The PEBA Awards Day Live in Solises Home

Today, I woke up and found two kids beside me, it was almost 5:00 in the morning and I heard the prayer call. I checked our living room and found someone there who didn't sleep, and is exactly on the same place where we left him last night. My nagging personality surfaced, because I know he didn't sleep for a single minute as he and all the volunteers abroad and in Philippines tried to coordinate online to finish other things for the PEBA Awards today. I even said he should stop doing it, he's been up late almost every day for the past days, weeks, month maybe or entire year, either looking for volunteer, sponsor, coordinating with them. I lost track already what is going on, although he often speaks of it to me when I ask him to just keep talking to me or tell me what happened to his day. 

Kenji Welcome Speech at the 2012 PEBA Awards shown at the Ramon Magsaysay Hall, SSS Center, East Avenue Quezon City

The kids are actually having cold and cough, and both kids are restless during the night specially if their beloved father who pampers them every minute is not in bed to rub their back as they sleep. But last night I had them both locked inside the room, as requested by the father so he could finish what he is doing online and he will follow us in the room. Anyway, I'm sure he did not follow us in the room because he cannot make excuse when I found him this morning. 

Anyway, I nagged at him and told him he should not go to work, and should sleep because it could be very dangerous for him to drive if he is sleepy. Of course he could tell that I'm mad, so he went to sleep at around 5:30 in the morning- he is so early in bed! Got up at around 9:00 (I'm actually doubting if he really slept because I saw him doing something in his phone hidden under his pillow)and snuggled the two kids who still have cough and cold.

He prepared for work, and went back to work on his laptop.  You know what that is!

The little girl, in her desire to use the laptop did almost throw him out of our front door telling him to go to work, while the little boy cried and clung to his pants. 

So he gave me task to watch the streaming of PEBA and keep updated the PEBA page regarding the event. In my protest, he showed me this and that which I still didn't get, things that made my world of cleaning the mess, doing the laundry, preparing the meal, bathing and caring for the kids even more complicated TODAY. We'll I think I'm writing in this blog to whine and whine about PEBA and him. 

But I'm an obedient wife, so I tried to do the task given. As I watched the streaming, I heard some conversation on the background about the gift packs, what those bags contain, how to join the blog, and I'm starting to be really intrigued who's that woman talking to Pete and their conversation about PEBA's service programs and many more. Then I also watched the giving of awards, and of course the sayawit kids, and although I'm always interrupted by the kids because they need this and that and that the boy is messing with her or he is doing something "horrible", I didn't miss hearing the applause and cheers of those who won prizes. There are many who attended as representatives, and went home with major awards, some went home with raffle prizes, some who enjoyed the free refreshments while watching. But I know for sure, there are kids who are not there, they don't have resources to watch the program online or go there personally, but they sure are grateful for this event. There are those who may not have an idea that this organization exist but one there is one thing I'm sure of now. It touched my heart because this event brings hope for some kids so they could attend school, and others who may be needing help this coming year 2013. I almost cried because I know there isn't just one person who is willing to stay up late and face my nagging, but there are many volunteers who stays up late in their own time zone as they try to coordinate with other volunteers in bringing events like this into success. These volunteers receive no remuneration, some even use their own resources and they are always willing to give their time, and talent without asking for recognition. Through them PEBA got into its 5th year, there are happy kids who goes to school, there are some OFWs that were helped. 

I salute PEBA, and its volunteers and grateful to the sponsors and partners too.

By the way this is Mrs. Thoughtskoto posting while my boy sleeps on my other arm. lol

PEBA Profile Video prepared by a volunteer named Agcol d Imbisibol an OFW from Riyadh

©2012 THOUGHTSKOTO

"Dalawang Mukha ng mga Bagong Bayani" an ABS-CBN Patrol ng Pilipino 10 January 2012

We were lucky to be featured in an ABS-CBN documentary when we went home last December 2011. Here is the 10th of January 2012 Patrol ng Pilipino PR issue and video below. 

CLICK HERE TO WATCH

PATROL NG PILIPINO

10 January 2012

PRESS RELEASE: ‘The Faces of OFWs’

Many Filipinos have traveled abroad to seek greener pastures but, not all who have successfully left the country have succeeded in reaching their dreams.

On Patrol ng Pilipino this Tuesday, get to meet some of the faces that make up the big number of Overseas Filipino Workers. There is Laarni Passion or Ate Leny who worked for nine months in Jeddah as a Domestic Helper. Last Christmas, she was able to come home to her family. After the holidays, despite her chance to work abroad, she and her family decided that she will not return to Jeddah and apply for a job here in the country instead.

While most of us will understand Ate Leny’s difficulty in working abroad, far away from her loved ones, the Solis Family all live in Saudi Arabia. Kenji Solis and wife Shiela have two kids. Last November, they traveled to the Philippines to have their 4 year old daughter Sophia experience Christmas in the Philippines because Christmas is not celebrated in Saudi.

Coming to work abroad is always a gamble. Some like Leny and the Solis Family are lucky but there are those who are not. Like the son of Edith Langamin, Jonard; he is only 28 years old. Jonard is on his 5th year in death row in Saudi Arabia.

His mother Edith recounted that on June 7 2007, Jonard accidentally killed a fellow Filipino Citizen on board the ship. While Jonard was forgiven by the family of his victim Robertson Mendoza, the law in Saudi territory still applies. The family has to produce 5 million pesos as blood money for Jonard to be freed. They were given 5 years lee way to gather the amount and if they were not able to raise the money by May, Jonard will be hanged.

They all leave the country in tears but with a hopeful heart. Some make it big while the others are met with bad luck. But no matter the turn of their fate will be, it is always the Filipino’s love for their family that will push them to leave their nest and hope for the best.

Catch Jeff Canoy on Patrol ng Pilipino as he shows the varied struggles being faced by some of the Overseas Filipino Workers, Tuesday night at 9:15 over DZMM Teleradyo and after Bandila on ABS-CBN Channel 2.

Here is the PR of this at the national daily, 

©2012 THOUGHTSKOTO

Random Thoughts and Quotes

We won't be here (OFW's) for a lifetime. For me, wherever I go, so long that my family is with me, it's fine. That's our promise. To be together, here and forever.

-Mr. Thoughtskoto

"I don’t see any possible solution for an Overseas Filipino Worker and for his/her family back home to maintain a strong relationship of love and trust than to communicate in any possible means, constantly reassuring each other of the promises they made before the eyes of man, and the eyes of God, and that they will be together till death, and beyond."

My wife and I were taught of the “chastity before marriage and fidelity after marriage.” Our vows are not just to last till death, but for all time and all eternity. Knowing that, even if we are physically separated for now, we are doing every possible means to be together, in the voices of our heart, and the thoughts in our minds.
For true love is never waning and never failing, even a thousand miles apart.

Mr. Thoughtskoto

- From the Kablogs Journal Entry, "For Married OFW's"

"I hope the day will come that there will only be one nation, and no visa rules to follow, I hope the world will value families. And all families won't have a reason not to be together. Family should be forever and should stay together in this life and in the eternities."

- Mrs. Thoughtskoto

‎"In our lives, we will constantly meet 3 different kind of people. Those who are happy living a simple and quiet life with their love ones, those who find happiness in selflessly losing themselves in the service of others, and those who are happy and preoccupied by the praises of men and vanities of this world...There is always a human instinct within us- a longing to matter - to reach out - to serve."

-Mr. Thoughtskoto

From a talk delivered one friday morning at Saudi City, Jeddah

"God hears and answers prayers even those that go unspoken. He listens to the prayers of our hearts."

- Mrs. Thoughtskoto

"Someone told me that people, when they become richer and/or wiser, and/or older, they become prouder, unteachable, and easily offended. I wonder if he's right..."

- Mr. Thoughtskoto

"Some... but not collectively. This is what we call pride cycle, in humility we find success and our pride becomes the reason for our downfall."

Mrs. Thoughtskoto

"The easiest way to find love is to give love, the quickest way to end it is to hold it tight but the best way to keep it is to let if fly." - Mr. Thoughtskoto

"When the world evolves just around you, you'll feel miserable. But if the world evolves around the rest of us, you'll see the bigger picture, you'll be enlightened and then you'll have a greater understanding. There are people who talk and talk, wear sunglasses at night and earplugs all the time, figuratively speaking, are people who are miserable."

- Mr. Thoughtskoto

And no matter what others say, or testify, it is only thru the Spirit of God that we will know if these things are indeed true. How marvelous a simple sincere prayer can do....

-Mrs. Thoughtskoto

Sometimes, I have this weird thoughts. I'll live my life so that those who hurt, maligned, belittled and trampled me regretted doing so. Sometimes, I want them to see who I become because of what they did. In short, I am strengthened and become better because of challenges posed by people like them. But it is not healthy. Not good. I should not harbor hatred, but instead, forgive and forget.

Mr. Thoughtskoto

"Life isn't perfect, but the thought that you have a wonderful family, a loving husband and sweet daughter, makes everything worth it. And no matter how imperfect some things maybe it still feels a bit of heaven on earth."

-Mrs. Thoughtskoto

‎"You are just one person, you can't do anything." Well, thats a sad thing, but you know what, if this one person can influence a thousand, you better be ready. You never ever underestimate the ability and the capacity of one simple person. You might think he's a fool or a loser, but one day, he is the one who live a happy life, and more successful than you."

-Mr. Thoughtskoto

"Wrong notion of many: Didn't get an education because we're only poor. Would want to help if we're rich. The kids are behaving like that because the family is not well-off. Would have done this and that if am a millionaire. not having enough finances is not an excuse, its not the first and last option to be able to do things you want."

-Mrs. Thoughtskoto

"As we get older and become wiser, we realize that beauty fades with the years, but kind heart lives forever. So when we look at a person, do we see "beauty" within and the kind of heart he has? The problem is we are so blinded or perhaps wicked that we cannot see ones heart. For me, the only ugly person is those who sow ugliness"

-Mr. Thoughtskoto

"They say there are three kinds of people, the stupid who makes mistakes, the smart who learn from his mistakes, and the wise who makes mistakes, learn from them and never did the same mistake again."

-Mr. Thoughtskoto

"What do we have to prove? Why so many people are so concern with what others will say or think about them, rather than what they can do to make their lives better and then serve others well? Just a thought, way too deep, but so true as well."

-Mr. Thoughtskoto

©2010 THOUGHTSKOTO

Babalik ka rin

Ayun, sinisikap kong maging normal ang buhay after almost one month na medyo naging abnormal ito.

1. Vacation, umalis ako sa kompanyang tinatrabahuan ko ng maayos, pero maraming dahilan kung bakit. Sabihin na lang natin na hindi sila naging matino! hahaha.

2. Nagulat sa sobrang init sa Pinas, at maging sa kahit saang bahagi ng mundo ayun sa mga balita.

3. Maraming papeles ang inayos at inaayos para sa magandang kinabukasan.

4. Bumalik ulit sa Gitnang Silangan sapagkat di mapapalagpas ang oportunidad sa bagong offer sa trabaho.

5. Naghahanda para sa pagbubukas ng nomination ng PEBA 2010 sa July 2010.

6. Naghahanap ng magandang bahay at maipwesto ang PC at laptop para sa tuloy tuloy na Facebook at blogging. hehe

7. Walang upuan sa trabaho ko ngayon. Maghapon akong naglalakad sa laboratory at nakatayo na naglalaro ng mga chemical, kasama ang mga kinakatakutang theory at analysis sa Quantitative Chemistry nung 3rd year sa high school at maging sa college. Ang laki ng pinagkaiba, kung parang bossing ako dati, matindi rin ang mga bossing dito ngayon, pero pakialam ko sa kanila basta ginagawa ko ng maayos ang trabaho at milyones ang sahod ko! haha (yan ang sinasabi nilang mukhang pera?)lols!

8. Ang hirap pala ng mahiwalay sa asawa at anak. Nararanasan ko ngayon ang naranasan ng mga OFW na malayo sa pamilya. Nakakalungkot, nakakaiyak, nakakawala sa katinuan pero kelangan tiisin para sa kanilang kinabukasan at maaya-ayang pamumuhay. Hoping makasunod na rin ang mag-ina ko sa madaling panahon. Hays. Namimiss ko na ang mga luto ni Mrs. Thoughtskoto!

Reporting, Mr. Thoughtskoto, back to work, back to blogging!

©2010 THOUGHTSKOTO

Wherever You Are Now...

I warn you, malungkot tong post ko na ito.

But if you're a mother and you have a mother, read on.

I vividly remember the memories, even it happened 17 years ago.

I was sitting in a rocking chair that she used to sit and sing lullabies for us.

I was waiting for my 3 siblings to arrive from school.

I was waiting for them to hear the saddest news I have ever conveyed to three young kids, ages 15, 12 and 7.

"She's gone. She's gone now."

After 10 years that I was gone, travelling from different places and different countries,

nakauwi din ako. Me and my wife scheduled a time na bisitahin ang malamig and napakalungkot na lugar where my Mom was buried.

My cute and kikay sister painted Mom's tomb with color "Yellow" saying she was touched by the death of Cory and the yellow color that the late president and heroine will be always remembered. So don't wonder if it's colored yellow. :)

Our Mom is also our hero, infact, more than a hero, she is the best mother in this world...for us, her sons and daughter.

I was crying when we get there, and my loving wife hugged me and tapped me at the back. I cannot contain the heaviness that I was feeling deep within my heart, and the disappointments over the many dreams I have for her that was not realize. And oh, the happiness and joy we are experiencing now, and wished she too would have experience the same.

I cannot deny that my mind and my heart was still feeling hurt with what happened nearly 18 years ago, despite of the assurances that we will be together again one day, because I have just simple, and oh, it was only a simple dream for my mother, and I couldn't realize them now.

I just want her to have a little comfort in life, go shop to the malls and buy her favorite dress or shoe, dine out with her with my small family, cook her favorite foods with the comfort of technologies and appliances, and have her attend to her garden and orchids in the front yard.

Just that. Just that.

Today is her birthday, she is 58th years old now.

Happy happy Birthday!

Wherever you are, I terribly miss you, Mom. And I know you are happier now, but I am still hoping some many many years to come, we will be able to shop, dine, and play at your garden...

there....

in Heaven.

©2010 THOUGHTSKOTO