Family Trips

It was a blessing being able to book a flight to Davao and back for May 2011 for only PHP 270. My wife and I decided to get tickets for my relatives and it was successful. We also booked another flight for another week in May. It was to Tagbilaran to get to visit Bohol and our plan was to buy tickets (at the same rate) for Jennie’s relatives.




We were not able to buy tickets for everyone because her parents and uncle can’t travel because of her uncle’s mental condition. He is not a person with disability so he’s not like those entitled to Medicare part D plans in the US.

We were able to book for her sister and brother-in-law but we sure would have enjoyed if all of us went to a trip together. I guess with the situation in the family we either need to accept this limitation or try to work around it (which would take a lot of sacrifice for many concerned). I am still remaining hopeful that someday we'd all be able to go to a trip together.

Read more... Jeff, Sunday, September 5, 2010

Greetings and Service

Everybody enjoys great customer service. In the last pizza place my wife and I went to, we experienced being served by a lady who served with sincerity, patience and great service.

As soon as we arrived, she greeted us, ushered us into good seats, gave us each menus to pick out what we want to eat. She excused herself for a while to give us time to think about what we were going to order. In many restaurants we’ve been to we encounter waiters/waitresses who pressure us into ordering right away, that’s why I really preferred how the lady in this pizza place handled our situation.


After ordering a couple of “bunch of lunch” and a drink (perhaps that will give you an idea what pizza place I’m writing about), we did not have to wait too long before our food was served, although we were advised as to how long it would take them to prepare our food. While eating, we were revisited and constantly checked by her to see if we needed anything else and to ask how we liked our food – I find this very thoughtful and friendly.

When it came to getting the bill, she was quick to give it to us that we did not have to wait long. She was also patient enough to explain how their point of purchase displays were not working that’s why she was giving us hand written bills instead of the usual print out. Because of all these efforts, my wife and I felt that she deserved a good tip and that their restaurant deserved for us to come back to.

All these made me reflect upon how ushers and greeters in church can make an impact among visitors, returning visitors or regular attendees who are not close to anybody around. If people who are gifted with friendliness, warmth, sincerity and love for strangers, use their ability or skill to reflect God’s love and openness to even just a few people sitting in the church, how many would change their minds about not going back. Sometimes it’s not just about the preaching, the music or the facilities but the friendliness of the people in church that make people decide to come back. Just think about it…


"Keep on loving each other as brothers. Do not forget to entertain strangers, for by so doing some people have entertained angels without knowing it." Hebrews 13:1-2

Read more... Jeff, Saturday, September 4, 2010

C! and Union Bank’s GT+R Track Day

Last Saturday was the C! and Union Bank’s GT+R Track day where they awarded winners in their promo “Unionbank’s Frand Free Autocross” at C!’s 2010 Annual Buyer’s Guide. Twelve of their winners were awarded PHP 20,000, PHP 75,000 off on their auto loan (if they choose to avail of a loan at Union Bank to buy a car), and a year’s subscription of the C! magazine.



Participants were asked to sign waivers for the protection of the drivers and the expensive cars (Mercedes Benz’s E series, a Subaru sedan, a Hyundai Eclipse, a BMW 523i and a Nissan Sentra). Winners were given free racing lessons by professionals from Orange Performance so that a car insurance like the 5th wheel insurance wouldn’t have to be used.

The Unionbank GT+R (Great Treats + Rewards) auto loan is positioned as a high performance auto loan in terms of exciting perks and benefits, great rates and ultra-long terms of up to 72 months on select car models.

Read more... Jeff,

AirPhilExpress Promo for the 21st Philippine Travel Mart

Waiting in line to book a flight to Davao and Bohol for May 2011 and avail of AirPhilExpress' promo for the 21st Philippine Travel Mart, I got tired and asked the person behind and in front of me to save my space. Among the travel deals available in this travel exhibit, this was obviously the most in demand. I fell in line around 6:45 pm and as I write this blog entry, I am halfway the long line of those trying to avail of the promo.


The best deal offered by AirPhilExpress for the 21st Philippine Travel Mart is their PHP 88 fare promo (exclusive of VAT and airline secutiry fee) to all their domestic destinations (except Manila-Caticlan and Cebu-Caticlan), travel period is April 16 to May 30, 2011. They have other travel deals and the next cheapest is PHP 288 fare promo (exclusive of VAT and airline secutiry fee) to all their domestic destinations (except Manila-Caticlan and Cebu-Caticlan), and the travel period is February 16 to March 30, 2011. The rates are exclusive at the exhibit and not available online.

You can check out other travel deals, hotel accommodation packages from other participating airlines and travel agencies at the 21st Philippine Travel Mart at the SM Megatrade Hall from September 3-5, 2010.

Read more... Jeff, Friday, September 3, 2010

"How to Reach Your Full Potential for God" by Dr. Charles Stanley: Book Review

I finally finished reading the book "How to Reach Your Full Potential for God" written by Dr. Charles Stanley and here is a brief book review. In this book which I would say is perfect for those who want to get more out of life and for Christians who feel dry, Dr. Stanley shares the key elements a person must have in his or her life life to become who God has called him or her to be and fulfill all that God has planned for his or her life. He calls these key elements as “essentials” that can point a person in the direction of a life that is full of peace, joy, love, and abundance.



The essentials he wrote in "How to Reach Your Full Potential for God" about are having a clean heart, a clear mind, discovering the gifts God has equipped a person with and how to use them. Dr. Stanley also shares practical life applications like eating healthy, exercise and time management. This book deals with important aspects of life: the spirit, soul, and body and explains that all 3 must be congruent and balanced so that a person can reach his full potential for God.

I highly recommend this book to seekers, those who are uncertain about God's calling for their life. Dr. Charles Stanley addresses how a person is created for a purpose, and that purpose is only found in functioning in this life the way our Creator designed he or she is to function.

I like the very practical and encouraging approach of Dr. Charles Stanley in his book "How to Reach Your Full Potential for God."

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Thomas Nelson Publishers as part of their BookSneeze.com book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Read more... Jeff, Monday, August 23, 2010

Using Gifts and Talents for God

I am very happy and proud of our church members who voluntarily use their talents, abilities and skills to help improve anything in our church. Lately, many have been noticing the tarpaulin banners in our church in Makati, the ones we use to show members of upcoming message topics. The one who designs these tarps is a young professional who is considerably skilled with using Adobe Photoshop.

October and Novemeber 2009 series

July Series

Made for one of our youth events

I just want to share some of the things she has made for our church and also introduce her blog (Just About Anything) as she has also started blogging while in a job transition. I believe so much in her that I am encouraging her to start her own tarpaulin or poster printing business sensing also the entrepreneurial attitude she has.

Read more... Jeff, Saturday, August 21, 2010

Birthday Treat: Family Trip to KL

In just a few weeks my family and I are going to Kuala Lumpur in Malaysia. This trip was booked almost a year ago when Air Asia had a promotion. We booked the round trip tickets (for me, my wife and our son) for less than PHP 3,500 pesos – not for each but for the three of us.

This was our birthday treat to each other as my wife and I both celebrate birthdays in the same month. I did consider other gifts like lingerie and perfume but we both agreed that the trip will be our only birthday gift to each other.

Read more... Jeff, Thursday, August 19, 2010