My Dream Job

It's been my dream to be able to work at home. This way, I can look after my kids and earn a living at the same time. This dream job finally came true almost three years ago. And now, I'm happy to just be working in front of my computer every day at home and earn my desired income. Not that I earn that much but when compared to working in an office and all the commuting that I need to do, I no longer want trade my current work setup.

My very first job was in the broadcast media industry. As I was starting out back in the early 1990s, I held varied positions from being a radio anchor for an AM station, a disc jockey for the FM station to a newswriter, radio newscaster and TV news reporter. It was a rewarding experience for me being able to apply all that I've learned in school and meeting different types of people from the celebrities and high ranking government officials to the ordinary citizens. Another benefit was being able to go to places I've never been before.

But being a journalist is no easy job. There are deadlines to beat and official holidays mean work as usual except only on Holy Thursday and Good Friday during the Lenten season. In other words, there were trade offs but then again, it didn't matter at that time. I was committed to doing good in my job and it all paid off.

As times goes by, though, we need to make changes in our lives. And for me, the major changes came after I got married. I had to move to another city and establish myself. Fortunately, I was able to land in another rewarding job still in the media but this time, the print media sector. With hard work, I was able to establish myself well which again contributed to my personal fulfillment.

My present home-based job is still connected to the media but now it's more high tech as my work is done through the internet. I'm still involved in information dissemination and writing and since this is my passion, I think I will do this for as long as I can.

It feels great to achieve the dream job that you want. You could call mine an early retirement option but I'm happy with what I'm doing and I won't trade it for anything.

How I Got Into Scrapbook Making

I've always loved arts and crafts since I was a small kid. I've carried on this passion even until now which is why I've decided recently to become a member of some a local site catering to the art of scrapbook making called Scrappin' Moms.

Everything started when I was about 8 or 9 years old. I used to collect small stationeries and I would draw some of my favorite Sanrio characters on it and then give it to my close friends in school. Sanrio was at the height of its popularity back then in the late 1970s until the 1980s. My favorite characters were the Little Twin Stars and Hello Kitty. Fact is, I collected several small Sanrio items at that time some of which I was able to pass on to my little girl, Charlotte.

My love for scrapbooking came a little later during my high school and college days. It all began with my collection of magazine cutouts of my favorite male celebrity Aga Muhlach. I was following Aga since his Bagets days and started collecting magazines which featured him. I would then paste his photos and writeups on a scrapbook. And would you believe I was able to have it signed personally by Aga Muhlach when he came to our place. Modesty aside, the actor was so impressed to see that scrapbook from his Ilongga fan.

Back in 2003, I got into the more modern art of scrapbook making which involves creating a beautiful layout of pictures and other art materials on a page. I made one for my son, JP, using just the inexpensive materials. I've long been searching for a group engaged in this hobby and it was only now that I found one.

Scrappin' Moms are all mothers and professionals passionate about scrapbooking. They make fantastic scrapbook pages using the wide range of materials available in stores today. I'm glad to be a member of this group and I hope to learn and share wonderful ideas with these amazing moms.

Happy Birthday, Tatay!

It's my father's birthday today. Unfortunately, he's no longer here because he passed away almost four years ago in December 2005. But we always remember his special day. He would have been 70 today.

My Tatay, the late Buenaventura C. Salazar, is a very special man in my life. He was a disciplinarian, a man of few words and a thinker. He was not the expressive type but I know he was proud of what his four children have become despite of our flaws. Tatay was a very practical man and a loyal employee. I admired him for rising from the ranks through his sheer dedication and hard work.

I share with you here the eulogy I made for him.

TATAY– Our Superman

He may not have the body and physical strength of Superman but our dear Tatay was a man of steel – strong in mind and spirit.

As a father, he was always our “pillar of strength” reminding us all the time to be strong in facing life’s trials and never failing to give us practical advices when we need them. He was a strict disciplinarian during our growing up years but we thank him for being so for it taught us to be independent and responsible. Weekends and special occasions were always spent with the whole family either at the beach or dining out in a restaurant.

As a husband, he was ever loyal to Nanay. He took pride in his wife bringing her with him to any place he was assigned to. As a couple, they were a sight to behold.

As a grandfather, he was the doting “Lolo Ben” who would shower the kids with his overflowing love, attention and generosity. Even the children in our neighborhood, who serenaded him with his requested Christmas songs on his last night, love him dearly.

As Belly, the brother, he was very supportive – never failing to help a sibling in need and never complaining when asked to do a favor.

As a boss and friend, he was very humble, always smiling and easy to get along with.

He was a big basketball fan with a passion for the sport that was contagious.

From his humble beginnings in Lubao, Pampanga, Ben was a self-made man who worked his way up through his own dedication and perseverance. He was a man of few words yet an intellectual with unbending loyalty to his family and job -- having served the First Malayan Group for 40 straight years.

His dream of building a home for his family he did achieve with no frills calling it “the fruit of my labor.” And until his last day here on earth, he beautified our home most especially for Nanay and a dear sister just like how our Lord prepared a home for us in heaven. Hence, despite this grief we feel, we are comforted by the fact that Tatay died a happy and fulfilled man. And surely, when he met our Creator, he was told “you did a great job Ben, welcome home!”

To our beloved TATAY, thank you for everything. We love you so much and we will terribly miss you.

Mother and Child Ties

If there's one thing that I admire in Michael Jackson other than his music and remarkable achievements in his career, it's his close ties with his mother, Katherine. It's heart-warming to know that amid all the fame as well as the rough roads that he had to go through, his mom was his staunch supporter. No wonder why Michael entrusted his three children to his mother.

I have always admired people who are close to their mothers. I know how it feels to have a wonderful and supportive mom and I consider myself a very lucky daughter. I enjoy a great relationship with my mother whom I fondly call "Nanay." She's been there to support me and my siblings in everything we do even until now. Nanay was just a call away and I appreciated it so much that she was able to be with me when I gave birth to my two children with a seven-year gap. She and my Tatay were successful in raising all four of us to become the responsible and independent individuals that we are now.

Nanay is a young looking person especially when in her tip top shape. In fact, as me and my sister were growing up, the three of us were even mistaken as sisters. I took after my Nanay in many aspects including my looks, my being a hands-on mother and my dedication to keep my family together. And although we're miles apart today, I always make sure to call her at home as often as I can and update her with our latest activities.

We may have differences but our strong bond is more important than anything else today. A mother is the best person anybody can have and now that I'm a mom myself, I'd like to follow the footsteps of Nanay.

Thanks for your Music, Michael

It's sad to let go of a great artist who's made a huge impact in the lives of millions of music fans. I don't want to say goodbye to Michael Jackson. I just want to say "thank you for your music." Because even though he's physically no longer with us, his music will live on forever. And as what Madonna said in her recent concert where she paid tribute to Michael, "Long live the King!"

I must admit that I'm a fan of Michael Jackson. I grew up listening and dancing to his music. I come from a dancing and music loving family and my older brother and I were the ones who followed Michael's popular songs as we were growing up. My great love for music was what actually led me to become a disc jockey in an FM radio station more than 10 years ago. Back then, my favorite Michael Jackson song that I loved to play was "Heal the World" not only because of it's meaningful message but also because of its wonderful musical arrangement.

Dancing to Michael's upbeat songs was what I also loved to do back then. In fact, I can still remember the dance moves associated with his hit songs from Rock With You, Beat It to Billie Jean, Thriller and Bad. It only goes to show that the King of Pop can really make people get up and dance with his music any time, anywhere.

I would have loved to see him back on stage for his final concert, even just on TV or on the internet. But sadly, he couldn't do that now. One thing's for sure, though, I will always play and dance to his music along with my kids. So thanks to you, Michael for your wonderful music. You will always be remembered.