The [Whereabouts]

We hold the future. It’s how we think that gives contribution to what will happen tomorrow. Now, who would have thought that communication will reach this far? From telegram to mail to telephone to pager to e-mail and now to cellphones! That made us feel that we are never far from our loved ones wherever part of the world we are. Sending a text message from the other part of the world is easy but the cost may be much. To people who lives in the United States, you probably know what I am talking about. Sending and receiving text messages and even phone calls costs 0.20 cents. And to save them from too much expenses, a plan was made. But that does not exempt them from any additional charges regarding international text messages. Their phone carriers are the one responsible for collecting those taxes and fees from their consumers and it’s really too much, trust me.

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But did you actually know that we can actually continue to keep in touch with the ones we love without spending too much? I’m talking about Chikka. I was in High School when it started to boom. And it has been 10 years now! Chikka’s breakthrough had been in marrying IM technology seamlessly with SMS, and then building a back-end that would withstand its use by the world’s ‘text capital’ – The Philippines. Chikka founder Dennis Mendiola shared his thoughts about the birth of Chikka and it’s continuous development to make it more accessible to almost everyone.

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Today, a “digital generation” has emerged and 30% of Filipinos have Internet access taking part in social networks and becoming active in social media. Mobile penetration is closer to 80%.

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“We saw this during the great reawakening and national mourning for the passing of former President Cory Aquino. We witnessed it again as Typhoon Ondoy brought great floods to the Capital and the Youth, with their Internet and mobile tools helped relay information for mobilization and disaster relief,” said Mendiola.

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Thus is setting for Chikka latest version release.

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“Chikka is more relevant than ever. We observe for example that a lot of casual messaging previously exchanged via text has shifted to the social networks. Our latest version is being released, combining the cool convenience of sending an IM message when [Continue Reading]

We don’t know each other nor have any idea on how you look like. We might have passed each other at work but who you are is something I don’t know not I can figure for now. I must say that I’m really blessed to have you in that very moment when I decide to go to the Game room after lunch. It was a frustrating day for me. I only went there to check something but it seemed like the other lady wants to get on my nerves. In short, I went there, spending my remaining 45 minutes lunch for nothing since I was not able to do what I was to do. I went back to work and spent the other four hours talking to clients convincing to buy a product but all of them seemed to be looking for something that we have out of stock. I’m not whining, that’s part of my work. It’s not always Christmas and sales outcome is never set in stone. It was still early when I clock out from work so I decided to sleep first at the lounge. I dozed odd for like 3 hours and that made me dizzier. I washed my face, prepared to go home when I realized that my wallet was missing. That’s when I started panicking. I went back to the lounge, checked it, went back to the station too and asked my boss if he found any wallet or if someone returned a lost wallet. I failed to see some positivity that time. All that was left to me was a dollar and that’s it. I can’t even go home with just a dollar. I went back to the Game room where I sat to check. I didn’t ask anyone though. I failed. I went to the clinic and asked the nurse on duty too if I left anything when I asked for some medicine few hours ago. Still I failed. There’s nothing really much in my wallet. Even a thief won’t get it. Yes, my credit and debit cards are there including my health and life insurance, my license, train ticket and the confirmation receipt I have from Best Buy since I returned my laptop for repair but there’s not really too much money there. It was just some few dollars enough to eat a single meal. I really don’t know what to do because my payroll card was also there so even if I report it lost/stolen, it will still take a while before I can get my money. And I can’t live with a dollar while waiting for it. I was about to report it when I decided to ask the security at the Game room. He was not the guard on duty when I went there but I still asked. He entertained me, asked how my wallet looks like, what’s in my wallet and all those stuff that’s being asked when a security staff is making a report. Then surprisingly, he pulled out a wallet from his drawer and asked if that was mine. I am so much happy to have it back. He took my name, verified what was my name, my employee number, what department and asked me to sign a form. I still can’t believe that there are still people who’ll kindly return a property which isn’t theirs. I asked the guard who returned my wallet. His name was Ryan. Well, thanks Ryan. You just don’t know how much thankful I am that you were there when I lost my wallet. You have such a good heart. Your parents must be very very proud of you. Your friends are blessed to have met you. Someone like you is rare nowadays and I am so fortunate to have witnessed it. I’ll see you soon Ryan because I want to thank you personally. May God continue to grace you.

To Lord Jesus Christ, thank you too for the roller coaster ride. I learned my lesson and I am really enjoying your way of teaching. Very personal.

We never really had a good understanding when we last talked. It was 26th of December in the year 2006 when we last talked. I was hurt and I know you know that. You can’t expect me to be happy with all the coldness in you. And even up to now, there are still days that I feel really really bad about it. That made me want to forget all the good and bad times we’ve been to. I never looked back at movies and songs we used to listen and watch together and I know that was so immature of me, I know. You never talked to me again neither did I try to initiate a conversation. There’s still a wall between the two of us and I know only time can break. But I guess we’re a little okay now. I was really surprised when you added me on your Twitter account. I messaged you and glad that you replied back with words I miss you. Somehow, that made me smile. I guess it’s time for both of us to move on and become good friends again.

Hey, it’s your birthday! I never have to look at calendars nor set a reminder to know that it’s your day. We became best friends and I know that the friendship we had was genuine so I can never forget. Happy birthday! I wish you a very happy birthday!  And yes, I missed you too!

Though all years have same number of days, I feel like 2010 was one of the fastest years I’ve ever had in my life. First two quarters I’ve had were terribly awful. My health and life were placed at risk. I just can’t imagine how I almost died from a vehicular accident. I don’t even wanna go back to the day when I was diagnosed of having kidney stones at such a young age. A relative also died of colon cancer and it sucks big time that I wasn’t even able to visit her burial cuz my legs are still undergoing therapy. Me and my family became financially unstable too that I even have to withdraw some of my remaining funds just to have something to support for myself. That’s too much burden but I’m still glad and thankful that we’re able to surpass them. Me and my family are stable again and I’m in good health too. Thank you for all the unseen prayers. We felt them.

Now here comes the mid of third quarter. July was awesome and that makes me wanna expect more for August. Maybe because I allowed God to transform me. But I just won’t wait for these blessings to come. I’ll work for it just like the old times. I can sense a better chapter because I know God is with me.

I may have a schedule like hell but it will always feel like heaven. Thank you Lord for such an unending grace. I know you are fair to everyone but I just can’t deny that I feel more blessed than anybody else in this world.