Just Because They Deserve To Burn

My brother and I were playing golf at the South Course of Valley. We were on the 3rd hole, and we see two golf carts going past us, overtaking our flight, and setting up to tee off on the next hole. My dad goes up to them and asks them why they would do that, why they would overtake us without even asking for our permission.


We learn from the great men of the past that power comes from the barrel of a gun. It is human nature. The more we have the ability to inflict terror and discomfort to those who cross us, the more we become aggressive with our behavior. I've seen this happen to my father. When his capacity to punch someone with his knuckles was replaced by his ability to draw his firearms, his eyes glimmered at the thought of the world bowing under his feet.


Someone breaks up the fight. I thought it was all over. The mayor shouts to his caddy: "Hindi nila kami kilala! Sabihin mo nga sa kanila kung sino ako!" And believe me, I had no idea who this person was. But now I know. He's the person who, with 4 other men, beat up my 56-year-old father and my 14-year-old brother. He's the person who sacks a pleading 14-year-old kid in the face. He's a person who, I am sure, is gonna rot in hell.


I heard dad said those words before. He was a very influential man who could bring down a reputation of someone powerful than him. With hundreds of thousands of proles, tambays, and sex maniacs reading his column everyday, he was a force to reckon with. This fueled the fire that drives his arrogance and sense of invincibility. At one point in his life, bodyguards surrounded him. Every seedy nightspots in the red-light city was his to choose from. And god, the people who shook his hands were the overlords of this forsaken country. That was the life he had.

Until it was taken away by the same forces he shook hands with one September night.


Him and his friend pull my dad to the ground, pulls at his feet, and steps on him like he's dirt. I run to him and try to hold him back, holding him back by his shirt, while this other guy and this girl tries to stop me. She tells me to just stop it. I scream in her face "they're beating my father up and you want me to stop?!" I pull at his shirt--I don't let go. All I can see was my dad being trampled on. I didn't even see my brother getting beat up.


The raid commenced at the printing press and we, the ones in power were advised to hide. It was the first time I saw how powerless dad was to stop his enemies from destroying his emerging empire. Life is politics and had I been the one playing his game, I would have foreseen destruction before it came. It was pride and arrogance who destroyed my father and the months after that fateful night have seen how fortunes changed.


Sounds like something out of a movie, doesn't it? But this is what happened. TODAY. The day after Christmas. To my family. And all I ask for is JUSTICE. The people at Valley Golf did not seem to want to help us. None of the security guards even tried to stop the fight. Right in the clubhouse. I came back after the fight was over and talked to the receptionists. They say they did not see anything. The general manager of Valley Golf would not give us the names of the men who made my brother's ear bleed. It took him an hour. Maybe even more than that. He seemed to not want to help us. Because, we were against the SECRETARY OF THE DEPARTMENT OF AGRARIAN REFORM and the MAYOR NASSER PAGDANGANAN JR OF MASIU CITY, LANAO DEL SUR. They were all scared.


My father did some things I could never write. What I do know is that his brutality rivaled his capacity for kindness. Like all others who fell before him, it was power and sense of permanence that lead to his downfall. Humans have this impression that they can stay forever once they are on top. Unfortunately, those who stay forever are the ones who truly understand how fleeting everything is.

That power itself is bound to end.

In those days, I basked in my dad's power. I could drive someone away or open gates I could never open in my present state with just one ID. I walked along corridors with companions who are willing to defend me - at the command of my father. But never did, in my wildest dreams, get drunk with what I have.

Because I know, it will never be forever.

And now that a different energy empowers me, might as well put it to good use and prune those who deserve to be pruned. It's time to cut down excess branches and leave only those deem necessary.

I share my voice, and my blog as a testament that power may also come in shards of words.

For in the end, masters change.

What endures are humanity and respect for others.

---

Bambee Dela Paz's Blog
Dale Bacar's Blog

Return To Neverland

The clouds gathered outside the windows, announcing the arrival of another drizzle. The building across the creek across from where my room was located had burnt marks in it. The staff told me that several rooms were gutted because of a fire two weeks ago. The reason: the rooms turned out to be an abandoned warehouse, a faulty electrical wiring must have triggered the blaze. The building still stands and it remains occupied. Like most decrypt and ancient commercial establishments along Escolta, the edifice is a sorrow reminder of the glory days that passed by.

Inside the room, old boxes filled with applications and other office documents were stacked up above one another. Across the table where I was seated, was the wooden paddle - a testament to my late father's fraternal brotherhood past. The aircon, which they used to open when I arrive had been long broken. In its place was a fridge desolately placed near the window.

"Sir buksan natin ang ilaw?" The staff asked me.

"Okay lang, hindi ako sanay na may ilaw. Hindi mo na matandaan no?" I courteously replied.

It's been more than two years since I last set foot in this place - the Sikyu Agency. It is my father's surviving venture and the bread and butter of the household. After the Publishing company closed down under my most unfortunate leadership, I resolved to seek a new life elsewhere. The failure of losing the very reason of your being (a journalist) is too much to bear. The Sikyu would gladly embrace my presence, however a business assaulted by tons of unexpected problems would simply annihilate my tattered spirit.

So instead of working with them, I joined my boss' budding call center company.

---

The process of healing was long and painful. Two years, I did not show up even during their Christmas Parties. The entire staff was laden with gifts personally coming from me, but my presence which they hoped I would grant, was twice denied. The only contact I ever had with them during these years happened whenever the "dole" was delayed or whenever someone from the office would seek my aunt's assistance in medical emergencies.

This afternoon, we received a letter addressed to my mom. It was from the government and its contents sent the matriarch fuming and frantic the whole day. In her panic, he asked me to forward the letter to the Sikyu's financial officer. She immediately noticed my reservations clearly appearing on my face. In a fit of utter disappointment, she howled at me telling "tatlong taon na patay ang ama mo, hanggang ngayon takot ka pa rin lumingon sa nakaraan mo?!?" something like that, I could not remember.

So I had no choice but to follow my mother's order. I took a bath, dressed up in my most somber ensemble and with a pragmatic gesture, left the house as if going elsewhere. But my heart trembled on my way to the office. Not even my Darkstar ego was prepared to face a past I am still trying to ignore.

You see, part of the desire to remain very distant comes from the fact that I'm getting something from them without working for it. Imagine the great injustice I do to every laborer in this country. Even I, could not forgive myself for such exploitation. But I had not choice. If and ever I will join their circus, I do not really know what will be my use to them as their de-facto boss. (even if I have to contend/appease the "business partner/former kabet's presence) Besides, the "benefit" I would get is an insurance for any unforeseen emergency in the future. It ensures that no matter what delubyo comes in our way, at least I have set aside something for protection.

---

The corridor leading to the office was dark and gloomy. I could almost hear a lonely piano instrumental playing on the background. My short walk from the lobby was almost like a procession; a slow passage reminding me of painful and resenting memories which I could not deny, but still haunt me today. The Sikyu's future, which remains uncertain because of the loopholes left by my father could easily drive me looking for a second job, and the guilt of benefiting from something the never lifted even my tiny finger pushes me further away, to wallow in my own shame.

But the time had come to at least contend with a past, in hopes that it may lead to a sort of reconciliation.

So that I could find healing despite its prematurity.

I took a deep breath as my hand grip held the door knob very tightly.

In the milliseconds between my appearance to the people inside and the resentment and hesitation I felt before I opened the door, in my thoughts, how I wished I lived my life very differently from the very start.

But there was no turning back; my only choice is to face this fear squarely... even if i am not ready.

"Uy andjan pala si sir. Tagal niyong nawala ah!"

The first greeting I heard from them.

Family Business Blues

-Taking a break-

---

It should be my sister doing this, not me.

Since I am the fastest encoder in the family, my mom asked me to type the chronology of events, detailing the things that happened during the last few years of our family business after my dad passed away. She said, the new lawyer asked her to prepare a draft so he would understand where to start over. Although, I don't want to associate myself anymore to the nightmares I endured for two years after I graduated from college, doing this task forced me to remember the events that lead to our downfall.

It was a very disheartening experience, especially now that age allows me to see where I fell short to prevent the disasters that happened.

I won't go into details as to what had happened, for the blog had witnessed too many entries devoted to that part of my life. Nevertheless, now that I'm forced to type and edit (meaning, provide concrete details to the events which mom barely understands), I feel a sense of injustice having to be reminded of these things again. It should be my sister who needs a bucket of cold water thrown at her. I'm tired of remembering my own mortality every time there's a problem with my dad's family business.

As I take one deep breath before I continue typing and editing my mother's draft document, I can't help but wonder whether there would come a time I would really be free from all these miseries. Sometimes, in my wildest dreams, I still fantasize taking two good-paying jobs, a graduate study course in the university and a consistent work-out routine all at the same time, just to distract myself from the reality that time is never on my side.

I know, it's just a matter of moments before another trouble comes in.

And what's so sad about it is that I haven't move on from the past, my sister still drifts on the edges of his college existence, instead of providing financial support for the household and I myself begins to drift aimlessly as well, fending off the truth that even at this advanced age,

I still don't know how to make the most out of life.

The Tabloid That Would Never Die

The take-over of our former newspaper is in full swing. This coming December, they will add more smutty pages in the tabloid - from a mere 8 to a full twelve. I've also heard that my dad's former mistress and mortal enemy would join their boat and share her experience running that newspaper a very long time ago, when my father is still the ruler of his own big world.

She said at first, she felt ashamed having a new part on the paper once again. After all, it is a source of nightmare for her as well, which I would tell in another story. But since, the positive reports are pouring in, she eventually accepted the invitation from its "board" to join the "editorial team" again.

Because it is fast becoming a profitable venture already.

And now that the national elections is just around the corner, things would be much prosperous for its ringleaders once the candidates seek their PR services in behalf of the newspaper.

---

If there is someone in the family who is heavily affected by such developments, it is my father's sister, who really never got out of the hole ever since we closed the business. But she is trying I tell you. If not for her pain-in-ass son who stopped going to fourth year high school five years ago - which is the number one contributor of heartaches and depressions to my dad's sibling, I would have divested more money to her little businesses to raise her living conditions and put her in a better state.

But really, would there be an investor willing to risk putting his investments in an uncertain basket? Maybe the suicidal ones perhaps.

---

You see, the last time we talked, one could feel the hurt and the pain every time she utters a word regarding our former newspaper business. She said that it felt like having a drying wound, not a peklat, which all of a sudden was wounded again by the very same people who caused the sugat. I also felt that way... but honestly, before the business closed, I made a wish and that wish kept reminding me not to be too bad about the tabloid's resurrection.

I wished that even though we were long gone, those people who really stood up for the newspaper business would go on, even if it would mean serving under a different owner.

And I think my wish was granted - after three years of waiting for it. Tsk. Lakas ko talaga sa Diyos.

So that's why no matter how it hurts, I just pretend that it doesn't affect me that much. Tutal, I'm working in a new company very far from the nightmares I have been through running that family business. I'm also engaged in some academic endeavor and in doing so, it made me feel that I'm higher than all of them (the ringleaders, editors and writers) combined - even if they are the ones making money.

Lastly, I still believe in Karma. My dad was a very good example of how the Karmic forces work in people's lives. Perhaps someday, if the Creator really finds that there is injustice done to us, maybe he would lift his finger to deliver some divine retribution to those people who "dug out the grave and ressurected the dead using their greedy hands."

That is why I don't want to lift my own mortal finger yet. The legal expenses alone would bleed me to death if I take a passionate stance about it. What matters to me is that we find a way to get out of the responsibilites and connections to that newspaper once and for all. I don't want some obscure creditors knocking at my door demanding payments for services rendered forty eight years ago.

But still, justifying the pain and reason behind that wretched newspaper. In the end, the pain gains the upper hand. Someday, when I get to be a really really good writer or a very popular PLU personality, I would write about such pain and tell the people what I've been through.

After all, I don't know anyone who could carry such a jaded soul like me, in the face of such betrayal happening right before my very own eyes.

The Ex Prince Speaks

November 13, 2006


The President [insert name here]
National Press Club of the Philippines
Manila


Dear Mr. [insert surname here]


We have confirmed that the [insert name of the newspaper here] has been in circulation once again since last week. We heard that some interested groups decided to open the newspaper after we had given it a final closure three years ago. We understand that in order to distinguish it from the one we used to control, they changed its name from "Balitang" to "Baliktaran" to set the difference and avoid the costly litigation fees once we decide to pursue a case against them. We have reasons for the people behind its new management to resurrect the said tabloid. After all, it was one of the most renowned newspaper in the market during its days.

We wish to inform you that the [insert former owner's surnames here] has no participation whatsoever in such revival. They never sought our advice nor considered our feelings regarding such painful release. Nevertheless, in the spirit of the coming holidays, we do not wish to interfere with their operations. After all, in so many years we have tried to forget whatever bitterness and hurt such newspaper left us, we are not interested in taking it back anymore.

Thank you very much for your time.

God Bless.

---

Minsan rin akong naging anak ng isang boss. Nasubukan ko rin magkaroon ng VIP treatment sa buhay ko. Noong araw, nakasakay ako sa isang magarang sasakyan, hinahatid sa school na may kasama pang bodyguard. Naranasan ko rin makikamay sa mga pulitiko na humihingi ng pabor sa tatay ko at nakasulat rin ako ng ilang mga editorial columm sa isang national tabloid na sumikat ilang taon na ang nakakaraan.

Iyon ang kasaysayan ko.

Sa totoo, kaya ako pinakuha ng kursong Journalism ay upang maging magtuloy nitong negosyong ito. Ngunit masyado akong bata at walang karanasan upang tumayo at pamunuan ang mga tauhan ng tatay ko. Nanduon rin ang pulitika, intriga at siraan na siyang dumurog sa amin. Wala pang isang taon simula noong ako'y naging bahagi ng kanilang opisina. Ang diyaryong ito ay nagsimulang tumupi isang gabi noong na-raid ang printing house na aming inuupahan.

---

Sa huli, nasubukan ko rin itong pamunuan isang buwan matapos mamatay ang aking ama. Naroon ang pait at ang hapdi habang nakikita mo ang iyong sariling pera na napupunta sa wala. Naroon ang pikit mata mong inaabot ang isangdaang pisong advance ng mga tauhan mo araw araw mapagkasya lang ang kita sa negosyo. At naroon rin ang gabi gabing panonood ng Nickolodeon, matakasan lamang ang walang katapusang problemang pinansyal na hinarap ng kumpanya ilang buwan bago ito magsara.

Ngunit naroon palagi ang potensyal nitong lumago at magpatuloy. Yun nga lang, maraming bagay ang kailangang i-konsidera lalo na ang isyu ng paghahabol ng pinagkakautangan nito sakali mang may makisyosyo ditong iba.

Maraming pait ang iniwan nitong kumpanyang ito na hanggang ngayon ay pilit kong tinatalikuran sa aking isipan. Siguro, kaya ako naging sobrang higpit sa pera ngayon at bigla biglang nawala ang interes ko sa pamumuno ay dahil sa mga aral na napala ko maiahon ko lang itong diyaryong ito mula sa pagkalugmok.

Pero anuman ang gawin ko, ako pa rin ay nabigo sa huli.

---

Taon ang lumipas. Kaninang umaga, matapos magpagod sa gym, muli kong natanaw itong diyaryo sa isang newstand malapit sa amin. Kaparehong-kapareho ito ng aming issue noong kapanahunan ko pa. Habang pinagmamasdan ko ang lay-out nito, para akong binigwasan sa dibdib ng tatlong beses - tatlong taon pait ng pagkabigo na paminsan minsang nalalasahan ko pa sa aking labi. Heto't narito sa harap ko kanina ang diyaryo na parang isang naagnas na bangkay na kahuhukay lang mula sa mabahong lupa.

Papalipasin ko ang Pasko at Bagong Taon, upang bigyang konsiderasyon ang mga taong napilitang kumapit sa mga namumuno nito. Sa muling pagkakataon, hahayaan kong ang tadhana at karma ang siyang gumalaw para sa akin upang anuman ang mangyari, malinis ang aking kunsensya sa bawi ng buhay sa kanila.

At kapag nasiguro ko na ang aking pinansyal na pangangailangan. Kapag naisaayos ko na ang mga bagay na aking naiwan sa pagmamadaling maitaguyod muli ang pamilyang umaasa sa akin...

Babalik ako at babawi sa kanila.

Lubhang napakasakit ang ginawa nilang iyon sa aming mga naiwanan.

Blue Skies

- Photo taken using Nokia N70

---

If my dad were still alive today, he would have celebrated his 50th birthday. For a time, he used to walk among the stars. Then one evening, everything was taken away from him. For two years after the great raid, he endured a financial struggle that would eventually lead to his downfall. A week after he attempted to rebound from such fall with a fresh source of capital, heaven gave him a surprise reprieve and decided to take him away for good.

Two years after his passing, those of us who were left continues his struggle. Trouble comes left and right, and no matter how we try to go beyond and move away from the struggle, there are things that would always lead us back to where we came from.

But still, life goes on and as long as we see new directions to get away from all those past we would like to forget... we move along.

And the bitterness and hatred we kept in our hearts fades away as well - All the blame we used to throw at him; all the what-if's we used to ask when he is not around; and all his shortcomings to us that I used to list down in order to sustain my long-standing rebellion against him - all forgiven, like the cloudy skies above that gently moves away in order to reveal the blue sky that it hides from us while we were at the cemetery visiting his grave.

All that remained is a sense of peace, and a hope that whatever mistakes we had in the past would be corrected, somewhere along the vastness and uncertainties of tomorrow.

---

When do stars fade their light?

Does the moon and the sun make it right

For you the world maybe

Like an endless storm chasing a mystery

- Hale, Blue Sky

Ave

Ave Deo! Morituri te salutant*

---

The scene at the church reminds me of the movie, Gladiator. Before I went to school to attend the last meeting for both my two subjects, I decided to stop by Santa Clara to offer a prayer of thanks for a very meaningful and worthwhile semester.

As I kneeled in one of the pews facing the huge altar and offered my incantation, I felt like I am a soldier going to a battle. Today is our final exam in one of the subjects that I dreaded most. My heart is filled with so much terror that despite doing some preparations for the exams, I also entertained the possibilities of not making it to the cut off. However, I did not let such thought go into my head since it might just influence me to surrender everything. As I uttered my prayers, what I told God is that no matter how uncertain things are, the fact that I enjoyed the experience is all that's important.

Besides, there are more pressing concerns where I would need His aid.

---

I remembered a quote from a book that says "achieving one's dream is like an escape from gravity, the closer you reach your aim, the pull to the ground becomes greater." This morning, the sikyu agency called my mother to inform her that they are facing some financial shortages today. They need extra money for the salary of the guards amounting to my entire savings.

Since we don't know a lender who is willing to offer credit to the company, my mom just said that she would try looking for other ways to find money as a show of concerned gesture.

Moments like the one above brings me back to a time when cash shortages happens daily to my dad's publication company. I have already forgotten how much of my personal money was absorbed just to finance the needs for a day of its operation. Believe me, when you are out there being pressured to look for a fresh source of cash, you will most likely end up in the future being absurdly stingy when managing your personal finances.

That is why I rarely show off to people or spend my money for something unecessary. I know how hard it is to be penniless and miserable.

---

Phanks sent an emergency SMS message while I was in class. He told me that he was almost stabbed by a colleague who appears to be jealous of me.

I have my speculations and analysis of the situation... I could even assume a possible reason as to why such pathetic thing happened between them. For a time, my paranoid thoughts harbored some ill feelings towards Phanks and the guy. However, I just reasoned myself that I shouldn't react too harshly since I don't know the exact details as of the moment.

Besides, I would need to consult Papu as to what path to follow. I can sense that he faced the same situation before and I believe that his wisdom could effortlessly get me through.

For now, I would leave my standing army in their barracks.

---

These two great stand-offs could have surely distracted me as I centered my thoughts in the upcoming finals this afternoon. If Phanks was stabbed by his colleague, I would have to decide whether to be on his side or endure a very painful examination, with my thoughts focused on his condition. Fortunately for both of us, God is great. Maybe my prayers for his safety before I went to school saved his life.

I do not know what happened to the sikyu agency. Probably they had eventually resolved their cash problems that is why my mother did not inform me of the progressing situation while I'm at school. Seriously, If I am a person who easily capitulates to such trials, I would have surrendered the exam at the very last minute and let the entire graduate school project hang-on without having a reasonable closure.

But I told myself as I puffed a menthol cigarette downstairs after my first class that I must hold on to my dreams. The masterals, despite its uncertainty remains a cornerstone of my existence. It is my self-proclaimed jihad in life and if trials would simply fuck things up completely, what else could I prove to myself when the bigger troubles arrive.

Self-destruction would have its own time. But now that I'm dying to establish some order in myself, I'd rather face challenges to the death than let these troubles consume me like a helpless lamb.

---

The exams went remarkably well, but it doesn't assure me of any survival. There remains two more essays to submit in the other subject and the finacial status of the sikyu agency remains uncertain. I haven't talked to Phanks yet regarding the incident this afternoon, and I am not planning to confront him either out of inviting a bigger chaos that may be prevented. Therefore, the things that might break me apart remains at the borders of my sanity.

But back there at the church, when I almost certainly feel that a part of me will die. I could almost salute God in front of the altar, and promise a command performance in battle...

So that even in the face of death, I know, I fought well.




* Hail, Father! Those who are about to die salute you.

Memories Of Sleeplessness (Episode One)

Over a year ago, I would find myself lying on bed as my eyes were glued on television watching some funny cartoons in Nickolodeon. It’s past 3 am and in a couple of hours, feedback from the night operations of my dad’s company would be reported to me through SMS. Often, such reports bring dreaded news. Usually, it tells about how much income deficit we would have for the following day, or how much newsprint spoilage occurred during the printing phase during the night. Only in very rare occasions would they tell of good news such as dealers getting more copies of the newspaper, or some agents paying a bigger amount of money for past dues to the company.

The usual news not only brings terror in my heart, but also massive problems in my mind. Because during the rest of the following day, our major challenge would be how to sustain the operations of the company, while constantly telling the workers to continue holding on despite the loosing war obviously happening in our midst. The company was running without capital or emergency funds to support us during days we don’t have much income. There were too many things to think about and in many cases the only viable option for me is to sleep through it all.

If it was possible…

The quiet night was my only respite during those turbulent months. The dark comedies being shown in Invader Zim or Ren and Stimpy Show were my only diversions in a period, where I was suddenly thrown unprepared in a battle where my mind and heart could not simply cope up with the demands of running a dying business.

In just six months, everything was over. One night, doom spelled the entire operations after we have realized that we were too stretched to our limits. The suppliers would not lend us assistance anymore and we can’t find a creditor we could run to borrow extra cash. Two days after, a new leadership rose to face the challenge. He used to be my father’s comrade who took advantage of the situation and presented himself as the ultimate savior of the company. I wasn’t a part of the new management though, for I have already declared my freedom. Eventually I managed to pick up myself to start a new life working for someone else. Another couple of months and the insomnia nights were over.

At the same time, the company, which used to be my dominion during the last months of its existence declared itself bankrupt as well. In less than four years after my father started the enterprise, the whole thing was forgotten completely – in the minds of its former readers, and in the hearts of those who painstakingly tried to keep it afloat, at their own expense.

However, in some very rare nights like tonight, when the silence of my surroundings is the only thing that I could hear, the memories that I tried to forget all these years briefly emerge, perhaps to remind myself that such future may happen again.

Maybe, to enforce upon me that the pain still remain even if everybody – even the creditors who used to hound me for my father’s dues have completely moved on already and resumed their busy lives.

Too bad however, while others have moved on, a part of me still remains, sulking because of such bitter loss.

Uh-Oh

Job Description: Management Staff Executive

Actual Job Field: Personnel Trouble Shooter/Problem Solver/Special Assistant to the Publisher/Vice President

This is how difficult my job is, whenever I work for my dad's company. My decision-making capabilities can change the fate of an employee, or the direction of the business will take. Whenever I talk to young managers like me, who handle their family business, they would always say it's better to be an employee rather than to be an employer with all the powers residing in you.

And we're facing a big inter-department problem right now. Some staff of the editorial department are having trouble dealing with the Finance Manager. It seems like the Finance Manager had some personal vendetta against this department to the point that they had asked me to intervene on their behalf.

I attended their informal meeting this afternoon to personally hear the issues that we will have to discuss at a top-level meeting that I will schedule tomorrow. It seems like this has become a very serious threat to the harmony of the office and whatever outcome we will have from tomorrow's meeting will have a significant effect on how the company system works.

Intrigues always happen in companies - big or small, I may be immune to it but when people start to harbor ill feelings to one another, troubles start to appear.

I just hope I can moderate well the showdown between the managers tomorrow.

... And I think I should buy another of those Chinese Lucky Charms that "sucks" negative energy from people that I found in Chinatown last January.

I gave one of those to the other office and those things really work!

--

I am here in SM Megamall to join my ex-housemates date this evening. It's been eons since I last saw my unica hija, Sealdi. Remembering our housemate days...

Miss ko pa rin yung mga ginagawa namin sa couch kapag wala si James. Heehee.

Inspiration From Kapatid

Just read James' blog a while ago. It seems that he's gonna inspire me once again to reveal myself more in this sanctuary.

After watching Ernie Baron deliver his weather forecast on TV Patrol this evening, I suddenly realized that I'm really old. I remember during my younger days, we would listen to him as he deliver his weather forecast whenever there's a storm coming. Lam mo yun, whenever he gives a forecast about a tropical storm (with those signal number stuffs), it gives a sort of relief knowing that his gentle and accommodating character shines through despite the seriousness of an impending weather disturbance.

---

I went to Phank's home this afternoon after getting my allowance from my dad's office. For the first time, my sister was introduced to the company. At first, my sister was a bit shy to let herself be revealed to everyone, but when I told her that she would become the next boss if ever something happened to me, her reluctance was replaced by a sort of acceptance. Weird though, several weeks ago, I just gave my ATM pin number to my mom and this time, I was telling these stuff to my sister. Is this a sign that I'm gonna be called soon? Hehehe, wag naman. I need to fulfill my objectives in this lifetime first before He calls me.

---

So hayun, Phanks and I met. I went to their place short of wearing a pambahay. We chatted for about 30 minutes then left. Imagine, I went all the way to Valenzuela just to see him. Haay, I don't know if some other guys would do such things as I do.

When I arrived back in Manila, I immediately went to Recto to take a stroll. It was already late afternoon, and the wind was blowing from the sea. Have you ever smelled the salty air coming from the sea? Wala lang, whenever I whiff that kind of air, I suddenly become nostalgic.

Walking along Recto, I went to Arranque to check out the animals being sold there. As usual, there are a lot of lovebirds and pigeons. There are also several breeds of dogs too. But what really fascinates me is that they are selling frogs! My God, they are selling frogs, and frogs really scares the shit out of me! Haha!

I was tempted to buy one, just to face my terror of handling those slimy creatures, but I am a chicken! A chicken who fears frogs!

---

After checking out Arranque, I started walking again until I've reached Ever Gotesco Mall. I bought a game CD, which didn't work on my computer (I wasted 80 bucks for that) and then, I treated myself to a sumptuous meal of Shrimp Burger at Wendy's. Yum!

---

I went home after strolling for an hour in U-Belt, opened the TV, asked our driver to buy me a reload for my internet and here I am, blogging again.

Unfortunately, I missed attending the wake of Raf-raf's grandfather. Sorry bro. I failed you.