"J.D. Salinger: Goodbye, thanks and god bless you!" originally posted at The Nick Nichelle Dael blog

Let me get one thing out before we continue on. I posted a fitting answer to FB’s What’s on your mind? question through a J.D. Salinger quote on my Facebook status last January 26, 2010.

Would you like to know what I honestly think? Would you? – Franny and Zooey by J.D. Salinger

I’m still halfway in finishing his short story “Franny and Zooey.”

Be it coincidence or whatever, finding out about his death (last January 27, 2010) today weirded out the order of things.

Moving on.

Jerome David “J. D.” Salinger lived a long life at 91. He is the author of the only novel that I read numerous times – “Catcher in the Rye.” And I also owned several copies of it – three(3) to be exact. If you go see my profile in Facebook, Myspace and Friendster, you’ll see that it’s always been there as my favorite book.

My utmost gratitude to you for authoring the only book that inspired me in millions fold and I’m still trying to ingest the philosophical and religious musing of “Franny and Zooey.”

Goodbye, thanks and god bless you, JD!

"Voting guide for the automated 2010 Presidential Elections" originally posted at The Nick Nichelle Dael blog

Before you head out with your classy shoes and outfit to your designated polling precinct, it’s helpful to know what to bring. So, I’m listing things to remember or bring during the 2010 Presidential Elections day.

• Voter’s ID or any valid national ID.
• Your list, kodigo, of who you’re voting for. Why? Because there’s only one ballot for each voter.

  Note: Do not overvote. Meaning voting for extra number of candidates as it will invalidate your vote for that political seat. See guide below:

  • One(1) President
  • One(1) Vice President
  • Twelve(12) Senators
  • One(1) Congressman
  • One(1) Governor
  • One(1) Mayor
• Bringing your own pen or marker is not necessary. That will be provided as you vote. And you have to return it.

See, there’s not much to bring! Just in case no one’s giving out snacks, remember to have something to munch on if ever you get hungry as you vote but not those messy ones, please, because any unnecessary marking on your ballot might might invalidate it. Steps after the jump!

Now, let’s get to voting! Bullets below are the steps on how to vote for the automated 2010 Presidential Elections.

1. Search for your name at your designated polling precinct.
2. Show valid ID, as mentioned above, to the Board of Election Inspector(BEI) to get your ballot, pictured above.
3. Be guided on where to go, meaning no one seeing who you voted for, to fill up the ballot.
4. Go to a PCOS (Precinct Count Optical Scan System), also pictured above, to have your ballot officially casted. Feed it accordingly. A screen on the lower left will tell you when the machine is scanning and have validated your ballot. Remember to see the number of votes at the lower portion of the screen and make sure that it is incremented before leaving.
5. Have your finger dirtied with the ever existing indelible ink.

Thank you for voting. It’s the future of the Philippines so vote accordingly!

Thanks to PoliticalArena and IBANaNgayon for hosting a blogger’s night for the Cebu Bloggers Society!

"The Dillinger Escape Plan – Option Paralysis" originally posted at The Nick Nichelle Dael blog

If there’s one new music that I’m so excited about this year it is “Option Paralysis” by The Dillinger Escape Plan. After a not at all disappointing Ire Works, the band once again is set to break fingers and whatever else to with this new one!

Album: Option Paralysis
Release Date: March 23rd 2010
Producer: Steve Evetts.

Track Listing:
1. Farewell, Mona Lisa – 5:23
2. Good Neighbor – 2:30
3. Gold Teeth on a Bum – 5:22
4. Crystal Morning – 2:02
5. Endless Endings – 2:32
6. Widower – 6:23
7. A Room Full of Eyes – 4:15
8. Chinese Whispers – 4:06
9. I Wouldn’t If You Didn’t – 4:14
10. Parasitic Twins – 4:41

Low quality, but good enough, preview of the tracks could be found here.

"STREAM: Resistance to Change" originally posted at The Nick Nichelle Dael blog

As always, as how we always were told, the actuality of things, there’s nothing permanent but change. And Change only kept two friends with him: Good and Bad. The names equate to how they are defined in books.

As an employee of eTelecare for two years now, yes, January 21, 2010, I think I have the right to say that it’s been downhill for us employees since the announcement of the merger between eTelecare and Stream, both globally competent companies. All switches of enthusiasm were put off by the artillery of internal communications that never favored us employees. Some of it may even be against the books – of law.

Many decided to leave but most stayed, we stayed, with the mantra that the company needed us.

But everything’s been wishful thinking!

More facts and similar sentiments by an anonymous author, a colleague, after the jump.

A mesage from an employee

It has been a couple of months since we were informed of the “merger” between Etelecare and Stream. On the onset of things, we were very hopeful that the changes it would bring thru the integration team would be beneficial for us all since the company would become even larger and much more stable. However, the contrary is plaguing and haunting us all now. Here are some points that have been occupying our minds lately and have been making conducive the growth of fear in our hearts with the new processes instilled in this company:

1. we understand that there is a change in management and that the company currently is assimilating the processes of Stream more than retaining practices and traditions of Etelecare, nevertheless, our contracts have not been changed and so it is but reasonable to expect that what we have signed with Etelecare should and must remain as is and any violation or contravention of the tenor of the same thereof should be considered a breach and therefore must be addressed internally before it escalates to a full blown litigation. the specifics of such alleged breaches are as follows:
   1. we signed for a monthly salary, yet we are now following a daily pay program.
   2. we agreed on a semi-monthly payday, yet we are now under a bi-weekly pay-period. Yes, at the end of the year we may still have the same basic salary, however it diminishes our buying power during each pay-day. One colleague of mine even got a zero net pay for this December 15 pay period due to the changes, and this employee has kids to feed. AND It IS CHRISTMAS.
   3. we agreed on quarterly bonuses or PA’s, yet our leaders’ PA’s are withheld indefinitely for no apparent and valid reason.
2. we acknowledge the changes made to the practices and processes made by the integration team from how we do timekeeping, payroll, and in the code of conduct. Nonetheless, such changes should have been made when everybody has been informed well about it. We know that common sense and business etiquette would tell us that for a businessman to grow his venture, he must include and be keen to not allow labor unrest to permeate the environment of his employees, especially with the kind of business we are all in. however, this climate seems to be present currently in our midst; not so much on the changes made but on how exclusive the integration team is and on how un-involved they have made the rest of the employees regarding the changes. How difficult would it have been to conduct a town-hall meeting or a furom?
3. arguendo that the changes are within the limits and bounds of the law, is the time difference between sites too vast that one would not realize the coming season/holiday? Did the integration team not put into consideration the fact that the holiday entails more expenditure and promises, that to affect changes during time especially on payroll is anathema and maybe even un-called for. How “Scrooge” can a person get? An advise to spend wisely and to avoid unnecessary expenditures is more or less unreal and would require extraordinary discipline.
4. traditions and cultures has played a major part in motivating and retaining employees in etelecare. One such tradition was the ham and cheese give-away during Christmas, such fruitful practice is always looked with excitement by the employees, always talked about, always anticipated; for somebody to say that such a tradition does not motivate nor contribute to the development of employees is humbug and unscrupulous. All he has to do is to go around and listen to the silent and, hopefully, loud clamors of employees, not just for the ham and cheese but the tradition and culture it embodies; a tradition and culture that is set aside for reasons like “budget” and “plans”.

We are not asking for something unconscionable or impossible, we are simply asking that our welfare is also considered and that we are included and consulted with any changes that is made in what we know in good faith should remain as is, like our contracts.

We only ask that if traditions would be broken and cultures set-aside, we would be given an alternative or at least a replacement in lieu of the nullified and voided tradition and culture.

We only ask that our leaders who are making the decisions also consider the fact that there would be no company without the employees; and that a company with satisfied employees means better profit and higher retention.

And we only ask that our leaders making the decisions, with the current merger making Stream a multi billion dollar company, allow us employees celebrate the holidays with smiles and not complaints and fears in our hearts and minds.

We are not in aversion to change itself, but to the kind of change and how such changes are implemented; nor do we question the wisdom of our leaders or decision makers, but only to the priorities and values they have set for us employees.

Furthermore, we remain hopeful that indeed there will come a change from the company that we would be proud of; that would make us, with heads held up high, declare the we are working in Stream Global Services, a company who cares.

"A blog for my son" originally posted at The Nick Nichelle Dael blog

I started a new public blog to record the growth of my son, Bjorn Carlos. Point your browser to bjorncarlos.blogspot.com. Excited to fill its pages with photos, videos and everything that I and my wife could come up with in celebrating the life with our first born.

If you are as excited as we are then become a follower of the blog through Google Friend Connect that’s on the sidebar of the blog.

"In facing the new decade" originally posted at The Nick Nichelle Dael blog

Looking back at it, the previous decade defined what I am today. Easily, it’s when I left the comfort of having my parents decide which track to tread on. I graduated secondary school just months after the 21st century started. I took and failed the information technology curriculum. I opted for the punk way of things outside the confines of any academic dictates. Life would have been different but I’m all good. I treasure everyone and everything that I have now.

Goodbye, Oh Nine. Hello, Twenty Ten!

And as the new decade of the 21st century opens, and much like the movie, that the poster appears above, I will be direct in my approach on things. Spell success and failure the way they should be. Less focus on the brilliance of implementing things but simply carrying out what is needed.

"Bjorn Carlos smiles!" originally posted at The Nick Nichelle Dael blog

This is a video of my son that I captured on the forth day since his birth last December 27, 2009. And a fitting quote – from someone I didn’t have the chance to know – for this video:

A smile happens in a flash, but its memory can last a lifetime.

"Sinulog 2010 schedule of events" originally posted at The Nick Nichelle Dael blog

See complete listing of Sinulog 2010 schedule of events and parade route map after the jump or click the poster.

Sinulog 2010 parade route map

Sinulog 2010 schedule of events

January 07, 2010 (Thursday) – Opening Salvo: Walk with Jesus

• 4:00 AM – Assembly Time (Area) Fuente Osmeña
• 4:30 AM – Start of Walk-Fuente Osmeña Blvd. – Basilica del Sto. Niño
• 5:30 AM – Installation of Hermano & Hermana Mayores 2010

January 08, 2010 (Friday) – Sinulog 2010 Kick Off

• Sinulog Photo Exhibits through the years @SM City Cebu, Ayala Center Cebu, MCIAA
• 2:00 PM – Solemn Mass (Basilica del Sto. Niño)
• 3:00 PM – Launching Parade (Basilica del Sto. Niño to Cebu City Sports Center)
• 7:00 PM – Opening and Launching Program, Fuente Osmeña featuring Mandaue City Children’s Choir, Dancesports Team Cebu and Dance Troupes from Cebu’s schools and universities
• 7:30 PM – Ms. Cebu 2010 Presentation, Fuente Osmeña
• 8:00 PM – Sinulog Idol (Fuente Osmeña Circle)
• 9:00 PM – Streen Party Bands

January 9, 2010 (Saturday) – Sinulog sa Kabataan – Lalawigan

• 1:00 PM – Parade of Participants, Capitol Site to Cebu City Sports Center
• 2:00 PM – Sinulog sa Kabataan sa Lalawigan, Cebu City Sports Center
• 4:30 PM – Awarding of Winners
• 6:30 PM – Cultural Show (Fuente Osmeña) DepEd, Cebu Province
• 8:00 PM – Sinulog Idol (Fuente Osmeña Circle)
• 9:30 PM – Concert @ the Fuente O, Street Party Bands

January 10, 2010 (Sunday) – Sinulog sa Kabataan- Dakbayan

• 4:00 AM – Cebu City 2010 Marathon – www.cebumarathon.com
• 1:00 PM – Parade of Participants, Plaza Independencia to Cebu City Sports Center
• 2:00 PM – Sinulog sa Kabataan sa Dakbayan, Cebu City Sports Center
• 4:30 PM – Awarding of Winners
• 6:30 PM – Cultural Show (Fuente Osmeña) University of San Carlos
• 8:00 PM – Sinulog Idol (Fuente Osmeña Circle)
• 9:00 PM – Concert @ the Fuente O, Street Party Bands

January 11, 2010 (Monday)

• 6:30 PM – Cultural Show (Fuente Osmeña) University of Cebu
• 8:00 PM – Sinulog Idol (Fuente Osmeña Circle)
• 9:00 PM – Concert @ the Fuente O, Street Party Bands

January 12, 3009 (Tuesday)

• 7:00 PM – Ms. Cebu 2010 Coronation Night, Waterfront Lahug Hotel
• 7:30 PM – Cultural show (Fuente Osmeña) University of San Jose-Recoletos and Cebu Institute of Technology
• 8:00 PM – Sinulog Idol (Fuente Osmeña Circle)
• 9:00 PM – Concert @ the Fuente O, Street Party Bands

January 13, 2010 (Wednesday)

• 9:00 AM – Airport Welcome (Balikbayan Flights)
• 6:30 PM – Cultural Shows (Fuente Osmeña) University of Southern Philippines-Foundation and Salazar College of Science and Institute of Technology
• 8:00 PM – Sinulog Idol (Fuente Osmeña Circle)
• 9:00 PM – Concert @ the Fuente O, Street Party Bands

January 14, 2010 (Thursday)

• 9:00 AM – Airport Welcome (Balikbayan Flights)
• 10 AM – 3:00 PM – Photo Shoot Sinulog Festival Queen, SM City Entertainment Plaza
• 6:00 PM – Balik Cebu, Welcome Party @ Ayala Center Cebu
• 6:30 PM – Cultural Shows (Fuente Osmeña) Cebu City Division
• 7:00 PM – Sinulog Festival Queen Parade of Costumes @ SM Northwing Lobby
• 8:00 PM – Sinulog Idol (Fuente Osmeña Circle)
• 8:00 PM – Handumanan @ Ayala Terraces
• 9:00 PM – Concert @ the Fuente O, Street Party Bands

January 15, 2010 (Friday) – Visual Merchandising Contest (Dept. Stores and Malls)

• 4:00 AM – Walk with Mary (Area) Fuente Osmeña-Sto. Niño
• 7:00 AM – Misa de Translacion (Motorcade)
• 9:00 AM – Solidarity Meeting (All Competing Contingent /
  Floats / Higante / Puppteers) @ Cebu City Sports Center Gym
• 6:30 PM – Cultural Shows (Fuente Osmeña) Cebu Normal University, Abellana National High School and Asian College of Technology
• 7:30 PM – Cebu Popular Music Festival, Cebu Coliseum
• 7:30 PM – Sinulog Festival Queen 2010, Cebu City Sports Center
• 8:00 PM – Sinulog Idol (Fuente Osmeña Circle)
• 9:00 PM – Concert @ the Fuente O, Street Party Bands

January 16, 2010 (Saturday)

• 6:00 AM – Fluvial Procession of the Miraculous Image of Sto. Niño
• 8:00 AM – Vibration and Big Bike Rally by Vmax Owners Group
• 9:00 AM – Re-enactment of the Baptism of Queen Juana and Rajah Humabon Basilica del Sto. Niño
• 2:00 PM – Solemn Procession of the Miraculous Image of Sto. Niño
• 7:00 PM – Sinulog Fireworks Competition @ SM City Cebu
• 7:00 PM – Street Party @ Fuente Osmeña and Plaza Independencia
• 8:00 PM – Gala – Passionata a Cultural Heritage Celebration in Honor of Sto. Niño de Cebu @ SM Cinema I
• 8:00 PM – Kasadya Nite Mardi Gras @ Ayala Center Cebu
• 8:00 PM – Handumanan Concert, USP-F Theater for the Performing Arts

January 17, 2010 (Sunday) – SINULOG GRAND PARADE

• 4:00 AM – Mañanita Mass @Basilica del Sto. Niño
• 6:00 AM – Pontifical mass with His Eminence Ricardo J. Cardinal Vidal
• 9:00 AM – Sinulog Grand Parade Carousel Kick Off
• 7:00 PM – Grand Fireworks, Cebu City Sports Center
• 7:30 PM – Street Party Bands, Fuente Osmeña

January 18, 2010 (Monday)

• 1:00 PM – Awarding Ceremonies, Cebu City Sports Center

January 22, 2010 (Friday) – “HUBO”

• 4:00 AM – “HUBO Mass” Ritual @ Basilica del Sto. Niño

January 30, 2010 (Saturday)

• 1:00 P.M – Awarding Ceremonies Photo Contest and Video Documentary Contest / Sinulog Short Film Festival

February 1 – Feb. 10, 2010

• Photo Exhibits “Winning Photos Sinulog ‘10 @ SM City Cebu

"Bjorn Carlos in photos #1" originally posted at The Nick Nichelle Dael blog

Here’s the batch that I took while my son, Bjorn Carlos Cabuhay-Dael, was still in Silliman University Medical Center’s nursery.

It’s true that words are short in explaining the level of happiness when I first saw my son.

"Welcome to the world, Bjorn Carlos!" originally posted at The Nick Nichelle Dael blog

I received the best Christmas gift two days earlier.

A son.

Thanks to my wife’s enduring the challenges of childbirth without me on her side. I was a minute short upon arrival as she’s already moved to the delivery room – and having a friend inside did not even hinted a chance of getting in – so I have to wait. I’m waiting with my two aunts and mother-in-law. I don’t know if it was instinct or a powerful invisible language between a father and a son told me to walk over to the nursery to see my son being transported from the delivery to the nursery room. The feeling was nothing that I could ever explain before it happened. It is happiness at its best!

I was given full authority by my wife for the name and I loved her more for that!

The name is Bjorn Carlos. Bjorn has been the name that I wanted to be my own. It stands for bear. A strong and lovable symbol. Carlos is a tribute to my grandfather.

Welcome to the world, Bjorn Carlos!