MY RANDOM THOUGHTS

A blog of my thoughts on the many things that i am experiencing at home and in my job...nice articles gathered from the web...my recipes...travels... and also the hopes and dreams of whatever I may think of and feel like writing about...confessing my inner thoughts, opinions, or whatever to the world wide web...

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Location: Talamban, Cebu, DOHA, Qatar

Married and was living with my wife and an only child in Cebu City before becoming an Overseas Worker in Qatar...I am again at a crossroad in my life... another stage is set in my professional career I have just move on to another job as an HR Manager and now my present job is being a Top Executive in a general contracting firm in the middle east...i'm an acoustic amateur guitar player on the side who loves reading almost anything that I could get my hands on...

Monday, February 27, 2006

Core Values Learned

01. Don't talk unless spoken too.
02. Always be polite.
03. When you find somethings that is not yours return it.
04. Don't waste food...if possible your plate must be clean and no left overs.
05. Only take what you can eat.
06. Don't talk when your mouth is full.
07. Always place your self in other people's shoes.
08. Always be honest.
09. Don't cheat.
10. Always try your best to be good to others.
11. Never hurt other people's feelings.
12. Share to others whatever you have.
13. Always try to the right thing.
14. Always try to make the morally right decision.
15. You are big enough to know what is right from wrong...always chosse to be right.
16. A mistake can never be made right by another mistake.
17. Don't sing at the dinner table while eating, at least not before saying grace.
18. Believe in people...that they are besically good.
19. Believe that people are trustworthy.
20. If you degrade your neighbor you are degrading yourself.
21. Busy hands keep the devil away.
22. Patience, Kindness, chivalry, and humility are the marks of a gentleman.
23. Be truthful.
24. Be a man for others.
25. Walk in the shoes of the poor.
26. Be honorable in the things you do.
27. Absolutely Do not stare at people.
28. Be Kind to others.
29. Don't lie.
30. Be thankful for whatever you have.
31. Do not put other people down.
32. Less talk less mistakes.
33. If you can't say anything better just keep your mouth shut.
34. When walking with a girl on the street...stay on the danger side.
35. When asking a girl to sit...pull out a chair and offer it.
36. When Opening doors (car doors)...be the gentledog and open it for the girl...
37. Always...Ladies First...
38. Give up your seat for the ladies...
39. Always discipline or train yourself.
40. Be accountable to yourselves and to others.
41. Always stand your ground in the face of impossible odds.
42. Remember to keep on keeping on when it would be much easier just to quit.
43. Always be genuine, real, in everything we do.
44. Always be faithful to others.
45. Always be doing what's right whether or not it's popular and whether or not we win.
46. Have Faithand reach beyond yourselves and your own abilities.

Wednesday, February 22, 2006

Mga Sipsip Sycophants

One of the most intriguing phenomenas inside work organizations or organizations for that matter are the rise of sycophants (mga SipSip) these people are notably effective in being quite pleasant when they are in front of you and are quite very smiling, but once you turn your backs on these people they are the worst of manipulative sociopaths. They pretend in such away that if you are not careful they might catch you off-guard and you may say something or give comments that they would immediately report to your boss or management just to gain points (pogi) and increase their 25 cents worth of dignity.

The Sycophant's methods are in the realm of flattery by sucking up on the boss or their bossess. They have that ability to know what a given person wants to hear, and what the person doesn't want to hear. If they are given enough time they may stroke your boss ego and play to his fears and slowly isolate him from anything that might possibly contradict his increasingly incorrect view of the organization because information to the boss is already control by the sycophants. Once a Sycophant has his hooks on the boss it's only a matter of time before the victims of their bullying tactics will become effective and the target person reduced to uselessness in the boss perception. It is their method of increasing their influence over others wherein.they seek to be promoted at work not on the merits of their capabilities and skills but rather by destroying the reputation of others, by back biting, to be promoted at the expense of saying negative things about others

A Sycophant is very clever and has to walk a fine line between lies and truth. Too much of the former, and he risk that he be discovered as a bootlicking toady while too much of the latter he also risk his influence.

Sycophants are very bragadocoius people...it is quite easy to identify one when you listen to them talk it is always I and I and I ....I'vebeen there before I've done that before...they brag about all that they have done...as if they really were able to do something...

Monday, February 20, 2006

The Importance of having a Happy Disposition

One of the many challenges in our daily life is how to keep a happy disposition or state of mind in order for us to keep our feet on the ground...to keep our sanity through all our difficulties...in the daily grind of things...we would always be having anxiety attacks if we could not establish a very good coping mechanism to address the stress...that comes along with living in a complicated world...As much as possible I would suggest to have a prayerful life in communion with God...and to keep a happy disposition in spite of all your difficulties...it may be a bit harder to smile...but keep in mind that the only way for us to survive our crisis is to keep that happy disposition...knowing fully well that all of these things that trouble us will come to pass...one way or the other...or by tomorrow we will feel different about how we feel today ...so don't let them get you down...keep your head up high Knowing that someday you will think about these things and probably laugh about it and see it in a different light...:P

Friday, February 17, 2006

How To earn the respect of others

HOW TO EARN THE RESPECT OF OTHERS by Rick Warren

The common mistake most people make is thinking that reputation is a matter of "image". So they worry themselves with questions like "How do I look?" or "Did I say the right thing?" To build a long-term good reputation, you must focus on your character, not your image. Respect must be earned. The book of Proverbs in the Bible identifies six character qualities found in people who are respected by others:

1. RESPECT IS EARNED THROUGH INTEGRITY. "Respected people do not tell lies." (17:7) "The man of integrity walks securely, but he who takes crooked paths will be found out." (10:9)

2. RESPECT IS EARNED THROUGH HUMILITY. "Arrogance will bring your downfall, but if you are humble, you will be respected." (29:23) "Anyone who listens to correction is respected." (13:18)

3. RESPECT IS EARNED THROUGH DEPENDABILITY. "Like clouds and wind without rain is a man who boasts of gifts he does not give." (25:15) "He who keeps an oath even when it hurts will never be shaken." (Psalm 15:4-5)

4. RESPECT IS EARNED THROUGH HAVING PRIORITIES. "If your goals are good, you will be respected." (11:27)"You will earn the trust and respect of others if you work for good." (14:22)

5. RESPECT IS EARNED THROUGH GENEROSITY. "He who gives generously to the needy and shows kindness will be powerful and respected." (Psalm 112:9)

6. RESPECT IS EARNED THROUGH PUTTING GOD FIRST IN YOUR LIFE. "If you want favor with both God and man, and a reputation for good judgement and common sense, then trust the Lord completely. In everything you do, put God first, and he will direct you and crown your efforts with success." (3:4-6)

Thursday, February 16, 2006

Detachment from the Material World

Reality of daily life is that we are bombarded with so many advertisement enticing us to want things we do not even need on the first place...society and its social structures also dictates and highlights the importance of status...in life whether it be in the socio-ecinomic bracket in life where you are in and where you may want to be if you just have to want it...We are living in a material world...a very material world...If we could only detach ourselves from the very material things that we possess and give it away...can we be really happy and be truly Free from the claws that binds us to embraces material well being in ths world...how can we walk upon this earth and be truly free from material wants...to live in all humility...without the extravagance of material wealth...to embrace a middle class life of not being rich and not being poor...a working class hero...to be able to live in frugality...is detachment from the excesses of the material world

Sunday, February 12, 2006

Gitara Ko

Me picture ako ng mga gitara ko para makita mo...yung
may gawa ng mga gitara ko is the same friend of mine
for more than 10 years na...yung jet black na acoustic
steel guitar ko was made aroung 1991-1992 yung design
nya was based and inspired on a bruce springsteen
acoustic guitar na kita ko if i'm not mistaken binata
pa ako nyan at may twin ang gitara ko (pair yan nang
inorder ko) nandoon kay kuya willy ang isa kaya lang
parang napabayaan na yung gitara...but its still with
kuya...yung steel guitar ko naman...pina retouch ko na
cya sa kaibigan ko para yung kinis nya
manumbalik...they were paint cracks na kasi due to the
passing of time its more than 10 years old na but
matibay pa rin...and maganda pa rin and tunog
nya...may nag offer pa nga na bilhin siya hinde lang
ako pumayag...matagal na rin sa akin yung gitarang yan

yung classic guitar ko na nylon ay yung puti...i
bought it last year lang kasi when i bought the guitar
na bigay ko sa eyo...i kinda miss yung nylon feel na
guitar so i thought of buying another one for
cristelle to learn and study guitar kasi yung steel ko
is a little harder for the hands of somebody starting
to learn how to play...at masakit sa kamay yung steel
strings...at most mga 10 minutes lang masakit na ang
kamay mo...lalo na sa girls...the classic naman is a
good guitar for the left (chord hand) hand. It can be
practiced to learn how to spread the fingers when
making difficult spread out notes and chords...yung
mga ipit na chords and challenge dito...sasakit yung
kamay mo pag hinde ka sanay...

This classic guitar already comes with a built-in
guitar pickup katulad sa bigay ko sa iyo kaya lang me
3-band equalizer at volume control na eto while yung
nabigay ko sa eyo only has the pick-up but we can
upgrade the guitar na i gave you with a similar
equalizer once na mapa repair natin yung gitara
mo...anyway... yung guitar amplifier ko is a small one
for practice lang mga 15-watts lang ang power
niya...and through the years naman I was able to
acquire mga guitar effects nga accessories...what I do
have are 2 boss effects...isang turbo distortion
(orange), heavy metal distortion (black), and an aria
Flanger...I normally practice with the flanger kasi
the guitar sounds very smooth and this effect is
really used for plucking...and acoustic playing...Its
effect is more of a delay...it delays and prolongs the
signal just like the one used by bread in
"IF"...actually marami pang mga guitar effects na
gusto kung ma bili kaya lang na tigil yung hilig ko sa
gitara when I got married so pa tikimtikim na lang at
paminsan-minsan na lang ako maka hawak ng gitara but
yung interest ko naman ngayon ay bumabalik dahil sa
mga revival ng mga acoustic guitar music sa atin like
MYMP, paolo santos, jimmy bondoc, nyoy volante, and
Nina...my daughter is also picking up the habit so i
hope i could also encourage her...Si Renee will find
it easier to learn because she knows violin...it would
be better for her to keep up the formal training
(based on musical notes
reading and writing) rather than by ear which is what
i've learned...which is more informal...

I also use a Dimarzio acoustic guitar pick-up for my
steel guitar...na acquire ko itong pick-up mga 1992
din but its still good...I also plan to have this
pick-up implanted in a fixed position sa black guitar
ko and also add a 3-band equalizer and volume control
when I have the time to bring the guitar to my
friend's guitar shop in opon...

yung bass guitar ko pala ay nasa manila...doon kay
kuya ben...kasi he has a son who is interested to
learn how to play bass...kaya he borrowed my bass
guitar mga two years ago more or less...

Friday, February 10, 2006

My old dimarzio acoustic pick-up


This pick-up is quite good...I've been using this pick-up since 1991...I use it on my cut-away acoustic steel guitar...It still sounds good though most guitars now a days have built in pick-ups.

My set of Guitars and Equipments



This is a picture of my two guitars and various equipment such as my guitar amp and guitar accessories or effects that i use as an amateur guitar player. My guitars are all from cebu specifically made by my friend Eddie Pangatungan of Opon Guitars.

My Classic Guitar



This is a classic guitar that I also have made to order in Opon, Mactan Island, CeBu...I bought it for my daughter because she wanted to learn and pick up the habit of guitar playing...it comes with built in 3 band equalizer with volume control.

My Acoustic Steel Guitar


My guitar is made in Opon, Mactan Island, Cebu. The materials used for the fret board are kamagong a hardwood material. This guitar was made in 1991 and still sounds good...I have had its paint retouched last year to keep its luster.

Thursday, February 09, 2006

In the midst of life's adversities

Each and every passing day comes...a new day...a new challenge...problems and concerns that needs to be resolve by the living...by the survivors...in the midst of life adversities we are caught in the web of of needs...priorities...hopes...desires...in the context of our real world...its a constant struggle for each and everyone of us...our daily grind at work...at life...We have to be always prepared for all of this difficulties that we meet along the way...modern day living has brought upon us stressful life sitiations that were invented by man...created by men...to exist in our human world...that's really ironic when a few centuries ago...there were less and less of things we have to be worried or anxious about...but not in this real world...we have to learn how to cope with all of these things and in return keep our sanity in check...Each day I say a prayer to the Lord...to guide me and to give me strength...because I know God is Good...and All will be well...In God'd Time and Will...He will see me through all of these difficult days...and after the end of the day...I beleive he gives me the strength to face the chalenges of the new day tomorrow...

Wednesday, February 08, 2006

A SOULFUL RELATIONSHIP

A SOULFUL RELATIONSHIP
by Rev. Ronald McFadden

If you're not married yet, share this with a friend. If you are married, share it with your spouse or other married couples and reflect on it.

An African proverb states, "Before you get married, keep both eyes open, and after you marry, close one eye."


Before you get involved and make a commitment to someone, don't let lust, desperation, immaturity, ignorance, pressure from others or a low self-esteem, make you blind to warning signs. Keep your eyes open, and don't fool yourself that you can change someone or that what you see as faults aren't really important.

Once you decide to commit to someone, over time his or her flaws, vulnerabilities, pet peeves, and differences will become more obvious. If you love your mate and want the relationship to grow and evolve, you've got to learn to close one eye and not let every little thing bother you. You and your mate have many different expectations, emotional needs, values, dreams, weaknesses, and strengths.
You are two unique individual children of God who have decided to share a life
together.

Neither of you are perfect, but are you perfect for each other?
Do you bring out the best in each other?

Do you compliment and compromise with each other, or do you compete, compare, and control? What do you bring to the relationship? Do you bring past relationships, past hurt, past mistrust, past pain?
You can't take someone to the altar to alter him or her. You can't make someone love you or make someone stay.


If you develop self-esteem, spiritual discernment, and "a life", you won't find yourself making someone else responsible for your happiness or responsible for your pain.

Manipulation, control, jealousy, neediness, and selfishness are not the ingredients of a thriving, healthy, loving and lasting relationship!
Seeking status, sex, wealth, and security are the wrong reasons to be in a relationship. What keeps a relationship strong?

Communication, intimacy, trust, a sense of humor, sharing household tasks, some getaway time without business or children and daily exchanges (a meal, shared activity, a hug, a call, a touch, a note).

Leave a nice message on the voicemail or send a nice email.

Sharing common goals and interests. Growth is important. Grow together, not away from each other, giving each other space to grow without feeling insecure. Allow your mate to have outside interest. You can't always be together. Give each other a sense of belonging and assurances of commitment. Don't try to control one another. Learn each other's family situation. Respect his or her parents regardless.

Don't put pressure on each other for material goods.
Remember for richer or for poorer. If these qualities are missing, the relationship will erode as resentment, withdrawal, abuse, neglect, dishonesty, and pain replace the passion.


The difference between
'United' and 'Untied' is where you put the i..

Monday, February 06, 2006

A record of wrongs...

God does not keep a record of wrongs...I know that it is quite impossible not to keep a record of wrongs when one has been wronged by others...our human frailty would lead us to count every wrong done to us...and we are always wishing for the time that we can have our payback time to those who have committed such bad things to us...this is such a difficult time to be a christian ...to be all forgiving to those who trespass against us...to be all merciful to those who wish us ill...to wish our enemies good.tidings..to restrain ourselves from becoming what our enemies who like us to be...vengeful...because if we do so become like them...we are no better off...than a keeper of wrongs done to us by others...

Sunday, February 05, 2006

Game Show Tragedy

It was surprising to have heard reports that a stampede has resullted in the deaths of almost 80 people and injured 600 as they were waiting to go inside the stadium where the game show will be held in Pasig, Metro Manila...It was supposed to be a grand celebration of the 1st year anniversary of "WoWoWee", which became a very popular show even beating the rival show 'Eat Bulaga" in the ratings game. The show is a truly heart warmingextravaganza although at times the host willy is quite revolting as he makes fun of other people's looks...just to get a laugh but because its only objectives were to make people happy... by helping people...by giving them prizes of money...nest to mendicancy...in the hope of lifting up their hopes on poverty...these people are from very poor urban communities which would normally wake up early as 2 a.m. amd sleep on the streets just to line up to be able to participate in the game show...due to the fact that almost 40 percent of the country's population is in the poverty line....its a very tragic event...for the country...my thoughts wonder around so many things why such things have to happened makes you wonder why the poor is being exploited ...their dreams of getting rich trampled upon by other people's dream of getting the prize...I feel bad about the whole thing..the host willy is crying on tv that he just wants to help these people...but This much I can say..we just can't let everybody win..in this game shows and that's the truth...i would like to think that as such it is not true that...the appetite of the tv networks to undo each other in the ratings is driven by greed...commercialism...money...just to lead in the market share...the propensity of filipinos...to wish that something will happen to improve their lot, to bet that luck will change their lives...to believe that their fortunes will change..to build false hopes..which may be better than no hope at all....by winning something...without facing the reality that hard work, or education is the key to improve their lot....to dangle such easy get rich schemes...the filipino culture of always trying to get ahead of others...the crab mentality...the greed inspired by materialism...more money ...the extreme materialism in society...who's to blame? that is the normal reaction of people...but we are all to blame...the tv networks who make millions at the expense of these people...the gov't who have always been more reactive than proactive...the politician who are quite good in finger pointing....after the tragedy has happened...the poor people who still believe that lady luck will change their lives...the culture of mendicancy...our society...our leaders...our greed...for letting such a tragedy befall us.....May be God wants us to realize that stepping on other people just to get ahead...justifys our actions....because we are poor...we have gone bad...our collective minds...have driven us to be humbled by our own humanity...our spiritual lives have become empty...God Help us all...

Wednesday, February 01, 2006

The Waiting Game

Its always been difficult to be place in a position wherein we have to play the waiting game...all of us surely would have experience the exasperating wait at the doctor's office...in a queue...to buy food...to pay our bills...to get money at the ATM machine...to fall in line for a bus, plane or train ride...we will always be in impatient...in a waiting game...somethings just happen on the designated time they are supposed to happen....there's almost a queue for everything in this world...we all have to take our sweet time..others will also have to take their sweet time...against our sweet time....people have devised so many thing to bide their time while waiting for something...we even have devised a way to make queueing as professional at it may seem when people tell you to take a number...and you will be called...we can't help it but we feel helpless when we are in a waiting game...those who couldn't wait for their turn loses the game...loses his patience...we all hate to wait because we are in the age wherein we would almost receive immediate gratification when we want it and when we need it...and when things don't go our way...we get real bad...we blow our tops off...we say so many disgusting things...we are in a fighting mode....I believe that there was time went waiting only meant seasons....time will come for such seasons...controlled by nature....where all we need to do is wait for the right seasons to come...but the waiting game has totally change the world...made by man...which rules men...and the waiting continues...

The odd one out

It has always been difficult to be different and unique at that...we always would want ourselves not to attract too much attention by being the odd one...but in life ...no matter how much one feels the need to conform to society...to others...to peers...to school...to work...to life...to religion...the list would never stop...and it is always strange that even in the midst of the crowd...one will always be alone...and become the odd one out...or the one who took the road less travelled...

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