Fathers

Last, last week, I almost lost my father. The events that took place was like an action movie that has a terrorizing kontrabida. It was something I did not believe in an instant. 

I just finally believed it was really real when I started feeling the fear. Yes, that's when it all sank in. What if, what if, I had no father anymore?!

When Papa arrived that night, he did not say any word. He went to sleep, I went to sleep. I closed my eyes, said my prayer for the night, and the first words I uttered was "Thank you po, nakauwi ng ligtas si Papa."

Little did I know that I should be more than thankful. And I realized, how much I love my two fathers. 

That was when I entered a church again. I prayed inside Manila Cathedral (the only Church I feel some divinity). And I was soo thankful to Papa God. I was humbled. I was crying. He saved my human father here on earth. I'm not a devout Catholic, never since I was a child.  And I told Him I would pray on the same church every Sunday. I wouldn't hear Mass. I know Papa God would understand me, He always does. 

God's the best father. He kept Papa here with us. He knew I wouldn't be able to take it. He knew how I love Papa. And that's when I realized a lot about this love for our fathers too.

Our fathers always give a different love, it's special in different ways. Their embrace and kiss are always special despite the strictness. They makes us laugh. They make us proud. And they work hard for us.  

Fathers also teach us lessons in life. These lessons come limited, sometimes out of the blue, sometimes not their intent but we pick it up nonetheless. And these lessons also happen to be the ones we believe in for the rest of our lives. It somehow shapes us into what we become. 

Our fathers have lots of faults too. They are not perfect (except for the one who created us). But we should always be thankful we have them in our lives. And little by little, let's show them the love and care and gratitude they deserve. Now, so we wouldn't have regrets. 

Starbucks gets the ‘green’ light

The Fort is first store to use Philips’ LED solutions 


(PHOTOS FROM STARBUCKS)

First "green" Starbucks located at The Fort, Bonifacio Global City, Taguig

TO "go green” cannot be all talk; it involves a lot of work. While being environmentally friendly is certainly the emerging trend, to be so isn’t as simple as joining a “green” band wagon. To be good to Mother Earth requires a whole lot of effort.

Big businesses too have to take little steps before they make major leaps. Case in point is Starbucks Philippines, which lighted its very first “green” outlet at The Fort in Bonifacio Global City, Taguig, in partnership with Philips Electronics.

The store now uses Philips LED solutions, or light emitting diodes. This technology, first and foremost, guarantees the reduction of electricity consumption. Regular compact fluorescent lamps, to compare, consume 280 watts, while LEDs only consume 19 watts.

Secondly, the smart bulbs are also environmentally friendly because they do not contain mercury and therefore do not emit infrared and ultraviolet radiation.

According to Noey Lopez, chief operating officer of Rustan Coffee Corp.

(Starbucks Philippines), Philips LED solutions is the “perfect choice” for lighting the stores. “The reputation of Philips lies in creating quality products. At the same time, we [Philips and Starbucks] share the same philosophy of acting responsibly towards the environment an] the community,” he explained.

Cozy and warm ambiance inside the Starbucks at The Fort

Philips Electronics’ Country Manager Rico Gonzalez, meanwhile, announced, “Philips has repositioned itself as a health and well-being company. [We are] pushing the subject of health and well-being while focusing on the lighting needs of consumers.”

All through Starbucks The Fort, LED lights are used—from exterior lights to the interior lights, decorative lamps and even the pin lights that shine on the paintings. The light’s hue is yellowish to maintain the warm and cozy ambience that is the Starbucks store trademark.

The LED lights in the kitchen and the counter, meanwhile, are brighter and more intense. As Ria Nuñez, Philips Electronics’ product manager, elaborated, “[This is so] the baristas and chefs can properly see the food they are preparing.”

Interior and decorative lights with Philip's LED solutions

With this move, Starbucks is a step closer to becoming LEED certified (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design), through the help of Philips’ sustainable lighting solutions. A LEED certification is an international verification for buildings with green designs and strategies that aims to reduce negative impacts to the environment.

Lopez verified this saying, “Starbucks is always looking for ways to improve the environmental performance of our stores. Designing, building and operating stores in ways that reduce our impact on the planet is important for us. This is why we have incorporated everything from responsible building materials and furnishings to energy- and water-efficient measures into store designs.”

*Story was first published for The Manila Times. 

This is a RANT!

This is why I'm sooooo bitter and fucked up on Valentine's Day! 

I hate it when I see everyone with their special someone while I'm all alone. I hate it too when I see all the girls carrying flowers and chocolates and teddy bears while I walk empty-handed. And I hate it most when couples look at me, and scrutinize my being 'single', and I know , I know they have demons inside of them and they mock me! They make fun of me! I wish the earth would just swallow me!

So when I texted to people that Valentine's is traumatizing for me, it's awfully true! I don't even want to go out of the house. Originally that was the plan, but I had to come to work and experience this suffering.

Yeah, I never celebrated Valentine's with something and someone special. So this Valentine's doesn't make it any more different. Valentine's is still a NIGHTMARE! 

SO I don't care to all the lovebirds who are happy! I'm not happy, I'm hostile, I'm sulking, I'm bitter. My usual optimistic self who finds purpose in everything can't find that purpose now! I wanted to believe what my friend wrote in Pink Manure, BUT I couldn't!

I think I've told enough RANTS! I don't feel better. Valentine's has never been good to me. I hope next year it'll be kinder.