak and act from the heart.

chance until they drifted apart.  Both were aware that Mark's devotion to Holly is something that Mark is not willing to compromise, and Shelby was not willing to play second place to Holly in Mark's heart.

Holly and Mark came across Maggie and her sister in the ferry on their way to Friday Harbor.  Holly instantly took to Maggie because of how Maggie's natural goodness as a person shone through even in the smallest of efforts as picking up a toy that Holly dropped, and yet, it was not enough to make Holly speak.  A few more chance meetings with Maggie, sweet family banters between her uncles, many instances of enjoying warm security blanket from a family's love, and a close-knit circle at school around caring teachers, and Holly started to open up.  And then, with Maggie's subtle persistence to help Holly speak... the little girl finally did.  It was a lovely moment... that even I shed tears over. 😯  And that led to a really beautiful Christmas, with Mark and Maggie finding love, and Scott, Alex and Holly enjoying the sweet bond of family with the two love birds. 

Needless to say, I fell in love with the movie.  It's not your Martin Scorcese or Christopher Nolan sort of a film nor a

Home Sweet home...

Julian Fellowes sort of TV production... but it was 'perfect' because it touches the heart.  I watched it three times already... and I intend to keep watching whenever time allows. 😊 It will be one of my 'balms' on truly 'blistery' days!

So, this is probably the reason why my old TV decided to say goodbye... there are better and happier things to discover out there when I'm not stuck with it... in 'guilty loyalty'.  I'm glad to have ventured out. I hope to do the same... in bigger things in life.

My rating:  Don't expect much, just go with it, and go for it... when you have time on your hands, that is.

***
Photo credit:  Those are screenshots from the movie, thanks to the video owner.
Video credit: Thanks, YouTube, for the video link.

***

Teased...

...by buona vecchia Italia, la bella.
===============================================================
by PAM

Come to think of it, "good old" sounds just about right to describe Italia. It's good, it's old - ancient even, and it's unbelievably beautiful!  La bella, indeed!  Naturally, just the thought of it inspires musings and everything else that feels good, soulful and beautiful.

The New York Times on-line article, "The Hidden Treasures in Italian Libraries", has got me gasping for dear life itself.  My heart felt thoroughly 'teased', it was beating double time.  No, it wasn't a fatal experience. It was a blissful one, actually.  It took me, with vividness of imagination, to another place... Italy, naturally.  I felt like something around

A little memento, a world of memory. 

me broke into a powerful operatic singing and those melodic murmurs in Italian from love-struck men and women, admiring the opera.  It was February in Italy all over again for me... and it teases the imagination.  Oy!  

As if the whole 'teasing conspiracy' was not enough, I found a little memento from the warm and beautiful Firenze, lying around my bedroom. It was a little souvenir mug that I have unwittingly forgotten about. I was deciding where to put it.  Obviously, I was unable to make the hard decision and left the little memento in a temporary location, still all wrapped up in a white "souvenir shoppy" paper.  Just when I was sighing, closing my eyes, imagining how the Italian libraries described in the article looked like, I opened my eyes to the little memento... and it simply took my breath away!

These things... these little things, surprising things, seemingly insignificant things, but the ones that make you smile a heartfelt smile... they make life so beautiful, so worth living for.  See?  God is not fair!  Just when you're about the glare at Him for all the curve ball He throws your way, He surprises you with these little gifts... that teases the imagination, reminding you how lucky you are to have been experiencing so many wonderful things.  And, the mere realization brings you to your 'happy place'.  Then you're faith is renewed once again... God is good.  And, yes, life is, indeed, beautiful!  Che bello! 😊 

***
About the photo:  A miniature mug, a memento from from Florence, Italy.     

***

Sunday morning music...

...just because this morning deserves to be sung about.
============================================================================
by PAM

I dislike traveling... uhm, that is, if it is for 'straight-up' work and that's all!  I find it hard to be mixing something that I am passionate about - traveling, and learning through traveling, in this case - with something that I usually 'just' do for the sake of keeping the peace in the workplace.  Of course, I love what I do in my profession... it's just that, there are things that I'd rather not do sometimes because they drove me to boredom 💤, but I do them, anyway, in the spirit of teamwork for as long as they do not oppose my personal principles and my faith. I guess it's up to me to find a way to make the most of the experience.    

I've been away for a few days - traveling for work... in Higher Education.  The place I went to was very fascinating, and the conference I attended was truly relevant and necessary to achieve inclusive progress in the Asia-Pacific Region. 😮 I feel blessed to have met a number of wonderful people in this specific development area in Higher Education, and made a number of friends, too. 😇 Therefore, it was a productive trip - but mostly, 'workwise', that is.  There were moments when I looked out from the window and wished I had time to explore the incredible surroundings... on my own, or with a kindred spirit.  It was one of those trips that was mostly sponsored by an International Development Agency, partly by my Institution... and partly by myself.  It's unavoidable to be spending your own funds to carry out development 'missions' in this profession.  And yet, it's nothing compared with what the International Agency and, therefore, the citizens of the world, spent to make this event possible.  

So, every minute of every day was all about work... they exhaust you to your wits' end from the moment you emerge from that tube that connects the plane that flew you to the foreign place and your arrival gate at the airport until the time you take your seat in the plane that will bring you back home.  Oh, oh, oh... not to mention the few days before your trip as well when you ran around like mad in preparation for your trip while doing your usual (and 'unusual') stuff in the workplace... because some Institutions forget that we are 'only human'.  And then, you cringe at the expectations and the work that awaits after the event, too.  *sigh*  And yet, like a brave 'soldier', you do it... you go with it, you work hard to make the whole 'gig' successful... because, at the end of the day, you know that this is truly a worthwhile undertaking.  It's for greater good... and you're just happy that you're contributing something, no matter how small. And you do your best to check out your foreign surroundings no matter how exhausted you felt so you can look the travel bug in you in the mirror and say, "hey, I didn't totally ignore your wish, girl."

And yet, the whole thing makes you miss home no matter what...

🎶 "Another aeroplane, another sunny place

I'm lucky, I know

But I wanna go home...."🎵

It's a good thing that there are thoughtful artists in this world who truly can relate with their audience.  They use their artistic platforms to reach out, and say, 'we hear ya'.  You know what, we hear them as well... and we do listen in true delight as we allow them to coax us to withdraw a bit into that 'tent in the rain' that they so generously pitched for us and connect with our inner melancholy, drown in the beauty of it all... as they take us 'Home'.  I'm lucky to have found the video above when I most needed it... finding my way home this early Sunday morning. Just in time to celebrate Father's Day with my father.  

So, yes, it is Sunday morning music for me!  It is, indeed, rare treat to see together three great artists, such as the legendary pop songwriter, David Foster, and Michael Bublé and Blake Shelton, collaborating in one song.  The result is so utterly beautiful!  Ah, bliss!

***

Video credit:  Thanks, YouTube, for the video links.

***

Philippine Independence Day 2017

Happy Independence Day, Pilipinas kong mahal!

Nine years, a decade, and a century of national 'independence'... won from our national heroes' sacrifices - amazing!  It is, indeed, a source of national pride. 

And yet, here we are, after 119 years, we are still taking those 'baby steps' towards true 'independence', mostly from our own enslaving lack of national pride, utter selfishness and self-serving brand of leadership, and absence of love for our national identity.  Many of our leaders represent us in the international arena with utter lack of dignity and shame - in words and in hysterical temperament.  They claim that that's just the way they are... which is fair, and yet, aren't they supposed to take care of our collective pride as a nation by representing our dear country with dignity?  Don't they realize that the world's view of our leaders is the very same way our entire Filipino population is viewed?  Is restraint in hysterical speech too difficult to achieve?  It is true that it's not what one says that matters the most, it's what one actually does as a leader that defines one's leadership.  And yet, in this day and age of 'extreme freedom' of expression aided by irresponsible, abusive and unscrupulous use of social media, any good intention can be twisted until the Truth is no longer recognizable, especially by those who are too lazy to use their intellectual faculties to discern the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth.  And when the truth is lost in the chaotic and self-serving interpretations of 'freedom of expression', then misunderstanding ensues.  When this is not abated soon enough, it could lead to unrest, and escalates to violence.  We don't have to wait for any of these to happen.  We can soothe and heal wounds by being diplomatic, honest, truthful and respectful in our language when we relate with others.   

Our national heroes offered their lives to secure our independence, that we may enjoy the blessings of our incumbent rights as human beings.  And yet, we are squandering their gift of independence by enjoying our rights while consciously neglecting the responsibilities that go with them.  Civilization and sustained progress can only come when we learn how to enjoy our rights while being mindful of our responsibilities, and doing our best to always be considerate of others, respectful of others, and sincerely caring for others.  After all, as our very own, Jamie Rivera, famously sang, "we are all God's children".  We may not agree as to God's name... and yet, we all (most of us, anyway) believe in an Almighty One that stands above all of us... and that the Almighty One loves us all equally, and wishes the very best for all of us.  Therefore, why can't we wish the same for one another?

God and our heroes have done their part.  They have handed us this gift of "independence", not without tremendous sacrifice.  Now, we are responsible in taking care of it, making it flourish to our advantage, and to the advantage of those who will be coming after us.  

Indeed, now, we are 'independent' for no reason... unless we can 'invent' one.  It's all up to us.

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Image credit:  Thanks, Google, for the loan of today's 'doodle'.

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Saturday photo

'Team Engineering'

It's been an incredibly productive two-and-half days... full of excellent ideas expressed without reservation, in full honesty, with pure love for our dear Institution and for one another, in all the lightness of humor that brightens up the mood at all times... all ensconced in one Vision.  I believe that's what being a 'Team' is all about.  Simply fascinating! 😲

I thank God for the privilege of leading such a Team. 🙏  I may not have done enough good things in my life to deserve this, and it will always be a mystery to me why I was chosen by God to receive this 'gift'.  Still, I accept the responsibility that goes with it as I have done in the past... and, as always, I commit myself to our wonderful 'Mission'... although, I cannot guarantee that I won't be irritated by 'this and that' issue every now and then.   

Perhaps, I need to keep reminding myself that maybe I deserve to enjoy the moment, too.  After all, I worked hard and sacrificed a whole lot to put together this incredible Team, and to help achieve what it has so impressively achieved in so short a time, considering the humongous challenges that we had to confront when we started. 😩🙌 Yes... perhaps, I need to own those, too... perhaps, it's the best way of expressing appreciation and heartfelt gratitude to God.  I guess, I am just too conscious of what St. Thomas Aquinas said that it is "better to illuminate than merely to shine".  So, I am more interested in making sure that what we do leaves a lasting and positive impact to our stakeholders than claiming 'glory' and receiving awards for our accomplishments.  In the end, it's all about pleasing the One who gave this gift, and safeguarding the integrity of the gift rather than basking in the shining glory of it all.  Anyway, no award in the world is commensurate to the feeling that comes in knowing that we have done our very best... and we have made a difference in the lives of many, and not just our own, in the process!

'Team Engineering' - it's my Team! 😎

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About the photo:  Taken during the three-day Planning Workshop of the 'extended' Execom of the Faculty of Engineering of the University of Santo Tomas in Green Canyon Eco Art Resort at the Clark Freeport Zone, Pampanga, Philippines.

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Sunday foodie

A little sweetness from Italy...
...to wash away the bitter taste of peace and order situation in Southern Philippines.

I was inspired by this on-line post on NY Times, "My Rome: Still a classic beauty", to reminisce about Italy.  I know it's only been a few months - four months to be exact, since my visit to Italy.  The memories should be quite fresh. Therefore, 'reminisce' may not be the most suitable word to describe the longing that I feel, just thinking about the places and the wonderful people that I met there... not to mention the food! 😋 

'Classic beauty'... how very appropriate, how very true though.  Having seen three other places besides Rome, I imagine that applies to most places in Italy.  I wish very much to go back.  I wish it's as simple as closing my eyes, and opening them in the middle of Rome.  And yet, my heart is glued to Manila as news on the Resort World Manila incident continue to unfold, and the peace and order situation in Marawi, Mindanao remains precarious.  Sometimes, I wonder, what are we, actually, fighting about?  I understand that there are many annoying things happening around us, and there are many annoying,

even infuriating, people that usually challenge our patience but, certainly, there are more wonderful and beautiful things to celebrate about - as one global community.  Can we not just concentrate on the latter?  Surely, it's easier.

One such 'wonderful' thing is this featured chocolate in this post, which is the cremino pistacchio cubes of Venchi.  It is a three-layer treat comprised of a layer of milk pistachio gianduja between two layers of white pistachio gianduja.  It is made in accordance with the traditional Piedmont chocolate making where hazelnut paste (gianduja) makes up roughly a third of the confection.  It tastes heavenly and it provides that silky sensation in the mouth that definitely enhances the experience of indulging one's chocolate craving.  It's soft enough to melt in the mouth yet firm enough for a clean bite.  So good, indeed! 😋

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Photo:  A photo of cremino pistacchio by Venchi, which I bought in a Venchi store in Bologna, Italy during my visit in January-February 2017.

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