A common question to me nowadays is if I'll ever consider moving to the U.S. I have the papers and the visa to find work there anytime but migrating has never crossed my mind (for now). Notwithstanding the fact that my sister Marissa and my mom's whole clan is there, the U.S. never appealed to me more than a vacation destination. I love San Francisco and how the city spells cosmo and chic. The place has character and great vibe. Choosing between Manila and San Francisco, I'd choose the former for so many reasons. Call me crazy but there a lot of great things about the Philippines. It's a blessing to be here.
1. My family is here. Though we're not complete with Marissa in San Francisco and Koc in Xiamen, home is where my parents are. I live with my parents and it can be crazy at times living with Pa but Ma balances it out. Pa is the human bundy clock. Orie, the youngest sister and I have got to be home before 12 midnight otherwise, we turn into hamsters in tattered clothes. Even at 31, my dad will always see me as a girl in pigtails. That's part of the package of being here. Moving out is not an option because it just can't be with Mr. Tong.
2. Friends, amigas, amigos, kumare, kumpare. When I want to have coffee, lunch or dinner and vent about the traffic or the government, friends are there. They make everything bearable. For me, I have different sets of friends. High school friends. College friends. Beijing friends. Work friends. I kind of fit in any group so I'm very mobile.
3. Life is more comfortable. There are house helps who make my life easier. Someone prepares the meals and washes and irons my clothes. I don't have to worry about doing the groceries or what meals to eat. The extra help allows me to do things for myself but I do have to give credit to Ma for running an efficient household. It's superb.
4. Services are cheap. I can enjoy an hour's home service massage for Php 250. My therapist is really good. Well, for those who want to try her service, call Rose at 0917-2432261. She knows how to relax my tension muscles and she knows when to soften hear kneading and when to toughen it. When I have my schedule with her, everyone in the family will also have a massage. I have my massages weekly. Also, where else can you also find cheap nail work for both hands and feet for Php 140. In the U.S., if my memory serves me right, a manicure costs $20 and a pedicure is even more expensive. For haircut, I only pay my stylist Php 220. Her name's Remy and she's one of the senior stylist at Fix Robinsons Place. She used to work at James Cooper. She's been doing my hair for maybe 4 to 5 years now and she's also doing Ma and Orie's hair.
5. The malls are real. Not that the malls in the U.S. are surreal but it doesn't fare to our malls here. We have Mall of Asia and who can ever beat that. There's also my favorite place on earth - Greenbelt. It has so many good restaurants. The choices are varied and the ambiance is great. Serendra does not appeal to me that much but it's where I can find one of my favorite restaurants Abe. The size of the malls in the U.S. are comparable to Harrison Plaza. Boring.
6. Lots and lots of good restaurants. Name the cuisine and we have it. Of course the best would be Filipino food. Try Cafe Juanita in Barangay Kapitolyo, Pasig. It has quaint interiors and you'd see brick a bracks that are for sale. The theme is more like Bohemian to me and I love it. There's also a pianist during the evenings to lighten up the mood. Call 632-0357 and 710-1562 to make reservations. Try their kare kare, bagnet salad and sans rival. Have some tea after. You'll need it to unclog your arteries.
7. Travel destinations are limitless. You have Boracay, Bohol, Cebu, Palawan, Batanes to name a few. Well I've been to the first three and I'm thinking of going to Palawan next. I'm actually off to Iloilo next weekend with my college friends. We're visiting Guimaras and other places around the province. Domestic travel in the Philippines is fun. It has become cheaper and cheaper with low fares from Cebu Pacific but you've got to have patience because the flights are always delayed and it gives you a reason to actually fight. Better to purchase your tickets online than go to their outlets. One of my dream destination as well is Amanpulo. Rates are in US dollars I heard but it's paradise. You also have your own butler.
Every time I pick up the paper over breakfast and I read the horrendous headlines in PDI, I still think that the Philippines is a great place to be in. This is my home amidst the traffic, pollution, corruption and hot pink MMDA lines on the streets (no matter how stupid it is), I'm on auto pilot when I'm here.
Thursday, July 10, 2008
Tuesday, July 8, 2008
Shifting Gears
Fasten your seatbelt. I'm going to drive. I've had two driving classes so far. My starting point was SM Manila and the farthest I've been to was U.N. Avenue. Somewhere near the plant of Coca Cola. I am finally driving at a safe speed of 20 kph. This pace is even slower than how a pedicab driver would get his bike up and running. Two days into my lesson and I've got a lot of stories I should have taken on video.
1. Being the vertically challenged person that I am (I'm just 5' tall), I had to move my seat really close to the steering wheel. Proper distance to the wheel should be observed at all times. How? Stretch your arms and make sure that your wrists rest on top of the wheel.
I was stretching my arms to see the distance. Perfect!
So I stretched my left leg and tried to press down the clutch.
At this point I moved the chair a few inches.
So, I stepped on the clutch again.
After the nth time, I figured the right distance to the clutch and not the steering wheel. What am I to do with the steering wheel if my leg could hardly step on the clutch right?
2. Pedestrians have the right of way. This holds true most especially if you are near the cross walk but for me, even when they are walking towards the car from a far distance, I feel that I'm headed for a collision. One instance was when I was heading towards the car park and I saw an old lady walking on the right side of the car. She was at a good distance and quite far I would say. I was panicking alright.
3. Forward, backward. These were the basic movements taught to me during the first day. We were somewhere near Adamson University where the traffic was bearable. Step on the clutch, release the handbrake, shift to gear 1 and press gas. The car was moving. Good girl. To move backward, I had to do the same steps but this time, I had to shift the gear to reverse. The car was moving. So on and on it went. Forward, backward.
Ok I was able to move the car forward.
At this point, I figured out that my instructor had a brake of his own on the passenger side. Whew, ok. I guess it never hurts to drive faster.
The past two days, my heart has never beated this fast. I haven't been to the gym for almost two months and driving I suppose is good for the heart. Better than Omega 3 and it's some sort of exercise. I've been palpitating like anything and driving is also good for the vocal chords. I've been doing a lot of screaming the past two days too. My instructor had a piece of advice "Mam, ang kaba, iniiwan dapat sa bahay." Opo Kuya.
1. Being the vertically challenged person that I am (I'm just 5' tall), I had to move my seat really close to the steering wheel. Proper distance to the wheel should be observed at all times. How? Stretch your arms and make sure that your wrists rest on top of the wheel.
him: Mam, paki check lang po ang distance sa steering wheel.
I was stretching my arms to see the distance. Perfect!
him: Mam, paki tapak lang po ang clutch all the way down to the floor.
So I stretched my left leg and tried to press down the clutch.
him: Mam, parang di pa nakadiin ang clutch. Paki lapit lang po ang upuan.
At this point I moved the chair a few inches.
him: Ok Mam, paki tapak po uli.
So, I stepped on the clutch again.
him: Mam, konting usog pa. Parang nahihirapan kayong tumapak.
After the nth time, I figured the right distance to the clutch and not the steering wheel. What am I to do with the steering wheel if my leg could hardly step on the clutch right?
2. Pedestrians have the right of way. This holds true most especially if you are near the cross walk but for me, even when they are walking towards the car from a far distance, I feel that I'm headed for a collision. One instance was when I was heading towards the car park and I saw an old lady walking on the right side of the car. She was at a good distance and quite far I would say. I was panicking alright.
me: Kuya!!! Si Lola!!! Naglalakad papunta dito!!! Baka mabangga tayo!!!Sigh. Lola, why did you even have to go to SM in the first place. Maybe she had an eyeball. Yeehee Lola.
him: Mam, malayo pa tayo kay Lola. Hayaan mo sya. Ang delikado yung naglalakad na ang likod ang nasa harap natin.
3. Forward, backward. These were the basic movements taught to me during the first day. We were somewhere near Adamson University where the traffic was bearable. Step on the clutch, release the handbrake, shift to gear 1 and press gas. The car was moving. Good girl. To move backward, I had to do the same steps but this time, I had to shift the gear to reverse. The car was moving. So on and on it went. Forward, backward.
him: Ok Mam forward na po tayo.
Ok I was able to move the car forward.
him: Ok Mam backward naman.Again, I moved the car backward then out of nowhere I saw students crossing the street.
me: Kuya!!! May tao sa kalye!!! Baka makasagasa tayo!!!
him: Mam, pag ang kotse nasa 20 kph lang, kayang kaya to.
At this point, I figured out that my instructor had a brake of his own on the passenger side. Whew, ok. I guess it never hurts to drive faster.
The past two days, my heart has never beated this fast. I haven't been to the gym for almost two months and driving I suppose is good for the heart. Better than Omega 3 and it's some sort of exercise. I've been palpitating like anything and driving is also good for the vocal chords. I've been doing a lot of screaming the past two days too. My instructor had a piece of advice "Mam, ang kaba, iniiwan dapat sa bahay." Opo Kuya.
Monday, July 7, 2008
Breaking Bondages
What a day it was. I came from an 11:00 interview this morning with a global company at The Fort. I loved it. The moment I stepped in their office, I felt a sense of calm and professionalism with how they do things. The premises were squeaky clean and the floor was carpeted. I saw work stations filled with people who seem to be happy with what they're doing. How I'd love to be part of that team. After lunch, I went to my first driving class. The mere fact that I'm writing this meant that I survived the streets of Manila. I'll write about my first driving experience in a separate blog. It deserves a space of its own with the numerous pedestrians I've allowed to cross and the cars, buses, pedicabs, taxis that I allowed to cut my path. I will only be this generous while I'm a student driver!
What I really wanted to write today is how divinely guided I am. I've been in search of my spirituality for several years now and for the past couple of months, I felt a guiding hand leading my way. I've successfully picked up several Christian books and last Saturday, I bought my very own Bible. I love the leather like camel and tan cover and the verses came with notes so it's easy to understand for someone like me who is starting to read. I'm a soul longing to connect and comprehend my being and purpose. Everyone goes through this pattern of thought and we are all bound to something. More often that not, these bondages do tie us down.
I'm blessed to have found this path of reconnecting. If not for the pain I recently went through, I would not have embarked on this journey. This is the first time that I'm openly discussing the other side of my laughter. Admittedly, I'm still in the process of healing. The past week, I felt the anger and hurt resurface. They felt real and I knew I had to work on it so I can let it go one time or another. It'll take awhile to forgive but I have decided to move on. Unleashing myself from the bondages of doing my daily routine and breaking away from the autocratic place where I used to be is a herculean task in itself. I am unlearning several things from the past and learning new things so I can propel myself to the future. Despite all that has been said and done, I am grateful that it was my past that opened doors of opportunity for the future.
I thought that I would always be at the same place but I was called to reinvent myself. I was temporarily sheltered until I found where I was meant to be. I know that I will bloom where I'll be planted and when that happens, it will be easier to release myself from the seven-year bondage and I can truly say that I have forgiven.
What I really wanted to write today is how divinely guided I am. I've been in search of my spirituality for several years now and for the past couple of months, I felt a guiding hand leading my way. I've successfully picked up several Christian books and last Saturday, I bought my very own Bible. I love the leather like camel and tan cover and the verses came with notes so it's easy to understand for someone like me who is starting to read. I'm a soul longing to connect and comprehend my being and purpose. Everyone goes through this pattern of thought and we are all bound to something. More often that not, these bondages do tie us down.
I'm blessed to have found this path of reconnecting. If not for the pain I recently went through, I would not have embarked on this journey. This is the first time that I'm openly discussing the other side of my laughter. Admittedly, I'm still in the process of healing. The past week, I felt the anger and hurt resurface. They felt real and I knew I had to work on it so I can let it go one time or another. It'll take awhile to forgive but I have decided to move on. Unleashing myself from the bondages of doing my daily routine and breaking away from the autocratic place where I used to be is a herculean task in itself. I am unlearning several things from the past and learning new things so I can propel myself to the future. Despite all that has been said and done, I am grateful that it was my past that opened doors of opportunity for the future.
I thought that I would always be at the same place but I was called to reinvent myself. I was temporarily sheltered until I found where I was meant to be. I know that I will bloom where I'll be planted and when that happens, it will be easier to release myself from the seven-year bondage and I can truly say that I have forgiven.
Sunday, July 6, 2008
Driving Me Crazy
It took 3 years for me to enroll in a driving class. Back in 2005, I even took the written driving exam in California. I got myself a handbook in DMV and I reviewed it like a diligent student. I even highlighted what I thought was important. It did pay off as I only had 1 mistake during the exam. Funny but I never got myself to take the practical exam because I didn’t know how to drive. I was hoping to stay in Los Angeles a little bit longer to learn how to drive SANELY.
Last Tuesday, Pa accompanied me to the La Loma branch of LTO. It looked more like a warehouse to me than a government office. The galvanized iron ceiling and monoblock benches made the whole place seem primitive. I felt like I was in some sort of a warehouse where I needed to carry sack loads of NFA rice. Anyway, a lady brought my application inside the office and instructed me to wait. So I obediently took a seat and hardly moved. The place was dirty and one wrong move, I felt I will be struck with tuberculosis or worse, SARS. The floor was wet and a man somewhere in his late 40s used a dust pan to put the water in a bucket and guess what? The dark, murky water was used to water a plant in the middle of the waiting area. We (meaning me and the rest of the Republic of the Philippines waiting for their licenses) were watching him pour the water. Think the problem was solved? Hell no! The excess water from the plant was again overflowing on the floor. Really smart. I got my student permit in less than an hour.
After two days, I got myself enrolled in A1 at SM Manila. Boy, it was quite a wait. I was at the office around 12:30 PM and the office was closed and I saw the sign BREAK by the counter. So I guess this will be quite a wait. I decided to have lunch at Pho Hoa and enroll after I enjoy my chicken pho. I could see from afar that after quite sometime, the office was open. Yipee! I signaled the server for the bill and I hurriedly left. When I reached the office, for some strange reason, it was again closed. Again, there was a sign by the counter that read OUT FOR C.R. This enrolment is taking longer than expected. I don’t know if this was some way to drum up excitement for my much awaited driving class. Sigh. So I got my phone and fixed my schedule and texted a few friends and my parents. Ten minutes has passed and finally a lady opened the office.
So I scheduled myself to these two classes. I attended the Orientation class yesterday and the Lecture would be next Saturday at the Mall of Asia office. How the hell can these classes be optional? I don’t get it. No wonder the Philippines is abound with drivers who leave professionals no option but to blow their horns away or worse ...
Yesterday’s two-hour orientation was pretty good. The lecturer was very intense. He hardly grasped for air while explaining the basics of driving. I wanted to hook him to an oxygen tank. He was animated. To illustrate, he wrote the letters C, B and G on the white board. C for clutch, B for brake and G for gas. He explained what these were for and taught us the basics of how to get a car started. So he gave us a scenario - how to start the car and which gears to shift. What he did was to place both his hands on the white board as if these were the pedals over the letters C, B and G and asked us “Paano ko ista-start ng car?” Everyone gave different answers on what to step on and which gears to shift until he said “Hindi ako gagalaw dito hanggat di nyo nasasabi ang tamang sagot!” Well, nobody gave the correct answers (of course we were beginners!) and the lecturer answered his own question lest he wanted his hands to be forever stuck on the white board.
I can’t wait to have my first driving lesson tomorrow. Honestly, I’m having a mental block as of this writing and I could hardly recall what pedals to step on. Heaven forbid I run over a cat.
Last Tuesday, Pa accompanied me to the La Loma branch of LTO. It looked more like a warehouse to me than a government office. The galvanized iron ceiling and monoblock benches made the whole place seem primitive. I felt like I was in some sort of a warehouse where I needed to carry sack loads of NFA rice. Anyway, a lady brought my application inside the office and instructed me to wait. So I obediently took a seat and hardly moved. The place was dirty and one wrong move, I felt I will be struck with tuberculosis or worse, SARS. The floor was wet and a man somewhere in his late 40s used a dust pan to put the water in a bucket and guess what? The dark, murky water was used to water a plant in the middle of the waiting area. We (meaning me and the rest of the Republic of the Philippines waiting for their licenses) were watching him pour the water. Think the problem was solved? Hell no! The excess water from the plant was again overflowing on the floor. Really smart. I got my student permit in less than an hour.
After two days, I got myself enrolled in A1 at SM Manila. Boy, it was quite a wait. I was at the office around 12:30 PM and the office was closed and I saw the sign BREAK by the counter. So I guess this will be quite a wait. I decided to have lunch at Pho Hoa and enroll after I enjoy my chicken pho. I could see from afar that after quite sometime, the office was open. Yipee! I signaled the server for the bill and I hurriedly left. When I reached the office, for some strange reason, it was again closed. Again, there was a sign by the counter that read OUT FOR C.R. This enrolment is taking longer than expected. I don’t know if this was some way to drum up excitement for my much awaited driving class. Sigh. So I got my phone and fixed my schedule and texted a few friends and my parents. Ten minutes has passed and finally a lady opened the office.
her: Matagal ka nag antay?At this point, I was reading the schedules posted by the counter.
me: Medyo. Kanina kasi naka lunch break ka tapos nag C.R. ka naman nung bumalik na ako (Feisty!).
her: Hindi naman ako nagtagal. May binili lang ako. (She raises her hand showing me her National Bookstore plastic.)
me: Mag e enroll ako ng driving. Manual car tapos 20 hours.
me: Miss, ano tong Orientation class na to?I’m like WHAT?! Optional?! How can one learn how to drive without knowing the basics. So I continued …
her: Ituturo sa inyo yung pre-routine bago mag drive tsaka yung basics.
me: Ah ok.
her: Pero optional lang yan.
me: Mag a attend ako nyan noh!!! (I was in disbelief hearing this.)Being the ever observant person that I am, I once again asked.
me: Eh miss, ano naman tong Lecture Schedules na to?DUH?! Optional again?!
her: Tuturuan kayo ng road signs, defensive driving. Pero optional lang din yan.
me: Mag a attend din ako nyan noh!!!
So I scheduled myself to these two classes. I attended the Orientation class yesterday and the Lecture would be next Saturday at the Mall of Asia office. How the hell can these classes be optional? I don’t get it. No wonder the Philippines is abound with drivers who leave professionals no option but to blow their horns away or worse ...
Yesterday’s two-hour orientation was pretty good. The lecturer was very intense. He hardly grasped for air while explaining the basics of driving. I wanted to hook him to an oxygen tank. He was animated. To illustrate, he wrote the letters C, B and G on the white board. C for clutch, B for brake and G for gas. He explained what these were for and taught us the basics of how to get a car started. So he gave us a scenario - how to start the car and which gears to shift. What he did was to place both his hands on the white board as if these were the pedals over the letters C, B and G and asked us “Paano ko ista-start ng car?” Everyone gave different answers on what to step on and which gears to shift until he said “Hindi ako gagalaw dito hanggat di nyo nasasabi ang tamang sagot!” Well, nobody gave the correct answers (of course we were beginners!) and the lecturer answered his own question lest he wanted his hands to be forever stuck on the white board.
I can’t wait to have my first driving lesson tomorrow. Honestly, I’m having a mental block as of this writing and I could hardly recall what pedals to step on. Heaven forbid I run over a cat.
Thursday, July 3, 2008
Could Have Been and Could Be
I woke up today to the sound of rainfall. It was past 7 AM and I could hear my alarm go off. As usual, I ignored my phone and tried to catch a few minutes of sleep. As if it'd help. Wrong. I spent the next hour rushing to have one egg sandwich, take a bath, dress up and do a little make up. A little make up meant just putting on foundation, concealer, eyeliner, blush and lipstick. I may sound fully made up but I wasn't. I wasn't strikingly glamorous. I had no eye makeup! I needed to be out by 8:30 AM to make it to my 10 AM interview and I was running late.
Generally, the interview went well. It was for an executive position that had to deal with financing. The interviewer did most of the talking and I could tell, he was good at what he does. As he was telling me what the job was all about, I was close to having a nose bleed. He was talking about project finance, loan structuring, financial ratios, financial statements and all that time, I had to keep my composure. I felt I wanted to phone home. E.T. phoooone hoooome. Is this something I wanted to do? Think Melissa, think. For the most part, I listened and I have until Monday to revert to them if I was interested. Abangan!
I could have gotten myself into so many things but I chose not to be one way or another.
1. A singer - I think I can carry a tune and back in high school, I had my mom enrol me in Yamaha's singing lessons. I had to do a lot of vocal exercises that made my head spin. That was a lot of breathing exercises. I had to inhale for a long time to take in as much air as I could and exhale it slowly. Ssssss. After the first course ended, my mom told me that she wouldn't be enroling me because she felt I wouldn't be a singer anyway. "Meh, di ka naman magkaka career sa singing kaya wag na." Geesh, I thought I wanted to be another Joey Albert. I just don't know if Joey Albert wanted me to be another version of her.
2. A dancer. - When I was around 6 or so, my mom enroled me in art class. I always envied the children on the dancing class. I wanted to be a hula dancer. I was drawn to the colorful grass skirts and head dresses. That whole summer, I just happily stirred my water colors till the itch to dance wore off. I never really got myself into ballet either. I was chubby to even bend my back or even reach my toes. It was in college that I knew I had rhythm. I was lucky to have ballrooming dancing classes and I liked the steps but I knew I could never get myself into dance sport. I will forever be guilty for causing any back injuries on my partner. Think about that. He has to lift me, throw me up in the air, catch me and still make me look glamorous while he's thinking of going to the orthopedic.
3. An actress. - I've always wanted to join Little Ms. Philippines when I was younger. I'd ask my mom to allow me to join but her better judgement prevailed. I can't even think of a knock knock joke right now and I don't know if I could even give a straight answer of what I'd do if I catch somebody stealing. That was how the questions were phrased "Melissa, anong gagawin mo kung nakita mong nagnakaw ng candy ang kalaro mo?" I probably would have answered that I would ask for that candy. Bebel gum anyone? Bow.
4. A lawyer. - I wanted to be one when I was in college but I knew this wasn't for me. I think I had 4 law classes and I had to do a lot of reading and be familiar with the different provisions or whatever you call it. Exams were always essays and I had to explain my answers. Take for example the case of the pregnant carabao. Great. We can give her a baby mud shower. Ok here's the case. Juan sold his carabao to Pedro for Php 50,000. Little did Juan know that the carabao was pregnant. Who is the rightful owner of the baby carabaos? My answer: the father of the baby carabaos. If not for him, the mate would not even be pregnant. Itigil ang kasal!
5. An accountant. - I hate math. The fewer the units that needed my mathemical skills, the happier I am. I also had 4 classes in accounting back in college and I was toiling. Every exam meant I had to sweat beads. I will never ever forget my first accounting teacher. She drove me nuts with her exams. I needed to do my journal entries, do a trial balance and whatever it was. Looking back, I should have listened more. I remember entries such as Maria bought a car from XYZ company for Php 600,000. Debit cash and credit ... I don't know. All I know is that I didn't enjoy the car and the money is not with me. Your credit is good but we need cash. It is nice to look at but if you break it we consider it sold. Ha?
I have countless possibilities of who I could be now. A banker, a financial planner, a real estate executive or even be a business development expert. Given a chance, I'd love to transition into a banker and to think I said I would never work for a bank. Whatever my next adventure would be, it will definitely be what I think I could be and what I should be.
Generally, the interview went well. It was for an executive position that had to deal with financing. The interviewer did most of the talking and I could tell, he was good at what he does. As he was telling me what the job was all about, I was close to having a nose bleed. He was talking about project finance, loan structuring, financial ratios, financial statements and all that time, I had to keep my composure. I felt I wanted to phone home. E.T. phoooone hoooome. Is this something I wanted to do? Think Melissa, think. For the most part, I listened and I have until Monday to revert to them if I was interested. Abangan!
I could have gotten myself into so many things but I chose not to be one way or another.
1. A singer - I think I can carry a tune and back in high school, I had my mom enrol me in Yamaha's singing lessons. I had to do a lot of vocal exercises that made my head spin. That was a lot of breathing exercises. I had to inhale for a long time to take in as much air as I could and exhale it slowly. Ssssss. After the first course ended, my mom told me that she wouldn't be enroling me because she felt I wouldn't be a singer anyway. "Meh, di ka naman magkaka career sa singing kaya wag na." Geesh, I thought I wanted to be another Joey Albert. I just don't know if Joey Albert wanted me to be another version of her.
2. A dancer. - When I was around 6 or so, my mom enroled me in art class. I always envied the children on the dancing class. I wanted to be a hula dancer. I was drawn to the colorful grass skirts and head dresses. That whole summer, I just happily stirred my water colors till the itch to dance wore off. I never really got myself into ballet either. I was chubby to even bend my back or even reach my toes. It was in college that I knew I had rhythm. I was lucky to have ballrooming dancing classes and I liked the steps but I knew I could never get myself into dance sport. I will forever be guilty for causing any back injuries on my partner. Think about that. He has to lift me, throw me up in the air, catch me and still make me look glamorous while he's thinking of going to the orthopedic.
3. An actress. - I've always wanted to join Little Ms. Philippines when I was younger. I'd ask my mom to allow me to join but her better judgement prevailed. I can't even think of a knock knock joke right now and I don't know if I could even give a straight answer of what I'd do if I catch somebody stealing. That was how the questions were phrased "Melissa, anong gagawin mo kung nakita mong nagnakaw ng candy ang kalaro mo?" I probably would have answered that I would ask for that candy. Bebel gum anyone? Bow.
4. A lawyer. - I wanted to be one when I was in college but I knew this wasn't for me. I think I had 4 law classes and I had to do a lot of reading and be familiar with the different provisions or whatever you call it. Exams were always essays and I had to explain my answers. Take for example the case of the pregnant carabao. Great. We can give her a baby mud shower. Ok here's the case. Juan sold his carabao to Pedro for Php 50,000. Little did Juan know that the carabao was pregnant. Who is the rightful owner of the baby carabaos? My answer: the father of the baby carabaos. If not for him, the mate would not even be pregnant. Itigil ang kasal!
5. An accountant. - I hate math. The fewer the units that needed my mathemical skills, the happier I am. I also had 4 classes in accounting back in college and I was toiling. Every exam meant I had to sweat beads. I will never ever forget my first accounting teacher. She drove me nuts with her exams. I needed to do my journal entries, do a trial balance and whatever it was. Looking back, I should have listened more. I remember entries such as Maria bought a car from XYZ company for Php 600,000. Debit cash and credit ... I don't know. All I know is that I didn't enjoy the car and the money is not with me. Your credit is good but we need cash. It is nice to look at but if you break it we consider it sold. Ha?
I have countless possibilities of who I could be now. A banker, a financial planner, a real estate executive or even be a business development expert. Given a chance, I'd love to transition into a banker and to think I said I would never work for a bank. Whatever my next adventure would be, it will definitely be what I think I could be and what I should be.
Psssss
Since when did "Pssss" mean anything? Well for Ron it meant so many things. To illustrate the usage of this word,
Scene 1:
me: Hoy Ron, di ka na naman sasama sa amin noh? Tatakasan mo na naman kami noh?
Ron: Psssss.
Scene 2:
me: Ron, picture nga kayo ni (name withheld upon request).
Ron: Psssss.
Scene 3:
me: Sasabihin ko kay Sir na kasalanan mo bakit di ok ang volume.
Ron: Psssss.
Somehow you have an idea what this mono syllabic word meant for Ron. I would define it as some sort of a disapproval over something or his hesitation over a suggestion. Indeed, he is a man of a few words. I've known him the last 7 years and little did he change. I remember walking through the hallways of my old office early 2001 and I saw a grumpy looking trader who hardly smiled or even said hello. Hmp! Suplado. Ron, as I always tell my former co-workers, was my first crush. He, however, only wanted to crush me out of his way. A few days went by and he has not even acknowledged my astounding presence until I was happily chatting with my seatmate and he replied from across the cubicle. Talk about eaves dropping.
me: Ang buhok mo ba kulot o straight?
him: Straight.
me: Ah, ako kasi wavy.
Ron: Ano bang klaseng usapan yan?!!
At last, a word from him. That was the start of my flip friendship with Ron. After a month, I was assigned in Taipei and we became each other's chatmates. He set the daily exchange rates and I traded the money with him as my guide. This is where the infamous line "Ihi lang ng aso tepis tayo dyan" started. Whatever that meant, only the constituents of Caloocan can understand that street lingo. For my socialite friends, let me translate what he was trying to say. Well, what he was trying to say was the exchange rates were too steep and any adjustments would be to our disadvantage. Very well said.
I never really thought that our daily chats would allow me to know him better. We've had chats about how he could win his fiancee back after a disagreement over wedding preparations and note that she wasn't talking to him at all mind you. He had to visit her the day he called her to ask how she was. I guess my advice turned out pretty well because he's already married and has a gifted child for a son. We've also had lengthy chats of how he could ask for a raise because of his increasing work load. Whew! That was a tough one. I wanted to rehearse the lines with him but I was thousands of miles away.
If there's such a thing as absentee voting, Ron was an absentee in most of my parties. Of all the get togethers that I organized for my birthday, he has only attended one. One way or another, something came up but through it all, I never tire of including him in my list. I will never forget how we went to Tagaytay for a farewell dinner and he was rushing back home because he never told the truth about his whereabouts. Sigh. Always up and about.
I'll never forget how Ron had the heart for people. It was one of those occasions when we accompanied our good friend down the office to bid him farewell. That was a tearful moment and no words could ever describe how that instant felt. I never stop teasing Ron how he shed tears but it says a lot of the kind of person that he is. Now, why am I blogging about Ron anyway? Well, it's his birthday today and he's somewhere down south frolicking on the beach.
Scene 1:
me: Hoy Ron, di ka na naman sasama sa amin noh? Tatakasan mo na naman kami noh?
Ron: Psssss.
Scene 2:
me: Ron, picture nga kayo ni (name withheld upon request).
Ron: Psssss.
Scene 3:
me: Sasabihin ko kay Sir na kasalanan mo bakit di ok ang volume.
Ron: Psssss.
Somehow you have an idea what this mono syllabic word meant for Ron. I would define it as some sort of a disapproval over something or his hesitation over a suggestion. Indeed, he is a man of a few words. I've known him the last 7 years and little did he change. I remember walking through the hallways of my old office early 2001 and I saw a grumpy looking trader who hardly smiled or even said hello. Hmp! Suplado. Ron, as I always tell my former co-workers, was my first crush. He, however, only wanted to crush me out of his way. A few days went by and he has not even acknowledged my astounding presence until I was happily chatting with my seatmate and he replied from across the cubicle. Talk about eaves dropping.
me: Ang buhok mo ba kulot o straight?
him: Straight.
me: Ah, ako kasi wavy.
Ron: Ano bang klaseng usapan yan?!!
At last, a word from him. That was the start of my flip friendship with Ron. After a month, I was assigned in Taipei and we became each other's chatmates. He set the daily exchange rates and I traded the money with him as my guide. This is where the infamous line "Ihi lang ng aso tepis tayo dyan" started. Whatever that meant, only the constituents of Caloocan can understand that street lingo. For my socialite friends, let me translate what he was trying to say. Well, what he was trying to say was the exchange rates were too steep and any adjustments would be to our disadvantage. Very well said.
I never really thought that our daily chats would allow me to know him better. We've had chats about how he could win his fiancee back after a disagreement over wedding preparations and note that she wasn't talking to him at all mind you. He had to visit her the day he called her to ask how she was. I guess my advice turned out pretty well because he's already married and has a gifted child for a son. We've also had lengthy chats of how he could ask for a raise because of his increasing work load. Whew! That was a tough one. I wanted to rehearse the lines with him but I was thousands of miles away.
If there's such a thing as absentee voting, Ron was an absentee in most of my parties. Of all the get togethers that I organized for my birthday, he has only attended one. One way or another, something came up but through it all, I never tire of including him in my list. I will never forget how we went to Tagaytay for a farewell dinner and he was rushing back home because he never told the truth about his whereabouts. Sigh. Always up and about.
I'll never forget how Ron had the heart for people. It was one of those occasions when we accompanied our good friend down the office to bid him farewell. That was a tearful moment and no words could ever describe how that instant felt. I never stop teasing Ron how he shed tears but it says a lot of the kind of person that he is. Now, why am I blogging about Ron anyway? Well, it's his birthday today and he's somewhere down south frolicking on the beach.
Happy birthday Ron! Psssss. You better make it to the next get together. Psssss.
Wednesday, July 2, 2008
Tactless Tales
Last night, I met with good friends at Chateau in Greenbelt 5. It was one of those dinners over good food, good company and good conversation. For purposes of anonymity, let's call my friends B1, B2 and B3. I haven't seen B1 for a couple of years now. He's funny without him even knowing it and he's always been known to be tactless. B2 on the other hand is a friend who is beginning to see the light while B3 is one of my spiritual friends who has seen the light.
Haven't we all been caught saying something we should not have said? For the most part, you just want to cringe or you want the earth to open up and zap you out of oblivion. Well last night was not a case of wanting to disappear. It was more of tactlessly rubbing it in. Well, B1 is at it again. He was just hilarious.
Tactless Case #1
B1: O Melissa, kamusta ka na? Bakit di ka na nagwo work?
So I went on to tell him why I decided to change jobs in a nutshell then came B2 who joined in our conversation.
B1: Eh ikaw B2, kamusta ka na?
At this point, B2 updates B1 with his work.
B1: Alam mo yung nangyari sa yo Melissa ok lang eh pero etong kay B2, unfair.
As it were not enough, B1 kept rubbing it in.
B1: Kasi Melissa yung nangyari sa yo ok lang pero etong kay B2, bakit naman ganun. Sana man lang ... (he continued on how the case should have been handled.)
And as if it weren't enough still B1 continued.
B1: Yung kay B2 maraming mas magaling na puedeng gumawa nung pinapagawa sa kanya di ba?
Tactless Case #2
One of the most awkward moments is to confront someone about past issues. Some things are better left unsaid most especially if it does not involve you but for B1, it was just an innocent question and he wanted to put the rumor to rest. As I was enjoying my Pasta Chorizo and B2 was having his Butterflied Prawns, B1 threw a question that would make you think you were watching The Buzz.
B1: B2, totoo ba naging kayo ni (name withheld upon request) dati?
B2: Hindi noh!
B1: Eh kasi yun ang balita na naging girlfriend mo raw tapos nakita ko pa kayong magkasama dati. Magkayakap pa nga kayo nun.
me: Hahaha!!!
B2: Hindi!!!
The rumors were far from the truth and I for one know it. People love to put color into things. They love to be creative about events and they can sure twist the facts. I would never ever have the guts to confront anyone about personal matters not unless it was my immediate family.
Tactless Case #3
B3: B1, ok ba sa (name of company where B1 works)?
B1: Oo happy. Maganda ang culture nila. May pressure pero masaya naman.
B3: Dati nag apply ako for (name of another company) kaso ang offer nila magkano lang. Magkano salary mo?
B1: Malaki. Syempre ako senior officer na. Yung sa yo lower position.
I can never hate B1 for being downright honest about his take on this and that. His positive outlook is a lighthouse for those of us who are only beginning to see the good in things. I don't blame B1 for being tactless. I remember getting reprimanded by my mom when I was younger. I think I was younger than 10. I was tactless.
me: Ma, bakit ganun ang itsura nya?
me: Tignan mo Ma yung suot nya! Bakit ganun?
me: Ma, nakita mo yung nasa mukha nya?
Each and every time, I'd say these things out loud. So loud that the person I was referring to would hear it and it left my mom embarrassed. Needless to say, I often got a scolding for being T-A-C-T-L-E-S-S. "Meh, puede ba? Matuto kang mag hold ng comment." This went on for so many years till I finally learned to hold my tongue ... at times.
Haven't we all been caught saying something we should not have said? For the most part, you just want to cringe or you want the earth to open up and zap you out of oblivion. Well last night was not a case of wanting to disappear. It was more of tactlessly rubbing it in. Well, B1 is at it again. He was just hilarious.
Tactless Case #1
B1: O Melissa, kamusta ka na? Bakit di ka na nagwo work?
So I went on to tell him why I decided to change jobs in a nutshell then came B2 who joined in our conversation.
B1: Eh ikaw B2, kamusta ka na?
At this point, B2 updates B1 with his work.
B1: Alam mo yung nangyari sa yo Melissa ok lang eh pero etong kay B2, unfair.
As it were not enough, B1 kept rubbing it in.
B1: Kasi Melissa yung nangyari sa yo ok lang pero etong kay B2, bakit naman ganun. Sana man lang ... (he continued on how the case should have been handled.)
And as if it weren't enough still B1 continued.
B1: Yung kay B2 maraming mas magaling na puedeng gumawa nung pinapagawa sa kanya di ba?
Tactless Case #2
One of the most awkward moments is to confront someone about past issues. Some things are better left unsaid most especially if it does not involve you but for B1, it was just an innocent question and he wanted to put the rumor to rest. As I was enjoying my Pasta Chorizo and B2 was having his Butterflied Prawns, B1 threw a question that would make you think you were watching The Buzz.
B1: B2, totoo ba naging kayo ni (name withheld upon request) dati?
B2: Hindi noh!
B1: Eh kasi yun ang balita na naging girlfriend mo raw tapos nakita ko pa kayong magkasama dati. Magkayakap pa nga kayo nun.
me: Hahaha!!!
B2: Hindi!!!
The rumors were far from the truth and I for one know it. People love to put color into things. They love to be creative about events and they can sure twist the facts. I would never ever have the guts to confront anyone about personal matters not unless it was my immediate family.
Tactless Case #3
B3: B1, ok ba sa (name of company where B1 works)?
B1: Oo happy. Maganda ang culture nila. May pressure pero masaya naman.
B3: Dati nag apply ako for (name of another company) kaso ang offer nila magkano lang. Magkano salary mo?
B1: Malaki. Syempre ako senior officer na. Yung sa yo lower position.
I can never hate B1 for being downright honest about his take on this and that. His positive outlook is a lighthouse for those of us who are only beginning to see the good in things. I don't blame B1 for being tactless. I remember getting reprimanded by my mom when I was younger. I think I was younger than 10. I was tactless.
me: Ma, bakit ganun ang itsura nya?
me: Tignan mo Ma yung suot nya! Bakit ganun?
me: Ma, nakita mo yung nasa mukha nya?
Each and every time, I'd say these things out loud. So loud that the person I was referring to would hear it and it left my mom embarrassed. Needless to say, I often got a scolding for being T-A-C-T-L-E-S-S. "Meh, puede ba? Matuto kang mag hold ng comment." This went on for so many years till I finally learned to hold my tongue ... at times.
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