the secret code of amsterdam bikers

a lighter topic: on some biking nuances of the dutch.

biking is a way of life here in amsterdam -- highest bike populated country next to China, I hear. biking is as normal as walking or breathing or eating potatoes. people take it for granted. people also take it. period. especially when it's really purty. next thing you know some guy is hawking your bike at the dark corners (wanna bike? wanna bike?).

but, i have to say, i'm also really impressed at how the people here bike and 'watch out for each other'.

episode 1: bram & i were biking in the middle of the night, without any bike lights! -- which is punishable by 50euros here in Holland -- the amount, when converted, could treat my whole family to a feast out (as i often like to compare). anyway, as we were biking along a main road, the bikers driving on the other lane gallantly warned us that the police were up the street checking on those without bike lights. and so we turned around and happily veered criminally in other streets (not to be role modeled of course). We were saved a hefty amount of 100euros because of the kindness of other bikers.

episode 2: i had just come into our 2nd floor apartment and defrosted myself by the kitchen window, noticing that my bike was down the street with its brand new red detachable light still on (i had at this point bought a light). with laziness winning over, i resigned myself to thinking that someone would inevitably steal it. the next morning, ta da!, not only was the red light still there, but it had also been turned off and tucked into my bike bag for safekeeping.

i've seen my good friend marijn do that often, too -- turn off the bike lights when they've been left on. kinda sweet. she says it's the communal idea of wanting to save money.

good deed, indeedy.

a tribute to astrid -- continuing my good deeds for dreams

Summary background: Three years ago, June 2006, I embarked on a "Dream & Deed" quest to find 100 people who would donate 300 pesos (est. 5EUR) to help me pay for my flight ticket to the Netherlands -- to attend an MA in Development Studies (among other things). In exchange for the donation, I would fulfill a good deed on their behalf... and blog about it (hence, the creation of this very blog). It was a wonderful experience, as some people's requests had to do with helping them with their own dreams as well. And so,... it was an honor as well to do good deeds. In January 2008, I graduated from my Masters and ended my round of good deeds.

Here I am now in Holland, working for a children's INGO that promotes Child Social & Financial Education -- with one of the goals to help children learn about setting up social & financial enterprises (www.aflatoun.org). And honestly, I find it quite poetic seeing as I was able to fund my flight to come here on the enterprise idea of this website.

I am very very grateful to all those who were part of this.

I am also thankful to Astrid -- who gave me the idea of this website to begin with. We were colleagues at that time, and one afternoon I frustratingly angsted that, after being in so much debt already to pay for the tuition fee, I couldn't muster enough money for the flight. She came up with this dreams and deeds website idea. Hence, my first blog entry ever was for her -- introducing her as my first and longest standing cheerleader. Without her, I wouldn't have the amazing experience of this project. I am eternally grateful to her.

Astrid passed away last August 23, 2009, at the age of 30. It was a big shock to all. Having lupus, she died from kidney complications.

It was frustrating to be far away. As I revisited all our emails, chats and communication, I came upon this blog again... and quite guiltily realized how I had just simply stopped it. Sigh. I think it's time to start it again.

And I'm guessing that if you're reading this now, you are either family or friend...you must have been a part of this project... so please allow me to share my letter to Astrid with you... the one who started it all.



Mahal kong kaibigan, mahal kong astrid,

Nung isang araw lang napaniginipan kita. Nag-roroller blade ka sa isang sosi na lugar at binalaan kitang wag mag-roller blade dahil delikado. Kahit sa panaginip makulit ka. Tulad nang madalas mong status sa gchat “invulnerable”. Nang magkita tayo sa gchat… ang reaksyon mo, “ok lang, hindi ako marunong mag-roller blade”. Kulit.

It goes without saying, that I will miss you terribly. I will miss you unbearably. Even though I had known you for 17 years now, I guess it was in the past 4 years that we really met each other, knew each other, and yes, loved each other. As we both watched “our KNN kids” grow, endeavor, struggle, cry, laugh and live… so did we grow, endeavor, struggle, cry, laugh and live with each other, for each other.

Through both our breakups, our job switches, our studying in Holland, you always ALWAYS rooted for me, for us.

You gave me the wonderful idea to do the “dreams and deeds” project, you found other sponsors for me… you were my first and longest cheerleader in just going for it. Through my research, you helped get me the books, and you sent them with matching Lucky Me pancit canton & boy bawang… for extra moral support. Salamat mamu.

For the past years, without fail, you included me in your thoughts and travels… through your postcards, through your postmailed children’s book, our constant pangangamustas, kahit na saglit lang sa chat. And I am so sure that you showed just as much, if not more, devotion to other people who were lucky to have you as their friend.

In your lowest lows, you still had enough strength to look at the bright side, to see how a death of love can be the opportunity for a new one. And to see how an illness does not necessarily have to be a hindrance to a life that can be lived to the fullest.

I owe so much to you…. I dreamed so many dreams with you.

With my human sight, I feel that it’s unfair that you were taken from us so soon. I take comfort in knowing, in believing that you are home now… probably making a running mataray commentary of how we are living our lives now. But you will always be around, I know. When I meet with mamu Faye, it would be impossible to not feel you with us. When I visit the Saturays, we will feel as if every pancit canton or boy bawang pasalubong came from you. With each UPIS chat or salu salo with Jeggs, Delia, Celia or Nicolle, we’ll continue our connect-the-dots stories of when one of us had just talked to you. When I see our KNN anaks,… hmm, well, I will feel that we will do our usual tag team of helping them see how wonderful they are. Yun nga lang, the truth of your death does hit me in ebbs and tides. And without you, how can I comfort them when I find it hard to console myself?

What else can be said Astrid? Salamat? Mamimiss kita. Mahal kita. Salamat.

Paalam…? Ika nga ni Celia, kita kits,
Aloy

Why Pinoys would love the Irish... or Ireland

... So I was chatting with Ets today, and she told me how her Irish boss is the funniest bugger she's ever met. Enter the next inspiration for my next blog topic... for some reason, Pinoys in general (okay, okay, Me, Ets and Girlie are the only ones I know so far), like the Irish. Personally, this is why I love the Irish, and Ireland (based on our PPSD study trip last September 2007)

1. The Irish humour matches Pinoy humour. It is the irreverent, make-fun-of-everything-including-yourself-and-the-fact-that-you're-family-is-dirt-poor and oh-yes-it's-raining-again... kind of humour. Most of the Irish people that we met are also great storytellers. Our tour guides in every gig that we joined were such masterful and funny weavers of tales that I really did find myself fascinated with Irish history, the oppression of the British, the rule of Catholicism and the fact that the library in Trinity was used as backdrop for the Harry Potter and Star Wars movies.

2. Catholicism with a twist. Our celtic tour showed us how the great ancient (feminine) celtic tradition was merged with Catholicism in Ireland. As the early Celts were such devout followers of their faith, the Catholic converters could only package Catholicism in such a way that was adaptable to the Celtic faith. Hence the Holy cross in Ireland is symbolized by the cross (Catholicism) with a circle (sun-worship).

3. Irish people love drinking, singing and making music. Even better than the pinoy's videoke nights, the typical Irish bar almost always comes with a group of musicians who play wonderful music. After all, this is the land where U2 and the Corrs come from. We were fortunate enough to live right at the night-life district where famous bars adorned the streets (and unfortunately, drunken men would be singing "twinkle twinkle little star" below our window at 2am). But it was quite a happening place, and it gave us a good feel of the partying affluence of Dublin. This picture of Isabelle and Tania nicely captures the feel of how I remember the Temple Bar area.

4. The Irish remember their culture and history. This is something that I really admired about the Irish-- their strong sense of history that drives them to do better. All around Dublin you see these random statues commemorating different milestones in Ireland, from the Potato Famine of the 18th century to the hit song Molly Malone (selling cockles and mussels!). I think that it's because they remember how they were once "the poorest among the rich", that they are driven to become what is now one of the fastest growing economies of the world.

5. Ireland is beautiful! People often say it's like Batanes. Have you watched P.S. I love you? Don't you want to just marry an irishman after that? (of course, after marrying a dutch man.. hehe). The rolling hills is just breathtaking. It does make you want to sing, make music or drink Guinness... Personally, i felt soothed.

happiness is having a brother called Jorick...

... who was my childhood nemesis because he tortured my dolls by hanging them from our ceiling fan (that's traumatizing to a 5-year old)

... who ended up being one of my fave buddies in highschool (since we eventually ended up in the same grade level and barkada --- people for a while thought we were fraternal twins.... i would say he failed a year... in truth, his original school had a grade 7 where mine was only up to grade 6... i do believe ateneo only wants to hijack parents for another year of tuition, but i digress...)

... who ended up being more than a buddy, but a beloved brother --- when life threw curveballs at my face, he was there to take a swing at it (whether it be people who had hurt me, or jobs that had just sucked the living daylights out of me)

... who helped me get by when i had my I'm-an-NGO-worker-and-I-don't-have-money dry spells (which was for most of my working life in the Philippines)

... who is still only one yahoo messenger away, and I know I can drop in for a "hey pangit" - "hey taba" diatribe when I miss home

...who has Helen, one of the coolest sister-in-laws ever!

Happy Birthday Dick!!!

happiness is having a brother called Kiko...

... who, when we were little, unembarassingly played with me, his little sister, with the whole range of toys that we had -- cabbage patch kids, teddy bears, transformers, gi joe... etc.

... who even composed songs with me as we played with our toys... "sweets for my sweets, sugar for my mommy, compared to my daddy, i'm two feet tall!!"

... who comes to my rescue during IT crises, and lets me use the computer, and nag him into helping me find software programs that I need (wansapanataym, i left my mp3 player recording and i recorded my voice really whining at kiko to let me watch someting on the computer)

... who makes me laugh with his humor that is more on the witty-comicky side, calvin & hobbes weird side

... who makes burping fun, and farting hilarious! hahaha.

... who cooks a mean meal, from pasta to lucky me instant pancit canton... and willingly (though sometimes half-heartedly) letting me eat some of it (with thanks to che for convincing him to share, hehe)

... who bears with me and all the crap that i put him through... like having friends smoke under his window, buying feminie thingies from the sari-sari store

... who, in his own way, has been there for me and shown his support during trying times... like going to mass and just being together in silence or sharing the latest TV shows that I can be obsessed with

HAPPY BIRTHDAY kyx!!!

Aflatoun's "Royal" Campaign Launch

Drumrolls please... the Aflatoun Campaign Launch has been delivered! Her Royal Highness, Princess Maxima, graced the event. There she is with my boss, Jeroo Billimoria... and our cool Aflatoun letters at the back (I want to bring them home and make them throwpillows).

Wild three days! We were able to bring together about 50+ partners from about 40+ countries, along with various stakeholders to launch our campaign for Child Social & Financial Education. Wonderful wonderful partners!

Stories and pics to follow if I can muster the energy for it... but for now I will slowly float back into my life of normalcy.

campaign launch stress

gearing up for our big Campaign Launch on March 17-19. Big event. Big wigs attending. Princess Maxima as well. Must remember not to make a total fool of myself.

I remember, right before some big important event, when I would get all nervous... I would sms friends asking them to text back something reassuring. They always sms'd back... and I was comforted more by the realization that I am blessed to have such wonderful people as friends.

the BIGGEST THANK YOU ever to all fellow dreamers!

It' s finally happened!! I have graduated with an MA and fulfilled one of my dreams!!

In June 22, 2006, I made a call out to family, friends and to everyone else in the world to help fund my endeavor to get to the Institute of Social Studies in the Hague, the Netherlands. For a donation of P300 to help my dream, I would do a good deed in their name and post it in this blog.

By September 2006, I received enough money to buy my plane ticket and begin my academic adventure.

Fifteen months later, last December 14 specifically, I graduated with an MA in Development Studies (Major in Population, Poverty and Social Development; Minor in Gender Studies, bow) AND with overall merit! I say that with pride as I know that I have achieved that only with the help of so many people who helped me get here in the first place.

Kung may acknowledgement page ang libro, ito na yun para sa akin. Kung may pagkakataon mang mag-speech sa graduation ceremony, binati ko na kayo isa-isa. Thanks to all of you!!

1. Auntie Florence
2. Auntie Geline
3. Auntie Nor
4. Auntie Boots and Uncle Lenn
5. Joseph & Aimee Santos-Lyons - with very special thanks for extending the call to her network
6. Ana Sevilla
7. Analy Mangalindan (RIP) - wherever you are... salamat.
8. Angel Balagtas-Suero
9. Astrid Tobias - special thanks for being my number one supporter on the dreams and deeds things!!
10. Ato Villasenor
11. Carlota Pineda & Richard Rescate
12. Carina Evangelista
13. Carol (friend of Aimee)
14. Cary Ryan Reyes
15. Celia Sevilla
16. Daisy Carinan
17. Ditsi Carolina
18. Detremier Villones
19. Dondon Farrales
20. Earnest Mangalubnan-Zabala
21. Elnora Ebillo
22. Elaine Penaflorida
23. Elaine Sevilla
24. Faye and Alfa
25. Jane (UPSCA)
26. J-anne Areola
27. Jay Banzagales
28. Jasmin Dacio
29. Karen Cruz
30. KNN (Hanna, Angelo, Danz… oh my, who else… anonymous kuno kasi ang pagbigay)
31. Laarni Salanga
32. Melanie “Lala” Ruiz
33. Lene (UPSCA)
34. Erlinda “Leng” Derecho
35. Marj Villa
36. Martina Miranda
37. Mavreen Tan
38. Maya Alcantara
39. Imee Alcantara
40. Merci Ferrer
41. Miko Lopez
42. Melissa Goebel
43. Denise & Neil Bascos
44. Myra Manialong
45. Nicolle Comafay
46. Hermrei Ong
47. Peng
48. Roderick Manalo
49. Sunshine delos Reyes
50. Suzette (friend of Aimee)
51. Tata (friend of Aimee)
52. Te (arlene) Calleja
53. Tess Miranda
54. Tin Macatulad
55. Vida Aenlle
56. Vir Lontoc

Huge thanks to Mama, Papa, Gert and Auntie Yeng!

At the moment, I am now working in an INGO called Aflatoun Child Savings International. We aim to promote Child Social & Financial Education, which means empowering children by teaching them about rights and responsibilities, as well as financial literacy.

Once again, thank you. And may we all continue to dream so long as there are others out there who are willing to dream with us.