Still the Tomorrow is Bright...

November 2012

Still the Tomorrow is Bright...

For the last thirty years I have enjoyed my life and without regret and for the past months I've been wondering what it would I become of my present state.  I believed that there will be a time that I have to make a decision that might change everything what I stand for.

Being an mariner it has its advantages and disadvantages. I always come across that some mariners that are superstitious, opinionated, prideful, self-centered ( “sa a'men”), sometimes always assuming without facts, irritating and annoying. Fortunately not with the new batch of mariners. We try to pick up some of the good and useful stuff and letting the useless things end up on the drinking sessions. Things have already change.

I still remember reading Capt. Alvis article blog on concerning the OFW's significance contribution on our country and its broken families. And true as always, meet some people even families who are currently breaking apart. Only few have made to take a stand and somehow disciplined themselves to stay intact as a family. It is very hard for a person to work abroad and leave someone they value and love so much. In thee absence of their partner, their relationship is put the highest challenge. As always temptations leads to wrong decisions of the individuals causing devastating effect in their family relationship.

Lessons are learned from experience of others but still more and more families are breaking up.

At my sight...

People keep on telling this statement: “When you will be get married? Your father will be disappointed that your are his only son. “  Taking the statement of Mommy G: “mutual relationship stands more on longevity than marriage alone. Good thing if you and your partner has mutual understanding. I call them gifted couple. Marriage is but a piece of paper that cost too far expensive than real love.”

For me it is very important to decide at the right time and put a lot of faith on it. I'm still looking a partner, that she is strong, independent, understanding and most important most resourceful. It is a rare character to find this to a girl. Most important once she accepted me both of us in our relationship will be a team effort of growth.

Working abroad, I fear that I might fail to be a family father. I knew my self that I intend to forget things and to focus on things that only surrounds me. As long I can't assure my fatherhood, I intend not to pursue such commitment. And for those who tells me that its better to have children on the early twenties. I could say you've done a very good job but I have my reasons.

This is not home, its just eden...

I would like to cherish the good memories. I remember this beautiful woman to be sweet, somehow innocent, very independent and strong. But when things start to get dark she prefer to have someone at her side. Unfortunately I'm not the guy to be her knight in shining armor, defender at her side. I might be the neighbor who just allowed to lend his garden hose because her house is on fire. Long distance relationship may be hard but in time it may be worth it. Working overseas the common source of strength and make you to carry-on are the people who inspires you. But its now my weakness, my depression. I always find a way alter to have faith and hope.

It is said that knowledge is power, knowledge is best with virtue, So with adequate time of knowledge a man may become wise, powerful to overcome the challenges in life. And this what I loved...

Bitter Voyage

I'm already on my 5^th month on board and things are getting messy. For what I can see it’s the same what happen for Konmax on my first six months on board. The problem is now a cocktail of negative management, miss-communication and attitude. Still some crew members are maintaining good relationship and seamanship but each one of us has its breaking point. And one breaks, problem raises and adds up to the problem.

Major problems (Active Failures) always have root causes (Latent Failures). Latent failures are causes of negative actions (e.g. lapses, disregarding procedure (short-cuts), sloppiness etc.) Failure in management is already a major active failure and could cause more catastrophic effect leading to other failure (Domino Effect). Ships crew are respected by its authority and camaraderie. The Company's SMS (Safety Management System) is to guide the crews action while on board. Unfortunately it is not always followed. Being on board for months is no an easy life, and it becomes hell when problems rises.

Ship Resource Management Problem – Attitude

No matter how high is you rank, bounded with authority or how intelligent you are. When it comes to your attitude it determines your true personality. It is said the formula of a quality personality is equal to is its Knowledge, Talent and Skills overall divided by attitude. When your attitude become zero, everything what you learned becomes nothing in work and relationship. Attitude is a character how you face the situations.

How will the crew have high moral if the master committed to smooth sailing but most of the times the officer and crew are insulted.

“Anu ba yan bumabalik sa pagkabata!”

How the officer and crew would think & react when one of the officers hates paper work, telling stories comparing easy work on board without the paper works. To find out that officer doesn't know about his work.

“Nakakatakot kang katrabaho, baka kami ma disgrasya! ”

How the officer and crew would think & react when one of the crew mates is about to finish its contract still moves like a turtle.

“Nakakayamot”

How the officer and crew would think & react when one of the crew has a habit not doing is responsibility.

“Anu nag reading ka ba?”

Ship Resource Management Problem – Communication

“Shoie Kisen Spirit #2: Keep Close Communication” - and silence means trouble.

How you going to face your fellow crew mate have an attitude problem? Thats the breaking points of communications. Unconfirmed rumors may lead to doubt and most of all trouble. There are things must stay but truth will be uncover. It also good to have back doors, diplomatic speakers and open channels. But when its become of a habit of using, the main communication is already broken. Main communication system must always establish.

It is also important to listen to other people what they say. Open up and listen.

Ship Resource Management Problem – Operation

“Shoi Kisen Spirit #3: Safe operation, safety first!”

New and modern ships are being designed, constructed and managed in the basis of Safety, Economy and Protection for the Environment. It is true that new ships are easier to handle, lighter work load. Very minor repairs are made on board but people who disregards and neglect the importance of maintenance made the ship looks old. Minor problems leads to major breakdown.

It also important in safe maintenance are the correct procedure and safe practices on ship machineries. Knowledge, skills and experience always come in handy in encountering trouble. Take note that experience will not be always applicable to other ships because may vary in ship design, layout and kind of machinery. It is also important the basic theory are being practice to easily to remember and will incorporate with experiences. Another important thing is reading machinery manuals and understanding its operation and maintenance procedure carefully.

Take your time working with safe practices; always have a toolbox meeting no matter how small is the machinery to be done for ease of work. Plan ahead, work clean and get organized.  

Its a break-even but the outcome is VERY BAD :( Things you do not see have great effect.

For months I want to leave home, my said to be home for the last 28 years now I want to leave it. The reason it is not anymore a home for me. It is not a home to fell home, not a home to enjoy home. I strongly disagree in any participation in politics or public office. I hope they resign and leave my FAMILY alone. I hated it that they TALK SHIT and ACT as a DUNG, I tried to leave but you made my siblings HOSTAGES. You said do not interfear but when you talk about it INSIDE the HOUSE you also dragging me into it. I dont like to hear others problem that keeps on cycles. I'm an emotional person so hope you have understand. Unless one of us is already acting DEFECT.

I wanted that my faith have thought me: “Don't let your left hand knows what your right hand is doing.” Unfortunately this things don't work in real life to others. My Faith and patience is always put to the test everyday. What are you trying to prove? Your UNFORTUNATE PAST ~ it is important is PRESENT, Yesterday is History and DONE! Are we saving electric bill? And why your leaving the television turned on even the un-used lights are on? Are you serouse on the store business, and why you run for public office? I thought we segregating waste? Are you into HOARDING? ~ cant keep everything.

There are things YOU CANT HANDLE please you only have TWO HANDS. Your limited and hope you have an assessment for this situation.

FEB LOVE :|

Febuary 2012, yeeep! Love is in the air. Romantic messages, nerve hitting lines (pick-up lines that make us laugh) and heart warming messages. This is one reason most of us enjoy life. To love and cherish people in our hearts.

"We all want to fall in love. Why? Because that experience makes us feel completely alive. Where every sense is heightened, every emotion is magnified, our everyday reality is shattered and we are flying into the heavens. It may only last a moment, and hour, an afternoon. But that doesn't diminish its value. Because we are left with memories that we treasure for the rest of our lives." - F.B. WALL of A.M.H.

Its like blessings, bless to be loved and to love. Just keep counting.

This should be a positive but in my situation this CANCELS OUT.

MEDIA too much is really BAD :(

It is good watching stuff on the local TV, unfortunately the total useful information is always below my expectation. Not everything is said always true, its realy hard to confirm this things and it takes time and always a waste of time. Also social media adds to the media hype. So I call this a draw.

2011 My Year of Celebration and preparation :D

Great things really comes in small packages. As my contract ended las May, I planned my stay will be short, expected four (4) months long including the paperworks. Unfortunately it will not happen. As I forecast it, will be longer and I might have my 29 birthday and my 28th Christmas here in the country. Good for me but things might change.

C.S.Q.C. @ 10 - The TIN Anniversary

For this year it will be our 10th Anniversary of our Batch from C.S.Q.C. I made a slogan, a personal one that would encourage us Claretian for what we have done in the past years.

"Commemorating and Reminiscing of Our Achievements and Triumphs of a Claretian Life. Leading the Way, Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow"

The objective is to remind, recall, recollect and reflect of the blessings we have achieved and what we have have done. These are the impressions that saint Anthony Maria Claret would like to have to its students.

At first I was not thinking of a reunion to get organize. Yes it has been ten years. For me it is still young, some are immature, some are not yet ripe. The Fifteen to Twenty will be at its the best. My experience working with QHS Batch 76 gave me idea how a batch reunion to be handled:

1. Do not work alone work as a group and teams. (the more the merrier)
2. Batch officers not good! Core group pulls the batch.
3. Do not form in section (sectioning is for data gathering only) but working through make it as a batch. Sectioning will only bring back bad impression and put a person out of place.
4. Plan ahead very well and expect the pasaways and the unexpected.
5. Don't think forming the batch will form an batch alliance or batch partnership of something. It is just a get-together stuff. But a great way to see individual potential resources.
5. Share the good stuff and not the issues...
6. Use the surrounding resources
7. Start in small meeting / reunion. For those who are out of the Philippines area of responsibility try forming your small meeting and update your fellow batchmate on on-line video conference or group websites.

This seven guides should help handling a batch reunion hope you could find it useful for me I'm just about to use it.

LINUX @ 20

"Collecting data is the first step towards wisdom, but sharing data is the first step towards community."

This year also, Linux (my favorite Operating System) just turned Twenty. I have been using linux for eight years. My first use it was just getting use on its GUI and navigations. Then the application substitute. As of now a worry free operating system with some cool stuff I have installed with my Linux machine. Its a good thing that I might soon share Linux to others.

Also this year the most important, my board exam >>> got to go aral muna me...

The 10th Philippine Toy, Hobbies and Collectibles Convention 2011

The 10th Philippine Toy, Hobbies and Collectibles Convention 2011 was held last June 18 to 19, 2011 in SM Megatrade Hall 1-2-3. Its a jam pack event since day-one to day-two, also celebrating Father's day. The event is worth to see...

Exhibitors showed their fascinating work of art in detailing cinematic dioramas using their scale model figures.

Alien vs. Predator

Transformer Construction-bots Decepticon

Optimus Prime

Megatron

Some collectible figurine are custom hand made from special molding clay and painted. It take weeks to complete a figure and months for much larger man size figures

Fullscale Spiderman

Lets play CHALLENGE 21. A very indigenous board-game that combines the game of tick-tack-toe, chess and sudoku.

Challenge 21 inventor Lenoardo M. Yu with Team Balanay
(from left to right: Khrisma, Mr Leonardo, Grace, Ezza and Harry)

COSPLAY - be famous for a day

O this is Maverik Relova (TV Host




Pirate Family - the best way to celebrate father's day with the whole family

The Year 2010

In a few hours the the dawn of the new year comes, 2011. The year 2010 was a new chapter of my life. This is the year I started my shipboard training. I went on board last 26th of January. For the past months travelling along the Oceans of Asia Pacific and India. It is the best opportunity and experience I had and I have no regret about it. I'm so lucky that my training officers were so kind, also most of them were Mapuans that entered the bridging program. I also have a 10GB of Video and Photos taken during my shipboard training, some of it now uploaded on my facebook account. But the best are the documented maintenance operations I've made.

Every night before I go to sleep, I would recall my experiences or the things that what I have for the day. This is to asses myself improving to a better person. As I do my recollection, my assessment, I try to shift it to a simulation thinking of another situation that it will give me an awareness and a sense of preparedness in the future. And so far and it worked pretty well. It became better when I got an idea of documenting by video of my work, reviewing it and taking down important notes.

I'm a technology enthusiast, while I'm still on board, improving and increasing my work efficiency. I try to find ways which tools are more better. Not just choosing from a spanner wrench to a hammer but the use of computers to aid my work. I encourage some of my shipmates to use their laptop has a tools not just for entertainment, then I got results. One of my officer used his Sony Play Station Portable in reviewing instructional video while overhauling a turbo charger. Nice!

Because my family, relatives and friends were seafarers. They have told me different stories life on sea, half are true and half were just made. A good example, the saying: "TO SEE THE WORLD FOR FREE." - it is BUSTED not true. Also the stories are very old except for the SAFETY MATTERS. This is the modern time the age of technology. I remember my mom and dad exchange snail mails as mean of their communication, but now via ships e-mail and satellite phones news from home reaches dad instantly.

Before I became a seafarer it took me 6 months of academic study 2 months of training and certification 6 months of waiting and gathering the last 27 years of experiences . As the days of 2010 unfolds, different challenges were faced and tasks were finished.

There's more to come in 2011...

Today, I do my best for tomorrow I can make it better.

LET ROCK AND ROLL!!!

THE POWER OF TOOLS IS BEST WITH SAFETY

There was a saying: "Knowledge is Power". and another "Power is having the bigger bat than the other" and some advertisement would say also: "The power with in your reach." and "The Power of your finger. and Power etc. etc. etc

Media is a powerful tool, and the one of it is the Internet. We all know that power equals the worth of gold. With absolute power, it mask you to be god like. Untouchable - invisible. In this blog, I'm not goin to tell you the powering authority of the media nor the government but to become some-how responsible viewers and user over the on-line virtual world.

The world wide web, Internet is a virtual world of our real world.

This is almost true but things in the virtual world is a bit fast, complicated and always misunderstood. It runs on binary signals sending tons of information around the world in light speed. This is the place where we want to become more than we used to be. From telling breaking news to false one, just to get attention. Again the Internet is a powerful tool and in history power is always being abuse. At this point, on the real world where we are civil to all and acquaintance to many. But on the dark side we are starving for attention for power. So we publish our thoughts and impression on line. Unfortunately which is true its is always misunderstood.

SOCIAL SITES (FRIENDSTER, FACEBOOK, YOUTUBE, REDTUBE?, BLOGS and FORUMS)

In the net you have the total freedom, on hosted social site rules are made to make it harmonious and enjoying. Own personal thoughts, belief and opinion posted in this sites are respected. This posted messages are to be carefully read and to be analyze it depth to see the true meaning behind it.There are some posted messages are to be raw, reactive, a posted opinion to react on previous post. Sensational post spreads like wildfire.Well this is like with the celebrity news where people enjoys the buzz.

For some people some post messages are is like the breaking news of the end of the world. People with close relationship (families, friends and relatives) would end-up shock and haste to panic reading a posted message over the Internet especially on a social site. This always leads to hot intention rivalries and further more misunderstanding of ones opinion to the another. Much more as it reach to reality, its effect are devastating (blackmail, broken relationship, etc.).

There are ways we could prevent it. If we only keep it in mind and understand the complexity and capability of the net.


TIPS and REMINDERS

Things in the internet is almost true.
You must be careful in things that you pick up over the net.
What you have read may tell another word for picture tells a thousand word.
Control your feelings and emotion
Support the facts with other related facts and not false result.
Speculation cannot be avoided but it is on the user's freedom of opinion.
Secure sites can be hacked, your account can be hacked, your message can be change.
Asses and prevent further damage.

POWER + FREEDOM =< ABUSED POWER