Happy 60th Anniversary Landbank!

           I thought I will start and end my professional career with United Coconut Planters Bank (UCPB).  I have been with the bank for 30 memorable years that ended last February 28, 2022.

         The most memorable were the Bank Orientation Program (BOP) and Management Development Program (MDP - 36) where I stayed at Travellers Hotel to study, to mingle and to fix my ties.  We were trained to give Total Customer Satisfaction and Fly like Geese. 

         There were ups and downs. Every time I fall I get up getting encouragement from my peers.

          I first heard of the merger of Landbank and UCPB from Marites and later from our Region Head.  It will result  to making Landbank number one in terms of assets.  We were assured by management that our benefits will be received at the start of the merger - March 1, 2022 which materialized!

           It was a challenge to be a Landbanker.   For one, you must be eligible - by passing the Civil Service Exam, by being a cum laude (at least) or a PRC Board Passer.  Fortunately for me, I was FORCED by Mama to take the Sub Professional Exam when I was 2nd Year in college and Professional Exam when I was 3rd year in college.  Second, I have to pass the Landbank exam which for me was very difficult!  I thought it was all!   Later I  was told that I will be interviewed by the Landbank’s Group Head.   She likened the merger of Landbank and UCPB  a "marriage" to which I answered “I DO”.

           It was a year ago since then. Today the sun is shining so bright! I can see light of which I will be a part and will surely stop @60.

 #LANDBANK@60

Welcome to our family Yuki!

 

               

               It is nice to have animals at home!  It gave me an unexplainable feeling.  

               I can vividly remember when we don't have one.  Amor, my wife was against having a cat or a dog.  So it was a surprise that one time there was a dog in our door step.  He was "Pochie", an ugly cute pug which my wife brought from Batangas.  

              We have lots of dogs at one time - Whitey (Askal),  Chuchay (Japanese Spitz) and Pochie.  I was close to Whitey and Pochie.  Pochie was mabantot!  Ha ha ha.   While Whitey was all joy every time  she sees me.  

              I loved giving simultaneous bath to both Pochie and Chuchay.   I used to put them on our marble table. While Whitey has all the time in the world to take a bath and the TLC from his Dad Noel.

              It might be an animal instinct that a Pug wanted to make "love" with Whitey.  However, he was not successful in many, if not all, occasions because of the difference in size.

              My endearing love for Pochie physically stopped when he suffered a tragic accident. I can't count how many tears that flowed from my eyes.  I truly love him until now!

              I have not seen my sweet Whitey for quite sometime.  She was so sweet that I was afraid that she might scratch my legs every time we meet.   Though I was there, I don't come close to her.  But I can hear her voice as if saying Daddy come to me and give me a bath and your TLC. I observed though that she bloated in size suddenly yet she remained a royal guard to our house.   Then unusual heat suddenly stroke our city.   We let her roam in our palace.   I worked afar from our home.  I don't know but I was restless that time that I  decided to go home unscheduled.  I arrived late at night  only to find that my dear Whitey is lying on the  ground.  I stared at her and she stared back.   I wake up early in the morning.  She is gone as if she just waited to see me to say "Daddy you are here please give me your usual TLC".  Indeed she just waited for me.  Kuya Billy told me that Whitey's jaw might be locked because of the heat so she can't swallow the pill and water.

             Today's arrival of Yuki brought excitement to me!  Though I was and still am afraid to be licked by the dogs because of what was featured in Tiktok, I think the happiness brought by having her outweighs all the risks.

             Yuki welcome to the family and take care of your sister Chuchay!

               

CONFUSED!!!

                I have lots of things going on in my mind right now - branch, family, chess, travel to Malaysia, youtube channel,  etc...  I was and still  am so confused but excited.  Added to my confusion is an activity which was not explained to me very well and kept me guessing up to the very end.  

               Why should I be put in a scenario where I can destroy a dream, a person or maybe an institution if I made a wrong decision?

               Hope tomorrow I can discern things.  It is always hard when people and emotions are involved in decision making specially if it is half-baked.

BCBP 21st Anniversary

                 It is always a pleasure attending our 21st Anniversary of BCBP in San Jose, Occidental Mindoro.  Although, I am from BCBP Batangas, I was adopted by San Jose Chapter!

                 Way to go BCBP San Jose!

Tama Ako Malaysia!

                        For the second time, I with my twin brother Joselito, went to Malaysia upon invitation of GM Nelson Mariano II of Asean Chess.

                        We met our friends from the Philippines we don't normally see,

              

                         It was fun!

BCBP Outreach Program In Purnaga

                           This is the first time I joined this noble endeavor of BCBP San Jose Chapter.  Good thing I was invited by Sister Cherry Madriaga.

                           It is nice seeing the school teachers, BCBP members and beneficiaries with IPs,

BCBP Outreach Program Salubong

 

                          Wow! 

                          There was a Drum and Bugle Corps!  I still remember when I was young I was part of it.  I was assigned to the trumpet and big drum.

                          I must admit that I joined the band for extra curricular activities purposes.  To have a high honor in class you have to have high grades and a lot of extra curricular activities.

                          

BCBP Outreach Program

 

                              It is noble to help the needy always.  This time I was invited by Sister Cherry Madriaga who assisted me on how I can be with the group.

                              It is a wonderful feeling to be the the BCBP San Jose Chapter.

Happy Birthday to Me!

                        I was so surprised! 

                        Of course I know I will be given a cake but I played along. It was fun!

Unbpxing of Iphone 14 Pro max

 

                   I finally got my Iphone 14 Promax!  (two years to pay ha ha ha/)

                   Though my phone is updated everytime I renewed my line with Smart, this is the first time that I can call mine.  All my phone goes to my children.

                   I can find any difference though.  I am contented with any cellphone as long it has a thick font.

                   Thanks anyways!

Lato Lato Challenge

 

                        I never thought playing Lato lato was a challenge until I tried it.  It was not easy after all.  Like chess you need focus!  Like a wife it is noisy! 

Kababoy ng Kaibigan Ko!

                                Wow!

                                Glad to see may big pigs!

                                I remembered my days when I have a pig being taken care off,  I was in high school then,  I cooked for my pet.  I cut into pieces "gabe" and papaya.  Then I bath her every day!         

Dutch Fun Farm

 

                        Never thought that I will see a place like this more so in Mapaya, San Jose, Occidental Mindoro.  We went for meeting then eating and the we accidentally went in this beautiful place.  It is also nice to see Philippine Flag adjacent the  foreign flag.

Dutch Fun Farm (Part 2)

 

                  Awesome view here.  We accidentally went there from my office mate's house.  We ordered pizza and spaghetti.  It is a nice feeling to visit a place unexpected and be satisfied!

Dutch Fun Farm (Part 3)

 

                    It feels your to be there.  I must admit that my heart and mind enjoyed upon seeing the place.  Philippines need to have more of this,  So little but so beautiful!  Instagramable.

Land Preparation for Palay

 

                           We pass by a land that was being prepared for palay planting.  Occidental Mindoro turned out to be a rice granary of the coutry.  In fact, I was told by an NFA manager that our production of Central Luzon.

Outing, Meeting, Eating

 

                        It is just amazing that after pandemic we finally went for a meeting and eating.  I tried to help in my own little way.

Robinsons Supermarket SJOM

 

                 Let's go let's go!

                 Finally there is Robinson Mall in San Jose.  Although there are "supermarkets" other than Robinsons, it's arrival to the town bring hope to the mothers in particular to buy groceries in a wide array of displays.

                 Heard that the goods are pricy(?) but that is another question.

Robinsons Supermarket (Food Court)

 

Batangas City International Airport

 

                         Wow!

                         It is simply breath taking to see  a Port as beautiful as the Batangas City International Port,  When we were young, it was not that beautiful if I may say.

Montenegro Fastcraft - City of Roxas

 

                      I was aboard a Montengero vessel when I sa this fast craft from Batangas City to I was told by the crew, to Puerto /Galera.

                      I am excited to be on board the craft soon. 

Upper Deck View of Montenegro Santa Soledad

                 First time to be in the view deck of a ship. Aboard Montenegro Santa Soledad. Had all the time to roam the upper deck.

Overtaking 2GO Ship

 

                       2Go is no match against Sta Soledad.  He he he.  Perhaps it is to big that it was left by Santa Soledad!

Car Deck of Montenegro Santa Soledad

 

Monte Maria View from the Ship

                           Lo and behold!

                           Monte Maria View from Santa Soledad,

Boarding Montenegro Santa Solidad

 

On Board Ceres Bus

 

                     Let's go!  

                     Board Ceres now and let's go to Manila from San Jose vice versa.  It has CR and charges so unli charge and unli wewe,  

Nagkabiglaan Sa Mapaya

 

                   We will have a meeting anytime and we were told that there is no work the next day due to typhoon. so we decided to instead of worrying we went to our office mate's farm and enjoy.

Bansud 64th Founding Anniversary Chess Tournament

 

                               Chess chess chess and more chess!

                               Our club OMCA decided to join the Bansud 64th Founding Anniversary Chess Tournament.  We fielded the champions from our clubs tournament so we are expecting a good showing against the Orientals.  

                               Found out that Bandoy just had a 4 hour slip while Rogas has 3.  In the end only me - 3rd placer, Adamah - Top Junior and Sophia - 3rd top Lady made a good showing!

Outing in Puerto Galera

                      Yey!

                      Gone again to Puerto Galera with Sir Renz and this lovely ladies.  We had so much fun swimming, snorkling, eating etc... We even had tatoo's, artificial of course, much to our liking.

                        

                     We were able to travel because we have got funds from our auto incentives.   

Baluarte Resort

                    Amazing!

                   We went there as side trip from Batang Pinoy event.  I was the coach of chess and before we go back home we went to this very majestic place.

Where to Galera?

 

                               Enjoy! Enjoy!

                           We went to Puerto Galera and Calapan City for our branch outing courtesy of Mam Susan Enriquez (the better version)!

                        We rented a van from San Jose to Puerto Galera vice versa, not without stopping to Jolly Waves of Calapan City.

                          Stayed overnight in a two room "hotel" in White Beach where we had so much bonding. We are around 10. Remembered that Shiela and Lyra were preggy but nevertheless, they  joined.  

                           There we planned everthing what we will do.

WHITE BEACH:- The night is young and so are we! I had so much fun with the gang!  I must admit

                               it's been many a year ago when I made gimiks with mellenials.  I was not yet a boss

                               then.  It is different this time as I have to monitor everyone if everybody is ok. We

                               witness a fire dance where a guy proposed marriage.  We were giggling "what if

                               the girl rejected the proposal."  It will be a shame but that was a risk the guy will 

                              take if he love the girl.  It seemed that they live happily ever after.  Late at  night I                                    pretended that I was drunk already so we can go to our place without showing 

                              them that I am a killjoy.  

                           

PONDEROSA   -  Simply Majestic!  Been there in year 2000 when we had a break in our Management 

                              Development Program (MDP).  I was  with my wife and Robert, my office mate

                              from Mindanao.  We fell in love with Ponderosa! There is no way that my staff  will

                              not see it given a chance.

INFINITY RESORT - The most expensive resort in Mindoro with a P40K a night in a cottage,  Of 

                              course we just went there for photo ops.  Infinity Resort is owned by the Morillo's

                              and upon knowing that we will go to Puerto Galera, I immediately called Tita 

                              Malou (former  UCPB Senior Teller and now the Mayor of Calapan City) if I can 

                              go there with my staff so I can show it to them.  We were all happy.

JOLLY WAVES - Jolly jolly jolly waves,  I must admit that the tickets to go inside was insane but 

                             who cares.   I am afraid of heights and I can't imagine biking in heaven about 100

                             meters long.  Yey I conquered my fear! 

BACK TO SAN JOSE - Like a song which has an ending, we went bank to San Jose with heavy but

                             happy and sattisfied hearts.    Thank you very much Mam Susan!  Sa uulitin.

  

The Amazing Puerto Galera

                    

                    Ponderosa is heaven on earth!

                    Have been there in 2000 on the break of UCPB's  Management Development Program.  Me, my wife and Robert Costales from UCPB Mindanao went there.

                    Never imagined that there is a place called Ponderosa.   

               

The Majestic Infinity Resort

 

The Magnificent Jolly Waves

 

4th OMCA Rapid Chess Tournament

 

                      Chess is fun!

                      On our 4th OMCA Rapid Chess Tournament we had so much fun.  Participated by players from Oriental and Occidental Mindoro.

                      This will be our journey for greatness.

    

Infinity Farm (Part 1)

 

                    We had family reunion at Infinity Farm. It is nice to be with family.   

Infinity FArm (Part 2)

 

                      Wow!

                      It is nice to see a view from afar.  

Infinity Farm (Part 3)

               What a feeling to have an outing with family.  It is fun to be with nature.

UP Botanical Garden

 

                       "I think that I shall never see..." were the words utted by a poet.  Fortunately, there are lots of trees at UPLB. Botanical Garden.

BCBP 43rd Anniversary Celebration

 

                       Mankind should not focus only on their physical and mental needs.  We should give more time on our spiritual needs. Joining BCBP completed me.                             

BCBP 43rd NAC (Praising)

 

                         Praise God in the highest!

Antique Tourism Building

                      Wow!

                      It is amazing to see a building like this.

Sira-an Hot Spring

 

              On our way to Iloilo for 43rd BCBP NAC Anniversary, we notice an intriguing place near the sea. Sira-an Hot Spring.  What? Hot Spring near the sea?

              We immediately get out of our van and went to the place and voila!

Antique Provincial Capitol

 

                      It is awesome to be in Antique. Nice place and full of history.

                       

Fastcat (Bulalacao to Caticlan V.V.)

 

                It is always a pleasure to ride on Fastcat.  Normally do it in Calapan to Batangas Pier or Batangas to Calapan City Pier.  This time the route is Bulalacao to Caticlan but the same aura.  

Handy @ San Jose

 

                   My office mates invited me to go to Handyman after work and I obliged,  Observing the details of the items and I was impressed.

BCBP NAC 43 @ ILOILO

 

Infinity Farm

                   It is awesome to see animals in a Infinity Farm,  It is realy nature,  I thought I will only see the unlimited water from the mountains but here comes the giant snake,