Top 10 Key Principles for Career and Financial Success by Sen Richard "Dick" Gordon

I had this entry a few months back but I wasn't able to share it with you right away as I got too pre-occupied with a lot of things during that time. Anyway, this one is a good read by former Sen. Richard Gordon as he shares key principles for career and financial success for which he is already enjoying an accomplished and fruitful life by now.

Top 10 Key Principles for Career and Financial Success (SOURCE: MONEYSENSE MAGAZINE, November-December 2009 Issue)

1. Be ambitious. Umaasa tayo lagi sa tulong. Kahit anong hirap mo, you have to be ambitious. Being ambitious is not negative.

2. Have the right work ethic. Bawal ang tamad. Lalong bawal ang tanga. Manage by objective. Instead of a quick fix or instant gratification, practice delayed gratification. We should go for meritocracy. Hindi palakasan. Palakasan pa rin dito.

3. Learn a skill. Poverty is an absence of choice. That’s why you have to continue learning. You have to learn a skill. I never tell people “good luck.” I always tell them “good skill.” Be creative. Nasa Diyos ang awa, nasa tao ang gawa. God gave you skills. God will not help you if you don’t help yourself.

4. Work, save, invest, and prosper. You have to work. Address your needs but always save. Get into a business. Get life insurance or a personal accident insurance kung `yun lang ang kaya mo. We need a provident fund especially for our OFWs. We have 11 million Filipinos abroad. You put them and our people here in a provident fund, we can prosper ourselves. Combine GSIS and SSS funds and come up with a provident fund, just like what Singapore did. People have to learn to save something.

5. Help. Find extra time to help. Volunteer with the Red Cross. Kapag alam mong ginawa mo, bibiyaan ka. Helping others is a reward in itself.

6. Lead by example. The Philippines would improve if it elects a leader who can inspire, able to communicate by word and deed, provides a vision, extracts values, and displays integrity. Demand from your leaders. Ask for their qualifications. Look for their record.

7. Be independent. I had to fight big guys but I couldn’t tell my dad. He encouraged me to learn judo to protect myself. You have to learn to survive. You have to learn to stand your ground. Those guys who tried to bully me, I stood up to them.

8. Learn from your mistakes. I learn from my mistakes. I learn from other people’s mistakes. There’s only one thing I can never learn: to be overly materialistic. I don’t pay the media to cover me. I don’t pay for my press releases. If my being straightforward is a mistake, that’s a mistake I’ll keep on repeating.

9. Be assertive. We’re like makahiyas. We shouldn’t be. We shouldn’t be an adapting culture. We’re resilient but we don’t assert ourselves. We’re a happy people. That’s good psychology. We laugh at ourselves. We’re an accommodating culture. We shouldn’t be. We should live by the national anthem, by our oath.

10. Make fear your friend. During the Mt. Pinatubo eruption, I told myself we’re not going to allow ourselves to die here. I prayed, “If you’re going to take me, take me. Please though, don’t make me look bad as I lead.” You must make fear your friend.

Now is the time to attain that success that really belongs to you.

The week that was (August 28 - September 3)

Sunday: I got up a bit late as I had to do my usual errands before reporting for work. I left home at almost 1:00pm as I have to wait for my wife to come home from her errand which taking care of Migmig was my main responsibilities. To my surprise, I got in the office at 1:58pm even if I left home at almost 1:00pm. The day was so boring I just watched videos from youtube on Nostradamus Effect. At 7:00pm, it went to Glorietta to look for something to eat.I ended up eating at Mongolian Quick Stop and taking out 2 big donuts from Dunkin Donuts. I waited for our shift to ended before calling it a day and went straight home to get some sleep.

Monday: I got up at almost 6:00am as we're having ourselves ready to go to Tagaytay and Enchanted Kingdom despite of the unpredictable weather. We left home at almost 7:00am and got to Tagaytay at around 8:00am probably as our first stop was at Pink Sisters Convent.The church was closed so we went to the other side to pray (and take pictures for me). Then, we went to Taal Vista Lodge to have more pictures there with a better view of Taal Volcano.The weather was really cool and windy as Taal Volcano was quite difficult t see at that time plus weather was unpredictable. Then we went to Starbucks not to have coffee but to have a better view of the volcano but unfortunately, it started raining that time. While looking for some spots in Tagaytay, I was able to locate where "The Botique Bed and Breakfast" and "T-House" is as I recall a few months back that my wife and I wanted to stay at The Botique while she's pregnant with Migmig. By 11:00am, we went to Picnic Grove to have lunch there.The place was really jam-packed with people, most of them probably from Metro Manila taking advantage of a 4-day holiday. It took us a while to secure our tent and had our lunch there. My wife's family is more comfortable to take pack-lunch than buy at a restaurant to save money (which is fine by me). Our lunch was really enjoyable as I had spaghetti with sisig on it. After lunch, we head straight to Enchanted Kingdon to spend the rest of the afternoon. We got there at around 2:30pm and had our passes ready. Me and my wife got a ride-all-you can wrist tags but we were unable to ride any as we were taking care of Migmig while we get around the themed park. All my wife and I did was take turns in taking care of our baby while others enjoyed the rides. It has been 7 years since the last time I visited Enchanted Kingdom and I promised to myself to take my wife and daughter again after 5 years (so Migmig could enjoy some of the rides). The park closed early so we had our dinner at the van just outside the park. I felt asleep on my way home as I felt so tired after having only a few hours of sleep. When we got back home, I got to go online for a couple of hours more before going to bed.

Tuesday: Got up at 9:30am as my body felt the fatigue from the previous day. Still, I did my usual chores before reporting for work. I got in the office just in time for work. I was able to do some tickets as the day progresses. But still, my body was still aching and wants to get some more rest. After my shift, I went straight home to get some rest.

Wednesday: I got up early at 7:30am but I couldn't walk properly with my left foot. Still, I went to Harrison Plaza to meet my mom and hand her some stuff. I took a cab on my way home as I could barely walk from there. After watching TV for a few minutes, I went back upstairs to get some sleep. I texted my colleagues that I won't be able to report for work. I was able to get some sleep until 12:00pm. Then I had lunch and watched Migmig as my wife took a bath and began going online. Then it was my turn to take a bath and relaxed so my left foot would heal. Then my wife asked me to go to SM Manila to upgrade our broadband internet so we could get a new phone from Sun. I got there at almost 6:00pm but I was able to complete the transaction at past 8:30pm. At home, after having dinner, I enjoyed the rest of the night before going to sleep.

Thursday: I got up at around 8:30am and went online that morning for the first time in weeks. Then, I got to prepare early as I had to go back to SM Manila to submit my wife's form for Sun and have her new unit (free) replaced. It didn't took me that long to have those processed but the mobile phone wasn't replaced. One of the staff said that we were using a wrong key and I got his message right away. Then I arrived in the office with plenty of time to spare. Work was quite light but my body doesn't seem like working for the day, or for a week that I wanted to take a long time-off away from work XD.Still, with no salary, I had Jollibee food for dinner before calling it a day.

Friday: I got up at almost 8:30am as my body is still in the state of sleep XD. I was able to buy vitamins and coconut juice for my wife before preparing to leave home early. But instead of going to the office, I went to SMX first to attend the 22nd Philippine Travel Mart 2011. I didn't bring my camera with me (my bad) as I know my bag will be heavy with all the maps and brochures that I would get. But unfortunately, the travel mart has some good display of each regions which I should have took my camera with me. I left the venue at 1:30pm and got in the office 10 minutes past 2:00pm. My other colleague won't be joining with me in the shift so I'll be by my lonesome (together with my boss) for the rest of my stay in the office.Good thing our monthly pay was already in our account which made me a little bit better. I got to answer some emails that almost drained me before going home. Thankfully, I was able to escalate it to the US team before my shift ended. I bought a banoffee pie for my wife to enjoy at home. I stayed a little bit longer as I sorted some maps and brochures that I got from the event I attended earlier. I took a cab so I would be able to get home quickly to get some rest for the next day's event.

Saturday: Got up at around 7:00am and took Migmig out for her fun in the sun. We went to St. Anthony Shrine but unfortunately, it was closed We went back and spent time with her downstairs before she starts to cry, wanting to be with her mom. When we went back up, I transferred some pictures to our Laptop since I need to free up one of my 4GB SDHC memory card. After freeing it up, its time for me to get ready to attend The Ultimate Taste Test 6.0 at Rockwell tent. It didn't took me that long to get there as it wasn't traffic that day. After spending almost 6 hours there, I went back to the office for the remaining half of my shift. Work was quite slow until almost 11:00pm where I got a call from one of the users from Singapore having another problem that turns out to be a slow internet connection that I was able to fix. I left the office immediately before another call comes in. I got home at past midnight and I'm looking forward to my 2 rest days with my wife and my baby.

A Foodie's Delight at UTT 6.0

Taken from Google

Today's Ultimate Taste Test was co-presented by Our Awesome Planet and San Miguel Lifestyle Brews with Major Sponsor, Cheers Table Napkins; Water Sponsor, Crystal Clear and Media Partners, Yummy Magazine, Eyp.ph, and Cinematic Studios. For a 585-peso ticket, it is more than its worth as you will be given an opportunity to be a food critic for a day to 55  of the best food suppliers plus it has a free beer (for 18 years old and above only XD). Oh I forgot that the event was held in Rockwell Tent XD.

I got there a few minutes past 11:00am with my stomach rumbling and looking forward to try out some of the newest and best food suppliers that you won't see anywhere else (except in Mercato Centrale, Midnight Mercato among others). When I got in, I saw the registration table where I handed my ticket and they gave me my food passport and have my wrist strapped with their tag. And it was off to the tent I go XD.

As I got in, I already saw some people queue up at some of the most sought after food suppliers wanting to try they latest creations. I took out my camera from my bag and checked the area as I was supposed to. I stayed there for almost 6 hours as I tried my best to taste all (but I fail as I only tried 44 of 55 food suppliers) and went back to the office stuffed.

I wanted to keep the original passport but they didn't allow me. Good thing I have it photocopied back-to-back before handing it to the staff on the exit. In return, I have to choose on having a Planner (I already have it) or a back issue of Yummy Magazine. I chose the magazine and she gave me not one but two Yummy Magazine's back issues (April 2011 and May 2011).

Here are my thoughts to the samples that I've tried while I was there. I won't indicate my rate (1-5) here but a detailed insights to each one of them (I'll keep on updating them until its complete). 

Warning: This is an honest insight from my POV. Yours would definitely differ from mine XD. 

1. Luigi's Chicken cordon bleu with a choice of aligue mayo, cream cheese or wasabi sauce and Phillychanga: This one is for the win as the chicken cordon bleu was tender and tasty. The Phillychanga however, was far more better as the tortilla wrap was crispy and at the same time, small bits of meat was really tasty.

2. Tina Pie's Chicken and Chorizo: The combination took me away. It was delicious. I hope I could try their regular sized ones.

3. Yoh-Gee's Frozen Kefir: They took healthy dessert to the highest level. The presentation looks like your choosing on which gelato to eat.

4. Marla's Original Muncheez: It reminded me of Baguio's chocolate crispies as this would be Manila's version. 

5. Spring by Ha Yuan's Monk's Choice: This one is an alternative to your usual siopao. Aka Ka-Pow, theirs really rock!

6. Eat My GF's (Garlic Fries) Original Fries with toppings: The best tasting fries I've ever put my mouth into. Plus the concept of eating your gf would bring some naughtiness into ones mind and palate.

7. The Flying Chef's Chocolate and Bacon Empanada and Ham and Cheese Empanada: Both empanadas were good but the one with Chocolate and Bacon was something different for me. They have combined the saltiness of the bacon with the sweetness of the chocolate and it was immaculately good.

8. Carmen's Best's Ice Cream (Salted Caramel and Coffee) and Holly's Milk and Chocolate Milk: One of the most sinfully crafted ice cream I've ever tasted. They're creamy and the best thing is the ingredients are fresh from their farm down south.

9. The Sweet Life by Ange's Camchips, Sweet Surrender and Red Velvet Cheesecake: The camchips and red velvet cheesecakes were tasty but not compared to sweet surrender (brazo with ice cream). Its like having 2 desserts in 1 as I like both ice cream and brazo bars.

10.Merry Moo's Artisan Ice Cream (Brown Bread, Lemon Meringue and Berry Corny): You won't go wrong with their uniquely crafted ice cream especially with their new flavors that I tried (Brown Bread and Berry Corny).

11. Pink Candies Cucina's food for the Gods: Their food for the Gods with nuts made me nuts. Tastes really good.

12. 5 Loaves and 2 Fish (Baked Crunchy Veggie Chips with homemade dips and various spreads): The chips were really extra thin and their dips were really healthy. Also, their name was really catchy as it comes from a bible story.

13. Sushi Mo's California Maki Roll, Tuna and Mayo Make Roll: It tasted just ok. Nothing special.

14. Big Daddy Jay's All-American BBQ (Smoked Pork Ribs): Meat is soft and flavorful. Tastes good even without bbq sauce.

15. Purple Mustard's Sebadas con Miela (Fried Ravioli with Rosemary): Ravioli tastes good.

16. Joy's Fuzion Kitchen (JFK) Chicken Wings: Their version of chicken wings somewhat taste like Manang's or it could be my taste buds again.

17. Pinakbest's Bagnet, Chicharon and Empanada: I don't like my bagnet with their version of patis. their chicharon is known as cornbits and their empanada, it tastes really good.

18. Cre-Ate Concepts's Pizza Teriyaki Mayo and Pizza 4-cheese: I tried their four-cheese and I gave it a four-star rating as well. XD

19. Chevre's Goat Cheese (Chevre with cashews and truffled salt and Chevre with garlic and herbs): Not your usual cheese as these were made by the people from Gawad Kalinga.

20. De Original Jamaican Patties (Beef Original): Tastes just fine.

21. Mang Pedro's Food Product's Almond Taho: Thank God taho has a different flavor now aside from the ones we always have. They also have other flavors but I was given only one flavor to taste. 

22. Baked by Anita's Bacon and Maple Mini Cupcakes and Roasted Strawberry Mini Cupcakes: Tastes really good.

23. Cupcake Botique by Klar-Joseph's Red Velvet, Diplomat (Valrhona) and Green Tea: Their cupcakes were rich and creamy.

24. Casa San Luis Pastries' Adobo and Bangus Quiche: That was the first time I had quiche in my entire life and I really savored every bite.

25. The Fruit Garden Food Products' Fruit Cocktail, Lychee Berry Rose and Winter Season: Four Season (Winter) has this Guyabano taste that I liked so much!

26. Theo and Philo's Chocolate: Their chocolates are really good as they provided me a different taste. Their Siling Labuyo, Ginger, Barako and Calamansi tastes good among others.

27.Chef Table's Buko Pie Martini: They gave buko pie a new meaning.

28. Hyphy's Calamansi Tuyo Spaghetti: Its so good I hope I got to try more.

29. Daims Food Inc's Sausages: I liked their Wasabi-Flavored sausages so as their other flavors as well.

 

30. Instituto Culinario's Limonada: So refreshing, it cleanses my tastes bud every time I dip my tongue into it before trying other foods.

31. My Pink Wasabi's Kashi Maki: I could have given this a higher score if I was able to try other flavors instead of one.

32. Symphony of Flavor's Leche Flan Cheese Cake: I was expecting a very rich dessert knowing that they combine two of the best desserts for my tastebud. But I got so disappointed that all I tasted was custard cake. I guess they need to plan further.

33. Chef C's Paella Andaluz: Tastes just fine. Nothing special about it

34. Bugle Boy's Arizona Iced Tea: Their green tea tastes so familiar I think I got to taste it before. XD

35. Kiddie Affair's Cupcakes: Tasted just fine. Nothing special.

36. The Ice Cream Bar's Lemon Crumble Yogurt: Refreshingly alright.

37. Heart, Meat and Soul Food's Hearty Meaty Spaghetti: Tasted just fine. Nothing special.

38.  HKR Food Express' Roast Chicken Asado: Tasted just fine. Nothing special.

39. Party Fuel's Mojito Mocktails: Tastes refreshing without the alcohol. That's quite new to me.

40. Almost Gourmet's Parmesan Cheese Sticks and Basil Breaded Fish Sticks:  Tasted just fine. Nothing special.

41. Chori-Chori Burger Joint's Boracay Original Choriburger and Choriburger with Egg/Coleslaw: Tasted just fine. Nothing special.

42. Dek a Thai's Authentic Cuisine: Tasted just fine. Nothing special.

Well, see you on UTT 7.0. XD

A short stop at Philippine Travel Mart 2011

Taken from Google

Early this morning, I left home early to check-out the 22nd Philippine Travel Mart at SMX Convention Center in Pasay City. This event is organized by Philtoa, an organization of tour operators and allied members from around the country which aims to promote their respective tourist destination.Also, this would be the first time, I went there on a first day instead of going there on a last day. Going there on a first day is advantageous as you would be able to get the things that you need compared to getting them on the last day.

Though I don't have plans to travel for the next couple of months (to years if deemed unfortunate), I was able to collect brochures, maps and mini-books that somehow would make me feel like I have already visited their place. But still, nothing beats the feeling of actually being there and enjoying every moment of it. But I need to save enough money for me to visit these places (Lord! Please give me a sign that I would be able to travel again XD).

I'll have to wait for my baby girl to grow up a little more before I could convince my wife to travel again. Anyways, no pictures were taken as I left my camera home (a no-no XD).

My September To-Do List

Since today is September 1, this would be another month for me to accomplish new things and do some of the same things over again. Anyway, here are the things that I wanted to accomplish.

1. Settle all bills for the month (Meralco, Broadband)

2. Complete all Men's Magazine for September.

3. Attend The Ultimate Taste Test 6.0 at Rockwell Tent.

4. Attend the 22nd Philippine Travel Mart at SMX.
5. Pay my 3rd Quarter SSS contribution.
6. Accompany my wife on her friend's wedding on the 26th.
7. Accompany my baby on her check-up (2nd Rota-Virus Vaccine).
8. Attend the Otaku Expo on the 4th at SMX
9. Attend the Manila Ocean Park's Biggest Food Fest.
10.Try to schedule a photo editing session in the morning (from 8:00am to 10:00am).


I'll be updating this and add more two times this month.