ATTY. ROMERO FEDERICO S. QUIMBO

I had the privilege to pose with our dashing and hardworking CEO, Mr. Romero F.S. Quimbo. He visited our office and I didn't hesitate when our manager, Mr. Olegario said that we can take pictures with him.

As described in the Pag-IBIG Fund website, His work day starts as early 7 a.m. and ends as late as 9 p.m. Almost always, he's the last one to leave the Pag-IBIG offices in Atrium building in Makati City. Sometimes on weekends, he finds himself alone at work in the office.

Why the long and extra work hours? It's pressure of the job, he says, adding that "if I were to enumerate the problems that we have, we'll probably come up with piece of writing as long as the Book of Genesis.

ALL ABOUT OUR CEO:

A native son of Catbalogan, Samar, Atty. Quimbo finished his Bachelor of Laws degree at the University of the Philippines, Diliman, where he also graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in History. He was a consistent scholar throughout his academic life, a champion debater and team captain of the U.P. Law Debate Team, and a distinguished student leader.

Atty. Quimbo was the Executive Vice President and Chief Executive Officer of HDMF before he took over the top post at the age of 33. Prior to joining Pag-IBIG, he was among the pioneers of Philippine e-commerce as President and Managing Director of Pinoymail.com. He has also worked at the House of Representatives, Mondex Philippines, Inc. and Technotrix Philippines, Inc., and was an associate at the Poblador, Bautista and Reyes Law Offices.

Atty. Quimbo is married and has one child.

Waiting for the world to change? hehehe. No. I am waiting for the food and my friend, Michelle in the counter. There are really times when it is nice to let just time pass, looking at people and daydream. No problems and how I wish I could spend everyday like that. I earn while eating, sleeping and even during leisure time. I manage my time and I can wake up late and spend time at home in pajamas.

If I have the luxury of money and time, I will spend it with my family traveling. Visiting places we only see in magazines and television. Dining at unique places and having fun. Wish a genie grant my wish and God be at my side.

Oooppps, Michelle's here. YUM YUM, I really love french fries and cheeseburger. Oh, what was I talking a while ago?

Our favorite pastime aside from watching movies, eating and mall marathon. Singing videoke makes me relieve stress and a good way to bond with officemates. The singing session happened in Zed's Pizza and this is the last videoke house we checked out. All videoke houses we tried were full and people were waiting outside. We like the place and we forgot to try their house specialty, the pizza. We were so excited to sing and take pictures.

The place is not so friendly though, it's like a maze. hehehe. You have to pass so many stairs, doors and I don't know how many corners before you reach the room. If you're tipsy, you will be lost or might end up in the c.r instead of the stairs.

We'll check this place out again but I will try their pizza. I will post my review on their pizza and whatever I fancy.hehehe.Ciao!

FALL TV SEASON HAS BEGUN

THE SLEEPING DURIAN HOTEL

Took this picture while riding home. This is the famous Durian Hotel of Davao City. I remember in high school, we drop by frequently at the bakeshop outside the hotel. There are actually rumors that the hotel has no good foundation after the extension is built, the hotel is foreclosed and worst, it is haunted.hehehe.

I'd rather believe that it was foreclosed and a bank is selling it. Here is a detailed description of the hotel in the ad I saw online. If interested,click the link here.

IMPROVEMENTS:

1. Original 5-Storey Commercial Building: (Floor Area - 1,762 sq.ms.)

Ground floor is utilized as parking lot that can accommodate twelve(12) cars, reception hall, and lobby, and two (2) commercial spaces 2nd Floor used to be divided into offices of the hotel management. 3rd Floor to 5th Floor is partitioned into a total of twenty-two (22) rooms.

2. Annex building (6 Floors) (Floor Area - 4,566 sq.ms.)

- Basement, ground floor and 2nd floor are all utilized as parking area which can accommodate a total sixty (60) cars. The 3rd and 4th Floors are function halls that can accommodate up to 200 persons each. The fifth floor used to be the Grand Ballroom (theatre type function hall).

3. Main Hotel - 12-Storey Building (Floor Area: 10,172 sq.ms.) The Main Hotel building is partitioned as follows:

Floor	Use/Amenities
Basement	Parking Area, water boiler, exhaust fans
Ground Floor	Main kitchen, restaurant, 2 scenic elevators, 1 service elevator
Second Floor	Employee cafeteria, stockroom, male/female quarters, employees CRs, locker room, F&B office, Engineering office, medical clinic, chapel, and 2 function rooms (for 60 persons)
Third Floor	1 linen/storage room & 15 guest rooms fully carpeted and with full amenities (refrigerator, TV set, CR, bed(s), sofa, chairs, cabinets, telephone, lamp shades, centralized aircon)
Fourth Floor	1 linen/storage room & 16 guest rooms fully carpeted with full amenities.
Fifth Floor	1 linen/storage room, 2 entertainer’s dressing rooms & 15 guest rooms fully carpeted with full amenities
Sixth Floor	1 linen/storage room & 16 guest rooms fully carpeted with full amenities
Seventh Floor	1 linen/storage room & 16 guest rooms fully carpeted with full amenities
Eight Floor	1 linen/storage room & 16 guest rooms fully carpeted with lighting fixtures and aircon but with no amenities (not utilized)
Ninth Floor	1 linen/storage room & 16 guest rooms partially carpeted with no amenities (not utilized)
Tenth Floor	1 linen/storage room & 16 guest rooms not carpeted with no amenities (not utilized)
Eleventh Floor	Only 6 rooms are partitioned but not finished (not utilized)
Twelfth Floor	Heroes Bar, Concorde Fuction room with mezzanine, mini gym, swimming pool and male/female bathrooms/CRs.
Roof deck	Water tank, motor for elevators and Globe cellsite/office.

Breakdown of number of guest rooms:

	Original Building (5-Storey)	Main Building (12-storey)	Total
No. of Rooms	22	126*	148**

It is sad to know that the hotel was once a tourist favorite. I really hope that it will be back in business soon. Proposed malls are sprouting everywhere and it would be nice to have a hotel around the area. It would mean more business and employment opportunities.

MY XTREME SAMAL EXPERIENCE

The platform where I made the challenging plunge in Samal Island, Philippines. We traveled for almost 30 minutes riding in a jeepney for hire to Kaputian. The long travel was worth it when we saw the wonderful view and the horizon. Everything seems so small and we are on top of the world.

That's me taking the plunge and I don't know what the hell was going on in my mind that time. All I remember when I first tried it, I closed my eyes and my heart stopped beating.hehehe. After that, I was already addicted on the high and wonderful feeling doing the plunge.

The landing area in the zipline and the boat waiting will deliver us to land. After the heart stopping plunge, we must climb the very high and steep ladder to reach the zipline platform area. I tell you it's all worth it and will bet on it. I will try it again and will come back hopefully this year. (See? I can do anything!)

ONE WACKY DAY

Our wacky pose in our office. Thank you for the webcam of Ms. Jen for capturing our candid moments in the office. I am really happy that all of us in the unit get along well with each other. There is never a dull moment and we find time to laugh and share jokes and stories. It eases up the boring tasks and stressful times in the office. We also bond by eating our favorite foods like crema de fruta and baked spaghetti. One of this days, I will pose the candid pictures of my officemates eating and very happy.

I guess having wonderful people around you makes you feel light and soo motivated. I really thank them for the joy, laughter and sometimes petty misunderstanding for making our group strong and bonded.