THANK YOU

RHOANN JEMAE YARA

Jemae is my cousin. Yep, I know, I do not seem to belong in the same genetic tree as hers, actually I get that a lot. But honestly speaking, she’s really my first cousin (my students thought that she was my niece, how rude is that?) who fulfilled some of my frustrated dreams in the past. She is the male version of me minus the notoriety, the face value and the rebellion. But modesty aside, in terms of academic and extra co-curricular activities in high school, we definitely have the same vein. She is an award winning writer and journalist who competed in the national and international level, a grand prize winner of a beauty and talent search in our province, a theatre actress, award wining singer of their HS band and the batch’s salutatorian which garnered the respect of all the teachers in our alma mater. All of her achievements in high school were my unfulfilled dreams (of course minus the beauty queen part and the respect of the teachers), but I could say that it is as if I have already fulfilled them all in the person of Jemae. Though our family and I do not want her to get involved in showbiz, yet she got that performer instinct in her from her mom and dad, me, my sister and our relatives. She’s not only beauty and brains, but also full of heart. Her family and friends know her generosity towards her cousins and siblings. Last 2006, during the 69th season of UAAP championship between UST and Ateneo (I’m a Thomasian and Atenean by heart… but when they compete, USTE Ako… It is a long story), She gave me this awesome black-limited edition championship T-Shirt of UST and a pair of gorgeous shades (which I added to my collections) during my birthday last may. She always text me and message me in my friendster in between those hectic schedule of hers. She is now a second year pre-med student in the pontifical University of Santo Tomas and still maintaining her Straight-A student status. A very thoughtful and down to earth cousin indeed: that is why I love her so much. She proved time and again that beauty is not just skin deep, it’s deep in the core of one’s values and parental upbringing.

DEAN CORAZON VALDEAVILLA

Well Jemae is not the only relative that I owe my gratitude to, but also to my distant relative-slash-aunt in the Zarsadias side who happens to be my former Dean in the University College of Nursing. We only found out that we are related after I was hired and through my other aunt in the University. Though it seems that it is very hard to work in one department with your aunt around, but it was never an issue because my Dean (I prefer calling her that) is so professional, open-minded yet conservative when it comes to morals and ethics (a very distinct characteristic of the Zarsadias clan). With all of the bosses that I have worked for in my entire professional career, Dean Coset is one of those whom I admire when it comes to humility and wisdom. Where can you find a boss who talks to you as if you were on the same level as hers and a boss who tells you tons of secrets and giggly stuff about her relationships. Her responsibility as a model Dean is not an easy task considering the problems that an administrator has to face everyday, yet she knows how to have fun and mingle even in the lowest level of her subordinates. Would you believe that our former Student Assistants are her chat mates and best friends? San Ka pa? That is how humble my former boss is which knows no social distinction except humanity and the being of a person. The reason why I included her here in my thank you list is not because she’s my aunt, nor because she often (together with my former colleagues) invites me to the never ending trip, parties and tours of the faculty and the department (even though I’m not anymore connected with the institution), but because working with her is such an awesome privilege and experience to behold: “not too tight and not too loose”. The most memorable thing which I would never forget is how she defended me continuously in times of prejudice by the wicked witch of the west (hmm who might that be? It’s between me, her and the faculty). Her wisdom when it comes to difficult decision making is purposeful and wise like that of Solomon: the best asset that a Dean could have. “Integrity and not tolerating any negative attitudes of her subordinates” is what I learned so much from her, that working under her wings is also like attending another school. On May 2008, Dean Coset will march on the church aisle at last (which left a big hole on our roof when I jumped for joy upon hearing the news) and will live happily ever after, just as Cinderella had on the fairytales. In addition, I am the one who is in charge of her liturgical guide. She’s not just my aunt, my boss, my colleague and my Dean, she’s also my very dear friend.

Aileen Salvatierra is one of my colleagues in the Nursing Faculty in the University and is one of my funniest classmates in the “Green Department”. Talk about green, Aileen has a superhuman power of turning every animate or inanimate objects into green.. green as in adult green. Yes, her green jokes are so witty that even playboy magazine would back off from her punch lines, which renders the whole faculty into a laughing factory. Having Aileen around is like having a female clown all the time. There is no exact metaphor that could describe Aileen’s funny nature because, she is as unique as every DNA strands inside an inviolate egg cell in her uterus. I met Aileen during my college days in my internship in the hospital. She is the famous ER nurse and I was a fourth year student Nurse at that time. She approached me in the students area peddling some retail children’s book while I was busy doing my routine charting. I promised her that time that I would buy some of her books for my nephews but until now, I have not purchased a single one of them until she shifted her products to finger foods instead. No she’s not that poor, actually her husband is a sea farer, but Aileen’s business minded side did not stop her for earning some extra cash. She’s not just a nurse but an entrepreneur. Last year she approached me to give her some advices on her masteral thesis. Actually I was so flattered. I’m not yet through with my own thesis in the masters but she gave all her trust to me. Being polished in my college thesis which by the way was considered by our advisers as a thesis for masteral students, did help me a lot in guiding Aileen in her own work. That’s why I’m thanking her. It’s not that she considered me for the very delicate position as her unofficial adviser-slash-grammarian but because of her unwavering trust that is so special to me. Trust is the only thing that can make me motivated. The truth of the matter is, I turned down her classmate who was willing to pay for my service, merely because it was not the trust that made her classmate come to me but her classmate see me as another commodity to be bought. Well you know me, I hate it when people see me as something to be bought rather than someone to be sought. Aileen however sought me as a human being. She was not sure if we can pull them off but with all her heart she trusted me not just a colleague and a friend but as her brother. That is what I thanking her for, instead of her learning a lot from me, I learned a lot from her. Moreover, in case you ask, yep we pulled it off. Among the six or seven masters’ candidates for graduation, Aileen notched the highest rating in her thesis and was even asked to present her work in front of the whole academic faculty last august for the college day celebration of our alma mater. It was indeed a story of patience and perseverance. Thank you Aileen for all the fun that we had. It was indeed priceless.

They are both the female version of the dynamic duo of gossips and laughter. Tonee and Robin are one of my oldest friends in existence. We went to the same school, share the same humor and belong to the same High School cliques. I am a member of the brotherhood and sometimes notorious circle of male friends called the Visionaries while they are our female counterparts called the Mignnones (I’m really confused on the true nature of the spelling ever since). I cannot forget how Robin hid my bag and ditched it on the bush when we were in the 5th Grade. And I still have a vivid memory of Tonee’s kinky-to-death curly hair with matching drama effects during the 7th Grade. They were my most critical scrutinizers back then (did I mentioned that I was a jerk before?) but we ended up as one of the most solid Trios in history (move over tenors). We parted ways during college. I thought our group would never meet again because Tonee never invited me to her wedding LOL), but after having our own jobs, we saw each other going about and roaming the nightlife of the city once again, drinking coffee and painting the town red (clean fun if you’ll excuse me). These two were there with me in every failed relationships and busted courtships that I had (LOSER!). Just last year, I was in the phone with them crying my heart out when the “girl” of my dreams fell out of fondness (not love) of me. Too bad for me, but at the same time, lucky of me to have such optimistic and accepting friends like them (though they often lambaste my potbelly and my face! Haha). Our common grounds? Like me, they are also dreamers who want the best of every aspirations fulfilled in life. Robin co-owns a car maintenance business and had this really “big and beautiful house” in Citta Grande while Tonee is currently the top brass medical representative of Pfizer who is now reviewing for an exam (same as me) in preparation for her migration in the US. I like hanging out with these gals because I always get free coffee whenever we go out (they have the lucrative jobs and businesses for crying out loud!) haha. But one thing’s for sure, we will all reach our dreams because we dream bigtime!

DOM LAWRENCE O.S.B.

As obvious as it is, Dom Lawrence is one of my closest friends here in the blogosphere. He is a Cenobitic-slash-Benedictine monk who authors the shocking (haha) but inspiring photo-blog called “Tales From The Cenobite” (I know, It sounds like “Tales From The Crypt Keeper” haha). Dom is a former professor in San Beda who was (ooops secret) called later in life in the “Monkish” vocation in the Order of St. Benedict. We have the same interest: “Mountain Climbing”. He was a former member of the San Beda mountaineers group while I was in the Bantay Banahaw Mountaineering Team way back a few ancient millennia ago. But it’s not the female mountain regions that we used to climb (Por Dyos Por Santo) but the real mountainous terrains in the Philippines (at least for him though). His generosity towards his peers in the blogosphere is simply amazing (like Smart). He sent me this DVD of a reality show called “The Monastery” for the Discovery Channel which was entirely shot at their New Mexico Monastery in Abiqui (Who knows what the real spelling is) which have his many candid shots included in the final cut. “Pacute” as ever in front of the camera, but this boyish (he’s a senior citizen already haha.. kidding bro!) looks made him the light and funny attraction in the DVD. Aside from the package, which at first I refused, he also sent me a DVD original of one of my favorite movies of all time, “Brother Sun, Sister Moon: The Story of St. Francis of Assisi”. That movie is so classical and at the same time rare that when I learned that he was going to give me a copy, I was ready to design his blog for free (yup I don’t charge anyone). Well not only that, he even willingly shot himself with my blog on his laptop upon my request, for me to use in one of my features here in OTWOMD. Isn’t he amazing? He is a very rare commodity here in the cyberspace and I am so blessed having him around, lurking and reading my stuff here on my blog as his daily dosage of OTWOMD love. Kapatid Salamat sa lahat!

JERRY MALIGAT

Jerry is one of the original members of our 14-member High School male clique called the Visionaries (Bisyo-naries). We were never really that close in High School even though we belong in the same circle of friends, live in the same neighborhood and belong to the same varsity team. Actually, we were enemies a decade ago. It seems that we really do not get along so well. We had this big fistfight when we were in the 9th grade during our representation in the regional athletic meet, which rendered our fist contused and aching. Then again, when we were in college, we still bumped into each other as enemies. Everyone in our clique believed that it is impossible for both of us to really meet each other half way, for both of us are candidly vocal and opinionated (modesty aside please). Until in 2003, we accidentally met at a friend’s birthday party. I was caught off guarded and didn’t know that he was there. So in short, we broke our pride, forgave each other’s transgression and became friends ever since. Today, Jerry and I are one of the strongest block in our clique that even our Kumpadres never imagined that it could happen. Though up to now, we still don’t share the same views in life but still we never end in arguments unlike before. I guess it comes with maturity, which somehow, you have to respect each other’s opinion, less you will find yourself in one corner, agreeing only with your own bloated self. The good thing about what we have gone through as Barkada was, we both learned from our mistakes and realized that old friends are our real treasures in life, that’s why we are both struggling to maintain our current friendship, not just as members of the same group but as brothers journeying in this difficult life. Why is he here in my thank you list? He’s one of the guys in the Visionaries who listened to my never ending litany of frustrations and whining about the “Girl of my dreams”. Of all the advices that he gave me, “Move on and look for another girl” was the best which awakened my already numbed judgment. When I had my birthday last May of 2007, He and Vlady came to our house and brought food, appetizers and liquor to celebrate my birthday. I didn’t threw a party because I was broke but these guys were so thoughtful that they gave me a treat (instead of me treating them). In all of our differences in opinions and views, the only things that we consistently agreed upon are our fond of reading, love for action figures, superhero flicks and marvel comics; actually everything that entails toys for the big boys. By the way, I also Godfathered Jett, his son, just so you know.

VLADIMIR LABAY

Vladimir is also a member of our High School clique called the Visionaries. I practically grew up with him, living for years in the same street and precisely seven houses away from each other. When we were kids, we used to be mistaken as twins or if not, as brothers. Vlady is one of my oldest Kumpadres. He was already my “pare” when we were still six years old and maintained that status until now. The most memorable childhood experience that I had with Vlady is when we played the “Tatching” (a kid’s version of betting game) wherein we use plastic action figures as bets instead of money. You see I had this sack full of action figures, which I collected for months. No one really defeated me in that game until Vlady came in to the picture. In just one hour, I lost all the action figures to him and I still remember crying inconsolably and was looking for stray toys under my bed, just so I could win back everything that I lost. But eventually, even those were taken by Vlady. At an early age, I already saw the bitter reality of defeat in the person of Vladimir ha-ha. That was a really funny experience. But kidding aside, I drifted apart from Vlady’s company because of personal conflicts before that I can’t anymore remember. It was only recently that I begun to feel at home once again in his company and felt the closeness we had during our High School days. You see, Vlady, like Jerry has different views from mine. He is realistic, while before I was so idealistic that I believed in craps that can only happen in a perfect world. This is what I learned from this guy: “always be realistic in times of idealism”. His practical views in everything proved to be true and beneficial, especially when struggling in life. What I only regret about our friendship was that I was not there during his struggles with his vices (as if I could do something!) and during his most difficult times. Nevertheless, it is not too late to catch up with the lost times. During my birthday, he came with Jerry bringing liquors and appetizers just so I could celebrate my birthday. Come to think of it, they have to travel miles away from the city towards the country side during the night just to bring the party over to my house. Salamat pare!

With Omar around, silence would be a rare commodity. He is known by everyone as the bully-slash-mouth swearing guy of BSN batch 2004. But for us in “Tropang Kupal”, he is not what others perceive him to be. Actually, he is the anti-thesis of every Jologs in existence. The Omar we know is very different from the public perception. Like me before, Omar wears a mask to hide all his frustrations and problems in the guise of an annoying clown. Even his High School Barkada does not know him that well (as he confessed it to us). Only the three of us really know our own temperaments and psychological incapacities that go beyond any normal human comprehension. I first met him in 2001. I was a Nursing student, while he and the rest of the future members of the “Tropang Kupal” were in Physical Therapy under the ASHE curriculum. My first impression of this guy was the same as everyone else’s… bully, garbage, crap and just pure senseless. But what I didn’t know was behind those images that he projected is a very thoughtful, warm and loyal friend that only few people had their chance to behold. You see as I have proven time and again, first impression never really lasts, judgment only belongs to court and all hearsay must be seen to believe. Omar can be the hardest and most irritating testosterone driven mega macho bully to others, but when it comes to “real” deal about personal problems, he can be as soft as a woman when listening to all your heartaches. The other side of this guy is superbly tremendous for he can really relate to everything you say, provided that what you tell them vividly and detailed as an instruction manual less he will misinterpret it as something else. When my Visionaries pal told me to stop pursuing the girl of my dreams, Omar had a different opinion. He was one of those few wise friends who convinced me that there is nothing to lose in love. He wittingly told me the truth behind the reality and persuaded me to go after this girl just to show my real intentions and feelings for her. True enough that when I traveled 2000 km just to see the girl of my dreams, what he said to me were all there. Only few men can understand what’s going on inside a woman’s head, and Omar belongs to those few privileged and genius men. I have so many things to be grateful for this person because I always find solitude and comfort with him whenever I have a drum-full of toxic waste going in and out of my head that needs to be flushed to the dregs. A few bottles of beer in front of their house facing a 2000 sq meter vacant lot in their subdivision is enough to turn every bothersome situation into a worry free night of laughter and fun. Omar, Rayson and I have gone through a lot in the past six years that no other barkada have gone before nor even reached the distance we journeyed in life. We started as friends during our Nursing Education and now that we are all registered nurses, we start anew as best of friends as we trod our professional lives towards our respective dreams.

I always tell Ray that because of his venom towards women, he can impregnate even a lamppost dressed in a woman’s underwear haha. To describe Ray is like looking for a needle in a haystack. His mystery escapes even his own comprehension. Like Omar, I met Rayson in the Nursing education. Both of them were former Physical therapy students who shifted to Nursing until I was included in their original 4-member “Tropang kupal”. When I came into the picture, I replaced one member who transferred to another school and we all became friends ever since. Rayson and I had gone a lot through the years starting from the unforgettable institution of the later defunct and very rebellious school paper, which really did not push through, up to our Community exposure, contradicting stupid and abusive clinical instructors and in the passing of our thesis, which we both accomplished. Like Omar, there are tons of things that I want to thank Rayson for, starting with our thesis, which he accomplished the production side of it while I was reviewing for my Board exam (a certain weirdo and I were the only ones allowed by our school to take the June 2004 boards). When I was starting my review for the boards, the school was so delayed in releasing my S.O. from CHED that Rayson was obliged to help me accomplish and complete it through our Thesis lest I could not have registered for the boards. Rayson stayed in our apartment in Manila for weeks. I was attending my whole day review while he was attending our thesis until its final draft came into completion. Aside from the Thesis, Rayson was my first protégé for conversion. He was so lost back then that Omar and I tried every possible approach to wayward him from the impending doom of self-destruction. Rayson is a very focused and objective person that even the worst problems could never affect him when it comes to work. Though I often scold him for his stupid decisions way back then as if he was my little brother, but the good thing about him is that he weighs things according to objectivity and listens to what his conscience tells him. Of all the trials that Ray has gone through in life, it is no surprise that he is now reaping the fruits of his hard work and patience, enduring even financial constraints amidst educational persistence. To this day, he is now a well-established registered nurse in Cavite and beginning to take pleasure on the dreams he sowed. He passed the controversial 2006 board exam without attending any formal review center and taking my example of isolating himself inside a room for months and reading endlessly the nursing books from cover to cover. To thank Rayson verbally for all his generosity (including his offering of his own house whenever I have no place to stay in Manila), is not enough. You have to travel with him back in time to reminisce the happy male bonding and camaraderie that you had with him, which made both of you, what you are now: “a well oiled Nursing Machine”.

DUNSOON AND AIZA

Dunsoon (pronounced as Danson) and Aiza are our Nursing Faculty student assistants. These two deserve a warm of applause from me and a sincere gratitude at the same time because of their valuable contribution and help to us Professors. Dunsoon is my chat buddy when everyone seems busy in the faculty. He is my copy man, my messenger and my snack vending machine. My examinations papers go through the hands of Dunson whenever I have no time to render it copied by the machine. It may seem doubtful and suspicious that some students might abuse the status of Dunsoon just to get their hands in my mind boggling exam, but no siree, Dunson is as loyal as my dogs (sorry Dunsoon for the analogy) for not one of our examination papers leaked. That’s how trustworthy he is to us (eat your heart out PRC). And whenever my exhausted gray matter is screaming for nourishment, Dunson is always there to run in the cafeteria to buy my favorite snack in the University: Palabok with ham and egg sandwich (ummmm yummmm!!!). I starve to death whenever Dunsoon is not around. Aiza on the other hand is our communications executive, our human ATM and my logistics mistress. She’s the one who gives all my messages to people concerned and to some extent becomes my bridge to my Boss whenever I’m too shy to approach her desk. Whenever something is missing in the faculty, from the most important documents like grade sheets and forms to the most petty of all things like staples and punchers, Aiza is the one to ask for the missing items. Having her around is like having a Lost and Found booth in the office. And the most important assistance that Aiza rendered me during my stay in the University, is her fetching of our “Salary”. She’s no “Human ATM” for nothing, because whenever we have to withdraw our cash from the bank, Aiza is always there to lend her service. The most amazing things about these two are their loyalty, honesty and integrity that are so rare among students these days. Aiza Graduated this year with a Bachelor’s Degree in accountancy and Dunsoon is now working in the University as one of the custodians of the Computer Lab. He has a Bachelor’s Degree in Computer engineering (Astig Noh?). They are not just our student assistants, but members of our Nursing Family. Thank you so much guys and hats off to both of you.

JOHN PHILIP HABARADAS

Jaypee has been very instrumental in the making of this blog and helped the Author in figuring out the technical side of the blogsite. From simple site search, bug fixes and software hop, to complex Javascripts, HTML, CSS, PHP and other web development issues, Jaypee was instructing the author detail by detail on how to come up with the best possible option and solution for the blog. But the funny thing is, Jaypee and the author never met personally. It was only through a fortunate accident that paved the way for the realization of the Author’s blog. Thousand of miles apart, Jaypee and the Author communicated only via the internet through Yahoo Messenger and email. The mentor truly showed the Author that helping others has no limits, knows no boundaries and is not hindered by distance. Jaypee is 100% Filipino and proud to be one. He is in his late twenties, born and raised in the Philippines and currently residing in Southern California with his wife and kid. A half Tagalog and half Ilonggo, Jaypee speak both Tagalog and Hiligaynon dialects fluently. He can understand and speak a little Cebuano and now he has added Bahasa Indonesia to the list. He finished his bachelors degree from the University of St. La Salle, Bacolod with a degree in Management Information Systems and finished his Master’s degree in 2006, which the emphasis is also in Management Information Systems. Jaypee is a highly respected blogger (jaypeeonline.net) and has been nominated as one of the finalist in the prestigious Philippine Blog Awards 2007. He is also the editor of several blogger aggregation sites. The author is very much indebted to Jaypee’s humility, simplicity and readiness to help others without asking anything in return, (a rare find on the cyberspace) for without him, this blog will never exist on the first place.

MARIE JAMORA, MAUI MAURICIO AND WINCY ONG

The Author, being an avid fan of Pinoy Rock Music have decided to include in his blogsite the original Pinoy Music Videos. But facing a media ordeal, most of the channels in his subscriptions in YouTube were deleted one after another by the staff editors of the said website due to third party claims of copyright infringements. The Author was skeptic in embedding ripped videos by various youtubers because of the known fact that it will also be deleted one day by the “powers that be” of youtube, and this would somehow give the Author a tough editing job on his blog. Until he saw a music video that was very different from other videos in terms of quality and resolution. He then realized that the uploader was the actual director of the video. He immediately sent request to various directors on youtube, asking permission to feature their works on this blog. And Marie, Maui and Wincy all gave their permission. The author is very grateful for these three Atenean directors in sharing their works. Marie Jamora got her Master’s degree on Film in Colombia University in 2006. She currently works with Unitel Productions and various Indie Pop Film. Maui Mauricio, a new breed of visionary director, has also made a mark in Philippine Film Industry through his various music videos and indie films for Unitel Productions, Editcube, Isaw Sa Kanto and Prod Madness. Aside from directing, Maui is also known for his works as editor and colorist on various projects. Wincy Ong on the other hand is a filmmaker, photographer, writer and a musician rolled into one. Like Marie and Maui, Wincy also came from the fence of Ateneo De Manila University and have worked in various film projects. His recent music video which the Author added in his favorite list, is Wincy’s direction of the Music Video of Bloomfields entitled “Wala Ng Iba” (can be seen in the himig noypi section of Bwhich brought back TVlandia to the 60’s hype. You can watch their directorial works in the Bluetube section of this blog. These new breed of Pinoy Filmmakers will surely hit it big in the near future, and will help the Pinoy Music and Film Industry in penetrating the global arena. Talents at its best! And the Author is very much honored for this rare privilege.

KIP

The Author met kip at his former blog in friendster. He thought she was Pinoy but he later found out that she was Singaporean. Kip has also been one of the inspirations of this blog. She was the one who gave the Author a nudge to go global by getting out of friendster blog and somehow reach out to a wider audience (readers for that matter). Kip and the Author never met personally but he already established a commendable and strong friendship with her, strangely enough, only through the internet. The author consider Kip as one of his “fan” and even made a joke about her being the President of his “Solid, Liquid and Gas” fans club. In times of personal issues about blogs and forum, Kip was there to give an objective point of view and a no-nonsense advice which the author appreciate very much. Kip is a Moslem, and the Author is always ready to defend her from anyone who would ostracize her. Kip’s “rejection and hostility-towards-her” stories over the internet made the Author realize more the need for better understanding about our Moslem Brothers. He always believe that not all moslems are fanatics and her dealings with Kip and the rest of the other denominations is of no difference with his dealings with his Catholic friends. The Author, having a Franciscan influence, believed that religion should not be the cause of conflict but instead a bridge for understanding and unity of the Church with other denominations. In Addition, Kip is currently taking up Bachelor of Arts (Mass Communications) in Oklahoma City Univerity. Her Achievements include Student councilor, Ex-co member of student council, and Gold awardee in the Singapore Youth Festival. Kip and the Author’s friendship is only a part of the millions of testimonies that Moslems and Christians can be at peace with each other. During one of their conversations, Kip said that “St. Peter would not let her in, in the pearly gates and be thrown out of heaven” because she’s a Moslem. But the Author kidded, “I will ask St. Francis of Assisi to make another pearly gates for you so that you could enter heaven”.

FELMAR FIEL S.V.D.

Felmar is a member of the Religious Order of the Society of the Divine Word. Like many other people featured here in “Pipol”, the Author never met Felmar personally. He only met him in the Seminarian Friendster Group. Having the common background and faith, The Author and Felmar hit the road in Catholicizing and Evangelizing the Internet. The Author is very indebted to Fiel (as his friends fondly calls him) because He was the first one who inspired the author to do the same ministry as his’ : “Spreading the Divine Word in the Internet”. The Works of Fiel in and out of the internet is as prolific as the stars in the heavens, converting people and reaching out to the lukewarm hearts just like it did to the Author, prior to the conception of this blogsite. Fiel has been there during one of the spiritual and human ups and downs of the Author, offering encouragements and wisdom of the Word. Fiel and the Author did crazy stints like posting humorous comments together in one of the youtube videos which directly attacked the Pope. And sometimes leaving crazy comments and messages on each other’s blogs and photos. One of the classical humor that the Author cannot forget is the “wallet” incident on Fiel’s blog wherein the author bursts the bubble by disclosing to the reader’s what’s really inside fiel’s wallet, that is, the object wrapped in foil seems to exude an oily subtance (its actually a secret between men). Readers could easily recognize Fiel because he is one of the liturgists in the ABS CBN Sunday TV Mass “The Healing Eucharist”. He is the stout (hehehe) meztizo guy carrying the missal and sometimes at the back part of the ailes giving cues on the offertory when to and when not to walk towards the Altar. Hailed from Kiblawan, Davao del Sur, Fiel is a well oiled machine, being a blogger, adventurer, college professor, web designer, photographer, youtube broadcaster, magazine editor, adviser to various groups, purser of the seminary and a self confessed solid “Maging sino ka man”, “A walk to Remember”, “Pinoy Big Brother” and “Kapamilya” addict rolled into one. Owning and managing 2 blogs and various websites on the net, his time management is beyond the Author’s comprehension. His ministry gives immense inspiration to both lay and religious men and women of the Church. A couple of years from now, Fiel will be included in the lists of Sacerdotal Ministers of the Catholic Heirarchy. Truly, the “small but terrible” theologian of the Catholic Church when in comes to evangelization. Kudos Pare Ko and Salamat sa Lahat!

Fr. Ron did not contribute anything in this blog, but in retrospect, he has contributed many things to the Author. He is the mentor of the Author in the seminary a few years back and has taught him many things outside the premises of textbooks. Pangs as the Author fondly calls his former mentor, has always been there when the latter seek his advice in matters of faith and human psychodynamics. He was the one who toned down the author’s idealism into being realistic. Pangs’ words and teachings are still fresh to the Author’s mind and has always been his standard when living out his faith in the secular world. Pangs’ Capuchin Vocation has been one of the Author’s inspiration in reaching his dream. He always admonish the Author to always focus on the “Mysterium Tremendum” of his own personal history. During the Author’s seminary days, his mentor would always put red inks all over his reflection papers which somehow made him upset. But he later realized that those red marks were more of a benefit than a burden. The author considers Pangs as his most valuable and credible source of human wisdom. His advice and views with regards to difficult public, personal and moral issues has been tremendously commendable and highly logical, making him one of the Author’s most influential person in his life. The author is very much grateful for his mentor for if not for him, he would have never made a 360 transition from being a fanatic to a well grounded catholic. All of the kernels of wisdom imparted by Pangs to the Author is fingerprinted all over this blog site: the ecumenism, obedience to church hierarchy and magisterium, fraternal love and camaraderie, realism, humor, facing irony, confronting own psychological incapacities, acknowledging human weakness and gaining triumph over it, charity, assertiveness, advocacy towards good causes, love of nature and the environment, devotion to the Divine Office (Prayer of the religious) and the Eucharist, and being fully human-fully alive are just some of Pang’s influential trademark on his tutelage over the Author’s seminary education. He was also one of those who gave the author such priceless token-slash-memorabilia that you will find in the Museo Section of this Blog. Fr. Ron Graduated Cum Laude in University of Santo Tomas with a degree in Bachelor of Science in Clinical Psychology. He also Finished Magna Cum Laude both in his degree on Philosophy in Christ The King Seminary and his Theology in the SVD theological seminary in Tagaytay City. In 2003, he went to Rome for further studies, probably working in his Master’s degree. He is currently the Novice Master of St. Felix of Cantalice Capuchin Novitiate in Baguio City and has been holding a prominent office in the Philippine Capuchin Province as one of the highly respected definitors of his brothers. The Author is also very grateful for his education under the auspices of the Capuchin Brothers (Fr. Pete, Bro. Allan, Bro. Boy, Bro. Gabby, Fr. Albert and Fr. Egay), especially under Fr. Ron’s instruction. It has trully made the author what he is today. On the Author’s stubborness, only Pangs can bend the iron will out of him.

IT’S ALL RELATIVE

The Author is also grateful to his relatives in the U.S. for their selfless support on his various endeavors. Patricia Lee Marquez and her Mom, Eden including his dad Ricky has been very supportive of the Author eversince. From his entrance to the seminary up to his study in Nursing, they never failed to offer prayers for his well being. Not to mention their generous gift of the author’s whims such as Shirts, Comic books and a complete line of Calvin Klein perfumes. Tricia has also been a guinea pig for this blog. She was the one who gave the author objective and constructive comments on the general outlook and feel of the blog. Tricia is now on her sophomore year in Nursing and is working part time as a sales representative in L.A. Her Mom on the other hand is working on a Diamond Company owned and managed by one of the Schindler Jews Survivors. They currently reside in Glendale, California. Aldeen Guinto and his wife Gladys is the Author’s first cousins. Edgee as the author fondly calls him has gone through him in history of beers and bottles. Although in comparison, the author is more tamed and domesticated when it comes to girls, nevertheless he has been one of Edgee’s (aside from their cousin Lester) star witness to his promiscuity and adultery (haha, just kidding). The Author, Edgee, and their other cousin from Africa, Alistair, has been partners in crime, in and out of bars and drinking tables. The Author is very grateful to edgee for his support to his New York application. Edgee paid for some of the Author’s CGFNS papers and online exam required by the New York State. He and his wife, Gladys and two kids, Stephanie and Cheska now resides at New Jersey, an hour away from his work in the prestigious Mt. Sinai Hospital in New York. Edgee’s sister, Chervette Guinto however was also generous in lending the Author her Digital Camera, from which, most of the photographs in this blogsite were taken. Cheche is now currently reviewing for her Philippine Nursing Licensure Exam in Manila and is scheduled to take the test on June of 2007 (the Author is crossing his fingers). The Author’s brother-in-law, Remiel Quila is also included in his Thank You List. Kuya Khila, as the Author refers to him, has always been very supportive in his Nursing Application. He was the first one to finance the Author’s CGFNS and IELTS exam which he passed. He also paid for the financial obligations for his application in the Nurse and Midwifery Council of London which was approved last January of 2007. Aside from Khila’s financial generosity towards the author, he recently gave his only brother-in-law a Diesel Sneaker which he now uses in most of his review classes. Khila works at St. Vincent Medical Center and at Keizer Hospital as one of the best Emergency Nurses in their company. He presently resides in one of the remotest (hehehe) yet exclusive subdivision in Santa Clarita California. And last but not the least, the author is also thankful for his cousin and her family, Chelle Ramos for giving the Author a warming gift of the newest Calvin Klein CKb perfume which really made him rolled his eyes in disbelief and joy. Chelle and hubby Albert Ramos with their only daughter Kayla formerly resides at Carson, California but moved to Florida last February of 2007.

Special mention to Carina Fabie who gave the Author instructions and points in his application in NMC-London. She migrated in London and is now working there as a registered nurse. Also to Mrs. Len Flancia of the Provincial Post office for the uncompensated and generous work she done by contacting the Author everytime there is a special mail from hisvarious applications. The Author’s processing of applications would never been that fast if it wasn’t for her. and of course to Mrs. Narcie Aranila, one of the staff in the Author’s Alma Mater’s registrar’s office for promptly processing some documents needed for his various applications.

To all of you guys,
thank you very much for your selfless generosity and kindness.
Your goodness and charity will now be known throughout the world.
Salamat ng Marami!

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