SeptemBER Is Here!!!

What does September means to us?

Well, for us, Filipinos, it is the beginning of the -BER months and gradually leading us to CHRISTMAS!!!

In fact, in the next few days, expect from your cellphones, messages asking for a Christmas gift -- the first one to ask for it, at that! 

And very soon too will be White Christmas!

Maybe so, with the climate change really getting erratic...

Well, whatever it means to us, I am happy for September.... and October... and November ... and December ... and also for another year 2013.

We have so much to look forward to!!!

AERIAL VIEWS OF ZAMBOANGA CITY: THEN AND NOW

I haven't had the chance of "flying" over Zamboanga city again, but when I saw the really beautiful aerial pictures of my friend, Sixto Kwan (Six2K), I asked him if I can use his photos in this blog!

I'd like to compare Zamboanga City, before (circa 2005) and after (circa 2012) but of course, the angulations would be different considering the different photographers and more so, different chopper pilots!!!

I actually want to share the changes in Zamboanga City topography rather than compare picture quality! 

Here goes:

Metropolitan Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception 

2005

2012

Can't really figure out if there are obvious new buildings in the Pueblo area. I am not expecting any big change, though, since this was a congested area in the first place. 

What I can say was that the Immaculate Conception Cathedral was much newer then...and of course, the new belfry, too, with the Carillon bells!
But, the rooftops across the MCIC look better in 2012!

Fort Pilar

2005

2012

So much has changed since Paseo Del Mar and Plaza Del Pilar did not yet exist around the Fort Pilar shrine then.
In Fort Pilar, the fountain and the Carillon bells are now seen. The plants are now taller and more green.
Across the Fort Pilar Shrine and across the National Museum, there are very many adobe-roofed stalls lining the area.

Paseo Del Mar
2005

2012

We didn't focus in the Paseo Del Mar area before because it was just a vacant lot. Paseo Del Mar now has a beautiful fountain as a main attraction and of course, all the food stalls and restaurants which has enlivened the place.  All kinds of people come over =  families, couples, friends, get togethers, meet ups and of course, where we bring our visitors and guests from other places.

Nuñez Extension

2005

2012

Nunez Extension was an almost empty street in 2005 with few establishments other than Ciudad Medical Zamboanga. 

Well, Zamboanga City has grown to be a more lively, slightly urban center. Changes are now more evident.

In my eyes, Zamboanga City is a beautiful place!

P.S. 

Thanks Six2K for the new pictures (with watermark).

The older pictures were taken by me in 2005

LIST OF 2013 HOLIDAYS

The 2013 Holiday List is out which I got from the Yahoo Philippines site:

http://ph.news.yahoo.com/not-much-long-weekends--2013-holiday-list-out.html

Complete list of 2013 holidays: 

A. Regular Holidays 
New Year’s Day, Jan. 1 (Tuesday) 
Maundy Thursday, Mar. 28 
Good Friday, Mar. 29 
Araw ng Kagitingan, Apr. 9 (Tuesday) 
Labor Day, May 1 (Wednesday) 
Independence Day, June 12 (Wednesday) 
National Heroes Day, Aug. 26 (Last Monday of August) 
Bonifacio Day, Nov. 30 (Saturday) 
Christmas Day, Dec. 25 (Wednesday) 
Rizal Day, Dec. 30 (Monday)  

B. Special (Non-Working) Days 
Black Saturday, Mar. 30 
Ninoy Aquino Day, Aug. 21 (Wednesday) 
All Saints Day, Nov. 1 (Friday) 
Additional special (non-working) days -
Nov. 2 (Saturday) -
Dec. 24 (Tuesday) 
Last Day of the Year, Dec. 31 (Tuesday)

C. Special Holiday (for all schools) EDSA Revolution Anniversary, Feb. 25 (Monday)

Under the Labor department's pay rules, employees not working on regular holidays are still entitled to 100 percent of their regular daily rate,  "provided that they [they were] present, or [were] on leave with pay on the workday immediately preceding the holiday."

Employee who work on a regular holiday that also fall on their rest days, meanwhile, will be entitled to 200 percent of the daily rate for the first eight hours and an additional 30 percent for additional hours.

On special non-working days, the following shall apply: 

   a. If the day is unworked, the 'no work, no pay' principle shall apply unless there is a favorable company policy, practice or collective bargaining agreement (CBA) granting payment on a special day even if the day is unworked. 

  b. If worked, the employee shall be paid an additional 30 percent of the daily rate of 100 percent on the first eight hours of work. In excess of eight hours, he/she shall be paid an additional 30 percent of the hourly rate on said day. 

    c. If the day falls on the employee's rest day and is worked, he/she shall be paid an additional 50 percent of the daily rate of 100 percent on the first eight hours of work. In excess of eight hours, he/she shall be paid an additional 30 percent of the hourly rate."

For the working group, take note of the Labor laws related to the Holiday absences!

Enjoy yourself but also consider company policies and don't forget your own responsibilities in your workplace !!!

OUT OF ORDER

OUT OF ORDER!

What does "out of order" mean?

http://idioms.yourdictionary.com/out-of-order

1. Not functioning well, not operating properly or at all, as in The oil burner is out of order again. [Mid-1500s]

2. Unsuitable, inappropriate, as in Her comments about the management were out of order. Also see out of line, def. 1.

3.Not following parliamentary procedure, as in The chair called him out of order.

I guess out of order does not fit in this case...

Streetfood in Rangnam, Bangkok

UNITY IN DIVERSITY

Can we be friends?

People from different walks in life can still live together in harmony.

This the concept of Unity in Diversity!

From Wikipedia:

Unity in diversity is a concept of "unity without uniformity and diversity without fragmentation" that shifts focus from unity based on a mere tolerance of physical, cultural, linguistic, social, religious, political, ideological and/or psychological differences towards a more complex unity based on an understanding that difference enriches human interactions. 

No matter how different we are ~~~ in age, form, language, religion, race, culture, profession, student or no work at all ~~~ we can still find things to talk about, to share, to enhance knowledge with interesting interactions.

Our differences will not be the hindrance especially if we have the same purpose in life like:

~~~ working together for peace and prosperity

~~~ or having the same goal as performance excellence

~~~ or just wanting to share cultures and know more about each other.

In the blogging world, this motto "Unity in Diversity" holds true:

~~~ the young and old minds meet

~~~ the rich and poor has no boundaries

~~~ the happy and the sad exchange experiences through words and photos.

And the sharing just flows and we can find so many topics (many of which never ever even crossed our minds until now) and we realize that knowledge exchange is endless!!!

Busch Gardens
Tampa, Florida

ON LAZINESS AND ILLNESS

Am I just tired?... or Am I lazy?

I asked one of my friends, if the reason he is sleepy is because he is tired... or is it because he is lazy!

It worries me to see him seem so slow ... and so ill-looking.

He answered he is not feeling well... and he eventually said he is also depressed.

We forced him to have a check-up and found out he is really sick and needed an operation!

So the question goes again:

Am I just tired?... or Am I lazy?

And the answer is None of the above!

We have to communicate with the people around us so they will not misinterpret illness and depression with laziness.

If we do not talk, people around us will continue to feel bad about our attitude, thinking you don't want to work when in fact, you are really suffering! You will lose respect in the process.

Why do we deny the presence of illness? 

Is it because we are really afraid to have a real dreaded disease... cancer for example?

True, fear is a natural emotion and reaction.

But, if we resort to denial, all the more the illness will worsen and we might not recover at all!

When we are at this stage, it helps to find someone to talk to.

This helps you gain a better perspective of things around you.

It is difficult to be misunderstood to be lazy, when actually you are sick and depressed!

Call a friend... express your sentiments... for all you know, the folks around you are actually sympathetic and sincerely helpful!!

And, when you are well again, you can gain back your own true self ...  with more vigor and enthusiasm ... and the will to live again with a purpose! 


Busch Gardens
Tampa, Florida