This Blog Just Turned 1 Year Old

Happy First Anniversary to this blog, el toro bumingo. Wow! I can’t believe that it’s been a year since I decided to create another blog that is different (but in a way related) to my first blog, Elmer Loves Oreo.

Photo courtesy of Headphone Nation

It was a colorful year for me and this blog since acquiring my Canon EOS 1100D DSLR. Suddenly, all the pictures that appear in this blog were high-quality. I owe it to you my readers. You’re the reason why I keep improving the contents of this blog (and the pictures). You’ve been very supportive of my blogs and my quest to become a professional blogger and photographer.

It’s coincidence that a few days before this blog’s 1^st Anniversary, it also reached more than 100,000 page views! I’m very happy and I’m hoping that I’ll get more than 100,000 page views in the next year.

This year, you’ve seen me post pictures of the different workshops that I’ve attended to, my pictures of Subic Bay and Baguio City, my courtship and friendship with Sef, my short-lived relationship with my ex-BF Glenn, my feud with BMSD, several movie screenings by Nuffnang Philippines, my travel to different parks in Metro Manila and other stuff. I can’t thank you enough for staying with me and this blog, el toro bumingo, for the past year!

Keep visiting guys. Keep commenting and keep on giving me ideas on what to post next. I’m also hoping to meet more bloggers in the next year ahead and to finally have a permanent partner in life. Life is too short to be single so I’m very optimistic that I’ll have a domestic partner soon. Wish me luck and again, thank you for the visits!

Happy 1^st Year Anniversary to this blog!

Technorati Tags: Happy 1st Year Anniversary,One Year And Counting,This Blog Just Turned 1 Year Old

Letter To Honza

Honza is a Czech friend of mine whom I’ve been exchanging emails for almost 3 years now. He’s a Caucasian guy around my age, PLU and currently teaches at a university in Prague.

A marsh land in Czech Republic. This is one of the numerous pictures Honza is sending me for the past 3 years. He’s also a photographer.

Hi Honza!

How are you doing today? I hope everything's okay.

Chill out Honza. Don't feel depress. Also, don't be bother by age. If someone seems to be interested in you (who happens to be younger than you), just be friendly. There are some young guys who prefer older guys. If you're not that interesting, I doubt if he'll spend time talking to you. The mere fact that a guy is talking to you means that somehow he wanted to be friends or so. So relax, entertain those guys who strike a conversation with you.

You read an 800 page book? Wow. That's quite a book. I wish I could return to my younger self who's fond of reading novels and books. I haven't read a book in a year! The last book I read was the 6th book of the Harry Potter series. Internet access really is bad for reading. I felt that most of my free time is spend on the Internet and I have absolutely no time for reading. Whenever I read lately, I tend to fell asleep. I haven't finished the last book I've purchased -- The Lucky One by Nicholas Sparks. BTW, is your thesis in English? Hope you could send me a copy once it's finished.

I adore the pictures of the churches you've uploaded on Facebook. They're gorgeous. I envy your buildings because your power system (electricity) is laid underground, right? So your buildings are more picturesque since they don't have wires hanging all over the place. That's one problem here in the Philippines. We're a tropical country who's prone to flooding that's why our power system is overhead. Thus, most of our pictures of buildings have some wires in it.

BTW, Glenn broke up with me a few weeks ago. He said that I failed to pass his test or something. We know each other’s password in Facebook and we sometimes log in to each other’s account. I noticed that he's been chatting over Facebook to some guys and he's calling them "baby" (sweetheart or something). So I grab a screenshots of the conversations and sent to him. I asked for his explanation. He said that he's just testing me or something, if I'll get jealous. Of course I said I'm jealous because he's being a flirt over Facebook. He got mad about it and broke up with me in the end. He said he was just testing me and I failed his test. I said he did well with those test because it appears real to me.

Prior to that fight, we also had an argument on how I spend my money. I was not paying my bills for this cellphone company and he's worried about it. I said I'll pay it if I feel like paying it. I don't care if they cut my subscription or something. I feel like spending my money more on dates with him. He's mad about it saying I'm being childish for not putting priority on my dues. I said, I'm just spending money more on the things I feel like spending it too. I also said to him that he should not interfere on how I spend my money because even married couples don’t do such thing. This really made him angry.

So he broke up with me even though I said my apologies for not believing his explanation. We haven't seen each other for weeks now although we still send each other text messages. We're quite civil to each other nowadays and I miss him a lot but it seems he already moved on. The last time we exchange messages via chat, some rich guy is courting him and that he's still thinking on whether he'll say YES to the guy. So right now, I'm officially single but still feel sad about the whole thing. I feel sad that he broke up with me for such petite arguments.

Lately, I've been diverting my thoughts and time to photography. I've been attending a lot of seminars and I even join a local photography group. Next week, I'll actively take pictures of Araw ng Pasig (Pasig City Day Celebration). Photography is such a nice therapy.

Happy 3rd Friendship Anniversary Honza on August 17! Thank you for being my friend. BTW, I'll be publishing this email on my blog. Take care!

Elmer

Technorati Tags: Letter To Honza,Glenn,Break Up

Sef and Glenn

I’m so sorry for the lack of updates regarding my lovelife. I’m pretty sure you all wanted to know what happened between me and Sef and you’re probably curious about my new boyfriend named Glenn.

Let’s start with Sef. As you probably know, I’ve dated him for quite some time. We used to send each other emails and texted each other often. Somehow between the 6th and 7th date, he seems to become cold towards me. He no longer answers my email. He’s always busy with his job at the magazine (he’s the layout artist). I no longer felt that he’s interested with me in a romantic kind of way. Then he didn’t show up on the night of our departure to Baguio telling me all these reasons.

So I went to the Panagbenga Festival alone and enjoyed it as much as I can. When I returned from Baguio, I told him that I would stop courting him since I really don’t feel that he finds me a boyfriend-material. I look into his eyes and I see my reflection as a good friend, not lover.

Sef and I remained good friends even though I’ve already stopped courting him and started labeling our hang-outs as “gimmick” instead of “date”. The last time I saw him was during the showing of “The Hunger Games” at the Shang Cineplex. I’m one of the 60 Nuffnangers who joined the event and Sef was my “plus one”. It was purely a friendly “gimmick” and it’s nice to see him, gorgeous as ever, sporting a new haircut. He’s still not seeing someone and I haven’t heard him told me if someone is courting him. We ended the night at a coffee shop and catching up on each other’s lives. I ended up telling him about my boyfriend, Glenn.

I met Glenn in July 2011 (just last year). Back then, he was the boyfriend of my best friend forever (BFF) named Jereil. I got attracted to Glenn the first time I saw him. I immediately love his smile, laugh, voice and the way he carries himself. I find him gorgeous and sexy. Since Glenn was Jereil’s boyfriend at that time, I never made these feelings known to him.

I have talked to Glenn and texted him once in a while ever since that first meeting. I became the “crying shoulder” whenever they have their lover’s quarrel. They’re relationship ended sometime in February. I texted Glenn saying that I’ll court him as soon as he moved on from the breakup.

Glenn recovered easily from the breakup and when he confessed that he’s really over my BFF (now called his ex), I asked for a date. He said yes and we soon found happiness in each other’s arms the first date we had. My feelings for Glenn was revived the second time I saw him in person. He’s as gorgeous and sexy as I remembered him.

It was probably influenced by alcohol or something, but the moment I asked him to be my boyfriend, on our first date, he said yes and we sealed the commitment with a kiss. It was one of the best feelings in the world, to be in a relationship again.

Two days after, we made love and find joy in each other’s companion. We were really in love with each other. I felt that I’ve known him forever. The feeling that I have for Glenn is beyond words. I love to be with him for the rest of my life.

The story of Glenn and I have only just began.

BuzzNet Tags: Sef,Glenn,Love,Relationship,My Better Half

Fruits and Flowers

The famous Panagbenga Festival of Baguio is just around the corner. I’m a bit excited since this would be the second time that I’ll be watching the parade. This time, I’m with someone I love and I’ll be bringing my DSLR with.

The first time I saw the Flower Festival, back in 2005, I don’t have a camera yet. So I just watched it and enjoyed the day. Session Road was so crowded! I also remember that there were a lot of Koreans present in Baguio and they even have their own float. I really thought back then that Baguio became their favorite city in the Philippines. I guess those were the students enrolled in our English classes trying to learn the language.

I lived and worked in Baguio from February to September 2005. Back then, I was working for a small construction firm based in Mandaluyong. They have a project in Baguio and I was asked if I wanted to assist the construction manager there. I’ve only enjoyed my stay in Baguio during the summer season. When the rainy season came, I hated it. Baguio seems to be sad and depressing during the rainy season.

During my 7 months stay in Baguio, I’ve visited almost all the tourist attractions in the place. Baguio for me is a small city and at one time, I toured Baguio on foot. I just felt like walking and it was a very pleasant experience.

My upcoming trip to Baguio this coming February 25-26 would be my 4^th time in Baguio. My first time was during high school with my brother and high school friends. The second time, I spent 3 days with my good friend who’s enrolled at the St. Louis University at that time.

Baguio for me is like my 4^th favorite town, after Baliuag, Pasig, and Olongapo. I would never get tired of visiting Baguio. I always feel nostalgic whenever I visit this place. I hope my Baguio trip with Sef would add more good memories to this city.

BTW, these pictures that I’m posting right now are taken at Market! Market! I just came across these unpublished pictures and it reminded me of Baguio’s Public Market – full of fruits and flowers.

 

BuzzNet Tags: Market! Market!,Sef,Baguio,Panagbenga

Thank You Wendy’s Shopwise!

I almost lost my phone last Monday. Yup, my newly-purchased BlackBerry, I almost lost it.

I came from a friend's house in QC and I visited Aerous at Cubao. I barely slept and a bit tipsy because of the Red Horse beer we had at QC. I have my DSLR with me, my BlackBerry and 2 bags of SM items.

Aerous works at Telus and he prefers to eat at Wendy's Shopwise. This is our second time at this Wendy's branch. The first time we dine here was about a year ago.

So we sat down on the table near the toilet. I left my items with Aerous on the table and went to pee. After that, we went to the counter and ordered our dinner. I then asked Aerous for my BlackBerry and I was surprised that he doesn't have it. I'm pretty sure I didn't bring it with me at the toilet which means we have left it at our table.

So we went to our table and there were a lot of people in the nearby tables. Our table was clean. No sign of my unit. Then a male supervisor or manager asked us if we left something and I said I left my BlackBerry. He then handed to me my BlackBerry and I felt relieve. I thank him and we went back to the counter to order our food.

Aerous and I enjoyed our dinner, I took pictures of him with my DSLR, had a nice chat and finally said goodbye because he's late for his 10PM shift. I went straight home and catch a sleep because I was very sleepy.

The next day, when I feel better and no effects of alcohol, I've realized that I almost lost my BlackBerry which I just purchased a few weeks ago! I realized I've been very lucky that a manager/supervisor of Wendy's saw my BlackBerry first. So I emailed Wendy's and thank them for having such an employee.

Wendy's replied back and said:

Thank you also for commending our Assistant Manager of Shopwise Cubao branch, Mr. Dante Sarraga for the good deed that he done.

We hope that you will continue to patronize our product and services.

Well, I would certainly continue to patronize them for having such honest employees. I can't thank them enough for the good deed that they did so I wrote this blog post.

Again, my gratitude to the whole staff of Wendy's Shopwise for having my BlackBerry back and for having an outstanding customer service!

BuzzNet Tags: Wendy's Shopwise,Thank You!

2012 Plans

If I would write down my weaknesses right now, I would probably list down as #1 my ability to break plans. I’m so good at making plans and not fulfilling it. Nevertheless, I still make plans.

I tried to review my 2007 and 2008 plans and so far, I have fulfilled half of what I plan. Not bad. So I’m doing this again. It may be a bit late, but I’ve been making this list since December 2011. Finally, I decided to write down my plans for this year.

I’ve been making this plans a.k.a. New Year’s Resolution since I was a college student. At one time, I’ve written a plan to “have a wife and kids by the age of 25”. Well, I’m a late bloomer and just realized I’m gay a few months before my college graduation.

Also, I’ve realized that I’m not hitting my plans because it’s not within the scope of S.M.A.R.T: Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Realistic and Time-bound. So as much as I can, I tried to list down my 2012 plans with this in mind.

It also helps by the way, if I could print this list and post it on my wall. Plus, it would be an additional help if I could share it with you guys. In that way, you could probably ask me once in a while how I’m doing with my plans. So, without further ado, here are my plans for this year:

1. Be a competitive Ragnarok Player. Make Cadbury an “imba” Arch-Bishop. Buy 500 RO Load every payday.

2. Level my novice, Jan Sef, to level 99 Ninja before the release of the Samurai Patch (mid-year).

3. Change my mindset about Sales and learn the craft. Be a Sales Agent. There are extra compensations for Sales Agent.

4. Buy more books, preferably Nicholas Sparks and John Grisham. 1 book a month.

5. Buy Greatest Hits DVDs of favorite singers and bands. Support the music industry. 1 DVD a month.

6. Watch a movie every payday. It’s always great to watch movies at the cinema.

7. Join a religious or civic organization. Preferably World Vision or Habitat for Humanity.

8. Be a devout Catholic. Attend mass every Sunday and participate with the festivities. Continue visiting different churches once in a while.

9. Continue sending resumes to jobs posted via Jobstreet. Who knows, a foreign recruiter would finally notice. (every rest day)

10. Subscribe to Reader’s Digest and Men’s Health.

11. Update my blogs three times a week.

12. Use my clothing allowance for its intended purpose.

13. Rediscover the love for swimming and be Sef’s swimming buddy.

14. Pay my bills every 15^th of the month.

15. Meet up with Sef at least once a week (preferably Saturday).

16. Open another BPI Savings Account by February 15, 2012, preferably at BPI-PCC.

17. Attend the Panagbenga Festival with Sef on February 24-26.

18. Enroll in a photography class by March.

19. Join my high school Cooperative. It’s a good investment. (March 15)

20. Take advantage of the free use of our company gym by March.

21. Purchase a mountain bike and rediscover the love for biking (April).

22. Have a vacation in Cebu with Erik and Sef (May).

23. Replace my current laptop with a desktop PC. Play StarCraft II. (June)

24. Enroll in a Creative Writing class by June.

25. Be active in Facebook and Twitter. Login every day after work.

26. Visit Boracay Island with Sef (November).

27. Use my 13^th month pay to buy a camera lens (December).

28. Have a photowalk with Sef every week.

29. Buy another external hard disk whose capacity is 1 terabyte or more (June).

30. Finish items 1-29 before the world ends (December 21, 2012) :)

BuzzNet Tags: 2012 Plans,New Year's Resolution,End of the World

Preoccupied

Sorry for the lack of post in this blog. I’m currently preoccupied with two things: work and Sef.

My current account is an accounting software. This January is tax season in the US and we’re expecting a huge volume of calls. That’s the reason why we’re having mandatory overtime (OT). I’m not use to overtime and I dread tonight’s shift because it would be a working day in the US. I can almost imagine the “queuing” that will happen later.

This is also my first sales account. I’m not use to it as well. We’re expected to sell more than $4,000.00 worth of software and service (technical support) subscription in a month. My past 3 months is pathetic when it comes to the selling part of my metrics. Last month, I have the lowest revenue among our team with only $1,400.00+ revenue for the accounting-software company (the client). I wish I could change my game plan this month and begin hitting that target.

We still have other metrics that are similar to other centers and accounts. These metrics includes the usual Average Handing Time (AHT), Customer Satisfaction (CSAT), Attendance and Schedule Adherence (number of late), First Call Resolution (FCR), and other minor stats. Right now, other than the Sales part of our metrics, I’m also failing the CSAT and FCR. I only excel in AHT, Attendance and Schedule Adherence (which are minor stats).

I hope to change my game plan this month and focus on selling because that is where the money is. There’s a huge monetary compensation if we excel in selling. In addition to that, the client always checks in the Sales portion of our stats first. I’ll probably seat besides our most successful sales agent to acquire her style in selling. God help me.

On the lighter side of the news, there’s Sef to balance the Work-Love equation. Sometimes I believe that common connotation that if you’re failing with the Work part of our life; we’re at least succeeding with the Love aspect. I find it true in my case. My work status is inversely proportional to my love status.

Right now, Sef and I are in constant communication: via in Facebook, emails and text messages. I enjoy every moment that I’m talking to him over the phone. I love receiving his text messages and emails. Hopefully our date would proceed this Saturday. I’m inviting him to watch an indie film.

So my brain right now is preoccupied with Work on the right side and Sef on the other. If I were to choose which of these two I would rather be successful with, I would always choose the Love part (Sef in particular).

BuzzNet Tags: Preoccupied,Work versus Love,Sef

Happy New Year!

It was a very challenging 2011 for me, with the break up with Oreo and the creation of a new blog. Thankfully, Sef came into my life at the latter part of 2011 and he made me realized that there’s also something to look forward to in every New Year’s celebration.

I hope to know more about Sef this year and enjoy his friendship to the max! Hopefully something romantic would pop-up along the way, but for now, I’ll just savor the moment. I’ll definitely enjoy every date that I’ll have with him and create happy memories.

I would also like to thank all my loyal readers, followers and fellow bloggers: Brian, Wizzdumb, Rent, Orange, JM, Rocky and Tobie (talagang laging pair dapat? hehe), G.B. Goer, Dan, Dennis, among others. Gaining friends is definitely one of the perks of being in the blogosphere!

Let’s all welcome the challenges that 2012 would bring (including The End of the World), survive all the catastrophes along the way and emerge as better individuals. Of all the tips that I received so far, one thing that I always do is to surround myself with positive people, like you guys!

Cheers everyone!

BuzzNet Tags: Happy New Year,2012

Me and Sef

Just a quick post for all of my loyal readers and followers. I’m quite busy with work lately since it’s tax season in the US and my current BPO account is involved in this season (being an accounting software). Lots of OTs, no Vacation Leaves allowed, critical work days, those sort of things.

I wish I could post the most recent pictures I’ve taken the past few days. Me and Sef are getting to know each other very well, We’ve just had our 2nd date last December 27. I’m excited for the 3rd date which has a tentative date of January 13, 2012.

I’m very happy with Sef lately. He’s everything I’ve ever wanted in a close friend / beau and I’m still discovering a lot of wonderful things about him. He’s also my current photography mentor since he’s a Canon EOS user for more than 4 years now. He’s also my text buddy and email correspondent.

That’s all for now. Please pray for us that we’ll find each other very complementary to each other, whether as a close friend or beau, it doesn’t matter. I’m beginning to fall deeply in love with him. I’m so happy!

BuzzNet Tags: Me and Sef,Beau,Lover,Best Friend

Merry Christmas Everyone!

Specially to you Sef. I’m very happy to finally meet you in person yesterday. You really made my day! Next week ulit? :)

I hope you’ll give me a chance to take care of you. Guys like you deserves to be pampered, love and feel special. You’re very gentle, sexy and interesting. You have a very beautiful mind and personality Sef. I won’t be surprise if one of these days I would fall in love with you. You’re such a sweet guy.

Being close to you Sef is the best place in world right now.

BuzzNet Tags: Sef,Letters,Love

Thank You

Thank you for saying I write nice.

Thank you for advising me re Black Label ads.

Thank you for giving out your mobile number, FB page and other blog page.

Thank you for letting me get to know you better, albeit in a matter of just a few hours.

Thank you for trying to ask me out.

Thank you for being an interesting and engaging person to talk to, for being sincere and wanting to get to know me better, too.

Thank you for wanting to know about the whole family drama and what interests me. I seriously had fun talking with you.

Please know that I wish you to be happy and for people to appreciate the you I am getting to know.

(From Dan, the guy I chatted with a while ago via Facebook)

BuzzNet Tags: Letters,Bloggers

It’s You Already, Neil Patrick Harris!

“Ikaw na talaga, Neil Patrick Harris! Sikat, gwapo, successful sa career, gorgeous ng boyfriend, at may 2 adopted sons! Sana naman maambunan ako ng swerte mo.”

(Transliteration: It’s You Already, Neil Patrick Harris! Famous, handsome, successful in your career, have a gorgeous boyfriend, and with 2 adopted sons. I hope I’ll get some of your luck)

I recently saw Neil Patrick Harris’ latest pictures on Just Jared and I felt really envy. They are such a gorgeous couple! When will I meet my soulmate so that I could smile in front of the camera with someone special by my side?

BuzzNet Tags: Neil Patrick Harris,Celebrities

Introduction

The hardest part about making a new blog is the maiden post, the introduction. This is a make or break post. It determines whether the blog is worthy of being followed or not. This also gives the readers a list of the things that they’ll find in this new blog.

My name is Elmer. I’m a 34 year-old gay guy who’s currently working for the call center industry. I’ve been a technical support agent for more than 4 years now. I’m also the author of the blog Elmer Loves Oreo. That blog is about my long distance relationship with my ex-boyfriend. I’ve created it as a gift to my ex-lover and a way to keep in touch with him. Unfortunately, that relationship didn’t work. Thus, I created a new blog, just for me, and my quest to finding that guy whom I’ll spend the rest of my life with (wishful thinking).

I’m an average Filipino guy who’s into Ragnarok Online (the first MMORPG in the country) and the popular game Defense of the Ancients (DotA). I’m also into Facebook, the Internet and computers. This is the reason why I work in the call center industry as a tech support guy, because of my love for technology.

I’m also into photography and I love to take pictures of buildings and places. I’m still using a digital camera but I’m hoping to get a DSLR this Christmas. I have so much to learn about the art of photography and I’m hoping to learn the craft.

I’m a resident of Pasig City and I work in Taguig City (Bonifacio Global City). I also go regularly to only two malls: SM Megamall and Market! Market! Whenever I go to the mall, I usually visit Cyberzone (I love gadgets!), National Bookstore, Power Books, KFC (my favorite fast-food), ACE Hardware, and Starbucks.

I’m a homeboy. I rarely go clubbing. My routine is just office and home. If I’m not sleeping (which is the best hobby of a call center agent like me), I’m watching movies which I usually download via torrents. I love chick flicks, war movies, Marvel movies and those that were adapted from novels. Reading is another hobby of mine. If I’m not in front of my laptop, I’m reading novels. I’m a follower of Nicholas Sparks, John Grisham and Anne Rice.

Regarding my religion, I’m Catholic. I have reconciled my sexual preference with my faith only this year. I’m Catholic since birth but when I realized I’m gay, I had issues with my being Catholic which resulted in my absence in the church for almost 11 years. Right now, I’m happy being Catholic and gay.

That’s it for my short introduction about myself. What are you expecting from this new blog? It’s mostly a continuation of my former blog, less my ex-boyfriend. You’ll still get loads of:

• Pictures of churches, buildings and foods
• Updates on Ragnarok Online and DotA
• Celebrity news
• Call center information
• My quest for finding that elusive partner
• My opinion on current events
• News about the blogosphere
• Movies, music and videos that got my attention
• And almost everything about myself

Why “el toro bumingo”? It was my pen name during college when I worked for the school paper.

I hope to see you again in my next posts! Thanks for the visit.

BuzzNet Tags: Introduction,Maiden Post