Go to Work..

Oftentimes people talk about work. I have this fancy of sharing stories transpired on my way to work, which I have lots of.

For those who have cars, stories would be like they were cut by another vehicle, they got late because they were not able to catch the green light and the likes. Nagta-tricycle, jeep or van lang ako so my anecdotes would likely be encounters with tricycle drivers and other nice and not-so nice passengers.

***

May nakasabay akong matandang babae sa biyahe, nabanggit ko na tga-NSO ako.

Sabi niya...

"Tamang tama, ung anak ko naglo-loan sa Pag-IBIG. Kelangan b talagang kumuha muna cia ng TIN sa BIR?"

Ang weird!

***
Tumawag ako ng tricycle from which may sakay nang isa sa loob. Sabi ko "Avon po?"  This means papunta ako sa my Avon Building which our office shares the space. Tumango, ibig sabihin sakay na, pero tinuro niya na sa likod na ng tricycle ako sumakay.

For a moment, I looked at the person inside the tricycle and how i look. Mukha ba akong busabos? sabi ko (sarcastic) "Bakit? di ako pwede sa loob.." VIP ba iyon, di pwede tabihan?

***  

Usual issue we have with tricycle drivers is the fare. Tricycle ride in our city is P10. Kapag pila you have to pay for the trip which is times three, P30. Pero, sa dumadaan lang ako pumapara so supposedly P10 lang. Our office is located one block away from the general hospital. Since it's one block away from the usual place of destination, it's reasonable that drivers charge us P15. 

More often, tricycle drivers would turn us down upon learning that we will go in that area. Most of the time we'll be able to ride on our third or fourth try.

I called a tricycle. "Avon po?" He replied," P20" meaning he'll charge me twice the regular fare.  I said "P15". "Malayo kasi, P20 dun".

Duh! three years na ko sumasakay dun P15 lang. Uto-uto siguro ung mga pumapayag ng bente.

***

There are lots of other stories I experienced which I don't share in FB. I'm FB friends with my boss. He calls our attention when we post negative comments or we sound sarcastic. It's fine because it encourages us to become more positive. Anyways, I declared on my account where I work and its not good that I reflect unpleasant image as part of the office.

Lastly, I also maintain calmness these days when faced with such situations. If not, I might become notorious to the drivers as arrogant. Also, I have an uncle who's also a tricycle driver. I would feel bad if other people treat him badly.

***

I arrived on my second work which I'm already five minutes late. I paid P20. I can't wait to run towards the guard table to log in. The tricycle driver stopped for quite a while holding my P20. "Wala po kayong barya?" (I still have a change of P10). I said none. There was a long pause. He was not moving expecting I'll get the twenty and produce P10 on my own.

To add drama to the scenario, I'm still inside the tricycle because it's raining. I don't know how much would be lessen to my salary for the day had he not moved and continued to waste my (late) time.

"Anu, eh di ipapalit mo.. ikaw naghahanapbuhay, ikaw magpabarya?"
***

the Amazing Spiderman and my 3D ruler

As grade school pupil, I was able to buy stuff sold outside the school premises – candies, bayabas, stationeries, and other cheap toys. There were 3D rulers and cardboards. All the while, I knew it is called 3D which stands for three-dimension - and that's all what an average person know about.

Twenty-plus years after (which was some years ago), there was 3D technology. I first heard it from friends who have gone to, then, newly opened Mall of Asia. It took few more years that I’ll be able to see MOA, only. No 3D film. I remember hearing that it costs around P500. I only had the monumental photo opportunity with the renowned globe, pretending to hold it on my hands.

The dream to finally have 3D experience in a full length film would not come in years.

Sometime in 2009, when we had to fetch kuya at the airport we stopped over MOA. There was this five-minute 3D ride where I need to accompany my nephew. We had an experience wherein we were somewhat riding a butterfly and went through the forest with logs, wild insects, beautiful flowers and all these muds.

Subsequently, one of the attractions we had in Hongkong Disneyland was in a 3D theatre. I don’t keep diaries so I can’t find any reference what exactly its name is. I remember that it's more than 3D. Along with the magnificent Mickey Mouse short film in 360 degree screen, were wind, bubbles, sprinkle of water. These were coordinated with what we’re watching. At one point, I almost thought I fell from the magic carpet. All along, my son was crying since a two-year old baby does not appreciate all of these. The thirty-one year old did.

By the way, the goal was for a full length film. What prevented me from achieving such was primarily the price. All the while I thought it was still around P500. Next was the film to watch. The requirement is an action or fantasy movie to magnify the experience. Lastly, timing. Had I decided to finally give in, would I have that time for the week?  Remember, films were shown and changed in a weekly basis.

The first time I tried was for the 3D version of Titanic. Few steps away from the ticket booth, I changed my mind. Would I spend around P500 for a movie I’ve seen many times? I’ve outgrown my fancy over Leonardo Dicaprio and Kate Winslet. The second time was with the action film, the Avengers. I basically don’t have any idea about it. I just know it’s an action movie. However, that week I was with my nephew and I can’t find time for it.

Months after, I was too busy to hear much about new franchise/version of Spiderman. I was with my three-year-old son when I learned that the 6 cinemas of this mall were screening Spiderman – 3D and not. Too bad, I let yaya had her weekends off. I just knew it wouldn’t be it.

The week after, I went to another mall to find out that Spiderman is still shown.

The next thing I knew I was in a long queue, buying tickets for my first full length film 3D experience. This was around this time that I can’t help taking pictures of my ticket and myself in red carpet. Anyways, I have few things to care about. I bought the ticket at around 7pm. The screening was 9:20. What in the world can I do with 2 hours and 20 minutes. I am a self-confessed mall rat or tireless window shopper, but not in a moment of excitement over my long-time dream.

Running time of a film is around 2 hours which means how much would I spend to get home at 11:30 in the evening. The potential amazement just kept coming. It was only then that I realized that the film is entitled Amazing Spiderman and the ticket only cost P250.

Today, the experience is still euphoric. I had Spiderman on my hands when he fell. I’ve had nose to nose with the reptile-villain. There were numerous points when the debris of the blasts got over us.

For technical people, they knew we would come to this. For an average people like me, I just can’t help but wonder how it was done. The curiosity continues as I seek for what technology has to offer next. This was the exact feeling I had as a child, standing in front of the school gate – amazed with the 3D ruler I held on my hands.  

My SG

If my memory serves me right, these are the accounts of my first trip abroad – which was basically four years ago.

Around those years, Singapore has been a target to visit and/or to work in. Earlier, my sister had a scholarship in a Regional English Center, which I can’t remember the exact name of the institution. She studied there for about six months.

Fast forward on the day of our arrival in Singapore, the first lesson learned was not to take picture at the immigration area. We were reprimanded and instructed to delete the photos taken. Well, it is better than having the camera confiscated.

We, a group composed of my ex girlfriend - now wife, my then future mother in-law and others, were booked in a hotel but not in package tour. We asked help of some acquaintances which resulted to the task of meeting these several people. Nonetheless, these people have jobs so we still had to pasyal on our own.  First two people to meet on the list were the 1) brother of officemate and 2) the godmother of Mia. We had these people to meet at the airport to at least have someone to give instruction (better, accompany us) on our way to the hotel.

Mia’s godmother initially informed us that she’ll not be available, so the back up would be my officemate’s brother. Anyway that was an ex-deal.  He had to see us for the padala. I was not sure if if we already met but recognize how he looks like because he was once my subject for my photoshop projects. It was just a bit strange that he was gentle and magalang in person against what I perceived in his boracay pictures where he flaunted his abs and had wild poses. Then, Mia’s godmother showed up and gave us a brief tour before leading us to the hotel.

We got the reservation for the hotel in a promo from a website. I understand that the place was distant from the city, which may mean that the amount of discount already had been spent for extra mile or our taxi fare. I might be into trouble if I mention and describe the place further. May I just say that a prostitute chased me – at 9:00 in the morning.

On our first day, I was just excited to explore the city. My sister, who had long returned to the Philippines advised me to purchase card for bus ride, which my companion did not agree on. Then, I was very excited to fulfill my agenda – to enjoy. This, only realized that my companions do not share the same and I was bound to accomplish few obligations. They had this mission to find for a travel agent to get us to Malaysia on the third day. Anyways, the main purpose of the trip was to get as much stamps on the passport as they can in relation to US Visa application. For me, I still had to buy camera for my boss and meet two other friends for the padala. Did I mention that I had to convert my peso to their currency?

After quite enjoyable sightseeing and expensive food these are some observations I’ve had to compensate for few memory lapses.

     That people you know will not take time off to tour you in Singapore. For one thought, would I,
      had a friend come to visit the Philippines?

     That, escalators run faster than what we have here.

     That, I don’t remember much about the airport which means it is not that memorable.

     That their buses stop only at bus stops. This means people, we, the tourist in particular had
     to take kilometers of walk.

     That, the best way to describe the place is like seeing Makati ten-times or even more.

     That, the place is clean but not as much as people say about it.

     That, as first time tourist, i was a certified victim of converting-everything-to-peso-unit syndrome.

     That, It was such a wonder that one of our malls was hailed as one of the biggest in Asia when
     I assumed that this mall(I can’t remember name ), is ( I assume) bigger.

    That, until now I can’t explain why the biggest fountain and biggest (sorry for the redundancy)
    Ferrie’s wheel were not running when I saw then. I swear that I am referring to the correct fountain
     which, that day was waterless. I just hate to see pictures of friends, having that fountain as
     their backgrounds in Friendster. 2008, remember?

    That it pays off to have new clothes for a trip.

    That, the theme park was excellent. It would have been even better had I experienced any of the
     leisure packages offered. I was in a tight budget, I can only afford the entrance fee.       

    That, the wel- known merlion is the one in the bay - Not the gigantic one inside Sentosa nor the
    close to the original which is quite of human size.

There is much other things that I can share - and i cannot.

If you have noticed,  failed to mention the complete entourage. My mother in-law and her balae (who almost did not pass the immigration when -as a school teacher, a pair of scissor was found inside her bag). My sister in law, Mia (the one who has a ninang there). A family friend. My ex-girlfriend and the child inside her womb now named Elmo.

FURNITURE SERIES: I'm into Furniture lately

I am into furniture lately. I don’t mean buying furniture.  I just fancy looking at them and finding interesting ones.

Scouting for the right piece is one difficult task. When we moved in to our (means: owner-like possession according to NSO since we had it though loan) new house.

I could even say “difficult” is an understatement because:

1.       Everyone wants a cohesive look for the house.

2.       if you’re starting a home, like in our case that we basically don’t have anything, you need to buy everything.

3.       That “everything” costs much.

4.       Most of our friends were generous to have money as gifts to our wedding – to our delight, then. I now wished that we received that much starter sets.

5.       Most importantly, getting any piece of furniture entails an arduous process. We, as husband and wife need to have a consensus. We basically have different tastes. She goes for oriental look. I go for Filipino vintage theme. I just don’t want our house to look feung-sui-ish, while I understand how she despises old looking abode.

We still lack lot of things we needed in our houses such as shoe rack, more dressers, kitchen cabinets, food keepers etc. This is basically due to financial constraints. Secondary, there are things that we can now afford but awaiting the purchase of pre-requisite items (para lang subject sa college ah). We opt not to buy for the fear it won’t be coordinated with the priority items. We cannot furnish the house with the likes of picture frames, vases and other decorative items until we completed acquiring more coffee tables, dining chairs, accent pieces and foyers.

The plan to give my son’s room a “Toy story look” is still a plan.

For now, I have to settle appreciating good pieces I see even though not for the purpose of having them at home. These first two pieces I saw were during an official business I had. I asked for the owners’ permission to have pictures taken. 

(1. the Stool. it is an ordinary stool. I think it was a single piece which was made to order. I liked it for the raw approach - intentionally or not. The other one was like a coffee table but it was placed right before the main entrance door. I suppose it is being used as a shoe rack.  I think footwear are put underneath. What attracted me was the usual wooden bangkito but with with tile surface. I already had this idea of turning a former patungan ng cabinet into reception bench with tile surface like this, even before i saw this one.)

Bound not to Fulfill in this Lifetime.

Bound not to fulfill in this lifetime. This author writes:

Matinee idol image. It has to be emphasized that I indeed accepted that it shall no longer happen in this lifetime. We're bound to fulfill each one's destiny. I must have been hallucinating every time this aspiration comes to mind. At my age and receding hair line, I have long given up. Anyways, Papa Chen of My Binondo Girl fame, at 45 is an exception.

Singer. Despite being videoke fanatic, I can still differentiate illusions from reality. Videoke is one great magic to the lives of the Filipinoes (Pilipino lang) people. This includes mine, to a certain extent. This is one serious issue I had to struggle in my life. Then, I just don’t understand why God did not give me such talent. i had more than ten years spent as a choir member when all along what I can only contribute was one physical count in choir loft.

In the Philippines where, the one who holds the videoke mike is the greatest singer, our ears are still the ones which define the correct tune – and not the machine who shows numbers based on the created frequency. For someone whose singing career highlight were ill rendition of greatest love of all in town plaza, runner up position in videoke challenge in a Christmas party and an invitation (which I didn’t agree) to sing All my life in an officemate’s wedding, the journey - or shall I say, struggle ends.

There is much that have been considered not likely to happen anymore, especially those involved age and height limit, or something that one would only come across once. High School valedictorian. Bikini open contestant. Millionaire at 30 or hundred thousand (in a month) earner in my twenties. At iyong ultimate, being a teenager na nag-college sa UP. I am basically of Manny Pacquiao's age but my earnings, isang bahin (one sneeze) lang ni Ninong Manny.

I can’t say I don’t have regrets. Most people say, they would be where they are if not of their mistakes. I don’t know. It is where God put me whether I made mistake or not. Believe me, where I am is not a bad place to be in. I have long moved on, I just mention these things because these are my experiences.

That’s the irony of maintaining this blog, I post to express myself in a wider medium but hoping only few people would read this. It is just hard to say these things with the thought that others may see that I’m glorying myself.

In this aspect, I just want to find closure. In most of my failures and shortcoming, this is how I see it resolved. From here, set new goals. I would still be a Certified Public Accountant, Doctorate degree holder in Math or Statistics and cover of Men’s Health Magazine with six-pack abs.


(Photo: Ang peg ng matinee idol - naka-shades at nakpamaywang.)

To Do Checklist as my Medium Term (self) Development Plan

Learn how to bike.

Learn how to drive.

Learn how to play guitar.

Learn flash applications.

To have legitimate and long-term abs.

To, finally have pairs of havaianas.

To fly a kite.

To win Carlos Palanca Awards – no category preferred.

To have an entry for Carlos Palanca Awards.

To be able to write a Carlos Palanca Awards-worthy piece.

To win other writing tilt, if palanca is not possible in this lifetime.

To try to paint – learn about pastel and canvass

To try to paint – as in magpintura ng bahay at furniture

To have our wedding photo, be printed and compiled in an album.

On day to day basis, I am bound to perform duties - to solicit/ collect responses for our surveys, think about the preparation and release of publications, discuss my lesson properly and the likes.

the above are checklist, which at my age are yet to be accomplished. 

My Right Side Brain - Prologue

As a child, I was brought up by the thought that I’m artistic.

I draw.

I dance.

I write stories.

No wonder, one of the things that my mother told me then, which I remember most was I’ll be taking up "Fine arts" when I grow up. Did I mention that I’m left handed?

Thirty years later, I work in an office which deals with statistics. I finished a course which has the nature of analyzing. I had my graduate education which required me to master numbers. As my part-time job, it has been several semesters that I teach math and other math-related subjects. I am not complaining but dealing with it takes plus 90 percent more effort of my normal ability. I could not even say that I have indifferent feelings about mathematics. Actually, I have  ½ or 0.5 degree dislike about it.

This makes me think what happened in between.   

I no longer draw. What they saw in me was kindergarten skills, which was not developed. As a past time, I sketch clothes which I saw on TV and magazines and not my original ideas.

I was once a photoshop editor sensation in my former office, but once everyone knew how to do it, I lost my interest. Or, shall I say I was not able to keep pace of the application since I cannot afford to have higher capacity pc unit required of a higher version.

I had these last projects of updating bulletin board. I, myself was my major critic. They were disasters. The worse thing about it is to explain why they failed.

I still write stories, but not of indie film caliber. I just make up stories to my office mates’ (I suppose) delight.

I don’t dance, as in performance dance. I do lasing dance. In company parties which require each province have presentation, I oblige. To the choreographer’s thinking that I could pull it off, I would be given good parts. On two occasions, I had forgotten cues or led the group to wrong dance steps.

I no longer aspire to be a fashion designer in this era when stylists are the in thing. There are aspects of me which I wished to have turned out better, while there are things that I don’t intend to become anymore, at my age and status. There was never a point in my life that I came close to the fine arts route as envisioned by my mother. To date, the closest association that I got is having an officemate who has a daughter who is a fine arts graduate in UST.

Through all of these, this does not stop me from appreciating beauty. I’m into (looking at good) furniture (not much on interior design), lately. I still have this interest in good clothes (but not on creating or wearing them). In terms of films, I’ve always been a dear fan of Filipino films. Finally, I have to decide which of the hundreds paintings I downloaded shall finally be (printed and framed) on our wall.

These, I’ll be sharing to all.