Today, the proud Filipino people celebrate our National Heroes Day, commemorating the sacrifices our ancestors contributed to proclaim our country as independent of foreign rule.
Just a week ago, one of those heroes was also remembered, Senator Benigno Aquino Jr. He was the hero in the 80’s, a man whose influenced spark the minds of the masses on the challenges imposed by dictatorial leadership against the rule of democracy
As a high school student back then, I could not fathom the meaning of his dedication in fighting tyranny, as I witness then the turmoil that erupted after his fatal death. Although I noticed back then the growing gap between rich and poor, the cronies lifestyle versus the men in squatter’s area, the suppressed media against the one cry one out that only his voice must the only be one heard. No, I relied alone with what has fed through rumors, as press was not allowed to spread and inform the truth.
Oh I how remembered what was televised - the reverberating gunshot footage of Ninoy, the funeral that brought out millions of Filipinos to the streets, the alarming number of rallies with yellow confetti - which all eventually evolved in the much known EDSA revolution.
He was a modern day Jose Rizal.
Looking back those times, one can only ask – is this present day, the day those national heroes aspired for this generation to cherish?
A resounding YES.
Thursday, August 30, 2007
Sunday, August 12, 2007
The coffee master speaks...
The Black Apron
Coffee masters are Starbuck’s resident experts who have pursued additional coffee training and education in all areas of the coffee field, from the farm to the espresso machine and everything in between.
Very much like in the martial arts world, where the master wears a black belt, coffee masters are distinguished by the company by wearing black aprons! Hence, they are more knowledgeable and erudite on the craft than the usual regular green wearing apron baristas.
A barista, to be able to be given the title of coffee master, must be able to excel in a series of tests and rigid interviews to demonstrate their knowledge about coffee - taste identification and differentiation, relation to origin, and the creation of a perfect cup to customers and afficianados.
Let me impart with you pictures of my black apron and coffee master pin which I received a year ago.
And next time, allow me to share to you a story for each coffee, as we say in Starbucks, one cup at a time.
Coffee masters are Starbuck’s resident experts who have pursued additional coffee training and education in all areas of the coffee field, from the farm to the espresso machine and everything in between.
Very much like in the martial arts world, where the master wears a black belt, coffee masters are distinguished by the company by wearing black aprons! Hence, they are more knowledgeable and erudite on the craft than the usual regular green wearing apron baristas.
A barista, to be able to be given the title of coffee master, must be able to excel in a series of tests and rigid interviews to demonstrate their knowledge about coffee - taste identification and differentiation, relation to origin, and the creation of a perfect cup to customers and afficianados.
Let me impart with you pictures of my black apron and coffee master pin which I received a year ago.
And next time, allow me to share to you a story for each coffee, as we say in Starbucks, one cup at a time.
The burden of hypertension...
Essential hypertension. First time I heard it was from my internist at age 24.
Until now I don’t understand why it was coined as essential when in fact it is a liability.
From my research, essential hypertension (primary hypertension) indicates that no specific medical cause can be found to explain a patient's condition. Hypertension as you know, is a medical condition in which the blood pressure is chronically elevated. Blood pressure is "normal if it's below 120/80" but that "some data indicate that 115/75 mm Hg should be the gold standard" that is according to Mayo Clinic website.
My doctor attributes the cause of my hypertension to work related stress and with this, I spend about P700 every month for my medication just to maintain the desired 120/80 level.
Now I didn’t stop there, no I couldn't.
Now that I’m on my thirties, I’m dealing with hypertension more seriously. Besides taking Norten 10mg as maintenance drug, I do attend to my annual medical check up, indulge in the prescribed low fat diet & take regular cardio - exercises.
Now if you’re on your thirties, I suggest you too take your health seriously, as there are great blessings going on to your forties without a disability.
Until now I don’t understand why it was coined as essential when in fact it is a liability.
From my research, essential hypertension (primary hypertension) indicates that no specific medical cause can be found to explain a patient's condition. Hypertension as you know, is a medical condition in which the blood pressure is chronically elevated. Blood pressure is "normal if it's below 120/80" but that "some data indicate that 115/75 mm Hg should be the gold standard" that is according to Mayo Clinic website.
My doctor attributes the cause of my hypertension to work related stress and with this, I spend about P700 every month for my medication just to maintain the desired 120/80 level.
Now I didn’t stop there, no I couldn't.
Now that I’m on my thirties, I’m dealing with hypertension more seriously. Besides taking Norten 10mg as maintenance drug, I do attend to my annual medical check up, indulge in the prescribed low fat diet & take regular cardio - exercises.
Now if you’re on your thirties, I suggest you too take your health seriously, as there are great blessings going on to your forties without a disability.
Thursday, August 9, 2007
Writer’s block
Happens everytime. Writer’s block as they call it.
Stuns you that you’ve been staring at the monitor or paper for so long at no reason at all. Thoughts, perhaps too overwhelming, that a writer stumbles on organizing it into proper context or sequence. Sometimes though, there is no thought at all, just a blank stare – waiting for any concept that may fall from the sky.
How to keep it from happening?
Simply write.
Write. Write. Write.
Are those with thoughts with sense at all?
Probably not, but you can browse over it next time to organize and put a story behind it.
One thing to remember and put to mind especially when you’re thirty - time waits for no one. My friend, maximize every moment.
Stuns you that you’ve been staring at the monitor or paper for so long at no reason at all. Thoughts, perhaps too overwhelming, that a writer stumbles on organizing it into proper context or sequence. Sometimes though, there is no thought at all, just a blank stare – waiting for any concept that may fall from the sky.
How to keep it from happening?
Simply write.
Write. Write. Write.
Are those with thoughts with sense at all?
Probably not, but you can browse over it next time to organize and put a story behind it.
One thing to remember and put to mind especially when you’re thirty - time waits for no one. My friend, maximize every moment.
Thursday, August 2, 2007
Along came a blogger…
It was hot that day. Its 7:30 and I’m definitely late for work.
The bus passed by full of passengers, too full to allow this late employee to squeeze through and snuggle.
“Is this all this day could offer?” I mumbled as I wiped the sweat on my forehead. Sigh.
As I waited for another bus to pass, I recognize an old time friend in college also in the crowd of commuters. We greeted each other with a “Hoy! Kamusta na?” opener. After that, stories poured in like rain. Stories about a friend of a friend and the classmate of a friend which now is working in a different country along with friend, and such with much ado in the conversation trying to connect what happened in-between the gap in college graduation and the life as we know it.
Glo Gamat. My sis in ChemSoc, my classmate in all organic chemistry subjects and my friend during drinking session. That’s how I knew her then. Now she tells me she’s a blogger, a problogger, to be exact.
Now picture this before I continue my story, we were in college during the early 90’s and at that time, students only go to internet cafés in UPLB to have their reports, thesis and term papers typed and printed. Only that and just that. Why? Well, first there were not too much information then to cross check and surf for academic topics. Second, it’s expensive (costs me a day’s allowance that time).
We do have at that time terms like e-mails and personal websites but not blog. No, absolutely, no blog (except perhaps the thud sound when you fall).
And here I am talking to someone telling me she’s a blogger.
Flabbergasted, I just had to show my ignorance to understand, so I dropped the question, “What is that?”
Then she explained to me what she does in five minutes. The full five minutes.
I listened (I’m sure I did) but I didn’t grasp the idea. Although I’d like to ask more, my bus finally came, summoning me as if it was the last trip to work. Hurriedly, I asked for her e-mail address. She gave it, plus the website where she blogs.
After a dozen email exchanges and website surfing, I finally understood what she meant, what she does, and what she’s worth.
My amazement to her work is simply one of the reasons how this blog site came to be.
“Is this all this day could offer?” Looking back at that day, I just can’t help but answer back the question I threw with, “No, each day offers more especially when you meet friends along the way”.
Meet my friend and problogging mentor at http://daragang-magayon.com/ , I’m positive she can inspire you too.
The bus passed by full of passengers, too full to allow this late employee to squeeze through and snuggle.
“Is this all this day could offer?” I mumbled as I wiped the sweat on my forehead. Sigh.
As I waited for another bus to pass, I recognize an old time friend in college also in the crowd of commuters. We greeted each other with a “Hoy! Kamusta na?” opener. After that, stories poured in like rain. Stories about a friend of a friend and the classmate of a friend which now is working in a different country along with friend, and such with much ado in the conversation trying to connect what happened in-between the gap in college graduation and the life as we know it.
Glo Gamat. My sis in ChemSoc, my classmate in all organic chemistry subjects and my friend during drinking session. That’s how I knew her then. Now she tells me she’s a blogger, a problogger, to be exact.
Now picture this before I continue my story, we were in college during the early 90’s and at that time, students only go to internet cafés in UPLB to have their reports, thesis and term papers typed and printed. Only that and just that. Why? Well, first there were not too much information then to cross check and surf for academic topics. Second, it’s expensive (costs me a day’s allowance that time).
We do have at that time terms like e-mails and personal websites but not blog. No, absolutely, no blog (except perhaps the thud sound when you fall).
And here I am talking to someone telling me she’s a blogger.
Flabbergasted, I just had to show my ignorance to understand, so I dropped the question, “What is that?”
Then she explained to me what she does in five minutes. The full five minutes.
I listened (I’m sure I did) but I didn’t grasp the idea. Although I’d like to ask more, my bus finally came, summoning me as if it was the last trip to work. Hurriedly, I asked for her e-mail address. She gave it, plus the website where she blogs.
After a dozen email exchanges and website surfing, I finally understood what she meant, what she does, and what she’s worth.
My amazement to her work is simply one of the reasons how this blog site came to be.
“Is this all this day could offer?” Looking back at that day, I just can’t help but answer back the question I threw with, “No, each day offers more especially when you meet friends along the way”.
Meet my friend and problogging mentor at http://daragang-magayon.com/ , I’m positive she can inspire you too.
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