Eenapot's 8 Goals for 2014 (because 2014 has just begun, errr, for Chinese folks)

TODAY marks the start of a new year (well, yeah, for the Chinese community, but hey~ who says I can't join their celebration by having my own 'stuff' for CNY). 

Having to reflect about what happened to my first month of 2014, I'd like to describe it as a really tragic month. I have experienced worst of the worsts (I know you would understand if I won't be narrating much of the stories behind it). But then I managed to get through it all by faith and optimism. Before 2013 ends, I came up with a list of goals to which, I, clearly, didn't have any progress with- atleast for January. I know I should not be making excuses for not having any 'tiny step' towards the realization of it, but hate to admit it, I did nothing. Now is the time to realign them. It's as if I'm starting anew. 

8 GOALS FOR 2014 

*Drumroll please! Followed by a very enthusiastic 'YAAAY!'*

(in no particular order)

1. I am a real estate broker. (Or atleast exploring careers in the real estate industry). Both mom and dad are in this field, and I think it's about time to learn their craft this year. 

2. I am knowledgeable in online marketing. I always have this burning desire for marketing, and since I spend most of my time online, why not dig deeper into knowing what online marketing is all about: SEOs, links, analytics, RSS feeds, blogs, etc. 

3. I am an entrepreneur and an events organizer! This coming summer, I am looking at being really productive by having to manage our own 'mum and pup' resort and have a seasonal restaurant in operation. My primary objective (initially) is to get my bills paid since there won't be any teaching units available for me this summer, I assume. This could be a good progress check of my graduate school learnings!

4. I am financially wise. This friend of mine taught me this 'technique' in saving up. I will definitely try this on and see where it will lead me. I was always in a financial 'stress' the past years and I keep on blaming my decision to pursue my graduate studies in an expensive school. Not playing the blame game this time, because I will be more matured financially, at the very least.

5. I am a freelance writer. I have been thinking of trying this online writing job for the longest time. But I don't know if I'm just not that confident enough to try it or what. But this year, I will definitely try it. Added channel of financial resource, at the same time, taking advantage of my strength-love for writing, I suppose. (~Yeah, I'm doing some SWOT analysis here. :D) But aside from that online freelance writing thing, I'd love to write/contribute to whatever, wherever publication, be it online or not, with monetary remuneration or none.

6. I am a blogger. This goal is in relation to my love for writing. But I want this goal to be focused in this blog. I may not have a 'great' number of viewer, but I want this blog to be my online 'journal' of how I lived and viewed 'life' and other stuff under the sun. I just do hope Blogger won't end up like those of 'Friendster' and 'Multiply'. Every month, I am aiming to post atleast 1-2 blog entries, any topic under the sun, just to keep this site going. Will try also to apply my online marketing learnings here.

7. I am a tour guide of Intramuros. Inspired by its century-old beauty and historical remnants, it is always my heart's desire to tell the story behind the Walled City of Intramuros. But ofcourse, before I tell that 'story', I would have to do some readings and research. This year, I am definitely hosting my own tour of Intramuros! 

8. I am working on my French dream! <3 Some 4 years ago, out of frustration about my first job (and 'immersion' to Dan Brown's literature), I made a goal: SET FOOT TO LOUVRE MUSEUM by the age of 25. I don't know how will that dream become possible but I am very hopeful that by 25, it shall come true. This year, in 'pursuance' to that dream, I am reviewing my 'college' French lessons. It is making me feel like my French dream is just a few sleeps away. "Je reve d'aller a Musee de Louvre"

I purposely used present tense because I believe in LAW OF ATTRACTION. 
You reap what you sow. Generosity leads to prosperity. Gratitude leads to abundance. :)

This entry is a personal REMINDER for me to KEEP SWIMMING.

Just keep swimming.. Just keep swimming.. Just keep swimming..

(what's not to love about Dory -of Finding Nemo-?!?)

xoxo,

Eenapot ^_^

*photos used in this entry have been randomly selected from Google Images. The author do not own a copyright of the images used here.*

How can YOU tell, if indeed, you really are 'successful'?

Oftentimes, I ask my students the typical no-brainer question: "What do you want to be after your tertiary education?" 80% of my folks answer me with a statement starting with the word 'successful' (i.e. successful business man, successful restaurant owner, successful blabla). Out of the blue, one student of mine asked me back, "What about you Ma'am, do you consider yourself successful?" The moment that question reached my inner sense, I began to ask myself, "Oo nga 'no? Am I really 'successful' enough to be infront of these kids?", but what does being 'successful' really means ba talaga? Not that I doubt my credibility of being a college lecturer, but it was one hard question to answer.

Success, I believe, is a very subjective point of discussion. For some, success means landing on their dream jobs, or having a payroll account of this much, or having their own properties, or having the ability to go places they once dreamt of going. At this very point, I can say I AM FAR from those definitions of being 'successful'. 

To answer that question: 

YES, I am successful right now because I wake up each morning with a smile and enthusiasm of getting to share what I know to the young and fresh tabularasa (minds) around me -even with just few hours of sleep. 

YES, I am successful right now because I know, in my very own little way, I am able to take my part in other person's life, by being a source of encouragement for them to pursue their aspirations in life.

YES, I am successful right now because I may not have a lot, but I know I have a lot. 

YES, I am successful right now because my students trust me that they will get something from me. To be trusted is a way better compliment than to be loved.

YES, I am successful right now because I am hearing the 2 magic words -- 'Thank you!' from my folks.

YES, I am successful right now because I learned how to accept life's realities and be open on how to deal with them. 

YES, I am successful right now because I know where to invest my resources and set priorities.

YES, I am successful right now because each problem I face, I see learning points and opportunities.

YES, I am successful right now because I may not have the top of the line technology and systems, different city's arrival stamps on my passport, extra dimes that would allow me to give my parents a grand European holiday, but, truly, I wake up each morning happy and contented with what I currently have. Not wanting for more, but feeling plainly blessed for everyday's grace.

I never actually had the chance to explicitly express these 'realizations' to this student of mine. My answer that time was: "Yes, I am, because I am here in front of you." Period.

But really, being successful, for me, is having that blissful feeling when you wake up early in a verrrrry cold morning and not dragging yourself to do a 'routine'. 

We all deserve to be in our happiest form as we continue our journey in this path we call life. :)

Reviving the Old Manila One Step at a Time: The #VivaManila Walking Tour

On the cloudy afternoon of the first Sunday of September, an estimated tour participants of almost two hundred flocked to the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) Children's Road Safety Park in front of the Manila Zoo along Quirino Avenue in Manila. The participants gathered up to attend the #VivaManila free walking tour facilitated by the new Tourism Consultant of Manila, Mr. Carlos Celdran.

#VivaManila is the tourism campaign of the City Hall of Manila which aims to revive the luster of the Old Manila by highlighting the tourist belt of Manila and reintroduce to Manilenos, and fellow Filipinos, these glimmering gems of Manila.

#VivaManila button pins for the volunteers

The #VivaManila free walking tour on that cloudy Sunday was the second (first one was sometime in July) and all about Malate, the cultural remnants of the old and vibrant Malate. Though it was a pseudo-rainy Sunday, the ever curious tour participants still followed the way Carlos walked.

Sharing with you a map I made for the volunteers.
Take note: this is NOT the official itinerary. 

1st stop. MMDA Park.
MMDA Children's Road Safety Park is like a mini-city of its own. It has its own mini-footbridge, mini-tunnel,etc.

Photo courtesy of thehoppymommybunny.wordpress.com

After the tranquil experience at the little park, the big group took batches of Jeepney along Mabini cor. Quirino Avenue. A group of my FEU Tourism Management students assisted in securing jeepneys that would bring the tour participants at the next stop: Padre Faura.

2nd stop: Tesoro Building and Lotus Garden Hotel (Mabini cor. Padre Faura)

In Casa Tesoro, 1335 Mabini is found. As the signage below suggests, it houses antiques, tribal art and contemporary art. It showcases art exhibits also of local artists.

Here are some photos taken from the interior of Lotus Garden Hotel.

3rd stop: La Solidaridad Bookstore. (Padre Faura near the corner of J Bocobo)

La Solidaridad Bookstore is owned by the famous Filipino novelist/write, F.Sionil Jose. This bookstore houses a lot of Filipiniana collections. Unfortunately, it was closed that Sunday.

La Solidaridad Bookstore facade. Yes, it's closed.

4th stop: Hizon's Bakeshop (J Bocobo corner Arquiza Street)

Hizon's Bakeshop used to be the favorite hangout place of Dolphy in the 70s if I'm not mistaken.

5th stop: Hiraya Gallery (UN Avenue near J Bocobo)

Hiraya Gallery houses some interesting work of arts.

6th stop: Jade Vine Inn (UN Avenue cor. J Bocobo, across Hiraya Gallery)

Jade Vine Inn (if I remember it correctly from Carlos' spiels) is where the Manila drag scene began. It used to be the venue of performances by drag queens and cross dressers. The complimentary refreshments and canapes were sponsored by this humble inn.

Jade Vine Inn Facade *with the kalesa shot*

The function hall of Jade Vine Inn.

7th stop: Miramar Hotel (Roxas Boulevard cor. Padre Faura)

The cozy bar at Miramar Hotel. 

The ever kind hearted people from Gawad Kalinga sponsored the native iced tea at the second to the last stop. According to the GK representatives, Bayani Brew is an authentic Filipino iced tea on which the produces were harvested from GK's enchanted gardens. The red/maroon one is Sweet Potato flavor while the brownish/yellowish one is lemongrass (tanglad) with pandan flavor.

You have to try one!

The last and final stop: Rizal Monument at Rizal Park (Roxas Boulevard, across Kilometer Zero)

Second batch of #VivaManila free walking tour class picture

Me and my FEU tourism students with Sir Carlos

Another shot with the tour guide in bunny ears. 

I have to admit that I have very few stuff to say about the stops. I would really love to add more details about the stops though, but then I, together with the rest of the volunteers, am too busy making sure everybody is well-informed of the the next stops (that I only have a very few chance to actually listen to the glittery bits of information that Carlos narrated.) Yes, it was my first time (and my students) to join the tour and our knowledge about Malate is not as extensive as that of a local resident in the area, but we want to get involved and do our part as future tourism stakeholders.

Nevertheless, the voluntourism experience has never been this fun. Seeing the enormous crowd of tour participants excited and patiently walking the streets of Malate despite a not-so-fair weather. Truly, tourism is so empowering that it makes people appreciate and value natural beauty and cultural resources around us that was once disregarded and unrecognized. :)

Until the next #VivaManila! Reviving the Old Manila One Step at a Time.

I challenge all the tourism students out there to practice voluntourism and get involved in their local tourism initiatives!

Voluntourism at its finest! Get involved!

xx

Eena :)

Having a Good Feeling About 'That Job' (My First Job Tale)

Just like any other fresh graduate, I withstood the summer heat as I walk along the towering edifices of Makati in search for that one thing we always have been dreaming off the moment we laid our foot in school. That very reason why our parents sent us to school in the first place, and why we endured almost two decades of education. 

Yes. It was time to get my first job. 

As a tourism graduate, I imagined myself working as a Reservations and Ticketing Agent of an airline, or a reputable travel agency. So with me is a map of Makati (why Makati? I'd love to be called as a Makati girl), database of airline offices and travel agencies there, copies of my resume and my hope to come home with a new job. I went to Gulf Air, Eva Airways, Cathay Pacific, Singapore Airlines, Delta Airlines, Jet Airways, Asiana Airlines, Korean Air and Etihad Airways (almost all of which along Ayala Avenue). Among these airline offices, I am quite fascinated about Gulf Air and Etihad Airways. I don't know if, really, Middle Eastern airlines have this sophisticated taste that is quite evident on their offices from couches to architectural design. I have this good feeling that one day, these will be my offices. I don't know why and how, but, yeah, I just have a good feeling.

True enough to my hope, I went home that day with positive feeling that this particular 'top of the line' travel agency is wanting a follow up on my job application. Everything went fast, all I can recall is that I signed at the "Conforme" of my application, and "Accept condition" on the next days. I was too excited to even bother myself read what I indeed signed at and for. All I know is that it was a 'premier' travel agency in the country and that I am branded as a "Travel Associate". It was my first job. The first paycheck is what I am excited about. But before all that, came the time when I have to report for work.

Damn.

I knew it wasn't the right job for me. I knew it since day 1. I knew it because I can feel it. After 6 months, I quit my job. But one thing I learned from my mentors who never fail on giving me advices, never quit your job unless you have a strong 'back up' financial aid (if not for another job). I was fortunate enough to land a better job. The day after my last day in that travel agency, I was then branded as a Marketing Coordinator of a medical travel agency. Where? Inside Gulf Air's office. Inside the glamorous old Gulf Air office in Ayala Avenue. Yeah, that good feeling? Yes, indeed my good feeling was right. I looooved my job as a marketing person. I love the graphic design duties, business development initiatives, website updates, talking to travel suppliers and trade partners, research, collaterals. Everything I love doing, I found in that job as a marketing person. 

Here's the Gulf Air office and some GF buddies.

For almost two years, I stayed with that medical travel agency. Then came an opportunity to work for an airline affiliate. I thought to myself, this could be the chance I am waiting for. I was then transferred to the General Sales Agent of this Middle Eastern (again) airline. After a few months, I found myself reporting for duty at the Etihad Airways Makati office. I was a half-Marketing, half-Sales person. Yes, that posh office of Etihad Airways I once have a good feeling of being a part of. Yeah, it basically did happen. 

Gulf United Corporation (Etihad's GSA) buddies on the 'Graduation Day' of our Sabre training.

It all started with my thought of 'having a good feeling' about a thing. And it did attract that good feeling to happen. I guess, it just goes to show that things happen at the right time, at the right place. If it is meant to happen to you, it will. Just put your trust that it will indeed happen. If it doesn't, well, you have to believe that better things are waiting for you. It doesn't matter when and where, but what matters most is that you keep in you that trust in Him that everything will fall into the right place. Trust His timing, His plans for you. You'll never know how exciting His plans for you are until it finally unfold. You just have to wait, to persevere, and to trust. That's all it takes. Oh, by the way, I am no longer a Marketing person now, but a college instructor, in tourism. (Will tell you tale about that on my next entries)

xx

Eenapot

Culinary Masterpiece of Batangas

Being a Batangueña by blood and heart, I was raised up in a typical diet that is quite common in a household in Batangas. That diet includes a Sinaing na Tambakol (yellow fin tuna boiled in tamarind soup) and Bulanglang (in Batangas, Bulanglang is a boiled mixture of vegetables such as squash, okra, string bean, with a little salt and cloves of garlic and ginger). Me and my siblings, when we were young, have Sinaing na Tambakol for breakfast, for lunch and also dinner. We oftentimes joke around and murmur, everyday is a Sinaing na Tambakol Day. Not to mention the fact that my grandmother used to be a fish vendor, a tambakol fish vendor. (So, yeah, that explains  why we have  Tambakol for every meal in what seems like forever). But I can still greatly recall my childhood memories how every morning was awaken by the cooing of a rooster and was delighted by sinangag (fried rice), sinaing na tambakol (again and again) and the ever famous, freshly brewed kapeng barako.

Well, Batangas cuisine is not just about the Sinaing na Tambakol, but it is one thing I miss a lot when I got the chance to move and study here in Manila. Rarely to never at all would I find a restaurant that offers it on their menu. So it is fair enough to say that Sinaing na Tambakol is one of the authentic cuisines found in Batangas.

This is Sinaing na Tulingan. Couldn't find photo of Tambakol. Argh.
Credits to Batangenyo.net

When you get a chance to have a trip in Batangas, never miss out some of these delicacies:

• Bulalo (beef bone marrow and shank boiled) – I personally recommend that you try Rose and Grace Restaurant at Santo Tomas, Batangas (for the travelers who has unlimited budget) or Banay-Banay Eatery in San Jose, Batangas (for the budget yet quality conscious ones)
• Lechon (roasted pig) – Balayan, Batangas is the place to be. Their annual Parada ng Lechon showcases “dressed up” yet luscious lechons.
• Goto – Here in Manila, Goto is similar to a congee or “lugaw”, but in Batangas, when you order a Goto, they will give you a bowl of simmered “lamang loob” of a pig or a cow. It is garnished with a fish sauce, calamansi and a chili. You must try “Gotohan sa Barangay” in Lipa City. Even the affluent ones line up to have their goto at Gotohan sa Barangay.
• Tapang Taal (jerked pork) – As the name suggests, you can find it in Taal, Batangas. It is perfectly served with hot tablea tsokolate (native cocoa chocolate used in making champorado).
• Lomi – Batangas lomi is not your ordinary lomi. When you try it in Ibaan, Rosario or Lipa, your definition of lomi will change. I assure you.
• Sinukmani – A sweet native kakanin found in Rosario, my hometown. Rosario hosts the Sinukmani Festival that has gained them the ‘Sinukmani’ identity.
• Nilupak – A sweet goody made of cassava, milk and coconut.
• And of course, my ever favorite, Sinaing na Tambakol / Tulingan or Tawilis. - These fishes were to be cooked in an earthen pot or palayok for several hours with tamarind, some cloves of garlic, pinches of salt and pepper. According to my grandmother who considers herself an expert in cooking Sinaing na Tambakol, the secret of a savory sinaing is a long cooking time. The longer the pot is on fire, the more delicious it will get.

  

Truly, Batangas is one heck of a tourist destination, not only because of its beaches, mountain treks, historical and cultural attractions, but also its culinary masterpieces. A Thomasian will not be labeled as a true blooded Thomasian if he / she has not experience the ever renowned España flood, similar as if a tourist hasn’t tried Sinaing na Tambakol or bulalo or lechon or tapang Taal or goto or lomi or sinukmani or nilupak, he / she hasn’t experience the very best of Batangas.

(Article contribution to University of Sto. Tomas' College of Tourism and Hospitality Management's Magazine. 2008-ish)

Confessions of a Tourism Student

I know you’ve probably heard someone talking like, “Naku, math haters ang mga Tourism students”. Or perhaps able to read in an online forum something like, “Tourism? Ushers and usherettes lang sila, dba?”. It sometimes gets on to our nerve when we hear murmurs similar to, “Ganda lang naman ang meron sa mga Tourism students” and “Ano trabaho kaya nila pagkagraduate? Professional tourist? Tour guide?”. We also oftentimes accidentally hear from those people, “Tourism is just an easy course.”. How many times have we heard these same old lame insights? It’s as if these people formed a conspiracy against us, tourism students. We frequently hear those offensive remarks, making a negative stereotype impression about Tourism course (and students taking up Bachelor of Science in Tourism), feeding our ‘full’ inferiority complex over what they call as ‘BIG’ and ‘HARD’ courses.

Attending endless events, seminars and conventions.

  

Little do some people know that it takes a lot to become a tourism student. It’s not just about beauty, but personality (glowing and pleasing personality), attitude (service oriented attitude), mind (logical and witty mind) and confidence (glimmering confidence) as well. Funny how some people misjudge us telling how easy and good for nothing our course was and concluding how much better their course was. How could someone who basically have not taken up Tourism as his / her course tell that it is an easy course and just for dumb people? The life of a tourism student is not as easy as what those people think.  Determining the difference between arrive and arrivé, knowing where in the world is ‘Tuvalu’ located at and its capital, identifying the three – letter code for Seychelles airport, searching for world’s well known spots, memorizing the world map, doing endless video documentaries and minor research over tourism trends, deciding whether a passenger will be considered as a child or an infant for flight booking, running after the SecGen’s and OSA office for approval of an event, seeking out every corner of the UST library just to get a good grasp of a book required for a report, catching up for missed lessons for attending tours, events, conventions and seminars, these are just a few of the reality in the life of a tourism student.

Doing event promotions.
(ARTURA: Art and Culture for a cause -class event)

The careers in Tourism are not just confined to being a flight attendant. Our alma matter is molding us into a tourism practitioner that is not just beautiful and glamorous, but a well rounded and balanced one. True enough, the previous tourism curriculum is like a little bit of everything. We have geography, philosophy and ethics, theology, literature, history, english and math, economics, accounting, business management, law, computer, events management, personality development, foreign languages (Spanish, Nihonggo and French, all of which has learning levels of basic, intermediate and advanced), hotel and operation theories and of course not to mention our major tourism subjects, domestic and global tourism, transportation management, travel operations and management, ecotourism, recreational tourism, airline computer reservation system, cultural tourism, marketing for hospitality and tourism, etc. etc. A great pool of subjects that may lead us to become competent travel agents, tour coordinators, tour guides, ticket agents, country club manager and staff, front desk clerks, travel writers, event organizers, public relation officers, cruise attendants, academicians, lawyers (if Sir G inspired you to take up law and be like him), foreign service officers (if you pass the exam administered by the Department of Foreign Affairs) and a whole lot more. You may also want to manage your own travel agency and be your own boss. With the list of job opportunities we may venture in, it seems we have a bright future ahead of us. Therefore, we must not let others detract us. Some “non tourism” courses (the ‘difficult ones’ as they labeled it), after graduation, ended up in careers that are totally out of the league of their four year education. With the booming tourism industry we have in our country nowadays, we now are sure that we have a place to land after our four years of learning.

Invaded the Senate to come up with a 'star-studded'
video documentary.

In the end, it is still up to us, tourism students, on how we’ll give dignity to our course. It’s up to us on how we’ll prove them wrong. It’s up to us on how we’ll utilize and apply the things that we learned and were instilled in us by our marvelous professors. Now, when someone ask, “Why Tourism?”, proudly answer back “And why not Tourism?” with a revenging and devilish smile.

(Article contribution to University of Sto. Tomas' College of Tourism and Hospitality Management Magazine, 2008-ish)

The Power of Attraction

I am a travel writer.

I am a blogger.

I am at Louvre Museum.

I am a museum curator.

I am a tour guide.

I am pursuing a post graduate study on cultural heritage.

I am speaking and writing French.

I am working at National Commission for Culture and Arts.

I am working at UNESCO.

I do understand every misunderstood person.

I am at Bahamas and Maldives.

I am working in the cruise line industry.

I know how to bake a cake, a blueberry cheesecake.

I am a good friend to everybody (even to the exceptionally hostile ones).

I know how to play drums and violin.

I am playing and/or singing for a rock band.

I am a rock star.

I am a graphic designer.

I am a researcher.

I am a programmer, a hacker.

I cook potato wedges perfectly.

I am a vegetarian.

I am seeing an aurora.

I am swimming at the Dead Sea.

I am seeing the pyramids in Egypt and the terraces of Machu Picchu in Peru.

I am deep diving.

I know how to do the scaling (lead guitar).

I am wake boarding and surfing.

I am walking the streets of Rome.

I am a lawyer.

I am a philosopher.

I am a forensic investigator. CSI-Horatio Caine type.

I am a spy. Charlie's Angels type.

I am riding the clouds that you see at the airplane's window.

I am an astronaut.

I am an herbalist.

I am forming an all girls band.

I am at the Vatican's archive.

I am to Tuvalu, Borabora, Fiji, French Polynesia.

And my list goes on and on and on..

I just need to keep track of my wish list.

Let's see which happens and which does not.

After all, I have every right to dream. Coz it's FREE!!!

I want so many things. So little time? I guess no. Life has a lot to offer, it's up to us on how we'll make it worth living :) (May 2011)