I didn’t even realize it was the end of May already until I checked my Monday schedule to see if I had any client calls to make. And Monday happens to be the 31st too! Whew, how time flies indeed and what a month it was. I have a ton of pending blog entries to write too but here’s a quick summary of what has happened this month from all over.

1. The Worst Oil Spill in History – Louisiana Oil Spill of 2010 threatens to end the livelihood of fishermen (if it hasn’t already) and destroy the marine habitat where the oil still continues to expand and spill over. Experts say over 5,000 barrels of oil are continually being spewed on from the leak in the Gulf of Mexico and the hopeful solution in plugging that leak had failed.

2. PH First Automated Elections a Success? – Amidst all the doubts on how the Philippines could possibly put in place an automated election system that works… it is finally over. And it seems that it the proclamation of the winners this election year should and will be unprecedented. And barring any last-minute whistle-blowing allegations that may affect its credibility, I’m sure many are surprised at it’s success, including myself. Cheers!

3. Lebron’s Cavs bow out to the Celtics – LBJ proves that winning the MVP and having the best record in the league all season means nothing in the playoffs. The seemingly old and raggedy Celtics seem rejuvenated after being called underdogs going up against a seemingly invincible Cavs squad. It may just be the last time Cleveland sees LBJ wearing that jersey and it’s also the stage where Rajon Rondo became a legit superstar in the league without question.

There are other smaller news, like Wowowee host Willie Revillame resigning because some gay guy said some bad things about his show and how he wanted that person fired if not he would leave and threaten that there ARE other networks. It’s not really news but I just wanted to point out how there are such INGRATES in this world. And on a more personal note, I got offered 3 jobs this month haha, but ended up staying in the same place. Hmm.

I was watching the Oscars when they were showing the nominees for documentary films when I came across Food Inc. for the first time. So I went out to find a DVD of the movie as I was rather curious because of the tag line it had, “you’ll never look at dinner the same way again.” And they were right.

The film in a nutshell talks about how the food industry has transformed over the years and how in the present, only a handful of corporations actually control the entire market. So when you go to the supermarket and you can hardly pick out a product because of all the variety you see, well, think again. As much as there are so many brand names that give the illusion of variety, these are all made by the same corporations.

The eye-opener in the film was actually how the quality of food has changed. Sure, the quantity is a lot more than it has ever been, but to what consequence? I guess that’s what the movie is trying to get us all to see. And believe me, the consequences are pretty disturbing especially when you realize how and where your food is coming from.

I’d be lying if I said that I knew where, much less cared about how my food came from before, and that would probably be the reason why we are all at this point right now. I think if everyone was made aware of where our food actually comes from, we would be thinking twice about eating what we do every single day. But because we don’t know and because we couldn’t care less, we are all “healthy” contributors to the sad state we are all in right now. Such a shame.

The documentary also points out some of the travesties that have been so glaring in the agricultural industry in the US yet the government turns the other way. Why? Well, because of the money this type of business generates. And while the rich get richer, the farmers who actually have lands that grow these crops and house these animals, are the ones buried to their necks with debt and lawsuits so they are forced to comply or lose everything. Not much of a choice now is there?

I can’t speak for everyone but since I watched “Super Size Me,” which was another documentary that spoke about the fast food industry a few years ago, I’ve been more aware of what I should and shouldn’t be eating. It didn’t stop me from eating fast food though. But this film was a real eye-opener that finally made me do something about what I eat instead of just not giving a damn even after digesting such disturbing information. If you guys have not seen this film, take an hour of your time to do so, and I promise it will do you good.

As a last thought on the matter, I tried to start eating healthy because of this film by taking in more veggies and swearing off on fast food like burgers and the like, but it’s pretty darn hard. You would be surprised why though and it isn’t why you think. I went to the websites supporting the cause (I put them on as links below for reference) and these sites give you the best advice they can on how you should eat. One of them was to eat organic food and buy from farmer’s markets as the products there are not contaminated by all these chemicals and are truly grown fresh. So I went to Healthy Options (a store that sells organic products) to see what they had and now I know WHY people would be hard-pressed to change their eating habits and why it would be practically IMPOSSIBLE to remedy the situation we are all in now.

I’d say I’m in the upper-middle class, to say that I can afford to buy relatively more expensive things if I wanted to. And if you think about it, what could be more important than buying things that can and should make you healthier. But when I went in that store, I really looked at all the products one by one, just to see what all the zero fat, no trans-fat, no chemical, organic stuff, was all about. So great, let’s buy a few, but…

Sure, there was a bit of variety, not a lot though, and you could handpick what you could eat, much less what you wanted to eat, but the problem was the PRICE. And this is where it’s going to hit everyone who watches this film. You may be inspired and your eyes may be wide-open, but can your pockets handle the cost of living a healthier life? If you can buy ketchup in Unimart for P70, why would you go to Healthy Options to buy it for P355? You can count on the cost of everything else in that store to be around that same ratio from your normal supermarkets compared to the organic kind. So I’m at a dilemma right now and I’m sure those who can’t afford it wouldn’t even think twice.

Reference Sites:
Food Inc : Official Site
Eat Well Guide
Food Matters
Organic Food Info

It has been a very, very stressful two weeks. Funny thing is, I was feeling this way because of two “blessings” that came my way! I guess sometimes life throws you good things and they turn ‘bad’ for some weird reason. I guess they weren’t meant to be… or at least that’s what I keep telling myself.

First instance, I was offered a great position in an equally great global company. I’m 7 months into my current job, which I love, so it was very difficult to decide. I was weighing between grabbing an opportunity that may not come my way again (and of course the perk of being offered more money), or stick to where I was now because I was happy and was still being paid pretty well. Everyday was really quite heavy as my heart was not 100% into what I was currently doing because I could very well move out the week after.

So I told myself my decision should be made this week, and I finally decided not to take the leap ahead yet, and develop myself further in the current role I am in now. Whether that is a good decision or not, I will see in the next months or so. Hopefully, I made the right choice.

Second instance, I joined a game show I never thought I would be in. I went through 3 screening processes and got accepted and was scheduled for the taping of the show. The feeling was amazing, and it was one heck of an experience. The screening was hilarious as the people handling us were driving us nuts with their antics. When the decision came as to who was in and my name was called, it was an awesome feeling.

When taping day came, there were 3 mock games that came before the actual game. It was practice to loosen up. I had won all 3 games and the two people who were up against me were quite fearful, honestly, as they openly said it to us all. When the game came, excuses aside, the winner was just unbelievably lucky, and I was the one who ended up with no money at all.

I thought to myself, what a shame, but I really had no control over what was happening. Circumstance had let me run through the game with only 4 chances, and I never got another one. When I got home, I tried to tell myself to simply accept the defeat, but I knew I couldn’t as my ego and pride were really damaged (hehe). So because of the denial, I dreamt about this damn game every night until the day it showed on TV, which was today. And am I glad it’s over.

Sure, I got the messages from friends making fun of me and all that, but it was still an experience I enjoyed thoroughly. It would have been great if I had won, but I guess it wasn’t meant to be. When the show ended, it was like a boulder was taken off my chest, and I could finally breathe again

Whether or not those “blessings” I got were meant as tests, I’ll never know. But what has stuck with me after both instances have passed, is the fact that they were unique experiences I doubt most people will ever be able to go through in their lifetime. And that mere fact, makes it all worth it

Talk about the longest mass EVERRRR! I just went through one that had 9 readings, with the baptism of 17 kids, the confirmation of 7 others, and a walk around the village from street to street.

Well gee… my cousins were able to convince me to go today since it was Easter mass and supposedly the most important mass of the year. Soo… I figured it was a good time to go back to mass since I never fail to see my folks smile when I go with them, and I guess that’s more than enough reason to. The other reason is for me to give thanks for all the blessings I have had (and I am pretty blessed) and pray for things to hopefully go perfect on my wedding day.

Besides that, my eyes are shot, and I’m ready to sleep for the next 24 hours, hehe, make that hopefully at least… 10 hours. But I’ll put up a post for some “Heroes” fans before I say hello to Mr. Sandman…

Isn’t it appalling how there is so much hypocrisy in the world? But isn’t it worse to realize that most people are actually hypocrites? You, me, your friends, your family, your BOSS?

Hypocrisy can be defined as: consciously violating your own stated morality to the world, and presenting yourself as a person with high standards, while in truth, low standards better define your behavior. There are many examples of this. You marry your fiancee because you are crazy about her, not for sex or a twisted sense of security. You choose to be a doctor to help others, not for money or fame. And so on and so forth.

We usually are quick to notice the hypocrisy in others. Oftentimes, we notice it in ourselves too. But when we do, we have this sense that it is an acceptable kind of hypocrisy. So are there more acceptable forms of hypocrisy than others?

What if you were in a dilemma of wanting to move to another company? The problem is, it is direct competition, but offers a significantly higher salary (that you need) that your current company cannot give you. You tell your boss about it, and you do everything you can to explain to him why you are moving. He counter-offers so you would stay, but all to no avail because the gap is really that far. He then lets you go, and is so disappointed at you to the point that he takes it personally. You try to talk to him properly and see him, but he always seems irritated at you and doesn’t answer your calls or messages. Then you go to your customer one day and he says your ex-boss was just there and was saying bad things about you because you moved to direct competition telling them how disloyal you are. Then months after, your ex-boss moves to exactly the same company you are in because he obviously is better off with the move financially. His excuse? He isn’t moving to direct competition, it’s a totally different department and thus a totally different case!

Bullshit.

What would be his excuse now for his actions? What kind of morality would a person like that have, to have no shame to move to where you are at?

Words fail me.

Don’t judge unless you don’t want to be judged yourself. He is a shame to himself and to all the people he said all those things to. In the end, it is always easier to change what we say and think, because what we do is driven more fundamentally by what we really want. And that is the hardest thing to change.