Rommel's Crib

Fukuoka Japan Pics...

2007-08-29T09:57:00.000+08:00

good day everyone...

please visit http://rcmalinao.multiply.com/ for my Japan pics... =)

thanks...

Hakata Bay Tour Fukuoka Japan

2007-08-02T08:30:00.000+08:00

(please click pics to enlarge)

i was here... i was here...

housemates
Rommel dela Cruz (left)
Rommel Malinao (right)

hoy pinoy kami...

picture2x...

enjoy the ride...

kambal tuko...

huh...

Japan...

2007-07-11T22:58:00.000+08:00

Japan Japan sagot sa kahirapan...

next next monday na!!!

July 30, 2007...

todo na to!!!

Japan, Japan.. Sagot sa kahirapan...

2007-04-11T09:42:00.000+08:00

soon...
Update!!!

April 20, 2007 1:45 PM
I submitted my resignation in NCR. Our managing director tried to negotiate with me to stay with the company but when he found out that I’m going abroad he said, “Sad news, we cannot compete overseas.” What he meant was my resignation was a sad news for him and the company cannot compete with the salary and benefits I will be getting abroad, so there’s no other choice but to let go of me. Somehow it was sad news for him because he was my former NCR Atlanta GA manager and as far as I know, I am the first engineer who resigns after he became the managing director of NCR Cebu.

I resigned NCR not because I have some things against the company or to my team. I resigned because I have to fulfill some personal task that I set long time ago.

i would like to say thank you to my team and friends in NCR for the cooperation and good companionship.
thank you for being a good friend inside and out of the company.
thank you for the memories... (i have more than 11 gigs of NCR pictures in my harddisk)...

i wish everyone good luck, good health and God bless us all...

got busy..

2007-04-02T16:01:00.000+08:00

what a busy life... i hope this holy week i can find time to write some blog articles...
good day everyone...

50th anniversary trek at Mt. Manunggal

Dinner at Lartian with an American Engineer.

Dinner at shakey's...

Videoke until 4am with Equitable friends.

Someone's always saying goodbye...

2007-02-10T00:21:00.000+08:00

It was sad day for me and for my batch mates in NCR. Stephene has resigned and had his last day at the office. We were eleven when we started in NCR last February 15, 2006. And now we are down to ten. It was Wesley who left us first and now Stephene. Wesley and Stephene are my closest friends among my batch mates, so I was somehow affected when Stephene left the company. But I feel happy for both of them because I know that their decisions are for their own good.

Remembering the days, Wesley, Stephene and I usually ate breakfasts, lunch and snacks together. Looking back, I found it funny that we will be eating pancit canton noodles for breakfast during tingbitays.

Every breakfast, we will be listening to Wesley’s adventures and misfortunes in life especially with his relationship with his brother-in-law who is living with him in their house.

I also remember that every Thursday, Stephene and I will ask Wesley to bring some DVD movies for us to borrow for the weekend.

And together with Wesley and Stephene, we started the concept of online excel Kainan Carenderia Ordering in cooperation with Manang’s eatery at Apas.

After more than five months, Wesley left us for some reasons and less than a year after we got hired in NCR, Stephene resigned.

Time is so fast for me that in a blink of an eye, two of my closest friends are not in my side anymore. Two of my breakfast buddies are not going to eat breakfast with me again.

I guess an old quote is right that “You don’t miss the water until the well runs dry.”

(click on the pictures to enlarge)

NCR Cebu Development Center, Inc. February 15, 2006 Batch:
(alphabetical order)
Alvin Alquiza
Izza Legaspi
Johannes Mabulay
Keith Jayme
Leonardo Parro
Mark Mendoza
Orson Ting
Rommel Malinao
Ronald John Panilag
Stephene Labiaga
Wesley Peteros

February Wedding Bells…

2007-02-08T09:15:00.000+08:00

Two days ago I got an early call from a friend and said “can you be my witness?” I said “witness for what?”. My friend replied “I’m getting married this Thursday February 8, 2007”. Without a doubt I said “YES!”

My friend is leaving for the U.S. for a master’s degree scholarship this Saturday February 10, 2007. He will be staying in the states for a minimum of 3-4 years. I was so happy that from all of his friends, he chooses me to be part of the one of the important event of his life. And I am thankful that even if we only met a year ago, we were able to have a good and true friendship.

Good luck and God bless you my friend…

Recalling 2006...

2007-01-11T09:10:00.001+08:00

2006 was a wonderful and memorable year for me. It was the time when I had a career move and great time hanging with friends. Below are some of my highlights for the year 2006.

January 13, 2006
This is the day the ANNUAL people called “The Jigs Encounter”. It was almost eight years since the last time we saw Junel Jigs Jimenez here in Cebu. Jigs was our classmate and the first person I met in U.P. Cebu way back 1997. When Jigs told me that he will visit Cebu for a couple of hours, I quickly informed the other ANNUAL people so that we can meet and have a little reunion with Jigs. We were so happy to see Jigs again and have a little chat about him. After a few minutes, we have to say goodbye to Jigs. He will be leaving for Bukidnon. We asked him to stay for a while and watch the Sinulog Mardi Gras but he refuses to do so for some reasons.

January 14-15, 2006
A night before Sinulog, my girlfriend and I watch Sugarfree onstage together with some Cebuano bands. And for two consecutive years, my EDP friends and I had dinner and henna tattoos during Sinulog.

January 28, 2006
I was invited by my NEC friends to a mountain trekking at Osmeña Peak. Osmeña Peak is the highest place here in Cebu located in Dalaguete in southern part of Cebu. We successfully reached the campsite by afternoon. The following day, we decided not to cross to Badian because of bad weather. Instead, we went to a nearby resort to reward ourselves.

January 22, 2006
Our first EDP Boys Sunday basketball game started. It was held at Capitol Parish Gymnasium at Escario. We had a lot of fun that day so we decided to continue to have a Sunday basketball game. We have our reversible uniforms on our 3rd game last February 5, 2006 held at City Sports Club.

February 4, 2006
After 3 years and 5 months of working as an EDP Engineer at Taiyo Yuden, I resigned. It was a hard decision but I have to. I was thankful to Taiyo Yuden for the knowledge that I have learned. During college days, I hate database programming but Taiyo Yuden opens my eyes to appreciate the real beauty of database programming. I am also thankful to Taiyo Yuden for the true friendship between employees that I found while I am still at the EDP Department.

February 10, 2006
I received the Production Control Department Certificate at Bahia Resort in Lapulapu. I was the first non-PC personnel who received the certificate because I was PC’s "adopted child" back then. I was assigned to their department for a couple of months and was able to be friendly with everyone.

February 16, 2006
I started working at NCR Cebu Development Center, Inc. as a Software Sevelopment Engineer. I was happy to be reunited with my ex-EDP officemates: Mamul, Karl and Euphorts.

February 2006
These are my RC days with my officemates here in NCR. It took several months before our RC days faded away. We used to play remote control cars during our break at the office.

March 24, 2006
The ANNUAL people, my girlfriend and I went to Bohol to have a tour. The first stop of our tour was at Carmen. It was my first time to witness the wonders in Bohol – the chocolates hills. And after, we went to the manmade forest, hanging bridge, have lunch at Loboc River, visit the biggest snake in Bohol, blood compact monument, Baclayon Church (where I was able to reunite with the Taiyo Yuden accounting boys and girls) and the Hindagdanan Cave. After the tiring tour, we went to Dumaloan Beach Resort in Panglao where we spend the night. After playing with the waves at the beach the following day, we visited the Island City Mall to have lunch and shop some pasalubong. And then we headed to the pier and returned to Cebu.

The whole tour was great and I’m happy to spend my first Bohol experience with my girlfriend. It was our first time in Bohol. Thanks to the ANNUAL people for organizing the event.

April 29- May 1, 2006
Rey Talam (one of my Taiyo friend) invited the Taiyo boys to be in Bohol for their annual fiesta. To add more spice in our visit to Bohol, we planned a one day tour. Our first destination was at the Sagbayan Peak. Rey introduce us to Valerie, the daughter of the owner of Sagbayan Peak. Valerie treats us to breakfast and visit their butterfly sanctuary for free. After Sagbayan Peak, we went to Bohol’s other tourist spots (same places as my first visit in Bohol). In the evening, we had our dinner at Rey’s house. We end the night by drinking beers and singing videoke songs. The next day, Rey and I woke up early, have breakfast and fetch the other guys who are staying at a pension house. We went to Island City Mall to buy some pasalubong for our families here in Cebu. After lunch, it’s time to say goodbye to Rey’s family and return to Cebu. We we’re so thankful to Rey and his family for the preparations they have for us. I hope we can visit the Talams again in the future.

May 5, 2006
I was able to introduce mountain trekking to my NCR officemates. Our first adventure was at the Mount Manunggal located at Balamban Cebu. Mount Manunggal is where the plane of Pres. Ramon Magsaysay crashed and killed all passengers except one newspaper man last March 17, 1957.

June 3, 2006
My friend Jerson and his girlfriend Jane tied the knot. The wedding was held at Redemptorist Church and the reception was at the Grand Convention Center. And of course, the EDP Taiyo Yuden boys were there. Best wishes to Jerson and Jane.

June 8, 2006
It was the first time that our so-called adopted child Einan celebrated his birthday with us. It was his first time celebrating his birthday with cakes, ice cream and lots of food. His Mama (my mother), Amo (my father), Kuya Opis (my twin brother), Kuya Usa (me), Daddy (my elder brother) and Mommy (my younger sister) arranged the birthday celebration for him. His visitors were his Ate Kayle, Cyril (his love team), and Sylvia (mother of Cyril). He was so happy that night that even if he has fever, he was still very energetic and very “bibo”.

June 10, 2006
Together with Taiyo Yuden friends of the SE Department, we trekked the mountains of Osmeña Peak to Kawasan Falls. At the campsite we met the Kandingon Mountaineers and they decided to be with us in our way to Kawasan Falls. I was selected as the lead trek because on that expedition I was the only one who has the experience in traversing Osmeña Peak to Kawasan Falls. It was a challenging task because I traversed the longest trail once, so I have to recall every single details of our trek one year prior to this expedition. One single wrong trail we trekked would be costly.

After 4 hours and 45 minutes, we successfully arrived at the source of the Kawasan Falls with minor bruises. We were so happy because it was there first time to cross the trail and we were able to beat our schedule. One thing I cannot forget on this expedition is the teamwork and sharing we had. Even if we don’t know the Kandingon Mountaineers, they trusted us and let us lead the way for them. I remember that during our two hour trek, I have to put two of the Taiyo guys behind the Kandingon Mountaineers because they were always left behind, maybe because of stress and lack of sleep the other night. At the Kawasan Falls, they thank us for everything and we also thank them for the trust they given us. Before sunset, we have to say goodbye and headed back to Cebu.

July 29-30, 2006
More than a month after I trekked with the Taiyo Boys, I went to Osmeña Peak again with my NCR and NEC friends. It was my third trek to Osmeña Peak on that year. The plan was the NCR boys will depart Cebu in the morning and trek straight to the peak. The NEC boys and girls will depart Cebu in the afternoon and have a night trek to the peak.

When the NCR boys almost reached the campsite around 3:30pm, we were welcomed by a huge fog. We were so happy to see the fog but we later realize that it was time to “change gear” because a heavy rain was coming. The rain was so heavy that even if we put our raincoats and backpack flies on, we still got wet and most of our clothes, sleeping bag, earth pad and other things were also wet. I remember that we put up our tents shivering, cooked and ate our dinner inside my tent because of the cold wind and the heavy rains.

It was 7:45pm when the NEC boys and girls arrived at the campsite. We were so thankful that they didn’t experience the heavy rains. It might delay their night trekking.

We got up early the following day so that we can follow our schedules. But we were still delayed because we trek so slow and called many timeouts. But it was expected because most of the guys were first timers and they trekked directly to the highest place here in Cebu. It took us eight hours to reach our destination – the source of the Kawasan Falls. So far it was my slowest trek to the trail we traverse. But the experience was nice especially to the first timers because we experienced different scenario in these expedition like trekking under the heat of the sun, assault the peak with heavy rains and cold winds, cooking and eight trekkers eating inside a good-for-three tent, eight trekkers sharing a single chicken wing, two trekkers got lost after fetching water and night trekking in descending from Kawasan falls to name a few.

“I need sugar” by Ferds was my unforgettable pick-up line during that trek. He was stressed out and exhausted during the trek. Ferds is a very cool guy but on that instance I cannot afford to have a joke on him. He might use his martial arts move on me.

It was almost eleven in the evening when we got back in Cebu.

to be continued...

Annual Christmas Party 2007…

2006-12-21T10:41:00.000+08:00

We are “Annual”. A group of computer science students batch ‘97 from University of the Philippines Cebu College. We call ourselves as “Annual” because we used to have an annual summer outing at Mahayahay Beach Resort at Argao. I cannot remember who gave the name for us but until now we still use “Annual” to call ourselves. We used to have 13 active members but we are down to 5 because some of the members are not in Cebu and others have conflict on their schedules.

Last December 17, 2006 we kept the “Annual” spirit alive by having a Christmas Party of our own. We started the party by having a mini-billiard tournament using the Mosconi Cup format but having 3 teams in the competition. Luckily, Grace and I have won the tournament by having the most number of wins. Hehehe…

After the tournament, we decided to go to Patio Isabel and have dinner.

After dinner, it’s time for exchanging gifts. The unusual thing about our exchanging gifts is that I’ll be giving gifts to all the “Annual” members and in return I’m expecting gifts from all the members of the group. I received a motorbike toy from Thelma, DVD movies and a PlayStation 2 game from Hannah, a mug and Smallville Season 2 from Grace. My twin brother and I agreed not to exchange gifts.

Everyone still wants to play billiard so after dinner we went to Cencias and played billiards while having some beer.

Thanks to ANNUAL for the wonderful friendship that we have. I hope that we will maintain this type of bonding until our hair turns to gray.

Annual People: (alphabetical order)
Catherine Geverola
Hanna Doreen Madjos
Iredan Lydel Yemen Joson
Junel Jig Jimenez
Leah Amor Felicilda
Lloyd Barrion
Mary Grace Solis
Michael Bianan
Rammel Malinao
Rommel Malinao
Thelma Dominado
Vergil Oplado
Yvette Varquez

What a weekend…

2006-12-14T09:05:00.000+08:00

I had a great time last weekend. I was hanging out with 4 different set of friends for 4 consecutive nights.

Thursday Dec. 7, 2006. A high school classmate arrived from Canada after 3 years of work. Together with other high school classmates, he treats us to dinner and went to Pod 5 at Banilad Town Center to have some vocal exercise while drinking some beers.

Friday Dec. 8, 2006. I was with my NCR officemates having a drinking session at Fisherman’s Net at JY Lahug. It was a relaxing night listening to classic songs while drinking beers and having a little exchange of ideas. It was past 2AM when we went to Chowking Lahug to have some wanton noodles.

Saturday Dec. 9, 2006. I was with my Taiyo Friends. You can read my post about this night below.

Sunday Dec. 10, 2006. My girlfriend and I were invited to the ELIM Singles Christmas Party at Alta Vista Golf and Country Club. I enjoyed that night meeting old friends from college and meeting new Christian friends at the party. I also enjoyed hearing Christian songs with the ELIM Band.

Life is short. We will be young only once in our lifetime. So if possible, enjoy life!!!

IS-EDP Christmas Party 2006…

2006-12-12T14:48:00.000+08:00

The Information System Department (formerly known as EDP Department) of Taiyo Yuden (Phils.), Inc. celebrated their annual Christmas Party last December 9, 2006 at Chikaan La Guardia.

The former employees of the department were one of the guests on that evening. Unfortunately, only 3 out of 8 ex-EDP engineers that were invited were able to attend the party. It was dinner time when Neil, Euphorts and I arrived at the venue. Most of the current employees are newly hired. But even if we do not know most of the guys; we were still able to have fun with them. They were very friendly to the ex-EDP engineers and I would like to thank them for that.

After dinner, the program started even if the department managers were still busy talking about the “pack your things and get out” issue. We were still able to have a smile in our face even if there were serious things that are happening around the department.

Anyway, the software guys were the first to perform, and as expected Jerson was able to entertain everybody with those funny dance moves. For 3 consecutive years, Jerson is the undisputed and undefeated entertainer of IS/EDP department.

The hardware guys followed by doing an a cappella of the song “Breakfast at Tiffany” by Deep Blue Something.

Then, as a tradition, the newly hired employees made a presentation by doing the “Boom Tarat” dance.

And surprisingly, the ex-EDP engineers have a surprise number and we were very surprise to know that we were going to have a presentation. waaahhhh… we sang the “Hilot” song by Scrambled Eggs. This was the same song that we sang during the 2005 EDP Christmas Party at BBQ.Com and the same song that Euphorts and I performed during the 2006 NCR Christmas Party.

After all the presentations, two of the IT Engineers were given the floor to make their special announcements. First was Allen, he was given the chance to talk about his promotion and became the hardware group supervisor. Second was Godwin, he talks about his migration to Canada. They both thank their colleagues for the wonderful things they experience and learn inside the department.

And then, exchanging of gifts followed.

After the Christmas Party, everybody still wants to have fun and decided to go to K1 KTV Bar. Madam Ninfa (former EDP Dept. Manager) was generous enough to share her blessings with us and paid all the bills which include the 2 hour room charge, vodka and all the foods we ate. But before midnight, Madam Ninfa had to go home. Personally, I am grateful that even Madam Ninfa has said a lot of not so good things to us inside the office; we were still able to separate work and personal life. At the office, Madam Ninfa was like a lion that can bite and swallow you as a whole but outside the office she is a good friend.

It was almost 1:00 AM when we decided to go to Fruits and Foods at Mango Avenue to have some beers. With the help of Colt 45, many stories have been cleared. First was the “pack your things and get out” issue, then the stories of Owie, Reynante, Francis and other matters. One advice that I will never forget would be from Euphorts, “Once a lion becomes an angel”, that’s the effect of Colt 45 todo lakas!

5:40 A.M. The sun was up and we decided to have some batchoy at Carlos Batchoy in Capitol area. But unfortunately, the restaurant was close so we decided to have some tapsilog and pochero at a nearby pocherohan.

7:00 A.M. we took some pictures for souvenir, paid the bills and decided to go home.

It was a memorable night for me because it has been a long time since the last time I have been with my Taiyo friends. I am happy that we were able to maintain the kind of friendship that we had when I was still employed at Taiyo Yuden. A type of bonding that everyone can rely and trust each other even with our deepest secrets and problems (which is unusual between officemates). So I am lucky and thankful to meet these Taiyo friends.

Good luck to all of us. I know some things will change but let us not forget that “minsan tayo ay naging tunay na mag-kaibigan” - Eraserheads

Till we meet again. Salamat IS / EDP Department!!!

Saudi Arabo…

2006-12-05T16:41:00.000+08:00

I was surprise last night when I got a call from Saudi Arabia. It was from a managing director of an IT company in Saudi Arabia whom I never applied for a job. He said he got my profile from a site where I was able to pass a certification exam. He asked me if I am willing to go to Saudi Arabia and work on their company. He told me that he has two Filipino developers on their team, and coincidently I know those two Filipinos. One of them is Mars, a former officemate from Taiyo Yuden. The other guy is Clark, also from my previous Japanese employer Taiyo Yuden. I was able to talk to Mars for a few minutes and made some “kumustahan”. Before the call ends, the managing director promised me to send an email about the job offer he got for me.

I seek advice form my father coz he used to work in Saudi Arabia for 4 years; he said that the way of living in Saudi Arabia is not suitable for me. Saudi Arabia is very strict in everything from alcoholic drinks, curfew and others. At the end of our conversation, my father still gives me the option whether to go to Saudi Arabia or not.

I have lots of reasons why I must go and work abroad. What are these reasons? Secret… Someday you’ll know… =)

December 19, 2006

For the second time, the managing director of the said company called me and informed me that if I accept the offer then I have to process my VISA before January 15, 2007.

December 20, 2006

Mars and I met at SM Cebu to talk about the offer. I declined. Saudi Arabia is a good country, I just don’t like the way of living there.

Thanks to Mars for the effort and his company for giving me an opportunity to work abroad.

Papa Joe...

2006-11-28T14:27:00.000+08:00

Papa Joe is a local DJ here in Cebu who has a radio program called “Talk to Papa” where the listeners can share their problems (mostly love problems) on the air and seek advices from other listeners.

Two weeks ago I received an MSN message from an old friend saying “Hi!” At that moment I already think that there must be something behind that simple “Hi!”, because we go directly to the point every time we send instant messages. I replied with a “Hello” and my assumption is correct, there goes her marathon of questions regarding love and problems in life.

Then on that the same day, another friend of mine approaches me and we had a little talk. And again it’s about personal problem.

On that day, I feel like I am Papa Joe giving advices to my friends, the only difference is that the problems being shared are major and big problems that can change the life and future of my friends, so I was very cautious in every word I say.

I am not a good problem adviser; I am only good at solving problems of my own. But I am thankful that they trusted me even though we are not that close and still they chooses me to be the person to share their problems with.

Good luck to my friends above. Thanks for trusting me. =)

God bless us all.

Salonga School of Music 18th Annual Recital

2006-11-27T18:02:00.000+08:00

I was able to attend the Salonga 18th Annual Recital last November 26, 2006 because my twin brother was one of the recitalists of the said event. It was held at Parklane Hotel 3 blocks away from our home.

As we arrive at the venue, I was having a hard time finding a seat coz the venue was full of proud parents and family members who are waiting for there recitalist to perform on stage. After sometime, I was able to get a seat together with a family of four.

The first sets of performers are the Preparatory students. These are the students who are newbie in their chosen musical instrument that they want to learn and, my twin brother was one of them. Even though this is not the first time my twin brother played the drums but he was enrolled at the Preparatory Level. I was amazed watching all the preparatory students playing coz most of them are 5-6 years old. One recital that caught my attention was a duet made by twin sisters, they performed a Barbra Streisand and Celine Dion song “Tell Him”, and for me it was a nice performance coz they hit their high notes very well. I asked myself what these girls would be 10-15 years from now.

After all preparatory students have made there recitals, its time for the Primary 1 students to perform but my twin brother has still not perform on stage. He made a query and his instructor told him that he is going to perform in the legendary level ha ha ha. There is no legendary level in Salonga maybe what his instructor is trying to say that he is going to perform with the more experienced students in the school.

After dinner, it’s my twin brother’s turn to go up on stage and made his piece. He performed one of my favorite songs from Plumb titled “Here with me”. This song reminds me of my band during college, Bang2x and the Crocodiles; we performed this as an opening number during the 2001 U.P. Cebu Promenade held at Cebu Plaza Hotel. Watching my twin brother performed also reminds me of my uncle who is a drums guru during his younger years.

I never expected that his performance would be as great as it was considering that it was his first public performance as a drummer. Everyone was stunned including the school supervisor because he did a nice job on his rendition of that song. After he performed the emcee praised him and called his name twice reminding him to take bow for the audience. :)

It was a memorable day for me because I saw my twin brother harvesting the fruit that he sows. After all those sessions and preparation, now he is somehow ready and has confidence in playing drums in public. Ayos!

Hello world!!!

2006-11-26T02:06:00.000+08:00

okay... this is it... i finally decided to get a blog space for myself... this will be my place where i can speak out all the ideas inside my head and a place where i can record the good and bad things that is happening to me so that i will be able to remember and share the lessons to the visitors of this blog.

God bless us all.