The Year of The Franc... Again???

A full year ago, I wrote a blog on how much things went around during the year on aspects of my life... Here's the sequel of my blog written a full 365 days later... and btw, this is blog no. 200...


2006 was a time of much achievements that it was a banner year... which at times is followed by a decline the next year... but I guess that is not the case this year... I got promoted yet again mid of the year and even assumed additional responsibilities towards the end of the year... I was able to manage to have my car financed by the Company and I still continued in my jetsetting ways with several travels to Cambodia, Taiwan and Singapore... it could have been more but my appetite for travel went down towards the end of the year...


2007 was also year spent with so many escapades with friends... from house parties... to shooters night... to sleepovers in Tagaytay... to Gala sa Galera... Nommu... Cig's... Good Earth... FAA's Little Bridge and the get together along the way... There's so much moments to treasure...


It was also a year of the family with several relatives from abroad coming over here... Tagaytay Tours... Villa Escudero... 100 Islands... La Union Get Away... Baraoas and of course, all the regular family functions...


Then again, it's not always on the upside with several impasse towards the end of the year but I guess, it's always a part of any story... In fact, I just realized lately that I'm drawn to complicated people and take on complicated situations... It keeps me challenged and focused... I'll get pass this uncertainties... I always do...


On the overall, 2007 is as much good of a year than 2006 and looking forward to 2008... I think things should stay afloat and fine... HOPE is something which can never be taken away from me... I expect to pursue other things I'm passionate about... and for challenges and surprises yet to come... just bring it on... =>

Happy New Year to all!!!

My First Long Drive to Baguio

Finally, after more than a year of driving, I had found the chance to drive the distance to Baguio myself... and it was exceptionally fulfilling... It took me about 6 hours excluding the stop over in NLEX, Isdaan and in Pangasinan going to Baguio...

EDSA was moderate, NLEX was smooth... Pampanga, Tarlac and Pangasinan were low on traffic and the climb to Marcos Highway was extremely challenging (we had a slow bus ahead of us who doesn't want to be overtaken... hehe)...

The stopover in Isdaan is great... the structures are big.... the ambience was nice... the food was great... and since there was so many people that day, unfortunately the service was slow... and the prices are reasonble...

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I never really got to appreciate how long the road back home was until after this trip... and of course, the next challenge is getting back to Manila... which should be easier... I hope... but now back to my new year break... =>

Isdaan Pics

My Tubby's Wedding

Today is Carol's wedding... We fondly call each other Tubby... a cuter version of t_ _ a... hehe... Carol has been one of my staff in SGV and has been one of my closest friends from SGV... with Carol being the main advocate of Franc and ______ fans club... hehe... Even after SGV, we managed to keep in touch and meet up from time to time and fast forward to today, I get to be a witness her march towards the altar on her matrimony...

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The wedding was set at 3:30 pm at Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Parish in New Manila Area... Carol made sure I won't miss the day by assigning me to be cord bearer... When it comes to events like this, the fun start with me finding the venue... I'm not really an excellent navigator... so was able to find the church after entering a one way street and making a wrong turn... I always have the propensity of getting lost but good thing even if it was traffic in Greenhills area, I was able to reach the venue at 3 pm...

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Mt. Carmel was such a big church... and it was a long march for the bride, the groom and the whole entourage... the ceremonies went on fine... the only funny spot was the ring bearer's running around the place... hehe... and yeah, I remember that I was the only participant from the FAA/MCM/CPA cluster... but Carol has been there through so many bright and bleak spot in the past few years... so it was still an honor to be part of this event....

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Carol is a really pretty bride today (Tubby... savor the compliment... =>)... and Jason was a nervous groom... the reception followed at nearby Oasis where the celebration continued... I nearly got to be the one who got the garter since the game was based on how long you hold the hula hoop... It was a good thing I my legs was apart so the fall of the hula hoop was a bit delayed (cheating... hehe)...

A few more merriment after, it was time to call it a night for all of us except of course, for the bride and groom, who should just be starting by now... For me, it was my mad dash home, reaching Makati in less than 30 minutes... and then the much needed rest for my first long drive to Baguio...

Final note: Congrats to Carol and Jason!!!

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Sick!!! Sick!!! Sick!!! Again!!! =<

I haven't been real healthy this month with the changes in the weather in Manila and the drastic shift in climate in Manila and Baguio... not to mention all the parties and stress that came between. Starting yesterday, I'm still having a bout with tonsilitis, cough and colds. It was a real struggle surviving the whole day yesterday at work not feeling well.

Got home early after 5 pm at work and directly went to sleep for a much needed sleep. The last time I went home this early was during the Peninsula standoff last month when we were sent home early since we were so near the crossfire and I can't remember anytime before that of any I went home this early. I usually spend time at the gym or meet up with some friends.

I woke up in the middle of the night with a bad dream or was it a silhouette of a ghost... maybe I just had a wild imagination at this sick mode I am in... so just decided to switch on the light at the farther end of my room so it won't be that dark to see any silhouette... Went back to sleep a few moments after...

Now, I'm still not feeling well and will probably get worst come another climate shift when I get back to Baguio... Anyway, since I did promise Carol that I'll be attending her wedding today so I just have to be healthy for a while for the ceremonies... A promise is a promise...

Come to think of it, it would appear that I'm ending the year on how it started at sick bay but this time if I still feel sick at the start of the year. I might just take some time off... I wish to be healthier next year but I'm reserving my new year's wishes for another blog. For the mean time, need to prepare for the Carol's wedding today... Ciao!!!

Return of the Quiroz

Christmas Holidays is always a season where some people working out of the country come back to enjoy their vacation with family and friends... and that's the case for our good friend from SGV Mads Quiroz...

Met up with Mads, Mark & Mina at Bubba Gump in GB3 last night. It was our first time to see Mads again after a few months in staying in St. Maartens... and time may have passed by... yet somethings never change... like Mads and her Kuripot ways... hehe... Probably got the stingy bug from Jay Anne... hehe...

Anyway, it was a nice dinner with so much to catch up really... since Mads is not as easy to catch online as of late due to time zone and so much stuff... It was also a rare time to meet with Mark... Of course, we do trash each others transformers in facebook and compete intensely in hoops regularly... It was also nice meeting Mark's girlfriend, Mina for the first time.

Had coffee at Cafe Breton after dinner and it was the time that we called She and Jay Anne who's both now in the US to greet for the holidays... She is on holiday in the US and Jay Anne is her tour guide... I wish that when I'd be on holiday in the US, Jay Anne won't be busy with work... but that is still something I haven't considered in a while.

Had a long night and ended up staying in Cafe Breton until midnight and after that we had to bring Madz to her home in Paranaque... then dropped Mark and Mina at Stock Exchange in Makati and I'm off to home and sleep... ZZZZZZ!!!!

Excess Inkblogs: I'm feeling a bit sick today... inflamed tonsils, sleep deprived and having a tough bout with colds but I guess there are some trade offs in spending the late night with friends... and of course, it was partly caused by the ever changing weather.

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Then Came Christmas

I haven't been online for most of the time during the Christmas break even if I had the comfort of broadband internet at our house in Baguio. I was stuck on holiday mode and with all the activities in the Yuletide season. The past few days was not only spent for parties but a big chunk of the time goes to reminisce the various phases of my so called life with family and friends meeting up for the holidays.

It was a welcome surprise bumping into Min and her cute daughter Hannah. The last time I saw them was when Hannah was still a few months old. Now she's a cute and bubbly 3 year old kid. Then there's the constant get-together for those who came home for the holiday and some who'll still be coming before the year ends.

In preparation for the big feast that goes along with Christmas, my cousin and I hit the gym. Then there was also shopping and joy ride around Baguio... and then came the party- dinner, gift giving and lots of alcohol. I do miss the old singing and dancing that we had when we were kids even if we never really had the talent to compete. I sure wish one day that my nieces and nephews would also enjoy the same contest even just for the fun of it and not the prices but I guess, kids now are more in touch with the techie side of life

Now, I'm on my holiday hangover. I'm at work but can't seem to surmount the mere three-day work schedule this week before holiday resumes but that's probably how the cookie crumbles or so they say. So goes my countdown... 56 hours before holiday resumes... hehe...

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Franckenstein, Jingasaur, Rondzter and Marooster

I'm still on Holiday Mode (I think we all are... unless you're too much of a workaholic)... What started as a light social calendar this week suddenly became jammed... The night seems endless as of late but with company of great friends... who cares!!!

Had a nice dinner at Pizza hut bistro yesterday with Jing, Rondz and Marose... In 2005 audit, the three were my auditors during the IFRS transition... then 2 years forward... Jing is now a treasured ally... Rondz is now an OFW (you're trip is almost over and we haven't given you you're sampaguita garland) and Marose is still in SGV... It was great to meet up sometime for a Christmas dinner... and big thanks to Marose for being able to join us even at her hectic schedule.

A few stories after, Marose had to catch up with her appointment and Jing had to catch up with her shuttle... so had coffee with Rondz after.... and that was the night or so I thought...

Excess inkblogs: And a little bit of Kinney

I chance upon meeting Gemskie (co-FAA baby) in Pizza Hut that night and then came the topic of Al aka Kinney (She's a girl)... so I then called Kinney and it just so happened that she just arrived from Hong Kong that day so we then decided to meet up at around 10 pm... Genskie had to beg off since she was still in Pizza hut at that time... so had a few drinks at National Sports Grill with Kinney... so the last time, we met, we weren't able to talk much on how she decided to come back to Manila... so it was a long catch up and I'm sure, given that we're both based in Makati, there'll be more of this and maybe next time with the other FAA babies as well... and finally, it was time to call it a night....

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Driver for a Day

It started with a miss call before 5 am then my sister went in my pad saying that we have to pick up my aunt and cousins at the bus station since they had a car accident in NLEX. Still half asleep, I said OK... then it suddenly sunk in... If we're going to pick them up why am I still dozing back to sleep... than another after thought.... what they had an accident!!! delayed reaction yet again...

After a few preparation, we were on our way to the terminal to pick up my aunt and cousin and then breakfast at Paranaque Estepa Residence. It was rather a big accident with the van they rented bumping into a delivery track and the good part of it was they were all safe... then came another realization, if they don't have the van then how would they pick up my cousin from the airport... then the answer was 'elementary my dear friend...' One less car means me and my car have to do all those stuff... OK... so just sent notice to the office that I won't be around for the day and that I'll be driver for the day.

My Aunt didn't want to mention the incident in the morning to my cousin but it was so obvious that there was something odd that day. Why would we cram ourself in my Honda City when my cousin asked for a van? So he asked me what happened on the queue in duty free and since I'm not a convincing liar, I ended up just saying the truth... at least, he'll still be comfortable since they are all fine after the incident. Except that he had to miss the space capacity of a van but it'll do for a while.

So goes my day that have traversed from waking early.... then to the terminal... to Paranaque... to NAIA... to Duty Free... to Mall of Asia... to Makati Apartment... to Seaside... to Mall of Asia yet again... to the terminal and finally Home... A long day is best rewarded by a nice sleep... which was partly deprived yet again with my sister barging in my pad at past 1 am looking for food... then finally, it was back to sleep...

I finally spent a full work day away from the office though this wasn't the circumstance I was expecting... but being driver for a day was a better trade off for absorbing additional headaches for the day... hehe... =>

A Venetto Dinner

Met up with SGV friends Sharon and Macoy for Sharon's Birthday Dinner at A Venetto yesterday. While I get to meet Sharon often, it was quite some time since I last saw Macoy. A nice dinner to quench our cravings for pizza and pasta. After a while of not being in Avenetto, it sure reminded me that they serve great pizza and pasta here at an affordable price.

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Nice chat at dinner and went on to shop a bit. It's Christmas soon and finally, had felt a little itch to shop for gifts. The Christmas bug has bitten me too late. Sharon went home at past 9 pm but Macoy and I continued to shop til past 11 pm. That reminds me, I need to continue my Christmas shopping today...

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Received an SMS from Sharon later that Yohannce liked my gift. Yehey, Yohannce liked my gift!! It's always nice to be a appreciated even coming from a 2 1/2 year old Yohannce.

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The dinner was suppose to include FAA, but he was suppose to have a partners meeting, which eventually got cancelled... so funny thing when I texted him, he was on his way to Batangas already... Next time Boss!!! =>

Office Alone

I'm just in the middle of my office alone day... One of my manager is sick and the other one is on leave... I should be ok since I'm more of a hands on person so things should go well...

So started thinking what to do first... the next in line of Jing's to do is... the long overdue management letter... This would be tougher than I thought... = < This has dragged on for so long so might as well do it...

In the middle of what I was doing, the CEO called me for a meeting regarding the impact of foreign exchange in our operation... Ok, I had prepared a material for that during the recent board meeting... After the CEO explained his say on the impact and being grilled for my analysis, I then presented that it would be easier to look at it on a cash flow analysis and shortly thereafter, he agreed to my analysis...

Suddenly remembered that we need to have an announcement posted in Singapore by noon so had to get the CEO to sign off... and another tasked accomplished... Finished the ML part of the job... and took the first chance I have to bring up the salary adjustment for those affected by the recent finance, treasury and accounting restructuring... He told me to check on him next week... I hope he gets to approve it... I feel happy that I've finally brought forward this proposal since it would uplift so many people... A good deed...

A half day towards my office alone day... so much has transpired and accomplished... I still have one short meeting to attend to... Finance matters to resolve... and in a few more hours, have dinner with SGV friends, Sharon and Macoy!!!

The only downside of the day is that I miss my breakfast and lunch buddy Jing since she's down with a flu... Get well soon!!! Just get all the rest you need. Hope you'll be around for Tagaytay with Rondz on Sunday... =>

Excess inkblogs: The dinner with Sharon and Macoy was a life saver, had I not have a previous commitment, I would have been obliged to join in the meetings in Bataan... In this festive mood, I don't want to work on weekends... =>

Another Bits and Pieces...

To free up my thoughts... decided to blog a bit today...

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The drama I get to witness day to day have turned from annoying to amusing... though I still wish for a more serene environment... I plan to cut down on stress and just look forward to the holidays... We all do....

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I just don't know if I'm starting to get the hang of my mom's spending spree charged to my credit card or I'm just too royally screwed up by all the hullabaloos happening around me... I'll just say that I'm just feeling a bit more generous this holiday season... but on a mental note... I want to start to save more in the future... Please let me save a bit... the future is uncertain...

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Finally got to apply for my Ateneo Graduate School of Business alumni card yesterday... also had a stress relieving coffee with AGSB friend Grace at Rockwell... I miss Rockwell and School... At least, even after graduate school, I still get to hang out with my AGSB friends often... Para sa Tagumpay... hehe...

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A dilemma at hand... If the waters are rough and the waves are turbulent... Should you start swimming to the shore or allow yourself to drift apart to something uncertain??? What to do??? Dunno how to swim... hehe... but in time I'll learn to swim away from the turbulent waters...

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I really liked Lenne's blog on how things are so much harder now than years ago... I share the same sentiments that life was a lot more easier back then (traced from our parents and grandparents generations)... They live simply and still manage to acquire properties and send so much kids to school... While we try to bear more these days... traffic, higher cost of living, skyrocketing price for properties and a lot of political nonsense... so then again even at the most difficult times, there's still life's gifts that are free and it's up to us to appreciate...

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Just want to add some greetings here... Of course, It was Sharon and Jay Anne's Birthday last Monday... so just want to wish them the best!!!

Christmas Tags

After all the work, the tension and the drama at work (that's an understatement)... I finally had a weekend off and in time for Christmas Party at Tagaytay last Saturday and Sunday... it was time to play house mates again though this time, there were only a few of us around(Blue, MJ, Jan, Cig, Bogz, Paulo and me)... Though a break is a break and the cool confines of the Rodeo Hills house we stayed in was not only an excellent place to have fun but to catch some sleep as well...

In the afternoon of Saturday, most of us were all asleep until Blue and MJ came back from Taal Vista... so then the dinner preparations... dinner and the gift grabbing which was fun even if there was only seven of us... It could have been wackier if the rest were able to come along... After a few drinks, a nice chat and whole lots of laughter... we all called it a night and I did have my nice long sleep I've been longing for the past few weeks...

The next day started with breakfast... After all of us were already done with their morning rituals... we then headed off to The Riviera for lunch with Owen... so it was a nice buffet lunch for all of us... Then we were on our way to Jan's bazaar in Valle Verde... wherein we stayed for a while and I left with Blue and MJ at around 5 pm to call it a weekend... So goes my nice weekend break... and back to the regular drama at the office... hehe... =>

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Rondz is Back!!!

The day started odd with me waking up real early and unable to will myself to sleep so with a lack of sleep I was Cranky Franckee early in the morning... until... as things has been in the office, a new surprise happened yet again... Too much drama, that's all I can say...

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After office, Jing and I went to Glorieta to buy my gift for the Christmas Party with AGSB friends... so had a short snack... and we were off to the Gym in Makati... suddenly, a better idea popped up... since we were meeting Rondz and he was in Serendra... why workout in FF Fort... so off we were to Fort... then being a bit late, we decided to just eat (calamares) and drink (Tsingtao beer) at Zong while waiting for Rondz...

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A little bit later... we met a bit trimmer version of Rondz after over a year in Australia... obviously, looking refreshed from his vacation here... So we shifted to Cafe Puccini to catch up and then ECP followed (talagang ECP tawag, di Eric, partnerabe... hehe)... so more catch up then followed... Stayed until past midnight before we went home...

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After dropping Rondz and ECP in front of SGV, and Jing at her house in Fairview, I was then back home in Makati... and now for that sleep I have to catch up... hehe... Ooops... I just remembered that I'll be off to Tagaytay for the Christmas Party with AGSB... so I'll just have to catch up in the nice cool confines of Tagaytay... Got to go!!!!

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Tough Times... Over!!! =>

I can now safely say that I survived another board meeting... and things did go during the actual board meeting... I wasn't grilled much with the financials... but I owe that to my new found strategy of limiting my answers... less talk means less mistake...

It could have been smooth from the start but I lost one key manager to a better opportunity abroad and had to I also had to assume some finance and treasury functions lately... This transition had made things a lot tougher... revisiting almost everything during turnover of the balance sheet to Jing... but on a good side, I was finally able to have a decent review of the balance sheet since I've been more focused in reviewing the income statement as of late.

It's been a really heavy transition but I'm sure glad that Jing, is more of a friend to me than a colleague so it made all those overtime a bit more fun... Thanks Jingy Bear!!! Let's go to Kopi Rotti again... hehe... We'll be spending more fun times soon with Rondzter back from Australia for a few weeks... Rondz, let's go to Baguio na!!! hehe...

I know it's gonna be the peak of the busy season soon... but the important thing is that soon is not today yet so might as well have fun... => Friends, I'm back to my carefree and relax mode... See you around during the next few days... =>

Tough Days Ends Soon...

It's a day before board meeting and I'm still not done with my presentations... the last few weeks was real tough and the reason why I haven't really entered an entry is that I just want to stop complaining at how pathetic things are right now... but when the smoke clears tomorrow, there'll be much time to think things over... A less turbulent backdrop may lead to more logical mindset to re-evalute passions I'd want to pursue... Though I don't expect to do anything drastic... hehe... Maybe just a mutiny at work... => hehe...

Anyway, I'm sure that the warm feeling of Christmas around family and friends will soon lit my somber mood and in a day and a half it's all I'd want to feel... the joy of Christmas shopping... the laughter at the company of friends... and the feeling of security family members brings along... the merriment of smiling strangers all in the tune of the yuletide seasons...

When things are not well, then there's always tomorrow to look forward to... and then there's also a weekend Christmas party in Tagaytay on Saturday... Friends celebrating birthdays... Friends coming back for the holidays... Christmas bonus that comes with the season... and Gifts (I wish I do get some this year... hehe)... parties and peace and goodwill to all mankind (ok... got overboard with this part... hehe)

Ok, once I'm done worrying about tomorrow, It'll be a new set of problems like a gift for the Christmas party on Saturday.... waah.... but in a way, I'd rather have that problem than the multitude of work I have to face today... = >