Share-the-Joy

Posted on April 12, 2012 by TND Blogger

DCI is reaching out to orphaned, neglected and abandoned children this April through its Share-the-Joy program. The effort is being made through the Precious Heritage Children’s Home Foundation. Precious Heritage (PH) is located in the hills of Antipolo City from Ortigas.

The Share-the-Joy project is the idea of TND Team Leader Rudy Aquino. When he told us about this idea during a management meeting – everybody became very excited. The brain storming and planning around the idea of helping the less fortunate was a happy one! After a careful study of the different good charities we chose a charity that was not very popular (we believed these charities already had their fair share of exposure). We chose one that might be needing more exposure – like the Precious Heritage – a Social Welfare and Development Agency (SWDA) registered at Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD).

When Rudy and I went to visit Precious Heritage last March we were a little bit apprehensive about the trip. The location map we saw on the orphanage website showed Ortigas seeming very far away. And besides this, neither of us was familiar with Antipolo.

Fortunately, the trip we thought would last two hours – took only 45 minutes. When we got to the Precious Heritage Home we were met at the gate by a kind lady who allowed us in. (It’s a good thing I called earlier in the week to tell them we were coming because, the lady said, they just do not allow anybody to enter.)

After some minutes the director of the foundation Mr. Joel Santos arrived. We talked about the orphanage and the children’s needs and the different projects that PH was involved in. It was inspiring to hear about what PH was doing for the children. And they were also very excited about our being there and wanting to help.

At the end of the visit, Rudy and I took some pictures with the children and promised we would return in May. DCI will be turning over the collection that it made for the Share-the-Joy project in May during a party it wants to hold for the children at the orphanage. We are definitely looking forward to this day.

You can learn more about the Precious Heritage Children’s Home Foundation at their website:  http://www.preciousheritage.org/

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Jessica Sanchez makes millions of Filipino’s proud

Posted on March 23, 2012 by TND Blogger

I’ve just finished watching Jessica Sanchez on Youtube. I’ve been on top of this season’s American Idol ever since I heard that a Filipina-Mexican made it to the top 24. Jessica’s mother is a full blooded Filipino and her father is Mexican. She was born and raised in California. And though she is American – Filipino’s around the world are proud of her roots. (Singing is a favorite Filipino past time – and we are known to have pretty good voices.)

Its still too early to tell who the winner will be – but in my book – Jessica definitely deserves the spot. She seems to have what it needs for her to be a big star – talent, confidence, presence… and the fantastic ability to take criticism constructively.

In the attached video she sang a cover of  Billy Joel’s “Everybody Has A Dream” where she got a standing ovation.

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Oil price increase, again?!?

Posted on March 15, 2012 by TND Blogger

Once again… an increase in the price of oil. And, this time more people are voicing their concern about it. Transportation organizations are calling for strikes (which had schools around the metro cancelling classes). They are asking for a price increase.

We are all familiar with the domino effect a price increase in oil will have to all prices – including our most basic of needs. Because costs will be higher – the natural reaction for most people is to not buy, right? To not eat out so often. To work more. To travel less. This is the domino effect reaction that is just expected.

Sadly the government announced in the papers today that they cannot do anything about the price increase. But, I wonder too just how much our people can take.

I do hope that the government has not looked over having safety nets in place for times like this.

How we can help ourselves during these times:

1. For short distances – walk. Not only do I find walking meditative – it is also a pretty good way to lose weight.

2. Wait for the sale. I once waited three months for the shoes I wanted to go on sale. I saved myself PhP1,200 pesos!

3. Plan your lunches at home and brown bag it. Lessen eating store bought lunches. It will save you from paying service charges, delivery charges, and all those other out-of-this-world taxes.

4. Switch off the power when you’re not using it!

5. Keep your eyes and ears open for money saving deals.

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TND’s Super Chika Promo

Posted on March 2, 2012 by TND Blogger

Are you an OFW residing in Canada or the United States? Are you missing your loved ones in the Philippines? Keep in touch with your loved ones back home through Tawag Na Direct. Once again, they’re offering a promo that’s pretty hard to resist. And, for many – EASY to avail.

This summer, to encourage clients to call home… TND will give $5.00 worth of free talk time to those who hit the 500 minute mark in calls to the Philippines in a month. That’s as much as 42 minutes of free calls home.

Pretty good for those that LOVE to chika. Pretty good for those that miss home and need to keep in touch with loved ones in the Philippines as much as possible. :)

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I read the news today, oh boy…

Posted on March 2, 2012 by TND Blogger

This was among the stories in the papers today “Gov’t urges public to prepare for quakes…” and, oh i wonder, why so many high-rises have been allowed to be built in this country the way it has (seeing our country is part of this crazy Ring of Fire in the Pacific Ocean). I pray that all our buildings are up to earthquake proof standards.

Im glad the article wasn’t on the front page. It would definitely stir some kind of panic. I mean, I shared it with one person here at work.. and she said she wanted to go home (we work in a pretty high building). There was nothing I felt I could do to reassure her..

I believe in prayers. And, here’s a quote that brings on prayer.

“I don’t pray for God to take my problems away, I pray only for God to give me the strength to go through them.” Jose Lozano

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Quotes are great food for thought…

Posted on February 23, 2012 by TND Blogger

I love a good quote… a good quote can really get me thinking and gives me strength. Quoting the Talmud:

“A quotation at the right moment is like bread in a famine.”

Here are 5 quotes that stood out to me today:

“Insanity is doing the same thing, over and over again, but expecting different results.” ― Albert Einstein

“You only live once, but if you do it right, once is enough.” ― Mae West

“It is not a lack of love, but a lack of friendship that makes unhappy marriages.” ― Friedrich Nietzsche

“Friendship is born at that moment when one person says to another: “What! You too? I thought I was the only one.” ―C.S. Lewis

“A good leader is a person who takes a little more than his share of the blame and a little less than his share of the credit.” — John C. Maxwell

How about you? any interesting quotes that you want to share? please do! :)


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My Morning Pages

Posted on February 9, 2012 by TND Blogger

Have you noticed how you can wake up from your night’s sleep and all sorts of thoughts just start pouring in? This can happen to me, often. I know that I have wasted a lot of good mornings (maybe even full days) worrying about the thoughts that can hit me in the morning.

What has helped?  Writing has helped. Or, more particularly, my writing of what I call Morning Pages.  Morning Pages (an idea I picked up from a book called The Artists Way by Julia Cameron) is a three page long-hand writing of your stream of consciousness.  (I like to do these pages over my morning coffee – before hitting the internet, before having breakfast or showering or getting dressed for work.)

When writing your Morning Pages you need not worry about correct grammar or spelling, punctuation marks, sounding: silly, petty, mundane or stupid. You don’t even have to connect your thoughts (because any thought can pop up at any time when you’re writing)!

All you will be needing is a notebook and a good pen. And all you have to do is write out three pages of whatever comes to mind.. and, you don’t stop writing until those three pages are all written (even if you have to write, “I have nothing to write” over and over again.)

Simply put, the Morning Pages is used to “drain the brain”… so these thoughts will not “muddy” the day.

I’ve found writing this way VERY helpful in promoting creativity (what Camerons book is all about).

For those of you suffering some kind of mental blockage… I suggest you give this a try. :)

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Valentine’s Day

Posted on February 3, 2012 by TND Blogger

Valentine’s Day just around the corner…

Around the world this day is celebrated with chocolates, flowers and heart shaped cards. With I love you’s. Poems. Hugs and Kisses.

Hmmm… Since I’ve no special “someone” at the moment, I plan to spend it with loved ones at home.  I dunno… maybe a special dinner with some cake and a good movie after.

The countdown is at 11 days. Are you planning on anything special for Valentine’s Day?

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2012: Welcoming in the year of the Water Dragon!

Posted on January 24, 2012 by TND Blogger

Chinese new year was spent in Binondo. My family and I spent a late lunch there (late, because ang haba ng pila at the place where we wanted to eat!). Then, of course, we took time to appreciate the many dragon dances and the goodies (tikoy and Feng Shui charms galore!) that lined the sidewalks. Dragon processions made its way around and through the streets of China town (I took note of 9 processions walking down just ONE long street). Try as one might, it was impossible to escape the celebration. One could only just go with the flow (literally).

A long time ago I could have been considered an astrology sceptic. I paid little to zero attention to astrology thinking that it was just something crazy people made up. It took just the meeting and making of a good (Chinese) friend for me to be swayed to believing the wisdom found in this ancient art and science that is Feng Shui.

When it was introduced to me years ago it just seemed everything said about MY sign (I happen to be an earth Monkey) clicked with who I was and what was going on in my life at that time. It seemed too much of a coincidence. I also couldn’t help but notice how Feng Shui, whether I believed it or not, came with a lot of wise advice (it made sense to me!). Not only did it make sense, I found Feng Shui, fun! No, I am not a Feng Shui fanatic. I don’t spend my days thinking about Feng Shui on a daily basis. But, when the topic does come up – I am very mindful and I do take note about what is being said – and I try to follow the advice that comes with it.

So 2012, is the year of the black water dragon.

Lets see what Feng Shui experts have to say about it.:

2012 – will be an unpredictable year. Unpredictability is a dragon characteristic.

2012 – represents the element: water
Water can mean – a good flow of wealth. However, experts say it could also spell disaster in the form of floods, tsunamis, and earthquakes. Experts say that 2012 will be marked by “unpredictability and intensity because of an overabundance of the water element”.

Feng Shui experts suggests one surrounds himself/herself with a Rooster charm as the Rooster is considered the Dragon’s friend. A picture hung up at home or a Rooster charm in your pocket will help keep you and the Dragon calm and happy all year through. If there’s a lot of gossip at work… you should place an image of the rooster somewhere on your desk. This will help keep energies in balance.

As a symbol of prosperity – a bowl of 8 or 9 oranges should be kept on your kitchen counter at the start of a new year. And, as a symbol of a fresh start – a new plant! Red represents the Feng Shui fire element that will balance the water in this Dragon Year. It is suggested that you treat yourself to a new red wallet to help protect your finances.

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More Fun in the Philippines…

Posted on January 9, 2012 by TND Blogger

The latest campaign of the Department of Tourism to bring in tourists is catching fire. Filipino’s are coming up with their own version of why its “More Fun in the Philippines”. Here are some that were posted on Facebook that I found really cool. :)

More interesting pictures can be found here:

http://itsmorefuninthephilippines.com/

And, the Department of Tourism has also released an interesting music video… which you could watch, here.:


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