Merdeka Malaysia

     Happy independence day, Malaysia, my second country. I worked in Malaysia the first time I went  abroad for the proverbial greener pasture. Today is the national day, as they like to call it, not dissimilar to the independence day enjoyed in the Philippines on June 12, something very American, I believe.

Happy National Day Malaysia

     Malaysia was colonized by England and became independent in 1957, and they've made progress to development, build a society that is more equitable. The Philippines has been independent since 1898, but look where we are? Because after the Spanish colonization, the Philippines was ceded to the Americans who colonized us briefly, after brainwashing some local elites and made sure their genetic imprint has been planted in the educational system so that Filipinos come out of school with the American psyché in the guise of democracy, declared our fake independence while many think we are truly free. The Americans cooperated with some Filipino leaders who they think would look at the masses, without considering they had the Spanish mentality, keeping the poor poorer because it's easier for them to manipulate in many aspects. That's the root of the disgusting predicament of this country.

Basketball World Cup

     It's a clear case of dreaming to be what we cannot be, even if we rely on localized foreigners with Filipino parentage. We qualified for the FIBA, basketball federation, World Cup 2023, the Philippines being one of the three host countries, and the hype prior to the  games was over the top.

The Philippines lost all the 3 round robin bouts

     Three nights I patiently glued myself to the live coverage on TV, but all on the three occasions the Philippines came out at the losing end. What a sad outcome. The worst part is that coach Chot Reyes had been confidently pronouncing prior to the games to judge him after the world cup, since he was bashed earlier for many losses the team incurred pre-World Cup tournaments.

Exciting US Trip

     Six years ago, I was on a frantic trip to Houston, Texas to attend a global marketing meeting of my American company which was on the last minute changed to Atlanta, Georgia due to hurricane Harvey in the Houston area. I was stranded a bit in Manchester, UK then when it was finally decided that our flight to Houston was improbable, I had to discuss with my global marketing boss and it was decided that I changed my itinerary to Atlanta.

At Manchester airport waiting for further instructions

The airline accommodated us in a Manchester hotel

     After a good night sleep in Manchester, we were accommodated by a flight to Atlanta where we had our marketing meeting in a hotel inside Georgia Institute of Technology. Then on my return to Singapore, which was originally from Houston, I managed to change to San Francisco, California so that whole trip gave me a rare opportunity to go around the globe, something I won't forget 

Adventure Seeker

     I am an adventure seeker that when I worked in Malaysia, I did activities that would pump up my adrenaline. I climbed mountains, I went spelunking, and I went sky trekking, if that's the appropriate term. My one and only experience with sky trekking was in Malaysia.

Sky trekking in Malaysia

     The stroke has rendered me physically unfit thus I can't do this kind of activities now. No doubt I miss them. I got hooked up with such kind of challenges when I worked in Malaysia. I remember growing up I didn't do such things. I was focused on my studies, when there were sports competition in school, I normally would be the organizer of the year-level team. I was a mere spectator. Then in Malaysia, I got introduced to mountain climbing which started my interest in outdoor adventure. I climbed many mountains in Malaysia but I have never ever climbed any Philippine mountain ironically.

Putrajaya, Malaysia

     Putrajaya is part of the federal territory of Malaysia, which became the seat of all government's national offices in 1995, the development of which I've seen until I left Malaysia for good, while Kuala Lumpur remained as the capital city. Whenever I had visitors then, I would tour them around Putrajaya, proudly showing the efficiency of the government and how it is less corrupt than the government of the Philippines as demonstrated by the development of such government center.

The uniquely designed Finance Ministry office with my last car in Malaysia

     I love this photo of the Ministry of Finance, with my blue car conspicuously parked at the curb, in one of my many trips to the administrative capital of Malaysia showing to my visitors, mostly from the Philippines, how Malaysian government embraced modernity while infusing in their building designs with Islamic touch.

     The idea of concentrating all government offices in one location is admirable, very much possible with government will and the availability of land and funds. If one has things to settle with the government, only one place to go and all the offices are neighbors. 

Kalanggaman Island

     A friend in the USA, an ex-colleague, heard about Kalanggaman Island and asked me if I've been there. Of course, I've been there ten years ago with my high school classmates. I went there when it was not commercialized as today, we had to erect our own tents to camp overnight. There was still no electricity. It was so basic then, an outstanding break from the urban business. The long sand bar which appears during low tide is such an enchanting sight in this island.

Kalanggaman Island

One with a long sand bar

Idyllic island in the west side of my province

Persona Non-Grata

     Pura Luka Vega, a drag queen whose real name is Amadeus Fernando Pagente, has been declared persona Non-Grata in several cities and provinces in Luzon,Visayas and Mindanao, for singing the "Our Father" in one of her performances which is considered blasphemous by many in this devoutly Catholic country. 

Pura Luka Vega in her blasphemous getup

     Many of the proponents of the non-grata label have considered her performance as purely irreverent with no regard to the sentiments of a predominantly Catholic population. While he claims his performance meant no disrespect to the sacredness of the prayer, saying it was art, the Catholics definitely cannot accept whatever explanation he says now. What have I done wrong, he asked.

     I don't have a strong position for or against her performance. I strongly believe he should have taken some prudence into her performance knowing that such backlash would have been expected. I am not sure though if this is real or his way to become popular as she is now treading the headlines. In the Philippines, the media hype would die down eventually, just like many other issues in the past, strengthening my belief it's her ploy to become popular.

My Malaysian Buddies

     I went to work abroad in 1993 after working for almost three years in the Philippines as paint chemist of Dutch Boy Philippines then. By a twist of luck I managed to find a job in Malaysia which I badly needed because of my poor family otherwise we would have wallowed in poverty. I went to Malaysia without any knowledge about the country at that time. I managed to get a job with a Hong Kong-Swedish joint venture manufacturing wood coatings.

     It was only when I started working I learned about Malaysia, that it is a Muslim country, that there are three main races - Malaysia, Chinese, Indians while the other races are minor. I encountered Muslims at work, and in the community I lived. They are so different than the Muslims in the Philippine south who are known for violence and terrorism, not sure though if my image of Muslims in the Philippines is based on what come out in the media. 

My first colleagues in Malaysia 

     In the first company I worked with, I became very close to two Malaysian Chinese who were my colleagues, they were from the sales department. They were always willing to help me especially during that time, I had no car yet. They were my go-to friends for all the things I needed. I was very lucky to meet such kind-hearted people.

Stable BP

    Being a stroke survivor, I monitor my blood pressure daily, morning and evening. Not until this week, my profile has been up and down, occasionally high at certain days. But one thing I noticed these past few days, it has been stable for the last ten days. Thanks God! I hope to maintain it this way.

Sample of  a 3 -day profile 

Follow Your Ikigai

     I saw this and made me search what ikigai is. Roughly I have now an idea what it is and it's time for me to make it a part of my life.

     I may be a stroke survivor but looking at the rules of ikigai, it seems I should embrace it then it will give me peace of mind. I maybe a stroke survivor but I am not retiring. I maybe retired from working but I am not retiring from life. It may be hard for me but I take things slow now, I take time to smell the flowers as the proverbial phrase say. I don't eat a lot although the temptation of Filipino overeating is always there. I have limited circle of friends now. There are only two groups of friends who are consistently there for me in good and bad times, my high school close classmates and my colleagues in Jotun Malaysia. I definitely can say I am surrounded by good reliable friends who are always lending me a hand when needed. Although I don't really celebrate my birthday openly, I am keeping fit for the next one every year. 

    I am trying to smile all the time but I have a problem here in my rural birthplace because majority of the people I don't recognize so there are cases I don't simply smile at them. It might be construed for something else. I am back to nature life in the rural community, near a stream of a small river in this place where I grew up. I am always grateful for what I have achieved despite the hardships and obstacles, I have reached great heights despite of my poor beginnings. I definitely am living in the moment communing with nature, distant from any worries that I used to have while working. I must follow my ikigai, the path that will lead me to authentic happiness detaching a bit from the material world.

  

 

Singapore National Day

     I worked in Singapore until a stroke sent me home and I do regret. I regret for such short stint of work, eight years. Had I known earlier, I would have sought for a job suitable to me there. I have worked, prior to Singapore, in Malaysia for 18 years or so.

Happy National Day Singapore 

     No doubt my stay in Singapore may have been short but it was enough for me to kind of know their society. I am back to my birthplace and I can't help but compare the kind of government. The Philippine government have many things to learn  from such a tiny country yet managed so well since its inception founded by then Lee Kuan Yew, the architect of Singapore's development I know many Filipinos would label him as a dictator, which I believe is due to the American point of view prevalent in the so-called democratic Philippines. What they fail to realize is that the freedom, both political and economic, in the Philippines is only for the rich while the majority poor wallow in immense poverty. The sad thing is that the poor has kind of accepted it, and believes that fate is like that. It's hard to let them realize they are merely pawns of the powerful elite which controls the government.

Freaking Hotel Decor

     This decor in the hotel hallway to the guest room freaks me out always, even if I stayed in that hotel for years. I didn't get the logic of the hotel to exhibit such display in every level of the hotel. I know they were trying to be unique, trendy and modern based on their lobby displays.

Isn't it scary?

     This is at Pullman Hotel Central Park, Jakarta, Indonesia which I had stayed in my business trips when I was still working. I chose to stay there as it is connected to a mall making it convenient for my business trip. I can imagine my fear as I opened my door in the morning, that time I was at the last room in that level, and the first thing I saw at the end is this image. It was frightening that took time to get rid of.

Terrorist?

     This case involving Congressman Teves, who is now hiding somewhere outside the Philippines, is really blown out of proportion. Too much politics is involved.

Congress declared Teves a terrorist

     When they started, I thought Teves men really killed his political nemesis Degamo in Negros province. Now that Congress has wasted all its efforts in declaring him a terrorist, this made me question, is this a real murder case or simply a political struggle?

     Congress, representatives of the people, of the masses, is wasting their time on politicking. They are forgetting they have stronger purpose to serve the people, to uplift the poor standard of living of the masses which for years seemingly became their pawns in their political ambitions. They are so detached from the reality of the poor countryside.

Super Moon August 1, 2023

     Last night was full moon, a super moon. There will be two full moons in August this year, August 31 will be full moon too. Tonight it is still a huge moon up there.

It's a beautiful night

     In the farm, in the absence of the lights of the city, the sight of the moon is such a beauty. It erases the exhaustion after a hard day's work. With so much distractions like TV, I am sure the local folks don't see this beautiful nature. Nobody cares of the moon anymore.

Gifts from Malaysia

     Last month, I received a big parcel of gifts from my Malaysian friends in Jotun, most of them is coffee. They know I have become a coffee coinnosseur of sort after years of tasting them in Malaysia. They sent me coffee, tea and two glasses of prawn chili. The truth is I learned to drink coffee in Malaysia, as I grew up avoiding hot drinks as I sweat a lot. When I was growing up, I drank ice-cold drinks, preferably water, just like many other Filipinos. I was drinking soft drinks, Pepsi or Coke, that time, Pepsi was popular in the rural areas while Coke was for the city folks, which is not anymore today.

My Coffee Supply

     When I moved to Malaysia to work in 1993, I was so surprised very few, almost none of them, drink soft drinks. That's when I was introduced to many other local drinks mostly hot, which later I found out healthier than soft drinks. My local friends drank coffee so I learned to sip coffee from the local coffee shop, during those times, there was no Starbucks yet. And another surprise to me, was that men, mostly Muslims, go out at night to drink coffee, not beer or any other alcoholic beverage. Their being Muslim prevents them from consuming alcohol, so unlike in the Philippines where men gather at night, for sure it's going to be over alcoholic drinks.

Memories of Reunion 2010

     My high school class makes it a point to organize a reunion every five years, we had one in 2010, our third. Before the event, some batchmates invited me to play badminton, and I was eager to show off how I developed badminton skills in Malaysia, one of the leading countries in the sport. I was not as skilled as many Malaysians but definitely better than any of my local friends, I can proudly say.

Playing badminton with batchmates in 2010

     Badminton, it seemed, found a way to be kind of popular among Filipinos although it is still a sport for the upper class unlike in other neighboring countries that it is a massive sport. Badminton courts sprouted for rental in many cities. This is a sport that the country should learn and focus in order to excell world wide and not waste energy on basketball, learned from the US, where chances of excelling are next to impossible, physically.

Dinner after our badminton