My Patience is Running Out

*** Update: I received my refund! Yay! ***

I'm a patient person, really. I truly am. But, Danvil, you're getting on my nerves. Here's some virtual smoke.

(Note to kids: I've never tried smoking in my whole life.)

Easy Come
Thanks to Recipe Hotline for sharing this good info on processing of insurance policies, as commented in my previous post:

Well as far as I know since you signed up saturday evening your application would be process monday which is the regular business day. I just don't know if they process application on a sunday. Granting they process applications for new policy holders even on sundays, your application would be underwritten by the company's underwriter. It would go for an evaluation before they could give you a policy number. This is how I know because I've been working in an insurance company for 7 years. So, if you went there sunday afternoon, they should have canceled it per your request because your application is still on process that is why there's no amount yet being debited on your CC because they're not yet done with the underwriting.

By the way, Danvil Plans, Inc is formerly Berkley International Plans.

So given that knowledge and going back to when I got my policy that Saturday night, how come they were able to finish off the policy and give me my contract number in just a few minutes? (The presentation itself took more or less an hour but the approval of papers were in a jiffy.)

But Not Easy Go
Okay, so given that I have to wait for 30-45 days for the chargeback of that transaction, Danvil should still polish its system. I called yesterday to follow up on this and they told me that the courier sent my cancellation papers to the head office. I asked them if they could fax my Statement of Account in the office so I won't go through the hassle of going there. (SM Pampanga and Clark are not neighbors, I tell you.) They said they'll try and I gave the fax number.

Come this lunchtime and I followed up on them again. (That's how much I don't trust their word.) Choco (this time I got the name alright) told me that I'd get the credit memo after 2 weeks. And the Statement of Account was different from the credit memo. Fine, they also have problems with explanations. They told me on Sunday that I'd get the credit memo today and now they tell me that it's only a Statement of Account. Before you speak, you should know what you're talking about. I've actually talked to 4 people on the phone on different occasions besides the three people I talked to personally last Sunday and their explanations don't match.

I'm Still Waiting
Okay (again), so given that I'd only get a Statement of Account which states that my policy has been cancelled since inception, where do you write your notes there? My SOA hasn't been faxed yet as of this writing because "their fax machine is currently being repaired." Jeff, the last Danvil employee I talked to on the phone as of late, told me that they might be able to fax it by 5pm. Is that an excuse for delay? I hope not.

***Update: I got my SOA as of 4:30pm today. Whew!***

Customer Service Should be a Priority
Yesterday, I also emailed gstamaria@danvil.ph, mypolicy@danvil.com.ph, and mypolicy@familyfirst.com to follow up on my cancelled policy. A minute ago, I've also inquired in Prudential Life if the policy was really theirs. Let's see if Prudential Life's customer service will beat Danvil's "speed."

Tech Tags: SM Pampanga, Family First, Danvil, Prudential Life, insurance, schemes, trust fund

I Hate Inefficiency

I hate people who don't do their jobs correctly when they're supposed to.

Duped and Stupid
I got a policy in "Prudential Life Plans Insurance" last Saturday night (Oct 11) at SM Pampanga under Danvil Plans, Inc., whose agent told me they're the marketing arm of Prudential Life. After mulling over the on-the-spot decision I made, I came back to my house anxious and wanted to bring back time. I felt duped and stupid.

No Such Thing as Non-Refund
So I came back to Danvil's office on Sunday afternoon (Oct 12). (I didn't notice the first time I went there that Family First was the signage on top of the office. Damn.) I gave my cancellation letter and policy so they can process my cancellation and refund ASAP. Refund here means cancellation of the amount charged in my credit card (CC). As of that day, the amount I paid them was still "floating" in my account, meaning it still wasn't posted by their company and was under the settlement period between them and the CC company. After sometime of explanations and persuasions, I firmly told them that I am decided to cancel my policy. They said I have to get back on Wednesday (Oct 15) to get the cancellation slip for my CC once my policy was approved for cancellation.

Just Asking for Professionalism
Despite them saying that their day-off was yesterday (Monday, Oct 14), I called them at their office to follow up on my cancellation. As expected, I was told that the people I talked to were not around and will only be back by today. I asked if my policy's cancellation was already on-going and she (the one who answered the phone, I forgot her name) didn't know the status or where my policy is. She told me that the only report logged in their system is that I went there for inquiry on cancellation. What inquiry?!, I said to myself. I cleared it up with her that I was there to totally cancel my policy and I even left my papers already. I even have a copy of my cancellation signed as received by the sales manager I talked to. She just assured me that she'll remind them when she reports to office the next day.

Delaying Tactics?
It became my habit to check my CC account online regularly. Because I know that the amount won't be charged in my CC once they cancel the transaction and it's still floating. However when I checked my account this morning, the amount was already posted! I'm really infuriated with their service. If only they acted upon it ASAP then it won't happen to this. I'm even thinking they intended this to happen so I would have to wait for 30-45 days for the chargeback since the amount was already posted. Given that they know that their day-off was yesterday, they should have forwarded my cancellation to someone else so it will be processed immediately. Especially if they know that my transaction will be posted by yesterday.

Or Just Plain Dirty?
What I'm hoping now is that I'll really get my CC cancellation slip tomorrow as promised. Danvil should listen to complaints of all people, policy holders or not, and check on their service. And if what the "consultant" told me that my plan was really under Prudential Plans, why is it that the merchant registered on my CC is Danvil Plans, Inc. and not Prudential Plans? And also, if you're giving out contact details, don't use a photocopy of a site's printout. Please.

*** Update: The cancellation was successful and I received my refund! Yay! ***

Tech Tags: SM Pampanga, Family First, Danvil, Prudential Life, insurance, schemes, trust fund

Oktoberfest 120 in Pictures: Part I

Honestly this was my first Oktoberfest and I'm really disappointed with how San Miguel's men, whoever's the culprit I won't know, handled the crowd that night.

Yes, we were late. Past 9pm when we arrived at San Miguel Ave because of waiting on each other. I and two of my companions that night literally came from work here in Pampanga and travelled all the way to Metro Manila for the event. The streets were crowded with people and vehicles. It looked like a rally.


We were situated at the back of the venue so I wasn't able to get a great view of the fireworks, which started at 9pm. *sad*
Pardon the cables overhead. Hehe. These are also my first (poor) shots on fireworks. When will my second time be? Hmmm...

It was very difficult getting inside. Even with us having tickets. And even with two of my friends who are already employees in San Miguel.

Were we able to get inside? And if not, what to do? Going from Pampanga to Manila is no joke, huh. >.<

Catch Oktoberfest 120 in Pictures:

Part I

Part II

Part III

Part IV - to be concluded

Tech Tags: Oktoberfest 120, San Miguel beer

I Got Locked in My Own Room

A few minutes ago my family was shouting and banging the door... from outside this room where I'm writing this post.

My sister Let just got home and tried to open the door of my room when it won't budge. She thought I locked it and I shouted back that I didn't. She asked Mama if someone locked it and Mama didn't know either. Until I also heard Papa in the commotion outside. Meanwhile, I knew that the doorknob will soon be destroyed because it might have locked on its own. I just continued thinking of what to blog.

Their shouting didn't cease so it was my turn to shout back. No, I didn't lock it. Yes, I'm also trying to open it inside. Yes, I tried locking and unlocking it. To no avail.

Papa then appeared from the window. (We have some little space from the wall so that one person can fit and walk right through the side of the house.) He didn't believe that I tried opening the door. He had to see from himself. After making him believe my conscious effort on doorknobbing, they tried to force the door open.

Mama was triumphant with the can opener. Imagine that! A can opener opened the doorknob. Haha!

Let then told me that while she was already panicking on the locked door, Mama was about to eat pizza and wasn't listening to Let. When Let persisted, Mama was dubious if she should let go of her pizza slice. Hehe.

My room can't be locked anymore. At least I'll have pizza later to ease the pain. Haha.

Tech Tags: locked, doorknob, pizza, room

I Applied for a Job to Bo Sanchez!!!

I can't believe what I just did a few minutes ago. I really applied for a job to Bo Sanchez! (And he might read this in the future if ever he visits this from my email. *cringe*) But I really did!

Well not directly 'coz I just used the contact form in Bo's site. I didn't know where (or which, because there's a handful of emails) to send my resume so I just contacted him through his site. Hehe. I must be desperate. Or out of my mind. I just jumped to the opportunity. Or the idea, in this case.

You see, I've always wondered what if I can be part of Kerygma (the magazine). I've always dreamt of a writing job. And now I want to fulfill that dream. I've always pushed that dream away though my heart longed for it. And even if my mind was used to cowering at opportunities that have to be seized, I now make my jump.

I told myself that I have to leave my comfort zone (software development) to chase my dream. I did when life permitted me. I resigned.

But in order to chase something, you have to run. In order to run, you have to let go of your fears and move forward.

I'm starting my pace. :)

P.S. It doesn't matter if I won't be accepted. Well, on second thought, of course it matters. (How can rejection be a happy moment, ei?) But that doesn't mean I'll quit. I have to move forward. ;)

early independence

happy independence day!!!

actually i don't feel that it's already independence day. am still an avid june 12 fan. haha. yeah, right. but i really don't feel this rescheduling of holidays. i'd have to stop on that argument since it's already a law, what can i do ei?

***

you are my sweetest downfall
i loved you first, i loved you first
- samson, regina spektor

that's two of the most beautiful lines i've ever heard. i'm currently listening to regina spektor because my friend sang asked me to get a copy of "the call", the only actual song you'll hear in prince caspian. on the nervy kissing scene with keanu reeves look-alike prince caspian.

i think i'll be downloading a lot of spektor songs. ^^

***

speaking of prince caspian, i went on a 2-movie marathon last saturday with my friend and co-scorpio, tetay. yeah, no need to tell that we're both scorpios but that's part of our bond. we watched prince caspian first then after 10 minutes we hopped to the cinema tickets for kung fu panda.

i think my sense of humor is at level with a child's. more than once did i hear the child at the row in front of me laugh with me at funny scenes in kfp. perhaps i'm still a kid. sa bagay, ji told me that i look like a big pre-schooler. i'd want to think of that as a compliment. haha.

i love kfp more than prince caspian. sorry. :P

***

was blog-hopping. i love this site named so appropriately: instant rimshot. go visit and you'll understand why it's funny. ;)

i thank this techie blog for sharing it. :)

***

well, happy freedom day again! i like freedom better than independence. what do you think?

that's why this post is in small caps. what's the connection?!! haha =))

Tech Tags: Kung Fu Panda, Narnia, Prince Caspian, Regina Spektor

Ang Pink Shades na Mukhang Chanel

Papunta kami Raon, dumaan saglit sa SM para mag-withdraw. Naratnan ko ang dalawa sa shades area, sumusubok ng mga shades. As if bibili.

Neri: Chen, bagay mo yan. (Tinutukoy ang pink na shades na mukhang Chanel.)
Chen: Thank you. (Pa-cute na sagot.)
Neri: Bilhin mo na. (Tinitignan kung bibilhin nga ng kasama.)
Chen: (tinignan ang tag price) Ay, ang mahal. 300.
Neri: Bilhin mo na. Bagay mo naman eh. (Sinusubukang udyukin ang kasama. Bagay nga naman nya talaga.)

Matapos na paulit-ulit na sinubok ni Chen ang shades at tiningnan ang sarili, tumingin pa ng ibang shades kasama ni Lisa.

After 10 minutes...

Lisa: Mas bagay mo pa rin yan, Chen. (Tinutukoy ang pink shades na mukhang Chanel.)
Chen: Talaga? Thank you. (Pa-cute na sagot uli.)
Lisa: Bilhin mo na.
Neri: Bilhin mo na nga.
Chen: (habang tinitignan ang sarili sa salamin) Ang mahal eh. 300.
Neri: Eh bagay mo naman nga.
Chen: (mukhang hindi desidido kung anong gagawin)

After 5 minutes...
Sumubok na rin ako ng shades. Wala na akong ibang magawa. Dalawa na ang pinagpipilian ni Chen na shades. Parehong hawak.

Di ko na maalala kung sino ang nagyayang mag-picture na nakasuot kami ng shades.

Chen: (kinausap ang sales lady sa tabi) Miss, pwede kaming mag-picture na suot mga 'to?
Saleslady1: Sige po, ma'am. (Natatawa na ata sa'min.)

After mag-picturan at 5 minutes...
Sumubok ng isa pang shades si Chen.

Neri: Chen, di mo bagay.
Lisa: Di mo bagay, Chen.
Saleslady2: Pangit. (In fairness, honest sya.)
Neri: Mas bagay mo pa rin ung pink. (Tinutukoy ang pink shades na mukhang Chanel.)

Nag-iisip pa rin si Chen kung alin sa dalawang shades na matagal na nyang hawak ang kanyang pipiliin. Pipiliin lang nga ba o bibilhin?

Neri: (sumusubok na rin ng shades) Bagay ko ba? (Tinutukoy ang panlimang shades na sinubok. Napapaisip bumili. Summer naman eh.)
Lisa: Bagay.
Chen: Oo, bagay.
Saleslady2: Pangit. Try nyo po 'tong polarized. (Inabot ang polarized glasses.)
Neri: Anong ibig sabihin ng polarized?
Saleslady2: Tignan nyo po yung picture sa taas habang walang shades at habang nakasuot yan. (Tinuro ang naka-prop na picture sa taas ng shade shelf.)
Neri: (tiningnan ang picture, walang napansin) Anong pagkakaiba?
Saleslady2: Yung isda po.
Neri: (tiningnan uli ang picture. May isda nga pag suot ang polarized shades. Hindi aninag ang isda pag hindi suot ang shades.) Onga no. Ang galing. (Napaisip.) Pero san ko magagamit yan sa totoo or ordinaryong buhay?
Saleslady2: Ibig pong sabihin nyan mas malinaw sya kesa ordinary UV shades. Tsaka mas malamig sa mata.
Neri: (pinakiramdaman ang mata) Sa bagay. (Tinignan ang presyo.) Ay, 400 pala. Wala bang ganitong style na hindi polarized?
Saleslady2: Ay wala na po, ma'am. Madali po kasing maubos ang ganyang style.
Neri: Ay ganun. (Nanghihinayang. Iniisip kung kakayanin ng budget.)

Pero mabalik tayo ke Chen. After 5 minutes...

Chen: Sige, bilhin ko na. (Tinutukoy ang pink shades na mukhang Chanel.)
Neri: Ay salamat. Bagay mo naman kasi talaga.
Saleslady2: Sige po, ma'am, kuha lang ako ng stock.
Chen: Ok.

Nilapag ang pink shades na mukhang Chanel sa shelf.

After 2 minutes, bumalik si Saleslady2.

Saleslady2: Ay, ma'am, wala na po palang stock.
Chen: Ganun? (Hinanap ang pink shades. May aleng tumitingin din pala ng shades. Hawak nya ang pink shades na mukhang Chanel.)
Lisa: (tumatawa. Binulungan si Neri na tumitingin sa salamin na nakasuot ng polarized glasses.) Tignan mo si Chen, nakakatawa. Yung shades nya andun sa babae.

Close curtain.
Hagikgikan ang dalawa habang hindi mailarawan ang nalamukos na mukha ni Chen.

Epilogue...

Neri: Ano, alis na tayo?
Chen: Tara na nga. (Nagmumukmok.)
Saleslady2: Pasensya na po talaga, ma'am.
Neri: Ok lang yan, para matuto po sya. (Hehehe.)
Lisa: (tumatawa pa rin)
Saleslady1: (nakangiti)

-TheEnd-

Tech Tags: Polarized Glasses, Shades, SM

Happy Holy Week

Such a scenario is very common at Pampanga. That's why I wasn't able to get closer to the magdarame (Kapampangan term for those who carry crosses or beat their bloody backs for penance). I was ashamed to take pictures of magdarames because I was the only one doing it there.




Do you know how the magdarames' backs get bloodied? When they start this ritual they have a common place for getting their backs pierced by a wooden block full of blades. Then they start their procession, hurtling their backs with a rope-like apparatus.

All of these magdarames have assistants with them in their whole journey. When I was at Panipuan last Holy Wednesday, my friend's sister told us that she saw a magdarame running with his cross because it was around 3PM and the sun was scorching hot. He had no sandals on his feet and his assistants were running after him. Hehe.

I hope next time I get to go on a Good Friday and take pictures (with a real digicam) at Cutud, San Fernando, where the famous crucifixions are. Instead I was at a puni with my long-time friends that Holy Wednesday night. It has been my tradition for an overnight at my friend's house at Panipuan every Holy Week. Perhaps tradition is inherently ingrained in us Kapampangans. Queer as it sounds, Holy Week is like a feast to us.

Tech Tags: Holy Week, Pampanga, Panipuan

Read "The Road"

The Road by Cormac McCarthy




What's the bravest thing you ever did?

Getting up this morning.








Describing The Road

Imagine there's nothing to look forward to. Nothing to hope for. Dreams are all but useless. And memories of the past are the only remnants of happiness.

What is important is not today. Neither this hour nor minute. But this very moment that decides if you'll survive another moment to simply exist.

No safe shelter. No food available. No heat from the sun. No one to trust your life to. Only you and your child.

Would life still be worth living?

Experiencing The Road

I had to continue reading despite the urge to stop, to breathe, to escape the bleakness and desolation. It's as if their lives (the father and son) depended on me, as well as mine on them.

At first, I was thinking of I am Legend's set based on the beginning of the story. The aloneness, grayness, hopelessness. But as the plot progressed, the world became much darker until pitch black of the night.

I can feel the fear of such darkness, the blackest black, since I recently experienced wading in the beach on a rainy night. It was as if darkness will swallow you with its entirety spanning the whole horizon. It was frightening.

The slow pacing made me want to turn down the book and not finish it. But since a friend recommended it as a very good read, I waited for the story to unfold further.

With the first scene of sentiment, my heart was pierced to the very core and tears hung strongly in my eyes so they won't roll off. And as the tension for survival thickened, the pace became much slower but my heartbeat getting quicker. A slower pace due to the terror enveloping the heavy air, that I have to make myself stronger to read on. The word "gripping", true to its essence in this book.

As much as for the style, the author did a very fine job of cutting down into the barest necessities, may it be dialogue or punctuation. It's as if the writing itself was part of the story, in simplicity and grayness. Making the characters more vivid, the emotions more raw.

Perhaps my note to Jonat best describes my experience with The Road:

Thanks, Jonat, for sharing this book with me. I just finished reading it and I was deeply moved. (Thus the letter.)

Yet I cannot include this in my favorites because of the heaviness and sadness in my heart. I don't know if I still have the guts to read it again.

Nevertheless I do agree with you that this is the best novel I've read so far. It is the saddest yet most beautiful story that made me weep so painfully. I couldn't stop crying even after I closed the book and held it in my hands for a long time.

Thanks again and I would definitely recommend this to anyone.

Ner

A Box of Matches

On last night's homily, the priest was showing us a matchbox and told this story.

There was a matchbox where a lot of matchsticks lived. The matchsticks were all wondering what it's like in the outside because it was so dark in the matchbox. They become happy when the box opens because they see the light but they also know that it also means that one of them will be taken from them.

One day, one of the matchsticks (let's call him Matt) accidentally fell when the matchbox was open. So Matt saw what was being done to the matchsticks that were taken from the box.

One was used as a toothpick and Matt said to himself, "Oh, is that the only thing that we're used for?" He was disappointed.

Another one was used as a cottonbud to clean the ears. "Yuck!" Matt exclaimed in disgust. "Is that what we're used for?"

Then another was taken, scratched to the box and used to kindle a fire. Matt was amazed. "Our whole lives, we thought that the light was outside but we were wrong. We were waiting for the light but we did not know that it was already within us," he realized.

Upon that realization, a man found Matt lying on the floor and returned him back to the matchbox. There inside the box again, Matt told his fellow matchsticks the truth that he found out.

The light that we desperately search for is already within us.

The Irony of Being Unborn

I am 24 years old. (Biologically.)
I exist.
I am a Filipina.
I think I'm human. (Enough.)

Then why the heck is my birth certificate not in NSO*?!
*National Statistics Office

Perhaps I was not born. Eh? XD

A more plausible explanation (and so as not to be annoyed with the government offices some more), perhaps the fates are on my side and delaying my flight. Hehe.

***


I might be going away this coming March or April.
I hope not. It's my sister's graduation on April 22.
I want to stay.

***

I who don't have dreams of working and living abroad.
I who don't have plans of upgrading my cellphone.
Now have the opportunity.
If only I can give it to someone else.

Ready, Set, Go

I should be going home right now but because I'm uploading some pics, I got delayed. (It just got completed upload but hey, I'm already in the mood right now so keep up with me here. Hehe.)

This is not my first post for 2008 and I'm sorry if I haven't anything else to talk recently except for my emotional baggage. I blame the non-Internet access for this. Haha.

But since I read Kiko's welcome post for 2008, I deemed it necessary to blog this. I've been keeping it in my mind, not having the time to let it out. Here it goes... an explanation.

2007 has been a good year especially since I finally was able to complete paying for our house debt... last December. *clap clap clap*

You don't know how much I was relieved. It didn't matter if I can't buy a Christmas gift for myself... that's the gift already. Thank God!

So since that's over, I'm gearing this year to focus on my own goals... which means a lot. And that includes time for more blogging. Yeah! But that would only happen when I settle at home for work. (Please pray with me.) So that's still in the pipeline so you have to settle with tidbit posts till the end of the quarter. Kindly bear with me. Thanks! XD

The start of 2008 has been pretty adventurous and exciting. I hope it continues so for me and for you also, of course.

For instance, my friend got married last Jan 18. It was sweet and touching. But it also made me realize that we've really grown up. :'( Nevertheless, congrats, Loyme and Wilma!

Afterwards, our company kickoff was just last Jan 31 - Feb 2 at Laguna and the fun part is we played Paintball! (I still don't have the war game pics though.)

This weekend I'll be going with officemates to Baguio. And next weekend, I'll go back to Baguio with my high school friends naman! Whew! I don't mind the physical exhaustion but what about the financial exhaustion?! Hehe.

I have to go home now. It's my housemate's birthday. Greet ko na rin sya. Happy birthday, Dong!

God bless you all! ^_^

P.S. I failed to mention that I am also part of 1GB (One Gig Band), something that we cooked up in the office to steal ourselves from work and stress. :D Our first performance was also at the kickoff. I'll post the vids when I get them already. (When kaya?)

P.S.2. Also, I'm anticipating my lovelife to bloom this year. Anong konek? Ala lang. Hahaha XD

24:2

November 10, my twin Scorpio Tetay's birthday. A week after mine. Both turned 24.

She had her MA classes in Bulacan and sent me an SMS complaining of her nosebleeding while going home. (Nosebleeding due to calculus. Hehehe.)

She also complained that her birthday's closing already but she didn't have time for herself.

My reply: Tsk tsk tsk. Welcome to the adult world, chap.

*sigh*

24:1

Morning of November 3rd greeted me with a clatter.

As I was stretching and enjoying my endless sleep of the vacation, my mind jolted with the sound of something that fell on the floor. Since I have no eyesight without my glasses or contact lenses, I didn't know the bright green thing looking back at me. I had to reach out for it and look it in the eye. It was Green Teddy.

The Green Creatures
Green Teddy (aka GT) is seen hanging out with his green pals.
GT is behind Piggy and beside Ostrie the Ostrich.

Before moving on with why GT is lying with me in my bed, I have to tell why he's (I can't say it) even in my home.

After he served his noble purpose of eating away our 5-peso coins in the office, we decided to pierce his lungs using a Swiss knife. It was very painful in our part but we had to do it. Eventually the coins, with a couple of 20-, 50-, and 100-peso bills, proceeded to the bank. I'll cut the money story there. Meanwhile, GT just lay in the office till I had the chance to sack him and took him home with me. He could now be seen displayed on our bookshelf. End of GT's social life.

So going back with GT on my bed...

I picked up the glowing greeny teddy and saw an artifical rose (familiar to our plastic roses on the shelf) taped on his tummy with a diamond-cut stationery (similar with my collectible statio) with this inscription:

Ate,
Thank U so much.
Happy Birthday!
Luv U,
Let

I cried.

The 90s Show

I'm currently listening to Always by Erasure. Still remember this? Of course, when you hear this, the UMD (Universal Motion Dancers) comes to mind. That is if you're like me who grew up in the 90's. (I'm in my early twenties, okay.)

Dance icons then were the UMD, Streetboys, Maneuvers and Abstract dancers. Aside from Always, dance numbers in school were composed of Macarena, Ragamuffin Girl, Dying Inside, Short Short Man, Lick It, Boombastic, Howie Gee (I dunno its spelling) and the like. However, I did not dance in school. People then think of me as a nerd. (As if. Hehe.)

Eraserheads topped off the OPM charts with Magasin, Toyang, Ang Huling El Bimbo and With a Smile. Meanwhile, boybands started emerging like mushrooms after Backstreet Boys, Boyzone, 911, Westlife, The Moffatts, Five, Savage Garden... the list goes on. I'm sure more than one of my girlfriends know this boyband history because they were into the craze. I still remember girls buying posters outside the school grounds or singing boyband choruses at the top of their lungs while lurking the corridors.

But more than the music, I grew up as a couch potato. My defective eyesight might be because of watching too close at our television that had no remote control. Not that the RC has to do with it.

This was the era of dubbed cartoons and telenovelas. Who did not cry with Princess Sarah, Cedie, Nelo (in Dog of Flanders), Remi and the other morning/afternoon cartoon children? Who did not go home early to watch Marimar at 6 PM in Channel 9? Or Ang TV at 4:30 PM in Channel 2?

As a child, I had a crush on Alexis (Shaider). I was shattered a year ago when I learned he died already due to cancer. Too late I was. Meanwhile, Annie became a porn star. Perhaps she's retired by now.

Aside from Shaider, there's Maskman, Mask Rider Black, Turbo Rangers, Jetman, Machine Man and all other mechanical men out there. Of course, it was also the era of the Anime infiltration through Channel 5, 9 and 13: Ghost Fighter, Dragon Ball Z, Time Quest, Sailor Moon, Daimos. (I won't consider Voltes V and Mazinger Z here 'coz they came in the Philippines in the 70s originally.)

I got hold of puppy love with Peachy and Wacks. (I was a TGIS fan, not Gimik. Sorry.) I was entertained by Kwarta o Kahon, That's Entertainment and GMA Supershow. I could go on and on and on. But I need to stop for a drink. The memories are too overpowering. Hehe.

Overall the 90s was a good decade for me. It was my childhood and teenage life.

Well, this was my bit of the 90s. What's yours?

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Bangkang Papel

Matindi ang buhos ng ulan. Kumulog nang malakas. Nawalan ng kuryente. Tinanggal ko ang saksakan ng TV at lumabas ng bahay.

Muling nabasa ang mga nakatabing sinampay dahil sa ubod nang lakas ng ulan. Pati mga nakatiwangwang na batya ay napuno ng tubig-ulan. Ni hindi ko maaninag ang kalangitan dahil sa hagulgol ng kalikasan. Tumambad sa akin ang namumuong bangka sa aming bakuran. Hinanap ko ang pinanggalingan ng agos at nabaling ako sa maliit na eskinitang pagitan ng aming bahay at ng pader ng kapitbahay. Animo'y naging ilog ang eskinita dahil sa bilis at lakas ng daloy ng tubig. Kasabay ng pag-agos ng tubig-baha, may namuong ideya sa aking isipan --- bangkang papel.

Pumasok ako sa bahay. Ikinuwento ko kay Mama ang mga basang sinampay. Lumabas siya upang tingnan ang mga ito at napansin din ang baha. Naibahagi ko ang pagnanasang maglaro ng bangkang papel. Ngunit nasambit ko rin ang panghihinayang dahil masisira lang din naman ang papel bandang huli. Hindi inalintana ni Mama ang aking pag-aalinlangan at inudyok pa ako upang ituloy ang paglalaro. Masaya kaming bumalik sa loob ng bahay at naghanap ng gamit na papel.

Ang tagal ko na rin palang hindi gumagawa ng bangkang papel. Ni hindi ko na maalala kung paano. Tinuruan akong muli ni Mama. Tulad nang ako'y musmos pa, ginaya at sinundan ko ang bawat tuping ginawa niya sa hawak na papel. Galak na galak ako nang natapos namin ang aming mga bangka. Simula na nang laro!

Lumabas kaming muli ng bahay. Pinag-aralan ko kung saan magandang ibaba ang bangka upang matagal-tagal ang kanilang paglalakbay. Buong kasabikan kong ibinaba ang aking bangka. Gayundin si Mama. Inanod ng baha ang mga bangka subalit hindi pa nangalahati sa kanilang kurso ay naharang sila ng uka sa semento.

Natawang nalungkot ako. Gusto kong makita ang matagumpay nilang paglalayag. Nang una'y pinilit kong sundutin ang bangka sa may kalayuan ngunit hindi umabot. Sa aking masidhing hangarin, kumuha na ako ng payong at nilapitan ang mga bangka. Inabot ng aking mga nanlalamig at basang paa ang aking bangka upang ilihis at ipagpatuloy ang kanyang layag. Subalit huli na ang lahat. Masyado nang nabasa ang papel kaya hindi na kinayang maglayag pa.

Mabuti pa noong bata ako, walang sawa akong gumagawa ng bangkang papel kahit lulunurin lang ng tubig.

Dumikit na lang ang papel sa semento at bumalik na ako sa tarangkahan.

Setyembre 2007

The Amazing Gust of Wind

Last Thursday evening, Nhut and I had our usual debate in the apartment. The night (and a block of Sans Rival each) had us intoxicated with a whirlwind of ideas. (The Sans Rival is another story for that matter.)

So going back to that night, our debate went on to a higher level until we got to our life purpose and spirituality. We both have different plans in our lives. Different dreams. Different perspectives. Different thoughts on life fulfillment. We even have different ways of communicating and relating with God.

But after the long discussion, we finally agreed on one end purpose: to be with God. I can't even find the right words to describe it up to this day but we understood each other perfectly. Perhaps my closest definition is: Siya ang aming kasiyahan at hangad namin ang mapasaya Siya. (Our happiness is in God and we aspire to make Him happy.) But that's not just the whole of it. Ugh, so difficult to enunciate.

Until I read this from the Bible and shared it with Nhut:

Psalm 42, 2
As the deer longs for streams of water, so my soul longs for You, o God.

So true. We absolutely understand and agree with the text.

Afterwards, we finally set down to sleep. I thanked God for the wonderful overwhelming combination of love, joy and enlightenment.

A few minutes later, a strong gust of wind toppled the pillow on my feet and I was awakened. I saw Nhut on her feet also, asking me if I felt that, too. Her sheets were overturned by the wind, which came from nowhere. She turned on the lights and looked outside, noticed that no breeze was passing by. There were no movement of trees or cables by the wind. Where did the wind come from then?

To tell you how amazing what happened, there was no sure way that the wind can topple my pillow because it was positioned at the left side of the open window, not directly. What I felt was a swift twisting swooping action on my pillow, covering my right foot. Meanwhile, Nhut's airbed is only inches above the ground. Even if there was a wind coming through the window, her blanket would only be dissheveled, not her bedsheets which were carefully tucked in. However, the sheets did overturn upwards --- meaning the wind was beneath it --- and covered her right foot also. Weird, right?

Now tell me, what really did happen? I don't know and I'm not actually expecting to know. But Nhut and I are thanking God for the joyous experience. (Though I was a little frightened at first and even told God not to scare us. Hehe.) God bless! ;)

six wa(l)king hours

Last night I met with Prick at Megamall to watch Happy Feet and accompany him to shop for his costume for his upcoming company Christmas party.

Sardines at MRT
I left work at around 6pm and traversed the road towards MRT. As usual a whole bunch of commuters crammed up the train despite growls and shoves. Sometimes I'm just amazed by how people seem stuck in the glass windows of MRT and still breathe. I was astounded last night how one lady got in despite her foot stemming out of the door. When the doors were signalled to close, she eventually put her foot right in the nick of time. Simply amazing.
Of course I didn't have the chance to get in that batch and had to wait for another train. I don't think I'm that powerful.

The Torture of Malling
So I met up with Prick at Mega A. Fortunately he was famished and we decided to eat first. I missed Teriyaki Boy so I suggested we eat there. That was at the Mega Strip B. After the dinner treat, we went back to Mega A and shopped, well he shopped, for clothes and colognes at Penshoppe and Oxygen. I just smelled all the perfume testers.
I don't know the exact amount he spent but I saw the cash registry at Penshoppe. I was dumbfounded. I'm not used to buying stuff... 3 items... for more than 1k. Call me thrifty but I just don't see the practicality in this. I guess I'm just poor hehe. That's why even if I liked one or two colognes I smelled back there, I debated with myself for the measly 75 pesos. I appraised my whole outfit yesterday and it didn't even sum up to 500 pesos. Bite me.
So back to the feet-killing stroll at the mall, we got lost. That brought more torture to our aching feet already. We didn't know where Bench was and checked with the directory. All it told us what it was at Mega A UGF. What kind of map did they have?! It just had numbers alloted to the stalls but the directory had no numbers of any kind to check with the map! Or were we just dim due to exhaustion? I've got no sense of direction whatever and Prick mistook LG to UG so we walked all the way from Mega A to Mega B once again then back to UG from Mega B to Mega A again. We had to circle our way to Mega A UG to find the much-sought-after Bench stall. Prick bought jeans while I smelled more colognes.
We headed for the department store afterwards so he could buy pajamas for his sister's birthday. The night had no luck to make Prick buy what he ought to buy. No pajamas fit for her sister, no costume for him. At least I found my gift for our Kris Kringle at the department store, worth less than 80 pesos. *big smile*
The feet torture prevailed till we saw the cinema for we bypassed another floor before we got there. How lucky life can be.

Unlikely Ending for Happy Feet
It was so delightful once I had the opportunity to sit in the cinema. It was heaven. I fought the urge to doze off for that was my primary goal --- to watch Happy Feet, not to torture my feet. My feet ain't happy that time. They must have cursed me to death.
The film was enticing to start with. I loved the penguins especially the baby ones. Mumble was so cute, particularly when he tap danced. However I didn't like the ending. I hate it. Why didn't they maintain the beauty of the film till it finished? The start was great, the middle part carried on the grand graphics and cool music but the ending just flopped. Where did it go? Why did that happen? Why did they force that resolution to the penguins? Argh. But I still love Mumble and the baby penguins.
I went home by midnight.

(sour) friendships and (melted) chocolates

I've recently had my first fight with my best friend. Well, not necessarily fight because he didn't mind the whole thing; while I was crying rivers of tears from anguished infliction. He didn't know I was really serious when I said I'd want our friendship to end. I meant it.

It was all through SMS.

That's the problem with SMS, you don't know the tone and expression of the sender. It's for your own (mis)interpretation. That's what happened to us.

We were in the middle of a depressive conversation and he joked something about a topic I'm too sensitive about. Usually he's a corny joker (but I still laugh at his jokes XD) but this time the act was lousy, insulting even. The actual matter was that he was talking about something else, I was thinking of another thing. Disaster. To think it was too early in the morning for such arguments... 2AM. Chaos ensued.

Honestly speaking, I'm really emotional. Despite the logic I possess, nothing can justify the tears that well from the deep hurt in my heart. Haha. Sentimental nonsense to others but that's what I am. Perhaps that's why I love having a male best friend. He's the practical balance to my zany feelings.

So I can't imagine the ridiculous expression on my best friend's face when I lashed at him on SMS. "Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned." Haha.

Emotions ran high lasting till 4 in the morning. I didn't sleep well afterwards and I had to get up by 7AM for a training. The whole day I was not the usual abnormal self. All because of him.

To cut the story short, we're kinda ok now. We've still got to talk one-on-one by next week but we could now laugh it off.

I've realized whatever happens for both of us, we are bonded by a friendship rooted on laughter and tears, joy and sorrow, triumphs and failures. I can't throw all those ten years of memories. Neither can he.

More cheers! :)

a bad recitation day

since i was in grade school, i was recognized for being an honor student. perhaps that led me to the belief that i can be good, that i've done something right in my life.

but life ain't school. there are no written exams to take and formulae to solve. i've not been good in recitation and hated the anticipation of it. perhaps that's what i'm having now... a bad recitation day.

i've not been prepared on the questions i'm answering, on the difficulties i'm hurdling. yeah, that must be it. i must be on the other side of the room, standing due to misunderstood gutteral sounds coming out of my mouth. at least i was not foaming. *wink*

i don't like boiling blood, especially if it's mine. i am not a warfreak; i've always been calm. that's why i hate feeling this way.

***

soliloquy

if i was incapable, perhaps i am. i'm no expert in what i'm doing. i'm just being myself. if that's not enough then find another one who is. i won't kiss ass or play the image of someone who knows what he's doing even if he doesn't. i'm not a very good liar and i can't lie that much.

if i was not doing anything then perhaps what i'm doing is just nothing. just tell me instead. i don't need to hear it from someone else. i would understand if it were someone else who said it, but it was you, of all people who should know. i guess i should have known better.