"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

A Very Merry and Meaningful Christmas!

We wish you all a very merry Christmas! May we celebrate and reflect the real meaning of Christmas. That we receive more than any other, the greatest gift we can ever receive on earth.

We love you all, friends and fellow Pinoys wherever you are in this part of the world!

©2009 THOUGHTSKOTO

Anchovy Salad at Chicken-Manok

Tinanong ko si Mrs. Thoughtskoto one day habang pauwi ako galing ng work kung anong prepare niya na ulam, Anchovy Salad daw. Ang sarap di ba kasi sabi ko, wow, salad!

Pagdating ko ng bahay, ito ang salad na gawa niya.

Isang malutong na Tomato na hiniwa-hiwa, mga leaves ng Coriander, at crispy fried anchovies.

Sa simpleng salita,

KAMATIS at PRITONG DILIS!

Sa Pilipinas, ang dilis ulam ng mga mahihirap.

Sa abroad, ang dilis paboritong ulam ng mga may perang OFW.

(wala kaming pera, pinasalubong lang samin yan)

Bakit nga ba sa abroad pag dilis ang ulam mo, may pera ka?

6 Riyals ang halaga niyang nakahain na yan kung bibilhin mo dito.

Sa Pilipinas, sampung piso lang yan eh.

Ito naman ang paborito kong Chicken-Manok. Ang loob niyan may laman na lemon at mga garlic, tapos isasalang niya na sa oven ng isa't kalahating oras. Paglabas, tsaran-tanan-tanan!

Sarap niyan, lutong na lutong ang balat, kaya simot to the bones.

©2009 THOUGHTSKOTO

The First Time I Love Forever

This is by far the most favorite song I ever have all time, all my life. I grow up with this song. I dedicated this to my wife and before we get married I made sure she heard this song. In coincidence or an assurance, she has an MP3 in her Sony Ericsson phone! Mixed with the song is a poem by E. E. Cummings entitled 'Somewhere I have Never Travelled'

Somewhere I Have Never Travelled 

Somewhere I have never travelled,

Gladly beyond any experience,

Your eyes have their silence:

In your most frail gesture are things which enclose me, 

Or which I cannot touch because they are too near 

Your slightest look easily will unclose me 

Though I have closed myself as fingers, 

You open always petal by petal myself as Spring opens

(touching skillfully, mysteriously) her first rose.

Or if your wish be to close me,

I and my life will shut very beautifully, suddenly, 

As when the heart of this flower imagines

The snow carefully everywhere descending; 

Nothing which we are to perceive in this world equals

The power of your intense fragility: whose texture

Compels me with the colour of its countries, 

Rendering death and forever with each breathing 

(I do not know what it is about you that closes

And opens; Only something in me understands

The voice of your eyes is deeper than all roses)

Nobody, not even the rain, has such small hands 


E. E. Cummings 

The Lyrics of the Song

-The First Time I Loved Forever-

The first time I loved forever
Was when you whispered my name
And I knew at once you loved me
For the me of who I am..

The first time I loved forever
I cast all else aside
And I bid my heart to follow
Be there no more need to hide..

And if wishes and dreams are merely for children
And if love's a tale for fools
I'll live the dream with you..

For all my life and forever
There's a truth I will always know
When my world divides and shatters
Your love is where I'll go...

Thoughtskoto - weblogs about reality and opinions.
Rants and observations and musings about faith, hope as well as life and love.

©2008 THOUGHTSKOTO

72 Hour Kit Haunts Me In My Dreams

My wife posted this blog entry to her site over Pink Purple and Anything.

I like it so I am quoting it here.

'My dh is always amazed by how I can remember dreams that I have each night, sometimes I can tell him 3 different dreams I had at the same night. Anyway, for many months I keep on dreaming about calamities happening back in Philippines, sometimes earthquakes, hurricane, flood, etch. And in all of those dreams I'm always left behind carrying 72 hour kit or looking for it.'

"Members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints have been counseled to have a food storage and be prepared for an emergency which includes having a 72 hour kit. This kit should be put together in a practical manner so that you can carry it with you if you ever need to evacuate your home. It is also important to prepare one for each member of your family who is able to carry one."

'You might be wond'ring that I have a 72 hour bag well prepared... sorry but you are wrong. These are the only things I have in the bag:

• all our important documents in two plastic folders wrapped in plastic bag
• some canned foods, (2 cans tuna, 2 cans sardines)
• 3 bars of chocolate and a pack of dried fruits
• flashlight
• first aid medicines (band aid, alcohol prep pads, paracetamol tablets, ibufropen)

Today I've decided I have to add other things I might as well need:

•  3 pcs baby blankets and some baby clothes, wet wipes and 9 pcs. diapers
• 2 big blankets for the family
• 500 grams corn flakes cereals 
• 2 cans whole kernel corn 
• lighter and candle
• jewelries and some money
• paper, pen, pocket knife and lots of plastic sheets
• disposable dish utensils for 3 days

And together with these I have a 2.5 galoon water we can easily pick at the kitchen.'

Do you anything in mind that she might have forgotten? Please read the rest of her entry here.

Thoughtskoto - weblogs about reality and opinions.
Rants and observations and musings about faith, hope as well as life and love.

©2008 THOUGHTSKOTO

There is a Monster Inside

This post goes to all women who have met her, the monster I am talking about.

I am not the only one who called her 'a monster', other people too. *

I hate her, perhaps all of you who met her do too. My wife is battling and winning against her.

This monster will make you feel sad, blue, unhappy, miserable, or down in the dumps. Most mothers met her one time, one way or another. It can make your mood swing 360 degrees, like a feeling of loss, anger or frustration interfering with every happy day for an extended time. She attacks in a mild way, moderate or severe.

Tiredness, a problem in sleeping, a strong emotional reactions, and changes in body weight are some of her symptoms.

If you delivered a lovely and beautiful baby, one that can't be bought with money, and have the following symptoms, you are dealing with this monster.

• Feeling restless or irritable
• Feeling sad, hopeless, and overwhelmed
• Crying a lot
• Having no energy or motivation
• Eating too little or too much
• Sleeping too little or too much
• Trouble focusing, remembering, or making decisions
• Feeling worthless and guilty
• Loss of interest or pleasure in activities
• Withdrawal from friends and family
• Having headaches, chest pains, heart palpitations (the heart beating fast and feeling like it is skipping beats), or hyperventilation (fast and shallow breathing)

After pregnancy, signs of depression may also include being afraid of hurting the baby or oneself and not having any interest in the baby. Postpartum depression often affects a woman’s well-being and keeps her from functioning well for a period of time.

All children deserve the chance to have a healthy mom. All moms deserve the chance to enjoy their life and their children. Don’t suffer alone.

Last night, at 2am midnight, I was awaken by a loud, pitiful cry by the very lovely woman who bore my pretty girl. I have to hug her, cry with her, and cuddle the baby who too was crying because her Mom cries desperately. PPD, or Post partum depression, along with her hair falling is the monster my wife and I are fighting. She cannot rob us of our happiness and joy, and the wonderful dreams we have of our flourishing family and getting stronger abd stronger relationship.

Sometimes in life we get arrested with afflictions and infirmities, diseases and sickness that makes us slow and weak, but with the wonder healing power of love, unfailing and constant, and faith in Him who knows us all, who loves us all and who care for us more than anyone in this world, there is hope, solid, true, and never waning...

If you have met this monster before, please leave us a comment and suggest what we can do to relieve my dear wife. I honestly plead for your help.

©2008 THOUGHTSKOTO

7 Habits of Really Effective Shopper

Mrs. Thoughtskoto over Pink, Purple and Anything has this interesting post about shopping tips.


1. If you really want to save money for your grocery, you have to be familiar and aware how prices of products ranges from different grocery stores or super markets.

2. Be smart and consider your health, you've got to know what's in the food you are taking/eating.

3. Shopping for clothes, shoes and accessories gives me a chance to tour the entire mall or malls in the area.

4. Don't be an impulse buyer. Not all things on sale are cheap, some stores put mark up on prices before going on sale, and it doesn't make the price low.

5. Take time to ask the sales person about the product. If its an electronic, know where it was made, is the spare parts available in case you need it?

6. Brands does matter. Sometimes it can make your item expensive, but some brands are consumer tested and the quality is superb compared to other brands.

7. Sometimes it really takes more than one- store- visit to decide which one to buy, specially if you are buying something that costs a lot of money.

You should read the whole thing here, I just copied the first sentences. She has very wonderful posting about facial, foot spa, and wide variety of subjects about motherhood and stay at home mom's. Some pink, some purple, and yes, anything and everything!

If you like her post, please leave her a comment. She will jump in happiness if you do! Promise!

©2008 THOUGHTSKOTO