Round 1

I’m
sure
you’ve
heard the
news about
the integration.
Partners have taken
their sides and have
decided based on their
principles and beliefs to
do what is for the common good
of the firm and its people. Others
are criticized for taking the other side.
But who among us are qualified to judge them?
Since we do not have the concrete facts, ssshh……
Keep quiet. Just listen to them, and to other insiders.
Let’s just watch them do their thing. And we’ll see who among
these business gladiators will survive the battle of power.

Reality Bites Part 2

In 14 days time I will be celebrating my 4th year anniversary with the firm. I cannot believe that I stayed here that long! See, I told you that it’s really great working for the firm (see my blog post “Reality Bites” on October 14, 2007). We really need to celebrate this big event! My working experience with this firm is something that I am proud of. Career wise, this is a great accomplishment. Here are my personal reasons why I have attained my current career status:

Thirst for knowledge. I have read IFRS, IFRIC, Q & As, SOX 302, SOX 404, PCAOB Q & As, ISA, GAM. Yikes!

Hard work and dedication. I even work after office hours… even on Saturdays, Sundays and holidays! And it’s for free!

Patience. I am very patient to wait for the RIGHT TIME to leave. See, I’m still here.

Forgive me. By my standard, I am successful in my career.

But I’m missing the real reason for my existence in this world.

Please…………..WAKE ME UP!!!!!!

Warning to All

I have removed the following from my blog (for certain reasons):

• Heneral Jorge Push;
• Home Again; and
• Porky Haggle.

Sorry to those who have not yet read these articles. You can read them on my laptop only.

Mixtures of WORK in Cagayan de Oro

First mix – Formula W. I went to Cagayan de Oro (CDO) last weekend to visit the plant of our client in Misamis Occidental. During the briefing provided to us by the plant personnel, I have learned a lot about how their products were produced. After the briefing, we went straight to plant machineries and equipment and I began to appreciate it more. Formula W is for “serious” Work.

Second mix – Formula O. When I visit a province or city, I would like to taste their local cuisines. I would like to get a taste of CDO’s local food. We went off to Kagayan-on and I got what I was looking for. Ostrich meat!? I expected that the meat would look and taste like a chicken meat since it’s a bird. When the meat was served, it was sliced thinly on top of a sizzling plate. It’s the ostrich meat steak! The meat looks reddish and its strands are like that of the beef. And the taste? It’s more of a beef than a chicken. It’s even more delicious than beef. Poor big bird, you’re in my belly. Could it be that Ostriches belong to the cattle family? May be if the ostrich has horns! And may be if the cow lays an egg! Formula O is for Ostrich meat.

Third mix – Formula R. When you visit CDO, where else would you like to spend your Saturday? Camiguin!!!!! We drove to the sea port for about two hours, boarded the ferry and cruised the sea for about an hour. As the ferry nears our destination’s harbor, the monumental volcano welcomed the tourists with its beauty. We rented a multicab to tour us to this place. Our tour guide told us that this island is surrounded by seven volcanoes. Mt. Hibok-hibok, Tres Marias (3 volcanoes already) and the Old Vulcan are just some of them. I cannot imagine what will happen to this beautiful place when these seven volcanoes erupt simultaneously.

We went to Katibawasan Falls, Ardent Hot Spring, White Island, Via Cruzes (the Way of the Cross), Sunken Cemetery and the old ruins of a Spanish church and convent. Then, we had our lunch of a large jack fish cooked STK (SuTuKil) style and steamed crabs on the calm Taguines Lagoon. And yes, my stomach is full again.

The lagoon (where we had our lunch) is just near the sea port and we heard the ferry sounded its horn signaling that it’s going to leave in a few minutes. We rushed to the wharf and boarded the ferry just-in-time and went back to Balingoan Port and CDO again.

We attended the mass at the Ateneo de Cagayan’s church and I thanked God for the beauty of Camiguin. Camiguin is one island that I would like to explore again. I cannot forget its pristine beach, lush forests, seven volcanoes, springs, history, clean air and the fragrance of fresh grasses. It is a paradise! Its splendor echoes to my mind and to my heart. The island is uncomplicated and peaceful. But it draws its beauty in its simplicity.

The following day, we visited the golf course and clubhouse of Del Monte in Bukidnon for a very good lunch of steak and a view of pineapples and pine trees. I have never been tired of appreciating the wonders of nature because its beauty removes stress. Formula R is for Relaxation.

Fourth mix – Formula K. Life is not just about work all the time. Though work gives a lot of stress most of the time, there are side trips of work that remove that stress. That’s what I have done in this CDO trip. I learned a lot about our client but at the same time, I had the chance to glance at the real beauty of CDO, Camiguin and Bukidnon. Take a peek on the kALeIdoScOpE of life, see the beautiful colors in different angles and you’ll see life in another dimension. You will see that life is happier! Formula K is for life’s kALeIdoScOpE.

It feels so good that this time, I had all the formula of WoRk blend into a satisfying taste of beautiful and happy life. Burp!

Sonnet CXXXIV (Francesco Petrarca)

(Just sharing my favorite Petrarcan Sonnet and the picture of sunrise that I took from Camp John Hay in Baguio)

I find no peace, and all my war is done;
I fear and hope, I burn, and freeze like ice;
I fly aloft, yet can I not arise;
And nought I have, and all the world I seize on,
That locks nor loseth, holdeth me in prison,
And holds me not, yet can I scape no wise:
Nor lets me live, nor die, at my devise,
And yet of death it giveth me occasion.
Without eye I see ; without tongue I plain:
I wish to perish, yet I ask for health;
I love another, and thus I hate myself ;
I feed me in sorrow, and laugh in all my pain.
Lo, thus displeaseth me both death and life,
And my delight is causer of this strife.

Reality Bites

As the day ends, I thank God for giving me this opportunity to share with you what I felt. Today, October 13, is my 3rd year anniversary with SGV since I joined the firm again in 2004. I have stayed in this firm for a total of five (5) years. SGV is officially my longest employer.

Working for this firm is so great! I never went on overtime even for a single day. I never worked on Saturdays, Sundays and holidays. I am well compensated. I'm always appreciated. I got enough sleep and exercise. I am never tired. I have a healthy body. I have managed to balance my professional life and my personal life. I have spent quality time with my family and friends.

Ooopsss… it’s over. Just wishful thinking. It’s 11:59 in the evening and I need to go back to work. Ouch!!!!

Candelabrum

I was young when people told me
to make a wish when it's my day.
I was in teens when people told me
to pray gratefully to Him.
I am one-fourths away from two's when people tell me
to kneel down for forgiveness and guidance.
I will be elderly when people will tell me
to slow down a bit for may be much or a little has been accomplished.
Then, they'll tell me to lay my head down and rest;
And rest in God's device.

I lit the wick up when I counted the years,
And see for myself the happiness.
Visibility was mine from dawn to dusk,
from twilight to moontime.
Guidance was above, just look at the horizon.
Deccelerate for I piled mountains of humps;
Signs be read for ahead may not be
but craters of potholes.
And tears of neither happiness nor sorrow;
or may be both, will roll down.
As this has melted the body away into half,
From time it has been, until today,
Until....wick does not light up and body has dried down.

I shall leave the glass and all;
But I shall return when I will rest or have rested.
Resurrect and be back
To smoothen and build the finest,
or be replaced -
Until I will leave the holder's mould.
...I shall return....
.......................or may be not!

(February 19, 1997; My life represented by a candle in a glass candelabrum - God.)