Fr. Leo puts so much of his heart and soul in every meal that he prepares.

A cooking priest?! This is what came to my mind when our good friend, Jinky, texted us about an event that’s happening the next day. Forward to January 6, 2012.

Yes, Fr. Leo Patalinghug is a cooking priest indeed! It was my and JR’s first time to see a priest in a chef’s coat and it took us a few seconds for the reality to sink in. :) When we shook hands with him and began a conversation, we almost forgot that he is a priest because he is so down-to-earth, cool, and humorous. (Father Leo, please consider that as a compliment.) ;)

The event is part of Fr. Leo’s way of sharing his joys in cooking and spreading the word about his group’s advocacy and movement, “Grace Before Meals.” (Visit http://gracebeforemeals.com for more info.) The movement encourages people to spend meals together as a family and community, and in the process, build stronger ties, and commune with God, who is the unifying force and the creator of endless bounty. This is not your typical ‘preachy’ affair but rather an enjoyable journey towards rediscovering the beauty of cooking, sharing culinary delights,  and experiencing simple joys just from talking with our loved ones over shared meals, however simple they may be.

During my and Jinky’s interview (I’d rather call it a conversation) with him, it almost brought tears to my eyes when we began discussing our own personal experiences that have something to do with food. I shared with them a personal encounter, which has happened to me recently. It was last Christmas eve when Mom and hubby were preparing buko (coconut) salad. Enjoying the bond and joys of preparing meals, they suddenly began disagreeing over how much sweetener should be put in the salad! Each was so adamant about his/her own preference (Mom wanted more condensed milk in it while JR was insisting to go easy on the sweet for health considerations, saying, “Mommy, we don’t want you to have diabetes!”), that it got to a point when they decided to prepare two versions: one is very sweet (Mom’s version), and the other, with just the right sweetness. Until now, every time I’d think about that recent episode, it still makes me want to laugh. There is something really funny when two persons closest to your heart are seriously arguing about something seemingly nonsensical such as the the right formula for the sweetness! :) I shared that with Fr. Leo and Jinky yesterday, and what the former said touched me to the very core, “You know, when your Mom is no longer here with us, you will always look back to that moment and it will always make you want to laugh. And you will always remember her every time you eat a buko salad.” Oh, I was ready to burst into tears just thinking about that possible moment in the future…

My hubby, JR Suarin, with Fr. Leo. I know that God will always be on the side of JR as he journeys through life and future career as a chef! How can I be so sure? Well, look at his new apron! It is autographed by God through the hands of Fr. Leo, one of his messengers about good food and small miracles. :)

But it is so true! Buko salad now has another meaning in my life. :) Isn’t that another reason to celebrate our shared meals (and cooking time) with our mothers/partners, husbands and loved ones? Such moments truly make our life richer and deeper, infusing them with even more vibrant colors, or shall I say, yummier taste? :)

I have zero talent in the kitchen but I have been gifted with a husband who is so passionate with cooking that I consider this as another miracle in my life! I cannot cook and yet, I know I will always eat good and hearty meals all the rest of my life! Call it a twist of fate or whatever, but JR seems to be God’s perfect solution for my lack of talent in the culinary department. (Wink! Wink!) In a way, meeting Fr. Leo is also a serendipitous event in our life as a couple. More especially for JR who is beginning a new phase in his life (he used to be working in the financial sector), hungry for new culinary adventures, and constantly in search of inspirations and ‘gurus’. Through divine intervention, I think JR just found another inspiration in Fr. Leo.

As I type this, I also recall one of our most recent conversations before retiring for the night. I shared to JR how, as a child, I enjoyed playing with my palayuk-palayukan (children’s clay pots and pans). I have a complete set and I’d always “cook” meals with them, complete with actual sinaing (steamed rice)! Laughing a bit, JR retorted, “So! That is why you no longer want to cook when you got older! You finished up all your talents and patience in cooking when you were just a kid!” And we burst out laughing. :) There, it makes us think — many of the best moments in our lives have something to do with food and meals, right? Fr. Leo reminded us that when we celebrate the special events and milestones in our lives, we always dine out or prepare and share sumptuous meals.

Fr. Leo's Funky Fusion Fajitas. This is what he served us last night. It is truly the best Fajitas I have ever tasted. Go grab the book, "Grace Before Meals," and discover the recipe.

However, how often do we even bother thinking about how the food was prepared and even how the ingredients were produced? Very rarely, right? That evening with Fr. Leo reminded us again to savor every bite, feel gratitude in every fiber of our soul, and thank the creators of the bounty on the table: God who gave us huge gardens and deep oceans, the farmers who patiently planted the seeds and harvested the vegetables, the soil, the rain, and the sun who ensured that our food will be full of nutrients, and the chefs (and mothers/fathers/wives/husbands) who lovingly prepared the meals so we can continuously grow, live, and enjoy life’s miracles.

Wait, did you know that Fr. Leo was able to beat Bobby Flay in the Food Networks’ “Throwdown with Bobby Flay”? Yes, he did! I think you can watch the episode in YouTube and in the Grace Before Meals website (url above). Culinary arts enthusiasts know that Bobby Flay is a great chef and it is indeed a great feat to beat someone like him. The throwdown was on the Mexican/South American dish, Fajitas, the same dish that Fr. Leo served us last night. Oh, I still salivate every time I remember the dish. I am just so happy that JR promised to make his own version! Yehey!

Grace Before Meals, The Book. It invites us to a journey one closer to God, a celebration of love and family ties. Every purchase of this book in the Philippines will help Sendong victims in Mindanao.

In a way, JR and Fr. Leo share another common experience. While JR used to be in the financial sector and is now preparing to shift to a new career in the culinary arts, Fr. Leo did not really intend to become a priest. He was a martial arts (arnis) enthusiast-athlete, and a graduate of Political Science-Journalism. Like JR, he also eventually moved on to a new calling, a new vocation. Like them, we also journey through life facing new “callings”, forcing us to be bold, to jump, to embrace an uncharted path, even if our hearts beat wildly in our chest. How many times have we followed our instincts only when making difficult decisions and choices? It is during those moments that we can be sure, God is with us. For it is Him who carries us through the difficult moments, assuring us that every thing will be ok.

That evening, we are renewed, inspired, and rejuvenated. Not by a mind-boggling event that deserves a page in the Guinness Book of World Record, but by a simple act of cooking. Fr. Leo cooked to his heart delights, shared his life and personal stories, brought us one step closer to God, and reminded us once again of the biggest reasons for celebrations: our existence and our families. Ahhhh, gimme a plate of Fajitas!

(More photos from the event are below. This is not a paid blog. But Glory to God, I have been paid more than enough through the beauty of this world, a loving and thoughtful husband, and the glorious taste of food!)

We're now proud owner of Fr. Leo's Book, Grace Before Meals. :)

Fr. Leo with (L-R) Jinky, JR, and me. Happy gourmet moments!

Fr. Leo shares his life and his personal stories.

There is joy in the little things. Discover them every day.

Give every thing you do your very best for God creates miracles through you.

Commit to each moment. Savor life.

Prepare each meal with love and joys in your heart. A miracle is happening there.

Thank the great creators who prepared the meal on your plate.

Thank the farmers who planted the seeds and harvested the vegetables. The soil, the rain, and the sun, who ensured that every bite will be full of nutrition.

See the miracle on your plate? It is God's bounty beckoning you, inviting you to a feast.

Fr. Leo was assisted with De La Salle University culinary arts students, Marion Manuel Lagman & Jan Michael de Guzman. (Thanks, guys! Goodluck in your future careers!)

We were served with a very delicious tiramisu dessert, done by Marion Manuel (and assisted by Jan Michael). It is one of the best tiramisu versions that I have ever tasted, with just the perfect tinge of sweetness. Ohlala, salivating for a bite now... :)

God works in mysterious ways. Who would have thought that we will ever meet Fr. Leo, the famous cooking priest? I know now that JR will journey through life and his future career as a a chef with God's graces: with this apron as a reminder, what dish can ever go wrong? Thanks, Fr. Leo, for the gift of your heart and talents. Mabuhay ka! God bless you more each day!

Big thanks to BergHOFF for hosting the event. Big thanks as well for Ms. Anon Ozaeta, and the staff of BergHOFF, for the warm welcome and good work. Kudos sa inyong lahat!

Contacts:

BergHOFF | G/F Frabella I, 109 Rada St., Legaspi Village, Makati City

Tel. +63 2 347 1165 (Contact Ms Anon Ozaeta)

Casa Filipino cares about the details. The napkin has a sketch of the restaurant's facade on it.

Hubby and  were just so glad that the rains stopped for a little bit today.  It had been raining for days now so at the first sign of a less-rainy day, we called up Chef Laudico’s Casa Filipino (probably the newest buffet restaurant in Quezon City) and asked if they can still accept a late booking for lunch. We had always been planning to try the restaurant out (we’ve began noticing it in the last two months when we’re on the way  to Timog area) but we decided today is a perfect day. For one, we were not able to celebrate our monthsary almost a week ago because I had been traveling lately. (What a perfect excuse! wink! wink!)

It was nice to hear that they’d still accommodate us even if it was already about 12:15 pm when we called up. We were told to come before 2:00 pm so we rushed to the place and were again pleased that a table for two was waiting for us inside (we were supposed to be seated in the open-air terrace section because of our late booking and the high number of walk-in guests–it was ok with us but  thought it might get too humid on a lunch hour). Anyway, before I proceed with this post, let me remind you that I am not a food critic by profession although  I do try my best to educate myself when it comes to food. ;) Of course, being a food-lover, traveler, and then married to an aspiring chef gives me some confidence when discussing food and restaurants.  I definitely know when a food is good or bad.  I have professional experience, too, in customer service, so  I am a sucker for good service. For this simple restaurant review, I also relied on the Association of Food Journalists’ (AFJ) Guidelines  for Food Critics found at http://www.afjonline.com/afj.aspx?pgID=887.  I will also use the ratings, which they often recommend or use.

It looks so homey that you can imagine finding a family living upstairs.

Upon entering the place, I was immediately pleased with the atmosphere, ambiance, interior design, lighting, and over-all look. It looked like an ancestral Pinoy home converted to a modern-yet-traditional-restaurant. I would just recommend that they go easy on the tightly-arranged tables because the place looks so crowded (and almost suffocating) on a busy day. They can probably address this by doing two batches of lunch (or dinner) buffet, or giving more room (and breathing space!) to the diners on the second floor (if indeed they are using the second floor). This way, the diners will still feel some kind of privacy, without worrying that the people beside their table can overhear everything they are discussing. The noise can become so bothersome also particularly if you are one of those people who prefer some semblance of quiet and peace when dining out. Of course, the noise cannot be avoided in buffet restaurants but, still, a careful planning can address the noise and the tightly-packed crowds on weekends/holidays.

Appetizers galore: Karnevorous Pizza, Pork Sisig Baskets, and Lumpia Cones.

Now, let’s get down to business and discuss the food! :) For appetizers, the restaurant certainly did not scrimp. They offered so many options that we had to stop ourselves from trying out everything or we won’t make it to the main course. We had Lumpia Cones, Karnevorous Pizza, and Pork Sisig Baskets for starters. We enjoyed the Karnevorous Pizza and it can easily become one of our favorite dishes there.  We won’t recommend the Lumpia Cones though.  We have certainly tasted better versions of the dish. JR is also good (excellent?!) with Lumpia dishes that I should probably ask Chef Laudico to hire him as his Lumpia master. (wink!)

Truly a Pinoy Salad (with fish bagoong as dressing!). Also in photo are the Tuna Kilawin Spoon and Shrimp Maki.

Next stop: Salad Bar.  I decided to become adventurous and try the bagoong fish sauce as dressing for the Pinoy Salad.  I have never eaten a salad with bagoong as a dressing but this seems to be perfect for the lettuce, green mango, carrots, radish, and steamed okra and eggplant.  I also took Tuna Kilawin Spoons and a piece of Shrimp Maki. Perfect, I said to myself and then took some photos of my plate before devouring my new finds. My verdict? The Pinoy Salad is a nice approach so  I should give credit to Chef Laudico for reminding us again that a nutritious meal of mostly uncooked and steamed vegetables need no longer be that boring. For future diners, just go easy on the fish bagoong so the salty taste won’t be too overpowering. Tuna Kilawin Spoon is ok although  I somehow got confused with the name. It looked and tasted like Tuna Sashimi so I somehow missed the “Kilawin” part (or is it just me?).  I know that Kilawin means the food had been cooked in vinegar and of course, in bits of pepper, salt, onion, ginger, and spices. This Tuna Kilawin certainly did not taste like it was cooked in vinegar so maybe they have a new twist or approach to it. :)

Adobo Rice, Steamed Fish Fillet, and Grilled Vegetables with Pesto and Cheese.

Just so I can eat more variants of the main dishes,  I decided to go easy on the servings. I took two or three spoons of the Adobo Rice, a piece of Steamed Fish Fillet, and a scoop of Grilled Vegetables with Pesto and Cheese. The latter two are run-away winners! The Steamed Fish Fillet is probably the best dish in the whole main dishes’ table. It is cooked to the right texture and the flavors beautifully burst in your mouth. Fish at its best! The Grilled Vegetables with Pesto and Cheese is also cooked perfectly and goes well with the fish dish. As for the Adobo Rice, the restaurant should certainly review their recipe–the rice dish was bland and did not give justice to its name.

Longganara, Tuyonesca, and Fried Chicken in Mango Curry sauce

Still savoring the memories of the fish and vegetables dishes in my mouth,  I then went to the main dishes’ counter again and decided to try two pasta dishes, Longganara and Tuyonesca, and Fried Chicken in Mango Curry Sauce. The Fried Chicken dish is quite good (although a little salty) but the two pasta dishes were certainly big disappointments. Their names are actually interesting but sadly, they don’t deliver. Again, their kitchen team may want to review the recipes and do some more experimentation. After all, the perfect dishes don’t come easy and are mostly learned over time.

We were curious about their Angus Beef so we also tried a small portion. It was nothing spectacular but the sauce that goes with it is good enough. JR was also not impressed with the Balamban Liempo (after all, he hails from Balamban, Cebu, and knows how the real Balamban Liempo tastes like) so this one can be missed, too. Just reserve your tummy’s spaces for the other offerings. :)

Pound Cup Cake, Tablea Chocolate, and Seasonal Fruits for dessert.

Of course, a good meal should always have a happy ending, right? Well, we were in for a little more disappointment because there was no more Suman Panacotta in the dessert counter. Darn, we just saw something like it on Junior Master Chef last night and were salivating for it. :) Nevertheless, there’s a lesson to be learned–book early if you want to catch, I assume, the restaurant’s signature dessert dish. Anyway, my attention was grabbed by the Tablea Chocolate Fountain so  decided to make my own experiment at plating. I always told JR that he should hire me as his plating consultant when he is already a Chef. Look here -  I made a “snowy mountain” of watermelon, pineapple, and dripping chocolate. The sweet chocolate certainly made the very sour pineapple edible enough. :) The chocolate was supposed to go with a specific kind of bread/cookie but I could no longer find any cake that can go with it so  tried it with the fruits. The Pound Cup Cake is ok but again, it was nothing spectacular. The kitchen team may also want to improve their desserts.

JR did not complain on the bill so he must be satisfied enough. :)

It was definitely an enjoyable lunch and service is great (one of the waiters was thoughtful enough to offer to take our pictures). The price is reasonable, too. For P488/person on a weekend buffet, this place gives good value for money. I admire the owners because this seems like an uncharted path: establishing a restaurant in a predominantly residential area. Although it is quite near Timog and Morato areas, still, it takes courage to set up a restaurant business in an area where diners do not really frequent. But there goes the beauty and charm of Casa Filipino: it is proud of its beginnings and does not wish to conform. It dances to its own beat.

Over-all,  I give the restaurant a TWO STAR-rating, which, in the AFJ Guidelines, refer to: (Good) Solid places that beckon with generally appealing cooking. It can easily climb up the ladder if only more attention can be given to the quality and taste of the food. And  I am pretty sure Chef Laudico and his team will rise up to the challenge. After all, it is a fairly new establishment and diners would normally give such places second and even third chances. Count on me and JR to dine there again.

Kudos and many best wishes! (For more photos, please scroll down.)

*****

Ratings as provided/recommended by the AFJ.

• FOUR STARS: (Extraordinary) Transcendent. A one-of-a-kind, world-class experience.
• THREE STARS: (Excellent) Superior. Memorable, high-quality menus frequently accompanied by exciting environs and/or savvy service.
• TWO STARS: (Good) Solid places that beckon with generally appealing cooking.
• ONE STAR: (Fair) Just OK. A place not worth rushing back to. But, it might have something worth recommending: A view, a single dish, friendly service, lively scene.
• NO STAR: (Poor) Below-average restaurants.

*****

CONTACTS:

CASA FILIPINO | Scout Torillo corner Scout Fernandez, Barangay Sacred Heart, Quezon City | Tel. No. 921-1850

__________________

(This is not a paid blog.)

The restaurant gave enough attention to the interior design. Everything complements each other.

Yes, there is a signage inside the restaurant but it actually did not look out of place. It also has functional purpose; water cascades down the glass panel, giving the place a more relaxing atmosphere.

 

(Please visit the German Club and view the works of Ms. Sandra Torrijos, a feminist-artist and a Pinay expat who is based in Germany for half of the year. I promised to blog about her show but I was not able to bring a camera when I went there so I had decided to wait. Meanwhile, I have upcoming travels so I think it is better to simply repost my February 20, 2010 blog in the old site so I can share with you some musings about arts and friendships, two things where Sandra is very good at. Please scroll below for the address of the German Club. The show ends on December 2 so please drop by soon!)

When I see works of arts, I feel divinity.  Creative works emerge from the depth and mystery of the human mind (and soul), which are anchored in the divine. We are all connected to this source of light, the very core of our existence, and it is only through this light that we can create lasting masterpieces of arts. To create is to reach for the divine inside.

"Awit" by Sandra Torrijos (2011). One of her paintings shown in the exhibit titled, "EDSA: ano ngayon?", a commemoration of the 25th Anniversary of EDSA Revolution. (Photo credits: Jinky Joan Jorgio)

Arts, for others, is an expression of the soul. For some, it provides a link among diverse communities and different generations. For others, it is a continuing journey.

I cannot remember how my love affair with the arts began. As far as I can recall, I was not even in school yet when I started drawing stick figures and flowers, mountains and houses, the sun and the moon. I guess it was my Tito Buboy (Harven), Dad’s youngest brother who inspired me. He was a very good artist. He can sketch a person’s face with very close resemblance. He can paint beautiful landscapes in just a couple of hours. And so I tried to emulate this great artist. In my young mind, I had imagined that I can someday be like him. When he passed on, I grieved because I lost a very funny and kind uncle. I grieved, too, because I lost my first arts mentor.

"Pagkalinga" by Sandra Torrijos (2011), another painting now on exhibit at the "EDSA: ano ngayon"? (Photo credits: Jinky Joan Jorgio)

In the next ten years of my life, I sketched and painted. I knew I was somehow good at it because I even won drawing contests back when I was in grade school. However, the ‘busy-ness’ of life eventually caught up with me and I realized, one day, that all my pastel sticks, acrylic oils, and watercolors have either expired or dried up  without even being used. And then I entered college and even became busier. I did not try to draw again nor found the time for it. One day, as I passed by a gallery inside a mall, I began regretting that I did not continue the “passion.” I thought I had somehow lost “it”, lost a part of my childhood.

In 2003, I mustered enough courage to paint again. I decided to enroll in a painting workshop under the renowned feminist artist, Sandra Torrijos, with my close friend, Mar-vic (Cagurangan-Palmertree), and this decision started another journey into the arts. Sandra said it is not possible to lose “it”. It is always there, inside of us. We just have to look for it again, summon it to come alive again. And she was right. Before long, I was again holding pencils, colors, and acrylic oil, happy to be reunited with that part of myself that somehow “slept” for a while. Strangely, I lost many of my works. I had been moving around a lot the past 10 years of my life. Perhaps, they got lost while I moved apartments and traveled…perhaps they simply disappeared?

"Lagas" by Sandra Torrijos (2011), was also part of the exhibit, "EDSA: ano ngayon?" (Photo credits: Jinky Joan Jorgio)

Just like many things that we somehow forget or lose track of, some of my works eventually faded away. Is it time to create again?
Last week, Mar-vic (who, incidentally, has taken up painting more seriously the past years) and I had a much-longed-for reunion with our mentor and inspiration, Sandra. Mar-vic is based in Guam these days while Sandra is now a resident of Germany so it was actually serendipitous that both are here in the Philippines at the same time. It was a beautiful evening of kumustahan, conversations, musings, and reflections.  “How old have we become!”, we amusingly remarked as we sipped our ice-cold beers, discussing our lives, choices, politics, men, travels, and food (not necessarily in that order). Indeed, it had been seven years since we last saw her.

However, the seven years apart somehow did not matter. We talked as if it was just yesterday when we had the art classes and conversations with her. I felt so much at home. Perhaps, such is another testimony to the beauty of the arts. It draws people together in mysterious ways, as if sharing a pact, so that distance and time apart do not matter anymore. It is as if a silent bond was forged, beyond what can be fully understood.

And so, that evening, I promised myself to continue retracing my path.

****
Sandra Torrijos: Pinay in Duesseldorf

A One-Woman Show

German Club Manila
Opening Night: Nov. 10, 6:30pm
Penthouse of Eurovilla II Bldg.
118 V.A. Rufino St. Legaspi Village, Mkti.
Exhibit runs until Dec. 2, 2011
____

Here are some of my old sketches. :)

Mountains and a fence. One of my old sketches (2002), drawn from a picture in in a practice book on drawing.

A stone bridge. One of my old sketches (2002), based on a picture from a practice book on drawing.

Rivers. One of my old sketches (2002), drawn from a picture in a practice book on drawing.

(This is not a paid blog.)

I rarely re-post articles but this is a good read from former Senator Rene Saguisag (lifted from a friend’s post in Facebook). I do not really agree with many of the Senator’s decisions/declarations in the past ten years or so but this write-up is fair and circumspect.

 

THE LAW IN SAN BEDA

The law we learned and teach in San Beda is not the worst. We work and pray. We placed Nos. 1 and 2 last year in the 2009 bar exams, if that would count for anything. Every year we are No. 1 or 2, class-wise, again, if that would count.

It is sad that Ms. Horn should take a cheap shot at San Beda, a small school but there those of us who are proud of and love it. We are expected not to take the low road of invective and insult.

The SolGen is from UP. Does he side with GMA?

The unelected Supreme Court is static and just waits for someone to invoke its authority. The Prez is dynamic, elected by the people and he receives information from all over. If Business Insight reports that the Dominican Republic Ambassador (not to the Philippines) saw GMA last month about an asylum request, it should be checked and verified.

That was why the unelected SC should have conducted a hearing and listened to both sides, not only to GMA’s. Balance and fairness are desiderata.

The Prez takes into account not only the law but also policy considerations and justifications and should verify leads. Jake Macasaet and Pocholo Romualdez of Business Insight reported that the paper has credible information on GMA seeking asylum in the Dominican Republic, through its Ambassador (not to Manila)which could very well have been discussed in a full-blown hearing in the Supreme Court; it should notify parties in the regular mode, not through TV. Chaos may ensue.

Ad hominem is always sad. San Beda’s Florenz Regalado holds the bar record of 96.7% followed by Bobby de la Fuente with 95.95%. Flor served in the SC and had the reputation of being totally unapproachable. They taught us to stick to the high road. Lo cortes no quita lo valiente.

The presidency is in the commanding heights but the SC, without hearings, could only be a bivouac.

If government could not deal with the TRO, it was because the SC provided only GMA with same. This is not law as taught in San Beda.

I speak up in support of Leila, my fellow Bedan topnotcher. We are trained to take positions, firmly, as a matter of conviction, ready to face the consequences believing that in all things God be glorified. If there was no People Power last night in support of GMA, it may be because she has cried wolf all too often.

GMA had the basic human and constitutional right to due process but so has the State.

Dear Congressman Angara,

I wrote to you last June 9, appealing for assistance so that an ambulance can bring your indigent constituent to Ospital ng Makati (OsMak). The Office of VP (and then Makati Mayor) Binay has already kindly offered to accept and treat the patient, as a charity case. All that is needed is an ambulance ride from Diarabasin, Aurora to Makati City (roughly a 6.5-hour drive).

Because I was in Manila, I thought that the best way is to seek your help. I then sent you an email via the HOR’s “Contact Us” system. I also asked another congressman to relay my message to you and he said, he already did.

Yesterday, as I was in mass, I remembered that you have not even replied to my email. Not a single word from your camp. I prayed for the patient and started figuring out how much will I spend if I just pay for an ambulance service myself. I also prayed for funds for it as I began to worry…is she still strong enough for the ride to Manila? I worried, too, because it was months since I have written to you.

Today, I received a message from my Mom. She said that the patient already passed on. You can imagine my mixed emotions of frustration, anger, sadness, and admittedly, some guilt. I felt guilty because I did not make some more follow-ups to your office. However, I ask now, isn’t it enough that someone from Aurora, a kababayan, wrote to you? Isn’t it enough that one of your colleagues also sent the message to you? Aren’t all these enough, Representative Angara? More importantly, how can this happen when you yourself is an advocate of health care for all? (I know that you have recently filed a House Bill pertaining to mandatory universal health care coverage.)

It is not your fault that she died already. However, I am pretty sure she will still be alive now had someone in your office (you?) been kind and attentive enough to lend one of the province’s ambulances to her. June to November was a long time for someone to recover. Even if she will eventually die because of her deteriorating condition, it will still make a difference that someone in your office (you?) has sent out for an ambulance for her. Your thought and concern could have really mattered.

I do not know you and I have no right to judge you. However, I want to ask you these questions: Did you receive my email? If so, what did you do about it? Did you get the messages that I relayed through another Congressman? What did you do after that? What could have possibly prevented you from helping out your constituent, a person who must have been voting for you and the others in your family so that you can all enjoy your seats in government? Where were you when someone badly needed your help? And how many more will die like this? How many more will hope that they can use your province’s ambulances when they needed them most? I already have a direct access to you and yet, you never bothered answering my email. What more for someone who has no access to the right persons?

I wish I have the answers for you.

As I type this, a family in Diarabasin grieves over a lost loved one. It may not matter to you. She is just among your many voters. But for this family, she is a nurturing mother, a caring sister,  and a loyal friend. And she once needed your help so she can continue to love and nurture. Alas, her knocks on your door went unanswered, and she had to leave with nary a smile on her face.

I grieve, too, not just for her, but for the rest of this country who continue to hope that somewhere, somehow, there are still strong and compassionate leaders who have a good head over their shoulders and a kind heart that knows no bound and limits.

I end this letter with the hope that this will not happen again to any person in Aurora.

Sincerely,

Mary Anne Velas-Suarin

P.s. Below are the exact text of what I sent you and the auto-reply which was generated by the HOR contact system.

———- Forwarded message ———-
From: <info-tech@congress.gov.ph>
Date: Thu, Jun 9, 2011 at 12:15 PM
Subject: Your email to the Office of Rep. Angara, Juan Edgardo M.
To: velas.mei@gmail.comDear MARY ANNE VELAS-SUARIN:This email has been automatically generated. We have forwarded your message to the Office of Rep. Angara, Juan Edgardo M. and they will get in touch with you as soon as possible if you have requested them to.Yours Sincerely,The Webteam
House of RepresentativesFor committee affairs, CMSD: +63 2 931 5001 local 7122
For technical info and other concerns, ICTS: +63 2 931 5001local 7616– Original Message –HREP Website Visitor: Urgent help for an indigent in Diarabasin, Aurora (request for ambulance)
Name: Mary Anne Velas-Suarin
Email: velas.mei@gmail.com
Comment:
Dear Congressman Angara,

Greetings of peace and hope! Sir, I am writing this letter with deepest hopes for your kind help. I have also sent urgent SMS through Rep. xxx (name deleted to protect the Congressman’s privacy). Sir, there is someone who needs urgent hospitalization but who is so hard up that she seems to have given up all hope and simply waiting for death in a dark and impoverished hut in Brgy. Diarabasin, Aurora, Province.

Sir, I wrote to the Office of Vice President Jojo Binay and they just called me up to say that they are willing to help in ensuring admission to the Ospital ng Makati (OsMak). However, they cannot provide an ambulance as Aurora is very far.

In this regard, Sir, can your kind office assist in sending an ambulance to Brgy. Diarabasin so that the patient can be brought to OsMak?

The patient that I am referring to is Mrs. xxxx (she is known in the neighborhood as xxx). (Name deleted to protect her family’s privacy.) According to relatives, she met an accident some 3-4 years ago when a container of gasoline accidentally hit her and she was near a burning stove. I am not privy to the complete details but all I know is that she suffered a serious burn. She was brought to a hospital but due to her extreme poverty, she was not able to afford the long-term medical treatment that she needed. Her condition deteriorated over the years. Right now, she can no longer stand up so she is just lying in bed, 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Even the sheer act of urinating is a difficult task for her and her husband who assists her (he is also old and perhaps, deteriorating, too). She is so thin (and I think partly blind) now. Looking at her brought so much pain. She is in a very bad condition but I also think that she can still recover and become productive/partly-productive again if she can get a decent and loving care in a good hospital such as the OsMak.

Sir, may I humbly appeal for your assistance so that she can get the treatment that she needs? An ambulance ride from Diarabasin to OsMak is urgently needed at this point.

Sir, I do appeal for your touch of kindness. In the right time, and with God’s graces, your kind help, Sir, will be returned. No specific promises but I do believe in “paying forward” so please do be assured that somehow, in the future, I will help someone, too, and maybe more of our kababayans who may need my help in the future.  I end this letter with hopes and prayers. I wish you and your family all the best. God bless you and your family, Rep. Angara!

Kind regards,
Mei

–
Mary Anne Velas-Suarin
url
http://www.suite101.com/writer_articles.cfm/mei_velas

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UPDATE: Through a friend, Rep. Angara was able to read this blog. I have posted his reply below (see comments field). Here is my reply to his private letter to me (which is basically the same with what he sent here):

Dear Rep. Angara,

Thanks for your email. I appreciate your time and the fact that you have helped Ms. (name withheld to protect her family’s privacy) previously. It is very much appreciated.

However, with all due respect, Sir, I think that the serious flaw was in how you/your staff had never checked with the House ICT about the email address assigned to you/your office. What if hundreds of people have written to you through that email address, too? The HoR’s website was the only available “public” access to Congressmen and people expected those “contact us” page to work. That address existed and even the ICT cannot be blamed. They did their job to assign those addresses to all the Congressmen. The next question that comes to mind is on whether many Congressmen also do not use those email addresses assigned to them? Is the HoR wasting such a valuable resource?

This is a very sad episode Sir. Alarming even. Another life could have been saved only if that email had reached you.

Nevertheless, I understand that we can no longer undo what had already transpired and we can only do our best to ensure that this does not happen again. Let me also check with your Colleague as he assured me that he relayed my message to you.

Thank you once again for your time and efforts in reaching me.

Sincerely,
Mei

(By the way, I have checked with my Congressman-friend and he reiterated that he passed on my message to Rep. Angara. So it makes me wonder who is saying the truth…)

Let me tell you a story. Her beauty has struck me as feisty and enigmatic. Back in my first or second year in college, when I didn’t know if I’d adjust well to the liberal (almost radical?) style of UP education, I found a new friend seated in one corner of our UPSCA* tambayan, happily puffing away at her cigarette (don’t worry, she has, fortunately, given up on that habit a long time ago). ;)

The Black Rose Shop opens in Tagaytay! (Photo credits: mostbeautifulflower.com)

In what I would probably describe as a fateful event, our deep friendship began. There were no formal introductions. It was as if we have been friends for the longest time already. I have somehow forgotten that we do not come from the same batch (I will not divulge our ages…wink!) because she did not make me feel so juvenile with my remarks. In my young mind back then, she was the epitome of an accomplished woman–finishing her UP education while already building (and managing!) a family with two young daughters. How did she survive the exams, term papers, habla espanol, late-night outs, UPSCA activities, etc. while boldly and happily carrying her role as a wife and mother is beyond me.

And now this woman, called as a “Black Rose” in her elementary (or high school?) school days by one of her teachers, opens a quaint and cozy shop in Tagaytay. JR and I were among those invited in the shop’s opening last October 30. It was a particularly busy weekend for me and JR because we were then printing our course modules (we are both back in school–he in his culinary studies, me in my MBA Renewables coursework) but we felt we wouldn’t want to miss this for anything in this world!

Grab these 5-year Planners at the Black Rose (but call first because they disappear from the shelves so fast! Photo taken through HTC Tattoo.)

What does the Black Rose sell? For one, the shop sells beautiful notebooks and planners, books, bags, scarves and shawls, costume jewelries, school supplies, home and kitchen accessories (they have beautiful spoon and fork sets embellished with stones!), spices, and other art pieces. It is actually a one-stop-shop for those looking for gifts to their loved ones. I particularly liked a planner because it is handy enough and good for five years! What I really do not like about those being sold in bookstores is that you need to throw them away just after one year of use.  The one that I got from the shop has no date entries so you can begin the planner at any time of the year and when I counted the (generic) calendar pages, they’d be good for 5 years! So the planner can be your handy companion in the long haul. I missed the first one that I liked so I ended up buying the ‘Paris, France’ version with a photo of Moulin Rouge on the cover. (Yes, someone else snatched the first one I liked in just a matter of minutes so dear readers, if you saw something that you liked at the Black Rose, get it right away as another person will surely want it in the next hour or so!) Here is a photo of my planner. :) I liked it, too, even if it was just my second choice because I consider it serendipitous that it has a picture of an old wind mill! Remember, I have just began my coursework in renewable energies. (Wink!)

A nice pink bag with old world charms. (Photo taken through HTC Tattoo.)

The other find that I was not able to resist (the hubby certainly did not complain because it was a 2nd-hand item and did not cost him our weekly allowance, haha) is a nice pink-and-cream bag, with an old-fashioned look because of the way the straps were designed. See here? I think it is even big enough for a laptop. The bag is made of local materials, too, so it shouts, proudly Philippine-made.

There is another reason why you should also swing by Tagaytay. The Black Rose shop is located at the lower ground floor of the unit occupied by Papa Prito (yes, it’s quite an interesting name!), the newest food joint in Tagaytay, where you can find the best fried dishes that go with the Pinoys’ favorite staple, sinangag (fried rice). Hubby and I did not eat there because we were still full when we left Tagaytay so we decided to order take-out. It turned out to be a good decision because we enjoyed the tapa (Taal-style) with sinangag immensely. It was marinated in their own secret sauces and fried in just the right texture (not rubbery!). You can enjoy it through their sinangag-to-sawa meals, at only P95.00. In the menu are offerings with interesting names such as Wow Sabaw, Papalicious, Arroz Tuyo, Kalibre 45 meals, and other all-time favorites like pancit, liempo, sisig, and goto. And don’t forget, with the very reasonable prices, you also get to enjoy the view of the world-famous Taal Volcano! The restaurant (and the shop) are fortunately situated by the Taal ridge, just by the rotunda (almost across Mang Inasal). For those who have to keep a budget while enjoying a Tagaytay weekend, this is certainly a good option: you enjoy the perfect view of the volcano and you get to satisfy your gustatory cravings, too. ;)

Enjoying the goodies and ambience of The Black Rose shop (Photo credits: Homer Verayo)

The Tagaytay landscape is certainly evolving through the years. New surprises happen every day and this time, it has embraced a Black Rose warmly, mesmerized by its enigmatic beauty. Visit the Black Rose shop and be equally smitten!

Contacts:

The Black Rose Shop

Unit 2-B Grandview Complex, Aguinaldo Highway, Tagaytay-Silang Junction, Tagaytay City (lower ground floor of Papa Prito)

Cp# +63 920 9209628

__________________________

*UP Student Catholic Action.

(This is not a paid blog.)

No, this post is not about how to fire someone. :) This is a summary version of what my husband and I have discussed several times over the two years of our marriage (and over the four years of our friendship).

Jump if you must! Doing something for others is a gift in itself. (Photo credits: http://rajeshshukla.com/)

It’s about passion for one’s work. This may not probably sound extraordinary anymore  but nevertheless, let me share my learnings and experiences in client management and customer service or CS (both as a service provider and client). I think that poor services and treatment of clients can almost always be rooted to a lack of passion for the job. Many of us share these typical encounters: long lines in the bank during lunch break because bank employees also take this exact time to take their lunch break (not thinking that workers use their lunch break to transact with the banks); bookstore sale staff not being able to locate the book that you are looking for because they do not know the difference between anthologies and satire; courier service company staff refusing to call the originating branch where a document came from just to verify if indeed there was a typo error in the name of the consignee; telephone service providers who ironically cannot even call their linemen who are supposed to be fixing your landline after a storm; remittance center who refuses to hand over your funds because they do not have smaller bills of USD (yes, this actually happened to me–the center even suggested that I go back the next day!); and the list is endless…

Admittedly, corporate culture and values should be strongly inculcated in the minds of employees but I will not attempt to discuss this dimension here as it is another topic that needs more lengthy discussion. Let us then concentrate on discussing how fire and passion into one’s job can make a whole lot of difference.

Definitely, training and exposure in client management and customer service are important in enhancing our skills and competencies. I always believe in the beauty and importance of continuing learning. In fact, I am beginning an MBA course soon, with focus on renewable energy (to know more about it, you can go to this link). It is always wiser to continue investing in ourselves, particularly in this age of globalization and outsourcing (and intense market competition).

However, there are aspects of our jobs and careers that should be deeply-rooted in our core being. One of those is passion for the job. Just like in any relationship, if passion is gone, love also wanes and may eventually die. In the same way, our passion for the job constantly fires us up, pushing us to greater heights of accomplishments and fulfillment.

For example–in my example above regarding my encounter with a bookshop employee–it was disheartening for me to receive only blank stares when I tried to look for a specific book title. It was hard for me to understand why a bookshop employee does not know the different types and genres of books. I do not say this in a condescending way. It is just frustrating that someone who is surrounded with shelves and shelves of books does not care enough to even attempt to get to know their “wards”. I may be too biased because of my love for reading but I think that this should apply in any merchandise that one is trying to sell.  If you are selling a stove, you must know exactly what are the different types of stoves and how one type is better than the other. This takes passion. That ‘connection’ where you find a deeper meaning to even the mundane details of your job.

At the core of this drive is the joy of being able to serve others. I think we are depriving ourselves of joys and a sense of fulfillment if we take our jobs for granted. We are shortchanging ourselves if we do not try our best to enjoy our jobs. Remember that our jobs connect us to the outside world and give us opportunities to serve others. I think the chance of doing something for others is a gift in itself. When we serve, we give a part of our time and ourselves. It may lead to a continuous cycle of giving and serving. If we served someone with a smile that day, that person will be gracious enough to do the same to another person. That single act of serving can lead to long-lasting friendships and even casual acquaintances who may eventually end us as our future colleagues, employers, or clients. And such attitude of graciousness should remain even if we are under extreme pressures or faced with difficult circumstances.

Let me share a very challenging encounter that I once experienced when I was still serving as a customer service (CS) manager of a global service delivery firm. Note that I have no prior (formal) experience in CS although I have considerable experience in client management. I think that even without such formal experience, it was relatively easy for me to adapt to the responsibilities of the job because I truly enjoy serving others. It is in the core of every work that I do, even when I was still in college working as an associate editor of our university paper. I tend to go beyond what is expected of me not because I care about credits but because I truly enjoy working. I get a certain high if I have already accomplished my tasks and satisfied my peers and clients. Perhaps (and I am just guessing here) that my former boss in that firm decided to hire me even if I did not have a formal training in CS because he saw that ‘inner fire’ and the commitment to perform and excel.

Lend your ears and truly listen. (Photo credits: http://www.inneraltitude.com/)

Everything was going well in the job when one day, a furious client went up to my office. He was so angry that, I think, if I was not a female employee, he could have easily punched me on the face. The offices are glass-walled and the lay-out is designed such that the managers’ offices (following almost a ‘squarish’ U-shaped pattern) are facing the cubicles of of the staff. The client began ranting at me, in an angry tone, so that all of my staff stood up from their cubicles and looked worriedly at me. I think that they heard every word that the client said even if I already closed the glass doors (which I never do). I just allowed the client to talk and rant and berate me and the company, until slowly, he began lowering down his voice. All the while, I kept on nodding my head, listening to his every word. It was disconcerting but I tried to be calm and took everything he said with serenity in my heart. I did not even try to defend the company’s position. I just put myself in his shoes. Realizing that I was actually listening, he eventually stopped and gave me a chance to talk. Needless to say, it took a combination of sincere apologies, wise words, calm but firm voice, and a concrete solution, for me to eventually pacify him. I have also promised to make up for their company’s incurred losses (which my company did not intend nor were caused by inefficiency on our side but rather a technical glitch which our airline partners also experienced) and beginning that day, I will be personally taking care of monitoring their job requests. This is not actually expected of me (I can delegate it completely to the CS Supervisor, who is just as competent) but in that kind of situation, I strongly felt I have to do this extra step. I also thought that the client will only give us a second chance if he is assured that I am there for him and his company, personally, in the long haul. Needless to say, he was satisfied and eventually remained as a valuable client of our company (he was already, at first, threatening to move their accounts to our competitor company). I was even in for a surprise bonus. Several months after that encounter in my office, I was happily surprised to receive a special invitation from him for the grand opening of his and his partners’ restaurant! For me, this is wonderful but totally unexpected “return” on something that I have done wholeheartedly without any expectation of reward. The mere fact that it was unexpected doubled the joys of being appreciated and considered as a friend (and a special guest at that!). This underlines what I have mentioned above: every encounter can lead to more meaningful and important relationships in the future. However, we will not find any meaning to the nitty-gritty of our “boring” jobs if we fail to appreciate the beauty in each encounter or task, however mundane we may think it to be.

Another important facet of job appreciation is possessing a strong pride in everything that we do. I am not sure if this is entirely a Pinoy penchant for simplicity or the tendency to humble ourselves, but I would oftentimes hear of employees–trying to be defensive when they realize their lapses–saying, “Sorry po, Ma’am, empleyado lang po ako. “ (Loose translation: “I’m sorry, Ma’am, I am just an employee.”) It is like admitting that you are just an employee, therefore, you are mostly useless and have no mind of your own, no power. I heard this statement recently from a lawyer in a public office (yes, he is indeed a lawyer) when I suggested that he should propose  a concrete recommendation to his boss. He said he cannot do that because he has no power nor influence. It was disheartening. I have worked with public officials but I have always thought that my bosses listened to my insights and that I was hired to give them that–clear solutions and recommendations. Apparently, this lawyer does not think of himself as that capable person who can try to make a difference. In his mind, he is just an employee. No wonder we notice such lethargy in many government offices today.

A similar attitude is when we say, “My father is JUST a driver or a factory worker, and so on and so forth” when we can simply say, “My father is a farmer or a driver or a waiter”? Have we really asked ourselves what is so embarrassing or wrong with being a driver or a farmer? I think that it is time that we carry more dignity and pride in our work, whatever it may be.  This will definitely motivate us to appreciate our jobs more. Let us be fired with the knowledge that our jobs are important not just to our families but also to the society as a whole. If our farmers stop planting, what do you think will happen to all of us?

Put yourself in the client’s shoes. We always hear this. It is always one of the key lessons that are being taught us in the corporate world. Do we really mean it when we say that? Take the case of bank employees who also take their lunch break at the exact time when working people would also be doing their bank transactions. Does it take a genius to realize that the lunch hour should also be the exact time that banks should open all their counters? Ironically, bank staff also choose this time to take their lunch break, closing the other counters in the process, compounding the inefficiency because of the long lines of clients who also have to rush back to their offices. This stems from the lack of appreciation of how it is to be a full-time employee who has his lunch break only to do his bank transactions. Admittedly, bank management calls the shot but front-line employees should be the ones recommending changes because they are the ones facing clients on a day-to-day basis. Remember, you have the power to propose changes and this does not stop in your job alone. You can propose and work for changes in every circle where you circulate in. :)

After all, our job extends to the many outer layers of our lives. More importantly, we carry the names of our forefathers so carry that name with care, joy, and pride, for when we besmirch our names, we also hurt the names of our great ancestors.

Be the best in your job, and be among the best citizens of this world!

One of the best things in life is having the luxury of sitting (or lying down) in one corner with a good book and nice cup of tea or coffee. I cannot remember when my love affair with books actually began. As far as I can recall, I was a big fan of “Sweet Dreams” series back when I was still in high school. I was one of my school’s pocketbook “libraries”. My classmates would often borrow the latest Sweet Dreams books from me and I was just too eager to share my “goodies” with them. For me, books are meant to be enjoyed by as many people as possible because they seem to become more meaningful if their pages had been touched by countless fingers and ‘yellowed’ slowly by the passage of time.

Looking back, I think that my love for writing also developed from my love of reading. When young people ask me the question, “How can I become a writer like you?”, my initial reply would often be, “Just enjoy reading and experiencing more of life.” There is really no magic formula, I guess. However, I can say that reading helped me tremendously in my writing and analytical skills. Reading not only helped me understand the world and people around me, it also allowed me to explore my imagination and enhance my creative thinking.

Books bring us to places beyond our imagination. (Photo credits: http://www.signatureillustration.org)

As I grew older (and hopefully, wiser!), my taste on books also evolved. I began reading the classics such as those written by Jane Austen (author of Emma and Pride and Prejudice, among others), Fyodor Dostoyevski (author of Crime and Punishment), and Charles Dickens (of A Tale of Two Cities). And then, I began ‘falling in love’ with works using the magical realism approach such as those by Gabriel Garcia Marquez (of  One Hundred Years of Solitude), Isabel Allende (of The House of the Spirits), and Laura Esquivel (of Like Water for Chocolate). I hungered for more and began enjoying the philosophical-literary (if there is such a term?) approaches of Milan Kundera (of Unbearable Lightness of Being) and Marcel Proust (in Search of Lost Time). I also began reading works of Asian/Asian-American writers such as Arundhati Roy (of The God of Small Things), Amy Tan (of the Joy Luck Club), and Sun Tzu (of The Art of War).

It also became a necessity that I began reading books tackling management and leadership. One of my favorite reads in this department is Winning by Jack Welch (with his wife, Suzy Welch). It is actually a gift from a very good friend of mine so if she gets to read this post, she’d know that the book did not go to waste. :) Anyway, Winning is a good read because it gave a lot of real-life examples to   stress important points. Mr. Welch used to be the chairman and CEO of General electric (GE)–where he stayed for forty years–so you can be assured that he knows what he is talking about.

The first part of the book, under the heading, “Underneath it All,” discussed important corporate issues such as on mission and values (with emphasis on the values of candor and differentiation). I think these two values are controversial and tricky issues particularly that they require gut-level honesty and integrity. Mr. Welch, in his straightforward style of writing and speaking, said this:

Jack Welch believes in candor and differentiation. (Photo credits: Harper Collins Publisher)

“…I have come to realize that I underestimated its rarity. In fact, I would call lack of candor the biggest dirty little secret in business. What a huge problem it is. Lack of candor basically blocks smart ideas, fast action, and good people contributing all the stuff they’ve got…When you’ve got candor–and you’ll never completely get it, mind you–everything just operates faster and better.” (Winning, page 25)

While I do not agree in everything that he discussed in the book, this is an analysis that I had readily accepted as true in most cases. I think that people, managers, and companies should really encourage and embrace this trait or value. In the Philippine (and even Asian perhaps?) setting, I think that this is easier said than done. I do not mean this in a derogatory way but more on a situational and cultural analysis. I think many Filipino (and even Asian) managers will agree that it is simply difficult to be straightforward and candid with co-workers and colleagues. “Hiya” or the feeling of shame is just an important aspect of relationships here that it is always a consideration when making decisions in the workplace. I think many will agree that it is simply difficult to tell your subordinate that he is not doing well. It is fairly easy to praise someone’s work and outputs but telling him he messed up on his latest project is like going to the guillotine. No one looks forward to moments like that.

However, Mr. Welch is right in saying that “candor gets more people in the conversation”, generates speed, and saves the company significant resources. “Think of how candor replaces fancy PowerPoint slides and mind-numbing presentations and boring off-site conclaves with real conversations, whether they’re about company strategy, a new product introduction, or someone’s performance,” he emphasized.

These words are sources of wisdom. While it is indeed challenging to be affront and candid, I think that businesses and companies can achieve more if there is more openness and frankness in the workplace. And this openness should be practiced in both levels–in the management and rank-and-file levels–because it is not fair to to allow management to give a candid (honest) evaluation of their subordinate’s performance but not allow subordinates to enjoy the same openness when evaluating the performance of their superiors.

This culture should be practiced in all aspects of management including human resources management, such as when evaluating and closing the files of employees who decided to move on to other companies or pursuits. For example, there is an industry practice of doing background check on prospective employees before they are hired. This procedure should be critically evaluated because it summarily (and unfairly?) puts the prospective employee in a “no-win” situation because it often leads to a one-sided judgement. An employee who had been candid enough to his bosses and may have good and valid reasons for leaving a company can still be misconstrued as a “bad” employee simply because the HR personnel or manager who answered the phone call from the prospective employer had an axe to grind against him (who, for example, had been candid enough to express that there was something wrong with their department’s strategy). Who gets to validate such judgements? Oftentimes, prospective employees are not even given the chance to explain their side. Their CVs automatically go to the trash bin. This, I think, reeks of too much injustice. If I am an HR Manager, the more should I call this type of prospective employee to an interview because I would definitely be curious as to what really happened in the company that he left and more importantly, how he learned from his experiences, which may sound negative at first (particularly if heard from the former HR Manager’s perspective). I am sure that I would also learn insights from his experiences and maybe, motivate me to avoid the same errors in judgement or pitfalls.

Mr. Welch may have not really expounded so much on other HR concerns but the book covers many other facets of the corporate life and even offers advice on career and time management. For instance, he devoted a whole chapter on work-life balance (Chapter 19). There is a lot of honesty in this chapter because he himself admitted that he had oftentimes relegated the tasks associated with family life to his wife. Such candid approach makes him more credible. He offered these bite-sized knowledge and counsel:

• Work-life balance is a swap–a deal you’ve made with yourself about what you keep and what you give up.

• It is not that bosses want you to give up your family or your hobbies. They’re just driven by the desire to capture all of your energy and harness it for the company.

• If you want real work-life balance, find a company that accommodates it as part of its everyday business.

(Direct quotes from the book, pages 318, 321,and 328.)

In one of his parting words, he said that “…leadership is helping other people grow and succeed. To repeat myself, leadership is not just about you. It’s about them.”

I think this is indeed a reminder that a true leader does not prioritize his achievement but is fired up by the passion to motivate people to grow, succeed, and also become genuine leaders for the sake of people whom he serves. I enjoin you to lead with both the heart and the mind!

___________

(For more details about the book, you may want to visit this link. This is not a paid blog.)

This is my first time to write about beauty pageants. I have nothing against this type of competition but I also think that the pageants can be a lot wiser and more gender-sensitive if the contestants are not required to wear skimpy bikinis. After all, women are beautiful creatures (and even men, for that matter) and they do not have to reveal too much skin to prove that. :)

Shamcey: Truly an honor to this country. (Photo credits: Binibining Pilipinas website)

However, I will not dwell on this sensitive issue because that is not really the reason for this post. Let me share my two-cents’ worth on why I think our Ms. Shamcey Supsup did  not covet the Ms. Universe 2011 title. Let this be clear though: I really liked her and have high hopes for her. In fact, I was already predicting that she will be Ms. Universe. My No. 2 choice was Ms. Angola, Leila Lopes (who was eventually crowned). However, I started to have some doubts when Shamcey began responding to the question during the final round. The question for her went something like this,  “If you were asked to change your religion first before getting married, would you agree?”

On an intellectual point of view, her answer was a very intelligent and clear one. She explained that she will not do that because her God, being her Creator, is her priority, and if her boyfriend loves her enough, he should also love her God. Biases aside, I think her answer was the best among the five finalists’. The others’ responses were either too ‘generic’ or ‘played safe.’

However, if we will scrutinize closely (and I think many of the judges did this), her answer–without intending to–was bordering on being discriminatory vis-a-vis religious freedom. On the philosophical (or even spiritual) point of view, it sounded like her religion (I suppose that she is a Catholic or Christian believer although that is not even important in this discourse) is a “better” religion than the others’ (e.g., in the hypothetical question, her boyfriend’s) or that her God is better than the God of others (or her boyfriend’s). It may be quite disconcerting to many people. She did not really say it outright but the message that got through was clear enough. She–again, without intending to–debased other people’s religion. I think there may also be a certain ‘confusion’ on her part–she either was too nervous to choose the right words or she is still  in a quandary about the meaning of “God” and “religion.” However, we are not in the position to judge her or anyone, for that matter, but I think this question reminds us that we also have to be careful when affirming our faith or religion (although they are not the same concepts…but that is another long post so I will refrain from discussing this either).

We only have one God and He is not a discriminating God. No matter what our religions are, there is only one God. And your God, Shamcey’s God, and my God are the same. We call him in different names and we go to different churches, synagogues, mosques, and temples, but for sure, we all believe in the same God. There is only one God who is the source of the Truth.

I am of different Church from my other immediate family members’ congregations but I find the same peace and comfort even if I attend services inside another Church/congregation. A few months ago, I joined my Mom in attending Saturday services in another congregation. It was a beautiful service not only because the speakers and pastors were great leaders but also because it gave me a quiet time to pray with my Mom. I enjoyed it not because the “Church” is different or better or anything like that but because wherever I may pray, I know that God is just there. I can pray under the rains or on top of a mountain or inside an MRT coach because I know that God is listening.

To be fair, I genuinely believe that Shamcey did not intend to belittle other people’s faith. The sheer tension of the moment will definitely make anyone nervous. I think that if she was given another minute to think about it (which, of course, does not happen in the final moments), she would have come up with a very carefully-worded, well thought-out, and less discriminatory response.

However, when all the pageant’s noises have gone down, a profound moment may find Shamcey thinking and she may look back on her reply. For example, what if her boyfriend is non-Catholic/Christian or of different religion from her? He would feel some discomfort also, right? It is not really about the fact that he will make her choose (I think genuinely sensible and well-grounded men will not make their girlfriends choose between them and their girlfriends’ religions) but more really on the fact that actually, there is no “contest” on whose religion is better (e.g., so it will be the “winning” religion, the religion that the marrying couple should choose as their “unity” religion). Because between two persons who are truly in love and united by a common God–the  One God–there is really no contest. Sometimes “religion” muddles up the whole equation. Actually, at the end of the day, for a couple who has a very strong foundation and whose relationship is not confused by religious ideologies, faith is clear enough. God is clear enough.  

No matter what our religions are, we are all the same in the eyes of God. He does not teach us to love and respect only those who belong to our Congregation or religion. He teaches us to love and respect one another. He does not care in what name will we call him. He only wants us to do what is right and follow our inner compass because in our core lies our true connection with Him.

If we will also look at it from the “universal” point of view–after all, the pageant is called, “Ms. Universe”–her response can also be misconstrued as an attack against the concept of ‘universalism’. Or even the philosophical underpinnings of “universal human rights”, which clearly state that we should not discriminate against anyone on the basis of gender, color, or religion. Her reply, without meaning to offend or hurt anyone, may have raised some eyebrows simply because it somehow compared her hypothetical boyfriend’s religion and her religion. Her answer seems to oppose the very core principles of ‘universalism’ and the context of “Ms. Universe” as ambassador of global peace. A “Ms. Universe” is expected to epitomize the values of open-mindedness, of embracing other cultures and religions, and her answer clearly showed where she stands amid a world where conflicts, wars, or terrorist attacks happen because of religious differences or in some cases, fanaticism.  But again, it is a tough competition–the final moments even tougher–and not everyone can land in the Top Five.

Ms. Angola brings beauty pageants a notch higher. Congratulations! (Photo credits: Telemundo.com)

So to Ms. Shamcey–thank you for doing your best. We are proud of you! The whole country honors you for going that far in the competition. You may have not won the title but to our hearts, you are already a winner.

And to Ms. Lopes, congratulations and best wishes! I am sure that great things are in store for you. May your reign bring you to new levels of personal and spiritual awareness. God bless you and Angola!

(Re-post of a January 10, 2011 blog in my old site)

The word engawa led me to the blog of Mr. Ken Mori, Pursuing Wabi. It was on a typical work-at-home day when I was working on a client’s paper about Japanese architecture. I looked for posts about it and was glad to discover that it is actually that part of a typical Japanese house, the part that I liked most (I used ‘that’ here because I have always liked it but did not even know how is it really called. Forgive my ignorance!). It is also similar to what we call papag or balkonahein the typical Filipino huts or cottages particularly those in the provinces.

An engawa in a typical Japanese house. (Photo credit: Travel-around-japan.com)

Anyway, as Mr. Mori described it, “an engawa is a narrow space that serves as a transition space between the indoors and outdoors.” The photo on the right is a typical engawa. (With special thanks to the Japanese Architecture and Art Net Users System.)

The JAANUS site also shared the following notes about engawa: “Also written 掾側. The area beside or surrounding the straw matted tatami 畳, floor of a room or veranda in Japanese dwellings. Formerly, en 縁 and engawa were interchangeable terms, but engawa now usually refers to a veranda that is either partly inside the building with sliding doors protecting it from rain, or a completely exposed veranda.”

I feel blessed that Mr. Mori was so kind to allow me to repost the photos of his house (Thank you so much, Mr. Ken!). His blog is quite an interesting read because it shares his and his wife’s journey as they built their house in California (Japanese-inspired, of course). I suppose that Mr. Mori is from Japan with Japanese lineage and it is always nice to hear stories about one embracing his roots in every facet of his life, including the design of his dream house! JR and I also have dreams of building our own home and we will definitely incorporate the principles of Japanese architecture and eco-design. Engawa and suikinkutsu (this is described below) will definitely be two of the best features of this future house!

A suikinkutsu in Kyoto, Japan. (Photo credit: Kyoto.asanoxn.com)

Suikinkutsu is a beautiful proof of God’s magic and man’s ingenuity. Literally translated, “water harp chamber,” it is an underground water-based musical instrument that is typically constructed in Japanese-inspired gardens and even places of worship. It was not originally intended for gardens  but more for religious occasions and rituals (e.g., washing of hands before a Japanese tea ceremony) but because of the beautiful and unique sounds that it creates, many home owners and builders have been inspired to incorporate it in their landscaping. So you can better understand it, here is a photo of a typical suikinkutsu (photo courtesy of Oddstruments.com).

The suikinkutsu’s magical sound is created by the play up of the water and the structure itself.  Here is a diagram of the system so that you can further appreciate its structure and beauty (deepest thanks to jgarden.org for this photo):

Suikinkutsu's structure itself is amazing! (Photo credits: Jgarden.com)

If you want to have an idea on how beautiful the sound is, here is a brief sample from the Suikinkutsu in Enkohji-Temple, Rakuhoku Kyoto, Japan, shared in YouTube by “hide564″. Isn’t it beautiful and relaxing?

I will now stop rambling and let you enjoy the photos of Mr. Mori’s beautiful house. I will post the photos in my best attempt at chronological order (i.e., from the early to the last phases of the construction) but I hope Mr. Mori will forgive me if some photos will not appear in their proper order. Take note of the beautiful pond by the engawa and the “burned” wood facade of the fence surrounding the structure. I also liked it because of the ‘movable’ walls, which allow them open-air ambience when the weather is good. For the nice stories behind the photos, I invite you all to drop by Mr. Mori’s blogsite. (Update: He also recently uploaded a video clip of his house! You can view it a http://blip.tv/dwell/the-wabi-house-5435862t)

Enjoy the photos then! Happy 2011! May this year bring many inspiration-filled moments, opportunities for growth, amazing travels, new friends, love and hugs, and material and spiritual abundance!

Photo credits: Ken Mori

Photo credits: Ken Mori

Photo credits: Ken Mori

Photo credits: Ken Mori

Photo credits: Ken Mori

Photo credits: Ken Mori

Photo credits: Ken Mori

Photo credits: Ken Mori

Photo credits: Ken Mori

Photo credits: Ken Mori

Photo credits: Ken Mori

Photo credits: Ken Mori

Photo credits: Ken Mori

Photo credits: Ken Mori

Photo credits: Ken Mori

Photo credits: Ken Mori

Photo credits: Ken Mori

Photo credits: Ken Mori

Photo credits: Ken Mori

I guess this is the most important part of the house: the best views of the night skies! (Photo credits: Ken Mori)

Thank you once again, Mr. Mori! For more info and insights on Japanese and eco-design architecture and farming systems, here is another interesting site called, Earth Embassy: Sustainable Living Solutions. I want to write another blog related to one of their services, the building of energy-independent homes, which involves the setting up of wind and solar power systems! I have always been a proponent of renewable energies and hubby and I intend to build an eco-home and farm someday.

Anyway, another interesting and beautiful house that is inspired by Japanese architecture is found at ColourlessDesign.com (view the Shimogamo House and become fascinated as well!)

[This is not a paid blog.]