Best Bits of 2011

2011 is such a great year for me in terms of my career and craft. It is also the year of learning and new opportunities for me. In order for you to know that, let us go back and recall the top 10 best things happened to me last 2011.


1. I've got my new job as a teacher. This is the most special birthday gift I ever received where I was hired as a teacher in a school for permanent position. Definitely, I will give my best shot in this job to stay longer. 


2. Giving birth to a new blog entitled "Perspectives in White Scratch Papers." I was able to enhance to improve my writing skills via updating this blog. I am so thankful that it reached almost 7500 viewers from different parts of the world.


3. Attending the Writers Block Workshop. I was a follower of this group in Facebook since when I made it on OfficiallyPhilippines online writing contest last 2010. It was May 2011 in Greenbelt 4, Makati, I attended this workshop entitled "Jumpstart Your Freelance Writing Career 4.0" and I learned a lot of things to improve my writing skill, as well with how to get in to the freelance writing business. I met new friends there.


4. Laguna Loop Travel. Because of curiosity and passion to travel, I decided to visit the place called Laguna Loop. I discovered the rustic side of Laguna as well with the culture and natural beauty of the place. I visited the towns of Victoria, Pila, Santa Cruz, Liliw, Magdalena, Nagcarlan, Paete, and Mabitac.


5. Meeting Stanley Chi in the 32nd Manila International Book Fair. I added Stanley Chi in my Facebook account because of his humor and wit in terms of comedy. We chatted in Facebook as well with joining his contest about a review of his book "Suplado Tips." I didn't make it on the Bloggers Night to meet him in person. However, I had a chance to go in the 32nd Manila International Book Fair in SM Mall of Asia in Pasay where I had a chance to meet him and complete his books from Chopsticks to Suplado Tips. He also signed the books written by Stanley Chi.


6. Meeting New Facebook Friends. I met a lot of Facebook friends last 2010 especially the ventriloquist in Pilipinas Got Talent, Ruther Urquia and the 2010 presidentiable JC Delos Reyes. This 2011, I met my new friend, the sand artist of Pilipinas Got Talent 2 Mark Kenneth Dolom. He is such a nice person and very understanding. I am looking forward this 2012 to meet him soon.


7. Mall Show of Sample Prince, Ryan Bang. It was happened in Robinsons Dasmarinas where I met the funny and talented Korean actor, Ryan Bang. He was such a warm-hearted person and I really appreciate his love for the Philippines.


8. My comment was included in TV5's news program Aksyon Journnalismo. It was happened one year ago when Journalismo posted a question about New Year where my Facebook comment was included about the topic on changes in 2011.


9. Learning new things as a teacher in Korean school. I learned a lot of things which helped me as a person in Korean school especially on dealing with students and learning the language.


10. Family and friends. I also met my new friends where I learned a lot of things which helped me to do the good things in life and my family who always supported me. Last June 2011, my older sister was married and looking forward for her to have a happy family life.


Thank you Lord for this wonderful year and I am looking forward for a prosperous and happy 2012 as another chapter of my life enters

Gala Dyournal: The 32nd Manila International Book Fair at SMX Convention Center

The 32nd Manila International Book Fair entrance.

Last September 17, 2011, the 32nd Manila International Book Fair was held at SMX Convention Center at SM Mall of Asia in Pasay City. The book fair was participated by different publishing companies and bookstores in the Philippines, supported by SM Mall of Asia as the main venue for this event. I visited various booths in the said book fair from educational books which offers encyclopedias and discuss lessons in different school subjects for student to religious and inspirational books which help to improve our spiritual life.

PSICOM Booth

In the said book fair, right after I visited the religious and educational sections, I visited the PSICOM booth where they publish cookbooks, anime magazines, horror stories, and humor books. In the said booth, I saw the comedian Tado Jimenez with his signing of his book entitled "Ikatlo sa Huling Libro." While waiting, I bought the three Chopsticks series and Suplado Tips book for only P50.00 each with the total of P200.00. Then right after thirty minutes of waiting and visiting different booths, the Fil-Chinese cartoonist, stand up comedian, host and the author of comics strip Chopsticks and the bestselling book Suplado Tips, Stanley Chi arrived in the booth. In the book fair, I completed the three Chopsticks series and the Suplado Tips book which he signed all the four books he wrote. Although he is a suplado, he is a very nice and accommodating person. 

The Chopsticks comic book collection from series 1 to 3.

Congratulations Stanley Chi for the continuous success in your writing career and you made a part in a book fair plus more power to your new show in GMANews TV called Hecklines and I hope that you win in Komikon Awards. (You got my vote!) I would like to thank Mr. Chi for signing my book and giving the gift certificate and at last I see you in person and to the two kuyas who assist and accommodate me (especially the one who take picture of Stanley and I) thanks a lot for the time and bonding.

His latest book, Suplado Tips.

The first Chopsticks series.

Stanley Chi signing the book.

The author and cartoonist Stanley Chi  and his book Suplado Tips. please buy at your nearest bookstores.

Therefore, this book fair is successful because of the people who attended this event ranging from students to teachers, from young professionals to executives, from book lovers to bloggers and most of all to the authors, educators, and management and staff of different publishing companies who participated in the said event as well with the SM Mall of Asia management,  kudos for the successful event.

An Extraordinary Facebook Friendship with the Young Sand Artist

"There are people who had 100, 200, 300, 400, 500, 600, 700, 800 up to 2000 friends in Facebook. But I wonder: How many among your Facebook friends will understand when you have a problem? Who among these friends will share with your happy moments and comfort you in times of trouble."

Since 2009, I created my Facebook account for communication purposes with my family, relatives and friends. As a matter of fact, I met a lot of people which I considered as my friends, although I didn't know them personally. I get to know them through chat and only few of them will respond plus I already get their contact numbers which signifies that our friendship will getting stronger. 

One of my friends that I met in Facebook is Mark Kenneth Dolom, the young sand artist from Puerto Princesa City. He joined in the second season of Pilipinas Got Talent with his sand art performance in the tune of "Heal The World." He is still very young to do this kind of art but he has the potential. I added him in my Facebook account and I gave him a personal message which means that I appreciate his work. He responded by saying thank you plus I also included him in my review because his act was truly unique.

Mark Kenneth Dolom with his audition in the second season of Pilipinas Got Talent. Continue to keep up the good work in achieving your dream to become a successful young sand artist. The second picture shows a phoenix in his sand art piece which shows his skill.

As the days passed by, we were able to chat with each other and exchanging some sort of stories in Facebook and we exchange our contact numbers. There is also a time when we had a  simple misunderstanding but we solved that problem. But the most unforgettable experience with him is when he approached me to ask for help in making a concept in his sand art about history. I shared a lot of ideas with him about history plus I also research music or song choice for his sand art plus we had a brainstorming session where we combine our ideas to form a sand art.

I can describe Kenneth as a person who is friendly, accommodating, understanding and a very humble person. He accept the fact that he is just a beginner and he is keep on working hard to perfect his craft. He also knows how to appreciate other people who helped and supported him. (Maintain that kind of attitude!) Although other people think of him as a boastful person, but he is not that kind of person. Anyway, Kenneth keep on reaching to your dreams to become the master sand artist. Good luck and God Bless! 


HAPPY BIRTHDAY KENNETH! I watched your current sand art video in the tune of "Go The Distance" you improved a lot and more practice to go and you will make it to the top! Never forget the people who supported you, refrain from negative vibes in your environment (don't get influenced by negative forces like vices and bad attitude), be humble and always be thankful and close to God. Kudos!

When the Young Blogger Meets the Youngest Presidentiable

JC Delos Reyes, the youngest presidential candidate of 2010 elections.

John Carlos “JC” Delos Reyes is a 2010 presidential candidate from Olongapo City. He is the standard-bearer of Ang Kapatiran Party last elections and the youngest among the presidential contenders. He is also the nephew of Richard Gordon.

I added him in my Facebook account because of his sincerity to run as a president and his passion to help our country towards progress and change. He approved my friend request and one day I was able to have a chat with him, telling that although he make it as the last place and did not win the elections , try to run again in the 2013 Senatorial Elections because of his sincerity and credibility in the politics. After that, he is able to like my essays on online abuse and priorities on ICT in the Aquino administration in my Facebook account. Because of that I send him a message by giving an appreciation on liking my notes (essays) in Facebook. Then after that, he responded by saying that “he was flattered in my note and ICT should be one of the priorities for the new administration.” In my next article about the impacts of issues on violence like the Maguindanao Massacre and the recent Manila Bus Hostage, he also likes my article and he gave a comment about it. Then, when I saw his mobile phone number in his Facebook account, I try to dial it and then he answer by telling that I am the one who create some essays about national issues and exchange of “thank you” for liking my essay and calling him within 2 minutes.

I can say to him that he is a young and soft-spoken person with sincerity and conviction on what he believes in a particular issue. He is a credible politician with a positive thought about changes in the current mainstream in Philippine politics and he believes that we should fight corruption in the government. He is also a nice and humble person, a politician who believes that God is the center of politics and public service and he helps other people toward progress. There are two things that I learned from Sir JC: to stand on my own viewpoint which I am going to side in the particular issue and to have conviction in myself. Although I did not voted for him and he is my third favorite presidentiable among the ten candidates, I really appreciate him more after the elections and I encourage more to write articles and essays about national issues. Hopefully our communication still continues and someday, I will meet him in person.

THANKS SIR J.C.! GOD BLESS =D

A Chat with Wanlu: The Ventriloquist Hall of Famer in Talentadong Pinoy

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 5, 2010, 8:00 - 9:00 PM 

I experienced an unexpected chat in facebook with Wanlu, the famous puppeteer and Hall of Famer in Talentadong Pinoy. First, I said to him that he and his puppets are great in terms of entertainment. He responded by saying “thanks :)” It followed by asking him a question about the importance of humility as a secret of success and he replied that it is important but he asked me a question “what is humility?” and when I replied he said that he was only joking and he knew the meaning of it but the most important thing in success is putting God in all the things we do and being humble comes from the heart not in appearance. Suddenly, I shared my experience on the wrong impression that I am boastful (I’m just only sharing my knowledge and experience on my success) and the dream of becoming a successful gameshow contestant at my young age. Then he said that “God knows that I am not boastful and he will keep an eye for me on Who Wants to be a Millionaire.”

I learned a lot of things on this experience such as put God in our hearts and in everything we do and humility is important in different aspects of life. Thanks for this wonderful experience.

 jonathan =)

Fun Moments with the Hilarious Ventriloquist and His Puppet

Ruther Urquia and his puppet Titoy.

Ruther Urquia is a ventriloquist from Las Pinas City and one of the grand finalists in the first season of Pilipinas Got Talent. He always perform with his puppets and two of these are famous to the viewers namely Titoy, who is the funny puppet who regularly performs with Ruther in some of his shows and Lolo Teddy, the grandfather of Titoy. I can say that they are entertaining and fun to be with. Ruther is the best friend of Alakim, a grand finalist and a butterfly magician. He is one of my favorite finalists in PGT because of the entertainment value in his performances.

What can I say about Ruther? Aside from watching him on TV, I met him in Facebook as one of my friends in my personal account and I can describe him as sincere, warm-hearted, humble, jolly, friendly, supportive and godly. I cannot believe that he add me as one of his friends after he read my review about the first semi-finals performance in the Pilipinas Got Talent fan page in Facebook. I commented about his entertaining, funny, impressive and a child-friendly performance during the show. That is why I gave him a perfect 10 along with Jovit Baldovino’s rocking performance.

Suddenly, aside from adding me as one of his friends, I received a personal message from him by giving appreciation about my review on his performance. Since then, I always support him on some of his activities like his grand finals performance and his judging stint on Showtime. I gave him an advice that don’t be too nervous and enjoy performing and he did it! =)

I was never expected the next encounter with him, when he read one of my essays in Facebook about Filipino food during summer which he gave comments on my work. He said that I deserve to have a portion in a broad sheet and I have a talent in writing. I really appreciate it the most, because a famous ventriloquist in a talent search gave a comment in my essay. (It’s really a humbling experience and I encourage pursuing my writing career next to teaching)

I am thankful to Kuya Ruther because he is one of the best persons I met in Facebook. There are things that I learned from him like being friendly to the supporters, being humble and thankful to all the blessings that God gave to us. Hopefully, we will still continue our online communication and I met him in person along with his puppets. (In addition, I will hope that I will give this essay to him!)

THANKS KUYA RUTHER AND TITOY!

This blog entry is a repost from my first blog "Iskrats Porpolyo" and I would like to congratulate Mr. Ruther Urquia for his continuous success like having stints in ABS-CBN, mall shows, and being featured in Philippine Daily Inquirer June 18, 2011 issue. Thanks for greeting me in my birthday last July 13, 2011 in my Facebook account. 

A Friendly Encounter with Mr. Suplado

Stanley Chi (source: http://www.wikipedia.org)

Have you experienced to have an encounter with a "suplado" person?

"Suplado" is a Tagalog word for snobbish. And that person I'm referring to is the Filipino-Chinese writer, stand-up comedian and cartoonist Stanley Chi. He is the author of comic book series in Manila Bulletin "Chopsticks" and his latest book entitled "Suplado Tips."

I decided to add him in my Facebook for some unknown reasons. Maybe, because he's in Mike and Stanley which is a former segment in The Good Night Show with Jojo A (my favorite late night show). Then, when they made their own show entitled Front Act on SolarTV / RPN9, it was funnier than ever. When he approved my friend request, I started to send messages about his great job in delivering funny punchlines in his show and he responded.

I appreciate him more on his "Suplado Tips" which actually began as shoutout or status messages in Facebook. Because of likes and popularity, it was the best option for him to publish it as a book. I bought this book, he invited me to the book launch but I replied "Maybe" because I didn't attend due to location and money. However, when I read this book within two hours, it proves that Stanley is one of the best writers in field of humor and observational comedy. Definitely, I learned a lot from this book because it is related in real-life situations and he knows how to connect with the readers.

Therefore, Mr. Stanley Chi is not a "suplado" in Facebook. He is friendly and he is such an inspiration to aspiring writers like me. I learned two tips from him: Write the topic that I love to cover and try to do other genre after I get published. Thanks Mr. Stanley Chi for these advices which are helpful and relevant in achieving my dream as a writer. Definitely, I will look forward for his next book and I will attend his next book launch. Good luck Sir Stanley and kudos to your suplado appeal!


This blog entry is a repost from the blog "Iskrats Porpolyo" about my encounter with Stanley Chi. I would like to congratulate him for the success of his book Suplado Tips and definitely looking forward for the sequel of that book. I would like to say thanks for having one of the people in Facebook who greeted me in my birthday as well as I got the 10th place for the Suplado Blogging Contest.

The reactions given in this blog entry.

Suplado to the Glamorous Fame

Stanley Chi at The Medyo Late Nite Show with Jojo A. which  shows a glamorous impact of being a Suplado.

SUPLADO is the NEW SEXY. This is the tagline of the small pocketbook found in humor or entertainment section of bookstores nationwide. You can buy this book for P95 which looks like a typical pocketbook of jokes with brown cover. The title of the book is “Suplado Tips” by the Filipino-Chinese stand-up comedian, TV and radio host and the Maestro of All Suplados, Stanley Chi.

At first, I thought that Suplado Tips was a common humor book where only people who buy the book will laugh on it. But when I bought it a few months ago, the jokes written in the book are funny, candid and applicable in real life situations especially in dealing with annoying scenarios. I really love the book in terms of the candid and frank jokes. I made a review about the book on my Blogspot as well as the Facebook encounter with Mr. Suplado. The two things I mentioned show that the book made an impact in my life and it added in my list of favorite books of all time. 

In addition, Suplado Tips is truly a hit among readers and lovers of humor and entertainment books. Stanley Chi made a successful book launch in National Bookstore in Mandaluyong plus various radio and TV guestings such as The Medyo Late Nite Show with Jojo A. on TV5. Then this book will make a second publishing due to it was sold out in some bookstores. Also, Stanley Chi will become an endorser of Suplado Watch this August, although he got a lower number of votes in the Facebook poll but he made it as an endorser of UniSilver Time among the popular celebrities who endorse UniSilver like Iya Villania and Sam Milby. Finally, Stanley Chi will be doing another radio hosting job through Suplado Show on Dig Radio (formerly NU107).

Definitely, I am looking forward for the sequel of Suplado Tips and it is more exciting and funnier than ever! Kudos for the glamorous success and fame of being a Suplado!


This blog made it to the 10th place of Suplado Contest held by Stanley Chi. 

The Most Special Gift I Ever Received

Source: sparkpeople.com

Today is July 13. It is a very special day for me. It is my birthday. My 22nd birthday.

Since childhood, I always received different gifts from my parents, ninangs, cousins and friends. These gifts including toys, money, letters, cards and books. But this year, I received my most special gift ever in my life. It is not the typical material things I received during my birthday but it is something special for many reasons. 

I waited for this. I prayed for this. And after almost five months of waiting, finally I made it. A new opportunity in my career which helps me to have a regular job in order to help my family and myself for daily needs. I also realized that I will love this job and definitely I will learn different things about it whether it is hard or easy. 

Therefore, I passed many struggles in my life, gained different achievements and encountered different experiences from people I met, one thing never changed: the love of my family, friends and especially God. Thanks to my friends and family for the love and understanding and Lord for the wonderful gift you've given to me. I'm looking forward for new challenges, adventures and lessons waiting for me which makes me a better person.