Forever 28

I don't know why this is but I noticed that I am still thinking the same way I used to think in my 20s. That explains the title of this post "Forever 28". Why 28? Because of this:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=avMbu6cc4Eo

Liam was young, attractive, smart, popular, and a complete liar. He had that famous trait that conmen have had all through the centuries: charm! And because of that he was able to systematically wreck Barings Bank of England.

Some people seem to never grow up. And I'm like that. I wake up in the morning thinking the same way and I am inclined to think that I will die thinking that way. Well, not planning to run a scam, no. But thinking as if I have decades of life yet and that I can afford to plan my life as if I were starting out at 28. When in reality I'm pushing 50 and soon I'm sure that the Good Lord will be asking me to come home already. So now, having realized that, I make it a point to consult God so that I don't wind up becoming another Liam.

Watch the video. You will be awestruck by the audacity of Liam and that he even managed to grin arrogantly at the press after serving his prison sentence. I hope that I never wind up scamming people just because I think "Forever 28" at age 49 onwards.

The China Risk

If you have been reading the newspaper headlines lately, here in Metro Manila, you may have noticed that practically every week there is something about China harassing Filipinos. The most concerning was on March 5 when 44 Chinese warships were lined up at the perimeter of the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR). And now we hear that China has deployed buoys in waters well within the PAR.

I would like to warn everyone that the China risk is very real. This is no joke, though the Chinese disrespect us all the time when our government protests. So I suggest we all pray that God will send us our allies at this point in time to provide military support when China does attack. Yes we need our military might but perhaps God will show mercy on us Filipinos if we turn from our sins and pray. At this point in time, this may save us.

Thanks to the Generosity of Strangers

I was very happily surprised today by the act of kindness over at the food vendor stall nearby. My gas stove needs to be checked so I decided to just buy cooked food at the food vendor stall because of the risk of explosion if I used my stove.

When I got there, there were very few customers so I bought tinola and the server put in two large pieces of chicken and quite a lot of soup. Considering he just asked me to pay 60 pesos, that was a lot! It seems they want me to come by and buy from them again then. I may do just that.

Hopefully, the world will be a kinder place if strangers opted to be more generous to one another instead of trying to hoodwink each other. Peace depends on the generosity of strangers.

Negative Covid Test Results

To my surprise, the hard copy of my RT PCR test results showed that I am NEGATIVE for covid. This is the definitive test results since their online results yesterday showed I am positive for covid. But my mom said for me to keep quarantine for 30 more days so that I won't relapse and for the virus to die out as we keep disinfecting our compound.

This means also that I have to keep following covid protocol which is double masking and using alcohol, especially when handling money. I will keep trying to feed myself nutritious food. Waiting also for Lea to harvest her honey so I can buy for myself and for my siblings.

Sometimes, God has some surprises in store that are unique and remarkable at the same time.

To Earthquakes to Thunderstorms to What?

Today was an exciting day. Luzon Island here in the Philippines had a big earthquake that started in Batangas and extended as far as Baguio City in the North. I'm still waiting for news as to whether anyone got hurt or buildings damaged by the earthquake.

Then, a few hours later, there was this very loud thunderstorm. It lasted for around one hour along with heavy rains and some windiness. For a few moments I was wondering if lightning would strike our house but fortunately nothing like that.

I'm waiting now for whatever comes after those two major incidents.

I Miss Stingless Bee Honey from Nectar & Pollen

Because I've been ill since May 2023 with that insane covid infection, I realized that one reason I haven't been able to recover completely is I lack my regular intake of Stingless Bee Honey. This is honey that is sourced from stingless bees that are native to the Philippines where I live.

I usually get my stingless bee honey supply from my friend Mrs. Lea C. Del Rosario. She is the owner of the Nectar & Pollen brand which she set up to distribute and sell stingless bee honey to the public. Lea is also the beekeeper who manages hives from her Santa Rosa, Laguna location. The brand Nectar & Pollen itself is managed under her company Herbs & Spices PH of which she is the sole proprietor.

The reason I started using stingless bee honey is that my immune system is chronically weak. For some reason, I only get a stronger immune system and faster recovery from illnesses when I take their stingless bee honey. Since there was this very strong typhoon that hit Lea's farm in Laguna, which damaged quite a lot of the property, Lea hasn't been able to harvest her stingless bee honey yet. But when she does manage to harvest, I would like to buy from her again for my own supply. Because even my more expensive health supplements aren't able to boost my immune system the way stingless bee honey does.

If any of you would like to buy Nectar & Pollen stingless bee honey, you may email Lea at her personal gmail account: leacambel@gmail.com. She also has a Facebook account with the handle DelRo Lea. Hopefully, the honey you buy from her will work for you the same way it does for me.

And Then There Were Four...

I can't believe that I just tested positive on my 4th straight RT PCR test today. I felt that I would test positive as of yesterday when I started feeling feverish with malaise again. But it was still surprising to see that test result online.

I suppose that one reason I tested positive is because I was doing many, many things in the past four days. Among those were some white collar work and some manual chores. So I guess I wasn't well rested enough to fight off the virus which has stubbornly decided to stay without being invited. I think it is also my weakened immune system due to non-consumption of Usana health food supplements or the alternative which is stingless bee honey that led to my relapse.

But what the hell, at least I am still alive and fighting for my life. It isn't really life-threatening at this point because I can still get some work done such as cooking my meals, washing plates, and running my washing machine. Still, I have to watch my exertions because I noticed that I tend to go on, and on, and on like that Energizer bunny without noticing that I'm getting exhausted.

I still think I can beat this virus. It's just a matter of good nutritious food, sufficient sleep, avoiding highly stressful situations, and having enough activities that require physical exertion. And of course, God willing, I need to start on my screenplay writing tasks again so that I will be able to earn enough to pay for my debts to my Mom (since she did shoulder all my covid-related expenses all these months). With God's help, I can survive and thrive again.