Mon Santos Video48 - Quezon City

Over the years I have collected a dozen of video rental membership cards from different places and until now I still have a few of them.

Last Saturday, I brought my family to Video48 to claim my prize, an FPJ t-shirt for winning an online trivia contest by Mon Santos, owner of Video48. And I bought another one for my brother and several FPJ movies. This shop has withstood the passing of time and still holds a pleasant environment for people who buy and rented movies with a cheerful staff and a great customer service. I never got to meet Mon but just seeing his shop, you can instantly sense his personality, a true aficionado of the art of motion pictures.

Aside from tons of movie files, he also has a great toy collection in his shop most notably Star Wars and Lord of the Rings. We learned from his staff that his collection is extended up to the third floor. Of course, I did not pay much attention on the rest of things there except for FPJ movies and be back for sure…

Thanks for the shirt, Mon! Congrats for the two-decade celebration of your shop and for the many years of movie hunting as well.

John Elway - So Good For So Long

My appreciation for American Football started in 1987 when I was in 4th Grade. My elder brother, Jason, who was in high school then, would only go home during weekends and loved to watch sports shows while he's having a good massage from our dad.

Being an 11 year old boy, I would rather watch cartoons more than anything else which we, my siblings would fight for the television tuner. My brother, being an athletic teenager, always brought home MVP medals from different sports he joined in school. He then became my idol that whatever shows his watching, I see to it that I understand whatever it was, how to score, the name of the plays and the players. One great thing I admire from him is that he loves all sports events. And often times, during championships, he cheered for the underdogs except for local pro-basketball (PBA), where he and the whole family is a die-hard Jaworski fan who wore jersey 7 for Ginebra San Miguel.

One Sunday morning my brother requested to watch the football game and I got intrigued by way the game is being played unlike from any sports I've seen so I also watched the games even when he's not around. What caught my attention during his visits was the NFL Denver Broncos Quarterback, John Elway who also wore jersey number 7. Being a new fan of NFL, I didn't realized that this guy will be my idol too but not until my senior year in college when he won his first Super Bowl. And repeated the feat the following year and ended his career on top with two rings and an MVP award.

In 2005, I bought this McFarlane’s 12 inches figure of Elway. For me, he’s one of the greatest QB I’ve seen because I've seen him in his "The Drive" season when I was a kid and seen him at the end of his career a decade later.

And I can never be happier when I saw and bought an SI 2004 Hall of Fame edition from a small local bookshop entitled: “A Tribute to John Elway, So Good for So Long” where the cover photo is very similar to my McFarlane collectible.

Mama's Day

I grew up with Mama. Papa is working in the middle-east for almost 10 years and she’s all we got in the house. I’m the fourth child of 5 and the youngest of three boys that’s why I consider myself as a mama’s boy in so many ways. I suffered two 50/50 medical conditions because I’m a hyper kid, perhaps I have ADHD and I also have a weak heart so I’m always in her radar no matter how busy she was.

I remember when I was in grade 5, I took a periodical exam and I got a perfect score in one the tests so my teacher could not believe it and start speculating that I could have cheated, so I went home with a disdain mood and told her the story and she got so mad and confronted my teacher the following day and said to him, “Don’t ever call my son a cheater, give him another set of exam to prove you wrong!” and so he did and I still got 100 and Mama was so proud of me…

She is my inspiration; the five of us look up to her as our guide.Happy birthday, Ma! All our love is yours forever…

Wayne Gretzky - The Great One

In 2004, my wife and I went to Toronto from Ottawa for a 2-day trip to visit her mom's childhood bestfriends before heading to LA. Kuya Abel drove us after dinner for a City tour and asked me if I know Wayne Gretzky or any NHL player. I told him that I'm not familiar with the name and only knew about the Disney's Mighty Ducks movies.

So he told us about him and that Gretzky's Restaurant is on our way but its already closed so I hurriedly took a shot. It's blurry but it's the closest thing that I can be with the greatest hockey player. He said if we've stayed longer, he'll take us there and the food are great also.

In 2005, I bought a 12' McFarlane figure of Gretzky in Kings uniform from Amazon. This year, he bought two more figures, one in his Oilers team and second in Rangers' uniform.

In 2007, I bought the ESPN's DVD of Gretzky in LA but our friends Jack and Niel insisted that they'll pay for it as a Christmas gift for me. So the following morning before my flight to DC at 9PM while waiting for the FedEx delivery of my NBA ticket at the Verizon for the Wizards-Phoenix game, I watched the DVD and was mesmerized by his story as a hockey legend.

Great Experience. Great Figure. Great Gift. Great One!

The Madrids of NY - A Family 8,506 Miles Away

After TRU, I took the F metro at 42nd & 6 Ave. and get off from Bergen station, walked a little to Bond St. and stopped at 210 Wyckoff, and I'm at the door of Atty. Andy & Marivic Madrid, my cousins in Brooklyn with their handsome boxer named Jesse who’s already waiting for me at the stairs and all exited for me to come up...

The last time I saw them was in 2004 when my wife and I visited them for a couple of days. Chuck the youngest of the Madrid siblings toured us together with Tito and Tita Tina throughout New York and even to New Jersey to watch the NBA. We had a great time that year and I’m lucky enough to see them again after three years.

This time it’s the couple only. Chuck’s family is on vacation but I was able to say hi to Tito. We went to Pink Tea Cup for lunch and rested for few hours before going out again.

That night, we attended their Dojo class Christmas party. That same night I heard the phrase “Osu!” quite often. And so I ask Kuya the meaning, I remember him saying it’s a way greeting to a fellow Dojo practitioner and as of showing respect or something like that.

I had a great day during this weekend visit and head back to DC the following morning. It was so cold but Kuya Andy gave me a leather jacket before I left which helps me a lot with the winter breeze...

Our Wedding Coin - For Distribution

I was cleaning our display cabinet and noticed that there are still unopened souvenir boxes. Those are for our Ninongs and a Ninangs who could not make it to our wedding from Canada and US.

I collected them and took a picture of two coins showing both sides with our unity coins as the background. We have collected several coins during our travels but this has been one of my favorites.

We'll be celebrating our 6th anniversary in a couple of days and God has given us so much blessings and love in our family...

Commemorative U.S. Quarter Dollars - 50 of 50

Finally, I have completed my coins through the generosity of my colleague who attended a training. I was hoping to collect these last two coins (CA & NE) personally but my I was sent to another continent…

It was a great day to start working after being gone for almost a month. She handed it to me this morning and I was just happy the whole day…

Though I’m more excited to go home early to see our kids and spend some playing time with them since arriving yesterday afternoon and back to work few hours after. I’m still feeling desynchronous but I have to go after spending a boring training yet enjoying one of our greatest vacations as a couple.

Sometimes, smile begins by seeing the number 50.

Commemorative U.S. Quarter Dollars - 8 More Less

After six years of collecting these coins, I’m glad to have collected 48 out of the 50 states. The remaining are the two illusive states of California and Nebraska. Plus 6 more territories which was released last year namely District of Columbia, Guam, Puerto Rico, U.S. Virgin Islands, American Samoa and Northern Mariana Islands.

In 2004, Howell and I visited friends in L.A. and invited us to stay in Vegas for two days. While we’re playing the slot machines in Circus Circus, I have won a hundred dollar of quarters. When I’m counting the coins in our room before dinner, I’ve noticed different designs and sorted those and keep them in my bag while the rest I’ve squandered hoping to collect more commemorative quarters.

During my US travels in 2007 and 2008, I have collected several of them. And thanks to our friends Neil and Jacq who even now still sends me my missing ones.

According to Wikipedia, “The 50 State Quarters program became the most successful numismatic program in history, with roughly half of the U.S. population collecting the coins, either in casual manner or as a serious pursuit. The U.S. federal government so far has made a profit of $4.6 billion from collectors taking the coins out of circulation.”

I hope to complete them this year…

Pascual Madrid Laguerta - The Greatest Boxer

It’s past four in the afternoon and its beginning to get dark early, fishermen are getting their bangca and gears ready for the night catch and students were walking on their way home to Bisita while I’m busy playing with my toy, an old bicycle wheel which used to be my dad’s.

Dad used to be a grade school teacher at Boton, the next baryo from us if you’re going to Matnog or Casiguran. We have cousins there and a small rice field which my dad, uncle and older brothers used to toil during summer and harvest time. He uses his bicycle everyday and be back for lunch meal with the family and ride again for the afternoon class and arrived home before five. Classes back then were held from morning till three or four in the afternoon where you can join the flag raising as well as the flag retreat ceremonies.

On weekends, if he’s not busy finishing our concrete house which he build by himself and some friends help for minor jobs, he takes us to the sea which is 20 minutes boat ride from our house. Across the street from our house is a suba leading to Sorsogon Bay on the west side and to Plaza on the east end. We used to have a bonoan where these long bamboos are place in the ground underwater and fishnets all over it allowing small openings for the fishes to be trapped. If not him, somebody harvests the fishes for us which we get percentage of the cash earned from selling them in the market. He used to have a strong arms to do all this work. Our house became a shelter for all sorts during typhoons. It can accommodate most of our neighbors, their pigs and chickens, dogs and cats and sometimes carabao. And we kids loved the typhoon season where we all sleep together, listen to stories, listen to radio and eat hot porridges.

But this night is one of the unforgettable days of my childhood. I can see my dad with his bike and parked it. I can see someone talking to him and then he walked away briskly and sometimes run, so I never got to say hello to him. But I followed him and some others are also following his path. So I was wondering why the commotions and the next thing I knew, we’ve walked for less than five minutes to reach a house of distant cousin and saw him in front of the door and when it opens, he knocked the man down with a single punch.

In my mind, I’m still confused and he went back to the house and I was catching him but people started gathering and talking what just happen. The following hour, we are in a hospital in Casiguran where my mom was admitted. She suffered a heart attack because of the people who are jealous of her public and civic achievements. These people remain the same until we left our hometown for a life in Manila.

A year after, we all transferred to the new schools in the main town of Sorsogon to continue our studies. The following year, my dad tried his luck to middle-east as an OFW and we moved to Manila following my brother while he attends his high school in the seminary in Makati.

Those people who hurt our family did not leave long - they soon died few years after we left. I guess life made a joke on them and may they rest in peace. Our family will always remain a Sorsoganon for our lives will never be same without those memorable moments that made us happy and the struggles that she brought us to make us strong.

That night will always remain as the greatest fight I have ever seen. You will always be our hero and strength and my personal inspiration.

Happy 66th birthday, Papa! We love you!

Ghost Fighter (Yu Yu Hakusho) Action Figures Collection Completed

After two years of non-stop search for Hiei (Vincent), he finally showed up and I did not, could not, give him any tiny bit of chance of hiding again...

Though it cost me a bit much than a regular stuff, for me, of course, it’s so much worth it! Imagine looking for it in every store, local and international, web and underground, even the smallest of toy sellers in the street I would always ask for it but in the end, nothing, nada, NO LUCK!

And from the bountiful jungle of the Amazon, somebody mistakenly made the righteous decision to let it flaunt and allow me peek and seize it. So I can say it’s a destiny for the four of them to be reunited in one box one room…

So the time has come for me to move on and start searching for series number two…

NBA Asia Challenge: Preview

The long wait has finally arrived. And it was also a challenging task to purchase the ticket for the historic battle between the NBA legends and the PBA greats. I was lucky because we were able to get good seats and my cousin was also able to get full access pass and so we were able to go inside the court before and after the game.

Though our local PBA team lost, it was still a great match. I will post more pictures and more details about it soon….

What's in the bag?

Are you wondering why I am all smiles in this picture?


It is because this is what is inside the bag:


I wanted to buy this here in Manila for the longest time now but I find it so expensive. That is why when I saw the Ferrari store in Venice, I did not miss the opportunity of checking out what I can bring home to Manila.

I just want to buy something cheap really but my wife convinced me that I should get what I really want as we never know when we can go back in Italy. And since Ferrari is from Italy, prices here are definitely much cheaper (half of the price if I will buy it here in Manila).

And I am glad I decided to bring this precious home (even if I paid Euro 22 in excess baggage when we took a domestic flight from Rome to Paris. LOL) as it is all worth it.

Venetian Macao 2009 Tennis Showdown

On October 25, 2009, a history will be made in the Cotai Arena as two of tennis’ legendary rivals, Pete Sampras and Andre Agassi plays a tennis showdown match. This is the first time that the two will play again against each other since Sampras defeated Agassi in the US Open 2002.

Junior World No. 1 Yuki Bhambri will also play in this showdown against the American Ryan Harrison.

Tickets are now available and can be purchased online. Ticket prices are:

A Reserve Lower: MOP $ 980
B Reserve Lower: MOP $ 780
C Reserve Upper: MOP $ 480
D Reserve Upper: MOP $ 280

My wife and I really wanted to join our friends in watching this game in October but since we just got back from vacation, we have no leaves left and more importantly, we have no more budget for this trip.

But being a sports enthusiast, I am glad that famous sports personalities are now going to Asia so people from Asia will have a bigger chance to watch their idols play live.

Pretzzy Saturday

After giving a short inspirational message yesterday to graduating 13-year old kids, I’ve gotten a very warm reception from the audience including the Mayor of Manila. I couldn’t be happier than seeing those kids responding to me and my exploration of their energetic and full of fun lives.

But today my daughter surprises me most; I guess it’s one of the best rewards after motivating a number of young minds on how to be successful and how do you really measure it. We’re at the sala and I’m browsing the Internet in our laptop and she’s watching Playhouse Disney when she asks for her pretzel’s merienda.

So I ask our new yaya to get it from her stocks and ask her to go have her lunch and I’ll take care of Bela for now. Mom is in the office so my daughter and I have a little bonding time. Then she walks beside and told me that she wants to share the pretzels with me. So I get one stick and bite some but she stops me and told me, “No, no, not that way, dad.” And she gets another stick and put the tip of the stick in her mouth and the other end in mine. I’ve seen this before when she and her mom eats spaghetti, but never tried with me.



So I got exited and brought down my camera to get some snapshots…

Write-Out-Loud.Com - Public Speaking Guide

A few days ago, I was invited by my grade school Alma Mater to be the guest speaker for this year’s graduating class in April.

It’s going to be an exciting activity for me delivering a speech in front of young audiences which I haven’t done for quite a while now. It’ll be my second time to grace my school with my new experiences or thoughts to share.

Eager to obtain their attention, I’m doing a little research of this generation, of what are their favorite games, activities, boy bands, dance moves, movies, superheroes and etc. Looking for better ideas and ways to be effective to my audiences, I also came across a website called write-out-loud.com and the tips are easy to learn, concise and very helpful.

I want it this time be delivered in Tagalog to better inject some humor and great stories because I planned to share my personal stories when I was at their age and at present. I’ll also impart the lives of some personalities to uplift their soul with encouragement and inspirations.

Right now, I’m making my draft while my daughter is playing around as "Bela the Pretty Mouse Not the Eewie Eewie One" and her mom is the "Neigh Neigh Horse" and I'm the "Christmas Deer"...

Passing CSP - A Second Shot

“Failure inspires winners. And failures defeats losers.” This line I read from a book of Robert Kiyosaki which is one of my inspirations this year.

I was pleased to know that I have passed my exam and now a CSP but it will have no meaning if I cannot uphold the standards of this great institution I am part of. So in accepting this title, I hope to be able to contribute in my own way to the advocacy of PSIS in making security awareness and education a responsibility of all of us in different fields of businesses or line of work.

Passing the exam on my second shot is always a good experience. It teaches me to be humble as Mr. Ramon Bergado, one of our best instructor used to say, “The key to my success in life is humility and I'm sharing it to you so you'll also be successful in all of your endeavors."

CSP Retake - Study Before Leisure

It's been a very busy month for me working in the office while others are enjoying the holidays but I’ll be having my vacation with my family in a couple of days in the Island of Samal, so I don’t feel bad.

I just feel exhausted.

And when we return next week, I got to retake my CSP exam of PSIS because I flanked my first try last June and never got the chance to take it with so many projects and activities. I’m busy right now reviewing my old notes and reading a book by one of my mentor, Eduardo Fulgencio - CPP/CFE/CSP/CSMS. His book is “Security Management – Principles, Techniques and Applications” which he published in 2005.

Hope to pass it this time.

If you want to know more about CSP and PSIS, visit our website at http://www.psisonline.org/ for more info.

Birthday Surprise - From Mom and Bela

Another year had passed and another one is coming but I’m always thankful for having a wonderful and loving family. Thank you Mom and Bela for a surprise birthday party! I’m so excited!

This year we have both our families in one roof to celebrate my birthday and it feels great and I hope to have it every year in our house.

Thank you for understanding my short comings and I love you Mom and Bela! You're my greatest gift!

About Me After Two Years

This subject used to be in my "About Me" tab but after two years, I felt like it's no longer more about me, it's more of my past so I've made an updated one...

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Dec 1, 2007 9:41 AM

About Me

My childhood revolves in a small town in Sorsogon where I spent most of my time in an adventure phase from morning till dark until my family moved to Manila when I was 9 but always went back during summer and Christmas until my college years.

Aside from managing more than 20 servers, supporting a thousand users and maintaining more than 800 machines, I work in an International Organization where diverse personalities are ordinary and service is the soul of its existence.

My wife Abie and daughter Ysabela loves to travel so I always carry my camera making sure I captured those precious moments...

I feel that my passion for photography is innate because I see myself as an artist with an eye for extraordinary moment. I provide photography services for any event when I’m free on weekends.

I love collecting all sorts of things which I find unusual and significant to my life and to my family…

Keep on reading!

-Howie-

Michael Jordan and the Bulls - 90's Dynasty

I have lesser words to say about “His Airness” and the Bulls for it have been shown and written a million times.

What I can do is share them to you in a package. The answer to the question why we rarely see MJ’s figures is because he is basically tied-up with Upper Deck and he’s now one of their executives.

Upper Deck released several MJ figures but one stands out, his 1998 Finals winning last shot against Russell of Utah after stealing the ball from Malone. The Dynasty DVD set a complete compilation of one of the greatest franchise in NBA history capturing 6 titles in 8 years.

Included also is MJ’s 11 inches standee when he collected the 3rd leading scorer in NBA history on Dec 9, 1997 against the Knicks in New York. Also included is a rare 14”x20” poster of the first three championships featuring John Paxson, Scottie Pippen, BJ Armstrong, Horace Grant and Michael Jordan.