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.

The analogy between job hunting and..

...ROMANCE. The idea started when a friend of mine was getting 'hints' from a guy who happened to be in a relationship with another girl (Please don't condemn the guy. This blog is not about his story). I teased my friend being the guy's 'part-time job' and I didn't let go of that analogy since. Our comparison between employment and romance developed. Actually, the ideas we formed took a series of telebabad sessions as my friend's love story progressed. You may find this silly, lame, shallow, unoriginal, or whatever. If so, stop reading because I'm just about to list them down.

Seeking for a job is like seeking for a partner. Ergo, unemployment means singlehood.

Passing resumes/CVs is similar to choosing prospects. In job hunting, you try out at the companies you like before anywhere else. You may not end up there but you know you would die of regret if you didn't try. And later on, you pass your CVs to other prospects. And if you get really lucky, you may not end up where you intended to be, but you end up somewhere better. You only settle for kahit ano later on. The same goes in choosing a partner. You know that already, right? Hmm not too sure?

You show the best version of yourself in interviews. Job interviews make or break your chances of getting hired. You get the job by acing your exams and interviews. Sometimes, the cover letter and the sample works do the talking. This is the dating part in relationships. You gotta display your 'skills and abilities' and build a good chemistry with a potential partner. Duh. No need to explain this.

Wait for the call. In job hunting, this the HR's line after an interview. There are companies who will get back at you as soon as they can. There are times when you'll never hear from a potential employer ever again. And last, there are employers who make you hope (or guarantee) as if you get the job but turn out to be a sham. In relationships, this is the stage after/between dating. Results vary: You become a couple, get straight rejection, or hold on to a false hope. Whatever the outcome is, you charge it to experience. There is also an alternative scenario and it's when...

You get the job, BUT. This is a problem when you bag the job in a company you THOUGHT you wanted but suddenly had a change of mind. This is normal, I guess. Settling for a job is closing doors to other pending applications. In romance, it's like finding the right person after a few dates but still hesitate to commit because of other opportunities that could be missed. The latest Smart TV ad says, "there are many fish in the sea." There are many ones out there, indeed.

Hired! Finally, you're employed. But it's not a happy ending yet. The story is just about to begin. You prove your employer that they made a good decision in hiring you. You work hard. You build a good relationship with the boss. In love affairs, you try to make the relationship work against all odds. You resist other temptations that could ruin the relationship. The drama begins. 'Love conquers all' is your favorite motto.

You're employed, BUT. You have a job and you're not content with what you do. It may depress you, or maybe you just want something more. Or you are just plainly bored. At first, you seek for part-time job opportunities. But if the frustration gets worse, you start looking for a new employer. In romance, this is where INFIDELITY unfolds.

Losing grip. Resigning (or worse, being terminated) is like breaking up, is it not? And the cycle goes all over again.

(Originally posted in 2008)

My ideal guy

I was reading something on ideals the other day. My thoughts ended up on the ideal guy.

I have not much to say on boys due to my very dull lovelife, especially right now that work has taken over my life. I mean, before I even get really started with a potential it wraps up on a sour note already. No big deal anyway, since I can honestly say that love, that serious kind of love, has never been a priority. Not yet.

I don't set standards on men but I am inclined to arrogant, smart, dominant types. Those fictional guys like Gregory House. In real life, I don't think I'll be compatible with one, though.

My ideal man is a combination of qualities in men I have known, whether a family, friend, acquaintance, or a guy that got away:

Funny. Do I have to explain this? Would you not want someone to laugh with and laugh at?
Thoughtful. Little acts mean so much. It's just too CUUUUTE when they make an effort.
Sweet. I don't know if I should demand this trait because I'm not a sweet person myself. Hahaha!
Well-rounded. Because I am not!
God-fearing. It says a lot about one's values.
Patient. Again, because I am not.
Someone who will stay. Because I get cranky a lot and I have a tendency to be impossible to deal with.
Loyal. I resisted taken guys because I'd rather be single than settle with a cheat. Do you know how hard that is? :)
Hardworking. Someone with a goal and works for it. I want someone just as ambitious as I am. :P

Sooo...is this kind of guy ever coming around? Is he not gay? Are we on the same lifetime? Actually, I have more qualities in mind, but these are the non-negotiables. I will shut up now than turn this entry into one sappy epic.