Telling it like it is

You usually start a 2012 list at the start of the year. But considering that I now rarely have time to sit down and write for this blog, am going to do this now.

Okay, what has happened in 2011? A lot. Last year was full of life lessons. It was a roller coaster ride that ended with a high note in December. But what kept me going is my family who is always there to remind me that they are the reason why we work so hard. As a father to two amazing daughters (one is a geek, the other is just like her mother ), you need to find ways to keep their attention from straying. Not to say that they are often distracted by computer games. They are quite a handful sometimes. But as my friends say, keep them close now. Next time, they will feel awkward spending time with you as they grow older.

Work in 2011 was amazingly difficult. But the lessons you learn from doing new stuff is something very valuable. Of course, you’ve seen good people come and go. But many have become good friends–and in this world of social networks–it’s not hard missing them.

Now, 2012. I believe this year is a turning point for me. A lot has changed–my life, my work, my interests. I still get to play my guitar from time to time. But I also have been spending Saturdays teaching students about what I do. (Most of the lessons I share, I draw it from experience). Waking up early in the morning to give young minds a piece of your mind is no cakewalk. But this offers an opportunity for me to reflect on what I have done, where I have been, and where I am now. From that, you have better appreciation of your life.

Back to 2012 and my list. So here we go. These are statements I have written in my whiteboard at work and I’m keeping them close and handy.

1. Always provide context. As my current mentor and boss would often tell me, you have to over communicate. Not everyone will be able to get your message in one go. If it needs be, repetition is key to getting understood. It is also the best tool in teaching and learning. That’s why most musicians would say the key to being best at your craft is practice, practice, and practice.

2. Own it. Don’t hesitate. Own it. Make a decision. If it’s a bad one, then apologize. Try again. It’s okay to make mistakes. What’s more important is you learn from them. So at the start of the year, the word “post-mortem” is right up there.

3. Be Paranoid. Remember this saying, “Only the Paranoids Survive.” That’s an Intel mantra that remains true especially in a world that is fast-changing. But don’t get me wrong. You also have to pace yourself. But always keep in mind, that complacency will bring you nothing but trouble.

4. Exercise, exercise, exercise. I couldn’t just stress that enough. Yesterday, I just realized that the old folks that I knew when I was a child are dying one by one. Seems morbid, but yes, that’s gonna happen soon if you don’t take care of your health.

5. Travel with the family. We have not been traveling so much last year. So this year, we’re finally going to do it more, even it only involves driving to a nearby park or museum.

6. Focus. I tend to juggle a lot of things in the air. So this year, I will focus on accomplishing a few great things. I have 3 in mind. And I won’t stop until I become great at it. That’s how I will rock and roll.

7. Giveaway books. Yes, I have accumulated a lot. I need to give them away soon. E-readers were invented to keep the trees.

8. Look for a bigger place. Convenience has its disadvantages. Yes, I’m nearer my workplace but I’m living in a cramped apartment. My home which is by far spacious, I sorely miss.

9. Save and get rid of liabilities. Yes, this is quite simple, but not an easy task. First target: credit card expenses should be at a low. Spend cash than getting credits. Save the credits for bigger expenses. (Read: don’t buy too many apps).

10. Be closer to my creator. I have been away too long.

The extended weekend holiday gave me more time to reflect and spend time with the kids. Today, I showed them a card trick that baffled them. (It was a simple one using sleight of hand). My eldest daughter was scratching her head as I guessed every card she picked from a pile. Right now, she’s busy helping her mom fix her PowerPoint presentation! (She’s literally turning into me?!)

Kids today learn fast. They’re like sponge. They absorb anything. They ask you a lot of questions (does this remind you of you when you were their age?). Teaching kids about life is not easy. However, showing them how things are done is the best way you can do as a parent. They do imitate you since they think what you do is perfect. (Although they won’t admit this). One thing I learned about kids is making learning fun. Baffle them. Make crazy stories. Let them loose and allow them to be creative. Make them laugh. They will love you back.

Today marks another year in my life. Another year of ups and downs, of new lessons in life.

A year ago, I was finishing an album along with friends, and a year after, we finally have something we can show and be proud of. SamMustSwim was formed out of our love for music. Forming a band has taught me that it is never too late to pursue your passion. You just need little time, friends, and patience. Now I can tick my bucket list that says, “Be a rock star!” Check!

From an editor to a manager–that’s how much I’ve grown in my career as a journalist. They say it’s like taking care of a family. It’s a tough balancing act since you have to deal with individuals who are motivated by different things. Biggest lesson: focus on their talents and support them. Also, I’ve learned that you don’t actually manage them. You focus on solving their problems, that little things matter. Listen and act and you’ll never go wrong.

Today, I was overwhelmed by the greetings I got on Facebook. That tells me a lot and the kind of relationships I have made through work, and through various activities and initiatives I have been involved. But the greatest thing I learned is this: don’t forget your friends. Keep them close. In fact, this idea came from a popular singer Barry Manilow, yeah, am that old! But here’s something I heard him reveal in a recent interview. In his race to the top, he eventually lost his way. At the peak of his career, he realized that he lost his friends, and most of the people around him were on his payroll. You don’t want to end up that way. Keep yourself grounded. Stick to your values, and you won’t be lost.

Finally, this sounds so overused, but yeah, the best things in life are free! What does that mean? A handwritten letter from my two lovely daughters today gave me a glimpse of what I have been missing in life. No amount of money can buy love and affection. No amount of money can buy happiness. Simple things such as a small gesture of thanks and a pat on the back can turn into years of happiness. A few hours or even minutes of listening can turn into miracles. In my life, we often are steamrolled into doing a lot of things, as we create a list of accomplishments. But we get distracted with this pursuit. This book has recently brought to my attention what motivates most people. It is this, the pursuit of happiness. The big difference is how you do it. In my case, keeping things simple is one secret. Every problem can be broken down into simple sets of solutions. And you don’t need to solve all problems. Some are just meant to test your patience. The solutions will often materialize elsewhere–from friends, colleagues, family.

Today is my birthday, and I’m here to help deliver happiness.

It’s good to see more government officials blogging. Other government officials who blog include Davao City Councilor Peter Lavina, Naga City Mayor Jesse Robredo, and recently I just saw Baguio City Mayor Peter Rey Bautista (he uses Multiply, which is also a social networking service). This development is good because blogs will allow people to engage public servants in conversations. (But we also hope that they would listen). Do you know of any other government official now blogging to talk about what he really thinks, feels, or disagrees with?

MANILA, Philippines – Priest-turned-governor Ed Panlilio launched his blog this weekend to promote good governance.

With help from the Bloggers’ Kapihan, a group of Filipino bloggers, and his own people in Pampanga, Panlilio initiated his virtual conversation with constituents and the youth.

A Nielsen Company global survey reveals that Filipinos are setting aside more money these days.

Watch this interview with Benedicto Cid, Jr., managing director of The Nielsen Company Philippines.

I saw this last week, as I was browsing stories about my hometown. Today, I saw this written in Filipino Voices. The city known for its pine trees and cold climate is now under threat from environmental degradation, the residents say. There’s a plea from residents and some people to stop further degradation in the name of development. See the petition here.

The current city mayor, however, had this to say, noting that there should be no cause for alarm.

Rolling Stone features a story on the revival of vinyl love during the age of MP3.

I guess some purists still enjoy listening to the scratchy sound of songs played on a traditional turntable. I stil have one vinyl record left. It’s a Frank Zappa album Overnight Sensation given by a friend. It’s now collecting dust. I have the whole album in my iPOD.

The issue with vinyl versus MP3 is really a non-issue. For collectors, vinyl is like those minted comic books that have to be kept enclosed to protect it from wear and tear. Digital technology has allowed music to last longer. Vinyl, the article says, gives audiophile the satisfaction of listening to the “missing sonic properties” of a song lost in digitization. I believe people who collect vinyl also own an iPOD. Both will exist for a long time until they find another way of storing and preserving music for a longer, longer time.

Watch INQUIRER.net tech reporter Lawrence Casiraya’s interview with IBM exec about social networks. And, oh yes, you can now embed INQUIRER.net VDOs. Woot!

Perhaps getting fed up with regular downtimes, some people are now flocking to Plurk, a service similar to Twitter but the latter looks, er, cuter. Plurk’s interface shows a timeline of messages posted by users. What’s good about this is that you can respond quickly to that user using a pull down menu. No need to put @(name of twitter friend). You can also send private messages, post cute emoticons, and chose colorful verbs set by Plurk. When I say colorful verbs, that means literally verbs with different colors. The word “says” is in orange, “loves” in red, and so on.

Plurk also lets you earn karma points. You get more karma by being an active user (completing profile, adding friends, etc.). If you get more points, you’ll be given access to some special emoticons, among others.