update 101

Everyday, the traffic is really heavy, there is a lack in water supply and water sometimes smells unclean, it’s because of this:

Bambang Corner Alvarez Streets

Last Wednesday, I brought Ugin with me into the office, he behaved like a grown man, I’m so proud of him. He spoke when he was spoken to, he was afraid of Andy (my officemate) and I don’t know why, and he was so fond of Donnie, coz he let Ugin watch Mr. Bean on his pc. All in all, it was an exhausting yet fun day.

Another reason why I went to the office that day is to file my resignation, because as of this moment, we still don’t have our salaries yet. That would be 2 months of unpaid service. But our manager advised me to just take a leave of absence until we get paid, she said I might not get paid if I resign since the company is on the rocks this past months and is really halfway to insolvency, whatever happens, it would be the current employees that is going to be prioritized. *keeping my fingers crossed*

clowns

We went to Cabanatuan for my pamangkin, Airish Joshua’s 7th birthday, (ugin wasn’t able to go with us since he had a fever that day) there were clowns and traditional event games like “basagang palayok and “pabitin”. It was a riot, the clown duo was good, they made everybody smiling, and even the grown-ups enjoyed their performance.









I had never seen cooking with the use of “sinibak na kahoy” or “gatong” for a long time, until then. They said if the food was cooked using a gatong, the food is tastier, and more delicious, I don't know why and I'm not sure if it's true, but the "sopas" cooked in there was definitely tasty and delicious.



Happy b-day AJ!!!

hardin

This fantabulous garden is my aunt's, this used to be a murky vacant lot full grass, and insects, and probably some snakes, look at it now...

figure cut plant (don't know the right term for it)
the little bahay kubo at one corner
the koi pond

look at the koi fishes

that shadowy figure down there is myself

for adults only

I just received this one and I thought it was worth sharing. Can you relate? I can.
Here it goes...


Tumatanda ka na, friend.
Nasa Friday Magic Madness na yung mga paborito mong kanta.
Nakaka-relate ka na sa Classic MTV.
Lesbiana na yung kinaaaliwan mong child star dati.
Nanay na lagi ang role ng favorite mong matinee idol noon.
Dati, pag may panot, sisigaw ka agad ng "PENDONG!".
Ngayon, pag may sumisigaw nun, ikaw na yung napa-praning.
Parang botika na ang cabinet mo.
May multivitamins, vitamin E, vitamin C, royaljelly, tsaka ginko biloba.
Dati, laging may inuman.
Sa inuman, may lechon, sisig, kaldereta, inihaw na liempo, pusit, at kung anu-ano pa.
Ngayon, nagkukumpulan na lang kayo ng mga kasama mo sa Starbucks at oorder ng tea.
Wala na ang mga kaibigan mo noon.
Ang dating masasayang tawanan ng barkada sa canteen, napalitan na ng walang katapusang pagrereklamo tungkol sa kumpanya ninyo.
Wala na ang best friend mo na lagi mong pinupuntahan kapag may problema ka.
Ang lagi mo na lang kausap ngayon e ang kaopisina mong hindi ka sigurado kung binebenta ka sa iba pag naka-talikod ka.
Ang hirap nang magtiwala.
Mahirap nang makahanap ng totoong kaibigan.
Hindi mo kayang pagkatiwalaan ang kasama mo araw-araw sa opisina.
Kung sabagay, nagkakilala lang kayo dahil gusto ninyong kumita ng pera at umakyat sa tinatawag nilang "corporate ladder".
Anumang pagkakaibigang umusbong galing sa pera at ambisyon ay hindi talaga totoong pagkakaibigan.
Pera din at ambisyon ang sisira sa inyong dalawa.
Pera.
Pera na ang nagpapa-takbo ng buhay mo.
Alipin ka na ng VECO, PLDT, SkyCable, Globe, Smart, at Sun.
Alipin ka ng Midnight Madness.
Alipin ka ng tollgate sa expressway.
Alipin ka ng credit card mo.
Alipin ka ng ATM.
Alipin ka ng BIR.
Dati-rati masaya ka na sa isang platong instant pancit canton.
Ngayon, dapat may kasamangItalian chicken ang fettucine alfredo mo.
Masaya ka na noon pag nakakapag-ober-da-bakod kayo para makapag-swimming.
Ngayon, ayaw mong lumangoy kung hindi Boracay o Puerto Galera ang lugar.
Dati, sulit na sulit na sa yo ang gin pomelo.
Ngayon, pagkatapos ng ilang bote ng red wine, maghahanap ka ng San Mig Light o Vodka Cruiser.
Wala ka nang magawa.
Sumasabay ang lifestyle mo sa income mo.
Nagtataka ka kung bakit hindi ka pa rin nakaka-ipon kahit tumataas ang sweldo mo.
Yung mga bagay na gusto mong bilhin dati na sinasabi mong hindi mo kailangan, abot-kamay mo na.
Pero kahit nasa iyo na ang mga gusto mong bilhin, hindi ka pa rin makuntento.
Saan ka ba papunta?
Friend, gumising ka.
Hindi ka nabuhay sa mundong ito para maging isa lang sa mga baterya ng mga machines sa Matrix.
Hanapin mo ang dahilan kung bakit nilagay karito.
Kung ang buhay mo ngayon ay uulit-ulit lang hanggang maging singkwenta anyos ka na, magsisisi ka.
Lumingon ka kung paano ka nagsimula, isipin ang mga tao at mga bagay na nagpasaya sa yo.
Balikan mo sila.
Ikaw ang nagbago,
hindi ang mundo.

our sentiments

Dear Sir Matt,

Since we haven't received our salaries for the past month, I want you to know what's been happening in your Manila Office…

Just kidding,

We really haven’t got our pay for a month and so, no kidding!
That picture was taken in the office, no kidding also. (our office looks like an internet cafe)
One row of sleeping techs! Can you blame them?
Besides, there are no tickets coming in. Nothing to do, really.
They’re not careless employees, coz if they were, they should’ve been outta here a long time ago.

my first maki

Just want to say, finally, I've tried California maki. I was afraid to try any food that has something to do with wasabe, but man, it tastes good! That yellow stuff is mango. I love the combination of the sour taste of mango, some soy sauce and the flavor of crab... was that crab, well I'm not sure but it tastes like one. Another one for my menu.

francisco balagtas elementary school

When we went to Ugin’s school (which was also the school, all of us siblings went to) I took the opportunity to take some pictures of the school, and realize how much memories I have from here. It was fun doing so.

The school Quadrangle where we gather for the flag ceremony, and sing the national anthem, pronounce the "Panatang Makabayan" sing "Maynila" and "Pilipinas Kong Mahal" Then the 2-minute excercise. I've been a Track and Field player when I was in grade 4 and here is where we practice.

The stage (which looked a lot more elevated way back then) the building at the background was the Savanah Building, for grades 5 and 6

The hallway of the main building, for grades 1 to 4, that room on the farmost end was the school clinic. I used to be a clinic aid. This floor used to be red.

The first picture is the way to the canteen, the second picture is the canteen, students do not go here to buy food, there are just 1 or two students assigned to get the "trays" of food and soup for the whole class and will just reimburse the money afterwards. That is our school uniform, white blouse and green skirts for the girls and white polo and khakis for the guys.

I've been up and down this stairs for some hundred times, this used to be a buffed stairs and the floors were polished that you can see your own reflection, look at it now, all murky, I think it's under renovation. I have a lot of memories from this stairs and hall way, we used to play 123 heaven onthe first picture.

I saw some of my old teachers and I said hi from afar, (since classes were going on) and they smiled back and waved. I saw Miss Munoz, my kindergarted teacher, and still a miss (she's a terror) and Mrs. Guttierrez, my science teacher in grade 5.

I wanted to take pictures of my classrooms but classes were going on. It was enough that I saw them again. I could still remember my classmates and even know where they were seated.

Going around this school brought back so many memories, I could even smell the June smell... you know, the plastic covers-papers-erasers-scent... the back to school aroma, kinda make me sick back then. :)

6th

Yesterday, I was exhausted but in an enjoyable way. It was Bunso’s 6th birthday. He gave some blowout for his classmates at school, (which was also the school I went to for my primary.) Afterwards, some fun at our house and everybody was present (as always) :)

It was also the chance to meet up with cousin Jila and catch up on her “view from the top” experiences.

Happy birthday Ugin!!!

some bash

Last Saturday was my beb’s birthday bash and it was held at our place (since there was still no electricity at their place that day yet). The day before that, I was answering a survey from friendster which I called “weekender” and there was this question “Something you are excited about?” and I typed in “Tomorrow, coz I’m gonna be surrounded with my most favorite people”… and I was, indeed.

It was a blissful celebration. I enjoyed it a lot, I got tipsy. Thank you for those who came, Chuz and my cuzins, thanks for the cake. I know some even took some effort. Aldwin, Wax's friend went to our place after his exam. Tarajeng did not pursue her plan of leaving for the province just to be with us. Wax and I appreciate all of these a lot.

Special thanks also for my mom, who prepared the food, and for tita Med who helped mom, and for tita Fe who did not, but made the day, super lite! Thanks y’all!!

Happy birthday BEB! 'love you much!

fvr

I have to write this one. It’s already the third time that I rubbed elbows with this prominent person. Guess who? Ex-president Fidel V. Ramos.

First encounter was, while I was aboard a jeep, The traffic was heavy, and there was this wagon just in front of me (since I was sitting at the “estribo”), a little tinted, then suddenly, the lights inside the wagon went on, and I saw FVR, holding a folder, perhaps reading it, and his trademark tobacco stick on his mouth. I was awakened instantly since I was a little sluggish that time, exhausted from an 8 hour shift. Then I kept my eye on his wagon, but the lights went off already so I wasn’t able to see him. After some weeks, I found out that FVR’s office was at the same building where my office is situated.

2nd encounter was on the 8th floor, I was with my officemate Che, along came a green wagon (If I’m not mistaken, it was a Toyota Land Cruiser) that went ahead of us. While we were in the elevator lobby, Che suddenly cried, “Fidel Ramos, that was Fidel Ramos, look, Ria.” I was a little diffident to look because I was afraid that his body guards would get annoyed at me if I stare at FVR. Che was laughing hysterically when we were aboard the elevator. Alright, I acted silly, which was stupid, it was not a crime to stare at people, especially as high profile as this one, I’m sure anybody would at least glance and for sure he’s already used to it.

3rd encounter was just a while ago, at the eighth floor, during our “yosi” break. The moment I spotted that green Land Cruiser, I cried, “that was FVR, that was him, come on, let’s see him.” Together with my officemates, we waited for him to get down his car, and when he got down, (still with tobacco stick on his mouth) he was facing at our position, I stared at him, what the heck, it’s not everyday that you see an ex president, to think that he was the very first president I voted for on the first presidential election that I was legal to vote. He looked at me and I smiled at him and he smiled back. :) It felt great, since I really take awe seeing celebrities, and he was a great man after all.

Reasons

Reasons why I’m not in the mood to do whatever;

1, No salary yet - late na naman ang sahod for the 30th because obviously, October 3 na po, plus 3 days clearing so, late na talaga sya, pero hindi ko sya ma-problema sa dahilang ultimo ang sweldo for the 15th ay wala pa, meaning, isang buwan mahigit na kaming walang sweldo!!! That’s too much, but just like what I’ve said before, I’m not the type who will make drastic decisions without any plan… and as of the moment, no plans yet.

2. Typhoon Milenyo – ang bagyong nag-sadlak na naman sa Pinas sa sanglibo’t isang pasakit. It’s been a long time since Manila experienced a signal number 3 typhoon, nakalimutan ko na nga na ganun nga pala ang tunog ng malakas na hangin, nakakatakot, pagkatapos ng unos, nakahambalang sa kalsada ang mga puno (konti na nga lang sila lalo pang nabawasan) poste ng meralco, mga yero ng bubong ng bahay at kung anu-ano pa. Dahil dyan isa pang nakaka-bagot pero walang choice kundi tanggapin, ay limang araw walang kuryente sa malaking bahagi ng Metro Manila, kasama kami dyan, at kapag walang ilaw, wala ring tubig sa amin, package yan e.. Ngayon meron nang kuryente sa min pero wala pa rin sa iba, hindi pa sigurado kung kailan magkakaron! Isama mo na sa nakakainis ang init dahil walang electric fan (dahil nga walang kuryente) at ang mga pasaway na lamok!

3. Dysmenorea - A pain associated with menstruation, talagang sirang-sira ang weekend ko, ang hindi maipaliwanag na sakit na nararamdaman ko every month, lasting for 2 days, pwede namang uminom ng pain reliever pero feeling ko, tumataas na ang dosage ko dahil hindi na sya tumatalab dahil nga madalas akong uminom. Women with the same gynecological disorder could relate. Imagine, sa sobrang sakit nya, nilalagnat ako, and it happens to me every month, kaya kung minsan masungit ako, alam nyo na yun! Idagdag mo pa na kailangan kong bumiyahe from Bambang to Las Pinas, para naman makatulog ng maayos (since may kuryente na sila nung Friday pa lang) pero malas pa rin dahil hindi pa rin ako nakatulog ng maayos dahil sa sobrang sakit. Nung mag-uumaga na ay nakatulog na rin ako, pero ginising naman ako ni ugin (my bunsong kapatid) ng 7 a.m. dahil gising na sya! No choice na naman! Sunday night nag-blow-out si Cousin Tere for her birthday, sea foods from Dampa! Kaso di ko rin masyadong na-enjoy dahil nga masakit! Umuwi kami ng Bambang at naghintay na baka magka-kuryente, at dahil nga wala pa, pumunta kami ng Makati right away para makitulog kay ate Girlie, since may pasok kinabukasan, kailangang mag-recharge, nakapasok naman ako kaso nga lang late! (at wala pa ring sahod!)

4. Money matters – Since walang sweldo, walang pera. Walang-wala na talaga, said na! Birthday ni Wacky sa Saturday at si Ugin sa 12, sana naman by that time may pera na ako, marami pa akong future plans na nangangailangan ng pera!

5. Figure – My aim is to gain weight, bago man lang matapos ang taong ito sana naman ay magkaroon ako ng konting laman-laman, kailangan to para sa future career ko, paano na lng kung mapunta ako abroad at may snow, mabilis akong mamamatay sa lamig kung ganitong payatot ako. Pag ganitong problemado ako, lalo akong pumapayat, nasira na naman ang momentum ko sa pagpapataba!

Now you know why I wasn’t able to blog for some time, and I believe these are valid reasons!