Leighton, your eyes are killing me. Keep ‘em closed, oh please. :”>

And, oh, I heard you’ll be here this weekend. I’d love to meet you, ahee.

(Source: a-seedy-old-man, via studsandshorts)

Ate Kaye! I miss youuuuuuuu. :’)

And, yes, you should visit Ilocos. It really is such a beautiful place, hehehe. 

It’s More Fun In Ilocos ☺

I’ve been to Ilocos many times already, but only now did I really appreciate it.

After seeing Vigan’s heritage village (again), experiencing Pagudpud’s beautiful beach (again), seeing Bangui’s giant windmills up-close, being amazed by Burgos’ white rock formation, and getting thrilled by Paoay’s vast sand dunes, I am convinced that it really is more fun in the Philippines!

Realizing that I don’t have to go to Arizona to see a number of windmills, or to go to Egypt to see a white rock formation, or to go to Dubai to see a vast area of sand dunes, made me more proud of my country. However, at the same time, it made me sad that some Filipinos prefer going abroad just to experience such.

I haven’t had an out-of-the-country trip for almost 4 years already; but I can honestly say that, just by having gone to Ilocos last week, I’m already satisfied with this summer vacay! ☺

(Source: suntariaaaaanne)

Ilocos ☀

(Source: suntariaaaaanne)

Oh, Taste of Heaven. ☺

Because the best thing to do beside a calm sea, along a quiet shore, on soft white sand, and under a supermoon is spend time with God. ♥

Went to the South last week, now I’m ready to escape again; Northbound this time.

See y’all when I get back. Expect photos from Ilocos! Hee. ♥

And ALL He has made will rise to bless the King of all kings. ♫

Found these letter-shaped corals on the shores of Lobo, Batangas, and used them to form the word Lifebox and Victory’s logo. ☺

Visit us at GT-Toyota, UP Diliman every Fri, 6PM and Sun, from 8AM to 7PM.

(Source: suntariaaaaanne)

Because I haven’t been doing anything in the past few months, I volunteered myself to “manage” one of our businesses (whenever my parents aren’t around—which is what I am doing currently). A few minutes ago, an American customer called us, complaining why, according to him, we sell our products at a very high price. He was looking for the manager; however, my mom had not been around, so I took charge.

ME: Hello, good afternoon, sir. 
CUSTOMER: Hi, I have been ordering from you for a very long time, my staff does. But I just found out that your price is so mahal(expensive). I just called Petron and they told me that the 11kgs is only Php560, why are you selling it to me for Php820? Is it because I’m a “Kano”? 
ME: That’s not true, sir. We sell all our products at the regular price, to anyone. 
CUSTOMER: But I just called Petron. Call them, and ask them their price. 
ME: Okay, kindly hold the line (then I called Petron).

PETRON: Hello, good afternoon. 
ME: Yes, I’d just like to know how much the 11kgs is. 
PETRON: Php806. 
ME: Okay, thank you. 

ME: Sir, I just called Petron and they told me that their 11kgs is at Php806. We are an outlet that’s why we sell it at a little higher price. (Not anyone can buy directly from Petron. ☺) 
CUSTOMER: Are you sure, the 11kgs? Let me call them. (then he called Petron) 
CUSTOMER: Oh, I am really sorry. They confirmed that it’s Php806. I’m really sorry. I really like your service and I’ve been your customer for a very long time. I will continue ordering from you; even if you sell it at Php830. 
ME: It’s okay, sir. There’s no problem. 
CUSTOMER: Okay, thank you. 

This isn’t the first time we’ve encountered something like that. Some of our customers had moved to smaller companies who sell their products cheaper than we do, thinking that they could save more if they would; but then most of them would come back to us saying they like our service more.  Because, with us, they are sure of the products - from the quantity to the quality.

My grandmother started this company back in 1969, when it was really hard to put up an LPG business/company. If you didn’t do the math, we’ve been up and running for more than 40 years already—which would have been impossible if we weren’t fair and honest to all of our customers. Today, it really is so much easier to put up this kind of business. There aren’t as much processes to go through now as compared to before, when it was stricter and harder.

My uncle, Alvin Rebulado, shares his side of the story of how this company started. Read his inputs below:


Mom started working for Shell under the management of Mr. Sunga. During that time, LPGs weren’t very popular and like other new products in the market, they were very expensive. The advantage was to cook your food using a stove instead of the traditional charcoal cooker or butane stove which will only last for a couple of days. The product was promising and soon add-on features and products like the Gas Range were added. Though it was so expensive, people started to hug the technology - same as how we are hugging new tech stuffs in the market today.

So anyway, from what I heard and remember, Shell wasn’t making much money as expected, because not everyone could afford the initial investment. Technically, you would have to buy the empty cylinder first, then you can buy your gas refill whenever you need it. So Shell started to run a promotion. I can’t remember if it was FREE cylinder or a cylinder discount for every customer who bought the refill, but I remember mom telling me that she started to buy her own cylinder stocks and kept them at home as she knew that this was going to be big business in the future.

And so she did! She started piling up those tanks to the point where she was ready to start her own business. In business terms of today, this is considered as ‘conflict of interest’ (hehe… sorry, Mom). But hey, it IS business and she was later open about it with her boss. Management was impressed with her enthusiasm and decided to have her open a branch at 14-B 15th Avenue, Murphy, Cubao, Quezon City. This was one of the first Shell LPG dealerships in Quezon City! It was popularly known as OSELITE Gas and Appliances Center. I remember growing up hearing the banging noise of those tanks and honestly, I really miss them (being here, abroad for almost 15 years) - the noise… and those 10-wheeler trucks trying to park its way to a small space, to dump 200-300 LPGs! Petron and Manila Gas later joined the party. With ERB regulating the industry and so on and so forth, the business grew and branched out to different locations. From Paranaque, all the way to Pulang Lupa, the stores were called AA&M Gas Center (for ALVIN, ANTHONY & MEL). Each of us had a our share in running this lovely business. A lot of people have wonderful futures because of this very business. This little thing grew to help dozens raise their families. This is my mom’s legacy to us and to the many people she helped. IT STILL IS AND ALWAYS WILL be. 

My grandmother is no other than THE Ma. Platona “Tonet” Ordona Alcantara y Rebulado.

We are Murphy Gas Merchandise, located in Quezon City. We sell and deliver LPG products around the area. You can call us at 911-0439, 330-0196 (PLDT) or 437-MGAS (437-6427) (Bayantel). You can also call or text +639192218888, +639194888886 (Smart) or +639277268888 (Globe). If you want to be sure of the LPG that you use, go and dial those numbers now!

PS Please tell them that you found out about this through my blog post; so that my parents would give me a token! Hee, I’m just kidding. ;)

Kabilugan ng Buwan

Kabilugan ng buwan, or full moon. Actually, I didn’t plan to make a gif; I just did because Kim’s already posted a photo of the same subject. ‘Lune’ was also my planned title; however, since she also had used French on her entry, I decided to change mine. Lol, great minds really do think alike! ☺

Yet, of course, she didn’t steal my idea. Go to your terrace and check out the moon at its full! I know you’d grab your cam, just as we did—and even blogged about it. Who could resist its beauty; who? Lol.

And the quality, Tumblr doesn’t allow gifs sized more than 500kb. So bear with this. Oh, hello again, by the way! Rii’s back, nerw. ☺

Yet again, I have to choose whether to go to my g’s party or to go out of town with my fam. Gah, third in a row! I can’t take another regret, lol.

And oh, this photo is killing me. Should have been there; I should have! So, to Sariaya, Quezon or to a friend’s swimming part-ey? Gah.

Once is acceptable; twice is enough; oh, I can’t take another one. Nyerw.

(via sunsoakedseason)

You Brought The Sunshine In ♫

Yet another spontaneous getaway; or maybe not. Well, we planned to go out of town, but we were indecisive about our destination. As a matter of fact, while we were at the corner of Boni Serrano and EDSA, we had to vote whether to go south (left) or north (right) of Luzon—thanks to the stoplight. Of course north won for an Ilocos escapade! However, after about 500m from Boni Serrano, we realized that our luggage was only suitable for the beach. So we took a U-turn, headed south, and ended up at… oh, as usual, Batangas.

This time, however, I was a little too lazy to take photos. Who wouldn’t be if you’ve just gone there two weeks ago, and you know that the mountains and the trees still have the same latitude and longitude. The lighthouse and the adventure tied to its trail has an exception though. ☺

Lezz finally start ze real story.

On our second day, I woke up early because I wanted to go to the lighthouse and have a quiet time on my way. However, I was unable to have the desired serene talk with God because I had met four kids (locals) who disturbed me in a good way.

Aljay, Ayesha, Stephanie (aka Pa-ne), and Marco. They might have disturbed my quiet time but not my time with God; because I do know that He has used them on purpose: Aljay guided throughout our trip; Stephanie kept on listening to whatever story I had; Ayesha, oh, she did nothing but smile at me—and paint one in my face as well; and Marco… who never left me, even when it would take me a couple of minutes to take a photo. ☺

It wasn’t too long before we had to go back to our own places. Just then, we saw my grandfather who gave me money to treat them; so I did! They got so stoked that even the saleslady had a hard time understanding their requests. After they had joyfully received what they wanted, I thanked and left them.

We might have had a pretty short time together, but it was enough for me to learn several things: God will always be with me wherever I go; He can use even the most unexpected people; it really is more fulfilling when you make others happy than when others make you happy; and, sometimes, the best things you learn are those that the younger ones teach you. ☺

We headed back to Manila on the same day. When we passed by the store where we have had snacks, Pane had waved at me so I waved back. The store owner and the saleslady saw us and smiled. It again tickled my heart knowing that they remembered me, and that I was able to make not just the kids but the people at store as well happy.

Teehee! ♥