-melancholics.dialogue-

I was trying to import some of my latest rants in WordPress but unfortunately Multiply doesn't support WordPress (For Now...Hehehe...).

Hhhm, Well, I have transferred to another blog site and maybe you won't be receiving some updates through Multiply. If in case, You want to RSS me... Please do. :)

Check it out at www.melankoliko.co.nr for the latest rants on my life and my take on the goodness and badness (LOL) of life.

Cheers,
Vir

Click the New Site!!!

I'm planning to move out from Blogger to Wordpress!





















The reason for the move-out is actually experimental in nature. I'll keep you posted of any updates on this one. Check out - www.melankoliko.co.nr

I am just exhausted and amazed about so many things today. Surely being a kuya in the group makes you exhausted from leading worship, facilitating sessions and of course, giving encouragement and counsel to many young people.

But with all these things, I find it joy about how each and every words that we share to these young people, God uses it to change their perspectives and outlook in life. And I'm always excited everytime they open up to us after we open up something personal. Like what happened this afternoon.

Our youth group gathered around to have a worship practice for tomorrow but our pastor ended up asking everyone about what they personally learned during the youth retreat which started last night and ended at 3:00pm today.

Opportunities like this usually pops up at unexpected times and yet, becoming a mentor needs to be ready at all times. After so much talk about challenges, weaknesses and grace, we gathered all boys and same with the girls and prayed for one another. You cant stop the tears from falling from the guys when I prayed for each of them much more for me to continue without taking a deep breath to control myself. Hehehe...

After much counseling ang praying, I realized that in every dillema that they have, it seems to relate to CHANGE. Although change is believed to be the only constant thing in this world, it definitely is also a hard long process that takes eternity.

Change doesn't take overnight (and it's true!) - Teens today has a lot of challenges in their lives. With these challenges is the opportunity to respond postively or negatively. And this response affects their outlook in life, much more how they respond and interact to other people. And yes, It takes time for a teen to be patient, to be honest, to say "NO" to many things in life and many more. But like any of us who has gone through that stage, changes needs effort and prayers of others because it really is hard to say "NO"!

Another lesson learned is the reality that it takes patience, grace and mercy to accept them, and accept them wholeheartedly as WHO THEY ARE. I can't imagine how these young people would think of me after they shared to me their secrets just by saying, you're not worth my time and you dont change. It will surely grieve their hearts,much more - lose their hopes.

I'm excited how GOD will start to work in their lives and much more excited on how themselves will be able to change other people because of their lives. ( Domino Effect...Yup!)

Lastly, I thank God for those people who were there for me through the years, for without them, I surely will be a fool dealing with these delicate ones. And of course, I thank the LORD of Grace, Mercy and Peace that is in my heart to listen to them and give wise counsel to what they are going through.

I often wonder how we view Christmas here in the Philippines. As seen on tv shows and print ads, Christmas has become a bazaar of gift giving and party and all that stuff. Although I have to admit that having all these makes Christmas more fun and exciting to at most of the time, but how do we really know the essence of Christmas in the reality of our current situations?

Christmas in the Philippines has been dubbed as one of the biggest and grandest event in the country. But with the economic blisters we are encountering, I often wonder if ever the same grandeur is felt and dubbed this season.

It was typical before to have all the Christmas lights scattered across the house in full color, having the lights turned on up to the wee hours of the night or early dawn. Wherein local parks and malls spectacle on the luxurious presentations of glittering lights at the start of the night.

Christmas before overcrowds malls and flee markets to buy gifts. I often dream about those good old days wherein I was tagged along at a local mall to buy the gifts and noche buena delights.

Forgive me for dwelling on these things...let me get back to my question earlier, how do we really know the essence of Christmas in the reality of our current situations?

Christmas is not just a season of giving but also a season of thanksgiving. Although we celebrate new year with a bang, its usually Christmas time when we celebrate all blessings the Lord has given us by uttering prayers of joy and thanks to our Creator and King.

It's a time to understand that its not because of us that what we have accomplished that matters but of how the Lord has worked through us and helped us through the tough and bad times, as well as the good and joyous ones!

Hopefully, with our economic crisis and to any of our challenges individually, we will see Christmas as a time of evaluating, reflecting and be grateful that "HE (indeed HE alone) is able to do greater things for us..." and for that, I will SAY, AMEN!

I found this nice Christmas song about a little girl's wish for her Dad to come home. Hope You'd be blessed by her little Christmas wish.

I often wonder sometimes how life can be so ironic. People asks you questions that seems to be answerable for us and yet, we ourselves are bounded by our very own issues we often need an answer from someone.

I was asked by a friend earlier through a text message if ever "She should fight for him? Or let go?" and my answer was quite surprising even to me.

I told her that "it will still be your choice... fighting for someone may not mean winning it but at least trying to do d most makes it worthwhile." Not later than 20 seconds that I received quite a favorable thanks for the enlightenment that I found myself questioning the same things over.

I often wonder whether to get back to that special someone whom I lost track with because of so many things in my life. Couldn't resist the feeling of being afraid to be in a relationship - afraid of the commitment and the fears of finding the right person.

Upon seeing many things in perspective, I am in a way perplexed with my own stand about love and relationships yet feel adequate to answer a few questions by those that are younger than me. I often wonder how many of us guys really does have the courage to stand for the one we love and speak of the things we desire for the future. How in many things, women who has this desire to meet the prince charming in any novels and fairy tales can be counted few to the modern reality of life.

Crazy as this may sound, finding a relationship right now is not in my list maybe, just maybe, because of fear -not of being rejected, but of the future as well.

I always wonder how I would look like if I become one of those "emo" guys on the street. Long sided hair, dark-lined eyes, lipsticks? (black?) How about wearing those hood jackets with stripes all over? Or perhaps wearing those tight levi's jeans and chuck taylor boots? (I'm wondering If I look good on that though...)

A lot has been going on that You can't expect me to become too emotional - to the extent of looking like one!

But honestly speaking, I hate people who are careless of other people's feeling. If I could sum up everything that happened this past few days, it's this - UNFAIR.

UNFAIR because People speaks first, BEFORE THINKING it through.

It's the wee hours of the night and I'm still at the office due to some odd reasons. Whew!

I just had a talk earlier with my boss and discussed the possibilities of relocating somewhere in the Metro Manila area. The chat went something like this -

Vir: Ei, Matt, still busy?
Matt: Yes chief,it's ok...
Vir: uhmmm...got something to tell you.
Matt: What's that?
Vir: I'm freaking nervous...waaah!
Matt: Come on, spill it out...
Vir: Uhm,I'm planning to relocate in Manila area.

Just to clear it out, the main reason of planning to transfer there is for growth and for my Mama who is staying alone in Manila by herself. And I don't like it to be that way forever. No one's close enough to help her out.

Matt: So, when do you plan to move?
Vir: if ever possible, January or February...
Matt: Do you also want to relocate in any of the sites in Manila?
Vir: Yeah! That would be great!
Matt: Let's talk this Sunday and see our options...
Vir: OK, Sunday then.

It was funny really when Matt asked me if ever I wanted to transfer to any of the sites in Manila. He maybe thought that I had other companies in mind with the transfer. And in doing so, it made it easier for me to transfer in Manila with the same interests and work awaiting.

Although I am not yet certain where I'll be thrown for work, I'm confident that Matt knows the best area for me to grow. I know there are openings in Tarlac, and it's quite far from Manila but definitely a good place in terms experience. Besides, I want challenge in my work and getting into a site that will soon to open is a great start!

Until here only...Bye!

It's Tuesday and I have no work! (hopefully!)

It's fiesta time here in Dumaguete and people are busy buzzing either cooking or looking for a place to be full. And yes folks, good thing for those working in call centers wherein they get to be awake till lunchtime for the "chibugan" sessions somewhere out there. And of course, those who are enjoying the local holiday!

I was wondering what other activities aside from "eating" that can be exciting and interesting during fiesta time...hhhmmm, What else can I do over a day of no work and in a fiesta?

Well, to start off, I decided to wake up early and have some wifi time in McDonald's, and was a little bit shock seeing a new construction at the side of BPI for a new Jollibee Outlet. Pinoy nga naman....

I am no business tycoon or something but in my opinion, having 3 Jollibee stores in a little city called Dumaguete can be too much. The Jollibee Perdices branch is 5 minutes away from the Cathedral church. And not to mention, it's just Sundays when this particular area be full with a lot of people. For other days, I'd say less than a handfull will be in this area.

And not to mention, McDonald's is also nearby wherein the market can be divided, not to mention a local resto - HiWay 10 is on the next block. Whew. ( I promise to take a pic on these 3 later on today,hopefully...)

On another note, Filipinos has this tendency to compete (whether upfront or other way), that makes me wonder where they got it? I often wonder why in one block, there are 6 sari-sari stores, in one street, 3 barber shops and 2 beauty salons and of course, wherein 5 "carinderias" are lined-up somewhere in between.

As a Filipino, it makes me ashame to say that "a lot are copycats..." and the uniqueness of the Filipino spirit is deprived from our need rather than being a trend setter. And I finally realized what the owner of the email from PinoyGuyGuide when he commented on our way of copying things. Grrr... Too bad!

Just another early melancholy...hehehehe.

It's another late night post after a day with so many things to do yet only a few things has beenasid and done. ( What's that again?)

Anyway, Can anything be excited than meeting new people especially if you're not in a hurry? To many of us, what makes acquaintances are people with no time to take a sip and talk awhile (one moment...one Nescafe!) and get to learn more about other people - whether it's the mundane stories of someone to a passionate desire for another. Couple it up with an attentive ear and you'll have a new friend in no time.

In a deeper sense though, acquaintance is always the first step to befriend someone (and maybe more...) but how do we determine those who are good from the bad? from the interesting to the mundane? And who would forget, from the way they look and dress to you know what I mean... ( Sorry!!!)

Let's say in all of these, the common ground for any friendship will be the "sense to belong" attitude of the group. I'm blessed to say that I have officemates who are definitely for the GO when it comes to talk and discuss about life, leisure, love and anything else that revolves around each and everyone of us.

My entire Saturday seems to be mundane as usual. Just to make something out of my boredom, I tried taking pictures in the downtown area, discretely as possible. Imagine myself stopping in front of Ever Mall just to get a shot of the people walking around or leaping at the glass window up in Super Lee to get a shot downward. Hehehe...

I was watching "Soldiers of Change" at home and it was really interesting. Th story shares a lot of things of every man or race's desire. It was a story about life, passion and true worth. It was a fascinating story about freedom.

It made me think of our own freedom and how many lives have been sacrificed for such "freedom". Even today, our own community still cries for the changes that we have cried out for so long. Try to see the news of people in the streets, documentaries of leftists and rightists fighting for that one cause we surely desire for so long.

But can true freedom really exist? ( Or experience?)

I don't want to blog about the meaning of freedom, a lot has been made and remade to capture the exact definition of it. All I want to air out is that freedom, although many have staked their life for it, is not what we sometimes expect it to be. After watching the movie, I came to a realization that sometimes freedom is the absence of life for another.

Freedom gets the life of the other, for another to be truly free.

A person's perception about freedom varies from good to bad, rich to poor or vice-versa. Freedom, for centuries has been tagged with getting away from oppressors and yet, unfortunately, to an oppressor, freedom is taking away the will of others to experience it. But to someone who has been in darkness for so long, FREEDOM is something as a gift that cannot be given without someone loosing his freedom,and sometimes the freedom to live.

Watch any movies about freedom and you'll see the dreaded reality that freedom has and will always be with a price. And that price is not one's own income or estate, but of someone's life.

When we were oppressed during the Martial Law, many media and political figures stood for such freedom. But look at where we are now, still there is (and will always be) people power in the streets, still there is corruption,there is poverty, hatred and much more. The freedom that we long for seems to be the slavery of another, not by mere men but with the situation they are into. Imagine the downfall of the Marcos' regime but one person's life laid down (or killed for it).

In our human aspect, freedom is what we want to experience the life without boundaries. It's the life we always dreamed of, a desire for more or even pay for. But to many of us, freedom can also be the opportunity to get more from others and sometimes the life of others. And to some, it's that freedom that cause them their greatest fear- loosing the life they always wanted to live out.

I am not arguing of taking away freedom, but just the reality that freedom has a price tag - and it is definitely not money but life of another.Can someone's life be freed for another man's death? Life maybe unfair, but I believe freedom is much bitterly unfair.

Blogging can be really addictive like friendster and other networking sites. But how does a blogger commune with other bloggers in one area?

If you're on the same dilemma as we are, then cheer up - There's hope!

There are other bloggers who are into this too! So with this in mind, I've created a particular networking website named - "Negros BlogRolls" to suffice the need about meeting friends and bloggers in the area. I would like to reiterate that this blog community will be solely for bloggers (amateur or professional) from the area and not any other networking site you have in mind.

The goal of the community is to gather a good number of bloggers in the area where we can communicate, share posts and learn about tips and tricks in hitting it big in the world of blogging.
(and of course, among other things...)

And by the way, Kam, another blogger who is calling out all the bloggers from Dumaguete and Neighboring areas to gather and create the core group to make spark something good for all of us. If you are interested, you may visit her blog or send her an email c/o kaakaams@gmail.com

So, what are you waiting for? Are YOU "in" or "out"?

Spread the news and be part of blog history in the making! Hope you'd also check the community - NegrosBlogRolls!

Can anything be addictive than having a new camera on hand?

With the busy life that I have, I can still have the time to capture on camera everything I find interest in to. And at most, it's inside the office! With friends and co-workers gulping to pose and smile at every click, who would not take the plunge of trying it out.

For keep's sake, I'm saving it in Multiply as an online "portfolio". But basically taking pictures will be a hobby to beat with the odds of working my ass up until December.

Come to think of it, most of my captures are expression of faces and emotions and I kind of like it when it comes to capturing unedited or let's say real and captured reactions from people.




























These two pictures are taken during the company one hour outreach last sunday. They didn't know I took a shot at them while they were mesmerized by the stories and toys they got with the loot bags.

The one below is my niece, Ashley. Typical cute kid who knows how to project. She has a lot of pics at home because she is definitely a kid who loves to be in the limelight. And I have to admit, although she looks angelic, she can be very naughty sometimes and may win you over her cries and woes for food!











The rest can be seen at my Multiply account, of course, If you have a multiply account - feel free to add me.

I was wondering if ever people would be interested to buy my Asus EEE Series laptop. I bought this at around P 20,000.00 around 5 months ago and unfortunately, I seldom use the laptop because of being too busy to just chill anywhere with a wifi access.

A lot of people have been waiting for the new mall to open hopefully next year - Robinsons Place!

With the many rumors of the said mall not to be finished or whatever, I took some pictures to see how the Robinsons site has been doing and building. The pictures were taken last Thursday, November 13th, 2008.


Glance at a distance






























Well, Hopefully this place will be up in no time so we can have "variety" of places to hang-out and chill-out other than the usual ammenities that we currently up.

I was up early because I wanted to upload my new pics online at friendster and in hot dumagueteños as well. Unfortunately, Friendster is down so I decided to upload it in Flickr and get back to it as soon as the network is done with their maintenance.

By the way, Hot Dumagueteños is at 13 members, unfortunately, most are not from Dumaguete... Bad me! I forgot to double check my emails before sending the automatic invite of the website. Tsk...Tsk...Tsk...


Anyway, this can also be a good avenue of us ( from here) showing them what we can be and what we have as "people of the province" ( Yikes!)

Out of the total 13 members, I know of only 3 who are from here and 1 of them is in the KSA working. ( Hi EPpie!!!)

So, where are the rest of the hot dumaagueteños? Hhhmmm....

Here is one latest pic I got after taking a bath... Hehehe... ( What an ending!) Ain't it hot? joke!!!

The problem with this picture is that I took it inside the bathroom and the bowl is at sight! (Gosh!)

Anyway, It's still is a good take!

Hehehe...

I've been wanting to create an online community for Dumaguete Locals and I finally found a perfect place to create one! Wohoo!

The idea comes about the desire to connect lost friends, new acquaintances and bloggers from Dumaguete and the neighboring places as well. I've named the site - Hot Dumagueteños Online believing that Dumaguete is not just another University town, but is also a place of wits and beautiful people!

So,if ever you are interested to make new friends and get the idea of connecting with people - What are you waiting for? Click the image below!


Thanks for reading!

Vir