Okay.  Previous entry was HEAVY.  On a lighter note I ask readers to sample the following appetizers.  My personal favorite was the juicy sisig (lower right).

Last Friday yadda yadda yadda.  Shortened: Joint birthday parties of all the July babies in the office.  It was at Porkaholix which was not exactly your Red Box, Music Match, or Music 21. Still, they provided a venue for my colleagues to belt out their favorite songs.  The objective was for everyone to unwind and that’s what everyone did.

More in my Multiply album, “Videokeng Cheapo” (exclusive for contacts).

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A problem in mainstream media is how it’s easily capable of exploiting talent from hard working individuals.  This is a common story of many people I know that work in various media outfits.

Higher management appears to believe in the philosophy that a company’s undeniable prestige is the forbidden fruit that hungry graduates crave for.  Fresh graduates will always be tempted to “bite” by lending their talent and skills for “minimum wage”.  When these graduates grow tired they resign and leave open a new field for another set of “fresh minds”.

Harsh truth: The media is not afraid to use people.  As a form of extreme influence, media is basically about profit at any margin.  Add to that the glittery PR “public relations” work which fuels the public with “patronism”.

Perfect example: “So taga-COMPANY X ka?  Nakikita mo ba si CELEBRITY A at CELEBRITY B?  Wow ang yaman mo na siguro!”  (”So you’re from COMPANY X?  You’ve seen CELEBRITY A and CELEBRITY B?  Wow you must be so rich!”)

Which is never the case.  Hats off to the talented underpaid people of the media.  My journey into this industry will always be at the very heart of this personal blog.  The good and the bad stuff.

–

After celebrating my second anniversary at where I work, I realized it was time to take a new direction.  I want to work for a group that cares more for its workforce.  A group that makes sure its employees are paid accordingly with their talent.

I’ve loved my current job so much it could be called a craft.  Despite the odds I strongly believe my output speaks for itself.  But beyond two years without incentive, staying would be absolutely futile.

And no, I’m not going to study law or quit the media.  I’ve just found a greater purpose to make things right.

–

Pictures:

Updates: This week my colleague Charisse resigned and my friend Liv is actively pursuing a similar position elsewhere in the company.

My summer trip to Pundaquit Beach and Anawangin Cove in San Antonio, Zambales!  I share my experiences and some tips on staying at one of Zambales’ best kept secrets.

(Watch on YouTube if Revver fails to load)

I was hesitant at first to shift to WordPress.  I was more comfortable using blogger during my first four years in blogging.  When I decided to become self-hosted in 2005 I wanted to try a fresh interface which allowed more customization.  At the time, WordPress was the talk of the town and I fell in love with that revolution.

Shifting to WordPress meant embracing a sense of freedom.  Becoming self-hosted in 2005 was a chance to take blogging a bit more seriously.  Like Multiply (as my choice networking site), WordPress was constantly innovative.

In recent months I’ve been reading about various WordCamps going on abroad.  It’s wonderful news to hear that the Mindanao Bloggers are organizing WordCamp Philippines this September!

Date: Saturday, September 6
Venue: Augusto-Rosario Gonzales Theater, 5th Floor, Mutien Building, DLS-College of St. Benilde, Taft Avenue, Manila

This event will be the third blog-related event I’ve registered to attend.  The first was the HappySlip Meet & Greet and the second was iBlog 4.  I’m looking forward to meeting other WordPress users here the country!

Register now at Wordcamp Philippines!  The following are sponsors of the event (last updated: 22-July)

• i.PH: the Domain for Individuals
• Free Online Flash Games
• Wazzup Manila Philippines
• Real Estate CRM
• Real Estate Website Designers
• Orange County Real Estate
• Auto Insurance Quotes
• Lane Systems Inc.
• RedMedia

See you guys September 6!

A few days before my birthday I told my mom that I didn’t want a celebration this year.  I wanted to keep things simple by treating her and my brother at a restaurant.  I wanted to save her all the trouble of inviting half a barangay to the house.

Until I realized in my effort to save mom the trouble of preparing a party, I was denying a party for her to celebrate my birthday.  To think, parties at our house are occasional compared to my weekly gimiks in the city.  I was being selfish.

She deserves to celebrate my birth.

***

After hearing sunday mass I treated my mom and brother to our favorite Chinese restaurant, King Bee.  At home some relatives dropped by to help prepare spaghetti and pansit.  There was menudo and chicken tinola as well.

It’s no joke I’m 23 years old.  I have clearer aspirations now as to where I want to go.  The most important aspect being my health.  I’ve been neglecting myself for so long.  It’s time to do something about it, srsly.

Thanks to all those who greeted on my birthday!

I treated some of my college friends at Chosun Korean BBQ and Noodles (SM Mall of Asia) on Saturday.  It was an open invitation but still I couldn’t seem to contact everybody.  The highlights include finally meeting Kate’s boyfriend, CJ!  Congratulations to the two since their anniversary is coming up.

I’ll leave the rest in pictures.

This year I wanted to keep my birthday simple.  You’ll find out why in my next post. =)

I doubt I’ll ever be vegan in my life.  But heck, I’m an adventurer for trying different things and that means being able to share vegetarian dishes with my colleagues.

Mary invited us to try Greens, a famous vegetarian restaurant in Tomas Morato. After my interview at Katre a few weeks back I’ve started to believe that the best restaurants are those that are off the main fare of Morato.

The restaurant seems to be “thee” place to go for vegan types. I couldn’t finish the Grilled Mushroom and Tofu Kebabs with java rice. The tofu easily made me full. My favorite would be Liv’s order which was the Melanzane Parmigiana (eggplant slices within cheesy tomatoes). The apple pie was a perfect dessert item.

The ambiance was very comfortable. The setup is that of a “classic old house” perhaps in “the middle of the forest”. (Kulang na lang lumabas si Little Red Riding Hood o si Winnie the Pooh). There’s free Wi-Fi for those who want to chill out.

The greatest part of this dinner was the simple fact of having friends who aren’t afraid to try new things. I’m lucky to have my friend Mary introduce me to these places. Thanks Mary!

Greens is located on Scout Castor right off Tomas Morato (near the 7-11 and Max’s Restaurant). Prices range from Php 100 - 400.

More pictures in my Multiply album, Green Dinner (exclusive for contacts)