I’m shaking my head as I wonder where the time went in 2009 and how the landmark decade of the 21st century has flown by. I have asked myself before whether I would be aware if time was somehow passing quicker. I guess it’s all about one’s perception in terms of the way that time is measured, experienced and rationalized. Is this perception affected by a busy schedule, by having a job or a routine that is benchmarked by deadlines?

If your one of those highly organized people who plan their activities in advance, do you find that time passes really slowly leading up to an occasion and then goes by super fast throughout the course of the event itself? And by the time it ends, the feeling of anticipation is crushed by the disappointment that it’s all over.

Luckily, I never suffer from that because I’m Mr. Spontaneous, generally disorganized and without the ability or the foresight to plan anything.

So with a new year upon us, it’s time to take stock I guess. What did I learn about myself and the world in 2009? As far as looking inwards goes, I once again count myself very lucky in life. With the religious belief and faith in God, I always try to be true and honest to myself and those around me, and when the opportunity presents itself, I extend a helping hand to others.

It has been a year to reflect on relationships with my family and the role that plays within that structure. It’s been four years now since I’ve been here in Dubai and because of that I have been a little remote over the years which has only increased my emotional distance from my loved ones. This year I will do everything to deal with that issue and be more active in interacting with them.

There also has been an instance in 2009 when an emotional change has come about. Rachelle came into my life  and from then on everything became a bit more happier and satisfying, making my outlook into the new year less than bleak and more hopeful and clearer, having a sense of direction.

More generally, I remember 2009 as being the year of, among other things, the global financial crisis. I think this has affected the whole world in general, making life harder to live by. I have been witness to many friends and colleagues losing their jobs almost everyday. I just thank God i was not one of them, instead He has blessed me with a new one. Also, in hindsight, I wish I have bought some shares in companies that manufacture those little bottles of hand sanitizer (due to widespread swine flu) and  in Michael Jackson’s publishing company (when the King of Pop’s death spurred the flood of written material about his life and achievements). because sales in those areas skyrocketed!

In closing, I just hope the new year brings new hope and beginnings! May God bless us all!

She’s very much into pistachios, so I picked up a pistachio-flavored cake for her from the specialty bakeshop Bakemart at their branch in Dubai Media City,

After munching the carbonara that she had cooked, she thought that the celebration was already finished. Without her knowing, I still have other plans in store for her. An hour before the clock strikes 12, I told her that I’m going to take her out. As her birthday is a very special day, I took her to the place that was both very memorable and special for the both of us. We went for a walk at Al Qasba. Al Qasba holds a very special place in our hearts. This was where we first went to while I was still courting her. This was also the place where we had our first hair-raising and heart-pounding carnival ride. We also rode the 60-meter high Ferris wheel called the Eye of the Emirates (reminiscent of the London Eye).

That night, we reminisced while walking, remembering the moments we had at Al Qasba, joked about how we were before and of course, took some pictures! Then, we decided to ride the Eye of the Emirates once more to take a another glimpse of Sharjah from a top of the towering amusement ride. The stride and the ride took its toll on us and our stomachs started protesting. I have promised her for ages that I’m going to take her to the best Thai restaurant I know. Luckily, just days prior to her birthday, I learned from a friend that the Thai resto Lemon Grass just opened a branch in Qasba. We savored on the authentic Thai prawn and noodles cuisine that really satisfied our appetite.

As the day came to a close, Rachelle thanked me for everything that I did that day. Seeing her smile at me like that never fails to make my heart skip a beat. Priceless as it maybe, I can say that  made her birthday a happy one.

]]> http://akotosidennis.com/2009/12/07/happy-birthday-baby/feed/ 0 http://akotosidennis.com/2009/11/06/moving-on/ http://akotosidennis.com/2009/11/06/moving-on/#comments Fri, 06 Nov 2009 19:32:26 +0000 densyo http://akotosidennis.com/?p=433 Yesterday was my last day of work in Gulf News. I really enjoyed working there and I appreciate the wonderful opportunity to work with great colleagues. It has been a great stint since I joined the company almost three years ago.

Sad as it maybe, I have to leave to pursue my career with another company. This decision was not easy for me to make and it took a lot of consideration. But I believe this decision is in my best interests and is essential towards fulfilling my career goals. I would like to thank my superiors for all the support and encouragement, these have been a major factor why I have been successful in the responsibilities given me.

With some, I have shared a unique friendship which I hope will continue  in the years to come even though I’m no longer with Gulf News. I will truly miss you all! Thank you for all the memories…

Brother Eraño G. Manalo, Executive Minister of the Iglesia Ni Cristo, passed away last August 31, 2009, he was 84. He was laid to rest today at the INC Tabernacle inside the INC Central Complex in Quezon City.

His passing gave me a sense of emptiness inside me. I felt a loss I have never felt before in my life. I was very sad.

Since I learned of his death I have wanted to write about him and his great achievements for the church, but words fail me. An unexplainable grief engulfed the whole of me that even thinking of writing about his death is unbearable. My sadness even deepened as I watched his wake which was held at our Central Temple in Quezon City. Thanks to our website Gemnet.tv I was able to update myself of the things happening through the live streaming feed provided by the site.

I should have been there, together with all other brethren that came from every corner of the Philippines and other parts of the world. I should have been one of the thousands who queued in line for more than 8 hours just take a last glimpse of his remains. I felt very terrible that I couldn’t even see him for the last time, even in his present state. I should have been there mourning with all of them, but I simply can’t. And that hurts me a lot.

It was in this state of mind that I remembered the last time I saw Ka Erdy. I just graduated then from college and was actively applying for job openings. At one time I went to Glorietta in Makati City early to prepare myself for an interview. Coming out of the restroom after wearing my tie, I observed a lot of security aides lurking around the mall. “May VIP sigurong pulitiko na andito ngayon kaya madaming guard…” I said to myself as I walked toward the mall’s exit. On my way out, there he was, walking side by side with his two sons Ka Angel and Ka Mark. I was so awestruck that I wasn’t able to speak when they passed by me. All I was able to do is whisper “Si Ka Erdy un ah…” to myself. A security aide must have noticed me and immediately approached me. He instantly asked me my locale and if whether I hold an office in the church. I replied to him that I am from Molino, Cavite and is a member of the choir. Satisfied with my answer, he asked me a favor. He told me to please refrain from following wherever Ka Erdy was going or to even try to speak with him. he also said that, “Kilala mo naman si sir, pag kinausap mo yan hindi pwedeng hindi ka i-e-entertain, e ngayon lang nakakalabas at nakakapamasyal si sir kaya kung pwede sana pabayaan muna natin siya makapag-relax.” I immediately obliged to the security aide’s request, but before I could leave, one of his sons, Ka Angel, approached me and thanked me for understanding. That was the closest encounter I had with Ka Erdy and I would never ever forget it.

Ka Erdy has touched my life through the biblical lessons he tirelessly prepare for every worship service. This was where he expressed his love and care for every church member’s spiritual, moral and social well-being. And for that I thank him, for without those teachings I would never have had the strong faith in God that I have now.

Salamat po Ka Erdy. Paalam po at hanggang sa muling pagkikita…

The Pinoy Expats Auto Club in Emirates (PEACE) and Filipino Offroad Auto Club (FORAC) are offering free transport service this Friday, August 28, to their compatriots who want to register as overseas absentee voters (OAV) at the Philippine Consulate General in Al Ghusais, Dubai.

Both clubs will dispatch their members to pick up future voters from 9 to 10 am at the following areas: Al Attar Shopping Mall in Karama; Lal’s Supermarket in Satwa; Philippine Supermarket in Murraqabat; Ibn Battuta (fastfood parking area) in Jebel Ali; Mega Mall (facing main road) in Sharjah; and Atlas Mall (back entrance area) in Rolla, Sharjah.

According to the Philippine Consulate General, Filipinos are advised to bring photocopies of their passports. Those who have casted their votes in the 2007 mid-term senatorial elections still need to register. The registration period will be up to August 31 only, from 9 am to 3 pm.

The OAV’s will be able to choose their country’s next president, vice-president, 12 senators and party-list representative in May 2010.

“This will be one of the rare opportunities for us who are based overseas to have a direct participation in our country’s political process. Everyone should exercise their right of suffrage and elect the right leaders who can really steer the Philippines into becoming a politically mature and economically progressive nation,” explains Art Los Banos, a Dubai-based PR consultant who has a Political Science degree.

Historically, individual votes are crucial to the 12^th and 13^th placer in the senatorial elections. The 12^th senator is usually proclaimed eventual winner several weeks after the elections.

Los Banos, who has participated as an OAV during the May 2004 and May 2007 elections, added: “You will feel guilty if your own province mate lost by a few votes because you failed to register and vote.”

The PEACE and FORAC hotlines are 050-3516729 and 050-7456452. Both auto clubs have been initiating other civic activities in the UAE such as fund-raising efforts for poor families needing decent homes in the Philippines through the Gawad Kalinga community development program.

For more information:

050-3516729                           050-9031204

Lou Natanawan                      Liza Conception

PEACE                                   FO

Well, here it goes! I just nominated my blog to The Philippine Blog Awards 2009, and I’m very nervous. This is the first time I’m doing this, and looking at the blogs that won last year’s awards, I still don’t think my blog has what it takes to even be nominated (getting cold feet here…). Due to the work I have, my schedule doesn’t allow me to always update my blog. Most of the time, I tend to back date some blog posts because the things I am posting should have been posted last week or even last month! I am sure I am going to learn a lot from this experience, there are a lot of things I still don’t know about blogging that I want to learn through the blogging community and I hope this awards will pave the way for that.

I nominated my blog in the “Personal” category and in the special award category “Filipino Abroad” (since I work here in Dubai). I don’t know if it is possible to nominate one blog in two categories, I used two email addresses to do so (you can only use one email address per nomination, if I did it wrong I hope someone can enlighten me about this). So guys, wish me luck!

For those out there who has a blog and wants to join or if you want to recommend someone else’s blog, fill up the Nomination Form.

As part of the celebrations, huge religious assemblies were held in fourteen venues around the Philippines and in five sites in four other countries. In Metro Manila, the “Iglesia Ni Cristo Day” were held at the Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City and at the Rizal Memorial Complex in Manila. In the provinces, the brethren gathered in the following venues:

• Butuan City Sports Complex in Agusan del Norte
• Bicol University Sports Complex and Commencement grounds in Legazpi City, Albay
• Cebu Sports Center in Cebu City
• General Santos City Oval Plaza, South Cotabato
• Davao Agro-Industrial Institute Football Field in Davao City
• Quirino Stadium in Bantay, Ilocos Sur; Central Integrated Terminal in Santiago City, Isabela
• Ashton Field Subdivision grounds in Calamba City, Laguna
• Panaad Stadium in Bacolod City, Negros Occidental
• Villa del Sol Subdivision-Olongapo-Gapan Road in San Fernando City, Pampanga
• Narciso Ramos Sports Center in Lingayen, Pangasinan
• Ipil Sports Complex in Zamboanga City, Zamboanga-Sibugay

Abroad, gatherings were also held at the Washington Convention Center in Washington, D.C. and HP Pavilion in San Jose, California, USA; Central Hall Westminster in London, UK; Parco Esposizioni Novegro in Milan, Italy; and Hills Center in Sydney, Australia.

Here in Sharjah, because we were far away from the said venues, a celebratory gathering was also held at our temporary house of worship that we are using at Pioneers Modern School (PMS) in Dasman.

By joining us in celebration of the church’s anniversary, Malacañang last month announced July 27 of every year as a special day to commemorate the founding of the Iglesia Ni Cristo. A TV anniversary special was also aired on Sunday , July 26 at 8 p.m. over GEMTV-49 and Net-25 that featured international renowned singer Lea Salonga and other INC talents. Last Saturday, July 18, the INC through its “Lingap sa Mamamayan” socio-civic program, conducted a health service mission in the village of Maharlika in Taguig City as part of the anniversary celebration. Around 20,000 residents benefited from the free medical and dental services, vitamins and medicines, and a package of rice and canned goods.

At 95, the Iglesia Ni Cristo has over 5,400 local congregations in 90 countries and territories, with a membership composed of 102 nationalities,

I thought of us eating in a posh restaurant (so common), go out of the country (so far) and take a hot air balloon ride (so expensive). But none of those I thought of were viable in the time frame I have. I was already alarmed and in deep thought when I remembered one of those talks that we had about some of the things that we still haven’t done here in Dubai. She at one time mentioned about she and her friends’ plan to go on a Dhow Cruise but they were not able to do so. That gave me the idea to take her to a Dhow Cruise by surprise.

A week before our “first monthsary“, I devised a plan on how to go about my little surprise. The “hopeless romantic” in me kicked in and with that, this plan materialized: I gave her three roses, but not all at the same time. I gave her the first rose in the eve of our “monthsary”. When the clock ticked at 12 am, together with a card, I gave her a long stemmed red rose and we greeted each other a happy 1st monthsary. I told her that we’ll just go out tomorrow and eat out to further celebrate our first month together.  What she didn’t know was I already talked to a friend of hers, Freia, and asked her to give Rachelle the second rose in the morning with a card. Inside the card, there are instructions on where we would meet in the evening and what clothes we should  wear (I still didn’t mention anything about the Dhow Cruise). I asked her to wear the clothes that we wore when we had out first date. That moment was so memorable for us that I want it to be a part of our celebration. I also asked her to meet me at Al Ghurair Mall in Deira. It was already close by the Dhow Cruise area and I want her to think that we would just eat our dinner in one of the restaurants at Al Ghurair.

When we met in the evening, she played her part well and she wore the clothes that I asked her to wear. At this moment, I gave her the third rose and another card. But unlike the other two fresh roses that I gave her, this one is an artificial rose. Of course, she asked me why. So, I told her that those roses will represent the love I have for her, that as long as one of those roses is alive, my love for her will always remain (I would no longer go into detail on the dramatics that followed that moment, I’ll just let you all play with your imagination…).

After that, we took a taxi ride towards the Dubai Creek where the Dhow Cruise I earlier booked was at bay. She was still clueless as to where we are going. She keeps on guessing on what restaurant in Deira we are going to eat. Not until we reached Dubai Creek that she realized what we were doing there. I saw the glimmer of happiness in her eyes when she learned of my plan and  that was more than enough for me, my efforts paid off, I’m sure I made her happy.

We dined at the Falcon Oasis Floating Restaurant which serves a mix of Arabic and Oriental food. While we were eating the boat is cruising the length of the Dubai Creek, which gave us a good view of the creek and Dubai at night.

It was truly another night to remember for the both of us and we are looking forward for many more to come…

I was devastated. Everybody back home is already expecting to see me this May, but I guess we all have to wait for another year to see each other. Hopefully, if everything goes well in the project and deployment from testing to live goes according to plan, I can again talk to my boss about my chances of going for vacation before the year ends (maybe October or December), but I don’t want to put my hopes up high, projects like this take not less than a year to stabilize and run smoothly. For sure issues will arise after the website is deployed and more will appear as we go along the testing.

Just wish me luck, I hope I can still conquer the longing of seeing my loved ones again.

I will never see the 15th day of March as ordinarily as before. Today marks the beginning of my new life with my girlfriend (and future wife!) Rachelle. Finally, after a month of courting her, she decided to give me her sweeetest “YES” that made us officially “together”. But it’s not as usual as it sounds, she didn’t give me her answer the traditional way (as in I asked her and she said “Yes”).

When I visited her at her place earlier, she had me listen to a song on her phone, telling me that she heard a song and wants to share it with me. She also said that surely I will like it. As it turned out, the song was “Feels Like Home” sang by Chantal Kreviazuk. True to her word, I did like the song, with its soft melody plus the enchanting voice of Chantal made the song very appealing to my ears.  As I listened to the song, I was surprised to find that I can relate to its lyrics. It just purely conveys my feelings for Rachelle: how I feel when I’m with her, how my heart beats when I see her again, how lonely my life was before I met her and how it became happy again when she came. As I was in reverie over the song, I suddenly realized that it was her that wanted me to hear the song, not the other way around. So I quickly gave her a quizzical look! And I found her staring back at me with anticipation. Not hearing the song, she asked me what part of the song was already playing. Before I could utter an answer, the last part of the second stanza was already playing with these lyrics:

If you knew how much this moment means to me, and how long I’ve waited for your touch. If you knew how happy you are making me, I never thought that I’D LOVE ANYONE SO MUCH…

Honestly, I was caught off handed. She must have seen my reaction over the song that I saw her smiling back at me when I looked at her again after the song. I asked her if that was the answer I was waiting for and she nodded…

At that exact moment I was engulfed by unexplained bliss that I just hugged her instinctively. Oblivious to the rest of the world, I took her hand and gave it a light kiss. I thanked her for trusting and believing me and for loving me back. Today instantly became one of the happiest days of my life!

I have to give it to her, she has style. I never would have suspected that she’d do it like this. And I am very thankful it happened this way, for if not, it would not have been this special…

With Rachelle in my life, I truly feels like home…

Feels Like Home- Chantal Kreviazuk

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