Wednesday, December 18, 2019

2019 Year-end Review!

Time really does fly!  It seems like it was only yesterday that people around the globe, have set-off firecrackers to welcome the year 2019 with a cheerful blast.   And a few days from now, the sky will once again be filled with vibrant lights to mark another completion of an orbit.  2k19 is a game-changer for me as it opened doors to vast opportunities, which made me truly believe that many things could happen in a year.  

My genuine appreciation and gratefulness to the interesting earthly-souls I encountered this year, with whom I've shared wonderful and fair moments.  Have yourself a merry little Christmas, and may the year 2020 brings you progression and far vision!

Takas Bahay Series of 2k19 Review
1. House of Dave (HOD) Gatherings (Various Dates)
July 5, 2019
Year opening Gathering (January 3, 2019)
Dave's Birthday Celebration at Four Seasons (March 26, 2019)
June 17, 2019
Tong Yang (June 27, 2019)
Casa Verde July 18, 2019
Tapsihan ni Vivian (July 30, 2019)
When pneumonia strikes! (September 12, 2019)
September 20, 2019
An on-the-spot encounter with the once youngs (golden pillar/thunder) of RMC at Eat Together, Capitol Common, Pasig City
HOD and HIMD Friday Gathering at Nipa Hut Motoyori (November 15, 2019)
HOD Christmas Gathering at Vikings Megamall (December 5, 2019)
Samgyeopmasarap: Unlimited Korean BBQ at SM North (December 9, 2019)
Tong Yang @ Centris: Celebrating Santino's Birthday (December 12, 2019)
Birthday Party at Muntinlupa (December 15, 2019)
Bamboo Organ Church of Las PiƱas (December 15, 2019)
2. Ang, Chua, Enriquez, & Company (Various Dates)
Finally, after a year of planning, our dream of opening up an accounting firm has already materialized.  ACE & Co. at your service!  New beginnings and endless possibilities!
Business meeting with our very first client.  Thanks, for the trust! (March 24, 2019)
And another... (May 20, 2019)
Attending a tax seminar with our managing partner being one of the speakers
My first time to sits as one of the panels for a feasibility study defense of Industrial Engineering students of Adamson University (June 11, 2019)... Financial Experts daw ako! :P
Get together at Casa Roces (April 5, 2019)
The aftermath of April 15 Celebration at Metrowalk (April 16, 2019)
6 months na kami!  Celebration with the growing family at Vikings (October 15, 2019)
Client meeting (November 8, 2019)
Field Work (November 9, 2019)
Meeting with an industry partner (November 26, 2019)
Christmas Party of Autovolution and X-1R with the Original Sex Bomb Dancer (December 1, 2019)
San Jose Del Monte Bulacan (December 12, 2019)
3. Greenfield moments, Casual-meetup, Foods, Tagopin and "Bagani's Group" (Various Dates)
July 27, 2019
March 30, 2019
Yakimix May 11, 2019
October 6, 2019
Year opening gathering at the "Crocodile-Stone" (January 1, 2019)
Alay-lakad to Antipolo (Maundy Thursday - April 18, 2019)
Regina Rica, before going to the house of Jojo (April 20, 2019)
A visit to the future Hectar Mansion of the Rizal Landlord Don Johero ML at Pililia, Rizal (April 20 to 21, 2019)
Manila Beer Festival (October 12, 2019)
All4U Shabu-Shabu.  Post climb meeting after the climb at Pulag with Rose and Reggie (July 4, 2019)
Moron! Minsan Suman, Minsan Ikaw! (June 13, 2019)
Fu-Tang Milk Tea. Lolx (March 23, 2019)
Meet up with GSB classmates (January 12, 2019)
Catch-up meeting at Habib Persian Cuisine (October 25, 2019)
November 9, 2019
Catch-up Meeting with MBA Friends at the Black Canyon Ayala Circuit (November 30, 2019)
Christening of Yris Lopez at Sto. Rosario de Pasig Church (December 8, 2019)
4. The Accounting Department / RMC Events (Various Dates)
Birthday celebration of the JKLT Home and Office Furniture CEO and Director Ms. Cristina Ayawon (August 7, 2019)
Picture taking after the mass sponsored by the Accounting Department, COA, and CCIHOM (May 24, 2019)
Despedida of Ms. Tin Solis (September 13, 2019)
The Accounting Department: Road to Christmas 2k19 (October 18, 2019)
The Theme of the Week: Mickey Mouse
Buwan ng Wika (August 19, 2019)
Sagala (May 31, 2019)
Team Building Daw. Antipolo. April 30 to May 1, 2019
Seminar on RA 9184 at Pasig City Hall (October 7 to 8, 2019)
45th Birthday Celebration of Kuya (August 27, 2019)
The Accounting Department: Road to Christmas 2k19 (October 25, 2019)
The Theme of the Week: Batman
The Accounting Department: Road to Christmas 2k19 (November 8, 2019)
The Theme of the Week: Doraemon
The Accounting Department: Road to Christmas 2k19 (November 15, 2019)
The Theme of the Week: Superman
The Accounting Department: Road to Christmas 2k19 (November 22, 2019)
The Theme of the Week: Elmo
Inventory Count (November 24, 2019)
The Accounting Department: Road to Christmas 2k19 (November 29, 2019)
The Theme of the Week: Spiderman
The Accounting Department: Road to Christmas 2k19 (December 6, 2019)
The Theme of the Week: Sponge Bob
Rizal Med @ 78th Christmas Party at the SMX Aura (December 10, 2019)
Theme: Denim and White -  Express! Create! Celebrate!
Bidding and Award Committee-A Christmas Party at the Auditorium (December 13, 2019)
Accounting Department Christmas Party at the Linden Suite (December 13 to 14, 2019)
Red Christmas (December 20, 2019)
5. Family (Various Dates)
Dad's Birthday at Comida China (January 2, 2019)
Fam Pics
Baptism of Lorenzo Cedrick Chua-Ramos at Immaculate Conception Cathedral, Reception at Dad's Megamall (February 9, 2019)
Dinner at Three Sisters' (November 13, 2019)
Christmas Feel in our home (November 16, 2019)
Tito Boyet Turns 60! (December 18, 2019)
It was a great night with overflowing wines and delicious cheeses!
Elephant Party at Tita Betsy's House (December 24, 2019)
Gift Opening
Tita Laleigh's House (December 31, 2019)
Cheers!
6. Lambingan Hills. Tanay, Rizal. DIY. January 5 to 6, 2019
The once peaceful and secluded place that we've seen a year ago is now starting to become a sanctuary of outdoor enthusiasts, and now in the developing phase of becoming an astounding garden of Celosia similar to that of Sirao's Garden in Cebu.
7. Manila Tour. Manila. DIY. March 10, 2019
Visiting the giant crocodile Lolong at the National Museum of Natural History
HOD
8. Camiguin Island. DIY. March 17 to 18, 2019
One of the best places I visited this year is the pear-shaped province of the Philippines.  Camiguin is a magnificent and peaceful place, worth to be called a paradise.  I want to live here!  I will come back...
9. Parola Island. Camarines Norte. DIY. April 27 to 28, 2019
A long stretch of fine sands...
10. Polilio Group of Islands. Quezon Province. Joiner. June 8 to 9, 2019
Yikes! A sanctuary of walo-walo snakes!
11. The Water Tubing of Quezon. Real, Quezon. DIY. July 2, 2019
To the south...
12. Intramuros. Manila. DIY. July 14, 2019
Catch-up tour with the trios.  We tried the bamboo bike and rediscovered some of the historical landmarks behind the walls of Intramuros
13. Chinatown. Binondo, Manila. DIY. August 4, 2019
Food trip in Ongpin
14.   Abramazing! Lagayan, Abra. DIY. September 14 to 15, 2019
First exploration to Mt. Langayan, located at another secluded part of Abra.  The experience is one-of-a-kind.  The trail is not easy as it comprised of several river crossings (one of the cleanest rivers I've seen in my travels) which I'm not fond of.  Only 4 made it to the pinnacle.
The place is undeniably untouched. Sublime is an understatement to describe the greatness that can be seen along the way.  But if I'll be given another chance for a comeback, my response will be... NOOOOOOO!  
15. Welcome to the Christian World, Lyrix Jeffrie Zonio. June 2, 2019
Sta. Clara de Monte Falco and reception at Pasig City Rain Forest (RAVE)
16. First Birthday of Chad Evans B. Fanggo
September 8, 2019, at Jollibee Shangri-La Plaza
17. Taiwan. DIY. November 1 to 5, 2019
Ilha Formosa!  This is how the European Voyagers described Taiwan during ancient times - a beautiful land.  

I joined the team of Hikayat Mountaineers towards the realization of the dream of reaching the apex of Taiwan, and of north-east Asia.  Since we didn't ace an overnight slot at the lodge, most of the time was used in cultural experience and city tour.

Our 5 days' adventure as a team in the once called Formosa seems to be enough, to attest to the previous declaration made by the western world.

Beauty can't only be found in the island's natural landscapes.  Its essence is notably present as well in the country's socio-cultural system. There were so many things to see: the impressive classical and contemporary man-made structures; the wide array of flavors of sumptuous Taiwanese foods at the night market; the technological innovation; the warm-hearted people, and many, many others.
Yehliu Geopark
Longan Tea and Chinese Sausage
Nanya Rock Formation
The ruin of Copper Refinery
Jiu Fen Old Street
Trying a Local Noodles Dish
Flying Lantern
Shifen Waterfalls
Golden Waterfalls
Feng Chia Night Market
Feng Chia Night Market
Gaomei Wetland
Wuqi Fishing Harbor
Chung She Floral Garden
Grape Farm
Castle Garden
Chiang Kai Shek Memorial Hall
National Revolutionary Martyrs' Shrine
Peking Duck for Lunch
Elephant Mountain
Modern Toilet
Taipei 101
18.) Palace of God. Mountain Province. DIY. December 22, 2019

After our climb at Mt. Polis, our team had the opportunity to visit the Palace of God.  It is a secluded place in Bauko, that once became an evacuation site of a group of priests and nuns, during the second world war.
The trail to the hidden falls
The hidden falls
19. Isla Verde: Year-End Tour. Batangas. DIY. (December 28 to 29, 2019)
Reunion of Rebelz at Surface Interval
Cooking game!
A very great way to end the year!
Hiking logs for the year ended 2k19
1. The Highlands of Bauko (Mt. Polis). Mountain Province. DIY. January 26 to 27, 2019
Year opening climb for this year.  We were the 3rd group who did a reverse circuit from Mt. Polis to the highlands of the Spanish Trail.
The last peak
2. Mt. Marami Dayhike. Cavite. Joiner. February 3, 2019
The counterpart of Pico De Loro and known for its "Silyang-bato".  I joined an event organized by BOOZT (Brotherhood of Olongapo and Zambales Trekker)
3. Mt. Balagbag traverse to Mt. Oro. Bulacan to Rizal. DIY. February 10, 2019
Traversing a small portion of Sierra Madre
4. Mt. Manmanok. Mataragan, Malibcong, Abra.  DIY. February 16 to 17, 2019
An exploration of the highest part of Abra.  We were the first group of outsiders who have been given the opportunity of climbing this mountain and seen her pristine beauty.
5. Tarak Ridge via Paniquian Trail. Bataan. DIY. March 2 to 3, 2019
Our team celebrated the 28th birthday of Luisa in Tarak Ridge via Paniquian Trail.
6. Mt. Kalatungan Traverse to Mt. Wiji. Bukidnon. DIY. March 15 to 16, 2019
The rest house
At the summit of Mt. Lumpanag and there's the Kitanglad Range at the background
The thick mossy forest of Kalatungan Range... How stunningly beautiful... and mystical!
7. Mt. Hibok-Hibok. Camiguin. DIY. March 17, 2019
Recovery climb into the most prominent active volcano of a pear-shaped island
Where's the clearing?!
8. Mt. Ayaas. Rodriguez, Rizal. DIY. May 18 to 19, 2019
Back to basic!
Chill camp at Mahogany.  Happy Birthday to Me!!!
9. Mt. Pulag via Akiki-Ambaguio Trail. Benguet to Nueva Vizcaya. DIY. May 25 to 27, 2019
Revisiting the playground of the Gods
10. Mt. Taal. Batangas. DIY. June 15, 2019
The crater of the world's smallest active volcano
Lunch at Tower Ground
11. Mt. Bullagao. Langiden, Abra. DIY. June 22 to 23, 2019
The entire team
The campsite of the sleeping beauty of Abra
At the view deck, the world is shining, shimmering, and splendid!
12. Rodriguez Mountain. Rodriguez, Rizal. DIY. July 7, 2019

Together with Darwin, we joined the CV mountaineers in their goal of accomplishing the dubbed "Rodriguez Hexalogy".  I didn't finish the challenge, but I made it up to the 4th summit :P

Mt. Parawagan
Mt. Lagyo
Mt. Susong-Dalaga
Mt. Binicayan
13. Mt. Romelo. Famy, Laguna. DIY. July 27 to 28, 2019
At the fortress of old school mountaineers
Buruwisan Falls
14. Mt. Arayat. Pampanga. DIY. August 10 to 11, 2019
White Rock
Into the Kindom of the Kapampangan Sun-God Mariang Sinukuan
Outreach
Pampanga State Agricultural University #100TulaParaKayStella
15. Mt. Ayaas. Rodriguez, Rizal. DIY. August 18, 2019
Puray-Ayaas Circuit
A couple of the year!
16. Tarak Ridge via Traditional Trail side-trip to Sisiman Beach. Mariveles, Bataan. DIY. October 19 to 20, 2019
Tune-up climb in preparation of the Yushan Hike in Taiwan
The Team
Sunset at Sisiman Beach
17. Mt. Irid. Tanay, Rizal. DIY. June 5, 2019
The highest peak of Tanay Rizal
18. Mt. Jade / Yu Shan. Taiwan. DIY. November 4, 2019
The highest peak in Taiwan and in North-East Asia
19. Mt. Polis. Mountain Province. DIY. (December 21 to 22, 2019)
At last! We had a clearing!
Worth Recalling / Learnings /Discoveries
- People, don't undervalue yourself - Danny Cabulay during one of the seminars in PICPA Mandaluyong.
- Never settle for less - Ate Lentooooot
- People come and go.
- Everyone can be a fraudster! - Seminar on fraud
- Fraud is material regardless of the amount involved - Seminar on Fraud
- Lessons in signature verification - Seminar on fraud
- Check the body movement! - Seminar on fraud
- "Isang paraan upang malaman kung nagsisinungaling ang isang tao, ipakwento ninyo ang nangyari in a backward approach" - Seminar on fraud
- Fraud diamond: opportunity, pressure, rationalization, and capability.
- Abra is a peaceful and wonderful province!
- Taiwan is home to warm-hearted people.  Ni Hao?
- Managing a business is like passing an unpaved road, and along the way, one will certainly encounter a lot of ...demons? Did I use the right word? Hell, yeah!   It's true! Be vigilant in spotting humans with invisible, fiery, long and curly horns!
- Secret code: "Nostradamus on the move" (nakakadala ka surrrrr!)
- Secret code: "The Green Mineral Tragedy" (I don't want to disclose what actually happened! :P)
- Secret code: "All you need is pride!"
- The conflict between Skyy Wanderer and the brother of Super Mario: Luigi Martin at Lambingan Hills (#newbie)

Other Publication
1. BIR Tax Accreditation Requirement: An Updated Version

Status of 2019 Milestone 
1. To reach the summit of at least 1 of the Asian Trilogy (Fuji, Kinabalu, or Yu-Shan) - Achieved!
2. To travel to at least 12 provinces of the country (preferably more on Visayas and Mindanao) - Achieved, but more on Luzon and Mindanao.
3. Introduction to freediving or scuba diving - Carryforward!
4. Thesis mode on! - Carryforward (puro gala!)
5. To find another work outside of finance - Achieved with a twist!  Together with Cams and Adrian, we formed a partnership.  Still, it is within the portal of FINANCE!
Our current company's logo
Achievement Rate: 60%

Road Map for 2020
1. Thesis mode on :P :P :P 
2.  To have At least 1 international climb (preferably Mt. Kinabalu or Mt. Fuji)
3. Introduction to free-diving
4. To travel to at least 10 provinces of the country
5. To travel to at least 2 countries
6. To develop a business plan for the future!

Photo Credits to the owners


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