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Working for a multinational company which most people and its other employees consider as one of the most stable work place in the country then, I can’t help but compare it now to the Titanic. The day it was built and the very day of its maiden voyage, the Titanic was flaunted and described by its engineers and owners as the biggest and as the unsinkable. But they’d found out soon that it wasn’t meant to be. And so are we.

While I’m not about to dwell on what isn’t clear at this moment yet, I’ve been thinking  what if we are all in that gigantic ship from the moment it struck the iceberg. What type of passenger or crew will we be (in reference to the movie)?

Are we the night watch crew who trembled in fear when we realized we missed informing the bridge of the huge iceberg because we’re so busy watching Jack and Rose making out in the cold?

Are we the economy class passengers who remained clueless of what is going outside because we are located at the ships lower deck?

Are we one of the crews who readily handed out life jackets by prioritizing those in the business class and give the remainder to those in economy?

Are we the ones who surrendered our fate and preferred staying with our kids and love ones until the very end?

Are we the captain who tried to shrug off the crash like it was just a bad dream and later on decided to go down with the ship instead?

Are we the crew who in an attempt to control the passengers from stampede accidentally shot one of them and out of desperation and regret turned the gun on himself?

Are we the lucky ones who got hold of the life boats and turned a blind eye to those hopelessly trying to survive in the frigid waters?

Or are we the band that played on so as to make our very best to entertain those who might have shut their mind to the imminent reality?

In “our” part, I can’t directly relate to the above mentioned characters but if James Cameron could have had a camera zoom more on the people running around, we’d be seen just plainly walking around the ship’s deck, taking our time to enjoy the wonderful cold night sky and entering some of the food halls and ordering the most expensive food available (while wondering why the waiters seem pale). We may even be seen inside the car where Jack and Rose were before the tragedy. Hehe.

Tomorrow is D-day. But once again, Que sera sera.

Well, it’s been raining lately and according to the Singapore’s meteorological authority (i don’t know their name hehehe), it will stay for the next two weeks. Just a few minutes ago, I was walking slow, checking out the dry pavement along my way. It’s been weeks that Singapore has been wet and thickly covered by clouds - and today was quite dry.

Just when I’m about to reach the block next to the plant am working at, grizzles of rain starts to fall. I did not run when people around me are trying to find shelter. Just when I reached the block, heavy rain fall began to echo in chorus.

Wowowow…. I really love rain. It makes me smile. It is the best moment to be alone… listening the symphony of drops. I have an option to wait for the rain to stop or run across under the rain. I choose the later.

Under the rain you can shout, you can sing… you can say anything you want at the top of your voice and i think no one would care. I forgot what I’m bubbling while running, but just when I reached the entrance and my officemate stood there in awe, I told her, “Wow… It’s nice!”

She can’t believe I’m dripping wet(no - not that am heavily soaked hahahaha). But I’m all-smile walking inside the work place. I’m just so happy with that quick rendezvous with the rain.

I remember the last time I play with the rain is when am about to walk for 200m under a heavy rain fall in the middle of the night. I have an option to stay and wait until it stops. But want to go home and so II wrapped my phone and wallet in a plastic bag and started walking. It’s just the normal walk. It’s really wonderful.

The experience is awesome, to say the least. Nothing beats the joy of walking without care, when you don’t worry for anything. When all you’re thinking are not the troubles of life but a life entertained and enchanted by rain.

The first time I heard this cliché was way back when I was in elementary. I never knew then that its meaning will become clearer and clearer (not to mention more expensive) as I grow older. Back then it was just begging for He-Man action figures when I’ve got the small plastic toy soldiers. Wanting to have Legos when I’ve got freebie building blocks from sari-sari store junk foods packs. Dreaming of having BB aluminum slingshots when in fact I already have the bayabas(guava)-made piece. Imagining of having Tonka toys dragged around instead of the Milo cans transformed into trucks with wheels cut out from old smagol (slippers). All those wants and imaginations I never got.

So after more than 20 years that 4-word cliché keeps on circling my mind as if it has cache itself in one of the brain lobes and so ready to remind me any time I’m pulling away from reality.

The recent change from our stereotyped Kia Pride to the highly praised Honda brand (though only having the basic 1.3A City) gave me the feeling of a paradigm shift. I felt as if I just had exchanged my push cart to a Bugatti, just to exaggerate of course. But that was actually how it felt. No one can blame me for feeling this way as the change also involved from having our first car being second hand and having the second car already being a brand new.

If having the Kia Pride excitedly made me search the web for support groups then it’s no wonder if I’ve already spend some time browsing and lurking in Honda forums. This is for me to know what the other owners of the same model I have in their mind. I’m keeping a blind eye though on upgrades as I’m just more interested mostly in maintenance…for now.

And then reality struck. My precious Mary has its flaws and weaknesses too. Some of the owners find their City as having poor suspension, dashboards that are easily scratched, rusting hinges, poor gas mileage, rickety interiors and so forth. I did double check if I’m not reading my Kia Pride’s ex-forum. Well the URL has Honda in it. Hmmm.

As if awaken from a bad dream, these finding made me make up my pros and cons list I’ve seen so far.

Pros:

·         Power Steering.

·          Very silent engine. I find it necessary to honk every now and then to keep inattentive pedestrians from straying near Mary while I’m passing.

·         Spacious interior and boot.

·         4 cup holders. Who said you can’t drink and drive?

Cons:

·         Manual antenna. My Kia pride had power.  

·         Very tight boot and gas lever. Having a Rolex is a bad idea. But then again who has a genuine Rolex and a City.

·         Audio player is not MP3 capable. And there are only 2 speakers located in the front. I pity the rear passengers.

·         The side panels and ceiling are prone to dirt stains due to the fabric material.

And so it is proven once again that man is never contented, gid. Of course this is both a good and a bad thing. It becomes good when you aim for a better life but it becomes so bad when you keep on having more wants than needs. It becomes worse when you keep on staring at the seductive Toyota Camry (the web info shows that what I’m seeing are Hybrids. And this means that there are Hybrids now in Cavite?) while inside your new Honda City. Ti abi.

Enjoy it while it last Cris.

NXP Semiconductors Phils., Inc.

NXP Semiconductors Philippines, Inc. (Calamba) is a high tech facility for the assembly and testing of Integrated Circuits established in 1998 to cater to various applications such as connectivity, displays, digital video, microcontrollers, automative and storage among others. It is located 50 kilometers south of Manila, at Light Industry Science Park II in Calamba City, Laguna, Philippines.

Innovation Department is in need of people who can perform electrical analysis of its package and substrate design.

Sr. Virtual Prototyping Engineer

Duties and Responsibilities
•1. Electrical modeling of leadframe- and substrate-based packages
•2. Extraction of RLC values
•3. RF/electrical modeling, characterization, and design of laminate substrate
•4. Validation of generated models by electrical measurement (using network analyzer, spectrum analyzer, etc)
•5. Development of modeling techniques

Qualifications
•1. Graduate of BSECE/BSEE preferably with MS in ECE/EE
•2. With at least three years of semiconductor industry experience; MSECE/MSEE fresh graduates even without experience are also acceptable
•3. Solid understanding of principles and concepts (circuit theory, electromagnetics, RF, signal integrity)
•4. Basic knowledge of semiconductor assembly materials and package electrical test
•5. Capable of using AutoCAD or other drafting software
•6. Skills in using any simulation software is an advantage (eg, ADS, Ansoft TPA, Ansoft Q3D, HFSS)
•Successful applicant will be trained.

Contact
NXP Semiconductors Phils., Inc.
#9Mountain Drive, LISP2, Brgy. Lamesa, Calamba, Laguna,
Southern Tagalog 4027, Philippines
Telephone: 63-49-5457800
Email: hrd.recruitment@nxp.com/ roger.a.real@nxp.com

I’m currently hooked to Dan Brown’s books. During my December vacation I borrowed a book from a colleague and brought it with me in Bacolod. On my rest times I tried reading “The Da Vinci Code” – and under some sort of scrutiny from my pious mother. Answering, “it’s just a book” still somehow raised an eyebrow.

On our way back home to Dasma after the holidays, we rented an airport taxi service and that somehow made me finish the book while inside the cozy Toyota Innova (it cost us only Php 1.3K. Very cheap compared to availing Park n Fly’s service). That was at least a week of reading it. Not bad considering the other yuletide activities I have to attend.

Now I borrowed another, “Angels & Demons” and I’m almost halfway since I started it just this Wednesday. Other than the conspiracy theories that seem to have captured my attention and that got me to ask a lot of questions regarding its possibility, one line in one of its pages made me reflect of what has been happening around us since then.

Olivetti looked the camerlengo dead in the eye. “The prayer of St. Francis, signore. Do you recall it?”

The young priest spoke the single line with pain in his voice “God, grant me strength to accept those things I cannot change.” – pp. 169.

This prayer made me pause and reflect on the changes I’ve seen and observed since last month. Some I might expand but others would remain as a one-liner for others who knew about it to explain.

Dec (3^rd week). Our company shuttle bus for more than ten years was changed.

Dec 31. Just as the year ends come also the closure of our favorite restaurant – Saisaki ATC. No more sashimi. No more sukiyaki. I went back to the place on Jan 10 and to see it silent with doors locked and tables turned was a bit sad. I’m wondering where its crews have gone.

Jan. Video City, a video rental store near our place closed. Most likely it’s another victim of the proliferation of pirated cds. I’ve seen ACA video Dasma closed before during the peak of piracy and seeing a second one close is just disappointing.

Jan 18. Now the state of the old Bacolod airport is uncertain with the opening of Silay Airport.  I don’t know if Bacolod City’s officials are still considering retaining the old one or if they will totally phase it out. With the recent experience I have both during arrival and departure – mostly due to deceitful porters and taxi drivers – I couldn’t agree more if they pick the latter option. But then the innocent & honest employees’ jobs are at stake. Hopefully they’ll be re-assigned.

We are just starting the year and I hate to think about the things to come. I’m still trying to keep a positive attitude about what the future holds and whatever it will be, I’m hoping that we will be ready by then.

Que sera sera, as my mother used to say.

I’m now officially one of the Grinch. After 13 years of landing a job, last night was the first time I reported to work on a Christmas Eve. Normally during this time of the year, I’d either be in my hometown – Bacolod, or in Batangas celebrating Christmas with my wife and our family.

But then everything changes. And this year that change came to my career and left me no choice but to stand by it and be at work - technically, to role model. Ahem.

So yesterday afternoon I was actually feeling some mixed emotions as my time to go to work nears.  I was feeling excited for this first time event in my profession; and at the same time I was feeling uneasy and sad that I’d be celebrating my Christmas eve  without my wife or family with me. I’d be with my peers and people instead.

By the time I arrived at our plant, I can feel that the mood is surprisingly festive. The sight of employees with bags of gifts added to the holiday atmosphere.  The smiles and greetings are unwavering and infectious. Well at least whatever the reasons for the jolly characters, I know I’m surrounded by good aura for the rest of the graveyard shift.

Everything went the usual way just like any ordinary day when work kicked in. I was actually thinking, “Well, not bad. I can actually be a nurse, a pilot, a fireman, a security guard or a doctor on call…”or any other personnel who is expected to work even during the holidays. I felt like I’m not missing a big event or a love one. Well, not yet.

Break time came and a special dinner for all the manufacturing employees was served. The special meal was accented even more by a special dinner table setting. We’d be eating with candlelight. So by this time I was becoming even more convinced that working that night will be no big feat. I’m even starting to enjoy it. The sight of the lechon worked like a charm.

Right after dinner, I was back on my desk doing some routine tasks when I heard someone mentioned, “Sir Christmas na po (Sir it’s Christmas already)”. That’s when I glanced at the wall clock to see that it has struck midnight. The greetings around the production line competed with the humming equipment and audible alarms. I returned the merry wishes but caught myself faking a smile. I suddenly felt sad. I felt a lump in my throat.  I tried to contain myself.  And as if by a snap of a finger, I missed everyone whom I used to be with.

Probably this experience will stay with me until the next year. The feeling of having to choose between work and being with my love ones is a perfect dilemma.  Something’s got to give. And whoever said before that “Work is just a slice of life, it’s not the whole pizza” is mostly someone who can afford to sacrifice that slice. Unfortunately I don’t have the pleasure of doing so. When that day comes I’ll be the happiest.

“an empty mind is a devil’s workshop”

Frankly speaking, having without a car made me a bit uneasy especially now that the Christmas season is coming in, and fast! I missed a lot without it.

I missed going to the malls with my wife on our own time and not worrying if we’re going to squeeze our butts just to get seated in the jeepney for being the last two to get in. I missed the gift buying activity we’ve been regularly doing and not wondering how and where we’d be able to place all the shopping bags. I missed going home late coming from a good (esp. scary) movie. I missed getting stuck in traffic with me on the wheel and not having to think if my nose has clogged due to smog, smoke & dust – whichever comes first or all of it combined.  I missed waking up a bit late and not worrying that I’ll miss the bus to work. I just missed the freedom it gave me.

To shake off this feeling of self pity, I tried keeping my mind busy while being a passenger in one of the buses, jeepneys or cars of friends. And that did me good somehow. My thoughts wandered more (no defensive driving to worry about). I became observant of other things I can’t see or think of while driving. I became keen with what is outside the vehicle’s window.

And those wild brainstorming got me into things that until now make me say, “I don’t get it”.

I don’t get it why charity parties intended to benefit the hungry street children are in lavish settings with abundant overpriced food and attended normally by “botoxed” personalities. Can’t these people just give right away to charity? Or they really need the TV and photo coverage for that?

I don’t get it why a billboard at a sidewalk going to Tagaytay says, “Inteligent Auto Paint Shop”. Hopefully the owner has a good explanation for this, or else, better they forget having customers in there.

I don’t get it why the employees of “Coolmaster Airconditioing Expert” (in front of the car I’m in while on our way to a Christmas party) are out in the open at the back of a wobbly pick-up truck enduring the noontime heat.

I don’t get it why a municipal vehicle with the words “Responsableng Taong Bayan (Responsible people of the community)” is illegally park on one side of Muntinlupa’s road.

I don’t get it why when everyone’s anticipating to travel by air during this Christmas season is also the time when Discovery Channel and National Geographic schedule the shows such as Air Crash Investigation, Air Disasters, etc. Either someone from those shows hate Christmas travel or owns a stock in the shipping industry. And by the way, out of curiosity I tried to search in Wikipedia and I’m glad December is not the highest among the statistics. At least not among the top three and that’s a relief, well, sort of.

*extracted these data and tabulated using excel’s countif formula.

*sorted from lowest (April) to highest (November).

Lastly, I don’t get it why the brandy I’ve been drinking (since I bought it) kept me awake instead of falling asleep. I guess it’s about time I check the fine print on its label. I’d be damned if it contains caffeine. But then again my subconscious must be working on something else (and wants me to stay up late). Something I might be thinking about more with Christmas day only 3 days to go. Whatever that is, let it come by…I’d love to write about it soon.

Merry Christmas sa tanan!!!!

Halong sa New Year!!!!

“A nation that forgets its past is doomed to repeat it.” – Sir Winston Churchill “

Ang hindi marunong tumingin sa pinanggalingan hindi makararating sa paroroonan.” – Chinese Proverb (?)

I was coming from our last graveyard shift for this week and upon waking up from a 4-hour deep slumber – thanks to the rain & cold weather outside – I switched on the TV channel and I was surprised by what I saw on TV.

“I must still be dreaming”, “Did the cable channel provider changed programming?”, “Am I tuned to the History channel?”, “Did my remote control conked out?”

While I was trying to recollect myself of the reality of what is being shown on TV, the “Live” caption on the side of the screen then made me realize that what I’m watching is indeed happening.

Standing in front of the camera was Sen. Trillanes surrounded by some personnel, a priest who became famous for running (pun intended), a lady thanking the media for their perseverance to stay despite the tear gas bombardment - she doesn’t have to say that, these guys will stay like leeches even if a bomb is about to explode. That could have been a welcome entry for World’s Amazing Video.

This scene greeted me from my wonderful siesta like a post-sleep nightmare. Here we go again. Fill in the blanks: Edsa (type series no. here). What a shame.

Other than being pissed by what is actually happening hundreds of kilometers from where I am, I was reminded of a then irate Jim Paredes’ post (Equal Right to Lawlessness) in his blog site and what I in return commented to it:

“Jim,

So what’s next? Edsa 4?

I say not. It looks like we are a bunch of people with 64kb of memories - i.e., we forget so soon.

…

I’m tired of seeing on TV a cliche of events that would humble even the plot of the telenovelas:

1. People gets angry at the president.

2. TRAPOs gather people.

3. People + TRAPOs oust the president.

4. TRAPOs hug and attends [sic] mass with Bishops.

5. New President.

6. (Repeat # 1 if necessary)

Only in the Philippines.”

Just like Neo who suspects that a déjà vu occurs when someone is tweaking the Matrix, I too thinks that someone out there (Uh oh, I’m becoming a conspiracy theorist) is calmly running his fingers through the rum glass, massaging his bearded chin just as this event is in progress and most likely doing a revision of his “master plan”.

Why?

This is because I am now concluding that behind this Trillanes character is a bigger group or individual so eager to topple the current regime so that they can “serve” the Filipino people. After all I believe that this senator (sadly, yes) is a coward and should have never been voted in the first place. But then again…we tend to forget.

If we rewind what this ex-soldier, coup-plotter or in short just a plain hooligan had done, we will see that he’s had this habit of cowering in hotels to make his point (or the lack of it) known to everyone. Now I think it is about time that all hotels run a memorandum to close its doors at the mere sight of this man coming in. So far I could not recall that he’s made a good impression for Philippine hotel economy. He’s just scaring investors away since the world got to know him.

Of course to prove that Trillanes is mainly out there to stir the Edsa spirit (pun intended), he brought along with him a minimum number of characters to summon the majority (also known as “the masses”) of the short-minded Filipinos and a bunch of media newscasters willing once again to insult if not to challenge the intellect of the “resilient” pinoys. Interestingly, Jim Paredes’ has a blog about it to - 23 tools to brainwash and influence people through mass media:

“… 14. Repetition is key. Repeat important messages as often as possible.

15. Repetition is key.

16. Repetition is key.

17. Bypass rationality by any means possible. People don’t need logic to accept information. Belief is emotional. Always remember: WAR=PEACE.

18. Remember –- two half-truths make up a whole truth….”

Repetition is the key. We were taught before that a succession of drops of water will eventually make an impression on a stone. Unfortunately this is being used for the wrong objective. Ti abi.

So while I’m a few hours away from my birthday, I might as well grab the opportunity to entertain myself with the circus on TV. Who knows, the next time I click on the boob tube a new “clown” is already out there to serve our beloved nation. Mabuhay!

****

Note: This post is just my opinion so it may offend other people due to the political theme.

Lastly, the blog site’s theme has improve a lot. Great job to the moderators! Another proof that TUP-Vians are world class. Keep up the good work guys/gals (kon may gays pwede man : ) )

 (Ti Christmas na liwat. Medyo busy na tanan…)

The ‘ber’ months must have some effect on everyone if not to the Filipinos alone. Once the very 1st day of September sets it everything seems to intensify or gets exaggerated. As if some switch gets turned on right after the midnight of August 31. Read the rest of this entry »

After coming back to Honda Cars Alabang just like a ghost of a car buff  restless until he gets what he wants, I dropped by Ayala Town Center just so I can catch a van going back to my place. Once there, curiosity guided my feet to pass by the cinema to check out the new movies. After all it’s been a while since I’ve watched a movie. Beowulf. Three cinemas are showing it. But then I remembered someone from multiply.com had a review of it and the review about it was bad (no pun intended).

Read the rest of this entry »