ANG TATLONG KAHILINGAN

Disclaimer:  Parental Guidance

Ayaw ko na nga sana’ng magkaroon ng kahilingan sa araw na ito dahil hindi naman natutupad. Nasasaktan lang ako dahil maraming beses na akong nagkaroon ng kahilingan tuwing kaarawan ko ngunit maraming beses na rin akong nabigo. Masakit tanggapin na yung pinakahihiling mo sa buhay ng paulit-ulit ay parang napakahirap ibigay, maaring napakahirap maunawaan.

Ang gusto lang naman natin sa buhay ay yung maging masaya tayo sa makakasama natin sa buhay. Hindi naman kailangan maging mayaman ang isang tao upang sumaya ang kanyang buhay. Ang kailangan lang niya ay isang tao na magbabalik ng pagmamahal na kanyang ibinibigay.

Sa isang pagmamahalan, may maliliit na bagay ang nakakapagbago ng malaki sa buhay. Ano ba yung sa pag-gising mo sa umaga ay may nakangiti sa iyo na makakasama sa maghapon? Yung inaawitan ka upang bigyan ka ng ngiti sa labi at tuwa sa puso? Yung binibigyan ka ng maliit na galit bilang paglalambing. O kaya ay ipagluluto kung minsan upang bigyan ka ng halaga.

Hindi naman kailangang materyal na bagay ang ibigay upang maging makabuluhan ang isang okasyon. Ang halik ay nakakapawi ng kalungkutan sa isang naghihintay ng pagmamahal.

Pagkatapos ng marami-raming kahilingan na nabigo kong makuha, kung bibigyan ako ng pagkakataon para lang sa araw na ito na muling humiling ng tatlong bagay, kung may tatlong kahilingan sa araw na ito, una kong hihilingin na sana ay pagmalasakitan ako ng mga taong mahal ko. Sa kanilang pagmamalasakit ay mararamdaman ko ang kahalagahan ng aking pagkatao at pagalang sa aking pagmamahal.

Ang katapatan ng mga taong mahal ko at ng mga malalapit sa aking buhay ang ikalawa kong kahilingan. Sana’y hindi magbago ang kanilang kabutihan at kasalukuyang pagtrato sa akin ng may tunay na pagmamahal.

Huling hihilingin ko ang kasiyahan sa kung ano ang mayruon ako ngayon. Kung ano ang mga ibinibigay, ipinapakita at ginagawa sa akin ng mga taong mahal ko ay matanggap ko at mapasalamatan. Ng sa gayon ay hindi na ako maghahanap at wala na akong hihilingin pa.

Maaring hindi ibinigay ang mga kahilingan sa mga natatanging araw ngunit dahil hindi naman mahalaga kung kaarawan o may okasyon ang paghiling, sa mga simpleng araw ay may mga ipinagkakaloob namang mga biyaya. May mga maliliit na bagay tayong hinihiling na anumang araw ay ginagawa. At hindi ko man kaarawan, kung ano man ang okasyon ay mayroon akong hinihiling na kung hindi man ibinibigay ay mayroon namang mga ibinigay na hindi ko hiniling – ang mga iyon ay aking nababale-wala, hindi ko napansin at napapasalamatan. Dahil masyadong natutuon ang aking pansin sa aking mga natatangin kahilingan.

Mahigit sa tatlo ang kahilingan ko, kung may isang natatanging karagdagan ay sana’y pagpasensiyahan at mapatawad ako dahil hindi ko nakikita ang mga nangyayaring magagandang biyaya na huli man na ipinagkaloob o kaya’y dumarating ng hindi ko inasahan ay ibinibigay pa rin sa kabila ng aking kakulangan.


Alex V. Villamayor
November 30, 2010

GERI’S MASHED POTATO

Disclaimer:  Parental Guidance

In our friends, there’s really one who will turn we like most in one particular thing. We like our friend because of his something he’s distinctly himself. In group friends, there is special thing in one that the second doesn’t have or there is the third that the rest don’t have. Each one has their own way of making himself distinctive.

Well I have a friend named Geri. If there is one special thing that I would best remember of Geri and would always fond of him about is his mashed potato. Aside from his quite tiny but not pitchy voice which I have told him, I will not forget the mashed potato he brought during the start of our early friendship with the group.

I’ve eaten mashed potatoes in many restaurants in some occasion and they were commercially good not only the presentation when served but also their specialty in taste. In very rare chance, homemade were prepared by my sister or my cousins which I found delicious too. But this one from a friend is something different.

It was a usual ordinary day when my friend Geri brought us a serving of mashed potato in a bowl. I was quite interested to take some though I am not really fond and craving for it most of the time. But when I’ve tasted the mashed potato he prepared, immediately I’ve noticed its distinct taste. It was tasty not because enriched by tons of butter and whole milk but it was yummy with mixed of a bit salty and few peppery-gravy.

But what really made it distinct was the pulp itself. The potatoes were fluffy mashed that were not sticky and lumpy or dry. While piping hot, I have smelled the delicious mixtures inside in every spoon’s scoop I put in the saucer I am holding. And what I liked on it that completed my delight, I feel the pure crushed potato in every mouthful. I liked the foamy texture, it was not soupy caused by overcooking it and no part of crispy potato chunks that hints undercook. Geri’s mashed potato was just right steamed and as smooth as silk when eat.

Choosing the right potato makes difference in making a creamy mashed potato. A starchy potato is less dense and breaks down more during cooking which leads to a soother texture. I want to make my own mashed potato too but I don’t know how to prepare it. And though I have tasted the work of others, I would like to make own taste such as blended with butter and shredded cheddar cheese, or poured with cream.

I’ll do love to try one flowed in gravy that will mix up their tastes with the potatoes. It could have mustard or custard or with a bit of peppery on the side but as a whole it would be taste of butter, cream, salt and pepper. And making one with covered in cream or topped by strip of bacon or sprinkled by sliced black olives will tremendously taste yummy.

The mashed potato of Geri inspired me to live the meaning of sharing in friendship and social living. I’d like to make mashed potato that I can give back to him and the rest of our friends. Like the mashed potato, friendship is embellished and strengthens by variety of various flavours that will go well together into one foamy and floury mashed potato.


By Alex V. Villamayor
November 26, 2010

MY FIRST BEEF BROCCOLI

Disclaimer:  Parental Guidance

When a friend of mine told me that he likes beef with broccoli, I started craving to cook the dish to offer the food I’m sure he will enjoy. Without order from him, I took the initiative to set a day to cook the food that I’ll do for the first time. Although I am not the master in the kitchen and I even don’t have list of menu, but the idea of a friend’s willing to eat urged me to cook. I am not really good in cuisine but I know to hold the ladle, spatula, and frying fan, and I always have an idea of making food as nice surprise to a special one.

It’s my first time to cook Beef Broccoli and I have doubt and I am afraid to make it good but I love to do it. For a dear friend I’ll do, so I went to wet market to buy a half kilo of fresh beef cuts into cubes. I went to green veggies section and picked up quarter of broccoli florets, pieces of bell pepper and some spices. For an hour I cooked the beef sliced thinly in a pressure cooker to meet the tender softness.

In the pasts, the kitchen witnessed some of nice stories in my life. I’ve once a close friend whom we had little chat and bonding in the kitchen, shared the recipes we have taken from our families, and stirred up the friendship we had from chopping board to dining table to washing dishes – it was a genuine friendship made ideal by kitchen.

Going back to Beef Broccoli, pretty sure there was a hint I will fail when I feared I overdo the beef yet I still marinated it with teaspoons of soy sauce and a dash of ground black pepper, let it stir until coated and while left it for 10 minutes I prepared the other ingredients. I heat the fan and sauté the spices and mixed the beef but it was crushing while I stir it – I think it will not do. In a snap I bought another kilo of beef and have it boiled for thirty minutes. Quite nervy, it worried me to make it good this time but when you are cooking for someone who is closed to your heart, you will do all what you can do and give the best you can give.

On a casserole I heat the cooking oil and start to fry the ingredients. The beef was tenderly cooked when I mixed it on the cooking and I added a little oyster sauce and the cream of mushroom dissolved in beef broth until thickened. Looking on it, I feel little relief then with the look of yellowish to light brown thick sauce and shimmered meat. To complete the cuisine is the blanched broccoli and let it simmer for a minute only. Smelled good and I guess I’ve done.

I put it in another bowl, put some onion rings on top to present it well and I served it while it was hot. The truth is I am not quite sure if my friend will like it. There is lot of doubt in me because on the first place it was my first beef broccoli and I don’t think I can do it again next time without mistake. Also there might be difference in our tastes as our culinary varies by regional difference. While I am in the Eastern part of my country, for someone in the southern to like my chef is something I will feel flattered about.

The Beef Broccoli was not ideally perfect but I know I’ve passed it for sure. I have already eaten Beef Broccoli in dine-in restaurants several times and I always found it good. Once I have told it to my mother and I would love to prepare for her the healthy dish that I described delectable and unordinary. After my first beef broccoli, I am ready to cook it again and I have made a belief in myself the trust. Yes it felt me a little failed at first but enough I’ve got thanks from a friend who is worth to cook for.

Alex V. Villamayor
November 7, 2010

COMMUNICATING YOUR WORK

The following story was published in The Arabian Sun Vol LXVI, #18 , a Saudi Aramco official weekly newsletter.

Working in a multi-national company requires versatility to adjust and ability to interact. In a work setting like this, the place becomes a melting pot of different personalities, attitude, and skills that need to jive to have a common and single result. Here, the good communication in work matters.

The first time I worked outside my country, I’ve realized the importance of communicating your work to your colleagues. I define communicating your works as interacting with your peers and relaying your work to them to come up exactly with the goals you planned. I’ve observed people perceive things in different ways. Especially in a workplace with different expatriates, you need to ensure you are communicating them in a manner they clearly understand.

Simple instructions can bring big failure if not communicated well. By transmitting unclear information, we receive incomplete feedback or much worse wrong feedback, the same thing from misinterpreting the instruction we received. The Post It® note we use in the office is a small but typical example of communicating our works, it witnesses our reaction how we send and take messages.

Aside from this, our flexibility to handle different types of colleagues which may includes how to deal with colleagues with attitude problem. Unfortunately, some employees are uncooperative to interact well with their colleagues. In some given situation, some employees are working independently – to the point that they don’t interact in the group. No matter how good our work if we have to go through with these employees, our output will be most likely affected.

Communicating work means sharing our idea, knowledge and experience to our peers for the success of our group. Our voice must be heard, speak our mind in order to get the reaction, feedback and support from others and make improvement if needed. Ideas must be discussed for achieving the goals of the team that may bring success for the entire organization.

Proper interaction in the office is an important element to come up with an effective result whether individually or by team-work. Good communication plays very important role in developing good outcome. Especially in a work where our inputs or outputs are required to transfer from one person into another person to produce another output, the work communication really matters.

Communicating the works incorporates the ability of the employees to have good communication which includes the interaction with their peers. While it has no doubt the technology such as emails, text messages, SMS or video conference call improves the time and cost of communication. And by using these we always believed we have communicated well but there are still times we caught in situation and find ourselves in surprised and frustration when our massage was misunderstood or misinterpreted.

Perhaps we missed the interaction. Electronic communication is a must in our present workplace however, these technologies are conversely taking away the formal interaction. Perhaps sometimes we need to walk for a while and get to see our colleagues how they come out with their reaction, expression and gestures when we brought the issues.

It doesn’t mean we need to go back behind, I just want to emphasize the importance of personal interaction when we are communicating our works with our colleagues which we cannot get from those programmed and insensitive devices.

Alex V. Villamayor
November 8, 2010

NAGBABALIK NA KAIBIGAN

Nakausap ko ang isang kaibigan na nagkuwento ng kanyang saloobin sa isa niyang kaibigan. Ibat-iba ang kanyang nararamdaman patungkol sa kanyang kaibigan – masaya, malungkot, nagdaramdam at nanghihinayang.

May panahon na pinahalagahan ng nakausap ko ang pagkakaibigan niya sa isang tao na wala namang pagpapahalaga sa kanilang pagkakaibigan. Iyon yung panahon na pinipilit niyang iligtas ang kanilang pagkakaibigan kahit anong hirap at sakit. Maraming pagkakataon, oras, at mga bagay ang kanyang ibinigay ngunit parang walang patutunguhan ang ginagawa niya. Hanggang sumuko na rin siya na hayaan na lamang kung talagang hindi sila nauukol na maging magkaibigan. Inisip niya nuon na siguro ay darating din ang araw na bigla na lamang siyang hahanapin o kakausapin ng kanyang kaibigan kapag nangailangan ito o di kaya ay kapag nalaman na niya ang kahalagahan niya.

Mahirap man ngunit nagpasiya siya na ituloy ang kanyang araw-araw na buhay nang mag-isa. Sa tulong ng mapaglilibangang gawain, pinagkakaabalahang trabaho at mga bagong kakilala ay natutununan niya na tanggapin ang sinapit ng kanilang pagkakaibigan hanggang tuluyan na niyang malimutan ang mga sakit ng saloobin na kanyang dinanas. Hanggang isang araw makalipas ang may sampung taon ay muling nagkrus ang kanilang daan. Mula sa isang simpleng kamustahan ay sandaling napag-usapan nila ang kanilang mga buhay. Hanggang dumating ang oras na nakiusap ang kanyang kaibigan upang makahingi ng isang tulong.

Nakakalungkot malaman na mula sa matagal na walang ugnayan ay biglang darating ang isang kaibigan at malaman mo ang kanyang kasalukuyang malungkot na pinagdaraanan. Ramdam niya ang malaking awa sa kalagayan ng kanyang kaibigan, tulad ng awa niya nuon nang nangangailangan ito ng tulong ngunit muli niyang naramdaman ang sakit na naramdaman niya nuong panahong naghihirap siyang kilalanin at tanggapin siyang kaibigan. Nasaan siya nung kailangan niya ang pagdamay niya, nung panahong bagsak na bagsak siya dahil sa kanya? Muling nanariwa ang mga sakit ng loob na kanyang dinanas, ang mga ginawa sa kanyang pagbabale-wala, pagsasamantala sa kanyang kahinaan at kabaitan, at panghahamak sa kanyang katauhan.

Ngayong sinasabi na niyang hindi na niya kailangan ang pagkakaibigan nila ay saka siya ilalapit ng pagkakataon upang kailanganin siya sa panahon ng pangangailangan. Matapos ang mahabang panahon na wala siya ay bigla na lang siyang darating upang humingi ng tulong, hindi ba parang niloloko ka lang ng panahon? Nakakalungkot malaman na mayroon mga tao na nakakaala-ala lamang kapag mayroong pangangailangan. Dumating na ang araw sa sinabi niya nuon na darating ang panahon na kakailanganin siya ng kanyang kaibigan. Ngayong iba na ang pagtingin niya sa kanilang pagkakaibigan, maaring huli na at talagang hindi para sa isat-isa na ituloy pa niya ang pagkakaibigan. Ayaw na niyang magalit ngayon, kung may nararamdaman siyang hinanakit ngayon ay dahil na lamang iyon sa sakit na naala-ala niya.

Marami sa atin ang nakakaranas ng ganito mula sa kanilang mga kaibigan, o kamag-anak at kakilala. May mga pagkakataon na nahihirapan ka dahil gusto mo silang tulungan at mahirap sa iyo na mula sa matagal na hindi ninyo pagkikita ay mabibigo pa siya sa kanyang hinihinging tulong. Hindi sa kagustuhan mong gumanti sa mga ginawa niyang pananakit sa iyo ngunit dala ng dinanas mo sa kanya ay gusto mong ipaalam sa kanya ngayon ang kanyang mga kamalian at malaman niya ang kahalagahan mo bilang tao na binale-wala niya.

Sa narinig kong kwento, pinapatunayan nito ang kahalagahan ng pagkakaibigan. Huwag mong bale-walain ang isang totoong kaibigan habang nariyan lang siya. Alagaan mo ang inyong pagkakaibigan, panatilihing bukas ang pinto kahit magkalayo kayo dahil darating ang panahon na kakailanganin mo ang iyong kaibigan. Dahil kapag nawala siya ay ikaw ang nagkaraoon ng malaking kawalan.

Kadalasan sa mga tao ay nakukuha lamang maala-ala ang Diyos kapag nasa panahong naghihirap, kung may kalamidad at may pangangailangan. Mas mabuti kung araw-araw tayong nagdarasal upang maalagaan at mapanatili natin ang ating ugnayan sa Diyos.


Alex V. Villamayor
November 9, 2010

LOOK WHO’S COOKING

During our old times, the woman is taking care the household choirs of the family from doing the laundry, ironing the clothes, preparing the foods and taking care and feeding the children while the man has to work to provide the needs of the family. That is why every growing up girls is trained to learn these household choirs in preparation of her life as a wife and mother. Especially the food preparation, wives are bound to prepare the foods for their husbands as it is an old belief of woman’s required submission to her husband.

If the wife doesn’t want her husband to run away, pumper him by serving different foods on the table because men love to eat foods cooked for them. It is a quite funny idea but mothers say to their daughters, it needs to cook for the husband to make him fat so that no other girls will fool around the husband. In marital relationship, wife’s cooking can save the marriage, while the single ladies are tickled with this idea in catching the interest of their prospect bachelors. Because it is always believed that the way to a man’s heart is through his stomach. Serving him an array of inevitable delectable foods will fatten and flattered his heart that will make him coming back with the food you made.

How about if the men are cooking? Seeing men doing culinary is something that nice to know. Isn’t it romantic to see him wearing the white apron, hands working on the chopping board, sautéing the bits of spices and serving in presentation the food he cooked for his wife or girlfriend? Serving the foods with smile, the foods to be shared becomes more special that will tighten the relationship of husband and wife, of the whole family or with his girlfriend. Sounds delicious, women love a man that cooks.

Imagine a man in an early morning is preparing fried rice that smells awesome, tender-juicy frankfurter sausages and scrambled egg. Completed with the aroma of the soothing fresh coffee, all these in a tray ready to serve the breakfast in bed for his dearest wife. He may do a gourmet lunch for the family that children will like the savor made by a cooking dad. Or sometimes he even prepares a menu for a girlfriend for a night dinner. Romantic date doesn’t necessarily mean candle light in a romantic dinner in restaurant, enough his effort to cook the foods to share that is something off from his usual daily routine.

Remember when cooking, fill it with love. It turns out delicious your cuisine if you do it with love. When man cooks, he is doing it with love. Dirty kitchen is not his area and culinary is not his field but his love for his family and friends makes the cuisine a gourmet. This may be the reason why many people say men are better chefs than women. Simple fish and vegetables or meals can be fiesta when cooked with love. Cooking tip: do not cook if you don’t like because despite of complete condiments you have, your serving will suck.

Cookery is not an accustomed routine for man but a man doing the works in the kitchen once in a while is an amazing moment in the relationship. It may be unusual but certainly not odd and diminishing in his masculinity. Dirty kitchen might not his area but a man in the kitchen enhances the masculinity and adds to his sex appeal. To see him cooking is indeed very inspiring scenery, he is setting a model to everyone that man and women should do the food preparation.


Alex V. Villamayor
November 2010

PLANNING THE FUTURE

(The following story was published in 2010 2nd Quarter issue of JAL Focus, a company newsletter).

In this age of time, our sophisticated future lies on the technology that we are using today. Entering to the promise of the 21st century, it would not be difficult to pursue our dreams and ambitions and become successful along with the fast-changing world if we have receptive ideas. In this case, we must be vigilant in our surroundings, always on the lookout for what’s the latest and be on guard for new things to come because just when you thought technology hits the highest point and at its farthest and finest, there’s more to come. And before you knew it, new models featuring different innovations, extras, and latest versions are appearing in the market.

The writer quoted in an article saying that “there is no assurance that investing in technology will generate future returns, but there is evidence that not investing in technology will lead to dismal investment performance”. Invariably, it is indeed a fact that good products and services fall back upon technology. William “Bill” H. Gates, Chairman of Microsoft Corp. said “We always overestimate the change that will occur in the next two years and underestimate the change that will occur in the next ten. Don’t let yourself be lulled into inaction.” As we are working with innovation and modernization, we have to invest the best technology for the longterm interests of our business. In order to streamline our approach when we are aiming the best future for our organization, we are planning thoroughly with the best preparation, policy and approach. Part of this strategic plan is capitalizing the benefits of investing in high-tech products and latest technology available in the market. Cellular phone, MP3 players, iPods, PDAs, and other new gadgets allow us to keep in touch, share ideas, information and images, be taught and entertained. Undoubtedly, it brings fun and excitement, however, it also brings challenge and new knowledge. While picking the best high-tech products is virtually impossible to even keep up because there are literally hundreds of models to choose from, getting into the habit of technological advances otherwise is preparation of better opportunities and shaping our certain future.

If you opt to use technology like for instance a simple Internet explorer and e-commerce, as a small entrepreneur, it opens up a plethora of chances to gather the potential customers. The advent of the Internet significantly contributes to dramatically cut down the costs of marketing and communication which supports those who’ve just started in venturing business. The very basic explanations of the popularity of computers with small businesses are their speed, accuracy, effectiveness, low cost, and the capability to handle multiple tasks. In a nutshell, technology has reduced the overall expenses of business operations. For the prospect customers, this technology could be an initial interaction with them and it could start you off with a warm first impression in your business and could create instant friendly relationship or even an adversarial one. By browsing into our webpage, we are instantly introducing our profile and expectedly questions are rising in to complete their awareness, then the maze within our company’s frame from their points of view will further explain our company’s profile for better understanding. Positive impression plays vital factor in keeping good instant relationship in terms of our future. Otherwise, once the relationship and impression start off on the wrong foot, it is always harder to change the direction.

Technology is powerful in our present life and even in the next more years. The phenomenal online community and social networking website is no doubt the unambiguous explanation how technology is shaping and changing our life routine into better. Looking back those early years of its launching on the web, we can’t deny that this technology established the convenience we are enjoying today. This confers the verity that the future of ourselves, business, and community really depends on the technology we are using today.


Alex V. Villamayor
August 22, 2010