Of Random Thoughts & Musings

I am someone who embodies the phrase: dayuhan sa sariling bayan. It’s because I’ve never really gotten the chance to tour the Philppines. My trips are concentrated in the islands of Cebu, Bohol and Mindanao. Other than those places, I have no clear picture of the beauty of the Philippines.

So on my birthday, I decided to have that Luzon trip. It was my first time in Luzon - it was my first time in the northern part of the country. Although I didn’t go to the famous Manila, I had an equally grand time in Central Luzon, namely in Pampanga, Olongapo City and Subic Bay.

What’s more interesting about the trip is the fact that I have to… Continue reading

Just like everyone else, I am called by different names. Because I feel so happy today, I will share these nicknames to you:

1. Berna - my default nickname
2. Burna - used by some of my college classmates
3. Bern - used by my elementary/high school classmates
4. Burn - just another spelling of #3
5. Burnz - my name on my volleyball jersey in college
6. Bernz - only my friend Laurice uses this spelling
7. Berns - just another version of #5, the more common version
8. Argen (baliktad of Negra) - used by ex-Bigfoot HR friends; I guess it was my friend JP who “coined this terms”
9. Lapad (as in “wide”) - used by family members; my uncle says I was so fat when… Continue reading

This morning, on my way to my 9am meeting, I hailed a cab. The bad news is, the cab smelled like vomit and it’s somewhat dirty. Surely, not the kind of cab I want to be in early in the morning.

I noticed such “state” the moment I sat down. Then I asked myself: “should I tell the driver I want to get out because his cab does not smell good?” But looking at the driver, I saw that he’s in his early fifty’s, I guess, and he has this gentleness in his face. He displays a friendly countenance that reminded me of my late grandfather.

So, as we travelled the busy street going to the office, I just covered my nose with my hankerchief and hoped that… Continue reading