management decision

kinausap ako ng mabait na si (ate) Tin. hindi nya direktang masabi sa akin pero napaka-gentle ng delivery nya. ang mensahe: i'm losing one program.
yung supporting income ko, mawawala na after this week. talaga yatang nakalaan akong rumaket sa labas. IT'S A SIGN!

ano kayang magandang sideline/ raket: sales? teaching/tutoring? part time call center agent?

kailangan ko ng fixed raket sa umaga. hangga't maaari, yung hindi rin masyadong maco-compromise ang oras ko sa pamilya ko. choosy? eh kung pwede ko namang makuha, bakit hindi, di ba?

when it rains, it (REALLY) pours!

just as i am about to enjoy the fruits of my rakets, here comes the "rain."

my little girl has been admitted *again* in the hospital. counting, this is her 4th stay there this year. 1 covered by an HMO company, the rest, spot cash (or rather credit from family members/relatives). i have begun sacrificing my precious quality time with my two girls early this month in order for me to get additional income and save for the health plan i'm getting for my family. believe me. getting sick is so expensive so better get these health plans, whichever is suited for your needs.

earlier this morning, as i drove my car in reverse from the parking lot of the hospital, i slammed into a young tree. the trunk cover of my car got deformed:


i swear i didn't notice the tree behind but i'm honestly admitting it's my fault (who else is to blame anyway?) i wasn't looking at the back or on my rear view mirror. i was just glancing at my side mirror which i normally don't do when backing my car. now i can't tell when i will be able to have its repair. geez... it's still less than a year! but yeah, looking at the brighter side, i slammed into a tree and not into another car, which should be more problematic.

*sigh* i hope the rain stops sooner. :(

Heartburn

can you imagine having NO COFFEE for a day? how about for a week? a month? forever?? NOOOOO!!!! :(

i think it's what i am missing the most since i disciplined myself into not drinking coffee and my favorite carbonated drink. i often feel having heartburn. heartburn really has nothing to do with one's heart. it is actually an abnormal feeling affecting one's esophagus. "Your esophagus, the food tube that carries what you swallow down to your stomach, can literally be burned by the acids released by your stomach.

Unfortunately, we can experience something called reflux, or acid reflux. That's when some of the stomach contents, including the acid, slip back up through the esophageal sphincter, the valve that's supposed to prevent the stomach's contents from reversing course. Reflux causes an uncomfortable, burning sensation between the stomach and the neck. Most people feel the discomfort beneath the breastbone.
Occasionally the acid keeps on coming until you have a mouthful of something bitter and acidy. You may have some pain in your gut, too, or in your chest. Along with that acid may come a belch, one that may bring even more of that stomach acid with it."*

to avoid having heartburn, here are some tips from **altmedicine dot about dot com:

Natural Remedies for Heartburn

If you are experiencing heartburn, it’s important to see your doctor to be evaluated. If it’s not treated properly, GERD (gastroesophageal reflux disease) may result in serious problems, including esophagitis, strictures, esophageal bleeding and ulcers, Barrett’s esophagus, and an increased risk of esophageal cancer. Here are seven natural remedies for heartburn.

1) Diet

Avoid heartburn triggers. Keeping a food diary may help you identify problem foods. Foods and drinks that commonly trigger heartburn include:

Citrus fruits
Chocolate
Peppermint
Spearmint
Tomatoes
Raw onions
Garlic
Black pepper
Vinegar
Fatty foods
Spicy foods
Coffee :(
Citrus juice
Carbonated beverages
Alcoholic beverages
Don’t go to bed after eating. - uh-oh...
Eat your last meal at least two to three hours before lying down.

Eat smaller portion sizes.

Take time to eat.
Try practicing mindfulness while eating. Eliminate all distractions and savor, rather than inhale, your food. Pay full attention to what the food looks like on your plate, how it smells, how it tastes. Chew slowly.

2) Stress Reduction - *uh-hurm*

A survey by the National Heartburn Alliance revealed that 58 percent of frequent heartburn sufferers identify a hectic lifestyle as a factor that contributes to their heartburn and 52 percent say work-related stress makes their symptoms worse.

Although some people report that stress makes their heartburn symptoms worse, scientists haven’t yet established a direct link between heartburn and stress. We do know that stress can disrupt our normal routines and make us do things, like eat the wrong foods, smoke, drink coffee or alcohol, that may trigger heartburn. Stress also slows down the emptying of the stomach, which may increase the likelihood of heartburn.

Here are some natural methods that may help to manage stress:
Mindfulness Meditation
Relaxation Response
Natural Remedies for Anxiety

3) Quit Smoking - good. i don't have to worry about this

Nicotine, an ingredient in cigarettes, can weaken the lower esophageal sphincter, a band of muscle at the end of the esophagus, that closes off the esophagus and prevents the acidic stomach contents from entering the esophagus. Learn about Natural Remedies to Quit Smoking.

4) Chewable DGL

DGL (deglycyrrhizinated licorice) is a folk remedy used for heartburn. It is a form of the herb licorice that has had the glycyrrhizin component removed to reduce the risk of glycyrrhizin-related side effects such as high blood pressure and water retention.

Although some research suggests licorice may decrease inflammation, inhibit the growth of potentially harmful stomach bacteria, and help with ulcers, there haven’t been any clinical trials on the use of licorice for heartburn or GERD.

5) Aloe Vera Juice

The juice from the aloe vera plant is another natural home remedy that is used to soothe an irritated esophagus. Although there isn’t any scientific evidence that it might help, aloe vera juice has a long history of use in Europe as a natural home remedy to relive heartburn.

Typically, approximately 1/4 cup of aloe vera juice is taken (by adults) approximately 20 minutes before a meal.

The aloe vera should not contain any aloe latex, aloin, or aloe-emoin compounds, substances in the aloe plant that are very powerful laxatives. Aloe gel should not be taken directly from the plant as a home remedy, as the gel can be contaminated with the latex. Only gel or juice preparations specifically for internal use should be used. For more information about aloe vera, read the Aloe Vera Fact Sheet.

6) Slippery Elm

Slippery elm was once a popular drugstore remedy for sore throats in North America. The herb was listed in the United States Pharmacopeia, a compendium of drug standards, until 1960.

A member of the elm family, the slippery elm tree (Ulmus rubra muhl) grows primarily in the eastern region of North America.

Slippery elm is a folk remedy that hasn’t yet been studied for heartburn. The inner bark contains mucilage, a gel-like substance that swells when it is mixed with water. The mucilage is thought to coat the esophagus and reduce irritation.

Slippery elm is often the primary ingredient in herbal sore throat lozenges found in health food stores or in the natural food section of some grocery stores and drug stores. A popular brand of slippery elm lozenges is Thayer's.

The safety of slippery elm in pregnant or nursing women has not been established.

7) Marshmallow

Like slippery elm, the herb marshmallow (Althaea officinalis) contains mucilage, which is thought to coat and soothe the lining of the esophagus. It is another folk remedy that is used for heartburn.

Herbalists often recommend marshmallow root tea. It is usually made by adding one tablespoon of the dried root to a cup (8 oz.) of boiling water, steeping it covered for at least 10 minutes, and then straining. Herbalists usually suggest drinking up to three cups a day.

Consult a doctor before taking marshmallow if you have diabetes, as it may make your blood sugar too low especially when combined with diabetes medication. Marshmallow may also slow the absorption of other drugs taken at the same time. Marshmallow should not be taken by pregnant or nursing women.**

so there. i hope this helps me eliminate heartburn so i can smell the aroma of coffee again and enjoy cups of it everyday. i'm even hesitant to drink decaf. "for the meantime, let me get used to the absence of coffee in my daily life (and pepsi, too). i'll try it for a month or who knows, longer? let's see...

*from Discovery Fit & Health

i'm such a complainer!

noong nasa kumpanya pa ako ng nagpapalaganap ng family planning, hinangad kong makalipat sa isang karerang magpapatalas ng angkin kong kakayahan. sa ilang taon ko rin kase doon, kinailangan kong sumulong para sa aking sarili. kuntento naman ako doon sa oras ng trabaho. sa mga kasamahan, at ang sahod, sumasapat naman (noong wala pa akong hinuhulugang sasakyan)... at dahil lahat ng bagay ay hindi permanente, dumating na ang oras na kinailangan kong lumipat ng trabaho. una, wala nang career growth para sa akin at dalawang taon din akong naghintay sa pangako ng GM pero nauwi lang sa paghihintay. pangalawa, hindi na ako masaya sa trabaho at tinatrabaho ng ilang mga tao sa opisina... pinapasok na ito ng pulitika at nasira ang sistema at magandang pangalan na ipinundar namin sa kumpanya nang nagsisimula pa lang kami. pangatlo, unti-unti nang nauubos ang savings ng pamilya ko dahil mas lumalamang na ang expense kaysa income. pang-apat, nabigyan ako ng pagkakataon na magtrabaho sa isang kilalang kumpanya kung saan magagamit ko ang kursong pinag-aralan ko noong college.

dumating din ang pagkakataong hinihintay ko--- ang makaalis sa isang stagnant career... ang makabalik sa aking field of study... ang mabigyan ng pagkakataog makapagtrabaho sa isang kilalang tv network, behind the camera.

ilang linggo ko ring ginamay ang pasikut-sikot dito. bagama't may mga alok ng "raket", hindi ko muna agad kinagat. ayoko kaseng mapahiya na kumuha ng isang trabaho na hindi ko pa lubos na kabisado. mahirap nang magkamali at mamarkahan sa minsang pagkakamaling iyon. nagtiyaga akong mag-aral sa programang unang nagbigay sa akin ng kontrata. ang sahod ko, halos kapareho lang ng iniwan kong trabaho sa distribution company. sa madaling salita... kinakapos sa pangangailangan. syempre, naihihinga ko ito sa ilang kasamahan sa trabaho. sila naman kase, hindi lang isa ang programa kaya malamang, intinding-intindi nila ang sitwasyon ko.

inalok ako ng ibang raket... pero di swak sa oras ko sa pamilya. "you're such a complainer"--- ang sabi sa akin. hinaing daw ako nang hinaing, choosy naman daw pag may inalok na "raket". pero sa sarili ko, alam ko ang prayoridad ko--- oras pa rin sa pamilya. pero hanggang kailan nga ba ako tatayo sa prinsipyong ito? kapag wala nang makain ang pamilya ko?

minsan pa muli akong dumaing... pero sa pagkakataong ito, dun na sa BIG BOSS ko. humingi ako ng "raket" na hindi naman masyadong sasagasa sa oras ko sa pamilya and at the same time, sasapat ang kita kumpara sa gastusin buwan-buwan.

parang hindi na ako nagdalawang-hiling... ilang araw lang, napabalita ang pag-alis ng isang colleague at mababakante ang isang slot na pinaka-posible kong kunin. pero syempre, may konting sakripisyo. mababawasan ang bonding moments ko with my little girl. pero this is it. take it or forever rant my case. :P

nagkaroon pa ako ng isang offer sa isang programa pero hindi nag-swak ang schedule, so bagsak ako dito sa programang papapasukin ako mula alas-9 ng umaga... i decided to take it. kailangan eh. 11 to 12 hours at work... sa personal kong palagay, sobra-sobra na ito. pero uulitin ko... kailangan eh.

so what am i being a complainer about? well, pansin ko lang, hindi lang naman ako ang reklamador sa mundo. general rule na yata ng tao na palaging may iba pang hinahangad kahit nakuha na ang gusto nya. hindi nga raw nasa-satisfy ang tao... laging may ibang gusto. masama bang hangarin na you get the best of both world? yung tipong sapat o higit ang kinikita mo and at the same time, marami kang oras para sa pamilya mo?

i'm such a complainer, aren't you, too?

my baby is beginning to become a little girl

iyan ang tsinelas na binitbit ng little girl ko. may kwento yan: nagpunta sa mall ang mag-ina ko kahapon. sa pagi-ikot-ikot nila, inalok ni wifey si little girl na pumili ng laruan. si little girl, may ibang kinuha... paglapit sa mommy nya, bitbit ang isang pares ng tsinelas. pag-abot nito sa mommy nya, inusal ang mga katagang "daddy... daddy.." marahil nakikita napapansin ng anak ko na pudpod na ang tsinelas ko na halos lagpas tatlong taon na. sila kaseng mag-ina, may mga bagong sapin sa paa. at ang little girl ko rin pala ang taga-abot ko ng sapatos sa tuwing gumagayak na ako para pumasok. ang sukli lang na hinihintay nya, isang matamis na kiss mula sa kanyang daddy.

ang anak ko, napakahilig makipag-jamming sa aming mag-asawa. noong linggo, sa pagdiriwang naming mag-asawa ng ikatlong taon ng aming kasal, nagpunta lang kami sa isang ktv. at doon, nagpalitan kami ng mikropono ni wifey. pero si little girl, sa kanya lang talaga yung isang mic. at lahat ng isalang naming kanta, alam niya--- na hunihin. :P

narito ang ilang mga larawan ni little girl....

[caption id="attachment_2267" align="alignnone" width="300" caption="kasama ang idol nyang si Mr. Bean (Johnny English 2)"][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_2268" align="alignnone" width="300" caption="pagpapagupit ng buhok pero sa isang kundisyon---"][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_2269" align="alignnone" width="300" caption="---dapat may manicure & pedicure package!"][/caption]

:D

3 years and counting...

"Through THICK and thin, TAYO PA RIN!" :D
♥♥♥

3 News Programs

[caption id="attachment_2224" align="alignright" width="300" caption="(L-R) Jun Veneracion, Mariz Umali, Pia Arcangel, Raffy Tima"][/caption]Balitanghali - Balitanghali (a portmanteau of the Filipino Words Balita and Tanghali, meaning "news" and "noon", respectively; hence "Noontime News") is the noontime newscast of GMA News TV in the Philippines. The newscast is also heard simultaneously on Super Radyo DZBB 594 every weekends. The newscast is anchored by Pia Arcangel and Raffy Tima during weekdays and Mariz Umali and Jun Veneracion during weekends. It also aired worldwide via GMA Life TV.

The newscast was first aired on GMA's secondary network, QTV on November 11, 2005 during the network's initial broadcast. On February 6, 2010, the newscast launched their weekend edition and began airing.

Balitanghali was also simulcasted on radio through GMA Network's flagship station DZBB. In June 2008, the simulcast was only limited to weekends to give way for the radio station's noontime newscast, Super Balita sa Tanghali Nationwide.

After Q ceased airing on February 21, 2011, the newscast was carried over on its replacement network, GMA News TV on February 28, 2011. The newscast had moved out of their initial studio at GMA Network Center and had introduced a new studio set at GMA Network Studio 2, title card, graphics, and OBB. On April 25, 2011, Grace Lee was named as the new host for the Star Bites segment for weekdays.
(article hooked from Wikipedia dot com)

Balitanghali airs daily, 11:30am to 1:00pm on weekdays, 12:00pm to 1:00pm on weekends.

[caption id="attachment_2226" align="alignright" width="198" caption="Maki Pulido & Mark Salazar"][/caption]Balita Pilipinas Get the biggest news from the entire country with BALITA PILIPINAS NGAYON. Anchored by Maki Pulido and Mark Salazar, BALITA PILIPINAS NGAYON is a 30-minute daily recap of the headlines from various points in the country.

Pulido and Salazar, along with some of the most credible broadcasters from the regions, will deliver the biggest stories from Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao. The newscast will also familiarize viewers with each region’s food, travel, history, art, and culture. The program will also join Serbisyong Totoo activities by the GMA Kapuso Foundation, in tandem with local and national partners.
(article hooked from iKUWADERNO dot com)

Balita Pilipinas Ngayon airs weekdays at 4:30 in the afternoon.

State of the Nation with Jessica Soho - the news program that aims to redefine what an evening newscast should be. By asking the right questions and through intelligent storytelling, viewers will be exposed to the deeper context of a day’s events. SONA will be more than just a rundown of the day’s top stories, it will present a comprehensive mix of news, features, opinion segments, and exclusive, in-depth reports.
(article from gmanews dot tv)

SONA airs weeknights, 9 o'clock to 10 o'clock.

philippine politics, honor, and integrity

i don't know if the blog post title is reconcilable but upon the resignation of senator juan miguel zubiri, well, can i just say his gesture/move was awesome? i personally believe that what he has done took him a lot of courage and very seldom do we see a politician with a character full of humility. his detractors may see it (the resignation) as something very suspicious with counter-motives as what the resigned senator has said in his privilege speech yesterday. but whatever the real reason behind the resignation is, it's still an act of rarity in a country where politicians hold on to 'power' for as long as they can, whatever it takes. in fact, the act was the very first of its kind. and with that, i'd like to believe that the resigned senator is a true gentleman.

c'est la vie

spending our last day of the month here in the hospital. our dear little girl seems to be loving cable tv more and more... some of our visitors suggested that we get a cable tv subscription so we won't have to go to the hospital anymore. lol. i just needed to lighten up. too many worries, specially financial matter. hmm...

church lessons taught last thursday and today have been very helpful and timely. it's about putting your trust in God and reading misfortunes as an opportunity to become closer to Him, and eventually turn them to great blessings ahead. i can't believe how i can relate very well with the lessons imparted during the services. i've been thinking of ways to improve my source of income and at the same time have more so i can give more. well, just what like Abraham said, "GOD will provide."

i miss my former "life". i want so many things back. i long for a better living condition than what i have now. many people think i am one complete person in terms of everything that i need but for now, only my wife knows the real 'score'. i have a lot of wants for my two girls. i think i have to make some serious moves to get out of this 'pit'... the following weeks shall make me decide on whether i need to extend beyond Dec. 31, 2011 or it must be a new chapter... again.