STREET LIFE - travel

A Filipino of Faith (Sequel to 12 Things A Filipino Can Do)

noreply@blogspirit.com (Dave ACENAS) — Thu, 22 Dec 2005 13:10:45 +0800

BY THE WAY
By Max V. Soliven
The Philippine Star 12/19/2005

We keep on paying lip service to the catchword, "Faith in the Filipino." In this Christmas season of hope - and also sadness - this
faith and confidence in ourselves too often falls short of being justified.

However, here's one story, which I must tell.

This incident took place last Thursday in the late afternoon. I was rushing home in my car, an X-5, from my last meeting in Makati -
already far behind schedule, since my next appointment, after a change of clothes, was in Malacañang. My vehicle broke down in the mounting rush-hour traffic on the Paseo de Roxas, not far from the corner of Buendia. There I was, frantically trying to hail a cab in vain while the avenue was crawled alongside, almost gridlocked. My desperation must have been all over my face. I had fruitlessly attempted calling my Stargate office on Ayala Avenue, then my associates and friends nearby. I needed a car badly to rescue me from the corner where I had been stranded. But nobody could be contacted.

Then a white Chevrolet Ventura pulled up to the curb. The young man at the wheel leaned over, his window rolled down, and asked: "Can I help you, sir?" I blurted out, "Yes - my car over there broke down. I must get home in a hurry! Can you bring me somewhere where I can find a taxicab?" The fellow smiled and said: "Hop in, Sir I will drive you home." I scrambled aboard, thankful to the kind stranger, and God - and for my good fortune. In retrospect, I wonder why it had never occurred to me he might be an armed hold-up man. I guess it was the disarming nature of his smile, his earnest approach. Yet now could anyone be so generous as to stop in the middle of traffic, then offer a total stranger a ride all the way to his home? He hadn't even asked how far away I lived; he'd made the offer without hesitation.

When we were underway, I asked to shake his hand and asked for his name, "My name is Alex," he simply said. `I'm Max," I replied, then fished in my pocket and offered him my card. He peered at it, then exclaimed: "Wow. It's an honor! I read you every day!" "Now. Alex, you owe me your card in return." I said. Stopped at a light, he took out his wallet, got one and politely handed it to me. It read: Alexander L. Lacson, above which was his firm's title: "Malcolm Law", underneath that, "A Professional Partnership." By golly, I had been rescued by a lawyer.

There you are. Somehow, when faith in the Filipino wavers, a Filipino comes along to restore your faith. Restore it? So surprise you with his kindness and generosity. This is an experience - and a shining gesture - I'll never forget. I finally told Alex I was headed for Greenhills. He grinned. "By coincidence, since I'm taking you there, my destination happens to lie not far away - I'm headed for Wack-Wack subdivision to give a talk at a Christmas party." "Why?" I exclaimed. "In addition to being a lawyer, are you also a
preacher?" He smiled even more merrily and explained that he had written a little book. It was on the car seat beside him, and I picked it up. It was entitled: "12 Little Things Every Filipino Can Do to Help Our Country."

Alex had his little volume (108 pages) published earlier this year by the Alay Pinoy Publishing House in Quezon City, and it had sold out in its first printing within three weeks. The second and third printings were about to sell out, too. No, he wasn't selling it through any bookshop, the biggest book shop (unnamed here) wanted too big a portion of its possible earnings, but I told them I wanted the proceeds to go to a scholarship foundation for the needy." So, Lacson has been selling his book out of his office and out of his home.

The dedication of the slim tome reveals his sincerity. It says: "To my Creator, who has blessed me with so much, and to my Country, which yearns for love from its people."

As we drove up EDSA, Alex said: "I read your mother's book, `A Woman So Valiant,' too - and I loved it!" Can you beat that?

My mama had written that book of hers in longhand, on yellow pad paper not long before she died at the age of 81 on October 16, 1990 – and belatedly, we had published it last year. Astoundingly, it had been a runaway bestseller, without publicity, and had sold out in the National Bookstores.

My sister, Mrs. Mercy S. David messaged me when she arrived from New York that the Japanese were now planning to transcribe the autobiography into Japanese and publish it in Tokyo, as a chronicle of what happened to a Filipino family in the war years (and during Japanese military occupation). The proposed Japanese title, "A Valiant Mother and Her Nine Children."

But that's another story, far removed from today's inspiring tale about Alex Lacson's Christian spirit and generosity. One thing Alex said demonstrated he had really read Mom's book. He remarked that the thing he vividly remembered in Mama's memoirs was that, in spite of our poverty, she had determined: "I don't want my children to feel poor." Thus, one of us or two of us in turn had been taken by her, on her meager earnings as a seamstress, to eat at a good restaurant. The "classy" restaurant of the time, Alex recalled from its mention in mama's book, was The Aristocrat. How lives intersect in this spinning world.

To get to the end of the "rescue" saga, Alex Lacson drove me to my home in Greenhills, and I noticed he never broke a traffic rule. I was tempted, in my selfish agitation to get home and get my tuxedo for the State dinner in the Palace, then dash over to Malacañang, to cut corners, such as push into the opposite lane when stuck not far from the Buchanan Gate, in order to sneak into the Gate. But Lacson calmly waited his turn in traffic. Obey the law and obey the rules were obviously the bedrock of his "12 Things" credo.

In any event, getting to Malacañang in the end was only the bonus. Meeting someone like Alex Lacson was the real miracle. Alexander Ledesma Lacson, it turned out, modest as he was in bearing, was a graduate of the University of the Philippines College of Law, 1996, and took up graduate studies at the Harvard Law School in Cambridge, Mass. (Good old Harvard Yard, by gosh). His wife, Pia Peña - it turned out even more amazingly - is the daughter of an old friend, Teddy Peña from Palawan! She, too, is a lawyer - U.P. 1993 – a legal counsel for Citibank. They established a foundation together to help underprivileged children through school, and are now subsidizing 27 young scholars in different public schools in Alex's native Negros Occidental.

The reason Alex had been headed for Wack-Wack was the fact that the officers and employees of a company named Resins Inc., after buying 1,000 copies of his book had invited him to give the "homily" at their Christmas party. This was not a small group - the company had 600 employees, waiting for his "word" that night. Alex, it struck me from our conversation, is an eloquent and devout Catholic. He believes God must have destined our people for some great role - why, in all history, he reasoned, were we Filipinos the "only Christian nation in Asia?" One thing is certain: He and his wife Pia practice their Christianity - and live it.

Four years ago, he and his wife had a serious discussion about migrating to the US or Canada because the Philippines, as a country appeared hopeless since things only got worse year after year. They wanted to know if their children (they have three, one boy and two girls) would be better off staying in our country or abroad in the next 20 years. Pia and Alex had asked themselves the question: "Is there hope for the Philippines to progress in the next 20 years?" They reasoned: If the answer is Yes, then they would stay. If it were No, they would leave and relocate abroad while they were still young and energetic. There were long discussions. One day, the realization, Alex recalls, struck them: the answer to that question was in themselves. The country would improve, Pia and Alex finally understood, if they and every other Filipino did something about it. Leaving the Philippines was not the solution. As Lacson put it in his book: "The answer is in us as a people; that hope is in us as a people."

When I read the book afterwards, I discovered that many important people had endorsed it. But these encomiums are not needed. Alex laughed when I quipped that he must be one of the wealthy Lacsons from Negros Occidental, like my classmates and schoolmates in the Ateneo. He cheerfully, and proudly, said that he was "a poor Lacson." His mother, he pointed out, had been
a public school teacher in Cabangcalan. No, he's not poor - his richness is in his friends, and in the heart.

Here are, in outline, his 12 commandments:

1) Follow traffic rules. Follow the law.
2) Whenever you buy or pay for anything, always ask for an official
receipt.
3) Don't buy smuggled goods. Buy local. Buy Filipino. (Or, if you read
the book, he suggests: 50-50).
4) When you talk to others, especially foreigners speak positively
about our country and us.
5) Respect your traffic officer, policeman and soldier.
6) Do not litter. Dispose your garbage properly. Segregate. Recycle.
Conserve.
7) Support your church.
8) During elections, do your solemn duty.
9) Pay your employees well.
10) Pay your taxes.
11) Adopt a scholar or a poor child.
12) Be a good parent. Teach your kids to follow the law and love our
country.

These are the 12 things every Filipino can do to help our country. At
first blush, they seem simple. When you study them more closely, they
are difficult to do. But all of us together can do them.

How much do we love the Philippines?

noreply@blogspirit.com (Dave ACENAS) — Thu, 23 Jun 2005 17:55:00 +0800

As you know, we have plenty of Koreanscurrently studying in the Philippines to take advantage of our cheapertuition fees and learn English at the same time. This is an essay written by aKorean student I want to share with you. This is a million times betterthan listening the GLORIA - GATE Scandal:

My Short Essay about the Philippines

By Jaeyoun Kim

Filipinos always complain about the corruption in the Philippines.Do you really think the corruption is the problem of the Philippines?
I do not think so. I strongly believe that the problem is thelack of love for the Philippines.

Let mefirst talk about my country, Korea. It might help you understand mypoint. After the Korean War, South Korea was one of the poorestcountries in the world. Koreans had to start from scratch becauseentire country was destroyed completely after the Korean War, and wehad no natural resources. Koreans used to talk about the Philippines, forFilipinos were very rich in Asia. We envy Filipinos. Koreans reallywanted to be well off like Filipinos. Many Koreans died of famine. My father’sbrother also died because of famine. Korean government was awfully corruptand is still very corrupt beyond your imagination, but Korea was able to developdramatically because Koreans really did their best for the common goodwith their heart burning with patriotism. Koreans did not work just for themselvesbut also for their neighborhood and country. Education inspired youngmen with the spirit of patriotism. 40 years ago, President Parktook over the government to reform Korea. He tried to borrow moneyfrom other countries, but it was not possible to get a loan and attracta foreign investment because the economy situation of South Korea was sobad. Korea had only three factories. So, President Park sent many mine workersand nurses to Germany so that they could send money to Korea to builda factory. They had to go through a horrible experience.

In1964, President Park visited Germany to borrow money. Hundred ofKoreans in Germany came to the airport to welcome him and cried thereas they saw the President Park. They asked to him, "President, when canwe be well off?" That was the only question everyone asked tohim. President Park cried with them and promised them that Koreawould be well off if everyone works hard for Korea, and the Presidentof Germany got the strong impression on them and lent money to Korea.So, President Park was able to build many factories in Korea. Healways asked Koreans to love their country from their heart.Many Korean scientists and engineers in the USA came back to Korea tohelp developing country because they wanted their country to be well off.Though they received very small salary, they did their best for Korea.They always hoped that their children would live in well off country.

My parents always brought me to the places where poor andphysically handicapped people live. They wanted me to understandtheir life and help them. I also worked for Catholic Church when I wasin the army. The only thing I learned from Catholic Church was that we haveto love our neighborhood. And I have loved my neighborhood. Haveyou cried for the Philippines? I have cried for my country severaltimes. I also cried for the Philippines because of so many poorpeople. I have been to the New Bilibid prison. What made me sad in theprison were the prisoners who do not have any love for their country. They go to mass and work for Church. They pray everyday. However, they do not lovethe Philippines. I talked to two prisoners at the maximum-security compound,and both of them said that they would leave the Philippines right afterthey are released from the prison. They said that they would start a newlife in other countries and never come back to the Philippines.

Many Koreans have a great love for Korea so that we were ableto share our wealth with our neighborhood. The owners of factory and companywere distributed their profit to their employees fairly so that employeescould buy what they needed and saved money for the future and their children. WhenI was in Korea, I had a very strong faith and wanted to be a priest.However, when I came to the Philippines, I completely lost my faith.I was very confused when I saw many unbelievable situations in thePhilippines. Street kids always make me sad, and I see them everyday.The Philippines is the only Catholic country in Asia, but there aretoo many poor people here. People go to church every Sunday to pray, butnothing has been changed.

My parents came to the Philippines last week and saw this situation.They told me that Korea was much poorer than the present Philippines whenthey were young. They are so sorry that there are so many beggars andstreet kids. When we went to Pasangjan, I forced my parents to take a boatbecause it would fun. However, they were not happy after taking a boat.They said that they would not take the boat again because they were sympathizedthe boatmen, for the boatmen were very poor and had a small frame.Most of people just took a boat and enjoyed it. But my parents did not enjoyit because of love for them. My mother who has been working for Catholic Churchsince I was very young told me that if we just go to mass without changingourselves, we are not Catholic indeed. Faith should come with action.She added that I have to love Filipinos and do good things for them becauseall of us are same and have received a great love from God. I want Filipinosto love their neighborhood and country as much as they love God sothat the Philippines will be well off. I am sure that love is the keyword,which Filipinos should remember. We cannot change the sinful structure atonce. It should start from person. Love must start in everybody in asmall scale and have to grow. A lot of things happen if we open up to love.Let’s put away our prejudices and look at our worries with our new eyes. I discover that every person is worthy to be loved. Trust inlove, because it makes changes possible. Love changes you and me. It changes people,contexts and relationships. It changes the world. Please love your neighborhoodand country. Jesus Christ said that whatever we do to others we do to Him.In the Philippines, there is God for people who are abused and abandoned. Thereis God who is crying for love. If you have a child, teach them how tolove the Philippines. Teach them why they have to love their neighborhood andcountry. You already know that God also will be very happy if youlove others.

That's all I really want to ask you Filipinos.

SUGBAYANIHAN made it to World Record!

noreply@blogspirit.com (Dave ACENAS) — Fri, 27 May 2005 14:00:00 +0800

Cebu owns the Guinness Book of World Records for the longest array ofbarbecue grill.

“IT WAS thebiggest picnic in Cebu,” says Mayor Tomas Osmeña, of the attempt to makethe world's longest BBQ in time for the Sinulog 2004 festivites.

At present, the record holder of the longest barbequeis Sicuani, Peru with 613 meters of grilled meat listed as the longestbarbeque in the GuinnessBook of World Records.

Jan. 11, 2004 Sunday, more than a thousand vendors,cooks and Hotel and Restaurant Management students worked hand in hand to takecharge of the grills on Osmeña blvd., all 1,300 meters in length. The grillstarted at 4 p.m. from the corner of the Department of Health (near FuenteOsmeña) to Sanciangko street.

The event is dubbed Sugbayanihan,from the words bayanihan and sugba, the sponsors say.
Bayanihan, once a thriving Filipino tradition that signifies the spirit ofcommunal unity and working together for the common good, may soon faceextinction. Through Sugbayanihan, the hope to get the city to come together andwork as one to build the longest barbecue grilling line in the world wasachieved.

The Philippines has no shortage of Guinness WorldRecords holders. Some recent awards include the “Largest Tossed Salad” forBaguio and the “Sili King of the World” for Armando Martillan of Malabog, AlbayProvince. Most of the titles garnered are rooted to the key flavors of theplace. Baguio is known for its vegetables and Albay is home to the Bicolanoswho are known for their high tolerance for chili. Sugba is a favorite cookingstyle in Cebu.

The activity was initiated by the local goverment,the Sinulog Committee together with South East Asia Food, Inc., makers of DatuPuti Vinegar Soy sauce and Sugba sauce. The meat will come from the Cebu LivestockAssociation.

The Phil. Geodetic Commission was around to documentthe measurement as required by Guinness. Members of the different urban poorgroups will act as vendors.

Entertainment was provided by local band performancesand games. Three stages was manned by radio stations Killer Bee, Monster Radio,and dyUR.

And once again, the Cebuano’s competitive energy andfondness for celebrating community life will be called to make another eventthis June 12, 2005 – STREET PARTY for another SUGBAYANIHAN is in the making!

Oldest Street in the Philippines

noreply@blogspirit.com (Dave ACENAS) — Tue, 10 May 2005 12:55:00 +0800

Colón Street, said to be the oldest street in the Philippines, is today largely a street of memory. It has aged terribly. After destruction during World War II (and the coup de grâce delivered by the uninformed property owners who totally leveled the surviving structures during the post-war reconstruction fever), it was forced by speculative development to turn into a downtown shopping and cinema area for Cebu. It is now seriously losing clientele to the new malls that have mushroomed all over the city.

(Place picture here)

Until World War II, Colón was Cebu's shopping and entertainment street. More than that, it was also the most important residential street in the city.

(Place picture here)

Picture Colón at the turn of the last century as one of the most vibrant streets in Cebu. "In the Parian, one of the first settlements organized by the Spaniards in Cebu and in the Philippines, had houses that were built in a row, facing each other on both sides of the main street which was Colón," writes Concepcion Briones. There, the principales (the 30-40 families who were the original settlers of the Parian) lived, whose descendants have left indelible marks on Cebuano politics, religion, business, and arts and letters.

Further along the street were social clubs (the Club Inglés) and theaters. The present-day Oriente theater stands on the location of the original theater that was destroyed during World War II. The delightfully naïf proportions of the neoclassic façade of the Vision theater survive to remind us of the days when Colón flowered.

(Place picture here)

According to Briones, a Cebuana writer born in the Parian in 1915, the houses along Colon Street had "a dignity of their own. They had wide, covered sidewalks … shaded with red-tile roofs called media aguas.
"[They] were made of limestone blocks, enormous posts of durable molave, molave walls, and attractive red-tile roofs. The floors were exquisitely beautiful … invariably of three colors: ivory-white tugás (molave), rich reddish-brown báyong (tindalo), and jet-black kamagong (ironwood)."

In response to the hot and humid local climate, Cebuano houses, including all of the Colon houses, had azoteas, an open, multi-purpose porch on the second-floor used for laundry, airing out pillows and mattresses, and for the residents to catch the cool breeze in the evenings. Stand on the vine-covered azotea of Casa Gorordo and take in the breeze during the mid-day heat. Experiencing that will make you realize the wisdom of having an azotea.
Briones reminisces that "nobody can ever live and grow up in Parian and forget its sweet-scented gardens with flowering bush-lined pathways everywhere."

Records in the Philippine National Archives show that the first Jesuits came to Cebu to "Christianize the Chinese" in 1600. Over a century later, they eventually conducted their ministry from a large balay na tisa that they built in the Parian in 1730. The date of construction is etched on one of the stone walls in the interior walls of the structure. Constructed of limestone blocks, the house is cruciform in plan around an interior courtyard. The cruciform-planned house is said to have overlooked a wide inner courtyard. A central tower was added later. It is said that the Chinese-style ceiling decorations, carved eaves, and even the roof tiles were imported from China. The house passed to the Alvarez family in the mid 19th century, and finally passed once again to Nicanor Sy, owner of the Ho Tong Hardware, who now uses the structure as a warehouse.

The Jesuits were an important force in the Parian, having come in 1600 (as recorded by the historian Chirino) to preach Christianity in the Chinese quarter that had "more than two hundred souls and only one Christian." In their mission, the Jesuits opened a free primary school that evolved into the Colegio de San Ildefonso, which later became the University of San Carlos, now one of the most important and influential universities in Cebu and the Visayan region.

The rich history of Colón has been lost in memory. The old houses were never reconstructed after World War II, and the quarter changed quickly from residential to commercial. Buildings were constructed rapidly, let out for shops and offices, and bad maintenance then left them to decay over the years.

William D Boyce writes appropriately in U.S. Colonies and Dependencies in 1914: "In Cebu, the old and the new are blended in a bewildering fashion. A modern concrete warehouse jostles a hoary vine-hung old convent; a big steamship from Manila docks beside a native's bamboo banca; a noisy automobile tears past a wooden-wheeled carabao cart. All is life and bustle here, in the second city of the Philippines, where people are more concerned with the shipment of hemp, copra, and sugar rather than with the historic associations which encircle their town and island.

May Festivals in the Philippines

noreply@blogspirit.com (Dave ACENAS) — Tue, 03 May 2005 13:30:00 +0800

Whole Month of May Flores De Mayo All over the country- A floral procesion offered to Virgin Mary when the flowers are in best bloom. The month-long celebration also features Santacrusan in honor of Sta. helena of constantinople- a procession held in most towns where the most beautiful girls are chosen and dressed up in majestic outfits.

Whole Month Of May: Tapusan Festival- Honoring the cross in Alitagtag, Batangas
Whole Month Of May: Bohol A month-long celebration of the Boholanos.

May 1: Labor Day A celebration held all over the country.
May 1: Pista’t Dayat Pangasinan- A seafood harvest festival.
May 1: Alinsangan "Boa-Boahan" Festival Nabua, Camarines Sur- Fertility Festival
May 3: Carabao-Carroza Festival Pavia, Iloilo

A parade of 18 gaily decorated bamboo sleds and a race among carabao-drawn carriages called carroza on a 400 meter course.

1st week Vigan Festival of the arts Vigan, Ilocos Sur- Vigan’s famous festival in honor of its historic heritage and cultural treasures.

May 1-31: Magayon Festival Albay- A celebration honoring the existence of Mt. Mayon as inspired by the province’s legendary Daragang Magayon (beautiful maiden. The festival likewise showcases rich culture, arts and history of Albay.

May 6-9: Rodeo Pilipino Festival Masbate- A festival that honors cattle raising in Masbate.

May 14- 15: Carabao Festival Angono, Rizal- It’s a feast honoring their saint San Isidro, who used his oxen to plow his field. Carabaos similarly of the same use, are paraded around town well decorated and even shaved in assorted patterns.

May 15: Pahiyas Festival Lucban, Queson- This festival is honoring San Isidro Labrador for a bountiful harvest through out the year. Residents make effort on decorating their houses with kiping leaves- rice flour paste pressed unto leaf and dried, along with coconuts, rice grains, vegetables, breads, fruits and anything related to the family’s source of living. The colorful display of these ornaments makes the whole town inexpressibly beautiful.

3rd Sunday Tabanog Festival Cagayan de Oro City- A kite flying festival that features expos and competitions.

May 17- 19: Kasilonawan Festival Obando, Bulacan- A fertility rite for childless couples asking Sta. Clara to bless them with children. They gather around the image every year praying and dancing.
Last Week of May Subiran Regatta Sailboat racing in Tacloban, leyte.

M A B U H A Y !

A fine place for an unscheduled celebration:

noreply@blogspirit.com (Dave ACENAS) — Tue, 12 Apr 2005 12:20:58 +0800

I happen to be with a couple of friends who regularly frequent this place and to my amazement, the place is cozy, friendly and above all, you get your money’s worth of fine international wine collection. I regularly pass night-out invitations from the office. But this evening is different because I get to see two special ex-officemates who tried their luck with a different career path. One is Tracy R. who moved transferred to Globe and the other is Imee M. It’s been 2 months now and (honestly) she’s still secretive about the company name she moved-in. Though she prides herself with a new company car, T-21 IBM laptop, X-figure salary and more. The place is really conducive to Italian dinning to match with handpicked wine connoisseur or should I say customer relation’s specialists.

The incomplete-Gang on the loose!

This Pam, as irresistible like the fine Don Barroso wine!

A toast to rare evenings in a comfortable place like this!

When you visit Cebu or in case you have a business-trip to the queen city of the south, do drop by at The WINESHOP along Gorordo Avenue just across the SSS – Escario St. branch. Or if you happen to be staying at Golden Peak Hotel, its just a short walk at the back. Next time I wan to try Lambrusco Dell Emilia – Amabile!

B O R A C A Y Island

noreply@blogspirit.com (Dave ACENAS) — Fri, 08 Apr 2005 13:20:00 +0800

Here are some pics I've taken during my trip to the most gorgeous & beautyful summer island in my country. . .

Natural rock formations fronting FRIDAYS.

Everybody waits for the sunset that can happen every where in the island- Very gorgeous!

Boracay Regency, where we stayed for the vacation. This is a new hotel located in Station 2 & you'll see more "wet-paint" signs.

Checkin' in for our trip back to Cebu. Yep! we're being weighed. . . bawal and overweight sa 15-seater.

I travell with Samsonite-TRUNK bags. Very sturdy & trendy, dirt-proof pa.

On our way back to the hustles & bustles of city life & work. . . . but I'll be back!

More pics on my PHOTO ALBUM

HOLY WEEK in the Queen City

noreply@blogspirit.com (Dave ACENAS) — Tue, 29 Mar 2005 13:35:00 +0800

I have stayed in Cebu for the past 4 years and this is the first time I'll be spending Holy Week to experience the religiosity of the queen city of the south. It has been my family tradition to visit our loving 77 year-old mother during this period of the year. But, I'm excusing myself from this. I'll show you what I've done during the 3-day personal lenten pilgrimage:

Don. Julio Luna Street, Mabolo- barely empty at 5:30pm where its usually crowded & heavy on traffic

Inside Carmelite Chapel, More peaceful compared to other churches at this time

My lifetime parner!

Sunset at 5:30pm

Good Friday was spent reflecting on the 7-last words

Halleluia! He is risen!

Drive Defensively

noreply@blogspirit.com (Dave ACENAS) — Mon, 21 Mar 2005 15:30:00 +0800

How longhave you been driving? In fact, time may not even matter as long as you knowwhat kind of a driver you are. I was forced to learn driving a month afterbeing accepted to work for a British pharmaceutical company. I have to acceptthe 5 days crushed course bec the company car, 2-door 89 Mitsubishi Colt Miragewas already shipped and is on its way to my mother’s car park. From then on, Ihad the opportunity of handing down 2 more cars to my subordinates before I gotto hold my first brand new Mitsubishi EL – Cyclone, followed by another Mit. 1995model. But that red colored coltreally taught me a lot of driving!

I labeldrivers in two: DEFENSIVE and OFFENSIVE. The previous is who I am. Whenever I’mon the road, I always make it a point to let the vehicle or pedestrian in frontand at my back know that I am there. This can be expressed in a number of ways:a quick 1-2 tap on the horn, signal light, short hazard, a functioning 3^rd-breaklight, etc. That’s defense! For the latter, go ask the drag racers and the PUJdrivers because they’re good at that. I can proudly claim that for 15 years ofdriving, I can only count 3 minor road mishap took place. So I’m sharing to youmy checklist for DEFENSIVE DRIVING TECHNIQUE.

Remember theacronym BLOWBAG:

Battery: Arethe +/- terminals clean? If you’ve got 1 that’s not maintenance-free, check theelectrolyte level

Lights: Doall the bulbs inside & outside function? Does your head-light have a low& high beam illumination?

Oil: Check the dipstickif the oil color is dark then have it changed (Minor or Major tune-up)

Water: Isthe radiator full when temperature is low? Always bring a 1-Gal empty container;you’ll never know when you need it.

Brakes: Isthere no sound from your wheels when breaking? Does your break-lights functionwhen stopping?

Air: Tire pressurevaries depending on the weather & weight of passengers. Do you maintain thestandard?

Gasoline: Ifyour tank in not full, do you know the present level?

If youranswers are all YES, then you’re on the defense. Drive safely and enjoy summer!

Wanted:

noreply@blogspirit.com (Dave ACENAS) — Sat, 19 Mar 2005 17:35:00 +0800

Yes! I'm spending my early summer vacation there. Though half of the trip is compamy related (company sponsored too!) I won't be wasting time to sleep. Surely this blog's gonna be a witnness to the STREETS of the world's best beach.
(SUN Herald, Australia)