They say life begins at 40. This means my life is about to begin. In a few years I will reach that I age and thinking about it prompted me to evaluate what has happened to 'my life' in the years before it has actually began. What I discovered actually made me a bit sad.
I graduated high school as the class valedictorian. I studied college in UP which they say is the best university in the country. I even graduated with honors. Well, I didn't graduate with the highest honors because my grades only reached the Cum Laude ranking but just the same, it was something to be happy about - even something to be proud of. I got hired in a school even before graduation day. And two years after I was promoted as Principal. Such great achievements, don't you think.
But where am I today, a few years my life begins? I am a school principal waiting everyday for the next payday. I am a principal who takes a cab to school every morning instead of my own car. I am a principal who even rides a jeepney and a pedicab to work every time payday is approaching.
Yes, I may have reached the highest position in my workplace but I am still as broke as I was before I actually started earning my own money.
Some might think that I am in this state because of my own doing. Some might question my lifestyle. Some might question the way I handle my money. Well, I cannot fault them for that. What they are thinking is probably correct. So am I complaining? Not really. I am just at thins point where I am beginning to think if I made the right decisions in life. Did I make the right choices? Maybe yes. Maybe not.
How do you measure success? Is it measured by the position you hold in your company? Is it measured by how much you have in the bank?
I still believe that success is measured by how happy and contended you are with what you have. For the longest time I maintained that I am happy with what I have achieved. But for some reason this self-evaluation has caused a sudden stir in my heart. Am I really happy? Am I really satisfied? As I said in the beginning I am a bit sad. I have suddenly thought of things that I have not achieved or have not accomplished. I do hope that this is just a phase that I have to experience. I like to believe that this too shall pass. I hope that before my life begins I will have a stronger resolve that I am happy with my life.
Again, how do you measure success?
Thursday, July 14, 2011
Billboards Up, Billboards Down, Morals Up, Morals Down
First it was the Philippine Rugby Team's (or at least some of its members') underwear billboards that were put down. I think Philippine Azkals members also had similar billboards for Bench Body and they were also rolled down. Now its Anne Curtis' and Angel Locsin's billboards that have been targeted. If I'm not mistaken Anne's billboards on EDSA these days are for SMDC and she's wearing gowns in different colors for them. Angel's billboard on the other hand is for Century Tuna. This is the one where she is with Phil Younghusband who is being linked to her.
Why are they suddenly rolling all these billboards down? Is there a 'let's all live moral lives' campaign coming up now? Oh yeah, I heard they are saying they are mot being moralistic. Yeah? So why are they suddenly being 'hot' about these 'hot guys and girls'? Recently many people in the government were promoting the RH Bill. They didn't find the bill in anyway morally questionable. But ironically they find guys in briefs and girls in bras offensive. Don't you think it's funny? If they don't like them wearing undies, what would they want them to wear? Condoms?
Wednesday, July 6, 2011
Smoking Ban in Public Places and Manong Driver's Proud Moments
I took a cab yesterday at around 6 pm. The driver's radio was tuned in to TV5's news. There's weather report, crime report and news about the Pajero 7 Bishops. I wasn't really interested in hearing negative issues yesterday (especially the Pajero 7 Bishops) so I opted to just chat with the driver. I only kept quiet when the weather report was read. I was interested to know if the two Low Pressure Areas inside the Philippine area of responsibility have the possibility of turning into typhoons. Anyway, before going to a commercial gap, the announcer mentioned the other news that will still be discussed. One was about Judy Ann Santos and the more than 30 pounds she has already lost since giving birth a few months back. The other one is about MMDA's smoking ban in public areas in Manila.
When the smoking ban in public places was mentioned, the driver asked me if I know anything about it. I said that the only thing I know is that MMDA officers were tasked to apprehend people smoking in public places. I said I don't know exactly which places are considered public and which are not. He said MMDA only patrol major roads so people can still smoke in sari-sari stores found on side streets. I didn't have a clear idea why he asked me about the smoking ban. I just thought that he is a smoker and he wants to discuss his views regarding the issue. Then he suddenly said "You know sir, I was interviewed by a TV5 reporter about this issue." I said ah this is why he opened up the discussion about the smoking ban. I asked when. He said it was just a few hours ago after he used one of the MMDA urinals along EDSA. It turned out MMDA is contemplating on the idea of allowing smokers to smoke inside the said urinals. I said excitedly "Manong, we are going to hear your interview in a few minutes. It's a pity we do not have mobile tv." He said it was fine because news on tv are usually repeated late in the evening. I could hear in his voice that he was very excited.
When that segment was aired I heard Manong saying that he is not in favor of that idea because the urinals as it is already smell bad so it would be worse if people will smoke there. I think his answer made sense.
Anyway, I realized that it gave me a good feeling being there to share that 'moment' with Manong. I knew he was excited to hear his interview and it would have been such a bummer if he was alone inside the cab. There was pride in his eyes when his voice came out of the radio. That pride would not have been complete if there was no one to recognize it. I was happy I decided to chat with him so he had the chance to use the bragging rights that came along with that interview.
Way to go Manong driver. Oh, let me just add, Manong does not smoke. Again, way to go Manong driver.
When the smoking ban in public places was mentioned, the driver asked me if I know anything about it. I said that the only thing I know is that MMDA officers were tasked to apprehend people smoking in public places. I said I don't know exactly which places are considered public and which are not. He said MMDA only patrol major roads so people can still smoke in sari-sari stores found on side streets. I didn't have a clear idea why he asked me about the smoking ban. I just thought that he is a smoker and he wants to discuss his views regarding the issue. Then he suddenly said "You know sir, I was interviewed by a TV5 reporter about this issue." I said ah this is why he opened up the discussion about the smoking ban. I asked when. He said it was just a few hours ago after he used one of the MMDA urinals along EDSA. It turned out MMDA is contemplating on the idea of allowing smokers to smoke inside the said urinals. I said excitedly "Manong, we are going to hear your interview in a few minutes. It's a pity we do not have mobile tv." He said it was fine because news on tv are usually repeated late in the evening. I could hear in his voice that he was very excited.
When that segment was aired I heard Manong saying that he is not in favor of that idea because the urinals as it is already smell bad so it would be worse if people will smoke there. I think his answer made sense.
Anyway, I realized that it gave me a good feeling being there to share that 'moment' with Manong. I knew he was excited to hear his interview and it would have been such a bummer if he was alone inside the cab. There was pride in his eyes when his voice came out of the radio. That pride would not have been complete if there was no one to recognize it. I was happy I decided to chat with him so he had the chance to use the bragging rights that came along with that interview.
Way to go Manong driver. Oh, let me just add, Manong does not smoke. Again, way to go Manong driver.
Monday, July 4, 2011
A Blessing or A Curse
What have you done to me?
You have completely imprisoned my heart, mind, body and soul.
Not a single moment passes by without me thinking of you.
You have completely taken me captive to the point that my life revolves around you.
But baby I feel so insecure.
Things are happening so fast that I am not really sure if it is really happening.
I always have moments of doubts because of the circumstances we were and we are in.
You say I should trust but can I really do?
My life now is hanging by a thread and you have full control.
A single mistake is fatal, that much I know.
So will you keep your promise that you'll hold me forever
Or should I cut the thread now and let my self fall while the drop is not yet too tall.
Tell me baby that you're real.
True love from you is all I want to feel.
Are you really the blessing from heaven I've been waiting for?
Or are you the curse with whom I have to deal.
You have completely imprisoned my heart, mind, body and soul.
Not a single moment passes by without me thinking of you.
You have completely taken me captive to the point that my life revolves around you.
But baby I feel so insecure.
Things are happening so fast that I am not really sure if it is really happening.
I always have moments of doubts because of the circumstances we were and we are in.
You say I should trust but can I really do?
My life now is hanging by a thread and you have full control.
A single mistake is fatal, that much I know.
So will you keep your promise that you'll hold me forever
Or should I cut the thread now and let my self fall while the drop is not yet too tall.
Tell me baby that you're real.
True love from you is all I want to feel.
Are you really the blessing from heaven I've been waiting for?
Or are you the curse with whom I have to deal.
Tuesday, June 28, 2011
Heard and Seen: Love or No love, Lip gloss, Real Pearls
Heard and Seen
Two teenagers waiting for a ride were talking (in Filipino but here is my English version):
Girl: Whatever happened to us?
Boy: There is no us!
Girl: What?
Boy: There never was!
Girl: But you text me everyday! You call me every night! We go on dates! We watch movies together! You even hold my hands (this last one said with a very soft voice I almost didn't catch it).
Boy: But did ever hear me say I love you?
Girl: Tears....tears....tears....She cried a lot I thought there would be a second Ondoy.
I really do not know who to blame here. Did the girl assume too much? I mean the guy didn't profess his love, right? Or did the boy played with the girl's emotion? But whoever is at fault, my heart goes to the girl. I pity her because I could see that she was really hurt. I think she really loves the boy.
Seen
While eating at the Food Court of Robinsons Galleria, I saw two girls seating next to each other. One was putting on blush on while the other was applying lip gloss (that kind where you need to use a brush attached to the cap of the lip gloss tube).
After about a minute of this beautification process, the girl using the blush on handed the kit to the other girl and the other girl in turn handed the lip gloss to her. Then they used whatever they have now in their hands.
Can you really share those stuff? I mean I could possibly accept sharing blush on but not lip gloss. Can you? It's like the two of them kissed.
Heard and seen
Customer: Are these pearls real?
Sales lady: Yes ma'am, they are real.
Customer: But they do not look real.
Sales lady: Ma'am if you want pearls that really look real then you should have this (shows another string of pearls taken from the lower display cabinet).
Customer: What's the difference?
Sales lady: These are more real (mas totoo) than the other string.
So what does that make of the other string? Sort of real? Somewhat real? Semi real? Class A? AA? AAA? Quadruple A?
Two teenagers waiting for a ride were talking (in Filipino but here is my English version):
Girl: Whatever happened to us?
Boy: There is no us!
Girl: What?
Boy: There never was!
Girl: But you text me everyday! You call me every night! We go on dates! We watch movies together! You even hold my hands (this last one said with a very soft voice I almost didn't catch it).
Boy: But did ever hear me say I love you?
Girl: Tears....tears....tears....She cried a lot I thought there would be a second Ondoy.
I really do not know who to blame here. Did the girl assume too much? I mean the guy didn't profess his love, right? Or did the boy played with the girl's emotion? But whoever is at fault, my heart goes to the girl. I pity her because I could see that she was really hurt. I think she really loves the boy.
Seen
While eating at the Food Court of Robinsons Galleria, I saw two girls seating next to each other. One was putting on blush on while the other was applying lip gloss (that kind where you need to use a brush attached to the cap of the lip gloss tube).
After about a minute of this beautification process, the girl using the blush on handed the kit to the other girl and the other girl in turn handed the lip gloss to her. Then they used whatever they have now in their hands.
Can you really share those stuff? I mean I could possibly accept sharing blush on but not lip gloss. Can you? It's like the two of them kissed.
Heard and seen
Customer: Are these pearls real?
Sales lady: Yes ma'am, they are real.
Customer: But they do not look real.
Sales lady: Ma'am if you want pearls that really look real then you should have this (shows another string of pearls taken from the lower display cabinet).
Customer: What's the difference?
Sales lady: These are more real (mas totoo) than the other string.
So what does that make of the other string? Sort of real? Somewhat real? Semi real? Class A? AA? AAA? Quadruple A?
Thursday, June 23, 2011
Do You Like Rainy Days?
"It is a rainy day today" - I heard the preschool pupils say when the teacher asked them to describe the weather. They were so energetic when they shouted that out. I wonder where they get their energy on such a bed-weather day.
Do you like rainy days? If you'd ask me I'd say not really. You see traffic in Manila usually turns from bad to worse whenever it rains. You could also immediately expect flooding in some streets after a few minutes of rain. And to top it all, it is difficult to look for a cab. It seems that rainwater melts cabs. If you are lucky enough to find an unoccupied cab, the driver will ask you for 'dagdag' (30 to 100 pesos addition to the fare).
I also find it difficult to drag myself to work when it is raining. The bed just seems to be pulling me harder during these times. If I am successful in bringing my self to work, I usually feel sluggish.
Please don't get me wrong. There are also things I like about the rain. The cool weather it brings for example is very much welcome for me. I perspire a lot so I love it when the surroundings is cool.
Life in Manila has also become so fast in the recent years. The rainy season sort of calms people down.
Why am I talking about the rain again? Ah! Because of the preschoolers I heard telling their teacher that it is a rainy day today.
I hope you don't get stuck in traffic tonight folks.
Do you like rainy days? If you'd ask me I'd say not really. You see traffic in Manila usually turns from bad to worse whenever it rains. You could also immediately expect flooding in some streets after a few minutes of rain. And to top it all, it is difficult to look for a cab. It seems that rainwater melts cabs. If you are lucky enough to find an unoccupied cab, the driver will ask you for 'dagdag' (30 to 100 pesos addition to the fare).
I also find it difficult to drag myself to work when it is raining. The bed just seems to be pulling me harder during these times. If I am successful in bringing my self to work, I usually feel sluggish.
Please don't get me wrong. There are also things I like about the rain. The cool weather it brings for example is very much welcome for me. I perspire a lot so I love it when the surroundings is cool.
Life in Manila has also become so fast in the recent years. The rainy season sort of calms people down.
Why am I talking about the rain again? Ah! Because of the preschoolers I heard telling their teacher that it is a rainy day today.
I hope you don't get stuck in traffic tonight folks.
Friday, June 3, 2011
The RH (Reproductive Health) Bill
Much has been said about the RH bill. A lot of people have already expressed - in different manners - their thoughts about it. I have not read the fine prints about it so it's difficult to really go out and join debates. But this does not mean that I do not have my stand about it. My position is that I am not in favor of it primarily because I believe in the church's stand that we should preserve life at all times. In my opinion, allowing people to have a hand in deciding whether a child could and should live or not is a no-no.
Yes, we have been given free will by our creator. We can pretty much choose freely because we have been given the intellect to do so. But you, there are also rules that have been set. The Bible has set of rules that we have to live by - the 10 Commandments for example.
I am afraid of what the RH bill could do to the values system of the Filipinos. It is possible that it will give our youth the courage to have sex with just about anyone because they no longer have fear about 'accidental' pregnancy. It is also possible that it will give men (and women) the courage to 'play around' because they know they can be 'safe'. Think about what it can do to the family.
If RH bill existed in the past, it is possible that I wouldn't be here writing this blog. I could have been that fertilized egg cell that failed to attach itself to the uterus of my mom because of some plastic with string placed in there. It is possible that one of our senators wouldn't be there in the senate giving his or her privilege speech because the sperm cell that would fertilize the egg cell from his or her mom was blocked by a thin sheet of rubber. Think about this: the fertilized egg that was chemically killed could have been YOU!
Yes, we have been given free will by our creator. We can pretty much choose freely because we have been given the intellect to do so. But you, there are also rules that have been set. The Bible has set of rules that we have to live by - the 10 Commandments for example.
I am afraid of what the RH bill could do to the values system of the Filipinos. It is possible that it will give our youth the courage to have sex with just about anyone because they no longer have fear about 'accidental' pregnancy. It is also possible that it will give men (and women) the courage to 'play around' because they know they can be 'safe'. Think about what it can do to the family.
If RH bill existed in the past, it is possible that I wouldn't be here writing this blog. I could have been that fertilized egg cell that failed to attach itself to the uterus of my mom because of some plastic with string placed in there. It is possible that one of our senators wouldn't be there in the senate giving his or her privilege speech because the sperm cell that would fertilize the egg cell from his or her mom was blocked by a thin sheet of rubber. Think about this: the fertilized egg that was chemically killed could have been YOU!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)