Call Me Xander

     So I finally gave in...      It's been my plan a long time ago to change the template of this blog but because I am too busy at work I dont get the chance to change it, not until today. I wanted to have a simple yet fierce blog template. I am not a blog guru or something, so I chose the white color background with Trebuchet as font. I am still using A Boy Named Xander's Header or Logo as I dont have much time to create a new one. Again, I am not that knowledgeable about photoshop or logo maker, but if there is someone out there who has a good heart to give me one I would appreciate it. As you can see, there no big drama on my blog. Its just the color, really! WHY WHITE       The color white means lot of thing for me. For me, its purity, cleanliness and innocence. This coming 2011, I want my life to be simple but yet edgy. I want it clean and pure inside and out. White is one of my favo...

     I would like to say thank you for following this blog. It has been my desire to reach 100 followers before the year ends but then it exceeded to what I am expecting. I now have 101 disciples (followers). I appreciate you reading this humble blog and following it. I wish and do hope and pray that you will continue to be a part of this blog in the coming years. May the good Lord bless us all and will continue to give us wisdom and knowledge as we continue to share every though and every experiences that we have to others.     Once again, THANKS EVERYONE! Always remember that I value every messages and comments that you've shared. I LOVE YOU ALL!!!

Year 2010 is almost over and the remaining days are getting more exciting. As I reminisce on the things that happened in my life in 2010, I can surely say that life is really great and God has been good and remains good because of the great provision He has given. There are so many wonderful things happened in my life and there are some not so good. I can say that 2010 for me is a roller coaster. It's one hell of a ride. But there has been no dull moment in my life in 2010 as every moment is cherished and every experience is being valued.      It's nice to look back and remember those that happened in the past not because you are bitter or you resented about it, but because without it you wouldn't be the person God wants you to be. Looking back is also a way of evaluating yourself on how you've been and what you did in the past; and then realized that you can do better in the future. Life is not that easy, but with great determination and stro...

     It's difficult when your away from your family. You'll miss a lot of occassion and important events in your family's lives. I've been away from my family for almost six years. Not that long but I think its been a decade since I'm away from them. Though, I always find a way to go home as much as I can, but its still different when you see your family every now and then. Yung tipong araw-araw mo silang kapiling. Its different when you can just reach them when you need somebody to lean on or if you're sick someone will take care of you. Maybe, you'll ask why I am away from my family when? I can't give you a straight answer, but honestly it falls down to the desire of helping them. I wanted to earn big and work hard for them, to help them and support them in every way I can. Ganun talaga siguro tayong mga Pinoy basta pag pamilya ang pinag-uusapan kahit mahirap at masakit, ginagawa natin.      While people around the globe celebrate an...

     Umaga na at mataas na ang sikat ng araw ng ako'y nagising kaninang umaga. Naisip ko na 11Am ako papasok ngayon kasi may Christmas party naman kasi sa opisina. Masaya ang pakiramdam ko at medyo masigasig na pumasok sa work. Since Christmas party namin ngayon naisipan kung dumaan sa pinakamalapit na Starbucks upang bumili ng gift check dahil sa wala na akong time mamili ng pang exchange gift sa sobrang busy sa work. Sa totoo lang, hindi naman talaga ako mahilig mamigay ng regalo. Hindi dahil sa wala akong pambili or dahil sa kuripot ako, pero dahil sa hindi naman talaga kami nag cecelebrate ng pasko. Naniniwala kasi ako na ang pasko ay araw-araw. Ang exchange gift ay hindi sapilitan kundi bukal sa loob. Pero dahil sa tradisyon na ito nating mga Pinoy, game na din ako!      Paglabas ko sa Starbucks, dama ko ang sarap ng simoy ng hangin. Sa unang pagkakataon ngayon ko lang naramdaman ang simoy ng pasko. Napangiti ako at bumulong ng ma...

     Most of the time, when we're in trouble we always blame other people or even worst God, for whatever we've been through. Sometimes, we tend to get out of our way and do something that we'll regret in the end. We over reacted to that current situation that we're into and didn't realise that every thing happens for a reason. As a human being , we always fail to trust God. Sometimes, waiting patiently and listening helps us.      I was overwhelmed by how God let me go through in my troubled times. I can honestly say that before year 2010 ends, my life was tested and my faith was shaken. I get into trouble at work that causes my life to turn upside down. I was on top of my career. I had so many plans and then suddenly I was shuttered by an incident that I never imagine would happen.      I was looking back on how I overcome that situation. I was sad and worried leaving the people close to me and leaving the work I love...

     ... Finally she walked down the aisle and will start to write her story. Her married life already started. No turning back. No regrets. No retreat and will never surrender....      These are the thoughts that flashed in my head will seeing my younger sister walked down the aisle on her wedding day. I used to see her as a small little girl, fragile and sweet. We used to play under the heat of the sun. We fight a lot when were still kids. We consider ourselves as "frienemies" (friends-enemies). I really don't know the reason behind why we always fight a lot when we were kids; maybe because we're both middle child. We always seek attention when we were little but in the end we both have each other's attention. Well, those were the days... and today is totally different. She has grown so fast and I can't imagine she will decide one day to get married before me.      She had a simple wedding, not that big and expensive. We w...

     My last visit to Davao was a mixed emotion. It's my first time to go home and be with my family for 3 days and 2 nights and also to attend my sister's wedding. This is also the first time I used Zest Air as a means of transportation via Manila - Davao. I normally go for Philippine Airlines or Cebu Pacific. I use the latter a lot because of there promos and ticket sales year round. Experience with Zest Air       Since I was late to book a flight for Cebu Pacific, I need to find a more cheaper airline fare compared to what Cebu Pacific is offering at that time. Since holiday season is fast approaching and I only got the chance to book a flight last  Monday and my flight is schedule on a Friday (December 10, 2010) so the only possible and reasonable fare I can see and think of is aiZest Air. So, I finally decided and gave in to book a flight with them. I am e...

Its nice to know that after almost a year, I'll be seeing my family once again. Though, I always go home from time to time if theres a a lot of money in my pocket (Lol...). I am so excited because its my sister's wedding and that I know this is her very special day. I know she is happy with her decision and that I am looking forward for her to have a wonderful married life. Anyways, I am packing my things right now... So I hope I can make it before my flight schedule. This will be a three day vacation, the shortest I ever had ever since. Kinda sad since I wont be able to be with my family this Christmas because of work. But this is better thank nothing so I will just make most of it. See yah around guys...

     As what I've mentioned in my previous post, The Holes in the Fence , if we poorly managed our anger or temper it might damage our health, work, or even relationships. So here's some tips on how to get your anger under control.  Do some stretching . Physical activity can help release tension and anger. So when you start to have that feeling of getting angry, try to run or jump or have a simple exercise. Put it into words . Write it on a piece of paper and explain why your angry and what causes it. You can also write what you need to do to exterminate your anger.   Don't vent it out as much as possible . Some of us think that venting out our anger leads to solving a problem or resolving it. But venting can cause more trouble and problems that it solves it.    Be creative . Use humor or use your imagination, instead in venting out your anger. Instead of getting physical or venting out your anger to someone, think of th...

     I woke up late today and I didn't realized that its already 1PM. This is my usual routine every time I don't have a work or if its a holiday here in the Philippines. I have the pleasure in waking up late. I don't need to get worried about rush hours every time I go to work. No need to think about the bunch of emails waiting for me every time I open my computer at work. No need to think about those calls coming from my colleagues. Today, all I want to do is to hibernate, sleep, eat, rest and a get a lot of rest.       I got up and get a cup of coffee and as usual sit in front of the computer writing this senseless post. Lol.       Anyway, while I was stirring my coffee I can see the sugar, coffee and the creamer mixed and blended well which produces a very good taste; plus the aroma makes me wanna drink more coffee.      This is exactly the same with life. When we are in a difficulty, trials...

     The clock alarms at 5AM today. This pisses me every time I forgot to turn the alarm off specially if its my off from work. Instead of getting mad or angry, I kneel down and say a little prayer. I lay  my head back to bed and reminisce what happened yesterday.  I always do this almost everyday before getting out of bed. Its fun thinking and evaluating what you did and what happened yesterday and then planning on doing things differently to make it more productive.       As I lay my head facing the ceiling,  I thank God for the protection and the second chance He has given me. I consider every wake ups as a second chance of my life. Its my chance to do more and make my life better than what I did yesterday. It's the time for me to fulfill the dream I had when I'm still in the state of zen.  After an hour, I decided to stand out of bed and take a few walks around the house. Waking up so early in the morning is not bad after...

     Our company had its General Assembly and Team Building activity last November 15-16, 2010 at Forest Club Eco Resort in Laguna,. This is the first time I participated in this kind of activity as I am a newly hired employee in the company. This is also the first team building that I've joined that I can say, changed the way I look things, my perspective in terms of dealing with different issues at work, with co-workers and with life as a whole. I always joined team buildings before in my previous company, but its more on like eating out, having fun, drinking session with my former teammates, videoke session and some others. This time, its totally different. Aside from its an overnight stay at the resort, its also the type of activity that is surely worth keeping.     When we arrived at the place, I really didn't like the area probably because when we arrived its raining hard at that time. The feeling of getting excited was changed with hesita...

      In life, sometimes we experienced hardships and heartaches. We sometimes experience brokenness or maybe wounded and betrayed. Most of us experienced pain and suffering at its peak and most of the time we want to surrender or maybe worst, we hope were dead. Those pains causes so much distraction that we cannot live life to the fullest. As always, when we experienced pain and suffering we feel that a little bit of something in us has been taken away, we feel incomplete and we lack focus on the good things that life has to offer.  But everything I feel pain or suffering, I just think of it as a wood with a hand plane on top. I just always think that we need to experience pain for us to be whole again. We need to feel pain for us to be ready and be prepared for a much greater pain. Our life needs to be shaved so that when time comes that we need to face a much greater pain, we are ready because we are crafted and created beautifully out of the pai...

I am in a great dilemma. I do not understand why sometimes we need to struggle so hard for us to come to a point of realization that not all things always turns good. I can't accept the fact that sometimes, we need to undergo a challenge or a rocky road for us to become a strong and better person. I am struggling. I am trying my best to survive. I am undertaking a hard road. I forgot that in life its not always good, its not always happy. Sometimes we need to struggle for us to become strong. Sometimes, we need to fight for survival. Changing outside of your comfort zone is as hard as a stone. Trying to prove yourself your good is difficult. Doing it by your own strength is the weakest thing a person ever did.  Lately, I have been bombarded with stress, pressure from work, guilt, worries and dismay which eventually took control over my life. For a while, I've been timid and lack of self-confidence until a butterfly cocoon thought me a very good lesson.  I found a bu...

     Paradise Island Park and Beach Resort is one of the most famous resort among the locals of Davao. This is located in Samal island off the coast of Davao. This resort is good and one of the best destination for couples, family gathering and outing or even just be yourself to relax and unwind. The resort owns almost 800 meters shoreline and the only place on the part of Samal Island. If you're into a resort where every time you open your doors you will see white sand beach immediately right before your very eyes, its in this resort. Its only 7 minutes away from the traffic Metro of Davao where travelers and visitors are ferried by a fleet of ten (10) colorful boats efficiently operated by the management of the resort from 5:00 AM up to 5:00 PM. For those who wish to go to Samal Island they can still travel by a Ferry Boat which serves the public until 11PM.      Resort owner's first priority is there guest and visitors that the reason ...

     Hindi ako motivated magsulat. Tinatamad ako at walang maisip kung ano ang ilalagay sa blog ko. But, I need to keep it going. Kahit ilang beses akong mag login sa account ko at kahit anong try ko, nothing comes up. Nangbiglang may nag text sa akin ng isang  Chain Text Messages. Bagay na kinaiinisan ko. HIndi naman sa hindi ko na-aappreciate ang chain message pero pag yung tipong nakakapikon at hindi nakakapag bigay saya at motivate sa mambabasa ng message ay hindi talaga maganda. Isang kakilala ang nagsend ng chain message na tipong "if you will not send this to 15 people, one members of your family will die" or "if you will not send this to 15 people sasara ang butas ng pwet mo".  Naiinis ako dahil sa hindi marunong mag-isip at makikitid ang utak ng message sender. Eh kung bumalik kaya sayo ang tinext mo. Well, hindi ko din naman talaga pinoforward ang mga ganung klaseng message dahil sa alam ko hindi nakaka-inspire at hindi nakakatulong kundi...

As I continue walking down memory lane, reminiscing every childhood days I've spent with my family, friends and things I did at school when I was a kid even remembering those well loved stories I've read when I was in grade school. I was searching for the famous story of all time, The Race of the Rabbit and the Tortoise, when I cam across this story. I never thought, the story continues. I thought it all ends the time the rabbit failed to reached the finish line. This story is worth sharing, so hopefully you will also learn something from this story. The Added Value of CONTINUOUS LEARNING and Teamwork Once upon a time a tortoise and a hare had an argument about who was faster. They decided to settle the argument with a race. They agreed on a route and started off the race. The hare shot ahead and ran briskly for some time. Then seeing that he was far ahead of the tortoise, he thought he’d sit under a tree for some time and relax before continuing ...

Madami akong ala-ala nung bata ako. Siguro masasabi ko na masaya at buong buong ang childhood days/years ko. Hindi gaya ng mga bata ngayon na halos hindi na pwedeng maarawan o di naman kaya ay hindi pwedeng pagpawisan. Ako, o siguro tayo (sa mga ka-edad ko) masasabi kung naging masaya ang pagiging bata ko. Nakakatuwang isipin kapag bumalik ang iyong ala-ala sa pagiging bata. Nasabi ko na din sa sarili ko na sana ay naging bata na lang ako. Kasi sabi nga nila ang bata daw parang walang problema. Walang pinagdadaanang hirap. Palaging masaya. Naglalaro. Tumatakbo sa ulan na nakahubad. In short, walang masyadong iniisip. Hindi gaya ngayon, maraming responsibilidad, marmaing iniisip, kailangan mapagdaanan ang hirap para mabuhay at maging matapang. Pero panget din kung bata ka pa rin pero ang edad mo eh 100 years old. Ano ka isang bampira? Ano nga ba ang mga alala ko nung bata ako? Heto ang ilan sa mga yon: Nung bata ako kapag walang pasok, dapat kami matulog sa tanghali. Bawal an...

     Most of my foreign friends keep on asking me about Davao City, the place where I grow up and undeniably proud of it. They always asked me if its a safe place, the fact that they've heard a lot on the news about people or foreigners being kidnapped and killed in this area. They keep on asking if I am not scared or afraid about Abusayaff or not afraid being kidnapped or something. Well, here's some information about the City where I grow up.       The City of Davao (Tagalog: Lungsod ng Davao , Cebuano: Dakbayan sa Dabaw ) is the largest and de facto capital city located on the island of Mindanao in the Philippines. It's one of the most progressives cities in the Philippines. Davao City is one of several cities in the Philippines that are independent of any province. It serves as the regional center for Davao Region (Region XI). It has a population of 1,363,330 (2007 census) but according to data from the City Health Office P...