Wednesday, January 27, 2010
Medical Mission 2
Video of the Second Medical Mission
This Video was made by The Arnel Pineda Foundation
Animoto.com
Artist: Michael Jackson
Song: Heal the World
Medical Mission 1
Video of the First Medical Mission
This Video was made by Merlita Helms
Animoto.com
Artist: Various Artists
Song: Wind Beneath My Wings (Beaches)
Tuesday, January 26, 2010
The Flight to the Philippines
January 7, 2010
On an early Thursday Morning, I took off on a 10 day Adventure (which later turned into 14 days because I extended my trip)...I've never in my life flew with the window seats so this was new territory for me. As my son dropped me off at the San Diego Airport, it was 5:00am in the Morning. I really didn't know what to expect that morning, I was just curious and excited because I was going on a trip to the Philippines to work with my friends all for a good cause...you see, this was the first time I've traveled out of the country alone. I've flown to different parts around the United States, but this was the first time I was actually leaving the country by myself...it was the Philippines for heaven's sakes, and I knew that this was gonna be a very long trip for me.
My son bought me a book for the long flight (Eric Clapton's Biography) and I was contempt to just read it on the flight....little did I know that I would get a window seat...the first time in my life I'd have the window all to myself. I flew on Alaska Airlines to start off the trip and might I say...I love their service...On the Flight to Seattle (My first stop before getting to Manila) I got served White Wine and Peanuts. As the plane flew over California, I got to see things I've never seen before at such a height. I saw the Catalina Islands, and I saw the San Andreas Fault...I saw the Beautiful Mountains layered out in snow and I saw Mount Shasta...it was such a Majestic Site to see.
As we landed in Seattle, I could see from the other window across the way, Mount Rainier. As I got off the plane, the Adventure began...it was Rush-Rush-Rush as I hurried to get to my next flight. The minute I got off the plane, I was almost at a run just to get to my next flight which was to be on Northwest Airlines...a flight that would take me from Seattle to Tokyo Japan. In Seattle, I had to take 2 different Subways to get to the Northwest Airline Terminal (they have a Subway Rail that takes you from one Terminal to another)...I made it with 5 minutes to spare.
On the long flight from Seattle to Tokyo Japan was nothing short of humorous. One of the Stewardess' was this guy that reminded you of a lot of Johnny from the "AIRPLANE!" movies. He had the body language and his voice kinda sounded like him...now that I think about it...I get the feeling it really was him. On this flight, I decided to try out the RED Wine. Not the wisest decision I ever made but what can you say...it's complimentary. The plane flight wasn't that bad, but at the same time, it wasn't good either. I had a middle isle seat on this flight, which wasn't bad but I was seated next to this old guy that smelled like bad cigars (and not to mention...he smelled like he hadn't taken a shower in weeks) I was almost dying from the reek he smelled throughout the whole flight. But the whole flight wasn't a waste...I got to see a Movie of my choice. Each seat had a video screen so you can pick and choose what it is you wanted to see.
As we landed in Tokyo International Airport, it was another Rush-Rush type of job again for me. One of the things I needed to do was find a restroom. As I did, I ran into this weird looking toilet. I've never seen anything like this before in my life. If I'm not mistaken, I think you have to squat in order to use this toilet. It was kinda Bizarre Looking but I remembered in the back of my head, what might seem strange looking to us, is a regular looking thing in another country.
As I waited for my next flight from Tokyo to Manila, My Friend Candy and her Daughter Gabbi showed up. They were to join me onto the flight to Manila. Candy and Gabbi took a simpler route to Tokyo (Los Angeles to Tokyo) but ran into the same kind of problems I had in Seattle...another Rush-Rush Episode. As we waited for the flight, we stopped off at the snack area...there they had Pocky Sticks and Sushi Cakes.
The Sushi Cakes were very interesting...They were stuffed with sweet stuff and Tuna inside...kinda a new twist to Sushi. After a 10 hour flight that took me to Tokyo, it was finally nice to finally relax a little and talk to a friend. It was also nice to know that the flight to Manila would only a 4 hour trip. I know that might seem like a long trip to you, but for me, it was a flight that I made the most out of...That flight to Manila, I became a Comic of sorts. I had everyone around me that flight laughing throughout the whole trip. I really don't know what came over me that flight, but I remember feeling charged up after the little rest we had in Tokyo. I was like a stand-up comic...and I never ran out of material throughout the whole flight. I remember people laughing and joking with me. After the flight, they all told me it was one of the funnest flights they've ever been on...I'm glad I can still make people smile.
Oh...By the way...I had a Window Seat again.
All in all...that was my Flight to the Philippines.
On an early Thursday Morning, I took off on a 10 day Adventure (which later turned into 14 days because I extended my trip)...I've never in my life flew with the window seats so this was new territory for me. As my son dropped me off at the San Diego Airport, it was 5:00am in the Morning. I really didn't know what to expect that morning, I was just curious and excited because I was going on a trip to the Philippines to work with my friends all for a good cause...you see, this was the first time I've traveled out of the country alone. I've flown to different parts around the United States, but this was the first time I was actually leaving the country by myself...it was the Philippines for heaven's sakes, and I knew that this was gonna be a very long trip for me. 
My son bought me a book for the long flight (Eric Clapton's Biography) and I was contempt to just read it on the flight....little did I know that I would get a window seat...the first time in my life I'd have the window all to myself. I flew on Alaska Airlines to start off the trip and might I say...I love their service...On the Flight to Seattle (My first stop before getting to Manila) I got served White Wine and Peanuts. As the plane flew over California, I got to see things I've never seen before at such a height. I saw the Catalina Islands, and I saw the San Andreas Fault...I saw the Beautiful Mountains layered out in snow and I saw Mount Shasta...it was such a Majestic Site to see. As we landed in Seattle, I could see from the other window across the way, Mount Rainier. As I got off the plane, the Adventure began...it was Rush-Rush-Rush as I hurried to get to my next flight. The minute I got off the plane, I was almost at a run just to get to my next flight which was to be on Northwest Airlines...a flight that would take me from Seattle to Tokyo Japan. In Seattle, I had to take 2 different Subways to get to the Northwest Airline Terminal (they have a Subway Rail that takes you from one Terminal to another)...I made it with 5 minutes to spare.
On the long flight from Seattle to Tokyo Japan was nothing short of humorous. One of the Stewardess' was this guy that reminded you of a lot of Johnny from the "AIRPLANE!" movies. He had the body language and his voice kinda sounded like him...now that I think about it...I get the feeling it really was him. On this flight, I decided to try out the RED Wine. Not the wisest decision I ever made but what can you say...it's complimentary. The plane flight wasn't that bad, but at the same time, it wasn't good either. I had a middle isle seat on this flight, which wasn't bad but I was seated next to this old guy that smelled like bad cigars (and not to mention...he smelled like he hadn't taken a shower in weeks) I was almost dying from the reek he smelled throughout the whole flight. But the whole flight wasn't a waste...I got to see a Movie of my choice. Each seat had a video screen so you can pick and choose what it is you wanted to see.
As we landed in Tokyo International Airport, it was another Rush-Rush type of job again for me. One of the things I needed to do was find a restroom. As I did, I ran into this weird looking toilet. I've never seen anything like this before in my life. If I'm not mistaken, I think you have to squat in order to use this toilet. It was kinda Bizarre Looking but I remembered in the back of my head, what might seem strange looking to us, is a regular looking thing in another country.
As I waited for my next flight from Tokyo to Manila, My Friend Candy and her Daughter Gabbi showed up. They were to join me onto the flight to Manila. Candy and Gabbi took a simpler route to Tokyo (Los Angeles to Tokyo) but ran into the same kind of problems I had in Seattle...another Rush-Rush Episode. As we waited for the flight, we stopped off at the snack area...there they had Pocky Sticks and Sushi Cakes.
The Sushi Cakes were very interesting...They were stuffed with sweet stuff and Tuna inside...kinda a new twist to Sushi. After a 10 hour flight that took me to Tokyo, it was finally nice to finally relax a little and talk to a friend. It was also nice to know that the flight to Manila would only a 4 hour trip. I know that might seem like a long trip to you, but for me, it was a flight that I made the most out of...That flight to Manila, I became a Comic of sorts. I had everyone around me that flight laughing throughout the whole trip. I really don't know what came over me that flight, but I remember feeling charged up after the little rest we had in Tokyo. I was like a stand-up comic...and I never ran out of material throughout the whole flight. I remember people laughing and joking with me. After the flight, they all told me it was one of the funnest flights they've ever been on...I'm glad I can still make people smile.Oh...By the way...I had a Window Seat again.
All in all...that was my Flight to the Philippines.
Tuesday, January 5, 2010
The DSC (Dave Shelly and Chainsaw)
The 101 KGB morning radio show "Dave, Shelly and Chainsaw" is off the air.
An announcement that the radio show, which featured hosts Dave Rickards, Shelly Dunn and Cookie "Chainsaw" Randolph, is no longer on the air was posted Monday on KGB's Web site.
"After extensive negotiations, and offering the DSC team a very lucrative, multi-year offer, we were unfortunately not able to reach an agreement to keep the show with KGB," the statement reads.
"We wish Dave, Shelly and Chainsaw all the best in their future pursuits and thank them for their contribution to the station," the statement continues. "KGB has had a special relationship with listeners in San Diego as the leading classic rock station for many years. We look forward to continuing that tradition."
Rickards told a local media outlet he was notified of the cancellation over the weekend.
"We want to be on KGB," he said. "We want to finish our careers there. We hope that can still happen, but that looks unlikely."
The station is owned by Clear Channel.
I've seen this happen before...and I'm seeing it again unfortunately. Clear Channel has a way of getting rid of really good talent for a cheaper price. This is one long time listener that has given up on KGB 101.5 FM.
An announcement that the radio show, which featured hosts Dave Rickards, Shelly Dunn and Cookie "Chainsaw" Randolph, is no longer on the air was posted Monday on KGB's Web site.
"After extensive negotiations, and offering the DSC team a very lucrative, multi-year offer, we were unfortunately not able to reach an agreement to keep the show with KGB," the statement reads.
"We wish Dave, Shelly and Chainsaw all the best in their future pursuits and thank them for their contribution to the station," the statement continues. "KGB has had a special relationship with listeners in San Diego as the leading classic rock station for many years. We look forward to continuing that tradition."
Rickards told a local media outlet he was notified of the cancellation over the weekend.
"We want to be on KGB," he said. "We want to finish our careers there. We hope that can still happen, but that looks unlikely."
The station is owned by Clear Channel.
I've seen this happen before...and I'm seeing it again unfortunately. Clear Channel has a way of getting rid of really good talent for a cheaper price. This is one long time listener that has given up on KGB 101.5 FM.
2009- The Christmas "EB" (part 10)
December 6, 2009
Los Angeles California
The Christmas "EB" was held in a small suburb in Los Angeles California, in a Mall on a Sunday Afternoon in a Filipino Restaurant called Max's.. I rode up there with Lou and when we got there, I helped set up the place, getting the desk all purty'ed up, trying to make it look presentable when we have both the gift exchange thingy and the Auction/Raffle to make money for the Arnel Pineda Foundation. There was also Custom Soaps and Candles Donated by Susan (911) from Florida that were sold off along with Programs that we had from the Heart2Heart Foundation Party earlier in the year. We decorated the place to look all Christmas like and we even had a Karaoke/DJ machine all set up in a special VIP Room.
Earlier in the week, my close friend Johnny (who's like a brother to me), told me about the worst Christmas gift he ever got. When he told me about it, I actually thought it was pretty funny...What happened was, on a gift exchange, someone wrapped up Patis (Fish Sauce) in a fancy Wine Bottle gift wrap, so Johnny came up with this Idea to me to pull a prank on both Malou and Candy.
At first, I was kinda hesitant about doing this because I care too much about my friends...I didn't know what to expect, or how they would respond. At the Christmas "EB", after we had our exchange gifts given, I put on my act, and I got everyone to watch the special gift that both me and Johnny gave to Malou and Candy. It was wrapped all fancy to look like an expensive wine (I'm very good at wrapping gifts.) As they fought through the nice and tight wrapping, Candy started to get a little suspicious because the gift was from both me and Johnny. When it was finally opened, the whole party erupted with laughter...to Malou's and Candy's surprise...they both got Patis. The girls laughed it off but the next day on the web-site, all they talked about was REVENGE!!! (with a smile)
We also had a raffle ticket give away at the party (I emceed it) ...a lot of the raffle ticket gifts were donated to make money for the AP Foundation and I remember buying alot of those tickets for this event. Unfortunately, I won alot from the raffle but could not see myself accepting them...I mean, it's all for the foundation so everything I won...I gave away, or I simply passed on them. Everyone was surprised when I passed up on the OAKLEY MP3 Sunglasses that I won...they were valued at over $300 and they were donated by Merlita. To make it fair to everyone at the party, I pulled out another ticket.
Overall, the raffle, the Gift Exchange, the Auctioning... we made $1300 for the AP Foundation on this Christmas "EB". Afterwards, as we were all cleaning up and saying our goodbyes to one another, we all wanted pictures... both individually with someone and as a group. There were tears and hugs as we parted ways because these are the same people that attended the November event from a month ago...or atleast, most of them were. We've all become quite a tight knit unit this past year and I love every single one of them...they are my friends...some closer than the others but still friends I care so much about.
This is My Personal Year in Review
...I know there have been some ups and downs this year...some happy memories, some you'd like to forget, but as I sit here with my laptop posting this Blog...I just want to wish everyone of my friends a Great 2010
...may this year be better than the last one...
Los Angeles California
The Christmas "EB" was held in a small suburb in Los Angeles California, in a Mall on a Sunday Afternoon in a Filipino Restaurant called Max's.. I rode up there with Lou and when we got there, I helped set up the place, getting the desk all purty'ed up, trying to make it look presentable when we have both the gift exchange thingy and the Auction/Raffle to make money for the Arnel Pineda Foundation. There was also Custom Soaps and Candles Donated by Susan (911) from Florida that were sold off along with Programs that we had from the Heart2Heart Foundation Party earlier in the year. We decorated the place to look all Christmas like and we even had a Karaoke/DJ machine all set up in a special VIP Room. 
Earlier in the week, my close friend Johnny (who's like a brother to me), told me about the worst Christmas gift he ever got. When he told me about it, I actually thought it was pretty funny...What happened was, on a gift exchange, someone wrapped up Patis (Fish Sauce) in a fancy Wine Bottle gift wrap, so Johnny came up with this Idea to me to pull a prank on both Malou and Candy. 
At first, I was kinda hesitant about doing this because I care too much about my friends...I didn't know what to expect, or how they would respond. At the Christmas "EB", after we had our exchange gifts given, I put on my act, and I got everyone to watch the special gift that both me and Johnny gave to Malou and Candy. It was wrapped all fancy to look like an expensive wine (I'm very good at wrapping gifts.) As they fought through the nice and tight wrapping, Candy started to get a little suspicious because the gift was from both me and Johnny. When it was finally opened, the whole party erupted with laughter...to Malou's and Candy's surprise...they both got Patis. The girls laughed it off but the next day on the web-site, all they talked about was REVENGE!!! (with a smile)We also had a raffle ticket give away at the party (I emceed it) ...a lot of the raffle ticket gifts were donated to make money for the AP Foundation and I remember buying alot of those tickets for this event. Unfortunately, I won alot from the raffle but could not see myself accepting them...I mean, it's all for the foundation so everything I won...I gave away, or I simply passed on them. Everyone was surprised when I passed up on the OAKLEY MP3 Sunglasses that I won...they were valued at over $300 and they were donated by Merlita. To make it fair to everyone at the party, I pulled out another ticket.
Overall, the raffle, the Gift Exchange, the Auctioning... we made $1300 for the AP Foundation on this Christmas "EB". Afterwards, as we were all cleaning up and saying our goodbyes to one another, we all wanted pictures... both individually with someone and as a group. There were tears and hugs as we parted ways because these are the same people that attended the November event from a month ago...or atleast, most of them were. We've all become quite a tight knit unit this past year and I love every single one of them...they are my friends...some closer than the others but still friends I care so much about. This is My Personal Year in Review
...I know there have been some ups and downs this year...some happy memories, some you'd like to forget, but as I sit here with my laptop posting this Blog...I just want to wish everyone of my friends a Great 2010
...may this year be better than the last one...
Monday, January 4, 2010
2009- The AP Foundation Aniversary (part 9)
The Arnel Pineda Foundation Aniversary Party
Napa Valley California
November 7, 2009
I'm really not gonna say much in this Blog. I'll let the pictures do the talking...Let me just say that we all had a blast...eating and drinking and socializing with friends...you just doesn't get any better than this...
There was Dancing...Arnel has some pretty good moves. Is there anything this remarkable Singer can't do...Arnel was spectacular...
...at the end of the party, Arnel went to every table and posed for a picture with everyone.
After the Party, we all went to Beth's Place and sang Karaoke...
The next morning, we all went to Max's for breakfast...it was beautiful to hang out with the people at the web-site and I love them all...thank you for the best weekend of my life...I meant every word of it.
Napa Valley California
November 7, 2009
I'm really not gonna say much in this Blog. I'll let the pictures do the talking...Let me just say that we all had a blast...eating and drinking and socializing with friends...you just doesn't get any better than this...
There was Dancing...Arnel has some pretty good moves. Is there anything this remarkable Singer can't do...Arnel was spectacular...Arnel Sang to everyone at the Party. He also did a "Name Game...getting participants to sing the lyrics of a particular song"
James (Jaggy) was awesome...he sang in front of Arnel Pineda and wasn't nervous at all.
...at the end of the party, Arnel went to every table and posed for a picture with everyone.
After the Party, we all went to Beth's Place and sang Karaoke...
The next morning, we all went to Max's for breakfast...it was beautiful to hang out with the people at the web-site and I love them all...thank you for the best weekend of my life...I meant every word of it.
2009- Filipino Heritage Night (part 8)
The ORACLE Arena
Oakland-Alameda California
November 6, 2009
What an awesome weekend this was (November 6-8). It started off with meeting my friend HEART for the first time at the Oakland/Alameda Airport that Friday around noon time. After we checked in to our respective hotel rooms, we both took a Taxi to Jack London's Square (or as I like to refer it...Jack London's Lair.) What was only suppose to be a few short miles to get there turned up to be a CAB RIDE FROM HELL (as my friend Heart would like to describe it)...He drove us something like 25 miles to get to a destination that was only a few miles away. When we got there, we met up with more of the Plokkers from the AP Site. It was nice to see Marlene, Annabelle,and Lou there as we kicked back and caught up on a lot of stuff that was happening both in and out of the internet. We ate at Kincaid’s Bayhouse...a very nice restaurant in Jack London's Square, and most of us ordered the Ribs. The Ribs were excellent...falling off the bone, but the taste of the table was the Sweet Potato French Fries that came with it.
After we left Kincaid’s Bayhouse we all went to the ORACLE ARENA for Filipino Heritage Night. Sure there was an NBA Game going on, but this was a night to celebrate our heritage. When we got there, a booth was set up with my dear friends from the AP Site working it trying to raise money for the Foundation. They did pretty darn good and I'm very proud of my friends for what they do and what they stand for...then Arnel Pineda showed up and it became a madhouse. Everyone wanted a piece of him (or atleast get a picture taken with him)...in the short time that he has become the Lead Singer of JOURNEY, he has become an IDOL and an Inpiration not just to a lot of Filipinos around the world...but to everyone that has a dream. Arnel made us all to DON'T STOP BELIEVIN'.
During the game, I had a Special Invite...I wasn't sure of what to make of this invite because there was a few of us selected to "go where no man (or woman) has gone before". To my surprise, it was an upgrade for LUXURY BOX SEATS and I got to kick it with Arnel Pineda during the game. This is actually the second time I met him in person...the first time, I only got to shake his hand back at the Pala Casino Concert (which meant more to me at the time than you can ever imagine.) When I did meet Arnel this time around, he told me that he loved the Pumpkin I carved out for Halloween...it was a perfect likeness of him...imagine that...Arnel was giving me props!!!
After the game, Arnel Pineda did an interview with a lot of fans in the stands. We had Fundraisers, things that were auctioned off and the girls even asked me if I could help out a little...I'm use to a lot of fundraising and selling tickets to be auctioned off comes second nature to me. In a quick 5 minutes, I made $80 for the Foundation and I felt so good about it (I'd really love to do more in the future for the Foundation and I'd do it in a heartbeat, if they asked me to...)
Anyways, Arnel told everyone in the stands that he was proud of everyone that made it to the game and even prouder to be a Filipino. He told us about the struggles he's been through, and how much his life has changed for the better since his time with Journey. Arnel is a very humble guy...giving us all messages of hope and to Don't Stop Believin'.
Thank You Arnel...I'm proud to be a Filipino too.
Oakland-Alameda California
November 6, 2009
What an awesome weekend this was (November 6-8). It started off with meeting my friend HEART for the first time at the Oakland/Alameda Airport that Friday around noon time. After we checked in to our respective hotel rooms, we both took a Taxi to Jack London's Square (or as I like to refer it...Jack London's Lair.) What was only suppose to be a few short miles to get there turned up to be a CAB RIDE FROM HELL (as my friend Heart would like to describe it)...He drove us something like 25 miles to get to a destination that was only a few miles away. When we got there, we met up with more of the Plokkers from the AP Site. It was nice to see Marlene, Annabelle,and Lou there as we kicked back and caught up on a lot of stuff that was happening both in and out of the internet. We ate at Kincaid’s Bayhouse...a very nice restaurant in Jack London's Square, and most of us ordered the Ribs. The Ribs were excellent...falling off the bone, but the taste of the table was the Sweet Potato French Fries that came with it.
After we left Kincaid’s Bayhouse we all went to the ORACLE ARENA for Filipino Heritage Night. Sure there was an NBA Game going on, but this was a night to celebrate our heritage. When we got there, a booth was set up with my dear friends from the AP Site working it trying to raise money for the Foundation. They did pretty darn good and I'm very proud of my friends for what they do and what they stand for...then Arnel Pineda showed up and it became a madhouse. Everyone wanted a piece of him (or atleast get a picture taken with him)...in the short time that he has become the Lead Singer of JOURNEY, he has become an IDOL and an Inpiration not just to a lot of Filipinos around the world...but to everyone that has a dream. Arnel made us all to DON'T STOP BELIEVIN'.
During the game, I had a Special Invite...I wasn't sure of what to make of this invite because there was a few of us selected to "go where no man (or woman) has gone before". To my surprise, it was an upgrade for LUXURY BOX SEATS and I got to kick it with Arnel Pineda during the game. This is actually the second time I met him in person...the first time, I only got to shake his hand back at the Pala Casino Concert (which meant more to me at the time than you can ever imagine.) When I did meet Arnel this time around, he told me that he loved the Pumpkin I carved out for Halloween...it was a perfect likeness of him...imagine that...Arnel was giving me props!!! 
After the game, Arnel Pineda did an interview with a lot of fans in the stands. We had Fundraisers, things that were auctioned off and the girls even asked me if I could help out a little...I'm use to a lot of fundraising and selling tickets to be auctioned off comes second nature to me. In a quick 5 minutes, I made $80 for the Foundation and I felt so good about it (I'd really love to do more in the future for the Foundation and I'd do it in a heartbeat, if they asked me to...)Anyways, Arnel told everyone in the stands that he was proud of everyone that made it to the game and even prouder to be a Filipino. He told us about the struggles he's been through, and how much his life has changed for the better since his time with Journey. Arnel is a very humble guy...giving us all messages of hope and to Don't Stop Believin'.
Thank You Arnel...I'm proud to be a Filipino too.
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