Bianconeri chronicles

     I never was the "couch potato" type but I guess the habit can just grow on anybody. During the weekdays I rarely get to watch the tube due to my busy schedule so I just save it for the weekends. I started collecting dvds a few months back, and it's now a habit that I visit the neighborhood grocery to check what classic titles I can add to my collection. With our dvd player at the condo busted, my only other option is in Morato. Mama has a simple home entertainment system -- the type wherein you can watch a couple of titles on a lazy Saturday without noticing the time tick away.

     Having my own entertainment system is a personal goal, once I have my own place I would designate an area or a room for it. I still play occasional basketball games with the ex-ps ballers, the only drawback with the games is the schedule, it's early - 8am to 10am. The games are a good source of exercise, I just wished I was more disciplined as far as waking up is concern.

One will be damned, while the other destined for greatness. This is how the NBA finals ends. There can't be co-champions in the league, there can only be one. After game 4 of the NBA finals in Los Angeles, the Boston Celtics are just a game away in claiming their 17th championship since joining the league. It is also fitting that they claim their championship at the expense of their arch-rival the Los Angeles Lakers.

Status: The Celtics is up three games to one and with the way the Celtics are playing they can close out the series in game five at the Staples center in Los Angeles. I'm sure that the Lakers will not give up the fight they would still try to extend the series to their favor or even sweep the remaining three games for a possible 15th championship for the franchise.

The protagonists

Kobe

Los Angeles Lakers - We all know that this team lives and dies with Kobe Bryant. The addition of Pau Gasol in the picture is just to help Bryant by easing off the scoring pressure on the MVP and to be a defensive stop for the Lakers. Lamar Odom and Derick Fisher -- the veterans on the roster only produce average stats for L.A.they just play "predictable games" in the series. The only edge they have is experience and familiarity with Phil Jackson's play. Vladimir Radmanovic and "The machine" Vujacic they also give steady and consistent numbers for the team but that's it. The rest of the bench are used sparingly no special mentions given. The only department where the Lakers have the edge in the series is youth, unfortunately for LA the players that they have now does not have the experience to go all the way.

Big three

Boston Celtics - It has been a 360 degree turn for the Celts, thanks to the addition of Kevin Garnett and Ray Allen. Before this season the Celtics have been a disappointment barely reaching the playoffs or on bad days ending up at the bottom of the standings. "The Big Three" is indeed in the house, they have been awesome in the finals and they are the main reason why the Celtics have come this far. We seldom see superstars being relegated to the number 2 or 3 option, this was the case of the Celtics. The Celtics already has the maturity on their side, this is evident with the transfer of Garnett and Allen. Not only was there added scoring options for Boston but also they helped build the foundations of a great team. With upcoming guard Rajon Rondo doing wonders at the no. 1 position the Celtics have develop into a potent scoring team. James Posey also an off-season transferee from Miami also delivered in the series when they needed it by hitting those long-range shots. Hats off to veterans PJ Brown and Sam Cassell for giving quality minutes in the series.

Before the finals started a lot of critics and analyst predicted a Laker win primarily because of the MVP season Kobe has given the Lakers. The Celtics being the "underdog" proved them wrong by winning the first two games at Boston as if this was not enough they stole one from the Lakers homecourt. With the lost the Lakers conceded their first lost to the Celtics missing just a win to match an NBA record. It's now safe to say that DEFENSE will win the series. The largest margin for win with either team is just 10 points, this was a far cry from the previous rounds wherein these two teams would win by large margins. Nobody can prevent Kobe Bryant from scoring that's a fact but with the Celtics consistent defense showing up every game not even a Kobe rampage is enough to secure them the win and ultimately the series.

No, it's not Red Auerbach's ghost out to haunt the Lakers it's just a great example of teamwork and unselfishness. For Kobe and the Lakers it not yet your time, not just yet.

     This is all I can say after checking the balance on my atm account earlier. As expected, the company already issued the mid-year bonus today. I guess I am not used to getting a big sum of income this time of year, but in any case it still brought a smile on my face. I've already decided that majority of the bonus will be kept and a small portion of it will be set aside as cash for spending.

    I have already marked my calendar and even before December officially comes, we'll still be enjoying a couple of bonuses this year. I love my work!!!

    This June it will also be my ninth month with BDO and I can say that I have already adjusted to the environment and to my colleagues. My unit is a colorful mix of personalities --- a group of guys who's into auto-detailing, a click who are "war game" fanatics, bottomline the unit is really diverse. The good thing about it is somehow, everybody gets along with each other. Yeah there are still some rumors and gossips going around the office but it's just minimal and it's not harmful to anybody. Me, I just prefer to stay in the middle and keep a good professional and personal relationship with my superiors and peers. Nowadays I just wait for somebody to invite me, and not initiate any activities. Yup, I have indeed mellowed down and yes -- this is for real.

Two weeks ago I had an "incident" at work. No, it's not scandalous in nature but something more urgent. I had a high blood pressure because I ate Aligue Yakisoba. This was the first time I felt a throbbing pain on my nape and at the same time I can feel the blood rushing through my head. The effect several hours of immense headache and body pains, I wasn't able to work at all after suffering from high blood. The following day I decided to absent myself from work and have a check-up, I went to a nearby clinic just to know what is the real score. After the Internist heard my story she gave me her analysis on the situation. First, I might be suffering from hypertension or second, is high blood. I was then tasked to undergo blood test and urinalysis to have a reaffirm her prognosis. After getting the lab results I later found out that my uric acid level and my cholesterol already exceeded the normal mark and this was brought about by bad diet. Due to my work schedule I have yet to visit the doctor for my prescription, good thing after that incident I never had a re-occurrence.

I can still consider myself lucky after the finding, as per the doctor my case is still treatable. Meaning with good diet and exercise I can lower down my cholesterol and uric acid. Prior to this, I already had a mental note on the issue -- that I would lessen my drinking because I'm already a family man. The thought is already there that I cut down on drinking but as far as executing the idea, I'm not yet capable of executing it. That is why the Big Boss upstairs already intervened for me.He gave me the wake up call in the form of the high blood episode at work. It's still early I still have the ball on my court, I just have to be dedicated if I intend to turn things around.

I'm also keeping myself away from fatty and salty foods and bidding adieu to chicharon for now. I now it's for the best.

In a few days, catholics all over the world will be observing the season of lent. This is the time when Christ our lord was tried and sentenced to death by crucifixion by the Roman governor Poncius Pilate. When I was still in school I can remember that we would travel to Baguio and spend our entire holy week there just to get away from all the distractions and the daily routine. While in Baguio we would do "Bisita Iglesia" and go to mass to remember and reflect on the passion of our Christ.

I firmly believe that God has to be at the center of our lives and if we live by this creed whatever trials we encounter we can surpass. I'm revisiting an old family tradition of spending the holy week in Baguio, no it's not because half of Metro Manila is there but it's more of temporarily getting a way from reality. No television, no news and no office talk. Time to remember the events that Christ had to endure in order for man to be cleansed from sin. It is also a good time to recharge from work and just rest and spend time with family.

Just like in the movies.

I just saw "Click" last night, the flick that starred Adam Sandler as a stressed out Architect who can't seem to properly manage his time from work and family. Then he was given this "universal remote control" to effectively manage his life. What initially was an easement to Michael Newman (Adam Sandler) eventually turned out as Pandora's box in the end. Morty (Christopher Walken) cautioned Michael that the control assumes the mood of the user and in Michael's case he would rather skip the dull moments of family life and would just concentrate on work. As the plot thickens Michael realizes that he eventually neglected his role as husband and father missing on some crucial events of family life. In the end he found out that family is more important than work. Although he was successful in his profession, he had no personal life and his achievements were useless without a family who celebrated with him.

Self-significance.

I am vocal when it comes to priorities and family is on top spot. I draw my inspiration from my family they inspire me to work hard and aspire to make a name for myself in my chosen field. Whatever rewards I get from work is a bonus for me I just always need to remember that hard work and perseverance will get you through anything.

What: Visit to Sofitel Philippine Plaza
Where: Sofitel Philippine Plaza, Roxas boulevard Manila
When: March 9, 2008

Notes: We were invited by daddy and mommy to visit them during their catholic conference held at the hotel. It was also Joaqui's first time to swim.

The Samsons at the Sofitel

Joaqui and Mommy playing

Joaqui's first dip at the pool

After the swim with Ate Margie

Joaqui and Daddy by the pool slide

Good old SMB

There are things and habits that we just can't to let go of, no matter how hard we try to forget or deviate from it. On top of the list is beer. I've already had a lot of memorable moments with beer and to be honest with everybody there would still be a lot in the making. Fact: I never was attracted to its taste, but booze has its ways of enticing the drinker. In college, college life wouldn't be complete if you didn't drink ( how can you hook up with a chick if you're sober )? Being a frat man we'd always drink beer to bond or just to kill time in between classes. Beer also helped us overcome our jitters whenever there was trouble or hit.

Then came work, drinking was always a powerful tool to get to meet new friends or in my case establish a barkada. I drink because I want to relax take my mind off work, to interact with people. Beer has been indeed a great companion of mine, I can go 6 bottles on a good night with the accompanying music. I don't want to overlook the most basic reason why beer was ever made --- to make you feel good or to compliment a perfect day and in some instance to help you by trying times.

What is the perfect companion for beer? Basketball of course. I've discovered that you sweat more if you play ball and drank the previous night, it never fails believe me.

I've been playing the game ever since my grandfather enrolled me to a basketball clinic way back in grade 6. Before basketball I never really had any sport, I guess that was the reason why papa enrolled me in the first place or he also wanted somebody from the family to follow in his footsteps. Papa was an ex-uaap player he played for UST in the early 50's, career was a colorful one. He captured a few championships during his stint as a Golden Goldie ( UST was originally the Golden Goldies it was only in the 90's they changed their name to Growling Tigers.) As per papa the school decided to change their name because they were experiencing a title drought in basketball.

It was in high school when my game started to pick up. I had classmates that were varsity players since elementary and we would always play ball at Matutum's neighborhood court. We would play any time in the day early in the afternoon when the sun is at its glory and even in the evening, you can say we were suckers for basketball. We also played against people from all walks of life, from students to tambays and even "bakal boys". We played for pride and for the game itself, I guess our ambition at that time was to have a career in basketball, aren't all kids like that? Lourdes had a hand while I was developing my skills, the coaches really knew how to develop a raw player into a quality one. What was unfortunate was my transfer to Kostka in my sophomore year. My fundamentals before Kostka was "No blood, no foul" what it means was play physical and aggressive. The kids from Kostka (Mostly from Ateneo) were not oriented like that, so I had to adjust to their style of play nevertheless it still earned me a slot on the varsity team during my whole stay in high school.

During college I was only limited to pick-up games with my high school teammates occasionally. The only bright area was during my freshmen year when I tried out and was picked for Benilde's team to the La Salle Athletic League (  it was an inter college competition within De La Salle University ) unfortunately I had to fore go the opportunity because it clashed with my academic schedule.

The only time I played competitive ball was in Peoplesupport, a couple of my colleagues would schedule a game  every Sunday  just for the employees to have a break from the office and work up a sweat and to stay in shape. From the beginning the games were intense and physically it brought back in me the desire to revisit and take seriously basketball again.

With the basketball part of my weekly routine, I was also able to rediscover an old passion. Shoes! When I first played with the folks from PS I only had my Gary Payton signature shoes from Nike, I was already content with them ( I even wore them with my casual clothes ). I still wasn't aware how serious my colleagues were in terms of basketball, they even visited a webpage that gave basketball shoes review for the consumer. On my first year in PS I bought my VC shox and then every year there after I would buy at least 2 pairs of rubber shoes yearly.

Let's face it for as long as I can run, rebound and keep pace with the players on court I would still play ball and in the process buy the latest model of kicks. I swear that once can no longer comply with the conditions I specified above then that's the time I stop playing and stop collecting shoes.

I will be brutally frank on the matter, this is my vice and hobby I don't expect everybody to get along with me on this. Basketball is my weekly exercise and drinking is my only means of relaxation. With drinking I know that I need to monitor my intake from hereon, and I'm working on it. On playing basketball --- I guess subconsciously I'm still chasing that dream.

Basketball & shoes

As previously stated, we visited and viewed a couple of condo units along Pioneer curious and interested what the rates are at the moment. Of all the sites we visited only one was within our budget, but mind you their unit was very small. The sample 2 bedroom unit had a total floor area of 36sqm. it was small as compared to our current unit is, and to think we're already cramped up now.

Although I haven't talked to Rhoda about it, my action plan is to postpone home loan idea for now. I reckon  that  if  we save  beginning now maybe in a few years time we can have enough money to stand as our down payment. Therefore avoiding the risk of having a big loan and being tied with it for the next 20 or so years.  For now we just have to make do with what we have and I am very thankful to our parents for their support and understanding on our status.

Blocking off my weekends.

I've also realized that since Joaqui came I cannot maximize my weekend to spend time with my family. Up to now I still play basketball and go out occasionally to meet up with friends and I guess I've reached a point wherein I would just prefer to stay at home and be a hands on dad during weekends. It's not that I neglect Joaqui during week days but  the demands of work sometimes really takes its toll on me. I'm initiating changes to the schedule I make sure that I interact with him whenever I'm with him in the house and if I'm not that tired I take over in looking after Joaqui.

My impressions

I'm already comfortable with work and the only thing I haven't fully mastered is having a  having  an effective style of collecting from the banks clients. As soon as I have the solution i'll be getting back to you. On my colleagues -- I've discovered that the whole collections unit is one big barkada but just like any big group there are a lot of sub-groups. I am lucky that I get along just fine with all of my officemates with the exception of a few but it really doesn't matter. I've also discovered that there hypocrisies within the four corners of the work place. I am aware of the factions and I've learned to always stay in the middle and be neutral at all times. So far so good, my mind set is this: I'm here to work, I would be lucky if I gain friends in the process.