Midnight Blues

It was a midnight shift.

I arrived early. It was an hour before the shift and I am at the base of the PBCom building in Makati. It was a regular scene to see the rest of the employees of the different companies in the building to take their smoke breaks along the facade. I could feel the readiness to take the job save for an issue; I haven't taken my dinner yet. I will be ridiculous to go to work on an empty stomach so I decided to walk to a fastfood nearby and grab something for a quick dinner.

As I turn around and head towards the fastfood, I could feel the cool breeze of the night on my face. The velvety wind wipes my face with a caressing touch. The chill in the air made me shiver and stiffened my walking. I cannot see the wind, but its running motion on my face felt like a mighty hand to take care of all my worries and frustrations. The cold night left me standing in the sidewalks struggling to survive the chill.

Memories came flowing through me as the walk dashes into the night.

Its been months since there was a conflict. And until now, nothing was settled. The conflict continues, and the wounds are getting deeper. Both parties are left shattered. Lives have changed since the war started. One continues to worsen the opponent's being by making the opponent's life a living hell. But then the opponent has to understand. The immaturity that overwhelms the one will never cease to do things to batter the opponent. The one doesn't know that life was never the same for the opponent since the ruckus escalated to the point that it change the path of life the opponent has to take. The opponent can never blame enough the one for all the things done. The opponent will just take the blows and accept the fact that the one may never understand things that the opponent does. The one may do all sorts of things to the opponent, but the latter still stands, unshaken, countinuously understanding. But the one WILL NEVER be the same as of the opponent. The one may be GOOD, but the opponent will always be BETTER. None of the things that the opponent has done will ever equal to what the one has done. The opponent does MORE, will be BETTER and always be GREATER.

Things were never the same; I'm on the job that doesn't go with my degree, I have to get home and never felt the ease of a TRUE home and I'm always left to make the sacrifices for someone who has a frail mind.

Oh, the fastfood's here. Time to eat.

Vote for the New Seven Wonders!!

Ayan, at makikigulo na rin ako sa Seven Wonders of the world craze!!!

Try natin iboto ang mga sumusunod:

Chocolate Hills

Mayon Volcano

Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park


Tubbataha Reef

You are to choose seven nominees, basta kailangan nasa top 4 yang apat na places na yan. Bahala na kayo pumili ng top 5 to 7.

To vote and see the current ranking of our wonders, click on the link below:

LIVERANKING!!!

Let's take pride in sharing the beauty of the Pearl of the Orient!!!
Mabuhay ang angking kagandahan ng Pilipinas!!!

Yakap Ni Spongebob

Paglabas ng opisina, dumudugo ang cellphone ko sa dami ng text. Hindi ko mahawakan ang cp dahil bawal sa loob. Sa locker lang iiwan. Eto at busy-busyhan ang lolo nyo na magbasa ng messages. Hindi na kase mapasukan ng text ang cp. Puno na ang inbox.

'Boone, san ka na? Dito na kami sa resort.'
'Ansaya dito kuya. Sunod ka huh?'
'Andami na namin. Sunod kayo.'

May schedule na outing ang CBIT sa isang resort sa Malabon. Alas otso ng umaga ang meeting time pero alas diyes na, wala pa ako. Kakalabas ko lang ng opisina kase. At hindi halatang magswiswimming ako. Parang mamumundok sa laki ang dala kong bag. Ilang damit, isang twalyang Spongebob na favorite ko, kaunting chichirya para may makukutkot ang barkadings sa cottage.

From Makati, sumakay ako ng bus papuntang LRT. Nagtren naman ako mula Gil Puyat hanggang Monumento. Naglakad ako hanggang sakayan ng jeep na may signboard na Polo. Bumaba ako ng Maysilo Petron. Mula doon ay sinundo ako ni Ceejay at Dennis.

In fairness at in fairview naman, maganda ang resort. Hindi man kalakihan ang pool pero ayos naman ang cottage. Sulit ang bayad. 1.5K lang sa isang malaking cottage. Good for 40+ na tao para sa maghapon at magdamag na ang rate. P300 lang ang contribution ng bawat isa. May bonggang-bonggang lunch at dinner na yon. Panalo diba? Kaso, hindi lang kami ang nasa resort. May mga hampas-lupa, may mga lasenggero, may mga pasosyal, butas naman ang trunks (ahihihi!!), may mga harabas kung lumangoy na akala mo balyena pero kaliliit naman ng mga katawan. At ang pinakamalala, dahil sa dami ng naliligo sa pool, nangangamoy na ang tubig. Sabi ko nga kay Icko,"Ano ba to, nagkakanal na yung tubig!" Yun lang.

Almost 1 pm na nang nakarating ako. Keri nang wala pang tulog since kahapon basta makalangoy at makapagunwind. Minsan lang naman kasi dumarating ang mga ganitong chances so go na.

Pagdating ko pa lang, sarap na sarap na ang mga hinayupak sa kakalangoy. Eto ang ilan sa mga pictures nila. Hala't matawa at matuwa kayo hahaha....

Afternoon Splash!!!

Kinahapunan, nagkaroon ng Videoke Idol, wherein pumili ang mga organizers na mga kakantahin, sampung OPM na panlalake at sampung foreign songs na puro pambirit na pambabae. But there's a catch; lahat ng OPM, nakafalsetto sila, octave higher (kaya kamusta ang Gaya ng Dati... hahahaha) tapos lahat ng pambirit octave lower. Ayun, we have Mothy as the Videoke Idol...

After the Videoke challenge is the main event; the very first Ms. Gay CBIT. Akala namin, walang sasali. Pero wag ka, effort kung effort ang mga candiates, namitas ng mga dahon for props, kumuha ng mga alampay at ginawang gown, may nagsuot ng bra at panty (at in fairness at fairview, wichikels jukat ang hunchback of NOTREdam ni bakla hahaha). May special participation ang lolo Kyle as the makeup artist, yours truly and Lee as the hosts.

Mothy - Ms. Philippines

Iñakie - Ms. USA

Kaito - Ms. Japan

Larryl - Ms. Australia

With the matching background ng Annie's Song, rampadoodledoo ang mga becky sa serenade number, at ang mga audience, walang humpay sa kakatawa.

Eto ang video ng huli nilang rampa.

Rampadoodledoo!!!

At dahil pageant, may matching talent portion pa na talaga namang ineffort talaga isipin at gawin ng mga candidates. May question and answer din na pinadugo ang ilong ng mga becky ahihi. Natapos ang pageant na namigay pa ng mga prizes (as in prizes!) sa mga special awardees; Ms. Creamsilk para kay Larryl na kalbo (with the matching Creamsilk sachets as sash wahahahaha!!!), cash prizes for the runners up and title holder. Btw, Kaito won the title. Eto ang ilang eksena sa pageant.

Winner!!!

Ayan, at natapos din ang maghapong kabaklaan sa resort. Enjoy at sad ako at the same time. Hindi kasi nakarating ang aking asawa dahil pagod. Inaalagaan pa kasi ang mga anak namin eh. Hahaha. Btw, suot ko sa resort ang aking favorite flip-flops shown below.

Plakda!!

Ayan. ilang minuto na lang... tapos na ulit ang shift.
Ilang ikot pa ng orasan, makakauwi na ako.
Umaga na.
Patapos na ang magdamagang trabaho.

Maiinitan na din ang nangangatog kong kalamnan.
Hindi ko na kasi matiis ang lamig ng opis.
Kuntodo jaket pa, kahit na summer pa ngayon.
Ganun talaga, eh malakas ang aircon eh.

Matatapos na rin ang trabaho.
Sa dami ng pinipindot ko sa computer.
Sa dami ng iuupdate na system.
Sa dami ng tawag.
Sa dami ng mga makukulit.
Sa dami ng mga maarte.
Sa dami na mga nagmamakaawa pero wala akong magawa.
Sa dami ng mga nakakairitang kausap.
Sa dami ng mga tatanga-tanga. Banyaga kuno. Che!

Ayan na, ika-sampu at kalahati na ng umaga.
Sa wakas.
Tapos na ang araw.
Pero kailangan pang may ayusin.
Kailangang magligpit.
Mag-ayos ng pinagtrabahuhan.

Aba, lintek, isang oras na pala ang nakalipas ng matapos ang shift.
Kakatapos ko lang ayusin ang aking cubicle.
Makakalabas na rin sa malamig na ofis.

Matagal ang elevator.
Umaga kasi.
Lahat sila papasok pa lang.
Kami paalis na.
Puro puno ang elevator pagbukas.
ANO BA?? PAUWIIIN NA KAMI PWEDE??
Hay salamat, may isang bakanteng elevator.
Sugod ang lahat ng baba.
Ang labas...
Sardinas ang elevator.
Sarsa na lang ang kulang.

Nakababa na rin. Makakalabas na ng gusali.
Anak ng...
Umuulan???
Wala akong dalang payong.
Buti may underpass. Makakatawid ako sa kabilang ibayo.
Sugod na lang sa ulan.
Pauwi naman eh.
Kaya na yan.

Pasakay ako sa bus.
Sosyal ang bus.
Dalawa ang tv.
Pero ndi yun ang pakay ko.
Kailangang kumportable ang upo ko.
Yakap ang bag, umupo ako sa pinakasulok ng bus.
Eto na ang kundoktor.
"Manong, Crossing po, isa lang."
Binigyan na ako ng tiket ni manong.
Malamig sa bus.
Parang opis lang.
Ansarap umidlip.
Inaantok na talaga ako.
Iidlip lang.
Ambigat ng mata ako...

Naalimpungatan ako.
May tumabi pala sa akin.
Mamang mataba.
Tumingin ako sa bintana ng bus.

PUTIK!!!

CUBAO NA TO AH!!!!

My Best Breakfast...

Perhaps this day would just be as bad as the graveyard shifts.

While on the jeep going to work, I could feel the hassles of an early bird. I didn't have my breakfast before leaving home. I could feel the emptiness of my stomach as if blurbs to have something to fill it. Having a day shift (for the first time in three weeks, sigh!) is the most convenient thing that I have now. Waking early in the morning and sleeping at nighttime. Hahahaha. Just like the old days. Schooling days. But then, the habit of missing breakfast (literal breakfast, that is) is a big no no. I could miss my vanity routines, yes, but never the breakfast.

Here I go, struggling for the Mr. Punctual 2008 awardee. I should be at work at least a few hours before the shift. Kamusta naman ang maagang pumasok??

Kabababa ko lang ng jeep. Hindi pa ako nakakababa eh langhap ko na ang simoy ng Libis. Mabangong mabaho. Medyo mausok ang sidewalk na lalakaran ko. Smoggy kase. Kamusta ang polusyon sa paligid.

Eto na, nasa ibaba na ako ng building. Aakyat na ako para makapaglog-in sa biometrics. Pero parang may nakalimutan ako...

Hindi pa nga pala ako nagbreakfast.

Punta ako sa matandang puti ang balbas. Bumili ako ng manok at dinurog na patatas. Wala nang inuming kasama. Marami nun sa pantry. Dun na lang ako kukuha.

Pumasok ako ng gusali. Parang galing sa department store ang eksena. Andaming dala. May bag, may mug, may plastic na may pagkain. Parang nagshopping lang ba.

Ang haba ng pila sa elevator. Keri lang. Wait patiently for the turn.

Bumukas ang elevator. Hanapin ang button na may katabing numerong 21. Doon ang palapag namin. Nangangamoy ang pagkain ko. Pasensya sa mga magugutom. Madamot ako today hahaha.

Bumukas ang elevator. Iniwan kay 'Menung Gurd' ang cellphone at bag. Bawal sa loob eh. Parang department store talaga antaray. May number pa. Baggage counter. Plang!

Pumasok na ako sa pantry. Kitang kita ang kabuuan ng Pasig sa aking kinatatayuan. Kasama na ang bulubundukin ng Rizal. Ang ganda tingnan. Inspiring kumain. Humanap ako ng pwesto sa tabi ng salaming bintana.

Hindi ko alintana ang oras habang kumakain at nakatingin sa malayo. Nakakaaliw ang paligid. Napakarelaxing. Nakatatanggal ng stress. Parang higit pa sa biyaya ng pagkain ang aking natamo ng mga oras na iyon. Ang kagandahan ng tanawin. Ang katiwasayan ng paligid. Ang unti-unting pagsikat ng araw sa silangan. Hay...

BUUUURRRRPPP!!!

Sorry sa malakas na dighay. Ahahaha

I Believe

I have this test taken from a website which offers, well, tests and quizzes that hones your personality and being. Being a visionary and advocate of change, diversity and intercultural respect, I took the 'How can I change the world?' quiz. Here is the result.

How Can You Change the World?

My Result: Future Generations

Children are our future, and it's in our best interests to give them the tools they need to help make the world a better place. With your drive and smarts, you're sure to be a positive influence in their lives.

Whether you're tutoring neighborhood kids, coaching a soccer team, or just serving as a good role model, you know it's important to pave the way for our future generations and offer them the support and encouragement they need to follow their dreams. One thing's clear — the future looks bright, and it's because of motivated people like you. Way to go!

What are you?
http://web.tickle.com/jumpto?test=changetheworldogt&c=50652

Years ago, I took a few tests and here are the results:

What's Your Destiny?

My Result: Provider

Providers are nurturing and are concerned for the welfare of others. They can recognize exactly what people need and their friendly, helpful, social nature makes them feel comforted. They have kind and generous hearts and are personable, talkative, and outward with their emotions. Their openness and sensitivity make them concerned about the way others see them. They have the capacity for profound care and sympathy for others.

What are you?
http://web.tickle.com/jumpto?test=destinyogt&c=50652

The Enneagram Test

My Result: Type 8 - The Leader

This means that compared to the eight other Enneagram types, you have a strong sense of willpower and self-confidence. In fact, you're the kind of resourceful, decisive person who is often committed to making things happen.

What are you?
http://web.tickle.com/jumpto?test=enneagramogt&c=50652

The Ultimate Personality Test

My Result: Skydiver

That means you're open minded, extroverted, free-spirited, and independent. Chances are you're pretty liberal. You're like a magnet for love and affection. People adore you. And, thanks to that healthy dose of self-confidence, you're super-flexible.

How do we know all this? How do we know you're a great leader at work? Or that you're a self-starter and will always volunteer to take on a job? How could we have divined that you're an excellent communicator and tend to spread your enthusiasm to others?

Because while you were taking the test, you answered four different types of questions — questions that measured confidence, apprehension, willingness to take risks, and your focus on experience versus appearance — the primary traits that determine your personality. Based on your responses, we determined your personality type, Skydiver.

And that's just scratching the surface.

What are you?
http://web.tickle.com/jumpto?test=personality&c=50652

The Super IQ Test

My Result: Visual Linguist

People who are Visual Linguists are highly intelligent and have many diverse talents. They have especially strong linguistic talents and are very good at interpreting visual information. They've got their feet on the ground, but their minds are capable of very complex, abstract thought. Compared to others, they are easily able to see situations from many different angles. They also understand how things work in a very practical way.

What are you?
http://web.tickle.com/jumpto?test=superiqogt&c=50652

How Bright Is Your Aura?

My Result: Orange

People who have Orange as the brightest color of their aura are good at tuning in to the feelings of others and treating them with sensitivity, and they expect others to reciprocate. Their trust in their emotional inner guide may draw them to work that is more deeply fulfilling, as opposed to work that just provides a paycheck.

In their love lives, they're emotionally expressive. They may show their affection most often by sharing how they feel and asking their partners to do the same. They have an above-average ability to identify and express their feelings, particularly to romantic partners.

Their advanced ability to express feelings prevents energy from getting stuck in this layer of their aura, which can help them avoid a variety of emotional and physical ailments.

What are you?
http://web.tickle.com/jumpto?test=auraogt&c=50652

Touching Naman!

On an afternoon break, nilapitan ako ng isa sa mga co-trainees ko. Naglalakad ako sa likod ng PBCom tower ng may humawak sa balikat ko.

"Boone, alam mo, bilib ako sa iyo."

"Oy, ikaw pala yan." Napalingon ako sa kanya. "O bakit naman?"

Marahil nagtataka ka nagtatagalog kami. Haller! Labas to ng office no.

"Ikaw kasi yung type ng tao na may sense."

"Ganun? Ndi naman siguro." Pahumble efek amputah.

"Oo, ganun ka nga, tapos malakas ka rin magpatawa."

"Ganun? Hindi ba nakakainis na sa iba na masyado tayong masahayin?"

"Hindi no. Nabubuhay nga ang klase eh. Kung wala ka nga siguro, amboring ng training namin."

Awwwwww.....

"Napapatawa mo kaming lahat. Tapos may sense ka rin kapag seryoso ang usapan. Yan ang maganda sa iyo. May sense. Tapos may humor din. Alam mo yun..."

Tigil kami ng usapan. Mukhang nag-iisip ng sunod na term na sasabihin.

"...meron kang SENSE OF HUMOR!!!"

Feeling Inspired...

Before a shattering announcement that we won't be continuing for the next level of training, we have this activity wherein the trainer calls an employee number and the owner of the number are asked to stand in front of the class and pick a piece of paper from a plastic cup. The piece of papers have questions in it. Read the question aloud and try (as in try lang 'ne) to answer (Mga Bakla, akala ko ba pageant to? Eh quiz bee to eh ahihihihi.)

Maloloka ka naman talaga sa mga tanong.

"How would you like the world to remember you?" (Emotelya ituh!)
"What is your idea of slurging?" (Dugo ilong ko dyan pwamis. Ndi ko alam meaning eh hahahahaha)
"If you will be given an one-year supply of a food, what would it be?" (Ndi ko alam sagutin yan patay tayo dyan.)
"Do you consider yourself as an honest person?" (Gumaganon talaga amputah hahahaha!)
"If you are single, why should someone marry you? If you are married or committed, why do you think that person chose you?" (Oh, taray sa tanong!)
"What is the weirdest thing you've eaten?" (Lesbian friend ko ang tinanong. Wala pa syang sagot hagalpak na kami lahat ng tawa. Kepyas daw. Pero lalo kaming tumawa sa sagot nya. "Mahilig ako sa saging na may gatas!")

Eto na ang moment ng lolo nyo. Tinawag ang numerong "two two seven six four!!"
"That would be me." Tumayo ako at pumunta sa harap.
"Go Boone!!" Cheer and buong class. Star lang ang eksena ahehehehe.
"Pick a question here." Inabot ng trainor ang plastic cup at dumukot ako ng papel.
"Here it goes."
Binasa ng tahimik ang tanong. Sumimangot
"I hate this question!"
"Hahahaha. Say the question!" nangungulit ang mga classmates ko.
I cleared my throat and started reading.
"If I could be a person other than myself, I would be dot dot dot."
Buntong-hininga ulit. Prepare lang sa answer. Isang hinga ulit.
"Sadly, I wouldn't want to be anyone else. First, I am a creation of God, and I'm unique.."
"Panalo ka bakla!!!!!!!!!" Sigawan ang mga puta. Keber na sa English Only Zone sign sa harap. With the matching palakpakan. Imbyerna...
"...secondly, I would know the people who made person I am today if I'm not myself..."
"Bakla, hindi Miss Universe to! Klase lang 'te, klase... hahahaha." Parang parlor ang training room.
"...lastly, the world will never be the same without me. I thank you. With a schwa and a twang."
"Korona, bakla, sa iyo na ang korona! Hahahahaha." Palakpakan ulit. Kaloka. Kakatawa.

Pero in fairness, ganun naman talaga no. Kung ibang tao ako, sino ang magiging Editor-in-Chief ng Aeroscope nung 2003-2004 sa PATTS? Sino ang magiging first Chieftain ng PULSE? Sino ang magiging alibughang anak ni Pidot? At higit sa lahat, sino ang magiging butihing maybahay (Ano daaaawwww???) ni Juan???

Huwag na kumontra. At wag na magmaganda. Hindi ka perpekto. Period

Firsts

Last March 10, 2008, I had a chance to be at the Manila Cathedral to sing for a relic presentation. First time na makapunta ako sa Manila Cathedral at makita ang loob nito. A lot has been said regarding the cathedral; kesyo naghihiwalay ang mga mag-asawa na kinakasal doon and everything. But nevertheless, the sanctity of the place is genuine. Seated at the heart of Intramuros, the Manila Cathedral stands as a pillar of faith of most Filipinos. Being the seat of the Manila Archdiocese, its not unusual to find the place holy though old-fashioned. The structure is age-old, but still sturdy; fortified.

What the heart is meant and loves to do. It's my first time to sing with my new choir, The Singing Christians. I was invited for this special occasion. Since I have no previous appointments, I joined them. And indeed, it was a heavenly experience. Unlike the previous choirs that I am with, TSC has survived 28 years. The bonding between the members and the harmony of the voices is distinctly resonant. We have this certain piece, "I Give You Praise" sung at the recessional where both the arrangement and the message captured my soul and rekindled my singing prowess. Added with the majesctic bamboo organ accompaniment by Sir AJ (and he's really good, with the pedals and the keys and the buttons of the bamboo organ at his command!!!), singing at the Manila Cathedral is an ever-memorable experience.

The relic of a saint. Though I'm not as religious as the others, but seeing a box bearing a part of a beatified person would be a great experience. On this same day, I was able to see the crate that carries a part to St. Therese of the Child Jesus' skull. The line that leads to the relic is too long that it took 15 minutes before we can touch the glass that covers the crate. Most Christians regard that crate as something so powerful that anything they wish is bound to come true. But I would conclude its not the power of the relic that sets their wishes into reality; its their faith.

Weirdest of the weird. I was able to have a peek of the taping of my favorite Mexican-turned telenovela Marimar. While at the car, we passed by San Agustin church where Marimar's last episode was taped. I saw the really gorgeous and petite Marian Rivera and the hunkylicious Dingdong Dantes while taping the wedding scene of the most celebrated primetime show. I was at first starstruck, due to the reason that the two of them are crushes of mine. (Alam na!) But then I realized that I cannot get off the car to take their autographs, so I just have to feast on a few moments seeing them. And sadly, I can't scream inside the car (MARRRRIIIIIAAAAAANNNNN!!!! DDDDDIIIIINNNNGGGGGDDDDDOOOOOONNNNNGGGGG!!!!! EEEEEKKKKKKKKKK!!!!!!)And the saddest part is that I wasn't able to watch the last 5 episodes of Marimar. Sigh...
First time to blog at the office!! Since the computer at home isn't working, I have to create my entries here at the office. Right now, I'm writing this entry while looking at the outskrits of the skyscrapers of Makati. So emotional for a scene. Kayo na bahalang umalam kung saan sa Makati ahihihi..

Whoa!!

The date!

February 29, 2008

It's not everyday, I mean every year that this date comes. We'll have to wait for another four years till this date comes our way again.

May nagawa ka na bang kakaiba? Something that is worth remembering this date??

Ako, its my first time to see a big rally in action and in actual. I happen to be at Ayala Avenue earlier this afternoon. The Interfaith Rally (nice name huh?!) has closed the streets of Ayala and Paseo de Roxas. I had a chance to see a few prominent faces like Randy David and Jun Lozada (Pero at a distance lang. Camera shy ako, baka madiscover ng GMA. Ahihihihi). Swarms of activists, students, professionals and personalities flocked to voice out again (and I mean AGAIN) for the President to step down, in the heat of the anomalies and allegations. Another display of People Power versus the alleged corrupt government. We'll see that another page turns to our history books. Ang Pinoy talaga. Ayos sa timing. February 29 nagrally para historic. Hmm...

Ikaw, what made this four-year date a remembrance?! Hindi pa huli. Gumawa ka na ng something something hehehe...