I was about to win a cool gadget but I need to go (A daddy blogger’s dilemma)

Have you ever experienced watching your favorite TV program where the protagonist is about to reveal a secret that has puzzled you for months and then all of a sudden your area got hit by a black out? How about eagerly waiting for the last play of your favorite basketball team in an attempt for a winning basket then you got an important phone call that you really need to take?

‘Tis the season that moments like this happen since almost everyone has a lot of stuff to attend to during these times.

Well, I got hit with one of those moments a couple of weeks back when I attended the Bloggers Night 2011 – Brands that Clicks in Astoria Plaza in Ortigas, Pasig City where some of the well-known tech companies not only exhibited their coolest and latest products, they also raffled away a lot of “goodies” that will make any tech geek salivate.      

The presenters were Archos, ASUS, BenQ, Cooler Master, JBL, Kingston Technology, Power Color, Razer and Sandisk. Below are the products that were presented that night.

Bloggers got to try out some of these products and a few lucky ones were able to take home a gadget  because organizers raffled out at least one gadget from each of the nine presenters that participated in the event.  It was a fun-filled event where we were able to discover new stuff about the latest technology in the market today.

Just like in other events, how you’d wish your name will be called in the raffle at the later part so you have a great chance of getting a “big” prize.  Although in this event, the first surprise that was given away was an Archos tablet that really made quite a lot of ohhhs and ahhhs. 

Then, minor prizes were thrown in to hype up some other “big” stuff to be given away to lucky attendees.  I was not called when they raffled dozens of optical mouse, usb drives and other items.  Just when it was the time to pick the winners of bigger prizes, I got a text message from my wife asking me to go home already since our son Charles has been vomiting the whole evening (Later, his pedia found out that he was inflicted with gastroenteritis). 

I was a little hesitant to go out of the room since I have a gut felling that I will be called during the raffle in any given moment.  But the image of my son vomiting and calling out my name was playing in my head that made me decide and go home without waiting for the raffle draw to finish.

And just what I thought, my name was called.  Not once but TWICE.  A fellow blogger texted me to inform me about this. 

Oh well, there’s always a next time.  After all, parties come all year round.  I may not able to bring home any cool gadget that night, I got to meet and had had fun with my blogger friends. Also, I was able to comfort and take care my son who even though looked exhausted in vomiting several times that night, he still tried to smile while repeatedly asking, “Charles sick?”    

All I have to do is to tell him that he’ll get well in no time if drink his medicine and we’ll play with his toy helicopter in the morning.  He’d hug me and tap on my shoulder gently as if saying, “I’ll be okay daddy” 

Now that's my first prize!

(After a week, Charles got back his groove) 

Fim-Am Midwife is 2011 CNN Hero of the Year

Just when we thought that this December is such a forgettable month, a good news for the Pinoy will comes out like a fresh breather.

Amidst the showbiz controversies, unbelievable heavy rains and a freak plane tragedy that hugged the spotlight, 2011 will end with a sweet victory for the Philippines.  Robin Lim, an Fil-Am midwife based in Indonesia has been named as the 2011 CNN Hero of the Year today.

Image taken from news-website.info

Robin Lim, an American woman who has helped thousands of poor Indonesian women have a healthy pregnancy and birth, was named the Hero of the Year on Sunday night.

54-year old LIm was recognized for helping thousands of poor Indonesian women have a healthy pregnancy and birth. CNN described her as a community crusader who is affectionately called by people touched by her foundation as “Ibu Robin” (Mother Robin).

Born to an American soldier and a Filipino mother, Lim is a certified professional midwife affiliated with the North American Registry of Midwives and the Ikatan Bidan Indonesia.

“Eleven years ago, I witnessed it working high in the Cordillera mountains. I feel it can work the world over,” Lim said during an interview by the Philippine Daily Inquirer.

She spent her time in the Philippines by providing free natal services to relatives and friends she met in Baguio and other Cordillera provinces before she and her husband Willaim Hemerle were based in Indonesia. The couple has five children.

"Every baby's first breath on Earth could be one of peace and love. Every mother should be healthy and strong. Every birth could be safe and loving. But our world is not there yet," Lim said during "CNN Heroes: An All-Star Tribute," which took place at the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles and recognized Lim and the other top 10 CNN Heroes of 2011.

The CNN Hero of the Year was chosen by the public after an 11-week vote on CNN.com. Lim will receive $250,000 for her cause. That's in addition to the $50,000 that she and the rest of the top 10 Heroes each received for making the top 10.

CNN has given this award in the last five years, with the help of entertainers and other celebrities, have honored everyday people changing the world. This year's presenters include TV and movie personalities J.R. Martinez, Chris Colfer,  Laura Dern, Mary-Louise Parker and Sofia Vergara, comedians Jerry Seinfeld and George Lopez; actors; musical artists Ice Cube and will.i.am; model Christy Turlington Burns; and former NFL quarterback Kurt Warner.

In 2009, social worker and educator Efren Peñaflorida became the first Filipino to be named CNN’s Hero of the Year in 2009.

Mr. Imperfect

While browsing on the updates on my FB home page, I can't help get notice wall posts from some friends and contacts about sentimental thingies (videos, photos, quotes and links) about spending Christmas as a member of the SMP or Samahan ng Malalamig and Pasko.

I can only sigh and say thank you that I have already graduated from that stage since I am just blessed to have a very loving wife and happy kid.  During my SMP days, I even shared my thoughts via Philippine Daily Inquirer's Young Blood section for a couple of times years ago.

Last Tuesday, I was reminded again of my SMP moments when I read contributor Georgina Angsanto's longing for a man she can her own. This 26-year old lady describe herself as someone who writes ads for a living but is really a full-time aunt and “yaya.”

Here's the full text of her heart-felt writing which I'm sure any single lady, beki and even men can relate too. This was published in the Philippine Daily Inquirer (November 22, 2011 issue).

Mr. Imperfect
By: Georgina Angsanto

One day I hope to meet an imperfect man who will seem perfect to me from time to time.

He will not be the best I have ever met, but he will be great when I need him to be. He will hold my hand when we cross the street and make sure I stay on the safe side of the road. He will kiss me goodnight before I go to sleep, and he will kiss me torridly when I don’t want to sleep. He will wake me up with a pat on my leg and once in a while surprise me with breakfast in bed. He will argue with me, taunt me, frustrate me, but he will also let me win without having to tell me.

He will cradle me when I need to be babied, respect me when I need to feel big, and scold me when I make a big mistake. He will sing to me when quiet makes me lonely, and remain quiet when noise makes me mad. He will not always read me correctly, but he will always make his best guess. His timing will often be off when calculating my moods, but when he does find that perfect moment, he will make it one that I will never forget.

He will touch me when my heart is cold and cool me down when my head is hot. He will see through my Tupperware expressions and detect my tears before they fall. He will understand many things I am saying with my eyes, but sometimes he will pretend he doesn’t see them at all. He will hurt me time and again, but he will ask to be forgiven just as often. He will lose his temper because he is human, but he will always strive to become a better man.

He will falter and fall and make mistakes, but he will also rise above himself. He will hold open a door for me, although sometimes he will forget. He will order me around, but will bow when I resist. He will take me to a bar, dance with me, go wild with me, but he will also escort me to the theater to watch a play he never really wanted to see.

He will go shopping with me, but he will roll his eyes only when I am inside the fitting room, not when I can see him. He will stand by me at the cosmetics corner, and pretend he’s not bothered by the shade of purple I am trying on. He will laugh at me, not just with me, to remind me not to take myself too seriously.

He will tell me the whole truth when I am ready for it, but he will be ready with his half-truths when that’s what I should hear. He will make me realize that I need him, but only up to half as much as he needs me. He will make me admit that I want him, but only after he professes how he feels about me. He will bring out the best and the worst in me, but he will stick with me always.

One day I will meet an imperfect man. He will love me, and I will love him wholeheartedly.

A Day with Sarah

Bigla ako kinilig when Sarah smiled back as I call her name for this shot

It's not everyday that I got invited in a presscon for a movie so I did found my self inside the Dolphy Theater at the ABS-CBN compound one Saturday afternoon.

Well, I went there for a lot of reasons anyway.  First, bonding time with fellow bloggers. Second, met with my best friend who works for the TV network. Third, checking if someone I know from Viva Entertainment (my former employer) is present in the occassion. And lastly, Sarah Geronimo will be there.

I'm not really a big fan of Sarah but she's Sarah Geronimo.  I'm sure anyone who hear her sings will be easily be an instant fan.  Plus, she's also a decent actress especially in romantic-comedy films.

with Direk Raz dela Torre

During the presscon, the spotlight is on Sarah and Gerald although they are joined by a couple of co-actors, Director Raz dela Torre and the writer and producer.  The lead stars were asked questions about the film but more on their personal lives. Both were grilled by movie reporters who would not stop throwing questions until one of them would give a "non-promo promo" answer.

But even without any promotional stunts or gimmick, this movie will be a hit.  After all, Sarah is Sarah Geronimo. Plus, you also have fans of Gerald who can also packed the movie houses. 

Come November 30, I might find again myself inside a theater but not to attend a presscon but it's still about Sarah.  I hope my wife will accompany me in watching Won't Last a Day Without You which stars the Pop Princess and Budoy aka Gerald Anderson.  One thing I'm excited about this movie is how my idol Joey de Leon  is like as Sarah's father in the film.  I can sense riot... and of course, love!