Mananum Na 'Ta (Let's Plant)

I bet I’m a no green thumb but I tried my luck in planting pineapple. Good thing I joined the 2011 Ceremonial Pineapple Planting of Dolefil. More than 400 management staffs of Dolefil were gathered to fill Field 201A with pineapple planting materials.

Planting pineapple with Dolefil's MD Simon Denye

It’s the first ever pineapple planting for the management team. One purpose for this activity is to make us all aware of the hardship of our planters experienced each day to make a living, so that we can also appreciate more their contribution to the company. By 2013, there will be a Ceremonial Harvesting for these pineapples that we have planted that’s why everyone was encouraged to take more photos for the before-and-after comparison when that time comes.

As early as four in the morning, everyone was gathered at the Central Station for the jump-off. The actual buses used by the planters were also used to transfer everyone to the assigned management block somewhere in Brgy. Polo, Polomolok, South Cotabato. Cold early morning breeze filled the air and it added to the excitement of the first time pineapple planters. After the opening program which was hosted by me and Mae Mae, the mob went to their respective area to commence the so-called planting. We were given gloves and planting iron to do the task. We were taught how to plant the pineapples correctly as well. With cool OPM music as the background, we we’re all in the mood for this rare kind of opportunity. Read: Magtanim ay Di Biro and Leron Leron Sinta plus many more, we did dancing while planting too in our colorful planting outfits. After the ceremony, there served breakfast called pastel in chicken and pork flavor plus Dole Juices to refresh our body in full sweat.

Early morning set-up with my co-host Mae Mae

Planting pineapple is not that easy

With my General and Admin Services Family

Chicken and pork pastel for breakfast

Despite the fun, I can never deny that planting is all-sweat, energy-draining activity. While we did just 50 plantings each, a regular planter does up to 5,000 plantings in a day. Though pineapple planting is never too easy, at the end of the day there’s a sense of pride that one day, there comes the harvest, each one of us contributed to the success story of Dolefil.

 

thAEnk-worthy:

1) Jess Lapid for the photos

2) Khun Areerat  and Khun Wiphawee of Dole Thailand for the photos

3) Arleen Baterbonia for the photos

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Blogfest 2.0 – A Smorgasbord of New Learning

Hitting two birds with one stone is a cliché but this time, the Blogfest 2.0 was more than just a stone. It was a buffet of ace knowledge empowering a novice blogger like me – a smorgasbord so to speak!

I have more than one reason why I value my experience during the Blogfest2.0.

1.0) That was one of my ‘firsts’ in blogging world. As the biggest gathering of talented bloggers in the area, I felt honored to be part of the history of Sox Bloggers. Even if I haven’t got the chance to rub elbows with most of the participants, sitting inside the Sun City Complex Hall while listening to the speakers was a remarkable experience.

My Blogfest 2.0 kit

2.0) The speakers are super-duper great. While most of them were not familiar to me, I have witnessed and admired their individual caliber when it comes to their chosen fields. The learning that they have shared is worth keeping, most of it was eye-openers for me –- truly amazing. I have to say this: It’s very refreshing to see and hear Mae Paner a.k.a Juana Change live in person. Her style, for me, stood out among all the speakers that day.

The Blogfest 2.0 speakers

3.0) It’s good to see different faces of bloggers. There were younger and older bloggers who are also learning new things just like me. By just looking at them, I have sensed that they are also excited to write their new posts and share their experiences to their readers during the event.

Fellow blogger Yadu Karu

4.0) Despite of the fact that I was a bit in a culture-shock that day, the event has inspired me to be a responsible, active blogger. Now, I’m more conscious on what to post and how it will inspire or even affect my readers. I just hope that this is the start of my momentum as a serious blogger. By the way, I won a red whistle with a 2-GB flash drive from the raffle. Who said that I'm not lucky enough?

With Gwynee Ebol from Dolefil

5.0) Having witnessed the Philippine Blog Awards for Mindanao Awards Night, I told myself that I need a lot of enthusiasm to pursue this new passion of mine. The winners, for sure, started just like me and continue their blogging journeys as victors, winning respect, gaining recognition.

So how many birds did I hit that day? It’s more than enough right?

And they’re not birds by the way.

They are phoenix!

Yeah! Blogfest 2.0 is more than just a stone.

Blogfest 2.0 rocks! 

A stolen shot after the event

thAEnk-worthy:
1) Earl Cielo of www.amorsiko.com for the photos
2) Gwyn Ebol for the photos and company
3) Yadu Karu of www.yadukaru.blogspot.com for the photos

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The Day I Met "Princess"

“We bumped into each other and it was an instant hit. I hopped into her and positioned myself on her back. I took a strong grip on her body, but not tight enough to make me fall. It was such a different sensation. Until now, I still can’t help myself from the wonderful experience she brought. It’s true, there’s nothing like the first time!”

It was a sunny Sunday morning when my heart leaped with glee. It could be due to a mixture of tension and excitement for that day’s remarkable activity.

A friend’s accomplice, a smart young lady, picked me up at the hotel. After hailing a taxi, we jumped in and moved our way to a far-flung nest of valuable knowledge. During the ride, we had a chitchat about anything that concerns me. We also exchanged thoughts on life in general. Almost an hour later, we found ourselves battling over the pebbled road towards the building of our destination then finally, the real start-of-the-day begun.

The pebbled road towards the nest of valuable knowledge

My good bubbly friend welcomed me right at the entrance of the hall. I can see in her that she’s also excited on that day’s history-in-the-making. We arrived an hour early so we have so much time to prepare. She introduced me to the people around who will complete the ingredients for the day. I met new faces of different colors, sizes and shapes. They were young, I mean younger, and I was mesmerized by their youth and was refreshed with their vibrant aura. These guys surely love chart topper hits so I played songs from my latest collection. And alas! Most of them were singing along with the player. Good sign! I decided just to be calm and easy. The clock told us that we need to start but the good thing was we already set the wheels in motion.

The hours came in so fast from the kickoff and we have called a halt to the interaction for the lunch break. The initial gab fest was fulfilling and there I met some more personalities. There were singers, party goers, fashionistas and most of them were lovers of fun. Not bad, the thing is they are ready to lend their ears and join the colloquy. Some were matured and some were learned, they also joined the exchange.

Afternoon came and we all then were simulated to experience something that we never did before. I would say it was a blast and everybody else made the scene! I can tell it in their beaming eyes that they’re all excited to explore more. Unfortunately, we only have limited time to accomplish everything. With that, I have met some more personalities who outstand the day. There was this "white chick", who in her sweet sassy ways, I can tell that she’ll be all right. There’s also this "marvy guy", who was associated with wings by the group, he’s a promising responsible guy. I also met this simple yet snoopy girl whose curiosity I appreciated more. Most of them were smart-alecks and team heads wannabes – bright future way ahead of them.

Time came and we have decided to call it a day. Truly, it was such an inspiring scenario – another first so remarkable to me.

But hey, what about Princess?

Oh! How I met Princess was so candid. I met her in the morning where everything was fresh but I got to know her better before that day ended. I really have to find a way just to take photo of her so that I can take a look at her whenever I want to.

Oh! Did I already say that Princess is a mode of transportation? 

Yes, she is! She’s a single motorcycle with side car that can accommodate four (4) persons - two at the front and another two at the back. Plus one can ride at her back too, just like what I did, and that makes it five passengers! What so lovely about her is that she has this huge umbrella to protect her passengers from sun and rain - just like real royalties! She can be the latest craze and I bet she’s one-of-a-kind.

We bumped into each other and it was an instant hit. I hopped into her and positioned myself on her back. I took a strong grip on her body, but not tight enough to make me fall. It was such a different sensation. Until now, I still can’t help myself from the wonderful experience she brought. It’s true, there’s nothing like the first time!

This is "Princess" - back view!

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National Milo Marathon -- From Start to Finish

"This is the day!", I told my self. I woke up at 3am, a breakthrough for a non-early-riser like me, had another set for my checklist, completed some stretching techniques before I hit the shower, backed myself up with a power meal then I left the house. I did it all for the 35th National Milo Marathon Gensan Leg. Sounds serious huh! Really I was.

After I and my friends zoomed our way to Gensan Oval Plaza, we've witnesses runners from all ages getting ready through their own various ways before the voice over announced to get set for the big race that day. We lined up for the 5K Category and boy!, t'was a whole herd of two-legged racers equally excited with a first timer like me. Picture taking here and there, I have even bumped into a blogger mentor, Avel Manansala, and of course, we also had a photo shoot for some sort of souvenirs.

Few minutes before the marathon started

Large group of runners getting ready for the race

The gun shot was heard as the official start of the race for our category and everyone else roared like victorious soldiers heading for an important battle of our lives. Well, I was not surprised. One can really yell to exclaim the excitement out. And off we went.

The marathon experience

It was a fine day for all of us. The weather was good. The sun rose peacefully without a threat of cumulus clouds. Everybody enjoyed the moment, the moment of a marathon, running, jogging and walking all the way to reach the end point. We even met some familiar faces. We were also amazed with people in their running outfits. We were glad to see little kids passing by with their moms and dads. And of course, we enjoyed the experience of exploring the main streets of Gensan with our running shoes. 

Glad to see families get together and kids-on-the-go

Reaching the limits while exploring Gensan 

Familiar faces from top to bottom (clockwise):
Dolefil Managing Director Mr. Simon Denye with some staffs,
officemates, Sox Bloggers' Lead Sir Avel Manansala

An hour have past and we reached the finish line at last. Bathed in our own sweat, we never felt that we were tired during the course. The energy was there. All smiles were present especially when a certificate was handled to each one of us. Very fulfilling!

Approaching the Finish Line

The proud runners with their certificates

All smiles and never tired

Imagine, with over two thousand participants, I ran the race and finished it! I got a copy of the result for our category and I ranked as the 1,478th to reach the finish line with a chip time of 1:01:07. Not bad enough, right? Not quite! 

The thing is, I never joined to race, never in my dreams that I wanted to become a runner. I joined for the experience - the thrill, the interaction, the people with their friends and families, the moment. Above all, I also would like to take part of the event's advocacy to the less fortunate. With my own little ways such as this, I know that this act would come a long long way not just 5K or even 21K. I'll join again if there will be next!

I have passed the 3K, did the 5K and my next target is 21K!
Why not?

Here's the official result of 5K category. 
thAEnk-worthy: RUNRIO and my officemate for sharing this.

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