October 5,1999,Manila,Philippines.A decade ago today when I first set foot in America.I can still vividly recall the mob in front of the United States Embassy in Manila.Group of people who were manning the place to get a slot for a day's allotted hopefuls for very scarce number of Visas granted to applicants.
Me for one,was able to make into the first hundred people permitted to be interviewed
that day.But I was so unlucky not to get one and was turned down even before I was able to say something.
That experience made me more hopeful and resolved to try again.
This time I made a different approach.I wrote a letter addressed to the Ambassador and in it,explained clearly my intentions and telling him at the same time that his Consul had previously declined my application.
A week later,I was on my daily routine audit in Cebu when I heard the good news.
It was a phone call from our head office secretary asking me if I could return a call to the office of then ambassador Thomas Hubbard.
So I did call his office and bluntly replied that "I am still interested to travel."
He said come to the Embassy then.
In Two days time I was again inside the Embassy.
I was so amazed that the same consul who declined my application was there in an empty cubicle waiting for me.He too was amazed to see me for the
second time around.
He then started the conversation by asking me "how did I know about the Ambassador?".
I replied to him about several years ago when I was at Haribon Foundation. Being an auditor for the Ist Debt-for-nature swap program by USAID in
collaboration with Haribon.
Finally he said sorry and handed me a Ten year multiple entry Visa.
And the rest is history.
The story that I am sharing to you right now is my way of showing appreciation to a very respectable man who had crossed my path and
trusted me all along and showed his humility by reaching out and
answered my letter in my favor.
To the good Ambassador ,where ever you are,Thank you very much.
Thursday, October 29, 2009
Tuesday, September 1, 2009
Brush Fires
Banning California.September 1,2009.As I am writing today, brush fires are still
ravaging portions of California mountains.
From the North near the capital city of Sacramento and to the South within a 15 minutes drive from downtown Los Angeles and to the East at Oak Glen near our very own backyard we could see the smoke covering the sky. September is suppose to be the end of summer season in the West and we are anticipating a high degree of humidity.Almost every day we are prompted with blistering heat of the sun.
The weather is so troubling that most older citizens here are commenting that they did not experience it in the past several years.
This phenomenon is a natural occurrence all we need to do is to keep alerted and be
mindful of anything,like matches, lighted cigarettes that might trigger a fire on dried grasses on an unexpected time of the day.Specially on those who are camping and exploring the parks and open spaces or rest areas. Till then bye
ravaging portions of California mountains.
From the North near the capital city of Sacramento and to the South within a 15 minutes drive from downtown Los Angeles and to the East at Oak Glen near our very own backyard we could see the smoke covering the sky. September is suppose to be the end of summer season in the West and we are anticipating a high degree of humidity.Almost every day we are prompted with blistering heat of the sun.
The weather is so troubling that most older citizens here are commenting that they did not experience it in the past several years.
This phenomenon is a natural occurrence all we need to do is to keep alerted and be
mindful of anything,like matches, lighted cigarettes that might trigger a fire on dried grasses on an unexpected time of the day.Specially on those who are camping and exploring the parks and open spaces or rest areas. Till then bye
Wednesday, August 12, 2009
Meteor Shower
Banning California,August 12,2009.As we anticipated the peak of this year's natural
fireworks tonight,as predicted by astronomers,me for one was not able to sleep early
last night due to my urge to witness at least a single shooting star reveal before my eyes and kept open our windows while in bed.But unfortunately, I was not able to see
one before I found myself drowsy and falling asleep.
Fireworks every 4Th of July is a must see event in all American communities.
Tonight is a much more awesome and wonderful event as real and natural fireworks in
the sky would reveal before our eyes and maybe each one will have an opportunity to
utter a wish as fast as he could to make it come true.
fireworks tonight,as predicted by astronomers,me for one was not able to sleep early
last night due to my urge to witness at least a single shooting star reveal before my eyes and kept open our windows while in bed.But unfortunately, I was not able to see
one before I found myself drowsy and falling asleep.
Fireworks every 4Th of July is a must see event in all American communities.
Tonight is a much more awesome and wonderful event as real and natural fireworks in
the sky would reveal before our eyes and maybe each one will have an opportunity to
utter a wish as fast as he could to make it come true.
Monday, April 6, 2009
Manila
April 7,2009.Manila ,Philippines.Barely Three days ago, we were in Las Vegas ,Nevada
for our annual retreat from the frosty weather in Banning, California.
Las Vegas being the center of entertainment and the games of chances,always draw a
lot of people all over the world.At the Monte Carlo Casino for instance a magic show
by Lance Burton,attracted both the kids and their respective parents-guardians.
Outside the main entrance of Bellagio resort facing the strip,a thousand people gathered to see the spectacular show of water combined with colors and music for the entertainment of every one watching.
A day after, our group decided to leave and rushed back to California and onward to
Tom Bradley International airport to catch my flight for Manila via Seoul,in South
Korea.
I arrived in Seoul after 13 long hours and another three hours more to reach Manila
where am now. A month of anticipated stay here,might help me see the places outside
the urban center where the usual traffic is so tiring.Not to mention the crowded
malls and streets.But this is what Manila is known to be.People.A melting pot in
Southeast Asia.A warm place for people who wanted change either in food or lifestyles.Manila being a trendsetter for food taste and clothing and even cosmetics.
So come aboard and help me enjoy.Till then
for our annual retreat from the frosty weather in Banning, California.
Las Vegas being the center of entertainment and the games of chances,always draw a
lot of people all over the world.At the Monte Carlo Casino for instance a magic show
by Lance Burton,attracted both the kids and their respective parents-guardians.
Outside the main entrance of Bellagio resort facing the strip,a thousand people gathered to see the spectacular show of water combined with colors and music for the entertainment of every one watching.
A day after, our group decided to leave and rushed back to California and onward to
Tom Bradley International airport to catch my flight for Manila via Seoul,in South
Korea.
I arrived in Seoul after 13 long hours and another three hours more to reach Manila
where am now. A month of anticipated stay here,might help me see the places outside
the urban center where the usual traffic is so tiring.Not to mention the crowded
malls and streets.But this is what Manila is known to be.People.A melting pot in
Southeast Asia.A warm place for people who wanted change either in food or lifestyles.Manila being a trendsetter for food taste and clothing and even cosmetics.
So come aboard and help me enjoy.Till then
Monday, March 16, 2009
Sun-reflector
March 10,2009.I read on a news item that says and I quote,"Heavy Snow driven by wind
gusting to 40mph brought parts of the upper Midwest to a halt Tuesday,closing courts,schools,businesses and a major highway.In Fargo ND."Unquote.
This item reminds me of an incident completely opposite to the news item in the
Philippines,in Southeast Asia,where a cop was rushed to a nearby hospital in downtown
Manila for treatment of Heat-stroke due to exposure to a 34 degrees Celsius heat and
humidity.Extremely different occurrences at the opposing sides of our Globe.
But in approximately the same time of the day,week,month and year.Snow on the one side and heat on the other.
When I was Ten years old in the early Seventies,being a child,was afraid to go near
a forest thinking that if I get lost and no one will ever see and notice me,how could
I get out?,then I was thinking maybe its good to have an old milk can without a string which I could use to call someone for help.
After Twenty years,Cellular and wireless phones became handy assisting us whenever
we need to call anyone.In the same token,maybe another Twenty years from now,we will
be able to see a Sun-reflector to divert a Sun ray from the opposite side of the
Earth and use it to melt the Snow on the other side of the planet.How we can do it?
Kindly help me think about it.Till then.
gusting to 40mph brought parts of the upper Midwest to a halt Tuesday,closing courts,schools,businesses and a major highway.In Fargo ND."Unquote.
This item reminds me of an incident completely opposite to the news item in the
Philippines,in Southeast Asia,where a cop was rushed to a nearby hospital in downtown
Manila for treatment of Heat-stroke due to exposure to a 34 degrees Celsius heat and
humidity.Extremely different occurrences at the opposing sides of our Globe.
But in approximately the same time of the day,week,month and year.Snow on the one side and heat on the other.
When I was Ten years old in the early Seventies,being a child,was afraid to go near
a forest thinking that if I get lost and no one will ever see and notice me,how could
I get out?,then I was thinking maybe its good to have an old milk can without a string which I could use to call someone for help.
After Twenty years,Cellular and wireless phones became handy assisting us whenever
we need to call anyone.In the same token,maybe another Twenty years from now,we will
be able to see a Sun-reflector to divert a Sun ray from the opposite side of the
Earth and use it to melt the Snow on the other side of the planet.How we can do it?
Kindly help me think about it.Till then.
Friday, March 6, 2009
Trend of time
As we are coping to survive the difficulties brought about by the ongoing economic
downturns,people from all walks of life struggle firmly by finding some alternative
activities to divert their maladies into possible opportunities.
Some are still hoping for a year or two to see a positive result.But most are
just standing bye and believing that somehow they might be luckier if they will try in lotteries and slot machines in casino houses.
In Southern California alone,casino becomes a sanctuary of people who wanted to
earn easy money.But most of the time these same people got into the bottom of debts
for losing their money on gambling activities.
More and more flyer's are being disposed and mailed at homes to lure them come and play for a free slot dollars,but eventually they end up losing substantial amount
to sustain their families' needs.
In a way, yes, to go out for a while and enjoy a bit to play the slot machines.
Maybe it helps generate employment for restaurants and other casino personnel.But we must be extra careful not to become victims of irresponsible gambling.
downturns,people from all walks of life struggle firmly by finding some alternative
activities to divert their maladies into possible opportunities.
Some are still hoping for a year or two to see a positive result.But most are
just standing bye and believing that somehow they might be luckier if they will try in lotteries and slot machines in casino houses.
In Southern California alone,casino becomes a sanctuary of people who wanted to
earn easy money.But most of the time these same people got into the bottom of debts
for losing their money on gambling activities.
More and more flyer's are being disposed and mailed at homes to lure them come and play for a free slot dollars,but eventually they end up losing substantial amount
to sustain their families' needs.
In a way, yes, to go out for a while and enjoy a bit to play the slot machines.
Maybe it helps generate employment for restaurants and other casino personnel.But we must be extra careful not to become victims of irresponsible gambling.
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