Thank you 2013!!

Happy 1st day of the New Year!

2013 was kind to me. No earth-shattering, pivotal personal life events...it was a smooth sailing, easy 12-month cruise to life. And I am NOT complaining! I give praises and prayers of gratitude to GOD for HIS tremendous blessings...

Just like what I try to do every year, I  do a reckoning of what I am truly grateful for in 2013:

1.  We were blessed with a new angel in the family - Aling maliit brought so much joy and (too much) jump, jump, jump to our lives...

2. Celebrating my 42nd birthday. Celebrating it with the family at home is a bonus!

3.  I survived spelunking in Sagada, had a close encounter with the Philippine eagle, revisited the charms of Bohol, said hello to Daragang Magayon, sand boarded in Paoay...memories made more memorable as they were shared with loved ones! :) It's more fun in the Philippines indeed!! :)

 4. Experienced awesome new places and did exciting new adventures  - joined the crowd for the Carnevale di Venezia,  fascinated by the rich heritage of Ayuttaya, had that insanely relaxing Turkish bath in Antalya, perplexed by the mysterious King Ludwig II of Bavaria,  swam (and spent a fortune) in the emerald blue waters of Maldives, enchanted by the artistry of the gardens of Keukenhof, took a camel ride in the deserts of Dubai, feasted on crickets in Vientiane, admired the unit cell of the iron crystal of the Atomium in Brussels, was a Turkish Kathun  and a Korean princess for 5 minutes, took a sip of the traditional Mojiko beer, feasted on traditional Macedonian cuisine, spent a day in Phnom Penh,  was fairly disappointed with the flowers of Nokonoshima, trekked the castle of Cesky Krumlov....

New experiences all but spelunking in Sagada still tops my list of exciting (and once in a lifetime) adventure!! By the way, at least 10 UNESCO Heritage Sites were added to my list this year...cool!!

5. Aside from the usual age-related complaints (mine included :)), generally, good health in the family - health is wealth, indeed!

6.  Receiving lovely bunches of flowers after long, tiring missions. Thank you loves!!

7. Spending a few memorable days with old friends and meeting wonderful (and powerful!) individuals who share our vision to serve in the littlest way we can.

8. Around USD 26M new projects approved! An opportunity to make a small difference to protect human health and the environment from the ill-effects of persistent organic pollutants

9. A new place to rest a weary body and spirit.

last and definitely, not the least..

10. William B. Centeno and 15 years! <3

*****

For 2014, I will not even attempt to make a bucket list. I will enjoy the gift of a new year  by these wise words:

I am pissed off, Cathay!!!

Oh yes, I AM!!
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I do not get pissed off easily but yesterday was special. I bought a ticket online for a sister who is traveling home. I considered several options and finally decided to take Cathay Pacific due primarily to their Terms and Conditions. 

Oh boy ,was I so wrong! 

On July 30, I received this email from the Cathay Pacific Reservations Desk in Dubai.

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Dear Sir / Madam,

Thank you for choosing to fly with Cathay Pacific Airways.

Further to the online ticket purchase agreement below, this email serves as a reminder in order to minimize any inconvenience to the passenger or card holder. 

 In order to verify the online ticket purchase, the card holder will need to physically present the credit card used to purchase the ticket online at the nearest Cathay Pacific Ticketing or Airport offices.

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Nothing wrong with this…. In fact, I appreciate that they are vigilant on this respect as it gives the card holder confidence in the security of the transaction.  I am also aware of instances wherein travelers were denied boarding because they were not able to physically present the card used for the transaction (obviously, I am not travelling with my sister). See why I was so bothered by this email? 

My reply:

Thank you for your reminder. Please note that according to your conditions:

Quote  " If a transaction is successfully made with a Verified by Visa or Mastercard@securecode, the cardholder will not be required to present the physical card used for verification" Unquote

Please acknowledge that this is true with the reservation made under this booking code.

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As I said,  since they have a provision for a  transaction made with 'Verified by VISA', I decided this will be less of a hassle and this was primarily the reason why I booked with them anyway.

The same guy responded to me that, No... I still NEED to physically present the card to the nearest Cathay Pacific Office. No explanation, nothing!!  

So, I decided to call their office the following morning and got in touch with a certain Mona, who was very helpful. She said that I could just fill in a Credit Card Verification Form and send it to them immediately.

Sure, I got the form. The only problem is that I was required to present any of the following as proof:

·          U.A.E. Labour Card

·          U.A.E. Identity Card

·          U.A.E Driving License

·          Passport copy (signature) with U.A.E Residence Visa

Obviously, I do not have any of these! So I emailed:

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Dear Mona,

Kindly find attached the signed verification form for the use of my VISA CARD for the travel of my sister, XXXXX  (Booking code: XXXX).Her number in Dubai is XXXXXX

Please note that I am a presently residing in Vienna and do not have any of the cards mentioned in the form. I have attached my company ID with the verification.

I hope this is sufficient to allow a smooth check in and travel for my sister. I would appreciate your confirmation of the receipt.

I would suggest that Cathay Pacific also reviews its TERMS and CONDITIONS so as to avoid instances like this. A VERIFIED by VISA transaction gives us sufficient security as cardholders.

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Sorry, they said, not a valid ID.  Please send us a copy of the photo page of your passport. Of course, I don’t move around with my passport on hand so I could immediately send it to an airline  demanding to probably know 'what I looked liked' and if I am legitimate.  So, I had to call my husband to bring my passport to my office.

So, passport sent!

Then again this email:

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Dear Ms. Centeno,

Please note, as mentioned earlier on a separate email conversation. The credit card used needs to be physically verified at the nearest Cathay Pacific Office as the billing address is not within the UAE and you do not hold any valid UAE ID. However, you may send us a copy of the bank statement in which the transaction for the purchase of the passengers ticket is stated. Once received, we will check if it is possible to verify the card used with the forwarded document. Thank you.

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So, the passport copy is NOT ENOUGH!!!! Why did you even ask for it then???

NOW, I AM TRULY, TRULY, REALLY PISSED OFF!!

I replied back:

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If Cathay Pacific intends to do physical presentation of the card  every time an online transaction is made EVEN with a VERIFIED BY VISA transaction, why else would we need to do online purchase and not directly proceed to your nearest office?

Also, as suggested - amend your terms and conditions to reflect what you are saying now. That is, if the billing address of the credit card used is outside UAE, a physical verification is still required EVEN with a VERIFIED BY VISA transaction. Then, it's clear. It's clear that I will not be using the services of Cathay Pacific anymore...

Please live up to your name as the WORLD BEST AIRLINES for 2014!

By the way, even the phone number under your name in your emails is incorrect. I had to google your office number. (I know, I know this was a cheap shot...but it gave me sheer devilish pleasure pointing it out!!! :))

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So, I had to hurriedly look for my card statement and viola, the transaction was there! In fact, paid in full!!!  Again…sent!!!

Then, they called my sister to tell me to call them again as they need to discuss something urgent! Wow, ok… URGENT!

I dutifully called only to be told that the while the transaction is reflected, the document still needs to be verified!!

What in GOD’s good mercy is this???!!!!

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Then finally, an email…

Please note that your card has been verified.

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No apologies for the inconvenience. NOTHING!! Just this statement. Of course, it would be verified , you %*^&!!!

As I said in  my email to them….it’s clear!!!  No flying Cathay for me until IT  REVIEWS ITS OWN TERMS AND CONDITIONS.

Thank you, Cathay Pacific, but no thanks!!!You just wasted half of my day...

The Filipino can...

...we will rise above this!
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I usually refrain from reacting to national events. I feel I am not eloquent enough to express the joy, usually the sadness, sometimes the humiliation that goes with events that transpire in my beloved country.

However, the email exchanges I received last night prompted me to spend a few minutes to write this blog just to capture the dismay I felt. How disappointing that amidst the devastation, we put malice to an otherwise noble intention...

I was in Bohol this week. My organization was invited to talk about its POPs programme in the ASEAN region. I fondly remember Bohol. I was there at least twice in my previous 'life' - its century-old churches, its panorama of lush chocolate hills, its rich cultural heritage and the welcoming warmth of its people. On Tuesday, October 15, 2013 at 8:12 AM (PST) , the province was hit by a devastating 7.2 magnitude earthquake destroying most of its infrastructures and killing hundreds of people. My heart broke upon seeing what remains of its churches. Everywhere, you see people lining up for water ration, there is no electricity. But you see, the earthquake did not take away the warmth, the smiles and the welcoming spirit of the Bojolanos!

What remained of the Dauis church

I have not been to Leyte. My knowledge of the province is limited to the  photos I see in the media and my miserable recollection of my HS History subject on Gen. Douglas MacArthur's famous line - I shall return. I am sure it was a progressive province. I am sure it has lovely people.

On November 8, 2013, the province was directly hit by Typhoon Haiyan (Yolanda) - the strongest tropical cyclone to make landfall setting records at sustained winds of 250km/h. Haiyan created a 5m storm surge causing the most damage. In a matter of minutes, the province was no more. 

The devastation caused by typhoon Haiyan....

To say that the devastation was heartbreaking is an understatement. To date, 3,631 people are confirmed dead, still around 1,200 missing. Millions lost their homes. As aid came in trickles, the disaster tested the tenacity of the human spirit. Scared, hopeless, hungry and thisty - it was the lowest one can go.

...its the lowest one can go....

My Facebook page is flooded with news of the tragedy,worried  friends looking for loved-ones, urgent calls for help. Seeing the media coverage, I cried, silently offering prayers to the victims and the dead. I do not blame my government - it was not even done with Bohol yet. I was not angered by CNN's coverage and its anchors' opinions - for them, trabaho lang, walang personalan.

I rejoice in the outpouring of generosity, crucial aid from those who have more. I am grateful to the school kid in Japan who offered his piggy bank savings, to the little girls who sold lemonade in the US, to the PUP student who laid on the ground to send a message, the old lady who offered her opened-bag of Bear Brand  - to provide help to the victims. So many told and untold stories of kindheartedness and heroism that restore your belief in the good of humanity....

Maraming, maraming salamat!!

Then the email came.. I was not angered by the callousness....just disappointed because I have high respects for the senders. God bless!

Nonetheless, I take comfort in the fact that Filipinos are a resilient breed. We've had tougher times and EVERY TIME, we stood resolute amidst all, our faith in God unwavering.

We lean on prayers, our faith in God unwavering....

Kaya natin 'to!

Yes! The FILIPINO CAN!!

 *****

When everything else is taken away, broken, battered, soaked, raw, stripped bare, you see things. You see people as they really are. This week in Tacloban, Samar and Cebu, amidst the hunger and thirst, the chaos and confusion, we've seen the best in the Filipino people. Their strength, their courage. I can't get it out of my mind. Imagine the strength it takes for a mother to search alone for her missing kids, the strength to sleep; on the street near the body of her child.

We've seen people with every reason to despair, every right to be angry, instead find ways to laugh, to love, to stand up, to move forward.

A storm breaks wood and bone, brings hurt and heartbreak. In the end, the wind, the water, the horror it brings is not the end of the story.

With aid and assistance, compassion and care, this place, these people...they will make it through. They already survived the worst. They're bowed, perhaps tired and traumatized, but they are not broken.

Mabuhay Philippines! Maraming salamat for all you've shown us. Maraming salamat for showing us all how to live.

- See more at: http://www.thepinoywarrior.com/2013/11/finding-strength-after-storm.html#sthash.XLo0ZpdX.dpuf

When everything else is taken away, broken, battered, soaked, raw, stripped bare, you see things. You see people as they really are. This week in Tacloban, Samar and Cebu, amidst the hunger and thirst, the chaos and confusion, we've seen the best in the Filipino people. Their strength, their courage. I can't get it out of my mind. Imagine the strength it takes for a mother to search alone for her missing kids, the strength to sleep; on the street near the body of her child.

We've seen people with every reason to despair, every right to be angry, instead find ways to laugh, to love, to stand up, to move forward.

A storm breaks wood and bone, brings hurt and heartbreak. In the end, the wind, the water, the horror it brings is not the end of the story.

With aid and assistance, compassion and care, this place, these people...they will make it through. They already survived the worst. They're bowed, perhaps tired and traumatized, but they are not broken.

Mabuhay Philippines! Maraming salamat for all you've shown us. Maraming salamat for showing us all how to live.

- See more at: http://www.thepinoywarrior.com/2013/11/finding-strength-after-storm.html#sthash.XLo0ZpdX.dpuf

When everything else is taken away, broken, battered, soaked, raw, stripped bare, you see things. 

You see people as they really are. This week in Tacloban, Samar and Cebu, amidst the hunger and thirst, the chaos and confusion, we've seen the best in the Filipino people. Their strength, their courage. 

I can't get it out of my mind. Imagine the strength it takes for a mother to search alone for her missing kids, the strength to sleep; on the street near the body of her child.

We've seen people with every reason to despair, every right to be angry, instead find ways to laugh, to love, to stand up, to move forward.

A storm breaks wood and bone, brings hurt and heartbreak. In the end, the wind, the water, the horror it brings is not the end of the story.

With aid and assistance, compassion and care, this place, these people...they will make it through. They already survived the worst. They're bowed, perhaps tired and traumatized, but they are not broken.

Mabuhay Philippines! Maraming salamat for all you've shown us. 

Maraming salamat for showing us all how to live.

- Anderson Cooper, CNN

When everything else is taken away, broken, battered, soaked, raw, stripped bare, you see things. You see people as they really are. This week in Tacloban, Samar and Cebu, amidst the hunger and thirst, the chaos and confusion, we've seen the best in the Filipino people. Their strength, their courage. I can't get it out of my mind. Imagine the strength it takes for a mother to search alone for her missing kids, the strength to sleep; on the street near the body of her child.

We've seen people with every reason to despair, every right to be angry, instead find ways to laugh, to love, to stand up, to move forward.

A storm breaks wood and bone, brings hurt and heartbreak. In the end, the wind, the water, the horror it brings is not the end of the story.

With aid and assistance, compassion and care, this place, these people...they will make it through. They already survived the worst. They're bowed, perhaps tired and traumatized, but they are not broken.

Mabuhay Philippines! Maraming salamat for all you've shown us. Maraming salamat for showing us all how to live.

- See more at: http://www.thepinoywarrior.com/2013/11/finding-strength-after-storm.html#sthash.XLo0ZpdX.dpuf

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* Haiyan-related photos courtesy of Google images

Second Chances...

...written in 18 August 2013 at the Male' airport...
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A new day...a new beginning...a second chance...did we embrace it?

This morning, I learned a Euro 30 lesson on second chances. My new Swiss knife was confiscated at the Male’ airport.  Ok,  ‘what is the ‘second chance lesson’ there?’ you ask. You see, the same knife almost parted with me at the Colombo security check just 5 days ago, having forgotten that it was in my backpack. I couldn’t believe my luck when it got through. I vowed to make sure that it be checked in next time.  And, you know what happened…:(

The incident was probably so insignificant (hey, I lost a Euro 30 Swiss knife…that should account for something!) but it made me reflect on how we sometimes fail to take advantage of the second chances accorded to us. I could have made sure that the knife was checked in this time but did not. I could have done things differently with the second chance I  had but did not.

In retrospect, I wonder how many of these second chances I failed to take advantage of. How many opportunities have I let pass because I did not appreciate the second chance I was given? 

We are humans, we make mistakes, true..but to make the same mistake twice is just plain stupidity. Or if we were to believe Steven Denn, making the same mistake the second time is not anymore a mistake but a CHOICE.

I can always buy a new Swiss knife but  what if what was at stake is not anymore a mere knife?

Travel: Of Castles and Kings...

"I want to remain an eternal mystery to myself and others...." - King Ludwig II
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....and this he was till the very end.

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I will never claim that I am a history buff. In fact, I was probably sleeping when History and Geography were being taught during my elementary or high school days. I did get good grades because I was good at memorizing but remembering is another thing...:)

Oh, regrets...regrets...

Anyways, joining  Vienna's  Aguman Kapampangan-organized tour to the region of Bavaria (Bayern), Germany last weekend proved to be a close encounter with the interesting history (and mysteries!) of the now well-loved  Bavarian King, Ludwig II.

King Ludwig II

Ludwig Otto Friedrich Wilhelm  was King of Bavaria from 1864 until shortly before his death in 1886.

He purportedly lived in his own dream world, building a fantasy world around him. From 1875 on, he lived at night and slept during the day.

The grand palaces he built during his days are living monuments of the ideal fantasy world he desires - his refuge from reality. His eccentric behavior earned him the title "Mad King of Bavaria" - though the accuracy of this label has long been disputed. He was deposed on grounds of mental incapacity and was imprisoned at Castle Berg. On 13 June 1886, he was found dead in Lake Stenberg with his psychiatrist.  The circumstances sorrounding his death remained a mystery to this day.

But was he really insane? Did he kill himself or was it murder? Was he gay?!!!

No matter how history judges Ludwig II, the fact remains that he gave the world the magnificent Bavarian castles we now admire in awe.

Now back to the tour.... 

We started at 6AM proceeding to the small town of Altötting  - famous for the Gnadenkapelle (Chapel of Grace) which houses the "Black Madonna"  and silver urns immortalizing the hearts of Bavarian kings including that of King Ludwig II.

The town of Altoting in Bavaria

Now the castles..

1. Schloss Herrenchimsee - Ludwig's island get away...

Versailles-inspired Schloss Herrenchimsee...

Schloss Herrenchiemsee, situated in the island of Chimsee and now accessible only by a small ferry boat,  is a neo-Baroque structure inspired by the Palace of Versailles. Ludwig's admiration of King Louis XIV - the Sun King - was evident in the castle's interior with frescoed ceilings showing 25 tableaux of the Sun King.

The palace feautures technological works relatively advance in those period - an elevator table in the dining room and central heating system. Unfortunately, works discontinued after the King's death and only 20 of the planned 70 rooms were completed.

In my opinion, Schloss Herrenchiemsee is also the grandest (and most expensive) of all Ludwig's palaces with 5 kg of gold leaves used for its interiors. Almost everything is elaborately designed with gold. Massive candlelit chandeliers, including a Messein porcelain one, drapes the ceiling. Too bad that I cannot show them in this blog as no photos are allowed inside the castle. My description does not do justice to the jaw-dropping magnificence of the palace's interior.

2. Schloss Neuschwanstein - the Cinderella Castle.

Neuschwanstein Castle as seen from Marienbrucke (Marie's Bridge)

 
It was said that the design of Disney's Cinderella castle was a takeoff from Neuschwanstein - much-touted as Germany's best known and most visited castle.

Began in 1869 and also unfinished, the castle embodies the "dream world" of Ludwig II. The walls of the castle are intricately painted with figures from the poetic world of the Middle ages paying tribute to Richard Wagner - the King's favorite composer (and to whom he dedicated the castle!)

The tour features the throne room,  the King's chamber and bedroom, the Palace's ballroom - all ornately designed and with "modern conveniences" quite advance for its time. Again, simple description would not do. It has to be experienced to be fully appreciated.

By the way, if you managed to go - wear your most comfortable shoe. If you like hiking, the mile-long walk up is yours. For those who prefer to "save calories" like me-  buses go to the Marienbrucke every ten minutes and horse carriages are available for hire, saving you some kilometers (but its still a fair distance to the castle).

3. Schloss Hohenschwangau - the Palace of his Youth.

Hohenschwangau Palace from the hill to Marienbrucke

This was not part of our program but Hohenschwangau Castle is where King Ludwig II spent his youth. Further reading describes the castle as being much more traditional and features several photographs of the King and his family. It is also worth noting that the present-day structure is not the original castle, having been destroyed by Napoleon's forces, then later rebuilt in the 19th century.

4. Schloss Linderhof - Small but majestic

The only Palace King Ludwig II completed before his death...

Schloss Linderhof is the smallest of the three palaces King Ludwig II commissioned to be built. It has only ten rooms, only 4 of which are functional. True to the King's obsession with privacy, the palace is tucked away among the quiet hills and valleys of Oberammergau.

Linderhof may not be as grand as the other two palaces King Ludwig built but this is where he spent most of his time. The gardens look fanstastic when we visited but I'm sure they will be more splendid in summer.

Aguman Kapampangan of Vienna and friends

It was a fun-filled tour enjoyed with friends... great tour  infused with history and mysteries - a deeper insight to the man whose 'madness and obsession' would leave an astounding legacy of magnificent structures to the world...

****

“Here's to the crazy ones. The misfits. The rebels. The troublemakers. 

The round pegs in the square holes. The ones who see things differently. 

They're not fond of rules. And they have no respect for the status quo. 

You can quote them, disagree with them, glorify or vilify them. 

About the only thing you can't do is ignore them. 

Because they change things. They push the human race forward. 

And while some may see them as the crazy ones, we see genius. 

Because the people who are crazy enough to think they can change the world, 

are the ones who do.”

-Apple Inc.

****