Hello 2017

Published on January 3, 2017January 3, 2017 by graciellealexandraLeave a comment

For someone who writes for a living, I have been extremely remiss in updating my personal blog. Lol. I have not written a single blog post in more than year. Hopefully, my schedule lets up this year and allow me some personal writing time.

2016 has been infinitely better than 2015 and 2014. For that, I am extremely thankful to the Lord above for bestowing favors in me. My kids have grown up so fast. They got their share of sickness and maladies but nothing major, I sigh in great relief.

Work has been steady. I’ve learned a lot of new skills. My writing has gotten better. I have become more adept at project management. What I should improve on is my juggling skills. I should practice the art of doing six things at the same time. For now, I can only manage four. Hahaha.

My personal triumphs in 2016 has been with my community service. I am so happy spending most of my free time (including others) helping the underprivileged sectors of the society. I have been to places that will set you back to 20 years prior where access to schools and even necessities like water and electricity is difficult. I’ve met a lot school aged kids who think you’re Santa Claus for giving them slippers or school supplies. My heart definitely broke for those severely wasted Grade 7 kids who look like they’re just Grade 2 pupils.

2016 was also the year that I spearheaded JCI Bai Lawanen’s school to school advocacy- Husto Na: Zero Tolerance for Bullies (anti-bullying campaign). This campaign won the Merit Awards during the 2016 Mindanao Convention Gawad Awards and the Best Education for Peace Award in the 2016 JCI Philippines National Convention Temiong Awards. This year, we will continue with this advocacy and pair it with other worthwhile advocacy like Responsible Use of Social Media.

2017 will again be a busy year for me. In a month’s time, it’s going to be our induction. In March, my only daughter will officially become a teenager (OMG!). And of course, I’ll turn a year older too.

I’ll end this post with a link to our video shoot almost a year ago.

JCI Bai Lawanen 2016 Board of Directors

The World I Want

Published on May 13, 2013 by graciellealexandraLeave a comment

We had some sort of Mother’s Day celebration yesterday and to end a wonderful day, we decided to have a massage, a weekly ritual that we permit ourselves amidst all the expenses parents have when they have kids. We left the house late (around 11PM) and we were surprised to see our neighbors still up and about. When we asked them why, they said that they were waiting for money from certain politicians as they normally do the vote buying around midnight. I asked them what the going rate was, they said P300. My mom too received a text message that she gets P200 if she votes for a certain mayoralty candidate. Oh my…..at the rate they’re going, it will take them all their years in service if they win to recoup all the expenses they have this election. Sad…my inability to vote today due to failure to vote for 2 consecutive elections has made me wish that people will use discernment to vote for government officials who truly want to help my ever beloved beleaguered city. It’s time to make a change indeed.

Just in time for this election, United Nations has this project/campaign called The World We Want. They have put up a poll that allows readers to choose 6 topics they are most passionate about. These are my 6 choices:

How about you? What do you want to change? Cast your vote now.

Like them on Facebook.

Just Another Repost-Why do marriages fail? Counselor gives 5 reasons-

Published on January 26, 2012 by graciellealexandra2 Comments

A lot of marriages are ending and it’s not just Hollywood! What’s with all the break up? Why do marriages fail? An article from abs-cbn has the answer. (original article can be read here.)

MANILA, Philippines – For Herald Cruz, counselor at the Center for Family Ministries at the Ateneo de Manila University, there are five reasons why marriages crumble, and eventually fail.

Citing research and his experience in counseling, Cruz said all other issues of married couples can be traced to money woes, sex problems, differences and incompatibilities, unfaithfulness and matters related to in-laws.

“Sa counseling, we try to look at the root cause… Hindi tinuturo kung sino ang mas malaki ang problema. Ang sinasabi namin, it takes two to create a problem, and it takes two to solve a problem as well,” he said in an interview on radio dzMM’s “Rated Korina” on Wednesday.

“Marriage can give you a taste of heaven as well,” added Cruz, who has four children and has been married for 19 years.

Here are Cruz’s suggestions on how married couples can address these five problems:

1. Money woes

Signs: Debts and several loans; impulsive buying; not living within your means

Solutions: Don’t spend more than what you earn; try to save as much money as you can; consult a financial adviser

2. Sex problems

Signs: Husband/wife is not contented while the other feels it’s too much; husband/wife starts to look for another person for intimacy

Solutions: Discuss what is comfortable and enjoyable for you with your partner; go out on regular dates (without the kids) to fuel intimacy

3. Differences and incompatibilities

Signs: More frequent quarrels; spending less time together as a result of being separated by interests

Solutions: RUACH (recognize differences, understand, accept, change yourself or adjust, heal your heart)

4. Unfaithfulness

Signs: Husband/wife is always not around or neglects partner; existence of a “third party;” husband/wife hides too many secrets

Solutions: Discuss issues and begin accepting each other; address each other’s needs; consult a conselor

5. Matters related to in-laws

Signs: More quarrels over in-laws; couple feels obligated to let in-laws make decisions about the family

Solutions: Discuss how you can set boundaries with in-laws; move out if in-laws are hard to deal with; consult a counselor

Just Another Repost- Recall petition vs Cagayan de Oro mayor gains ground, says proponent

Published on January 25, 2012 by graciellealexandra1 Comment

It is the 40th day since Sendong happened and let’s take a moment of our time to say a little prayer to those who perished and who are still missing. The article below is just apt and hopefully the victims will find some peace in knowing this….

from the Inquirer.net (original article can be found here).

By Bobby Lagsa
Inquirer Mindanao

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY, Philippines—The recall petition against Mayor Vicente Emano is gaining ground and a proponent of the move said he and his colleagues expected to gather 30,000 signatures by the end of the month.

At least 45,000 signatures are needed before the Commission on Elections acts on the petition for recall election, a process under which the elected official concerned must submit to a new election.

Tito Mora, vice chair of the Save CDO Now, said his group has gathered some 25,000 signatures since the drive was launched on January 13. He added they were aiming to have gathered 30,000 signatures by January 30.

“We aim to complete it before V-Day,” he said, referring to the day when the petition would be submitted to the Comelec.

As this developed, the Save CDO Now movement announced also that it has filed complaints for gross negligence and dereliction of duty against Emano at the regional office of the Department of the Interior and Local Government in Northern Mindanao. A copy of the complaint was sent to Malacañang, according to Mora.

Emano maintained that the recall move and the charges against him were baseless.

The recall petition and the complaints against Emano were prompted by the heavy toll taken by flash floods triggered last December 17 by the passage of Tropical Storm Sendong. Cagayan de Oro officials were allegedly remiss in taking measures to mitigate the effects of the storm, such as issuing warnings to affected population and ordering evacuation of threatened places.

At least 700 people were killed in Cagayan de Oro and dozens more remain missing to this day.

Lawyer James Judith, who filed the complaints at the DILG regional office here, said Emano’s inaction and defiance despite warnings from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources and the Philippine Atmospheric, Geographical Services Administration resulted in the unprecedented death toll and destruction.

Judith said the death toll would have not been as high had the city government not abetted the settlement and illegal construction of houses on sandbars and delta in the Cagayan de Oro River.

Neric Acosta, presidential adviser on environmental protection, told a recent forum held at the Xavier University here that “it is wrong to give land titles on sandbars, where signs of danger are present.”

The complainants also alleged that when President Aquino came to the city and convened a meeting of the National Disaster Risks Reduction and Management Council, Emano did not brief the President on the coordinated efforts to help the victims.

The complaint also alleged that Emano did not convene the Local Disaster Risks Reduction and Management Council as required by Repubic Act 10121.

Judith said the complainants believed that had Emano performed his duties as mayor, the city could have prepared for and mitigated the effects of the disaster.

Emano downplayed the recall petition and the complaints filed against him, saying it was the work of “elitists.”

He said he found this out when he sent spies during the January 13 launching of the recall move.

“They are elitists and not poor thus they do not represent the city’s masses,” he said.

Mora said Emano was now trying to sow discord among the people by painting the movement as anti-poor.

“First he (Emano) said we were politicking. Now he says we’re elitists. The fact is, we only want Emano and the political principles he represents out of the office he has dishonored and degraded for 13 long years,” he said.

Starting the Year Right

Published on January 18, 2012January 18, 2012 by graciellealexandra2 Comments

The past two days have been really hectic as I try to juggle my different roles in life. Plus my baby Drew is not feeling feel. I guess it’s teething problems plus the immunization. Seeing Drew cranky is very rare as this is one very happy baby. Now, on the eve of his 4th month, he is crying his lungs out to let the entire neighborhood know that the price is not his usual self.

Earlier, I stumbled upon a blog post that had me thinking and after reading and analyzing the article, I realized that the writer is right. (Original article can be found here) Goals fail because we have not been specific with them.

I’d like to share this with you….

Five Signs That Your Goals Are Bound For Failure

What are your goals for this year?
What are the things you want to achieve in your career? in your finances? in your personal relationships?
I surveyed my friends and most of them want to save more money, lose some weight and start a small business.
A few did good by writing down their goals and making a vision board. However, I told them that crossing the “finish line” will take more effort than that.
In fact, I said that I don’t recommend setting such “impossible” goals because they’re bound to fail.
Why? Why do I think that those are impossible goals?
They are impossible… not because they’re unrealistic as traveling back through time – but simply because they have these five tell-tale signs that they’re most likely come up short in accomplishing them.
Evaluate your own life goals and see if yours are also “impossible”.

Sign #1: Your goals are vague or too broad.
Save more money, lose some weight, start a small business – all of these goals are ambiguous and almost meaningless.
Instead, make it your goal to have P200,000 in your savings account, go down to 140 lbs, or franchise a food cart business. Be specific with your goals.
Sign #2: It’s hard to measure how far away you are from achieving your goals.
So your goal is to save more money, but how do you exactly know you’ve become successful at saving more money? Again, this is the problem with having a goal not specific enough.
When your goal is to have P200,000 in your savings account, then you’ll know you’re already 10% done when you see P20,000 in your bank statement, and half-way done when there’s a cool hundred there. Make your goals measurable.
Sign #3: Your goals are too hard to attain.
So your goal is to get your weight down to 140 lbs, which is a nice, specific and measurable goal. But if you’re a 200-pound guy working as a chef, then that goal might be a little too grand for now.
Be realistic and practical about your situation. Why not make it your goal to be 170 lbs first. This way, it’s easier, less overwhelming and more manageable to achieve. Make your goals attainable.

Sign #4: Your goals do not inspire you.
Starting a business, whether your own or a franchise, requires hard work and focus. You may be able to afford that food cart franchise, but does that kind of business excite you?
If your passion is photography, then it may be more relevant to put up a business in that niche. Ask yourself… is this goal worth my time? Will achieving this goal give me self-fulfillment?
Sign #5: Your goals do not have a deadline.
Have P200,000 in your savings account by December 31, weigh down to 170 lbs by September 1, schedule the grand opening of your photo studio business by August 8 – this is how you make your goals time-bound.
It’s important that you always have a target date for your goals because it gives you a sense of commitment. They become more real to you and serves as a motivation to make progress every day and succeed.
In summary, when setting any kind of goal, always make sure that you’re being S.M.A.R.T. about it. Your goals should be Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Relevant and Time-Bound.

If you have already set your goals then now is the time for you to make adjustments to them so that achieving them would not be a problem.

It’s More Fun In the Philippines

Published on January 8, 2012January 11, 2012 by graciellealexandraLeave a comment

The slogan for Philippine tourism has been controversial lately and the latest slogan- It’s more fun in the Philippines is met with approval even by the president itself. I really don’t care if some haters say that this is just a plagiarism of an old Swiss campaign. For me, the new ad campaign shows the wit of Filipinos. With so many posts and pictures going around regarding DOT’s marketing strategy, I find this post by Paul Jamez very entertaining. (You can find the complete article here.)

1. Status Updates

1. Status Updates

2. Going Upstairs

3. Commuting

4. Catching the breeze

5. Getting Lost

6. Taking a Break

7. Tailgating

8. Mountain Biking

9. Social Climbing

10. Home Improvement

11. Stargazing

12. Staring Contests

13. Getting High

14. Geometry

15. Schools

16. LARPing

17. Tweeting

18. Planking

19. Jumpshots

20. Basketball

21. Cardio

22. Kisses

23. Roadtrips

24. The Dark Side

25. Prison