My Adventures

Oxford defines an adventure as an unusual and exciting, typically hazardous, experience or activity.  To me, it is an experience you don't normally do or get as you live your life. It is something you don't get to experience everyday because of lack of time, opportunity, and money. :P

"I'll look back on this and smile because it was life and I decided to live it."

The Edge Coaster

 

Nina and I took the Edge Coaster ride in July 2010, during our first (and only) vacation since the time we left for US in 2005. Quite not a scary thing to do by just looking at the pictures above.  But get to experience it and you will see how scary it is looking at the bottom of the ground from where you are sitting.

Edge Coaster goes around the edge of Crown Regency Hotel and Towers while riders are locked onto a rail set.  High above at the 38th floor of the tower, riders can indulge in a breathtaking panorama of the entire Cebu landscape 130.84 meters above ground.  Riders are fastened in a two-seat platform with a control lever that can tilt the platform down up to 55 degrees.  source:  http://www.skyexperienceadventure.com

On the Snow

 

This picture was taken in January or February 2009. I'm just but proud to say that this is such an adventure as not all get to experience literally lying on (or embracing) the snow.  I think this is more thrilling than the current Ice Bucket Challenge.  Haha.

Water Rafting

 

Water rafting is the sport of travelling on rivers and streams by raft.  source:  http://dictionary.com

I had experienced water rafting and rock climbing just once.  I had these activities sometime in 2009 in North Carolina (NC). I remembered we drove about 12 hours straight from New Jersey to NC (with only restroom breaks along the way).  

Rock Climbing

 

Rock climbing is the sport or pastime of scaling rock masses on mountain sides (especially with the help of ropes and special equipment. source: http://www.thefreedictionary.com

Wakeboarding

 

Wakeboarding is the sport of riding on a short, wide board resembling a surfboard and performing a acrobatic maneuvers while being towed behind a motorboat. source: http://www.oxforddictionaries.com

There was no motorboat involved in this experience though. I tried wakeboarding, rappelling and the tyrolean traverse at the Danasan Eco Adventure Park in Danao City, Cebu early this month.  See my article on A Day Tour at Danasan Eco Adventure Park. 

Rappelling

 

Rappelling is defined as a descent of a vertical surface, as a cliff or wall, by sliding down a belayed rope that is passed under one thing and over the opposite shoulder or through a device that provides friction, typically while facing the surface and performing a series of short backward leaps to control the descent. source: http://www.thefreedictionary.com

Tyrolean Traverse

 

The Tyrol involves using a fixed line to cross from one point to another, often over water. While wearing a harness, you clip onto the rope or cable to pull yourself across.  Tyrol was developed in the Dolomites of the former Tyrol region and was used to approach and descend from spires. source: http://www.climbing.com

What About Me?

Among my 4 kids, Kay is the most expressive.  She speaks her mind. She corrects you when you're wrong and she continues to explain until she gets her point across.  

While watching tv, the wife approached me and handed me a piece of paper. It was a note written by Kay expressing her thoughts and how she felt this morning.  Kay placed the note inside the drawer where the wife usually keeps her valuables.  She's witty enough to know where to strategically place the paper. :)

Tell me what you think about the note. :P

WTeam Experienced Associates

As of this writing, they are my experienced associates. But officially, they will be assuming the role of a senior associate effective September 1, 2014. The promotion was announced in the firm's 4th anniversary celebration held last June 27 in Jasmine Ballroom of Fontana Leisure Park & Casino. Congratulations again teammates!

I'm not going to write about how good these guys are in terms of accounting, audit, tax and other technical stuff. I'll share a little of what I know of their personal lives. 


Charles Nar Dominic Bote

Charles is commonly called by his colleagues and friends in the office as "Bote" (and it actually evolved into "Bote Uy").  He is a graduate of San Beda College. He is currently the bf of the equally good-looking gal, Andrea. They have been together for about 5 years (not considering the cool-off or break-up periods). There was a time when he got lost in an island but was able to successfully return. 

Charles is not into confrontations nor sharing personal matters with friends, colleagues and family. I think he's not alone as I also am not used to sharing personal matters with my parents. 



Eric Fernandez


Eric is the second among a brood of four.  He is from Legaspi, Albay and graduated from Divine Word College - Legaspi. Aside from his father, Eric is the only member of the family who is working. He regularly sends allowance to her mother for expenses and for his younger brothers' school fees. 

Although he currently doesn't have a gf (at least to my knowledge :p), Eric has a lot of admirers. Within the office and at his clients, I know of people who like him. 



Rjeelyn Tolentino


Rjeelyn, the only "thorn among the roses", graduated from the University of Sto. Tomas. She is the most sought-after singer in our team.  In every major firm occasion, she doesn't fail to amuse us.

Click this link -> The Talented Rjeelyn to know more about her and her performances.

Just very recently, she broke up with her bf of 2 years. Not sure though if it's serious since she did the break-up through viber. 


John Carlo Dueñas


Carlo is a magna cum laude graduate of Far Eastern University. He almost made it to the list of top 10 CPA Board passers (ranking 11th I believe) in his batch. Carlo is currently not available to date. He has just committed himself to a beautiful, intelligent, and long-time friend. Their first anniversary will be on June 28 next year. :) 






Lester Hernandez

Lester graduated cum laude from Technology Institute of the Philippines. He is the bf of one of the firm's topnotch hires. Among the five experienced associates, it's Lester whom I know least about. We barely hang out nor talk that much when we are in the office. Blame it to the circumstances. :P 

"Understanding is deeper than knowledge, there are many people who know us, but only a few understand us."

A Day Tour at Danasan Eco Adventure Park

August 6, 2014 was a special non-working holiday in Cebu Province in celebration of its 445th foundation anniversary.  It was on the same day when I, together with five of my teammates from our Cebu office, went to Danasan Eco Adventure Park (Ecopark).  It was a day full of fun and memories and of course body pains the day after. :P

The Ecopark is located in barangay Danasan of Danao City (a couple of hours from Cebu City).  It has three caves, a waterfall, fresh water springs, and a man-made lake.  For more details, you may visit its website -> http://www.danasanecoadventure.com.

A day tour is not enough for everyone to experience what the Ecopark can offer.  We had a few of the activities on that day from 9 am to 6 pm but still not enough.  I will definitely return. Enjoy the pictures below. :)

Wakeboarding

   

 

      

  

ATV Trailing

Trekking, Rappelling and Tyrolean

  

  

  

Honor Among Thieves

"Nowadays there's no honor, only drama. Your friend today can be your enemy tomorrow."

I had a meeting with a client last Saturday who happened to be a prominent figure (PF). Towards the end of our meeting, we began talking about people in politics. The discussion actually started with the cost of the 3-floor building they constructed and/or renovated. PF, after doing some calculations, said "O, di pala overpriced ang building ni Binay e", which brought laughter to the whole conference room. His wife (HW) joined in by saying " There should be honor among thieves." "Among Bong, Jinggoy and JPE, Jinggoy is the lesser evil as he admitted (or at least did not deny) that he knew the Napoleses. Unlike the other two who vehemently denied having ties with them." I was amused by her wit but what amused me more was the response from PF.  He simply said "Yeah, there should be honor among thieves.  But they need to eliminate competition."  

PF's words hit me. Coming from a politician himself, there is really some truth to what people are saying - what's happening between the Binays and the Cayetanos is politically motivated. :P  

CFO vs Controller

Let's admit it. We sometimes get confused of what really the roles are of a CFO and a Controller.  I've been to a number of clients with different accounting organizational chart. There are those with a Controller but no CFO; those with a CFO and no Controller; and also those with both positions. At first, I thought the difference is only in the titles.

I came across an article posted in LinkedIn earlier this morning that talks about the difference between a CFO and a Controller.  Mr. Duane Tolan, the author, made a very clear distinction between the two positions.  Here's how he describes the difference:

"If a business were a car then the business owner would be the driver ... and as the car travels down the highway at 60 mph, the controller function is like the rear view mirror showing the driver where he has been. The CFO function is like the windshield and headlights, showing the driver where he is going and helping him to prepare to turn, slow down, speed up, etc. The purpose of the controller is to produce timely and accurate monthly financial statements. The purpose of the CFO is to help prepare and execute the strategic financial plan." 

Hope Mr. Tolan's description helps.  So which role would you like to take once you leave the public accounting practice?  :)

WTeam New Associates Batch 2013

The clustering system in our firm took effect in 2013. With this system, I have to build, manage and train my own people who will be servicing my client portfolio. The number of new staff allocated to my cluster was originally 6. But when a staff took an extended leave, I had to get another one.  So I had 7 new associates for batch 2013.

Let me introduce my 7 new associates. 

1. Danica - a.k.a. Dada, Danica graduated cum laude from Wesleyan University. In her barely one year of stay with the firm, she has been consistent.  She's been consistently showing her shy self ( at least to me. :p ). Among the 7 of them, she is the more reserved and silent.  She may not be as nosy as her batchmates, she possesses a talent not all are blessed with.  She has this golden voice that helps her sing beautifully.
   
2. Mary Rose - MR graduated magna cum laude from Mapua Institute of Technology - Makati. She may be the smallest in her batch but she is, however, the most talkative, loudest, inquisitive and above all the most confident. She is confident when it comes to work but she has an oozing confidence when it comes to singing. I'll be posting a couple of videos of her in action so watch out. :p
   
3. Ian - Ian also graduated cum laude from University of the East - Manila. At first, you would say that he is a quiet and serious guy. But when you get to know him more, you will find a friend in him.  He is one of those people I know when they talk, they make sense. And another thing, Ian is the clown in the Cluster.  His laughter radiates to all his teammates whenever he laughs. A good trait, isn't it? And one more, he also sings.
   
   
   

Vanity

Vanity is described by Dictionary as an excessive pride in one's appearance, qualities, abilities, achievements, etc.; it's a character or quality of being vain; it's conceit. However, this article is not about me or someone being vain. This is about a memorable place and time.

I'm not quite sure of the date but it's one of the Saturdays of May this year when we went to this place in Quezon City.  It was Christian (I think) who made it happen the first time......and the second time......and the third time. Haha. But I was not with them after the first time.  

We got to VC earlier than its opening time. It would open only at 11 pm so we went to the place across it and had some drinks.  That place was for college studs and yuppies.  I felt I was one of them. lol!.

It was actually quite a night for all of us --

• Christian and his gf were not talking; I think the gf had a fever that time
• Joshua and his gf were not in good terms as well; the day after was their monthsary (or anniversary?) 
• Eric chose to go with the group rather than heeding to the invitation of a special friend to go with her to a party
• Genny had just moved in to another dorm
• Carlo's special girl (now officially a gf) was out-of-town
• I was in a petty argument with my wife for going out again

Looking back, I think we did not go to VC to simply enjoy.  I realized we went there for some other reasons.  The reason could be that we needed a company; or perhaps to explore what was out there; or maybe to talk about what was going on.  Whatever the reason was, I believe everyone had a good time that night. And that probably caused the succeeding visits. Isama nyo naman ako sa next time. Haha. :)

"Never run out of reasons to smile."

The Talented Rjeelyn

It was sometime in November 2012 when I first met this lady in the office.  I was the fortunate partner who got the chance to interview Rjee for an audit staff position. I could vividly recall how she confidently sang the song "On My Own" in that interview.  It was a random question of what she does or likes doing. When she replied "I love to sing" I immediately asked her if she could give me a sample, which she obediently gave. She might not know this but I excitedly shared with my team right after the interview that I would hire not only a staff with a pretty face but a talented one. 

Earlier this year, Rjee auditioned for the second season of "The Voice" Philippines but unfortunately did not make it.  Told her there are still a number of chances to grab. She just had to keep on dreaming.  What is important is she is working on reaching her dreams.

Hush Hush

Listen

Setting Sun

While cleaning up my old files, I found a poem I wrote 16 years ago for a very special someone.  Reading it again brought a smile in my heart and a tickling feeling.  Quite a poem to write. I think I wrote it when I was extremely hurt. :) I am not a seasoned writer but I can easily compose when my feelings are at the extremes. Can I write another one again? 

Setting Sun

It has been ages since I last wrote

A poem such as this.

Never had I imagined this time

Is going to come again.

But somehow I needed to write

To let go of what is within.

This year my heart started pounding again

That I no longer was able to control

The feeling that once caused me so much pain.

You came as one of those ordinary persons

I meet in the not-so-extraordinary walks of my life.

Days come and go ecstatically since then.

Nights never end without exchanging lexes;

And mornings did not start without

The good hellos and greetings of “good morning”.

Everything is just so perfect.

Happiness is with me most of the time

And you know what happens

During the rest of “all the time”.

It’s really hurting to know

Your heart belongs to somebody.

There’s nothing I can do

But to accept what is real

Whoever would say life is fair?

I will be here to love you from afar.

I know it’s quite a misery

But as long as you are there

And continue to be a friend

There’s no letting go of all

These feelings I ache from within.

As what the setting sun whispers,
A promise of tomorrow is also what I hold on to.