A Nation of Fakes Naman Sila!

"But hold on—even the Filipinos? Manila has just claimed sovereignty over the scattered rocks in the South China Sea called the Spratly Islands, complete with a blatant threat from its congress to send gunboats to the South China Sea to defend the islands from China if necessary. This is beyond reproach. The reason: there are more than 130,000 Filipina maids working as $3,580-a-month cheap labor in Hong Kong. As a nation of servants, you don't flex your muscles at your master, from whom you earn most of your bread and butter."

- Isang walang Kwentang Columnist sa Hongkong

Ay paano naman po ang bansa na katulad ng sa inyo? Anong idinulot niyo sa mundo?

Have you heard about SARS, Bird FLU, Melamine, Lead in baby toys, and formalin’s or siopao meat made of  cardboard?! 

What about a nation of Immitation? A nation of Fakes? What about a nation of drugs and mandurugas?

I’d rather live in a nation full of hardworking, decent and yes, serving people than live in a nation full of frauds.

Mas matalino pa ang maid mo kaysa sa iyo, imagine a degree in politics in UP, eh di nangamote ka!

Buti pa siya pinasulat mo ng article!

Ay yes, nagsorry na siya. Sorry na pilit.

 Ayaw ko na sana patulan, but I want to keep it in record dito na pag inaalipusta ang kapwa ko, lalo na't kapareho kong OFW, hindi ko mapapalagpas yan. 

Mr. Cheap Chip, I advise you and your publisher to consult with Nebz or mas mabuti magpatutor ka kina Azel at Jee.

Thank you Ate Loida for the link of of the photo article above and for first reading it at Ruphael's and Pope's Blog. Other Kablogs bloggers also commented and blogged about this issue.

©2009 THOUGHTSKOTO

Dont Just Trust - Email and Chat

Sa bawat araw na nagbubukas ako ng aking Yahoo at Gmail, merong mga email na  galing sa mga pinsan ng pinsan ng kaibigan ng lolo ko mula South Africa. No, mali po ang iniisip niyo, hindi po sila yung mga pinsan ng pinsan ng pinsan ng kaibigan ko na nakatira sa Manila Zoo. Sila po ay mga totoong tao na magbibigay saken ng mga kung anu ano, pati na ang mga bagay na di ko na mabanggit dahil di na kailangan pang banggitin at dahil marami ang mga mambabasa ko na wala pa sa tamang pag-iisip...I mean, mga mura pang isipan. Naks, isa ka na dun. Yes, ikaw. Magcomment ka nga, bata. hehe

Meron din akong mga emails galing sa aking mga fans na nasa UK, at maging galing ng India at minsan sa Europe at US of A. Ganun pa man, kahit dumarami sila, hindi po ako natutuwa.

Teka ha, sandali po at oopen ko lang ang aking email…

3, 929 po ang kanilang kabuuang bilang sa ngayon, sa kung anong dahilan at pinutakte nila ang aking account ay sadyang di ko pa lubos na naiintindihan. Hindi ko po kayang idetalye ang mga kahindik-hindik na nilalaman ng kanilang mga email messages, pero ibabahagi ko po ang mga iilan na maaring kayo man din po’y nakaranas or nakatanggap din.

Si Jon Standford na nasa South Africa, hinihingi ang aking account number at detailed info’s at ako’y papadalhan ng pera at kanyang ibabahagi ang yaman na namana niya sa kanyang yumaong ama.

Si Samantha Alfred, nagsasabing ako ay nanalo ng lottery sa aking email ay humingi ng aking address at contact details pati account numbers at ng maideposit ang halos di ko mabilang na zero’s of US dollars.

Si Amber Grissham, na HR Officer ng isang Oil company sa Spain pinapasubmit ako ng resume at credentials para maprocess ang aking pagkahire sa position na angkop na angkop daw sa aking propesyon – Forklift Operator Manager. Anong position yun? Hahaha!

Si Allan na manager ng GE, isang matalik kong kaibigan, nasa UK daw at nagsend ng email na humihiram ng 1000 US Dollars at nagkaron ng aberya sa lakad, at babayaran na lang pagbalik. Napatawag tuloy ako kaagad sa kanya, at ayun, natutulog sa bahay nila sa Khobar. “Ah, akala ko kasi na UK ka.”

Marami pa sila, may mga nagpropromise na palalakasin ako, pahahabain ang mga kung ano-ano, tatanggalin ang bun-i, ap-ap, kulugo at kulubot sa mukha. May mga email ng instant pera at yaman, pati instant hair growth. Meron ring libreng laptop, chat at pati viewing ng mga kung sino-sino at kung ano-ano.

Buti na lang nakafilter kayo, lahat kayo napupunta sa Spam Box, masarap sana ang Spam in Can, pero bakit nga ba SPAM ang ipinangalan?

Nitong mga nakalipas na araw, si Kuya Ramil na halos tatay ko na nagsend ng YM message sa akin at minura ako sa English...Di ko nga alam na marunong pala si Kuya ng mga ganong mura sa English. Isang beses pa at si Bambhi na teacher at kaibigan naming mga Thoughtskoto ay nagsend na view ko daw siya ng hubo’t hubad sa webcam niya. Sa sobrang hinhin at pagkaconservative niya, ayun at 33 na wala pa ring asawa, tapos ganun? Si Donna na nasa Hawaii nagsend na pwede ko daw ba siya padalhan ng load ng Smart Roaming, kahit scratch ko na at pin # na lang ibigay ko sa YM. Si Donna, na nag-aaral ng Hawaii, hihingi ng pangload sa akin? Lahat ng sagot ko, SPAMMER, LOKOHIN MONG LELONG MO!

I have a previous entry about this before...here

and

another about chat here

It’s great that we have the wonderful means to communicate and to reach out, but there are some who take advantage of it so be careful with your password. Don’t just trust anyone or any message, especially if it’s from email or chat. 

©2009 THOUGHTSKOTO

YOU’RE THERE TO SHARE

It has been said that there are more than 100 million blogs in the World Wide Web, spanning from all across the continents. And along with each blog are hundreds or maybe thousands of millions of posts and entries of different varieties, photos, cartoons, art, music, poems, essays and all forms of expression. But at the beginning and end of each of this post is an individual human longing for something…longing to be heard. Each and every post is a human being with a desire to express and to be appreciated… The aspiration to share, sometimes, even our skeletons-in-the-closets or our most sacred stories.

I have noticed that since publishing the Ka-blogs, there is a concoction of ideas, comments and friendship between Pinoy Expats and OFW’s around the world. Friendships develop, and the more we post about our work, our location, our thoughts and musings, our ideas and opinions, the more know each other, the more we understand and value our differences and our uniqueness. Each post be it from Japan, China, Australia, Canada, France, Germany, UK, California, Dubai, Malaysia, Brunei, or Saudi, is from someone Filipino in blood and heart, and when we unite, there is one word in that hundreds of thread that binds us all together, Filipino. There is one hope that binds us all too, TO SHARE. Some might be blogging for money or glory, but collectively, we all blog to SHARE.

There are people who blog about their great characters, their competence, their initiative, their stories and dreams, their visions and wisdoms gained. They blogged about their inspiring moral authority and lifted others to the higher grounds. They have wonderful identities, simple people, accountants, secretaries, engineers, construction worker, IT personnel, or plain ladies or mothers. They share their strengths and talents, and we noticed. We followed them. We shared comments.  They are not the best or highest paid people in their companies or famous in their communities, but bloggers, especially the Pinoy’s out there, become the model and source of excellence in this times of crisis and mediocre government.

I can’t fully express how I admire the Pinoy bloggers in my Kablog list, and I hope they keep going and more will be enlisted. I have admired the poems, photos, cartoons, and blog entries of you guys. In more than one time, I have express to most of you in my commenting how much I admire the post. I am a fast reader, I feel like I am an Alien sometimes in crunching the post, and I just wish and hope I think and type in the keyboard faster too!

Saan niyo po ba kinukuha ang mga nakakatawa, nakakatuwa, or nakakainspire na entries ninyo? Ganun pa man, maraming salamat sa pagshare. Muntik ko na makalimutan na pwede pala ako magtagalog, haha!

©2009 THOUGHTSKOTO

LOVE DITO, LOVE DOON

The past few days marami ako nakachat na mga tao. Well, lagi naman yan, kasi I try to always reach out and somehow to keep in touch. Naks!

Pero ang nakakapagtaka, the same ang topic, iba ibang sitwasyon.

Baka lahat sila magbabasa nito pero hindi sila lahat blogger kaya it’s safe to say "your identity is safe with me, or you’re in good hands with Thoughtskoto," hehe parang Metrobank. Para akong naging Joe d Mango bigla sa mga nangyari. Haha!

Meron isang tao na ayaw ng magmahal matapos masaktan. Meron pang isa na totally shutted out love sa kanyang life. Meron ding isa na kuntento na nagiisa sa buhay. Meron din isa pa na takot magmahal at walang pang karanasan umibig, takot masaktan at nagtatanong kung natututunan ba ang pag-ibig.

“Natutunan ba ang love?” Tanong niya saken.

Love can be learned but it must also be felt, sabay sagot ko.

Meron pang isang tao na lihim na nagmamahal, meron ding isa na ayaw umamin na may napupusuan, meron din takot manligaw, meron pang iba na animo’y bubuyog pag nanligaw, at higit sa lahat meron naman na akala mo’y pusong bato, I’m talking about my brother here, 26 na siya, ay 28 na, I am not sure, pero wala pa rin girlfriend at hindi pa rin nakapanligaw hanggang ngayon. Hehe

“Magiging magaling kaya ako na gf or wife sa kanya kung sakaling kami?” tanong ng isa pa sa akin.

"Knowing leads to understanding, so the secret of a successful relationship is to talk honestly. To communicate to each other…"ang aking mala-lolong sagot sa kanya.

Naalala ko pa minsan sa buhay naming mag-asawa ni Mrs. Thoughtskoto. Two years pa lang kaming kasal, kaya marami pa kaming natututunan everyday sa bawat isa. Minsan nagtampo siya sa akin. Nag-usap kami. Sabi ko, “huwag mo naman akong tampuhan, kwekwang ko,” (kwekwang ang name niya kasi kung ano ano ang tawag lambing niya sa akin, merong Beavor, Honeybombom, Kwekwan, kwak kwak, hubzki, doodle, batute, etc, etc…ayan ha, NJ, yan na ang tag mo na names, lol!)

Sabi ko “ huwag mo naman akong tampuhan, kwekwang ko, kapag may nasabi or nagawa ako, wag ka bigla magtatampo. Sabihin mo sa akin ng maayos para mababago ko. “

“Eh, baka masaktan ka or magalit ka” sagot niya saken.

“Okay lang na masaktan ako, basta mas mabuti alam ko na ayaw mo yun or nasaktan ka nun para mababago ko. Mas nasasaktan kaya ako kapag di mo ako kinakausap at hindi rin ako mapalagay pag nagtatampo ka sa akin or nalulungkot ka. Pag pinapahirapan mo sarili mo, mas lalo kaya ako nahihirapan.” (naks,pero true yan, exact words, ask niyo pa si Mrs. Thoughtskoto. Hehe)

So we spend time together mag-usap sa ikakabuti ng aming pagsasama. The more we are open and we are talking, the better we understand each other. The more we feel closer, the more we feel in love to each other. May schedule kami na ako mag-aalaga ng baby, at ako tigas sa amin, short of Tigahugas, nyehaha. May schedule din ako ng computer, surfing at blogging while she does reading sa palm niya ng walang kamatayang Twilight Series. Hehe. Through that way, maayos ang aming pagsasama sabay ng morning at evening prayer at pagbabasa ng mga salita ng Diyos sa gabi bago kami matulog.

Ang buhay ay parang life, haha. Pero ang payo ko sa mga in love at bato ang puso…

The easiest way to find love is to give love.

The quickest way to end love is to hold it tightly.

The best way to keep love is to give it wings and let it fly.

©2009 THOUGHTSKOTO

Sikat sa Labas, Bulok sa Loob

"What good is the acquisition of proficient riches, knowledge, beauty and skills if the person doesn't have the values that will enable him/her to use these things well?"

Copied in flickr

Ako po ay dating technical engineer ng Asia Pacific environmental company sa Metro Manila nuong 2004 bago ako nagdesisyon na mangibang bansa. Isa sa mga ginagawa ko ay ang bumisita sa mga plantang sinusuplayan namin ng mga industrial chemicals and to check and do some testing.

On the way sa Sta. Rosa, Laguna one time ay napapadaan ako sa isang car manufacturing na planta. May mga nagrarally sa labas ng gate ng kumpanya. Isang pagkahaba-habang banner gawa ng sako at pulang tinta ang nakabalandra sa gilid ng kalsada na nagsasabing 

"(insert name of the brand here), sikat sa labas, bulok sa loob!".

This caught my attention and while driving pondered about the meaning.

Actually, that time the car I am driving was exactly the car brand being mentioned.

Pero along the way, and I have shared this relation many times in my write-ups, my blogs, my speeches, my Sunday talks, and lessons, that along the way, mas malalim ang naging meaning.

Merong mga taong kagaya ng isang Boyet Fajardo, sikat na clothes designer na inalipusta daw ang dalawang employee ng Duty Free.

Meron mga taong sikat, iniidolo ng masa, hinahangaan ng mundo, pero walang values, walang modo, walang puso.

Meron mga taong sobrang yaman, pero gahaman. 

Meron mga taong sobrang talino, pero walang respeto. 

Meron mga taong gwapo at gwapa, pero walang asal na maganda.

Meron mga taong magagaling, pero pabaya sa pamilya.

What good is the acquisition of proficient riches, knowledge, beauty and skills if the person doesn't have the values that will enable him/her to use these things well?

Marami akong naging amo, kakilala at kaibigan na maaring maihalintulad ko sa ganyan.

Mabuti pang maging isang simpleng tao, masaya sa pamilya, marunong makisama sa mga kaibigan, tapat at magalang. Mabuti pa ang maging simpleng tao, di man kagandahan o kagwapuhan, basta't marunong makitawa at mag spend ng little time sa pagtotouch ng puso at isipan. Simple lang, pero "rock"...nyehaha!

:)

©2009 THOUGHTSKOTO - Sikat sa labas, simple sa loob...

12 MILLION STORYTELLERS FOR CHANGE

12 MILLION STORYTELLERS FOR CHANGE

"by Jim Paredes, of http://haringliwanag.pansitan.net, No. 1 Blog of the Year for 2008 Pinoy Expats/OFW Blog Awards, and No. 1 in the Asia and Pacific Region. This post is reposted with Mr. Jim Paredes permission."

Last week’s article was an expression of concern about the coming 2010 elections and the sweeping changes we need in our country. Although I was not surprised at the tremendous reader reactions via letters, e-mail, calls from people everywhere, I must say that the response has been quite inspiring. There is a constituency for change out there and it is pretty sizeable.

A lot of the reactions came from overseas, from disgruntled Filipinos who have given up completely on the Philippines and left the country in disgust, and from those who, while they live abroad, continue to pine for their homeland and want to do their share in taking it out of the rut it is in.

To both groups, this column is for you.

There are around 12 million overseas Filipino workers spread out all over the world. Their blood, sweat and tears are what keep this country financially afloat. The money they send home keeps many kids in school, feeds families and generates a lot of the economic activity that keeps the entire Philippines humming. In many ways, it is only fitting that OFWs should be encouraged to play a role and have a say in creating a vision of what the Philippines can be.

Aside from their economic contribution, OFWs have made many personal sacrifices to hold up the sky for their loved ones. They have missed out on birthdays, weddings, anniversaries, graduations, Christmases and other milestones in the lives of those they cherish. Ironically, they know quite well that it is precisely their absence that makes the observance of such major events possible.

But more important than all that is the untapped capability of OFWs to bring about meaningful change in the country. OFWs have had the opportunity to live and work in many functional societies around the world, and have thrived in them. To my mind, their experiences abroad can be very valuable in helping create a functional vision of our country’s future.

Our OFWs can be the storytellers, narrators and witnesses of how the lives of ordinary Filipinos can move ahead if the system only allows them to. Their very lives are testimonies to this. Where for years, their dream of becoming something had not been possible in their homeland because of the social inequity and lack of opportunities, now they are proud, productive and prosperous people.

One of the joys of traveling is in meeting our kababayans who, though they still exhibit traits of their humble beginnings (noticeable only to a fellow Pinoy), now carry themselves with dignity that says they are equal to everyone else in the new country they live in. It tells me that we, as a people, have what it takes to get ahead and achieve excellence when the cards are dealt fairly.

Contrast this to life here at home where the average guy must dream smaller, live with more indignities and less breaks because “mahirap ang panahon at ganyan talaga ang buhay.” There is in the culture here at home an inertia that kills dreams. The sense of what is possible here is so limited and cramped that many are tempted to relocate and pursue their future abroad.

Imagine, then, a scenario where Filipinos abroad speak in support of change, telling their families back home about real places where societies function much better than what we have here. Imagine them writing to their kababayans back home and telling them there is no reason — except for our collective apathy — why we cannot have the same in the Philippines.

Imagine these OFWs throwing their influence behind a progressive candidate who has the right ideas on how to modernize the country and make government not only more functional, but also more prosperous. Imagine 12 million voices for change influencing their families and friends in the Philippines on what to ask for in a candidate and who to vote for! This could electrify the electoral process. Now, that would be something to contend with.

If this OFW block were to get organized and speak as one, they could be as influential as the Catholic Church, and much more progressive.

Much has been said about OFWs being “heroes” of our society because of the personal sacrifices they continue to endure for their families. I do not contest that. But I would like to add another dimension to the heroism that we have bestowed on them.

In writer Joseph Campbell’s view, every life is a hero’s journey and goes through stages as it unfolds. In his view, the hero’s journey starts when a hero leaves a familiar place (psychological or literal, or both) and is thrown into the unknown. In short, life and circumstances have conspired to throw him out of Eden and he/she is off to the adventure of a lifetime. This is the common thread found in big and small hero stories, whether fiction or non-fiction. Look at Rizal, Ninoy, Shakyamuni, Jesus, Frodo, Ulysses. This, of course, will take the hero to places where he will be deeply challenged in all aspects. In “herospeak,” he goes “through the fire.”

Now there are two things that can happen. He either burns out completely and the journey ends, or he survives. If he survives, the next stage is for the hero to return to his hometown and testify about the lessons and truths he/she has learned.

From this angle, our OFWs may have a new role waiting for them. After going through the fire in their previously unfamiliar locations which have become home, and with their newly-earned status of personal success and financial capability, it is time for them to play the bigger role of not just turning the lives of their families from poverty to prosperity, but to be the voices of wisdom, modernity and progress and the examples of personal change that many of them have become.

It’s time to not just inspire our kababayans, since they are already doing that. It’s now time for OFWs to influence us to do the right thing, to dream and act to “make the word flesh” and bring about the necessary changes the Philippines needs.

This may yet be the OFWs’ biggest contribution to our country.

( Before the start of the 2009 nomination we will be featuring blogs of the Top 3 Pinoy Expats/OFW Winners from the 2008 winners and will be reposted in my 3 Blogsite)

My apology to Doc RJ and Kikay who commented for my auto post from my Gmail about sublimobi. It sent to all my inbox contacts including my auto post to blogger via email.

NO ESCAPE

There are times na di ako nakakapagsurf sa internet pero I subscribe to your RSS using MORANGE and I can read your latest post and entries kahit di man ako nakakacomment. Sa Mobile PHONE po ako nakasign-in sa chat at sa blog! Pero okay lang atleast nababasa ko pa rin. Napapatawa ako, napapasmile, nalulungkot, naiinform and higit sa lahat, nagiging much better na tao because in one way or another nagbabasa ako ng blog niyo. Galing niyo!!! Hehe Ito yung mga lists of the blogs that I am currently subscribed through RSS in my mobile phone. Haha, wala akong kawala para magbasa, wala rin kayong kawala kasi nasusundan ko ang mga entries niyo!

PINK, PURPLE and ANYTHING http://pinkmother.blogspot.com/

HARING LIWANAG http://haringliwanag.pansitan.net/

DESERT AQUAFORCE http://desertaquaforce.blogspot.com/

CHOOK-MINDERSQUILL http://chook-mindersquill.blogspot.com/

THE SANDBOX http://blogusvox.blogspot.com/

ISLA DE NEBZ http://isladenebz.blogspot.com

KOSA POGI http://www.kosapogi.com/

HULASCOOP http://hulascoop.blogspot.com/

LIVE LIFE! LOVE LIFE! http://peterahon.blogspot.com/

MY KALEIDOSCOPE WORLD http://almightydacz.blogspot.com/

DUNGEON LORD http://lordcm.blogspot.com/

KLASRUM NI PAJAY http://propesorpa-jay.blogspot.com/

LIFES A TWITCH http://sayawit.blogspot.com/

JEN MISADVENTURES http://apshie.blogspot.com/

PANUNUMBALIK NG ULIRAT http://mapanuringpanitik.blogspot.com/

POGING ILO (CANO) http://ambisiyosongnangangarap.blogspot.com/

WITS EXPRESSION http://timeofreflection.blogspot.com/

ION MAN BLOG http://theionman.multiply.com/

PAMATAY HOMESICK http://pamatayhomesick.blogspot.com/

PALIPASAN http://palipasan.blogspot.com/

FRANCESCA in FRANCE http://www.francescainfrance.com/

EUROANGEL GRAFITTI http://www.rubybenz.com/

BARILES REPUBLIC http://gensantos.com

THE PINK TARHA http://thepinktarha.blogspot.com/

 

I got this list from the KABLOGS Site, and may have missed some of my friends and followers; I am still in the process of adding more URL and if you want to be included in the list, leave a comment with your URL. My world evolves in my work, in my home, with my friends and in the blogosphere. Parang di ako nabubuhay sa isang araw without reading your entries. Ang tawag dun, hooked. Nyehahaha! Ibig sabihin ganun katindi ang gayuma niyo. Pero di ako makakapagcomment lahat, walang way to comment sa RSS eh.

Pero kahit hindi ako natatawa, kahit di ako naiinspire or naiinform sa mga post mo, basta friend tayo. Magbabasa pa rin ako. Nanotice ko lang in reading your post I feel closer sa inyo, I feel akin, feels like you’re a distant friend.

Do bloggers needed to be thanked?

YES! Definitely! Sharing a part of you, your thoughts and ideas means you’re selflessly sharing what’s your best. May mga times na paulit ulit kong binabasa ang blog post ko knowing that there are actually people, and sometimes mahigit kumulang sa isa na bibisita sa site ko at magbabasa.(lol) If you think it may not be enough, but to someone reading the post and baka ako yun, it might be an answer to my questions or will somehow help in my decision or will lighten my day or the burden someone is carrying. A lot of times it happens to me. A lot of times I feel so much gratitude to all of you.

Shokran!

©2009 THOUGHTSKOTO

Si NJ, Si Pinky, Si Nebz at Si Legs

Masaya po ang pamilya Thoughtskoto sa araw na ito. 

Maliban sa ito ang araw kung saan sinagot ako ni Mrs. Thoughtskoto na

naging simula ng aming pagmamahalan. 

Medyo naging panatag na rin ang buong blogospheryo dahil nga sa tagumpay ng Project Twitch ay masaya na rin po kami sa progress ng ating Kablogs na si Ms. Twitch.

Salamat sa partner ko sa Korea sa Pinoy Expats/OFW Blog Awards na magstart this April sa pakikisama sa Project Twitch. Pete, thank you sayo!

Palagay ko panahon na para sagutin ang mga tag nila. 

Don't worry di ko na po ipapasa. 

Hehe

Unang una ang kay Engr. NJ, the kind-guy-named Jethro ng Desert Aquaforce. 

Wish ko lang ganito kaganda ang sulat kamay ko. Ako man ay inhenyero, pero di po ako Civil or Architect, ako po'y hamak na malupit at medyo pogi kagaya ng nasabi ko kay Kosa na Chemist. kaya ang aking sulat-kamay ay parang kapit-kamay. Tatalunin pa kahit kahig ng manok!

Dito yata sa Kablogs, ang Pogi ay taga Abu Dhabi, ang Poging pogi, ay yun na nga po, si Kosa ng Canada. Ako po yung taga Saudi na medyo pogi, nyehaha (lol)! As in tulo laway sa tawa! 

Bahala na kayo kung anong gusto niyo para sa inyo, meron pa naman ibang mga adjective dyan. hehe.

Wala naman nagtag saken about sa mga payatot ko na legs, 

Ayan si Pinky, ang aming pusa. Ang sweet at cute niyan, lalo na pag pumupupo at umiihi. (lol)

At ang tag ni Nebz

10 things about myself

1. I don't watch horror or mystery movies. Natatakot ako at naiisip ko, pero pahawakin mo ako ng armalite or RPG sa Mindanao, at raratratin ko ang kalaban ko! Bakit nga ba ganun, may mga taong ang liliit at ang tatapang, pero sa movies, takot?

2. I love the music of Enya. Meron po akong album niya, lahat pati sa pinakabagong Amarantine. It soothes the soul, it lifts the spirit. 

3. Nabububuo po ang mga plano ko sa buhay, pati sa isusulat ko sa blog while driving or riding. call it inspirations, or personal revelation. 

4. Computer addict ako. I am trying. Just can't help it. Hindi po nagseselos ang pinakamamahal ko sa babae, pero sa pc. hehe. Mwah! Mrs. Thoughtskoto-Loveskoto! 

5. Mahilig po akong magbasa ng books. Kung minsan pang gusto kong binabasa ko, kahit naiihi na ako, or oras na ng pagkain, parang ang hirap huminto.

6. Nacoconfused ako pag binigyan ako ng direction na Kaliwa, tapos Kanan. Pwede ba, left and right na lang, mas madali saken.

7. I am craving lagi ng Lapaz Batchoy, or Buko ni Fruitas. 

8. Nahihirapan po ako magpronounce ng Letter R, or anyword na maraming R.

9. Malalim po ako magisip, and higit sa lahat, ang aking mata at puso at isip ay nagsasanib pwersa para maging observant. Dapat sana nagpsychology ako. hehe

10. Can't live a day without Mrs. Thoughtskoto and Babytots. It's true.

Ayan natapos na din, hay...salamat po! Bow!

©2009 THOUGHTSKOTO

OVERWHELMING RESPONSE

I am honestly overwhelmed, even until now. They come. They keep coming. Bloggers (and non-bloggers) from almost all corners of the world unite with one single purpose – to make a difference to a young mother struggling to come home and be reunited with her kids. It started in Dubai and Saudi Arabia - it reaches France and Germany and the UK, and probably the other major cities in Europe. It reaches Japan, Korea, Australia, and the big cities of USA and Canada. Its story and the call for support have been circulated in emails and post and reposted by the OFW bloggers in the Gulf countries of the Middle East.

There was one time that the prayer rally for Yanah, initiated by LordCM, a System Analyst/OFW Blogger from Palau spread like a virus as prayer for support posted by bloggers abroad and in the Philippines that prompts CM to comment, referring to the picture of Candle and Prayer for Yanah photo snippets dotting his sidebar. “Puro kandila, ang init dito!”  That was truly moving, inspiring and touching. After all, prayer is the most powerful tool here on earth.

Since the Project Twitch has been launched, I have gathered several phone numbers and email addresses, a couple of dozen or more. Me and my serving-as-treasurer-of the project Mrs. Thoughtskoto gained new friends, renewed our spirit and have full of hope.

I heard the voices of the men and women that I highly esteemed in the blogosphere. I honestly felt overjoyed by the outpouring of support for Miss Twitch, but I am honestly humbled hearing the voices of the bloggers. Reading their thoughts and musings and funny and sad stories are entertaining to me. But hearing their voices left an impression to me that the people I greatly admired are real people and reachable! Kakatawa di ba? But that’s what I feel. Really.

KABLOGS is truly wonderful. It gather people together, it unites OFW blogger from all walks of life. I never thought about that before.

The Project Twitch realized its goal, to help Ms. Twitch buy her plane ticket. Thanks to a very selfless man out there who willingly offered his generous ways. He didn’t only provide an ordinary plane ticket; he even booked her a business class ticket!

There are others too, who come out of their way and gave P1000, P2000, that I was able to gather more than P11,000 for Ms. Twitch pocket money. May tatlong donating point po actually, one is through the effort of Prof. Pa-Jay, and the other is Jen, Ms. Twitch closest friend in Dubai. On Saturday, March 21, Mrs. Thoughtskoto will deposit how much amount we gathered to Ms. Twitch prior to her flight on the 24^th to the Philippines.

The story is truly inspiring. We don’t take credit for anything we did. We do what we are supposed to do. To help those in need. To comfort those in need of comfort. And to share one another’s burden that they maybe light and easy. This story prompted a film maker of GMA 7, to ask to feature the story in one of the episodes of OFW DIARIES that is shown on local TV and the international Pinoy TV, and online GMA7.tv

OFW Bloggers unite to help a fellow OFW!

I like the idea. What an exposure! She could be an instant celebrity, suddenly put in a limelight.

But it is not my life story to be featured. It is not just about the OFW Bloggers or Kablogs that unites. It is the life of a young mother and her kids who felt like she has nothing left, except her privacy, and her little pride.

She declined. And I feel a tremendous respect and admiration to her for what she did.

Perhaps, one day, if she is strong enough. Call the GMA 7! Yalah! Sino kayang gaganap na Ms. Twitch? Or Kosa? Or BBW? Or RJ, Pogi, or Jen? Hmmn, pwede ba, if kasali ako sa part ko si hmmn, sino ba, pwede na si Piolo? haha!

©2009 THOUGHTSKOTO

"Deafening Whispers of Help"

Prayer for Yanah Snippets over Kablogs

"Yes, there has been a cry... ...and the deafening 'whispers' of help have rapidly filled the blogosphere! This is a very remarkable act in the Filipino blogging community, worldwide!" - RJ of Australia

Siya po ang nangungulit kay Ms. Twitch na iblog and humingi ng tulong sa mga kababayan, pero nahindian po ni Ms Twitch kasi nahihiya siya. Sa katitibag ni Doc RJ ng wall na bato ni Ms Twitch, at sa marami pang kagaya ni Jen na siyang nagtatake care kay Ms. Twitch sa kasalukuyan at nagsisilbing "call center" at Poging (ilo)Cano na siyang katuwang ni Jen ngayon sa pagmamake sure na okay ang lahat at kay KosaPogi na kahit nasa Canada ay nakikipagcommunicate kay Ms. Twitch para wag bumitaw at maghold on sa halos patong patong na challenges. 

Si Prof. Pajay na nag-iinit ang celpon sa katatawag nina Jen at Yanah, at nakikipagcoordinate sa mga nagpapadala sa classroom niya. 

It took for me a day and a night to convince Twitch payagan ako magpost ng project na ito

"Don't keep us from doing something that will make a difference"

A few hours after I posted, 

I received countless of calls, some honestly pledged help, some monetary and some through blog repost and prayers and wishes.

There are so many people worth to be mentioned but they prefer not to.

"angels in the form of friends..... ang nakakatuwa pa dito.. hindi sila basta mga kaibigan... hindi mo aakalain na matutulungan ka nila... malayo sila sayo... hindi kayo talaga magkakilala and yet... bukal sa loob nilang tumulong... sino ka man.. saan ka man at kung ano man ang kinalalagyan mo ngaun. and for that, isang bonggang-bonggang ROUND OF APPLAUSE para sa inyo fifol! hindi ko ugaling magmention ng names ng mga taong buong pusong tumutulong sakin... dahil alam na naman nila kung sino sila.... i am so thankful... sobrang touch na touch ako sa mga efforts their exerting... goin out of their way to help me in every possible way they can.. kaya super THANK YOU talaga sa inyo..."

- Yanah a.k.a Ms. Twitch

Taken care na po ang flight niya and we are trying to accumulate money para pocket money para kahit papaano makapgsimula sila kasama ang mga anak niya.

Maraming salamat NJ of Desert Aquaforce. 

Maraming maraming salamat sa inyo lahat. One by one memention ko po dito sa bahay ko as I update this blog.

Nebz

Mighty Dacz

Sandbox

©2009 THOUGHTSKOTO

HONEST PLEAD - Project HELP TWITCH

Pakiclick po ng photo para sa mas malinaw na larawan at detalye.

Bilang tagapamahala ng Ka-Blogs, tungkulin ko pong magpost ng isang bagay na may hangad na marangal, at makatulong sa kapwa ko. Hindi ko man po ninanais gawin ang bagay na ito pero kung kinakailangan para sa mas mataas at marangal na dahilan, gagawin ko. Husgahan niyo na po ako, at ang aking pamilya, pero ang hangad po nami'y makakatulong sa halos nawawalan ng pag-asang ina na nasa Abroad. Real Life. Real Stories.

Meron pong isang Ka-Blogs na binabagyo ng trials at challenges ngayon…kung palagi po kau sa blog ko kilala niyo po siya. Matindi po ang paki-usap ko sa kanya na  magbloblog ako about this project kasi di ko nap o alam ang way para mareach ang mga network ko at friends ko, although I will also circulate this email. Isa sa mga isinaalang alang ko bago ako humingi ng permission ay baka nahihiya siya pero may mga mas importante at napakahalagang bagay na mas nakakahigit sa hiya for her sa panahon ngayon.

I will go straight sa pinakapoint.

-          Nasa Dubai sia working for nearly a year.

-          Pauwi sia gawa ng global crisis at nawalan ng trabaho

-          Pauwi na sia at naghanap ng way para makadiscount, bumili ng ticket at the next day ang flight ng malaman na peke pala ang ticket niya at ang binilhan niya ng ticket ay hindi na employed sa travel agency na yun

-          Ang mga anak niya (3 kids, 5, 2 and the just turn 1 year old, ituturn-over ng nag-aalaga sa DSWD opt for adoption kapag di sia nakauwi sa takdang date, next week)

-          Airline cost is 1500 Dirhams or Saudi Riyal until March 17, after that  1900 na po.

 

We are asking for your kind help and emotional and financial support and prayers. The Thoughtskoto family ay may sponsored project exclusively para makapagpurchase ang isang Ka-Blogs ng plane ticket, makauwi at makuha ang mga anak niya.

Ito po ang mga Listahan at photo ng mga TV SERIES,

 

meron po kasi kaming original na mga copy ng mga ito, at bibigyan namin kayo ng kopya with subtitle kapag bumili kayo nito at ang lahat ng proceeds mapupunta kay Twitch na account.

For more info pwede niyo pong kontakin at YM si Twitch (pati na rin pagbigay ng code ng Western Union Deposits and donations) or tawagan niyo po ako sa (+966)56-367-7487

or YM niyo rin po ako

Ito po ay isang kawang gawa, public service ng Thoughtskoto sa isang batang ina na walang hangad kundi mabigyan ng maaya ayang kinabukasan ang mga anak, at kabayan na nangangailangan ng tulong. Sana po’y matulungan niyo siya, at ang project na ito sa pamamagitan ng pagpakalat ng copy sa email or sa mga kaibigan.

(Maraming maraming salamat po sa very positive na response ninyo. Hinding hindi po makakalimutan ni Ms. Twitch ang inyong tulong. Today, I am truly proud to be a Filipino Expats/OFW blogger, nagdadamayan kahit saang sulok ng mundo)

Let us leave you a quote that will surely touch your hearts.

"Love is one of the chief characteristics of Deity, and ought to be manifested by those who aspire to be the sons/daughters of God. A man filled with the love of God, is not content with blessing his family alone, but ranges through the 'lives of others'..." 

 ©2009 THOUGHTSKOTO