friendillion

I got a call from my friend Junie a few weeks ago. He and I go way way back. So after a few minutes of friendly pleasantries, Junie made his pitch and asked this… “Franz, ano bang magandang business ngayon”? And this is what I replied to him… “Are you kidding me? You are way more talented than me”! In fact, Junie truly is such a talented person and I should be asking advice from him and not the other way around. For starters, he is an excellent musician and lead guitarist. He even build his own Rock band called “ Mahabaratbu ” during the Club Dredd Days . Aside from that, he taught me and my friends in our village in Pasig to play the guitar correctly and with passion. Junie opened our eyes and exposed us to the Real Music and not the boring romantic Barry Manilow types. He introduced us to well renowned Rock Bands like Nirvana, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Metallica, Rage Against The Machine, Pantera, Sepultura and many more. It totally liberated us and made us “ Real ...

I have been to failed relationships in the past. Girls whom I thought would be the one who I would marry someday. I really don’t know the reason for my past breakups but I have to believe that it all comes down to getting “ The Sign ” in order to know if the person is the one. Many of my hypothesis failed because of the “ Wrong 1st Impression 1st Date ”. I tried proposing to a girl by giving a Yellow Labrador as my proposal ring. Did it work? We had a good run yeah, but that’s as far as it goes. How about bringing my date to an overcrowded theme park in Santa Rosa? Did that work? Nah, we only relished on Enchanted Kingdom’s night fireworks but we were better off as friends. My last failed one was a sporty one. Playing billiards on our first date will make people think that it’s a pretty good idea, but it ended up us two fooling and playing around with each other. It was tough and devastating for me. Neither one of those dates that I had went the extra mile. For me, I need to ...

Are Germans really bad? Germany has gotten a bad reputation due to the vicious dictator Adolf Hitler. But not all Germans are bad. In fact, Hitler originated from Austria, same as his parents. I had the opportunity to meet 2 young Germans who were here with us for a few weeks. I’ll tell you, they are the nicest and warmest people. They are so easy to get along with. I made it a point to take some time off from my work and just bond with them. It turns out to be a good decision. My kids also like them that they included Germany on their “ Vacation Wish List ” if we are fortunate enough to travel to Europe. We came to know a lot of things about them. The reason why they travel, their school back home, their government and the refugees, their culture, and many more. We may have different background stories based from our distinct nationalities but for me… they are just like Regular Joe’s… like any other Filipino. In other words, they are also human beings…. duh!!! Come to think ...

My weekends are compose of morning swims and Internet browsing only. And when I go to my Facebook, I see some of my friends riding their big bike to a place that I’ve never seen before. And then I go like… hhhmmm, I wish I could do that. But that weekend passed and another one went by and still I see them riding their bikes. This time, I was thinking… maybe I should get one. At first I thought that these friends of mine like (Carlos, Raymond, Raul, And Tito) are just out to “ Show-Off ” their new motorcycle. And when I do check out the prices of these precious bikes I go nuts and back off immediately. There’s no way I will buy those damn motorcycles. They are way to expensive and I could use the money for more important things. But lately, I start to realize, that these friends of mine are not showing off their bikes to make us feel envious. They are teaching each one of us (especially the boys) what we are missing out. That life has so much to offer aside from the normal wee...

People always says that to live a better life is to get a good job, a big house, expensive cars, and a lot of money for your travel, shopping, and luxurious needs. While some of that are basically true… I could not say that being wealthy is the only reason for living a good life. You can have that too even if you are poor. In fact, it might be even better. Why? I’ll give you one example… Being Rich, even it is very convenient, has it consequences. What the Rich don’t have is Time. They work so late and do dinner meetings that they don’t have time to watch their kids soccer games. They come home late at night and go straight to bed. No exercise, No play, not even sex. They are just too tired and stressed out. Being Poor is different. Yes, I admit… life is more difficult financially for them…. but they have something what the Rich doesn’t have…… Time . Meet Romeo! He only works 4 hours a day . That means he has extra 20 hours to exercise, play and yes…. even make romance to...

What would you do if you are swimming in the middle of the ocean and you start to have muscle leg cramps? How will you react when people start to run out of the movie theater because of the Fire? Will you die screaming when you see a dead girl who hang herself underneath the tree? Panic happens to everyone especially when it is their first time to experience it. It clouded the mind that prevents an individual from any logical thinking. It is a sudden sensation of fear that causes bad decision like mass stampede and even death. My Father thought me how to overcome it. When I was little, my Dad used to bring me all the time to the beach of Matabungkay in Lian Batangas. We always travel in a big group and always take the Balsa (a small raft or boat made from bamboo sticks). We then hook up the Balsa in the deepest water then swim from there. I, at that time, don’t know how to swim. But my Father always bring me to the open sea and I try to swim (head above water) somehow towards...

Boracay, even with its environmental issues and sewage problem, still gathered 1.7 million tourists in a duration of just one year. Koreans topped the foreign tourists who visited the famed island last year, accounting for 37% of the total number. If you look at the world map, the Philippines is the nearest tropical country near South Korea. That is why you see a lot of Koreans all over to the Philippines to study, to do business and to experience the Sun. Koreans really dig the heat of the sun, especially on the beach, that is why they flock to our country all year round. Erron, 1st cousin of my wife, is one of the resident living in Boracay. He migrated in that pearly white sand island together with his wife and his son (My handsome inaanak). Erron immediately got a job as a tour guide and has never left the popular haven ever since. But the one thing that made Erron special is his excellent service to his guests. He makes sure that all of his guests gets what they nee...

A lot of guys thinks that girls are a “Piece of Snack” ! To them Girls are like Food that they want to eat and devour whenever they are hungry. And they don’t care regardless of their marital status. Whether they are single, divorced, widowed and even worse…. married. Girls are not Sex Toys or Snack that you can play with. They are human beings with feelings and unique personalities like you and me. A year ago, I met a pretty girl from France. Let’s just call her Michelle (not her real name). I choose not to declare her real name so that guys won’t be bugging her and asking her social media accounts. She went here in the Philippines to explore the wonderful beaches and the sublime nature that goes along with it. Michelle is now in Chile continuing her studies but said that she wants to go back to the Philippines to travel to the other islands she hasn’t been to and hopefully start a small business venture a long the way. Me and Michelle became close and always chat through ou...

Employees are not loyal anymore. Most of them are not properly managed by their employers. Majority of reasons why employees quit their job are under the control of the employer. Although it is not the fault of the Boss entirely but they can do something about it to make their employee think twice before leaving their company. I was raised in a family were I saw that their staff, employees, katiwala (trusted helper), driver, gardener, cook, labandera (one who does the laundry), and other servants stayed and have been loyal to my Grandmother and my Mother in our province in Balayan, Batangas. One thing why it was effective was the proximity. Laborers live just a few minutes away from my family’s residence. Our workers get to see their family everyday. They don’t work long hours and most important of all… they are happy! Maybe that is one of the reason why maids in Manila or in big cities leave their boss (or Amo) very early in their stay. They simply just miss their families i...

People were born Greedy! All of us have a “Overwhelming Desire for More” ! We are always never content with what we have. Buy another car even if we have three, rack them all the ladies shoes and buy some more, and eat all the food that you want like there is no tomorrow. I too have that same negative trait… the longing for those I didn’t have. Although I am not into material things, there is still something I always crave for… A Baby Girl ! Don’t get me wrong, I am very happy and delighted that I am blessed with a loving wife and 2 handsome boys. Life is really good! But why is that I still look for a Baby Girl? Maybe my family (Isberto side), bear more sons than daughters. My Grandfather has 4 sons, My Dad has me only, and I have 2 boys. Did you see the pattern? That is “7 Dudes in 3 Generations” … where are the girls at? I did try (to have a Girl) but obviously the results is not as promise like what I’ve dream of. Luckily, I accidentally had those what I call “Ima...

When I exercise, I always do Swimming. I also intend to do Biking but never Running. Maybe it’s just me, but I find it boring. But what if I get a running companion. Someone who will force me to jog regularly… Hhhmmmm…. Introducing the Jack Russell Terrier! Developed in England some 200 years ago to hunt foxes, the Jack Russell Terrier (Jacks or JRT for short) are the biggest dogs you’ll ever meet in such tiny package. They can run all day and keep coming back for more. They have tons of energy and won’t be satisfied by a sedate walk around the block. This breed strictly needs 30 to 45 minutes of daily vigorous exercise…. sometimes even more! So the Jack Russell terrier is going to be “The Answer” for my jogging dilemma. The dog will force me to go outdoors to walk him (or run with him). The JRT will be my “Alarm Clock” in the morning to take my morning run. And since this breed doesn’t run out of batteries, my kids and maybe my wife will need to take our dog out in the...

The start of the New Year is the best time to begin a new life, a new approach, a new direction, and a new goal. And the best way to achieve that is to get a mentor. Now it can be anyone or anybody. That person can be a Yoga instructor, or somebody who is good in playing the Saxophone. Maybe take time to learn a new exiting recipe from a Executive Chef who is a classmate of yours in high school, or take some Surfing lessons from a hunky guy down in Siargao. No matter what it is, find someone who is an expert and has experience and learn from that mentor. Okay, what if you find that mentor but you hardly know that person. How will you approach that person? What is the best way to introduce yourself? My suggestion is this… Take that person out for lunch. Dinner would be nice too but a cup of coffee will also suffice. The important thing is you treat them out with consistency like every Wednesday until that person gets comfortable with you. It is like courting a girl. You need t...

Each one of us should have a personal sanctuary. A shrine to take away all your stress. A place for you to unwind and ponder on about your well being. Most people assume that to achieve this you need to book a flight to fascinating places like Paro Taktsang monastery in Bhutan, the Wulingyuan Scenic Area in China, or the dreamlike island in French Polynesia. But no, you don’t need to go out of your home to obtain this. All you need is a little space of your home, a little bit of creativity and Presto… you got yourself your very own sanctuary. My Tito Mon and Tita Ester did exactly that in their backyard several years ago. They were lucky that their land have trees to provide shade from the heat of the sun and protection from the sprinkles of rain during the rainy season. The couple started first with a small Kubo House (Nipa Hut), a swing, and a sandbox for their grandchildren. They also built a cute private room in their backyard so that the couple doesn’t have to go up the ...

I do it the other way around… I eat the Paksiw first then comes the Lechon! How do I do that exactly?? My Answer: “From my Friends in La Loma” … La Loma is located on the southwest area of Quezon City and before Cebu gained popularity for its Lechon, La Loma has been dubbed as the Lechon Capital of the Philippines for many years. For those who doesn’t know what a Paksiw looks like… Lechon Paksiw (or Paksiw) is made from leftover Lechon (whole roasted pig) cooked in a homemade Lechon sauce, vinegar, and simple spices. Normally, most people buy the Lechon first then they cook the leftover and make it into a Paksiw. My story is different… My Friends from La Loma sends me the Paksiw first then after the Lechon. I remember the time when I went to their place in La Loma. Their Lechon store is at the corner of the main street which is pretty much a valuable and strategic location in capturing new customers. And while I was talking to the owner, I carefully observed how the Lechon (o...

My late Great-grandmother and Grandmother planted 90+ Carabao Mango Trees, 30+ Indian Mango Trees, 40+ Santol Trees, and multiple Mahogany Trees in most of their properties in Balayan Batangas. So basically, we lived in a generation were we stayed in a place with perfectly good shade, abundant of fruits and lots of trees to climb. It was so serene and peaceful that we do see different species of birds building their nest egg in several of the tall trees scattered in the property. We don’t feel the heat even in the Summer and we never used air-conditioning. A typical electric fan will suffice. When we were little, we always bring a pail of water at noon to build sand castle, pots and other sand stuff and we never ever perspire…. not a drop! We always climb trees (just the small ones) and watch the new bird hatchlings (normally pigeons). On very rare occasions, I sometimes saw a Black-naped Oriole built a nest to lay her eggs. It was an incredible experience. Plus the fruits… ...