Sweets from My Sweet

Two days before this lousy celebration of Valentine's Day (hehehe), and following my usual routine of going straight home after office, I received an alarming SMS from my brother which imperatively read "Sis, tawag ka." When you receive such a message, you begin to wonder if the sender is caught in a compromising situation and in dire need. He's my brother, so I rang. How stupid of me that at that moment it did not brush my head that my brother has this nature of spoiling things. The next few moments of speaking with him over the phone stripped off every element of a surprise being a surprise. He just told me I got a package and it's from Allan, my sweet. So the surprise idea was already transmitted to my brain. But as to the content of the package, it had me twitching in excitement and my head bleeding with guesses. I had one guess correct; the others in my mind bubbles just popped into thin air.

So cute and really sweet.

This one I guessed right but I never expected this much.

The Valentine presents filled my heart with gladness I felt it nearly exploding. Thank God it did not, but my tear ducts did. My sweet has his ways of making me feel loved amidst the distance. Thank you, Allan.

Because You Said So

In the past, before contracts were even invented and parties concerned learned to write their signatures on capsules or papers, people got to transact or deal with others by way of TRUST. There would only be verbal, undocumented agreements but still, there was such a thing called 'palabra de honor' or [so did my Spanish class taught me] word of honor. Up until today, you gain friends and more importantly, TRUST when you tell someone you would do something and you deliver it well. You keep your word. You do as you say. As a result, there is a harmonious relationship between parties -- you with your friends, brothers, sisters, parents, colleagues, or your partner. And what happens when you do not do as you say? There is a broken agreement. There is a created tension. There is disappointment, frustration. You give the other person a reason not to trust you the next time. In court, it's more or less called the breach of contract if everything was placed in paper. It's very frustrating. But when caught in unavoidable circumstances, there's always a way to make up even before you break an agreement, even before you come to that point of not fulfilling what you said. If you can say ahead of time that you cannot do what you said, you could tell the other person beforehand. And if you really can't avoid the occurrence of another urgent matter that would hinder you from keeping your word, you could negotiate afterwards and, compromise. I'm sorry. I'm feeling a little upset now. Goodnight.

My Valiant

I was google-ing for 'Lingayen Educational Center' when I came upon a link that features the death of Valiant, a very dear friend and classmate of mine from high school. Then it brought back so many fond memories of us in high school -- mostly I would imagine him beaming and could not stop himself from smiling or giggling. The memories are so Valiant-like.

His name was Richard Valiant Correa [Primicias].

U.S. TO GIVE FULL MILITARY HONORS TO FIL-AM SOLDIER KILLED IN IRAQMANILA, JUNE 14, 2007 (STAR) - The US government will provide full military honors to Filipino-American Army Sgt. Richard Valiant Correa, who was killed in Iraq, during his burial in his hometown of Lingayen in Pangasinan tomorrow. Correa, 25, was killed by an improvised explosive device during a dismounted patrol near Ilbu Falris in Iraq last May 29. Correa served in Iraq under the 10th Mountain Division of the US Army’s 2nd Brigade Combat Team, based in Fort Drum, New York. “In recognition of his valor and dedication, Sergeant Correa will receive posthumously the Bronze Star Medal, which is the fourth highest US military award for gallantry in action, as well as the Purple Heart Medal,” the US Embassy said in a statement. US Brig. Gen. Harvey Landwermeyer, assistant division commander (support) of the 2nd Infantry Division, Korea, and a funeral honor guard from the 8th Army Korea, together with military representatives from the US Embassy, will attend Correa’s burial. Correa was born in the Philippines on May 20, 1982. He spent two years of his early childhood in the US, then returned to Lingayen and in 1999, graduated from the Lingayen Educational Center. At 17, he moved back to the US and starting in 1999, served in the US Air Force for four years. In July 2004, he re-enlisted in the US Army. – Pia Lee-Brago

http://www.newsflash.org/2004/02/hl/hl105756.htm

Tonight I Cry In Silence

My pains, my troubles

I whispered to the darkness

'Cause your absence doubles

My hunger for happiness.

The darkness always replies in silence

And embraces me with sympathy.

It eagerly awaits and listens

Whenever I want company.

For what use are words

If we are worlds apart?

What significance is a call

If we haven't much time to share, from the start?

I'd like to tell you everything

That bothers my mind and soul.

But I end up saying nothing

Unsure if I can trust you at all.

If I tell you now, would you listen?

Would you even care?

Or would you probably hasten

'Cause they're calling you out there?

Another day, another night

I always wait in vain.

But I also always try to fight

With all my might, the pain.

For what more is painful than not

Having you here beside me?

When you are the only one I got

who knocks me off completely?

So tonight I cry in silence

And whenever there's no you.

I tell the darkness, in pretense

That tomorrow I'll be with you.

-- Tinao

Cardology

Cardology - the art of making my heart melt by simply sending me cards -- in a surprising or clue-ing manner.

Traditional, yes, but when I receive cards from loved ones, my heart goes giddy-ly happy and sings shalah-heh-shalah!

I got this really special card from Allan for Christmas. Only it arrived a little late for last Christmas or a little early for this year. It does not matter because I super love the card! It has our photo on the front cover which I think is so sweet and the words inside were just, ah, perfect to take my breath away.

Thank you, Allan. I still think you're the sweetest thing on earth. Sweeter than chocolate.

How to Eat Pandesal with Hot Choco

When confused, food naturally becomes a good company in lieu of, well sometimes, a person. That's why they coin something called 'comfort food'. Exactly what, food gives you comfort.

On my way to work today, I passed by a store which sells pandesal (the traditional bread of Filipinos which means 'bread of salt', thanks to my Spanish clas s in college). The store is called The Bread Bag. It opens as early as 7:00 AM. I looked at their menu, and I felt greedy instantly. I must be really hungry. :)

So how to best eat pandesal? With HOT CHOCO! Coffee will do too! 1. Pandesal in the bag for sealed freshness and the hot choco to match it.

2. Hot and healthy. It's wheat pandesal!

3. Break thy bread, share if you may!

4. And now the best part: Dip it! Yummy!

Enjoy pandesal everyday.

New Beginnings

Anytime is always a time to begin if you want to. But the New Year is a classic point of hoping, planning, and deciding to make things anew or simply welcoming changes. I cannot believe it's 2010 already. It seemed like it was only yesterday when I resolved to be a better and not a bitter person. I told myself I would be forgiving and ever-learning. I committed to enjoy my life each day, and not to expect things about tomorrow because it might not come. These were what I had on mind when I welcomed 2009. Now that 2010 is here, I still want to become a better, forgiving, and ever-learning person. I still do not want to expect about tomorrow, but rather, carpe diem! Expect not, keep hopeful. Add a little faith, if that is the most I can do. Stick to my family and swarms of true friends -- those people who stuck with me unsolicitedly especially when I was wretched and lost. Late last year, I took another shot at love, sure. But there is nothing wrong with loving myself more, which I do now. There is nothing wrong with protecting oneself -- it is the most basic human instinct. Besides, if I did not learn from my past [terrible] experience, I do not know if I could still count myself human. Father Bok cited me as an example during his Homily last night. [He did not mention my name though.] He recounted how I would cry with so much emotional baggage when asked about my former boyfriend. But even in between sobs, with so much faith, I told him that everything's not yet finished. The best is yet to come. He told his audience that, now that 'she' [referring to me] has a new boyfriend who is abroad, she apparently is happier. He added that the new boyfriend makes her happy. Father Bok's statement makes me want to stand up and certify that fact. People with me at the choir's nook would glance and smile at me. They knew I'm on the grill. It does not bother me though. It is not finished. Live. Laugh. Love. Make each new beginning hopeful and do not stop till victory is at hand. God is faithful! Happy New Year!

Farewell, EITSC!

It feels strange having to say goodbye to someone you love, aye? Especially when you don't feel like going but you must go. It just brings tears to the eyes. Today is my last working day at EITSC. For more than 2 years, I have grown to love what I do and who I do my (or not my) job with. I worked with various people in here and I must say, I enjoyed working with them even if it means having to disagree with their ideas and debating on work issues more than half of the times. My apologies to some people I screamed at and who may have thought I'm a katipunera from my past life. I think I learned how to handle certain things maturely now. It was just me and Ms. Ga in the office. And while I must turnover things responsibly, we took breaks [and fotos] in between work to share views on just about anything. And by breaks, I mean these --

And since it was only the two of us, we decided to take our lunch out, her treat. It's her farewell gift to me. We did not really want to take long walks so we agreed to have lunch at Earle's, the American way. Pfft! We were not really hungry, you can tell!

We took our time walking the paths along Buendia. I'm afraid I won't set foot on the pavements of The Columns more often after this year so we took advantage of the opportunity at hand!

And just as I was waiting in line for my turn at the nearby bank's ATM, we chanced upon an interesting Honda car. Suddenly we were like little boys drooling over a really good toy. I am not really sure what the exterior material is made of but it's like fiber glass. Asteg!

I am so going to miss EITSC. This must be how Mav, Ms. Ree and Lala felt when they left EITSC... and me. Drama! All the best for all! Happy new year!

I Got A 'Baby'

Allan gave me a 'Baby' for a birthday present. No, not the cute tiny creature moms love to cuddle. It's an Apple iPhone 3Gs! Too much trouble for him, I think, to buy me such a thing but he said 'It's nothing. Anything to make you happy.' Oh God, I told you he's the sweetest thing! My Sweet. Thank you! Thank you!

I'm calling it my 'Baby'. I'm still at the insatiable point of exploring the features of my Baby. Except for the initial disappointment that I could not immediately use my existing simcard because it's locked for some reasons yet, I'm happy there's an iPod in it! Now I could listen to songs, songs, and more songs! I'll be off to Greenhills this Friday to have it open-lined. I'm crossing my fingers it won't be bastardized.

My Sweet, I can't thank you enough. I love you!

Sunday's Best!

This is a great Sunday! Minus Love (my cousin who already went home to Pangasinan), my homies are comfortably at home and the thought of having ourselves gather for breakfast is just fantastic. I went to hear the 7:30 AM Mass today. I left the house like a thief because I was careful not to wake my housemates who were still under their sheets. It’s Sunday anyway and I think everybody deserves to rest – even God rested on the seventh day! When I returned from Mass, Regie was already awake but still indecisive to get up. In a weary voice he asked where I went and I told him I heard Mass alone. He scoffed at my reply because it was unusually early and I would most likely tag him along to hear Mass with me. In my defense I said, I wanted to get back to sleep early too and I think he understood because he decided to sleep again. I did not sleep right away. I felt like emailing My Sweet first so I did. Then I heard my stomach growled. It would be bad to go to bed hungry, I thought. I decided I would cook breakfast first. My brother SMSed that he is on his way home already and I’m sure he could bear with my cooking because I know he would be hungry too from work. Omelet was my top choice for our breakfast menu, with onions and tomatoes. We have not had eggs for more than a week. Besides, I do not make bad eggs at all, just average output. In addition to steamed rice, it would not hurt to add another carbohydrate-inducing option, albeit an instant food favorite at home, Lucky Me Pancit Canton! These would count at 'satisfying' for empty stomachs. While cooking the omelet, my brother’s arrival signaled getup time. He has a special talent for distracting people at sleep, which he could not apply on me. The house was bouncing, and this has not been the case for so many weeks now when there were only two or three people at home. Today, everybody is at home. Today, everybody is up and alive. And with all honesty, it is a good and relieving sight for me. Just thank You, God. As soon as I finished cooking, we all gathered at the table for breakfast. I asked if there is a new DVD we could watch afterwards. Regie said only Christian’s [Bautista] music CD is new on the rack. Ate Melyn suddenly blurted a laugh and echoed ‘Christian! Christian!’ – at which point Peter and my brother jointly laughed too. Maybe I was still hazy or already feeling sleepy but I cannot miss the laughing trip so I asked what the matter is. Without really coercing them to share what they were laughing about, my brother volunteered to recount his most embarrassing elementary experience – pooping in his pants! Ate Melyn, Peter and my brother went to the same elementary school. My other brother, Christian, was Ate Melyn’s classmate. One school morning before their flag ceremony began, another student came running to my brother Christian and, lacking discretion, disclosed the news: “Christian! Christian! Amay agim, si Cleo, akatae!” Translated to English, “Christian! Christian! Your brother Cleo pooped in his pants!” Hahahaha. More hahahaha! My eldest brother must have felt nearly disowning our brother Cleo at that point. Even if it was against his will, my brother Christian brought our brother Cleo home with two umbrellas covering his behind. According to my brother Cleo, it was the longest walk he has ever done, with multiple stops in between to suppress nature’s call, but always unsuccessful. He left a trail along the way like Little Red Riding Hood, only those were not crumbs. Ewww! Then the table turned to me. My brother Cleo also recounted my embarrassing experience when I sat in a class for a week in their school because my school was on an earthquake-break then. Out of frustration to write the cursive of ‘R’ and neglected by a cousin who was sitting beside me to teach me how, I unnecessarily bawled when the teacher asked the class to submit the written exercise. I was not an official part of the class but being the go-getter that I know I am, I was really disappointed. My disappointment was expressed in my unstoppable weeping. My brother Cleo’s attention was called so he could bring me home. “Gala la ta unsempet ta la,” (Come now and let’s go home.) he said while tugging at me. I was crouching with my head between my knees trying to hide my face when I answered, “Agko gabay. Dakdakel ni sali.” (I don’t want to. There are still many feet around.) I was referring to the feet of the pupils of that elementary school. They gathered around me like spectators of a show – a show of my embarrassing behavior. They were laughing at me and waiting for my next step or another delivery of a punch line. My brother pulled me out of the school grounds and I no longer resisted. I knew then I could no longer save my face. I never came back the next morning. I was remembered as a crying baby in that school. We could not stop ourselves from laughing. It was a hearty breakfast with my cooking and funny elementary memories. Certainly this won’t be the last.

*****

We ate our late lunch at Mang Inasal where I had three (yes, 3!) cups of rice. Screw the diet now. Starvation is an immediate problem, plus my head is near explosion for thinking of what to get My Sweet for Christmas. Even my guy-homies were not really of a big help.

*****

The sweetest thing on earth for me – My Sweet Allan, just called. I missed his first call. I was doing the dishes and sharing good laughs over a documentary film on the television when he called. When I went up to my room to check on my phone, there was the missed call. It was just 6:00 PM, earlier than his usual call time. The funny thing is I was actually expecting his call at this hour. He has ESP! Allan’s been acting strange lately. He has been calling me every night (if that is a weird thing) since last week. I am actually loving the calls and it makes me upset whenever I miss his calls. But is it not costly for him to make the calls? I never have the nerve to ask. I only want to make the best out of our conversations. But I told him that I want to call him some times too, only I am not sure if he’s in the middle of something at work or what. So I never really tried calling him since he returned. The previous phone conversations have been sweeter each time and did I say strange too? He is talking about puzzle pieces that I have to put together, if you know what I mean. He would talk about his plans upon his return in May next year. He would give out ideas which apparently are clues to something. I am not so dumb not to get the picture but he scares me. In a good way, I guess. I only want him to come back to the Philippines safe and healthy and swine-flu-free. I miss My Sweet Allan. I love him so much that I wish tomorrow is already May.

The Wedding Singer

I have been singing at weddings from the tip of the Ilocos Region up to the tail of Southern Luzon since 1998. Boy, I have come this far. Maybe I should be considering it as a serious career by now. But, no thanks. I would say I have not reached the professional level yet, and most of the weddings I sing for were of relatives and friends -- people who could honestly appreciate and endure my voice for the sake of, well, kinship. The recent wedding I sang for was last November 30. It was a wedding of the daughter of my teacher-aunt's District Supervisor to a gentleman from Dagupan. I thought there was a convention of public teachers or so. They were dressed in their best olive green gowns, and much as I hate to say it, they put on their best shining, shimmering accessories which they only get to wear during these occasions. So okay, I would pass being the queer-eyed critique for the worst and best dressed teachers, oops, principals. I was late for the bridal march so Regie took the lead for "Angels Brought Me Here'. The couple were already at the altar when I arrived. I saw the bride wiping off her tears. That wasn't a first time scene for me. I mean, I have seen several brides weeping when we sing them songs especially if the song is the couple's lovesong. I have seen a couple cry too! Is that what they call the tears of joy? I have this funny feeling the brides might be thinking they're about to make a big mistake and they can't turn back. But hey, it must be really love. I was told once, 'You must get there to understand what it is.' Hmmm. Okay, okay. Speaking of getting there, I nearly choked on my food when I was cornered by my cousin while having lunch. She said, 'You're singing for a wedding again. Will you always remain the wedding singer? And who would sing for you when your wedding comes?' Answer: deadly silence with rolling eyes. Interpretation: I have no freaking idea. She's actually freaking me out whenever she puts me in the hot seat. She grinned. And that means she had me thinking like Plato.

*****

Phone beeped. An SMS. I checked the clock, 10 minutes past midnight. Am I dreaming? No. It was a message from Jhia. 'Tin pwede din yung Two Words ni Lea Salonga.' She was suggesting the song of Lea for her bridal march. And yes, like the suggestion cannot wait for tomorrow. I thought she might be expecting a reply so I hit her back with 'Mabagal ang transition ng words. I sing that song for the exchange of vows.' Then it was a peaceful night after my message was sent.

Jhia is getting married on May 2010, with Jaicus. He asked, she said yes. The proposal was made in Singapore with Jhia wearing sleeveless blouse and well, her usual self. But she did bring a dress to Singapore, only she was not expecting the proposal to be delivered soon before she could change costumes. Hahaha. But I love how the proposal went -- when Jhia least expected it. Because proposals are supposed to be surprising, aren't they? So Jhia, you had it.

Congratulations to you both! And yes, I will sing at your wedding.

Arbitrary

Simply by lack of purpose. Or maybe I know what my purpose is, only it is overshadowed by so many things running inside my head now. Don't judge me.

*****

On Tiger Woods' extramarital affairs.

I. just. could. not. believe. it.

I have this distinct admiration for Woods. He has the discipline. He has the determination. And now this. It was disturbing. And they're treating marriage like it's a business deal! Oh no. Whatever happened to his 'family values'?

This brings me back to my trust issues. Uh-oh. No matter how you think a man is full of his values, you can still never tell. Tsk. Tsk. Tsk.

*****

On my Christmas gift list.

It's December and I haven't started writing down what-to-buys-for-whos. Not in the mood for smart buying yet. SM's been displaying that 0% installment on credit cards for six months. But in times like this, I chant Luke 22:46 which says '...pray, lest you enter into temptation.' Amazing! I haven't been using my card since end of October.

*****

On Lovebug.

Ooooh! I'm loving this song! The acoustic flavor creates bubbles on top of my head. I don't need anyone popping them out now. :)

*****

Happy birthday Father Bok!

If You're Not the One

I'm posting the lyrics of 'If You're Not the One' by Daniel Bedingfield. But I like Nikki Gil's rendition more, coming from a female's point of view. This song makes me miss Allan all the more, and still stay in love with him.

IF YOU'RE NOT THE ONE If you’re not the one then why does my soul feel glad today? If you’re not the one then why does my hand fit yours this way? If you are not mine then why does your heart return my call? If you are not mine would I have the strength to stand at all

I never know what the future brings But I know you are here with me now We’ll make it through And I hope you are the one I share my life with

I don’t want to run away but I can’t take it, I don’t understand If I’m not made for you then why does my heart tell me that I am? Is there any way that I can stay in your arms?

If I don’t need you then why am I crying on my bed? If I don’t need you then why does your name resound in my head? If you’re not for me then why does this distance maim my life? If you’re not for me then why do I dream of me as your wife? I don’t know why you’re so far away But I know that this much is true We’ll make it through And I hope you are the one I share my life with And I wish that you could be the one I die with And I pray in you’re the one I build my home with I hope I love you all my life

I don’t want to run away but I can’t take it, I don’t understand If I’m not made for you then why does my heart tell me that I am Is there any way that I can stay in your arms? ‘Cause I miss you, body and soul so strong that it takes my breath away And I breathe you into my heart and pray for the strength to stand today ‘Cause I love you, whether it’s wrong or right And though I can’t be with you tonight And know my heart is by your side I don’t want to run away but I can’t take it, I don’t understand If I’m not made for you then why does my heart tell me that I am Is there any way that I can stay in your arms?

*****

And of course the video I made as my birthday gift for myself. Thank You, Lord. For everything. You always know what's best. :)

*****

Thanks to Ms. Ree for the couple-caricature I used here. I miss the Ria-Jason tandem. :(

My 27th on the 27th

SMS birthday greetings an hour after midnight (Jerico) an SMS two hours later from another (Mac) and still more SMS that welcomed my eyes in daylight (Mama and Sir Jacoba) 2 missed calls from an unknown caller (Allan) consecutive SMS from darling sissies from the ministry (Glenys, Tine and Liway) facebook greetings (too many of them) SMS greetings from my next employer next year (yeah!) another SMS from an unknown sender who i thanked anyway cousins thoughtful greetings coming in (there's just too many of them too) friendly greetings from luzon, visayas and mindanao (wow!) instant messages popping up (Edward, Ferdie, Eboy, Mabel and Junlee) german volunteer remembered my birthday (wow too!) former colleagues (RBAP & IIEE peeps) the anticipated call after office (finally) but i was wishing we could have talked more. frustrating. this is harder than i thought. Happy birthday to me, nonetheless. Thank you Lord! If these are everything that would happen today, it would still be a good day. I am blessed!

Missing Him

Just that. I miss him terribly, my Allan. :'( I could not say more than that.

So Close No Matter How Far

Yes, kami na. How did it happen? I don't know. I just heard him whisper in my ear "I love you and Im coming back for you." in the car and I just said "Thank you." The next thing, he was kissing the back of my hand and hugging me real tight saying, "Arrrghh, I dont wanna go." And I being the angel, keeps on saying, "No you have to go or you'll lose your job." That was Sunday night, while we were on our way home from his uncle's big house. I was not really able to absorb his ILY declaration because I know, minutes after, I will be facing a greater ordeal: introducing him to my father. Kaya di ba ang ganda ng sagot ko: Thank you? Hahahaha. Wala sa sarili. Then siguro nakahalata sya that I was not being myself, he asked "Is your dad home by this time?" I looked at him and answered, "Yes, I believe so." Tapos natahimik sya. "Is it alright if I meet him now? I will tell him why it took us this late." (By late he meant 6:00 pm. Heheheh). I said, "Ahh... maybe." Pero syempre, kahit wala ako sa sarili ko, wala na din naman ako nagawa kundi ang pababain sya and let him do the explaining. Nung inintroduce ko sya, my father was busy scanning the TV for some good watch. So humarap lang sa kanya ang Papa ko para iacknowledge ang presence nya then back to the TV ang eyes ng matanda! Ang suplado! Grabe. Kinakabahan ako, big time! Then he started explaining that there was a party sa house nila kaya na-late kami ng uwi (again, 6pm pa lang nun) pero di sya pinapansin ni Papa and Mama comes to the rescue saying "No, no, it's okay." I looked at my mum's expression and I think I could interpret this instead "You can still take her out until midnight if you like." Para akong binubugaw ng nanay ko. Hahahaha. And my father just scanned channels. Nung nagpapaalam na sya para tumuloy na, congrats ulit kay Allan dahil tinignan lang sya ng tatay ko at balik ulit sa TV ang atensyon. Suplado to the nth power! Hahahah. Then when he left, I heard my mum doing the explaining sa interrogation ng tatay ko. Di pa ako pumasok ng bahay until wala na akong naririnig na diskusyon. Nung pumasok ako sa bahay, deretso ako sa kwarto. At narinig ko ang tatay ko sabi, 'Hindi na ba yun kakain?' Di na ako kumain dahil alam kong masasalang ako sa hot seat. Pagkahiga ko sa kwarto ko, syang tawag ni Allan. Parang ilang minuto lang yun nung magkahiwalay kami. Bungad nya sa phone, "Are you alright? Did I get you into trouble with your father? Would you like me to come back?" Ano ba?! Andaming tanong. Sabi ko, "I'm okay. He's settled now. At least I got over the hard first stage of introducing you to him." Sabi nya, "Are you sure? I'm worried. I love you." Hmmm, medyo nakahinga na ako nang maluwag kaya walang alinlangan at pakundangan ko syang sinagot: "I love you back." He was saying some other things pero I did not really mind. Nasa isip ko lang nun after I told him I love him eh kami na. At kami na nga. Syang tunay! Makabawi man lang sa wala-sa-sarili kong sagot earlier na 'Thank you.' Ampangit di ba?! It was 630pm, 8th of November, when I put the phone down, still in a dreamy mood.

*****

He left me something to keep. He left me his late father's necklace with the St. Luke and St. Christopher pendants. His late father gave it to him before he died. Creepy noh? Mamaya bigla hilain ng tatay nya sa akin 'to!

At kung malinaw-linaw pa ang pag-iisip ko (because when he was saying these things eh nabablock ng kaba sa pagmemeet nila ng tatay ko yung mind ko), nasabi din nya that he will come back in May to properly talk to my father for some arrangements. I asked, 'What arrangement?' And he said, I wanted to propose to you properly. And I said, 'Ah.' (Don't you think Im just so smart with my answers?) And he smiled. Ayun muna sa ngayon. Seeing him leave makes me weak. :(

What Good Is A Typhoon?

Simply putting it as a typhoon would understate its effects. No, there were no strong winds that left houses roofless like Milenyo did. But Ondoy, oh Ondoy, your typhoon name sounds so cute but your wrath inundated roads, businesses, houses, and lives. You are terrible. There are many writeups in the Net about Ondoy and the evidence of its trail in Metro Manila. But what was I doing on a Saturday of heavy downpour? I had all my time to sleep that day. I stayed up most of Friday night until past 12:00 AM watching Dr. House and his team, enjoying their differential diagnosis each time. Saturday welcomed me with an enticing pouring of rains; I felt sinful but I had all the excuse to be a sloth. Enticing because I could curl on bed all day, what with the cold weather. But not for long. My brother woke me up to convince me to relay a message to our landlady. He complained of cockroaches crawling out of our bathroom's drainage hole, because the strainer was out of place. Cover it, I mentally suggested. But then he was persistent of ruining my lethargic mood so I did sent an SMS to our landlady anyway. I stayed on my bed though with my thoughts kicking already. Whoa, the sound of the rains could translate a rainbath into a hard back massage. I went down to pee and was welcomed with crawling creepy creatures and my brother's dancing-killing techniques. I only came to realize that by cockroaches he meant MANY cockroaches! Where did they all come from? I never managed to relieve my urine bag that morning. A little hour before lunch, I can hear Regie (one of my housemates) calling me downstairs. You see, I stay in my room most of the time. When I came down the second time, water is seeping through the doorsill that he has to use the dustpan to throw the liquid out of the house. I could hear one of our neighbors shouting, "Dalian mo, tumataas na yung tubig." Of course he meant the water was entering his house, and it was rising fast. Hmmm, I thought Regie could handle it anyway so I went back to my cave. In a matter of minutes I went down to ask him buy us lunch. He did, only to return soaked up to the hips and large raindrops marked his shirt. He changed clothes and we ate lunch. You see, we were spending a Saturday like everything was normal. Until I received text messages from friends asking how we are doing and if we are home. Why the sudden surge of concerned messages, I wondered. I switched on the television. It addressed my question. Marikina, San Mateo, Cainta -- three Philippine geographic terms that would consistently be written in the papers for the next days of the coming week. They all share something in common, along with other affected areas: devastated. I never knew how intense the typhoon was until I saw the scenes on the screen. They were depressing. And I have friends and relatives who live in those areas! I texted them but there was no reply. Come Sunday, the news would bear even sadder stories. My cousin was stranded at the airport. We could not get out of the house. We were watching news on the television the whole day to keep up with, well, the news. I could go on and on relating what happened during that weekend but I'm cutting this short to say what good things I learned. Filipinos are still Filipinos. They help each other. That's the bayanihan spirit. I myself was restless. What can I do to help? In my own way, I sorted my clothes, gave cash, and prayed. I chose to help those people close to me that needed my help. I have a really close college friend whose house was literally swept away with nothing left. I know there are still a lot out there in dire need of clothes, food, drinking water, medicines. These are immediate relief goods but any help they would receive during these times would echo a lifetime. I will be going now. Volunteerism is another thing. :) Mabuhay.

The Cost of Poor Customer Service

I must be really a magnet for experiences of poor customer service. Early this month alone, I have had encountered terrible treatment from cashiers of two different establishments. Pardon me having to expose the names but sometimes I wish I could have been that person who is bad with names. Knowing myself better than other people in this aspect, I commit to my memory names of people who have extremely affected me – in a good or bad way. This time around, I could still vividly picture the faces, along with their delicately pinned nametags, of those cashiers I encountered. But let me clear this though. I have no intentions to badmouth them. I only wanted to relate my awful experiences with them. Awful because they could have done better. And maybe my awful reaction (yes, I admit to be a horrible monster as a customer!) could have helped them in any way to improve their customer relations. If only my awful manner of confronting them has been taken constructively, it would be great. So do not gawk at me like I’m the bad guy. Hear out my side of the stories first. First Encounter: MINISTOP (Skyland Plaza, Buendia Branch) It was a really early morning and I felt my empty stomach calling for food. I thought, since I have had an unhealthy dinner the night before, I deserve a healthy breakfast that morning. Ministop is a haven! I always think of it that, until this incident. I grabbed myself a sachet of instant oatmeal and a stuffed bread called Twiggies. The damage was only worth PhP22.50. I took out my wallet and, unintentionally, I discovered I have only a PhP500 bill and several coins not even enough to count to PhP10. So I handed out the PhP500 bill only to be given a are-you-serious-about-paying-500-pesos-early this-morning look from the cashier. She quickly put into words what I interpreted saying, “Mam, wala po ba kayong barya?” I said, well-mannered, “Wala eh.” She replied, “Kabubukas lang po kasi ng kaha eh. Wala po ba talaga kayong barya? Kahit PhP22.50 lang po.” What was she thinking? I know I was supposed to pay PhP22.50! So I said, still aware that I should be courteous, “Wala talaga eh. Kung meron binigay ko na sana sa iyo.” And I meant that. Because in the first place, I do not want to waste my time waiting for my change when I could have used it checking my Facebook. Feeling helpless, she turned to her colleague to ask for assistance in obtaining loose bills of smaller denominations. I waited in front of the cash register but I gave way to the next customer so she could pay her purchases. Her items were punched and when the cash register opened, the cashier took her change rashly as if she loved to have me hear the discourtesy. The annoyance I have been disregarding came to a boil instantly. And as if her rudeness was not enough, she closed the machine with a bang that only the most insensitive of insensitives would not notice as a sign of disrespect. I glanced at her namepin, it read Arsil. I kept my peace but I was struggling. When her colleague came with the loose bills and she finally handed me my change, I interrupted her and said, “Ah, Arsil, the next time you encounter a customer with a large bill, you don’t give an excuse that you don’t have change for it, okay?” I was not done with my speech when she gave an unwanted answer, “Eh Mam talaga naman pong kabubukas lang po ng kaha eh.” But in rebuttal I answered back, this time with a pitch higher than my previous statement, “No, you listen to me. You are a 24-hour establishment.(Fact!) A convenient store with cash flows. (Fact!) And it’s not my problem if you have change or not. So you don’t give me the reason that you only opened your cash register this morning when you can ask for loose bills from your manager.” I was thinking I could have added, ‘You’re such a lazy ass to have my bills changed from your previous collections!’ but I chose not to. When I finished speaking, I felt the world (really) stopping and I could only see her and me exchanging uncalled-for words. It was only when she said “Sorry po Ma’am.” did I bring to an end the evil urge to rant some more. People were coming in to buy themselves something but I only realized that when I turned around to leave. They were all quiet. I started breathing normally again when I was outside Ministop. Ah! It will be a fine day. I never set foot on Ministop again after the incident no matter how much I crave for its sundae. (to be continued for Second Encounter)

Maybe Better, Maybe Worse

Let me borrow my title from one of Nicholas Sparks' predictable lines in one of his novels. If one would ask how I do this time, I would reply with such conviction that yeah, I maybe better or maybe worse. I just had an interesting conversation with a prospective client. Interesting for me, you bet. But maybe she found herself a box of boredom in me for her to say "Or maybe I should talk directly with your training directors, blah, blah." She was a challenging customer. She opened my eyes into seeing what a lame Marketing Officer I was. While she was incessantly stating her predicament about the quote I submitted, I was holding the phone half-thinking I still have a lot to learn. Maybe God was calling me out of my cave again. I did not see myself caught in an embarrassing situation because I wasn't prepared for a rebuttal. I felt gratitude that hey, I actually have this opportunity to deal with. I was hesitant to cut her litany short, and I did not anyway. It was an enlightening moment to hear out what she has to say. And I guess she appreciated what I did in the end despite my attempts to immediately address her concerns. I was just being honest. I was just being myself. I am not sure if a room for empathy is welcome in the corporate world, but that's just exactly what I did. Be reasonable. Be honest. Admit your mistakes. Flinch when necessary. Wow, am i being elevated one step higher to maturity? And responsibility? If my boss was around, I could have been underrated. Who cares. I may have been better now, or worse. The thing is, I learned. Thanks, Eya!

Tamang Timing, Tamang Kulit

May piging sa ECCP pero hindi kasali ang EITSC. Bakit? Eh sa wala kaming kontribusyon eh. Pagkatapos nilang magpakasawa sa mga pagkaing inihanda, ang tuso kong Boss Dom ay namasyal sa kabila at kunwang nang-usisa. Bakit nga daw ba may handaan at hindi kasama ang EITSC? Pagbalik nya ng opis, dala na nya ang kasagutan sa tanong nya. Tatlong dambuhalang turon at manigas-nigas na vanilla ice cream. Pagmumuni-muni: Hindi kinakailangan ng perang pangkontribusyon para makakain ka ng turon at vanilla ice cream. Kelangan lang ng right timing at kadalasan, tibay ng loob. (Bakit ba hindi ko maderetsong sabihin ang 'kapal ng mukha'? Hehehe.)

* * * * *

Lagpas-hapunan na, pero nasa opis pa rin kami nila Boss Dom at Gng. Ga. Habang inihahabol nilang matapos ang kani-kanilang mga report, ako nama'y pindot ng pindot ng spacebar-backspace para matunugan nilang may nasasalin akong report sa laptop kahit wala. Ang totoo nyan, tapos na yung report ko kaya malaya akong nakakapagbrowse ng Friendster at Facebook (pati Delias). Inaantay ko lang talaga na i-shutdown ni Boss Dom ang laptop nya na sasabayan ko ng hit ng Send button sa email para hindi nya masabing di ko inemail ang report ko sa kanya. Pagmumuni-muni: Muli, right timing. Kapag sinabing within the day ang report, isubmit mo within the day. Counted pa rin ang 11:59 PM hangga't di inispecify ang time.

*****

Tumingin ako sa may bintana para icheck ang lagay ng kalsada. *&^%$#@! Alas syete y media na ng gabi pero bumper-to-bumper pa rin ang trapik. Syang balita ko kay Gng. Ga. Tinanong nya ako kung sasakay ba ako ng bus o tren. Ang aking sagot: "Kapag bus, bumper-to-bumper ang trapik. Kapag tren, butt-to-butt ang siksikan. Malamang hanggang alas nuebe na lang muna ako sa opis." Pagmumuni-muni: Right timing nga di ba? Kung umalis ako ng alas singko, mapapaaga uwi ko. Anong oras na?! Hello???

*****

Tumawag si Gng. Ga sa kanyang kabiyak, si Kuya Edwin. Pagkasagot ni Kuya Edwin sa kabilang linya, syang tanong ni Gng. Ga: "Saan ka uuwi?" Sabay tawa sya. Dahil imbes na itanong kung anong oras ang uwi ni Kuya Edwin, iba ang nabigkas nya. Pagmumuni-muni: Kailangan ko pa bang ulitin? Right timing. Kapag gumagawa ka ng report at bigla mo naisip tumawag sa bahay, maniwala ka, iba ang masasabi mo. Ganyan ang epekto ng paggawa ng Hanns Seidel report. Nakakabuwang.

*****

Have a good weekend!