The Boracaynon

Networking sites have been a tool to reconnect friends and families separated by distance and time. I personally recall ¨Friendster¨ as one of the pioneers in the industry (in the Philippines) few years back that really made a statement in popularity and usability. It has been my motivator to have a digicam of my own, to be able to share life experiences online as I was always away from home to make a living. Expanded services eventually have flowered offering more privileges to users. I, for one started blogging in 2007 to get back with my interest in amateur writing (just to express myself) which was left behind in the pursue of catching up with financial obligations. Though I become not so active with Friendster lately, the group of people I meet there (particularly my Reader´s Forum mates - who now have a permanent link with me) are one of the many reasons to be grateful for their contribution to the success of social networking. It is sad to know that they are closing the...

(March 2011) With limited access to media in the old days, freedom of expression was a struggle until the commerce behind it was discovered sooner (later propelled into a global marketing capability). In the local scene, the television giants inevitably become less prudent (never to be left behind) to catch up with the trend for business sake. The western influence has gone spread-out. News TV stations like in America bulge out like mushrooms in the cow´s shit to have a venue for the smallest nonsense talks. Well, the ability to magnify small holes draws public attention, public attention boasts up good business. The on-going war over networks shows a fact proof. Friends become worst enemies when a spot in ranking is contested upon, that´s how grand the business behind the industry. In this time of economic despair, both our private and public entities are mostly found broken. It is the product of a phenomenal invention created by the people against the former dictator´s government – l...

In general, quitting is mostly perceived as a weakness – especially by those who are inspired by success stories. In this note, I´d like to present a theory that it´s not always the case, and probably press on the idea that – life´s approach should be dealt with lots of giving up in order to gain more. Our nation has so much trouble with freedom fighters down south from the past up to the recent times which even elevated into a worst situation – spreading out its operation Philippine-wide. Bombings have killed innocent people ever since the drive for freedom was launched for autonomous independence. The leftists who are not necessarily connected to the religious insurgents also equate hostility as they terrorize the public as their expression of protest and ideology. What about the human rights of the common people who merely want to live a normal life and try to survive the adversities of economic downturn whom have been victims of the non-sense killings? It has been from the past...

(November 2010) “Commitment to Excellence” training sessions have helped maximize my skills and capabilities in the aspects of guest´s needs anticipation and exceeding expectations when I got my first serious job in the hospitality sector ten years back when I Butler-ed in the five star Le Meridien Hotel; I was 24. I have handled Royal family members, corporate owners, and top executives – nothing but detail and close to perfection in all aspects of the Royal Club, lapses have no room for my motivating boss. It is easy to submit and improve when we´re younger. As a result, guests have been generous to recognize my efforts which reflected on comment forms. After sometime, I have ultimately been awarded the merit of excellence for that respect. I rarely share this little self-pride to stay away from high expectations. Moving on for the search of a better career opportunity, I was graced to serve a former U.S. President in the next job after; what a pleasure to make his favorite drink...

(October 2010) Looking back… My old days usually weren´t as still as I would love to enjoy like today; there should always be something to push it rolling not for the purpose of delectation but simply a nonsense rush. The impulse supplies nothing but useless loose moves and stress – offering errors through unevaluated quick decisions, clumsiness at its best. Though it apparently appears immature, I had no way of knowing until reaching the point where mistakes are realized after suffering from generous amount of adversity result of haste. You are looking at someone nervous and unsure or simply just pretending to be busy out of direction – that´s how that person was. Psychological Science´s generosity to provide information serves its sole purpose in this sense: To inform and guide alone. I have never known any story of man that a book changed his permanent mental being in constant. In exaggeration, we commonly hear celebrity stories articulating how something changed their life. Aft...

(September 2010) A fast-paced working environment is not always a friendly situation especially for young career starters if I base with my personal encounter. At early 20´s as the career kicks off overseas – joining a workplace of various nationalities; bosses coming from a different background and orientation, and swaggering colleagues – it is a whole staggering shake up. The situation itself does not offer chaos though… But these people involve in the operation whose out of rhythm can make it rough in a snap. Morale is triggered when you get yelled at in front of other people. That is the reason why I campaign big for this drive: “Reprimand in private, praise in public”. It is sweet as gourmet jelly belly in efficiency when motivating people. Having to work with different immediate superiors for a while now, I see no difference – they all represent the typical human being. Most of them commend good work output, but make a mistake… They´ll blow you away like your father picks on ...

By: Gil delos Santos The pleasure and surprise of my professional journey while thousand miles away from home outweigh the scale of nostalgia as never expected in no conceit. Technology nowadays has dramatically elevated convenience in the aspect of communication and information. I recall how tragic and depressing when internet and video calling were yet unavailable way back in the early stage of my career overseas. In other hand, looking at the entire individual as a worker – a whole new persona has somehow grew beyond prudence advancing towards a high level of maturity. Except for the imperfection constituted by human nature, that maturity is not limited only to flexibility of technical working skills but the total understanding of human nature and mother nature – its role, responsibilities and obligation. As time leans on my favor each passing day, life is never ungenerous in giving surprises in ways how to become a better person. Surprisingly, a better person sees a lot more be...

(August 2010) Every new location I go to, every new people I meet up, every situation I enter into – it constantly offers a whole new story…but there are characters that remain in every single new story – playing the same old role – whether a bad ass or the other way. They are the same people that you work with everyday. Like in every film, there are good and bad episodes in real life encounter too…and these fellows in one way or another contribute to make or break a nice tale. Everybody has its choice what to highlight in their own stories…but one component that is vital – something that cannot be omitted is the climax, otherwise it becomes a non-sense piece of effort. It justifies the direct message of the entire story. It always comes after surviving from a bad situation and getting victorious over the bad guys. In reality, you cannot simply murder to get rid of someone that besets your way. That is way more difficult to handle. Self-control becomes the most valuable virtue in a s...

(August 2010) The desire for perfection defines the persona that slaves my consciousness all this time. It´s not easy to deal with the mindset that constantly looks for something beyond standards. Just like how the balance of nature works, a perfectionist world has its bright and dark sides. There was a point not long ago that I was about to give up the legacy which my most admired grandma passed on to the family. Her rule for perfection is so much pain that no one escapes. She can tame the most undisciplined member of the family like me for one being considered as the black sheep back in my early days. Now in my time, having her strong influence in my system becomes another persons´ misery. My children get emotional when I impose my will, I appear pretty obsessive and compulsive to others, and it´s practically stressful when applied to my professional life. It is not easy to push further to give extra effort only to make constant perfect scenario. These are the reasons why I wanted ...

(June 2010) It was another typical late afternoon where everybody gets along after a long day of work when a bad day finds its way in surprise. Be numb and be dumb that´s how to play some game otherwise become a sentimental fool. I have sacrificed a lot and flown a long way to get into my dreamland so I was literally prepared mentally and physically ready to face the humps and bumps of my professional career. Be it foreign to the workplace but definitely I´m not a stranger to this profession. In that sense, it instantly becomes useless to stoop down into the improvident level where few junk heads reign. Though most house rules do not emphasize to impose the practice of respect and courtesy between house members because it is given common sense, it´s still Golden Rule after all. Well…Being imperfect creations, it is acceptable that lapses can inevitably occur at anytime in no intention unless it happens in a regular pattern, that´s another story. That´s why there is simply no point ...