My Year 2020: In The New Normal!

"Basically it is going to be a good year for almost all of the animal signs.  2020 will be a strong, prosperous, and lucky year (Cua, 2019)".  This is what Hanz Cua said during an interview in 2019, regarding his annual Feng Shui forecast for the year of the metal rat.  The rest is history! 

In the 5th scroll of his book entitled The Greatest Salesman in the World, Mandino (1968) proposed that to become successful, one should live each day as if it is the last.  I would like to share an excerpt from the chapter:

"I will live this day as if it is my last..... Forgetting yesterday neither will I think of tomorrow. Why should I throw now after maybe? ...... Can I place tomorrow’s gold in today’s purse? ..... Can tomorrow’s death cast its shadow backward and darken today’s joy? Should I concern myself over events, which I may never witness? Should I torment myself with problems that may never come to pass? No! Tomorrow lies buried with yesterday, and I will think of it no more."

A Narra Tree in full bloom.  Taken in
Hinungangan, Southern Leyte (May 2020)

During our stranded days in Southern Leyte last summertime, I was fortunate to witness the true beauty of a Narra Tree.  Its flowers are mystical but short-lived.  They bloom once a year, and just for a single day.  Every person living in that place is only given a day each year to see, and appreciate the splendor of a full bloom Narra Tree before fading.

Most of the time, we are frequently preoccupied with speed and things about the future, to the point that we are failing to appreciate the greatness of each moment.  2020 is a real eye-opener for all of us about the uncertainties of life.  It confirmed that there's no need of rushing things. We should seize the present moment; we should live each day as if it is the last!

Takas Bahay Series of 2020 Review

1. Family (Various Dates)

Dad's Birthday at Haru Sushi Bar (January 2, 2020)

I'm still the favorite, not that kiddo at the side!

Manila Hotel (January 16, 2020).  Is Cafe Ilang-Ilang losing its glory?

Ced's 2nd Birthday simple celebration (November 13, 2020)

Year-end Gathering at Tita Laleigh's house (December 31, 2020)

2. Ang, Chua, Enriquez, & Company (Various Dates)

Partner's Meeting at Din Tai Fung Megamall (January 4, 2019)

Autovolution (January 18, 2020)

Meeting at our new office (February 7, 2020)

Dinner at Marina

Client Meeting at Counterflow.  Yikes! They're in full-force!  A great thing that our reliable people were with me (March 3, 2020).

Mid-year Strategic Planning (June 16, 2020)

Staff Coaching (June 20, 2020)

Partners' Meeting at Hai Kang Seafood Restaurant (September 23, 2020)

Client Meeting (October 7, 2020)

Inventory Count at Tanza Cavite (October 10, 2020)

Meeting with Aries at SM Megamall (October 17, 2020)

Foren (November 7, 2020)

Closing Meeting (November 18, 2020)

MOA (December 5, 2020)

3. HOD Gatherings (Various Dates)

Year-opening gathering.  KBL and Original Molo Soup sponsored by the future couple (January 7, 2020)

Gathering at HOD New Base in Taguig City (February 1 to 2, 2020)

40th day of Myra with the great creator

My send-off party before the 75 days vacation? (March 9, 2020)

Welcome back, Jake! (May 28, 2020)

SM Aura (June 22, 2020)

My Homecoming and Post-Birthday Celebration (June 27, 2020)

HOD- Taguig Branch (July 4 to 5, 2020)

We dined at the home of the best chicken bbq in town, after dropping some goods for Ayn at the CCP.  She contracted the Covid-19 but remained asymptomatic within her quarantine days.  (July 31, 2020)

Celebration of the newly promoted Aries Andrada (August 25, 2020)

Modified Samgyupsal!

SM Aura (September 30, 2020)

Tea Pop Bistro and Twin Lake. Tagaytay (October 11, 2020)

Caution Hot (November 30, 2020)

Kainan Agustu (December 23, 2020)

4. Greenfield Moments / Casual Meet-up / Bagani / Tagopin / Special Events (Various Dates)

January 5, 2019

Awarding of Yushan's Climb Certificate at Tap Station (January 11, 2020)

Mt. Iglit Sudden Tune-up climb (January 17, 2020)

Happy Singles Day! (February 14, 2020)

Bryan's Birthday (June 20, 2020)

Reunion at North Park (September 6, 2020)

1st Birthday of Yris (September 12, 2020)

Prepared by Chef Jojo

Adrian's Before the Wedding Party (November 7 to 8, 2020)

North Park (November 15, 2020)

Reunion of Team Stranded with Nanay Vicky at Dala's Residence in Parañaque (November 15, 2020)

Adrian's Wedding (November 22, 2020)

North Park (November 28, 2020)

Meeting at Habib (December 2, 2020)

Seaside Mall of Asia (December 5, 2020)

Alone, but not lonely at Habib (December 9, 2020)

Another ME time at Habib (December 12, 2020)

Caffe Mezzanine and The Great Buddha Cafe (December 30, 2020)

5. The Accounting Department / RMC Events (Various Dates)

Attended the Budget Forum for FY 2021 at PICC (January 15, 2020)

Overtime #Closingofbooks (January 18, 2020)

Mely Santos 65th Birthday and Farewell Dinner at Pasig Revolving (January 31, 2020)

Promotional Job Interview (June 22, 2020)

Gate-crasher at HIMD (July 8, 2020)

Water / Fire Salute to Frontliners (August 17, 2020)

Accounting Department Despedida for Leicah (November 24, 2020)

Leicah's Last Treat for the Friday's Group (November 27, 2020)

Mabuhay ang Katipunan ng anak ng Bayan.  Brought to you by Carlo Rossi Red Wine and Eden Cheese (November 30, 2020)

Accounting Department Christmas Party (December 15, 2020)

6. Aven's Nature Farm. Baliuag, Bulacan (February 22, 2020)

I attended a seminar held at Aven Nature's Farm in Bulacan.  The discussion revolved around the topic of general management in commercial rabbit production. Great rabbit dishes were also served!  Several organizations are reinforcing the mass production of bunnies, as an alternative meat product. Despite the current limitation in statistics and local literature, I can already feel and see a promising future for this revolutionary industry.

7. 3-Hours in Cebu City (March 15, 2020)

Run for your flight!  Hours before the lockdown in Cebu, we're able to board the ship going to Southern Leyte.

8. Lockdown in Hinunangan, Southern Leyte (March 16 to May 22, 2020)

Boating around San Pablo and San Pedro Island.  I truly enjoyed my stay in Leyte. Daghang Salamat sa Tanan!

9. Papaya Island. Batangas (December 26 to 27, 2020)

Year-end mountaineer's gathering
Most Memorable Line: "Akala ko chix!"

Hiking logs for the year ended 2020

1. Training at Rodriguez, Rizal. DIY. January 12, 2020

Our year-opening climb.  We discovered another hidden beauty of Rizal!  Our thanks to Koi Ramos! 
Route: Wawa-Elmer's Peak-Uknown Trail-Casili-Wawa
Total distance: 21KM

2. Mt. Parawagan. Rodriguez, Rizal. DIY. January 19, 2020

Tune-up climb before our climb at Mt. Tuwato

3. Mt. Tuwato. Cervantes, Ilocos Sur. DIY. January 24 to 26, 2020

I'll never forget our climb at Mt. Tuwato. It was already the most challenging mountain that I climbed.  The experience of passing through edges of a precipice, continuous assaults, and descending an almost 80 to 90-degree trail turned me blue! This mountain is a wonderful place worth a visit. I climbed it once, but I'll never climb it again!

4. Mt. Parawagan - Mt. Ayaas Twin Climb. Rodriguez, Rizal. Diy. February 9, 2020

Total Distance: 20km

5. Mt. Kalisungan. Calauan, Laguna. DIY. February 16, 2020

Another grassland in Laguna

6. Mt. Balagbag Traverse to Mt. Oro.  Bulacan and Rizal. DIY. February 23, 2020

I did it once again!

7. Papaya River. Alasasinm Bulacan. DIY. (February 29 to March 1, 2020)

Chill camp at the Papaya River

8. Mt. Tagapo. Binangonan, Rizal. DIY. (March 8, 2020)

Another enigmatic mountain in Rizal

9. Mt. Hamiguitan. Davao Oriental. DIY. (March 11 to 15, 2020)

Mt. Hamiguitan is the first UNESCO World Heritage site in Mindanao, and home to the largest pygmy forest in the world.  It is a place of overwhelming natural wonders!

10. Mt. Tabjon. Hinunangan, Southern Leyte. DIY. (May 5, 2020)

The Heart Shape of Hinunangan Leyte

11. Mt. Gulugod Baboy. Batangas. DIY. (December 19 to 20, 2020)

Year-end climb

A Newly Found Passion

1. Our Lady of Peace and Good Voyage. Antipolo City. DIY. (July 11, 2020)

The beginning of my biking adventure  

2. MOA, Rizal Park, and Binondo.  Pasay City to Manila. DIY. (July 19, 2020)

Route: Pasig - MOA - Rizal Park - Binondo

3. Solo ride around Pasig and Marikina. DIY. (July 25, 2020)

I visited my alma mater.  The old gate is still there!

Riverbank

4. Capitol Commons. Pasig City. DIY. (July 29, 2020)

Afternoon Ride with Caloy

5. Bunsuran Falls. Upper Marikina, Rizal. DIY. 90KM. (August 1, 2020)

My first trail ride

Group Pic

Mang Vic's Bulalohan

6. Batlag Falls Ride. Rizal (September 8, 2020)

The trails to Batlag Falls

The Falls

7. Seaside Manila and Juke's Teapot. Pasay City and Makati City. (September 11, 2020)

Enjoying the sunset

Don't panic, it's organic! 

8. Los Baños Ride. DIY. 130-140KM. (September 19, 2020)

Rizal Shrine of Calamba

We visited Gid and had an afternoon ride in UP Los Baños and IRRI

9. Sunday Bike Ride at the UP Diliman (September 27, 2020)

10. Tagaytay Road Trip. DIY. 130KM. (October 4, 2020)

11. Sunday Rainy Ride at Timberland. DIY. 46KM. (October 18, 2020)

12. Weekend Ride at 10 Commandments (also known as "Mt. Sinai). DIY. 70 to 75KM. (October 24, 2020)

13. Halloween Ride. Cavite City. DIY. 84KM. (October 31, 2020)

Aguinaldo Shrine

Diocesan Shrine of Our Lady of Solitude of Porta Vaga

Highway and Samonte Park

14. Bike to Eat at Goto Believed. Pasig City. 4KM (November 4, 2020)

15. Upgrading to Trek Bike (December 8, 2020)

New Bike, New Adventure, New Life!

This year is a hell of a roller-coaster ride on my part.  Many things did not materialize but despite the odds, by the powerful grace, I can still say that this is a strong, prosperous, and lucky year.  I give thanks to the mighty one and to the good people I met along the road.  Keep fighting and happy new year in advance!

End

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