2012

Just a recap for 2012. Much as I'd like to make each year memorable and unforgettable, I could say that this year was just one of those uneventful years. I mean, I didn't get a new job or get married or whatever. It was highlighted by a few domestic trips outside Manila, though, all thanks to my short vacation and work travels. Some places I visited this year were places I've already been to, but I always welcome the thought of going back again anyway.

So in these photos are Baguio, Nueva Ecija, Palawan, Bohol, Pampanga, Cebu, Capiz and Aklan. I hope I could squeeze in more travels for 2013, and maybe a foreign one at that. But that's just my wishful thinking.  

I did meet a whole of new people in my life, and that is awesome. I did not keep my New Year's resolution, so I see no point of making another for next year. I got sick again, but this time it was only a less serious gastritis attack but it kept me in the hospital for several days. My stress always manifests in a gastro attack.

And for a fun-ner side of my job, I got to cover Maroon 5 and Jennifer Lopez concerts, which I am grateful for because I don't see myself splurging for those expensive ticket prices. Unless it's gonna be The Corrs.

For 2013, I just want to be more serious with my job. And possibly make a career change? Hmm who knows.I have wishes for my family and myself, but I'd rather keep it to myself. Thank you Lord for the year that was. :)

Missing Bohol

Last May, my friend Laila and I finally managed to pursue our overdue trip to Bohol. After two years of planning and daydreaming, can you imagine?! She visited the place a few weeks before our trip with her husband, but we've already been meaning to go there as early as 2010. Our former boss in my previous employer, which I will name in my blog as sir Omet, was re-assigned as the Battalion Commander of the ever "courageous and determined" Army's 2nd Special Forces Battalion in Bohol.

Meet sir Omet, our former boss

 Unfortunately, our former boss wasn't there in the most days of our visit because he had a conference in Cebu. And so he had his men to take care of us. Until today I'm still ever grateful for their hospitality!! Go SF! :)

We were so spoiled I think I still owe them something. I promised to give back when they visit Manila. They even prepared an itinerary! But we had to cut a portion of our schedule to meet our former boss in Cebu before heading back to Manila.

Our host the Army 5th Special Forces Company. 

We toured almost the whole Bohol. We visited the Sandugo, Baclayon Church, Prony the python, the Man-Made Forest, Bohol Bee Farm, Danao Adventure Park and a dinner cruise by the Loboc River among others. And of course, it's not Bohol without the tarsier and Chocolate Hills!

But what made this short vacation unforgettable was my diving experience. It really meant a lot to me because I'm scaredy shit of huge waters and I can't swim! I almost backed out when we were about to dive! Hayyy embarrassing "inarte" moment it was!

We spent the night in Panglao Island on our second night and the next morning I thought we were only going for a swim or dolphin-watching. To my horror, our military tourist guides (who happened to be certified scuba divers) squeezed a short dive  in our schedule.

Going diving, baby! (But scaaared)

While in great disbelief, we were brought to Mr. Divers Dive Center, where the military people in Bohol rent their gear. The owner is an Isabela-descent, which was why I kind of felt at ease having an Ilocano around. Proud northener here! Anyway, our guides and the owner kept reassuring me that I could still go diving even if I don't know how to swim at all. Laila convinced me to try the diving gears for photo ops. After we changed our outfits, she said, "O sige pag di ka nag dive lalagay ko sa Facebook nagpa photo ops ka lang!" Wahahahahaha! What a true friend. :)

PROUD MOMENT!! :)

We had training near the shore for less than an hour. And then THE moment came. We rode on a motorboat and went several meters from the shore. Laila was the first to jump, and once on water she kept reassuring me that she was okay and I will be fine too. But until the last moment I was having second thoughts as I'm very accident prone! Seriously! But the boys were also persistent saying I'd be missing a lot if I won't go down. I also imagined that my father, who is always scolding me for skipping swimming lessons every chance he gets, would at least be proud if I would be able to do this. AND SO I DID IT!!!!

Once I made it to the water, my friends were already cheering and clapping!!! Nakakahiya but I was so happy and proud! Laila and I both had a "buddy" with us to control our apparatus as we went 30 feet down. Imagine, it wasn't that deep for real divers, but I was already making a show. Unfortunately, Laila's buddy had the underwater camera and when they both reached 30 feet deep they had to go back up because Laila was having ear problems. What luck, I wanted to have my photo taken but I was still scared I want to go back up too.

Nevertheless, it was such an accomplishment and I could say it was the highlight of our Bohol trip. :) :) :) I always look back at that experience with a smile...and pride! I like that feeling when I conquer a fear-- what a natural high. :)

I miss Bohol and I hope to go back there within a year maybe. How nice it was to realize that I could actually have a life outside of my job. I also miss Acacia de Bubu, the best "tusok-tusok" place I know! Here are other photos form the trip. There are also photos in Facebook. :)

Reuters!

My photo made it to Reuters! Well I think it wasn't an exceptional photo but it just had to go with the story, I guess. I covered a cruise ship event when it docked in Manila. Two days later, the Azamara Quest caught minor fire in the middle of Sulu Sea when it was on its way to Malaysia.

That's about it. All was well after the fire and I'm glad for the people who were in it were safe, especially the crew members, half of which were Filipino.

Anyway, I was so giddy with my photo's fate and now I am considering that being a photographer would be a good career in the future. Why not, right? Too ambitious? Hmmm. :)

Sokol

Some days I just love my job.

Last Friday, I covered the turnover of the new Sokol helicopters of the Philippine Air Force at Clark, Pampanga. I haven't been that long in covering the military, but I was sure giddy for the airmen. I mean, it must have felt like having a new toy, getting all inspired to learn how to play with it and all that.

It was said that these Sokol multi-role choppers from a Polish firm were better than Hueys. If you don't know what a Huey is, it's a vintage helicopter and it gets to the news every now and then because it either crashed or had an emergency landing. Yeah, that Huey, get it now? Anyway, our pilots who have operated the Sokol so far, kept throwing the word "amazed" when asked about its capabilities. So maybe, it must be really something.

Only four of eight of the helicopters were delivered and the next would be by November late this year. Before you start praising our dear President that he has something to do with this good news, stop yourself. The deal was made during GMA's time. So there, I just wanted to say that this was not a part of "tuwid na daan." But to be fair, the President has not taken the credit.

Now the fun part.

The members of media who covered the event were treated to a 40-minute tour around Clark using the new helicopters. I heard we were among the first civilians who rode the Sokol. And I don't know if this is even relevant, but I was at the first sortie. I have no idea how the PAF office grouped the media, but I was grateful only later on to be in the first batch. Kami na talaga! Choz.

We were toured around Clark, Crow Valley in Tarlac and Mount Pinatubo. I have tried out a Huey before but only from Camp Aguinaldo to Villamor, but that's why the Sokol ride did not scare me even if I knew the pilots were not that familiar with it yet.

The view from above is...spectacular. I enjoyed seeing an aerial view of the green fields. I'm a farmer girl like that. The remnants of Lahar were also pretty to look at from above.

Meanwhile, the view from Crow Valley was also unforgettable because of its Baguio vibe! It was cold! Ang sarap! And like what Kate said, ang lakas maka Lord of the Rings ang peg!

But my favorite of all was the Mount Pinatubo crater. Pangarap ko yun eh! It was good to see the crater without trekking, but with the beautiful view, I guess the hike would probably be worth it. It was so beautiful I wanted to cry. Seriously. That's just me when overwhelmed. Iyakin.



What were my thoughts on the ride? Well, it was smooth. The Sokol can fly up to 140 knots, while the Huey is only at 90 knots. Sokol also has a double engine, that's why I was so confident during the ride. It is also four-bladed, which gave it less vibrations. Let us not go to technicals any further.


That's about it. I was so happy and excited and it made me appreciate my job even more.

So far, there are six pilots operating the Sokol and they will serve as instructor pilots. They would have to train more before the helicopters finally go to deployment.

Good luck to the future pilots of Sokol. Fair winds and blue skies always! I am really happy for the Air Force. :)

In case you're looking for our story or if you're interested in specs, go here: Air Force gets 4 new multi-role choppers

Video caption has yet to be corrected. Sorry. :)

2011

Let me tell you about the year that was, now that it's been 19 days after the new one began. I think it's better to write about the previous year a few weeks late because I feel detached to it already. But in truth I was just lazy, see the gap between this and my last blog post. I just felt the need to blog again. Been bombarding my Facebook way too much!

What was 2011 for me? It was a year of heartbreaks - especially on friendships. But it only happened on the latter part of the year, and it was very apparent on my Twitter and Facebook posts. Forgive me, I wasn't thinking clearly then. The stoic girl is back now! :)

I'm no longer dwelling on those things that made me sad or really depressed, so I don't like telling the story over again. Let's just say I've never felt so betrayed in life. I value friendships so much and it's just heartbreaking to find out that someone whom you've considered a good friend wasn't true to you all along. I don't get mad very often, but when I do, the enemy must have done something really offensive. Looking back, I can't believe she dragged me down to her jejemon level. She could try to speak or tweet in English, wear branded stuff, but she will always be a jejemon to me. I'm no longer bitter, I'm just saying a fact. Hahahaha!

And another one was uhm, let's just say, the battle between head and heart is the hardest. Yeah, life really sucked then. But I believe all's well now. Things happen for a reason. Cliches are true.

But on a way brighter note, it was also a year of dreams come true. Five months after being an editorial assistant, I moved up one notch as reporter. I was a cub police reporter for three months, and at present, a defense reporter. It was in college when I started dreaming of becoming a reporter because of my super big crush on a military rebel-turned-senator (aha, there are two, care to guess). I even gatecrashed his detention center when I was a student just to interview him, hahaha! I was a big fan like that back then. So every prayer I made when it's my first time to visit a church was that. They said when it's your first time to visit a church you should make three wishes. That dream was one of it. And it came true!

I love my job. I learn something new all the time. Even at times when I think I'm starting to feel bored, it suddenly gets random. I love randomness. Don't get me started or I will rave on and on.

The past year I learned how to let go. I hate throwing cliches but they are true! No one else would help you but yourself, so might as well stop holding on to things that suck the happy vibes out of you. People leave, things change. Some memories aren't worth holding on to.

Despite the drama, I have good memories of 2011. So it was still a notable one.

For 2012, my mantra is to be a QUEEN. I believe that it's my destiny (don't raise eyebrows), although at work I will always be a slave! I hope to read more books and eat less fastfood. McDonald's is evil! If you haven't watched Supersize Me, then go and learn from it.

An astrologer I met in one of my coverages this week told me that this year would be the end of my nine-year cycle, which means there are things in my life that would be put to an end and I should start planning for what I want next year when I get to start a new cycle. It's both scary and exciting. Cheers, 2012.