Beating Filipino Time

Yesterday I learned perhaps one of my life's more important lessons.
I realized the value of being "on time". That is to beat the unsavory characterization of our race, which is also called the "Filipino time".
Yesterday, I was tasked to prepare facilitate the orders for dinner in a restaurant with some acquaintances.
I was told that guests would be arriving in the Makati restaurant at around 7:00 to 7:30 p.m.
So, being based in Makati I was the logical person to go to the restaurant early and make reservations and order the food in time for the arrival of the guests.
I went to the restaurant early enough, at 6:30 p.m. I told the restaurant manager that I was reserving a table for 16 persons who were to arrive between 7:00 to 7:30 p.m.
The restaurant manager said they normally do not allow reservations because of the fast turnover of their customers. They couldn't afford to have tables idle for a long time.
But since there were quite a number of guests who were expected to arrive, and I ordered a number of food items in their menu, they prepared a long table for 16 persons.
The problem was that the guests did not arrive on time.
For one reason or another (as always, traffic was the common reason) the guests did not arrive at the designated time.
The restaurant kept on coming back to where I was seated and asked when they would prepare the food on the table since the appointed time had come and gone.
I had to send text messages to the guests, asking them where they were and when they could make it.
The guests arrived at 8:00 p.m.
There was one lesson I learned.
I felt the feeling of a person who has to wait for others who are not able to arrive at the appointed time.
It is not about the guests. It was not their fault that they were late. After all they probably tried their best to come on time, but must have been stuck in traffic.
But the situation I was in made me realize the importance of being on time.
I can now emphatize with people who are prompt in arriving at meetings, and who have to wait for the others who come in late.
For many times in my life, I have always been a person who arrived late.
I am not punctual.
I am a far cry from my late grandfather who mastered the art of beating the Filipino time.
My grandfather always had a rule that he must arrive at the designated place ten minutes before the appointment.
It was as if it was his personal crusade to beat the Filipino time.
Once, I drove my grandfather to a meeting and I could very well remember that we arrived at the place of appointment ten minutes before 7 o'clock p.m., the time of the dinner appointment.
My grandfather just told me to park the car and wait a while before disembarking and heading to the place of appointment. What discipline!
I can say that from now on, I will strive to be more mindful and conscious of making it on time during my appointments.
Imagine, I always had this attitude of being late for a few minutes when attending court hearings, thinking that "the judge never starts on time anyway."
There are many changes that I need to make.
I know that it is very hard to teach an old dog new tricks.
But this in one new trick I'd be eager to learn.

Hidden Corrals

There is another breathtaking resort in Panglao island that will fulfill your desires for a private relaxation.

Hidden Corrals, a resort just a fifteen minute drive from Tagbilaran City is nestled in an elevated portion of Panglao which provides a spectcular view of the sea.

Hidden Corralscurrently has six fully functioning and air-conditioned cottages.

Two of the cottages are spacious enough to accomodate family vacationers.

Two swimming pools provide a refreshing refuge against the punishing summer heat...

















The pools are so cool....






















A splendid view overlooking the sea will peel any stress in the mind and body. The kiddie pool will surely get your kids pre-occupied, just like my son Joshua, enjoying the pool slide....

Worldclass Stonecraft

In the province of Negros Oriental in the Phlippines, a family owned enterprise is manufacturing world class stone craft products. Their products skillfully handcrafted have become known not only here int eh Phiippines, but abroad.

One of the major endorsers of the stonecrafts of N.O.A.H. Negros Oriental Arts and Heritage was the former President of the country, Fidel V. Ramos. During his Presidency he used to order stonecrafts which he owuld bring with him when he made state or official visits abroad.

These proudly Philppine made stoncrafts were given as gifts to dignitaries abroad.

Here are some of their products......



These products are exquisitely inlaid with various Philippine gemstones such as jade, agate, jasper, onyx, petrified wood, seashells, cave stones, mountain stones, fossils, river stones, and minerals.

Purely handcrafted with love and patience by the Negrenses in the province of Negros Oriental one of the seven thousand islands of the Philippines.

Designs are created and others reproduced from antique pieces of famous artists all over the world

God given art today, generation Heritage Of tomorrow...

A visit to Sumilon Island

Once an island under the care of Silliman Unversity, Sumilon, nestled at the southern tip of Cebu province between Negros island, is now a haven for tourists and visitors seeking to enjoy its marine treausres.
Sumilon is a place for diving, fishing, snorkling or just enjoying a day at the beach.
Silliman Unversity has relinquished its hold on the island, and is now under the jurisdiction of Cebu. There is a resort in the island despite, even with the absence of electricity and running water.

It was my first time to visit Sumilon. Imagine, its the nearest island from Negros Oriental, other than Apo island, yet, I have never visited the place until last Sunday. It is a 40-minute [motor launch ride from Silliman beach.

Sumilon is a place to just enjoy natures bounties. Weh we went there, I saw trekkers exploring the island. Just the day before, Japanese tourist were fishing in the area, and came home with a fish bounty .

You can reach Sumilon by hiring a motor launch that cots about P4,000, good for thirty passengers. You can bring your own food to the island. You will pay P50 docking fee and P10 each if you want to swim just meters from the white sand.

We went there for a fishing trip early in the morning aborad the M/V Le Marian owned by a friend who leases the boat to tourists. On a hot summer day, its a great time to come to Sumilon island.

Golden sunrise...resurrection

I have been frustrated because I couldn't post pictures in my blog, simply because i don't know how. I'll try to post in today's blog....

...There you go! Whew!!!

So easy, I'm so dumb.

I just clicked on that button up there which says "Add image"

I do upload pictures at yahoo, but the size of the pictures in yahoo is limited. In other words, if your pictures are heavy, like more than 1 MB, yahoo may not send it.

So what I do, when sending pictures through yahoo, is to reduce the size of the picture file by going to Adobe photoshop first.

But I guess here in the blog, there is no limit?

Any way, I have just successfully posted (for the very first time) the magnificent golden sunrise in Dumaguete City, Philippines, specifically at the Silliman beach.

I took this, and other "sunrise pictures" last Easter Sunday, just about a little before 6 a.m. while we were about to cross the Tanon straight in going to Sumilon island. What a way to celebrate Christ's resurrection!

I can connect the golden sunrise with Jesus' rising from the dead.

This is God's gift. As I view the pictures I have taken, I am amazed at the wonder of God's creation. I'll stop talking, and start posting.......