An inspiration of an award

It has been a long time since the last time I got to update this blog. Upon my "return", the first order of business is to thank Maia Jose (also known as Manila Mom) of Cafe Romanza for bestowing upon me the Inspiration Blogger Award. She really deserves the award herself, if only for being so helpful to newbie bloggers like me.

She had this to say about me and this blog:

Gibo of Quick and Random: He writes about how his family faces the challenges of early intervention for autism with their son - handsome Roan. His blog is touching and heartwarming. He also writes about various social concerns.

I am very happy for the nice words. I do hope that somehow my writing, may it here at Quick and Random, or at my other blogs, namely, Pinoy Seminars, Bol-anon, Batasayti and Kontrakablag, I am able to inspire even to the littlest extent some souls out there.

With that, I would like to pass on the award to my greatest inspirations: Eu-Leh of Entrepinoys Atbp., Gcol of Pinoy-Negosyo-Techs, as well as the people behind Mag-negosyo, for their very informative blogs, and Selaplana of Pinoy Blogger and Gwen of Thegrapebunch for being very supportive of new bloggers like me.

I'm on the (G) spot

Manila Mom tagged me with the meme called “In The Spotlight.” Took me time to actually respond but here it is now, me on the g-spot.

---
Created by Christy of Christy’s Coffee Break, this meme contains 12 questions. You may answer all of them, or just pick the ones you like. The rules and complete list of questions are available at Christy’s site.

When did you start blogging?

Know what, I really don’t know. I created an account on Blogger a long time ago and started posting IT news in there. But I didn’t really understand what blogging meant then and actually deleted the whole thing when I sensed that it was just a cut-and-paste nonsense which no one was reading.

Early this year, I got enticed to start my own blog and to really understand blogging when I read about bloggers receiving checks for their blogs. I know, it’s the wrong reason. I have since learned that the checks are actually hard to earn and have grown to appreciate the beauty of blogging instead. So, even if my blogger account has been there for years, I would say I started blogging this year and loving it so far.

What makes your blog unique?

I would say every blog is unique. I maintain several blogs and definitely they are different from everybody else’s. I guess it is because every person has a peculiar vantage point, has his own unique experience of life, and my blogs, especially Pinoy Seminars and Quick and Random, are really expressions of my peculiarity.

Do your moral values affect the way that you blog, and if yes, how?

I am not a good example of a morally upright person but I try to live by certain convictions. I struggle to go by certain principles in life and sometimes they do show in my blogs. I’ve written about some exemplary persons in my blogs and hope that in my own simple ways I am able to emulate them.

Are you a spiritual person?

If the fact that I truly believe in a supernatural being or a creator is being spiritual, then I am. I am not a perfect individual though and have plenty of sins to qualify me for hell. Still, I strive to live a good life and hope that the good in me will triumph in the end.

What are your feelings on the "blog popularity" issue?

I am not so much interested with blog popularity and accept that I am not really that good a blogger/writer to merit so much attention. I am happy enough seeing some 20 something people read my blog while I join thousands who read those really great blogs out there. Needless to say that blog popularity is earned, much like respect.

What is your best quality?

I am a very sharing person. I like to help out. If you read my blogs, you’ll see that I do try to make them useful to others.

What is your worst quality?

My bread and butter is investigation work. I can be very negative about certain things.

What's your favorite childhood memory?

Eating on top of the table when I was about five years old? Dancing “Rock Lobster” at kindergarten? Going fishing with my father every Saturday one summer during my high school days until I turned as black as a kettle? Laughing it out with my high school class/seminary mates? I really can’t tell which one.

If you were stranded on a deserted island what three things would you want to have with you?

A laptop with plenty of battery supply. A satellite phone to reach my wife and kids. A sign saying “do not disturb”.

The End.

---

Thanks again for Manila Mom for tagging me. After quite a long absence, I still do not know who to tag for this meme. I will therefore open this to everyone who wants to do it. Feel free to answer the questions anyone. :)

The Whiterock in Subic

I first got to visit Whiterock some ten years ago. All I could remember was that the sea there was calm, in fact so calm that you'd think it was a lake. Last week, I got to visit the hotel and resort again and found that my recollection was correct. I guess that is what makes bathing at Whiterock different, a very calming experience.

Whiterock Hotel and Resort is located at Barangay Matain, Subic, Zambales. It is about 2 to 3 hours drive from Manila, and a mere eight minutes ride away from the SBMA. It offers a whole range of recreational facilities including the "calm" beach, swimming pools, outdoor sports facilities like badminton, volleyball and an obstacle course, a mini-golf drive and putting range, a kiddie park, hammocks, and indoor facilities like billiards, table tennis and videoke facilities.

It was so hot last week and our schedule (it was a team-building seminar for us) was hectic. Still, I found the place very enjoyable. I look forward to returning. Hopefully within the next 10 years. :)