Aldwin Catral (Team Supervisor - OIC)

I apologize that this announcement is late. Most of you already know I am now a supervisor trainee. In case I haven't told you personally, forgive me. Being a supervisor-to-be is very taxing. I haven't been able to accomplish half of what my peers are currently doing. Though Mike Montero - my Team Manager - tells me it's ok and I am excused, I don't feel I should be. But I'm getting ahead of myself. Let me start from the beginning.

At around 2pm on January 11, I got a call from my Team Manager telling me that I didn't have to go to work that day. I would go to work the next day at 6am because I would be promoted to team supervisor/OIC.

I was excited for a while and when I told my friends and family, they became excited for me. When they congratulated me, I didn't really know what to say. I have problem accepting compliments. It's not that I don't appreciate them, it's that I don't know how to react to them.

When I went to work, I got slaps on the back and handshakes. The supervisors welcomed me. It sounded like I was part of a club or something. LOL Nelissa, my former supervisor a year ago, would be my mentor for the next couple of days. It turns out though that the reason was because she would be promoted to Team Manager. I was happy for her, naturally. But I realized that I would be taking over her team. Yikes!

So, she introduced me to the team. I met all 13 of them; only 7 would remain with me. The others would be transferred to different teams to make my workload easier. It's a good thing they did too because I don't think I would have been able to handle them all.

It was an auspicious time for me to be promoted just when major changes were in the works. I can't say much but it seems that we're at a crossroad where we have to make some tough decions.

One of them turns out to be serving warnings to my direct reports for making mistakes. Four in a row usually means termination. I don't know if I'll be used to it. I understand that it's nothing personal. I try to convince myself that it's a way of letting them know that they have to do better, not punishment.

I try to make light of it, keeping up morale by cracking jokes. But I wonder if it's more for me than it is for them. I'm not used to being in charge. I'm not used to being looked up to as an expert or guide. I realize though, that I have to get to used to a lot of things now that I'm a supervisor.

Aquarius - Your Love Profile

Your positive traits:

You've got a ton of friends, so you have no problem meeting new people.

You're great at thinking up new things and actitives to do with your sweetie.

You tend to let the little things slide in relationships... and focus on the bigger picture.

Your negative traits:

In relationships, it tends to be your way or the highway.

You can never open up completely to someone - you have to keep parts of yourself secret.

You're cold and reserved, which leaves your partner feeling unloved.

Your ideal partner:

Flexible, because you're not going to be the one to compromise!

Is smart and quirky with lots of weird interests... including you.

A true indivdualist who doesn't care what anyone thinks.

Your dating style:

Stimulating. You prefer dates that explore a shared interest - like a lecture, muesum tour, or concert.

Your seduction style:

Wacky. Your wild ideas have your lover wondering what's next.

Insatiable - it takes a lot to satisfy your desires.

Varied. You're eager to try things as soon as you learn about them.

Tips for the future:

Bring a little responsibility to your relationship - like showing up for dates!

Compromise a little. It would kill you to do things your lover's way for once.

Be aware of your parnter's jealousy. Even though you aren't jealous, realize your partner is sometimes.

Best color to attract mate: Sky blue

Best day for a date: Wednesday

Da King is Dead

No, this isn't an FPJ bashing article. Nor is it an entry to glorify the King of Filipino movies. This is more of an observation of the people and events surrounding his death. His death seemed needless because it happened suddenly, while he was out of the limelight. Maybe his death woudl have served a greater purpose if it had happened in a different place and time.

For all intents and purposes, Fernando Poe Jr. was a good man. He was not a perfect man; he would probably be the last person to say so. But neither was he conceited; his fans would attest to that. But like all people, he was a victim of circumstance.

Many people think him kind and generous. I would agree with them. But I'd be kind and generous too if I were wealthy. It's easy to be giving when you have a lot to give.

Members of the political opposition say that his death was a tragedy, a loss to Philippine politics. Are they serious?! The man hasn't even held a government position! In order to lose something, it must be in your possesion in the first place.

I believe that FPJ's intentions to make life better for the Filipino people were sincere. But sincerity is not enough. Politics is a dirty game, full of manipulation and deception. The politicians who clamored to his banner saw an opportunity to hitch their wagons to a star. FPJ would have been manipulated, tricked and cajoled.

Maybe his death did serve a purpose. Maybe in bowing out now, he could divest himself from stain of politics and be remembered as he always thought himself to be: a good man.

Christmas Porn Part 2

Here are a few more comics for you to read. Truly, Christmas is the time for porn!

http://www.questionablecontent.net/view.php?comic=262 http://www.questionablecontent.net/view.php?comic=263

PS Isn't Christmas magical? ;)

Another New Addition

And here's another member of our growing family: Ralph Khristian C. Alcantara

Happy New Year!

I think that this is the first time that it has rained on New Year's Eve. I've always prayed that it would so people would stop lighting firecrackers. The world would be better off if we just fired up roman candles and fountains.

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The priest at mass made a very profound sermon. People on New Year's Eve have long believed in superstitious traditions such as wearing polka dots and serving round fruits to signify money flowing their way. People say there's nothing wrong with doing these actions. But what they fail to understand is that these are pagan traditions. Thus, they are an affront to the Catholic faith.

I wonder, though, if the priest knows that most of the traditions of the Catholic faith were pagan rituals incorporated by the newly established Church in order to gain followers.