Welcoming 2010

Another 365 days have gone. Too fast.

I would wanna tell myself that the past 365 days have been good. Don't really want to look back too much, so that I won't remind myself of any bad memories or incidents, and also to leave less room for regrets. :)

Resolution for the coming new year - keep on travelling. :)

And to be back in my safe haven here in Bago City of course. :) Right now, fire crackers are blasting all over, non-stop. Welcoming the new year with (lots of) blasts.

May everybody's wishes for the new year come true. :)

Down with a sore throat

Just when I'm trying to enjoy myself to the max here in Bago City, I'm down with a sore throat that I didn't even want to eat anything, because swallowing is just too painful.

I hate it. I'm just praying that this is not a prelude to a fever.

Back in paradise

It's nice to be back in a place I call paradise - Bago City. :)

Manila was just a stop-over, for shopping. Haha. Was more or less rewarding, but I just hate the traffic.

I miss Bago City. It really feels good to be back 'home'. Everything looks so familiar, and everybody is doing well, if not better. Haven't get to meet up with everybody yet (it's only my first day back here), but I hope to see my friends during this Christmas period and New Year too. :)

This afternoon, I visited a child's home in Ma-ao Central. This child was adopted by one of the city government offices for a day, as part of their celebration of Christmas, sharing their blessings to the less fortunate.

I think a picture speaks a thousand words.



I donated 1500 pesos to buy rice for him and his grandfather. It costs around $150 to buy materials to rebuild a small nipah hut for his family. If you want to make contributions to change the life of another child just like him, please let me know.

Merry Christmas. :)

Last day

It's my last day today. How time flies.

For the past 12 months, life has somewhat been a rollercoaster ride.

Work has somewhat taken centre stage, workload was piling, and all I know was to rush to meet deadlines. Managing the publishing of 30 books of music scores is sure hell no mean feat. It was definitely a good training for my patience. I have banged the table and puked blood so many times, to the stage that I couldn't be bothered anymore. Ha.

Just when I was trying to catch some breaths after the scores have been published, I was once again caught up with the preparation of the 'annual event' a.k.a the exam. You would have thought that everything would be easier, since I've been through it twice. Ha, no. More problems cropped up, and I was exhausted by the time I overcame them.

But I live to travel. I love to see my passport getting stamped. Bago City, Macau, Hong Kong, Bydgoszcz, Warsaw, Krakow, Prague, Salzburg, Vienna, Manila.. woohoo~!

Life is full of challenges, and I've managed to conquer them, sort of. I completed the 40-km cycling challenge, survived in a sea of Filipino strangers watching Aiza Seguerra's concert (and taking photo with her!), handling a big group of grown-up kids on tour in Europe, dealt with nonsensical kids, and keeping myself sane. Haa.

Yes, how time flies. It's my last day. Here in reality, for the year. And off I go, to my paradise. :)

End of the 'event'

It's over. Sort of. Finally, two weeks of mad rush, storms and their aftermaths, lack of Starbucks, it's almost over.

The wrapping up of the 'event' is also another headache. Many things to finalise, little time to do so.

Again, for the past two weeks, I've seen a lot, I've heard a lot. How well I've fared, I don't know. Everything is a test of my capability, but I couldn't tell if I've accomplished anything.

I don't want to doubt myself, but that may not be what people see in me.

Oh well. Time for a break.

Wanna hack people up again

Once again, I feel like hacking people up. But I'm already exhausted.

I can't wait for my Christmas to come.

Arghh

I want to hack people up. I just want to.

Storm has approached

Just before the 'event of the year' kick off tomorrow, the storm approached and caused a massive destruction.

Perhaps I was right, I knew something would go wrong. Murphy's Law.

I'm now afraid of my phone ringing, messages buzzing. I couldn't sleep well, I lost my appetite.

Hearing Christmas tunes on the radio and on tv, I just hope that it's Christmas now. Nasaan ang Pasko ko?

Stressed

Stress level is building up, so is fatigue and exhaustion.

Very soon, it's the time for the 'event' of the year. Somehow, there's a tinge of uneasiness lingering around. The peace before the storm is very scary.

I need to ensure I have enough stock of my chocolates and coke. I wished for Starbucks delivery.

It's time.

Happy birthday to me

Thank you for all the wishes and greetings on Facebook, Friendster, through SMSes. I am thankful to have friends who are with me through the years, all the ups and downs. My goodness, I sounded old. Haha.. another year of wisdom!

But really, I didn't expect pleasant surprises to keep coming. Birthdays are just like any other normal days, it would be nice to just spend it peacefully. I love peace. :)

A birthday song from Juris of M.Y.M.P (live from the USA! :D), a pseudo-birthday cake, lollipop, a real birthday cake, pinoy's birthday song, and whistling sparkers. And of course, special company of friends from the Philippines. Thank you to all for making my day less peaceful, but definitely special.

Thank you, maraming salamat. :)

Time to pack the donation box!

It's the time of the year again, time to pack the donation box! :D

Donations of old stuff (clothes, toys and books) are welcome, and of course, if you wish to help sponsor the cost of the shipment (yes, it's always out from my pocket..), I'll be glad to know.

After years of doing this, I'm an expert in taping up the boxes. Haha.. And I guess it has become one of my unique ways of destressing. :)

Spread your love during this Christmas season, and bless others. 43 days to Christmas!

Bro, ikaw ang star ng Pasko

In times of hardship and despair, there's always hope and strength to keep us going, leading us out from the darkness.

Presenting to you, the heartwarming Christmas ID of ABS-CBN - Bro, ikaw ang star ng Pasko. :)
(Bro = Jesus, you are the star of the Christmas festive season.)



Christmas is coming! 51 days to Christmas!!

Chinese Orchestras

My friend from RVCO recently posted tons of old photos onto Facebook. Photos taken back almost 10 years ago, during our days spent in RVCO. Indeed it has brought back memories.

A big part of my life revolves around Chinese orchestras and Chinese music. From RVCO, to HCCO, to NUSCO. 11 years. :) It's a long journey, with its ups and downs.

There were happy days, when we had fun together playing music, or maybe just a chit-chat session at our usual hangouts (Remember Jurong East Entertainment Centre? And NUSCO's favourite kopitiam. :D)

There were days when things didn't go well. I think my high school days was a struggling period. I call it my 'teenhood's agony'. Ha. I'm an introvert (I think I am). I didn't have many close friends in school, in fact, I think I did piss many people off with my attitude, which I don't really know how to describe. To put it simple, I wasn't well-accepted. Ouch. Ha.

But I do miss the days when all of us fought hard for a common goal, to win in the SYF. Practice hours were long, expectations of instructors were hard to reach. That was what forged strong bondings within the orchestra, something memorable to reminisce for the years to come.

Orchestras are like big families. But people do come and go. When work starts to take up too much time and energy, people start to let go of other things. Many of my friends are no longer involved in Chinese orchestras, and seniors are slowly becoming inactive. New members come in as always, but the age gap is widening and honestly I can't click with the kids. The circle is getting bigger yet smaller.

I was entertaining the thought of letting go as well, to be contented with just being a supporter, an audience. I wouldn't know how things would go, perhaps my level of procrastination would just leave it at a standstill. Ha.

Oh well, this is life. Enjoy the moment.

Thomson Airlines safety instructions' video

I consider myself a frequent flyer, having been on 4 overseas trips this year so far. :) I never really pay attention to the aircraft safety instructions' videos or demonstrations by the air crew, well, depending on which airline or air crew. Haha.. Besides, they are all of the same content.

But if the airlines were to do this, I think all passengers will pay 101% attention. Haha.. :)

Splurging and collecting donations

I just splurged. In pursuit of my happiness. Wahaha.

Anyway, yes I'm still collecting donations. You may choose to contribute in the following ways:

1. cash donation for the victims of Typhoon Ketsana and Parma in Manila, the Philippines
2. donation of old clothes, books, bags and toys for the children in Bago City, the Philippines.
3. cash donation for purchasing of stationery sets as Christmas gifts for the children in Bago City, the Philippines.

Please contact me! :) You can email me at puyuhui at starhub.net.sg. Share your blessings with the less fortunate. :)

*P.S. Apologies for the lack of posts. Too busy with work. Will wait for inspiration to strike. :)

A letter from my sponsored child

I received a letter from my sponsored child in Philippines today. The first thing that she wrote:

"Don't forget to rest and relax because it can cause stress."

Wow. I don't whether to laugh or to really ponder over what she wrote.

And yes, I apologise, for the lack of posts. Been caught up with work, and also trying to seek ways to help the typhoon victims in the Philippines. As of now, the most practical and ideal method would still be making monetary contributions.

I'm still collecting the contributions, to be donated to the NGOs in the Philippines. Please contact me if you would wish to reach out to the Filipinos. :)

So here's a beautiful photo taken in Nasugbu, Batangas, away from the city of Manila. :)

Donate to help the victims of Typhoon Ondoy

To everybody who is reading this,

You may be my friend, we may be total strangers. But I'm appealing to all of you, to do what you can, to help the victims of Typhoon Ondoy (Ketsana) that has swept away lives in Manila, Philippines, and left hundreds of thousands homeless.

The Philippines experiences an average of 20 to 30 typhoons a year, but Typhoon Ondoy took everyone by surprise. The extent of its destruction was unexpected. The heavy floods left many stranded on rooftops without food and water for hours. Houses and vehicles were swept away by the currents. More than 30 areas were declared to be in a state of calamity. The death toll is still on the rise, millions of Filipinos remain affected by the aftermath.

I was lucky enough to have escaped from the raging typhoon. If I were to stay in Manila for a few more days, I could be one of them.

The floodwaters have subsided, but it is going to take a lot of time and effort to rebuild the affected areas. A big part of the population is surviving on a very low income, it's not an easy task to get back to the lives that used to be.

Relief operations have been ongoing, but the the scale of the devastation is still overwhelming. Food and water are being distributed to the affected areas. Donations in cash and in kind are pouring in. The disaster has also kindled the 'bayanihan' spirit in the Filipinos; people from all walks of life coming together to lend a helping hand.

But that's not enough. They still need help.

Don't just sit down and wait, or do nothing. Help.

I'm collecting cash donation, which is more ideal at this point of time. Donation of clothes and blankets can be arranged. Please contact me, or leave a message.

Donation can also be made to the ABS-CBN Sagip Kapamilya Foundation and the Philippine National Red Cross.

I thank you for reaching out to the Filipinos. Maraming salamat.

Photos of Manila

Photos taken in Manila are already up on Flickr and Facebook.

Here's the link.

Ya, bad weather and bad traffic, didn't take as many rewarding photos as expected. Oh well, there's always a next time. It's just a 3.5 hr flight away! :)

Tropical storm Ondoy (international code Ketsana) has subsided, but the aftermath is still a disaster by itself. At least I know that my friends are ok, Joy and Niña are back in Bago City already.

Read article of Pinoy's bayanihan spirit during this period of calamity here.

Manila is hit by Ondoy

Manila has been hit by the tropical storm Ondoy.

Many families are trapped on rooftops, flight operations have been suspended, power supply is cut off, roads are impassable. Many areas have been declared to be in a state of calamity due to the heavy floods.

The weather wasn't like that a few days back. Yes it rained, but it seemed to be the usual one. Somehow I felt I should be thankful that I returned earlier, but I'm worried about my friends who are in Manila.

Joy and Niña are stranded in Manila; they were supposed to return back to Bago City this afternoon. I hope they are fine, together with Tita Celina.

The storm is expected to move west, across the Luzon island, before exiting the country early Sunday. It better be over soon, but it is not going to be easy to pick up the pieces after such destructive damages have been done.

I just hope that everything is fine.

A short respite in Manila

A short respite in Manila, I've enjoyed it, but it wasn't satisfying enough. Time was wasted meaninglessly while getting stuck in traffic jams, and waiting for one another.

I wished I had time to walk through the shopping malls (there are countless of them in Manila), or just to sit down and have some nice coffee. Talking about coffee, it's a Starbucks heaven in Manila. Starbucks is everywhere. I see a Starbucks outlet every 10 minutes when cruising down the streets.

Yes, I love Starbucks. :)

Photoshoots were less rewarding than expected. Traffic jams, bad weather. Oh well.

I was lucky though, to have close encounters with the Filipino celebrities. Although I didn't get my chance to see Piolo and Richard Poon in person, I was able to enter the studio of ABS-CBN to witness the production of a live talkshow. Many thanks to Nonoy's contacts. :)

And I was even luckier to see Kris Aquino in person, with her cute little Baby James, hours before my flight back to Singapore. :) Had a photo taken with her too! :D

Managed to trick people that I'm a fake Filipino (or maybe a fake Singaporean). Haha.

Thank you Imee and Tita Celina for hosting, thank you Joy and Niña for flying in from Bago City, for bringing me the squid rings. Thanks to Tricia and Nonoy too, for knowing how much I wish to see Piolo and Richard. Haha.

It's just a matter of time before I return to Manila, or to other parts of the Philippines. And I look forward to the day. :)