Kambyo

The other day, I got fined $150 dollars. For an overspeeding ticket. I was running at 53 kph on a school zone. I would have gladly slowed down to 40 kph, that is if I saw the sign. But I never did and the GPS didn't beep either. It was a classic case of bad luck.

It almost ruined my day, but I figured. I wasn't so unlucky at all. I got the house we wanted on my birthday and our family was not affected so much by the flood. So any stroke of misfortune would just be peanuts.

Lesson learned. Slow down and down shift your gear when the signs say so.

Come to think of it, moving to Perth is a way for Tatay to slow down. Here I can sleep 8 hours a day again, work during the day and sleep at night. I was also able to cut down on my eating so now I am less overweight. If you haven't noticed, I am able to write on this blog again.

I made a few revolutionary changes too. From www.penaranda-twins.blogspot.com, our blog is now:
www.penaranda-kids.blogspot.com.\

Why the name change? Because we are speeding up to Third gear!

Thirdy, its your first birthday today! This is one of  my favorite pictures of you.

Your smile makes me smile. You may not look like me, may not be my mini me but you always be my Thirdy. I gave you Lolo Ben's name and call you by the nickname Mama Ellie calls me with. "Doy".

That's it for now. Need to slow down and get back to sleep. Mission has been accomplished.  I , your Tatay am the first person to greet you on your first birthday.

No one can top that.

Tatay's 35th

A few hours ago was Tatay's 35th birthday. Yes, you kids probably have a fairly older father than your friends'. Nanay and I got married later in life, I guess because we wanted to be wiser before settling down.

Wisdom comes with age, anak and sometimes bits of it come to you when least expected.

For the past 3 weeks, Tatay had been looking for a house for us to settle in. I am in Perth now and you and nanay are still in the Philippines, at Mommy's house in Marilao.

Geez, there are too many stories and details I have not written about since my last post. In summary: you now have an almost 1 year old baby brother, Thirdy; Tatay was able to transfer to the Emerson office in Perth as a Service Engineer, Tita Ninang She had a baby, Sheng Sheng; Tito Ninong BG too is a father now to Bennedict. We have multiplied like rabbits over the past two years.

Fast forward back to the present, August 8, 2012. Yesterday was my birthday, perhaps one of the most memorable ever. I was worried sick in the office after seeing pictures in Facebook and videos in Youtube showing how deep the flood is in Manila. The North Luzon Expressway, which was just a few kms from Mama Ellie's house got flooded, with busses submerged halfway.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AWs5XTcGgO

I tried texting Nanay, Mama Ellie, Ninang She and Ninang Mae for updates but wasn't receiving replies as prompt as I wanted them to be. To make matters worse, I misplaced my Philippine phone. So I had no idea about your whereabouts. This, anak, for a family member abroad is torture.

Later that day, Nanay and Mama Elie finally texted back to my blackberry and I also found my other phone. It was such a relief for me to know that you were all safe and dry. I was able to breathe normally and then the phone rang.

It was Priya. The beautiful australian-indian girl I met last week. We exchanged numbers and got in touch. If I were to receive simultaneous calls from Nanay and her, I would choose her in a heartbeat.

Priya, is an angel disguised as a real estate agent. For the past weeks, I have visited more than 15 houses and applied for around 7. I got rejected 6 times already and my heart has been broken each time, like peppercorn through a grinder. But Priya's call was an exception. She was calling to confirm the number I have given for Kuya Eddie, a Fil Australian whose room I am renting. It meant that she was actually considering me as a tenant to the property. So I gave her Kuya Eddies number, called Kuya Eddie to give him a heads up and sat still...and prayed, right in my cubicle. Discreetly, as if I was just thinking, but
it was heartfelt.

I prayed to God to grant me my wishes and provide for our needs. I let him be God and surrendered everything to him. Your Tatay is not a pious person but for some reason, the heaven's seem to have been throwing bits of wisdom my way. A couple of weeks back, the homily was about God providing our needs, being able to feed thousands with just two fishes and 5 loaves of bread. Courtesy of google, I am attaching it here for your reference, anak:


John 6:1-13

"[1] Some time after this, Jesus crossed to the far shore of the Sea of Galilee (that is, the Sea of Tiberias), [2] and a great crowd of people followed him because they saw the miraculous signs he had performed on the sick. [3] Then Jesus went up on a mountainside and sat down with his disciples. [4] The Jewish Passover Feast was near. [5] When Jesus looked up and saw a great crowd coming toward him, he said to Philip, "Where shall we buy bread for these people to eat?" [6] He asked this only to test him, for he already had in mind what he was going to do. [7] Philip answered him, "Eight months' wages would not buy enough bread for each one to have a bite!" [8] Another of his disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter's brother, spoke up, [9] "Here is a boy with five small barley loaves and two small fish, but how far will they go among so many?" [10] Jesus said, "Have the people sit down." There was plenty of grass in that place, and the men sat down, about five thousand of them. [11] Jesus then took the loaves, gave thanks, and distributed to those who were seated as much as they wanted.
He did the same with the fish. [12] When they had all had enough to eat, he said to his disciples, "Gather the pieces that are left over. Let nothing be wasted." [13] So they gathered them and filled twelve baskets with the pieces of the five barley loaves left over by those who had eaten."

Then, on my way to a real estate agency last week, as I was drivng and looking for the real estate agency's sign, a different sign (literally and figuratively) met me at eye level.

" Worries end where faith begins".

I clang on to these bits of wisdom today. Right before 5 PM, Priya called again.

We got the house.

God answered our prayer's, on the day of my 35th birthday. How cool is that.

November 2009

Who is Papa Ben?

Tatay is finally home from Mexico! Arrived at the NAIA Airport on November 1, All Souls Day, 11 PM. How I wish I arrived earlier, and we could have spent the day with the rest of the family at Eternal Gardens, visiting Lolo Ben.

Who is Lolo Ben? Let me start by showing you his resume which I found in our home PC. Lolo Ben wrote this himself. November 1, 2009 is also your 7th month btw. I know you are still too young to read this, but let me write this down now and I will tell you more about him later. We can read this together when you are 7 years and 7 months old.

Lolo Ben was a great Dad. Tatay will always remember him.

====================================================================

BIENVENIDO L. PEÑARANDA
* 431 Gomez Street, Fortune Village 7, Valenzuela City
( (0918) 284-3840 / (02) 292-0129 / (02) 443-5452
: ben_penaranda@yahoo.com


Objective_____________________________________________________________________

To nurture my wish and fervent desire that when I retire, shall strive to be productive and actively participate together with my fellow “sea dos” to engage in worthy and patriotic endeavors by imparting our knowledge and experiences to the next generation of Filipino seafarers.


Qualifications Summary________________________________________________________

Guest Lecturer / Trainor – Norwegian Training Center
Taguig, Manila
February 2008 - present

Training Consultant / training Officer – Norwegian Training Center, Manila
Taguig, Manila
February 2007- January 2008

Electro-Tech Officer – Maritime Academy of Asia and the Pacific (2000-2003)
Chief Electrician / Electro-Tech Instructor – Training Ship Kapitan Felix Oca (1998-200)
Electrical Officer _ Various International Ships Manned by Naess Shipping Philippines and Klaveness Ship Management (1983-1997)
Owned and Managed a Repair Shop – Zamboanga City ( 1976-1982)
Naval Electronic Technician - Philippine Navy (1963-1975)



Work Experience______________________________________________________________

2000 - 2004 Maritime Academy of Asia and the Pacific
Mariveles, Bataan
Electro-Tech Officer, Vessel Training Center

· In charge of all electronic, electrical, refrigeration and air-conditioning equipment.
· Conduct progressive maintenance, troubleshooting and repairs as prescribed by Quality Assurance System.
· Works closely with academic faculty/instructors when midshipmen are training in the facility.
· Conducts lectures and hands-on training of marine engineering cadets / midshipmen when needed.
· Other jobs as found necessary.




1998 – 2000 Training Ship Kapitan Felix Oca
Maritime Academy of Asia and the Pacific, AMOSUP
Chief Electrician, Electro Tech Instructor

· In charge of all electronic, electrical, automation and instrumentation facilities and equipment onboard.
· Conduct progressive maintenance, troubleshooting and repairs prescribed by Quality Assurance System.
· Conducts lectures and hands-on training of marine engineering cadets.
· Other jobs for safe, efficient, economical operation of the ship.

1983 – 1997 Various ships manned by NAESS Shipping Philippines and Klaveness Ship Management
General Cargo, Bulk Carrier, Chemical Tanker, Car Ships
(All ships are bridge controlled or periodically Unmanned Machinery Spaces or UMS)
Chief Electrician / Electro Tech Officer

· In charge and responsible for all electrical, electro-mechanical and other equipment aboard ship using electrical power.
· Responsible for safe operation of instrumentation-automation, alarm and monitoring system.
· In charge of the cranes on General Cargo and Bulk Carriers.
· Other jobs required aboard ships.

1976 – 1982 Zamboanga City
Owned and operated a repair shop engaged in the maintenance, troubleshooting
and repair of electronic, electrical, electro-mechanical and refrigeration-air conditioning equipment.

Ø Clients include the following:
1. Industrial and commercial establishments as well as ships calling Zamboanga ports.
2. Naval ships and small crafts – radars, communication equipment, vent/exhaust machines, propulsion motors, generators, etc.
3. Southern Command, Armed Forces of the Philippines, Zamboanga City – generators and motors.
4. Communication Electronics Service Command, Armed Forces of the Philippines – motors and generators strategically located around the country.

1963 – 1975 Philippine Navy
Naval Rating or Job Specialization: Electronics Technician

v 1966-1967 – Instructor, Naval Communication Electronics School,
Naval Training Command, Cavite City
§ Taught Basic Electronics to naval personnel undergoing radio, sonar, radar and electronic technician specialization course.

v 1967-1969 – Petty Officer in Charge (POIC), Electronics Repair Team 3, RPS AKLAN AR-67 (Repair Ship)
§ Team leader or in-charge when required to repair electronic equipment of other ships and naval units.

v 1969-1975 – One-man Electronic Repair Team - Naval Component, Southern Command, AFP
§ Performed troubleshooting and repair on electronic equipment aboard ships and small crafts deployed in Mindanao when the ship’s electrician cannot do the repair alone.
§ Was commented and cited several times for outstanding repairs completed on various tasks where others repeatedly failed.
§ Was awarded with the Military Merit Award.

v 1975 – Honorably discharged from active service.



Educational Attainment_________________________________________________________

Secondary: Mabini Memorial Colleges, Camarines Sur
1958 – 1962

Professional License: Registered Master Electrician (RME-10252)
Professional Regulation Commission



Trainings and Seminars Attended_________________________________________________

Building Wiring Installation and Maintenance
¨ Meralco Foundation Incorporated, Pasig City

¨ ISO 9001:2000 / Total Quality Management Awareness Seminar
Maritime Academy of Asia and the Pacific, Bataan

¨ ISO 9000 / Total Quality Management Awareness Seminar (With Distinction)
Maritime Academy of Asia and the Pacific, Bataan

¨ Personal Safety and Social Responsibility
National Maritime Polytechnic

¨ Marine Electro-Mechanical System Auxiliary Machinery 1 & 2
* Air Conditioning, Refrigeration and Heating
* Hydraulics and Pneumatic System
* Machinery and Electrical
* Instrumentation and Process Control
LAB-Volt, Maritime Academy of Asia and the Pacific, Bataan

¨ Crisis Management Seminar
Norwegian Hull Club, T/S Kapitan Felix Oca

¨ Training Course for Instructors - IMO Model Course 6.09
Maritime Training Council, NYK Training Center



¨ * Basic Electronics
* Electrical Equipment and Schematics
* Automation and Instrumentation
Norwegian Training Center, Manila

¨ * Instructor Course
* Electronics Technician A
* Basic Seaman Course
Philippine Navy



Personal Information___________________________________________________________

Date of Birth : November 6, 1943
Age : 65
Gender : Male
Citizenship : Filipino
Religion : Roman Catholic
Civil Status : Married
Height : 167 cm
Weight : 152 lbs
Languages / Dialects Spoken : English, Filipino, Basic Spanish, Bicolano, Chavacano
Skills : Teaching, technical, communication, computer, driving, carpentry,
iron works, gardening
Interests : Electronics hobbyist, maker of engine and motor electronic ignition,
experimenting gas-fuel saving devices



References____________________________________________________________________

*Available upon request.

Answer key to your assignment number 1

When you go to school Vienna and Venice, it is very likely that your teacher will ask you to make a big placard bearing your name and ask you to explain why you got that name. Well, during our time, that was the usual icebreaker so I am making this post so you have a ready answer.

Nanay and me thought long and hard about your names. If we were blessed with a singleton boy, we would have named him Bienvenido III, aka. Thirdy right of the bat, no questions asked. But you see, you turned out to be girls, twin girls!

So we just derived your names from your Lolo Ben, Bienvenido. Splitting it into two = Bien + Venido and mixing in a few more vowels and consonants resulted to Vienna and Venice. These are both names of beautiful cities in Europe and we hope that when you grow up, you will tour your Tatay and Nanay there.

From Wikipedia:
Venice (Italian: Venezia, IPA: /Ve'nεtsia/, Venetian: Venesia) is a city in northern Italy, the capital of the region Veneto,
Vienna (pronounced /viːˈɛnə/; German: Wien [ˈviːn]) is the capital of the Republic of Austria and also one of the nine states of Austria.

Nanay wanted to add a second name. She has long fancied “Sophia” or “Sofia” and I liked how it sounded too. We paired it with Vienna… Vienna Sofia seems to make the tongue effortlessly roll. How about Venice? Venice Bakekang didn’t sound right. The second name has to be as classy and profound as Sofia. We came up with Clare… Venice Clare, in honor of St. Clare, who is the patron saint of that church along Katipunan where Nanay and Tatay sometimes hear mass. It is also in that church where nanay offered eggs a few days before our wedding day to ask for good weather. Her wish was granted. After the wedding, Nanay and I went back and offered her bridal bouquet of tulips to St. Clare. We prayed hard to ask for a child and I even begged the guard to put the bouquet inside St. Clare’s glass altar. She must have been pleased with the beautiful flowers and granted our petition. She gave us not one, but two.

In Latin, Sofia means wisdom, and Clare means clear or bright. Together, you will provide Tatay and Nanay with clarity of thought and wisdom.

The good vibes don’t end there. We also took into account the number of letters in your names. From: http://www.chineseastrologyonline.com/BabyName.htm. Both your first names have 11 characters, middle name 4, last name 9. The sum First Name +1 (12), First Name + Middle Name (15), Middle Name + Last Name (13) and First Name + Middle Name + Last Name (24) . All of these numbers (except 12) are lucky numbers. 3 out o 4 isn’t bad at all!

So there, that’s the story behind your names. Try to google for them when you are old enough. I googled today and found the following hits:
Venice Clare is a name of a bridge in Venice. Vienna Sofia turns out to be a regular flight from Venice (Italy) to Sofia (Bulgaria). Nonetheless, unique or not, your names are still the most beautiful names in the whole world for Nanay and Tatay.

Vienna Sofia and Venice Clare.
Live and bear your names proudly. You are your Lolo Ben’s legacy, you are Nanay and Tatays bundles of joy, our source of wisdom and strength.