Part 1 (Life @30)

i woke up 3am, immediately reached for my phone to check if there are greetings in FB. I found some then went back to sleep. Woke up 6:30 am, check the phone again and went back to sleep again. Woke up 8am and instantly decided to hit the like button and reply for those 20 or so greetings posted in my timeline. Tweeted something like:

Yes, its my day. Im 30 (who cares?!). Im HAPPY. Im SINGLE and Im CONTENTED.

Finished by 8:30am then started to take a bath, choose simple and usual office clothes and headed for work.   Still found myself struggling in MRT just like any ordinary day.I'm still thinking if i want to push myself to think that this is my B-I-G and S-P-E-C-I-A-L day. But to my surprise,and  i swear, no bitterness and self pity feeling for now. which usually happens every year when i did not received any expectations i set for my B-Day. Almost everyone was like excited to give me the usual HAPPY BIRTHDAY greetings when im about to sit on my workstation and this is enough to call it a day. Thank you's and greetings are exchanged then started to poised myself for complete focus. Another day in the office just get started.

3:30pm It's hard to believe that i had HIV, STD and HEPA B tests today on my BeeDay. Hilarious isnt it?! Very timing. We did those effin tests and pay for about Php1500.00 just to have our Medical Certificate signed and stamped.

A month ago, we we're so excited about this onshore opportunity that our Lead broke the news with those chosen ones. Each of us was so furious. After that night of discussion, instantly we booked for passport application. With much of our disappointment, every day onshore assignment plan became a gray. Every day, plans has changed, number of needed resources became less and less. In one month time, excitements became disappointments, issues were arised, escalations were hanging around the corner. Until it was decided that among 7 resources that were intially tapped streamed to only 2. though i belong to those unlucky people, i had to continue processing my visa. We are instructed that we still had to submit all the requirements to get that one 4X3 sticker as a visa.

 8:30pm Lazer tag at Greenhills is already set for this day. Despite of the heavy traffic and late onshore walkthrough, we managed to be there before closing time. 15 minutes nonstop laser firing and running ( though i only stayed at our opponent's base). Then headed home after only to find myself, replying to greetings in FB and doing this part 1 of my Story.

Air21ph...is this your service?

i applied for a passport two weeks ago. I made it rush ‘coz i badly needed it ASAP. At DFA, they advertise this kind of rush delivery whereas you dont have to claim personally your passport but they will deliver it directly at your door step. at Php120, i immediately grab the opportunity for me to save time and effort.

The release of my passport was scheduled yesterday, June 14 and they promise to deliver it a day after, which is today. I was patiently waited for the whole day, expecting to received it coz i have to scanned and send it to the agency. But to my dismay, no delivery was ever made.

i checked their website and with the tracking number, the status flashed was its already on delivery posted at 8am. By 6:30pm, i already called their customer care only to be advised that i have to wait until 8pm. I’ve waited since today is friday and i might as well expecting that it wont be able to deliver it tomorrow because we have no work and office is shutdown during weekend.

by 9:30pm, i was calling again their customer hotline because i wasnt able to connect to their site to check the status of my package. A certain JayC Ambrosio answered my call and told me that it might be delivered tomorrow. According to him, no explanation was provided in their database as why my passport hasn’t been delivered yet. I explained that Its impossible for me to received it tomorrow because it was addressed in our office and no one will received it during weekends. I even told him that i availed their service to expect that it is a hassle-free and it will be delivered on time. He advised me that it might me delivered on Monday which gave me no choice.

My question: Is this really the kind of service i expect from Air21? The site is inaccessible and not reliable. The service is not that promising. The promise date of delivery failed.

They shouldn’t advertise a hassle-free-deliver-at-your-doorstep-passport. Because it was all untrue.

Kudos to Batch 2012

Graduation na naman pala. Batch 2012. 13 years ago nung grumadweyt ako sa High School. Pero ganun pa rin ang height ko... Napaka swerte ng ggradweyt ngayong taon na 'to. For sure, its a relief for their parents. Hindi lang sa ideyang nakatapos na ng High School ang kanilang anak kungdi sa tema ng nakaligtas na sila para sa dagdag na 2 taon sa Highschool. O'db relief un?!. Ano nga ba ang opinyon ko tungkol dun?!. simple lang. walang kwenta kung hindi babaguhin ang kasalukuyang sistema ng edukasyon tungkol sa kakulangan ng klasrum, libro at guro. i mean, whats the point kung ang 2 taon mo eh 2 taong pagtitiis na naman sa mga luma at hiramang libro. 2 taong pagkla-klasrum sa corridor. 2 taong mainit at siksikang silid-aralan. kung ang mga ganitong pangunahing problema ng edukasyon sa pagtuturo eh hindi masusulusyunan, ano pang silbi ng 2 pang taon? tsk. buti nalang tapos na ko. kaya nga parang trophy na pede mong isampal kahit kanino kung makakatapos ka ng High School. Mahirap mag-aral. Lalo na kapag kapos at salat ka sa mga pangangailangan ng isang estudyante. Makaligtas ka man sa araw-araw na baon, pproblemahin mo naman ang palagiang project, pambili at pang ambag ng floorwax, pag-ihi oras oras, at favoritism ng mga titser. Dagdagan mo pa ng first love, at ma-pulitikang klasmeyt mo. Bitter ako, oo. Epic fail kasi ung hindi ako naka-akyat ng stage nung Graduation namin. Sayang, dagdag ganda points pa naman un sa long time crush ko. May mga bulung-bulungang umiral ang maduming pulitika nuong nagkaka-ungusan na para mapabilang sa Top 10. Tsk. Ayaw kong isiping totoo un. Mahirap kaya mag-exam na sampu lang kayo at sa corridor pa. Akala nyo, prestige un?!, hindi noh. Sakit sa bangs nun kasi, Wala kang pedeng kopyahan. Sa kabila nun, marami pa rin namang dapat ikasiya sa High School life. Un nalang muna ang isipin natin. I guess High School life is one of the best thing that ever happen to everyone. Dito nakita at nakilala ang mga tunay mong kaibigan. Dito ka unang na-inlove, na broken hearted. Dito mo nakilala ang sarili mo at kung ano ang gusto mong mangyari sa buhay mo. At higit sa lahat dito nangyari ang pinaka embarassing moment mo. Ako?!, never kong makakalimutan ung naging peyborit ako ng titser ko. Favorite na pagalitan. Si Mia?! na super hindi mo mararamdaman ang presence sa clasroom ay naging hot item sa mata ng naglilihing titser. Badtrip talaga ung moment na un. Kahit wala akong ginagawa, sakin pa rin ang sisi. Now i wonder, kamuka ko kaya ang anak nun?! Swerte naman nya. Kudos to Batch 2012. 'Wag munang mag-aasawa.

Hindi Ba Pedeng Maging Simple Na Lang Ang Buhay

ung tipong, di mo kailangan ng kuryente dahil di mo naman kailangang magpuyat, dahil wala namang dapat pagpuyatan kasi walang kompyuter o cellphone o TV na pedeng pagkaabalahan. . . ung tipong di mo kailangang bumili ng pamporma dahil wala ka namang pupuntahang mall o attendan ng magarang okasyon. Hindi mo kailangang ng Bench, Converse, Gucci o Guess dahil buntal at kamisa de chino lang naman ang kailangan mo sa pagtatanim.ung tipong hindi mo nanaiisin at pag-iipunan ang pambili ng latest gadget dahil wala ka namang kaiinggitang kaibigan o kapit-bahay. Hindi mo rin papangaraping magpakabit ng internet o wifi o cable kasi hindi mo rin namang gugustuhing bumili ng android phones dahil hindi naman uso ang Facebook at Twitter. . . hindi mo din papangaraping makapaglaro ng Temple Run dahil mas masaya kang tumatakbo sa bukid na mas presko ang hangin. Wala din ang ideyang ano ang Plants vs. Zombies dahil mga insekto lang naman ang alam mong peste na pedeng ikasira ng inyong bukid. Hindi mo din alam na sa Farmville, pede mong pagtabihin ang palay sa strawberry. Samahan mo pa ng raspberry at talong. Hindi uso ang dota o warcraft dahil gagamba at salagubang lang, kuntento ka na. Wala din ang angry birds dahil tinuruan ka ng tatay mo na kelan man hindi ginagawang bala ng tirador ang mga ibon at higit sa lahat kahit kelan hindi magiging green ang isang baboy. Tahimik din ang alaga mong si simsimi na ang alam lang gawin ay matulog at kumain. Malayong-malayo sa nauuso ngayong sisiw na walang tuka na sing-taray ni Vice Ganda. . . Hindi sa wala kang pangarap na umunlad. Meron din naman. pero ung tama lang. ung sakto lang.Ung mamuhay ka lang ng tahimik at masaya. . . Ung simple lang.

How's your application, Lola Techie?

I’m writing this while I’m in the peak of annoyance towards BayanTel Inc. Yes, that one with the commercial of Lola Techie. . I wonder how she survived handling her patience about application of her DSL. I wonder how long she suffered to wait for the installation before she gets her enjoyment in playing Angry Birds. I wonder if she indeed suffered from High Blood. . 'Cause I am. And I’m on the edge of my patience right now. Let's see how you will react after you read this review. . It’s March 17, 2012, when I met Michael Gallano, a BayanTel Agent. For 2 weeks, he was bugging my mom to apply for a DSL. My mom told me about the promo because she knows I’d like to have an internet connection. At first, I was like: "No thanks; I’m still contented using my broadband". But when she told that I had to pay only Php1, 000.00 for the installation fee and 999 per month, I started to think. That was cheap yes, because it includes Wifi + Landline. Though it only allot 500kbps speed. I only have a laptop and a cellphone and uses internet during weekends so I don’t need much of higher speed. . I immediately texted that agent, and after 20minutes he came and we met. The usual sales talk happened. I made him assure the strong 500kpbs speed I will receive. I filled-up the form and immediately handed him the Php1, 000.00. In exchanged, he handed me the yellow copy with his signature and the note that I paid him that amount. Php500.00 for the Phone, Php500.00 for the DSL and a promise that installation will only take 3-5 days. . But to my dismay, the installation never happened to promised date. I’ve been waiting for a month and did a series of follow up phone calls. My agent didn’t even bother to contact me again. Two weeks after my application, another agent contacted me named Ginalyn Derbo and she told me that Michael endorsed my application to her. And that agent Michael was just a sub-agent. I tried to contact him, but he never pick up his phone. at one point, he picked it up and pretend to be another person and just told me that Michael would just return my call. He never did. I made my follow-up calls to BayanTel Customer Hotline and did a series of email to their customer email address. Only to receive one feedback: They were not able to locate my house. Is that really possible when in fact, all my neighbors where using Bayantel lines and I already gave my contact number and a map sketch? I should have been receiving a text or call perhaps if they were not able to find my location. . One month and 2 days upon signing my application, I already decided to reach and extend this problem to DOTC, forwarding them any evidences I have when my brother texted me and informed me that the phone installation is now on-going at our house. Buzzer beater! But still, don’t have any dial tone. Engineers cannot give any specific date when can they give us dial tone. Now that the phone is already installed, how about the dial tone and my Wi-Fi? That's another story. . With what happened, I’d like to extend my deepest disappointment with this service provider. The 3-5 days installation advertisement is such a shame. The customer agents were not that reliable and I’m not sure either if they really made reports in my concern. They always give you we-will-forward-your-problem-with-our-concern-group line but they will give you the same feedback when you do follow-ups. If it’s not that I really need an internet and phone connection, and if its PLDT is just available in our place, I wouldn’t wait for this kind of service. We, the consumers and users do not deserve a service like this. We should expect a decent service, reliable customer agents, and a speed and faster installations because after all, we are paying for these services. . I don’t know what will happen and how long will I wait for the dial tone and the Wi-Fi. I know engineering graduates can tell you how easy to have one. But why Bayantel allowed us to wait? Are they expecting "something" to speed up the installation? . Disappointing. Tsk!

You lied about the ring

"Tara na Hon...male-late na tayo."
"Sandali lang Hon. Ung singsing ko, hinahanap ko pa."
"Aling singsing? ung manipis?!"
"Oo e...tinanggal ko kanina nung naligo ako....
teka..eto pala. tara na"

Sa kotse.
"Hon, bakit ba hindi mo maiwan iwan yang singsing mo na yan?" may bahid ng pagtataka ang mga muka nya nung tinanong nya ko. Hindi ko pinahalatang napa-isip din ako. Kinailangan ko pang magpanggap na busy sa pagddrive. Ako man, hindi ko rin alam kung bakit nga ba hindi ko matanggal tanggal ang simpleng singsing na to. It's been years or so na ata itong at home sa mga daliri ko. Palihim kong sinulyapan ang kanang kamay ko. It was there taken cared for almost 6 years, habang nasa kaliwa naman ang wedding ring.

I smiled at her hold her hands sabay sabing:
"Ayan na naman tayo. Napaliwanag ko na yan dba?"
"Oo na. sentimental ka kasing tao" at dinugtungan nya iyon ng matamis na ngiti.

Habang nasa byahe, masaya naming pinag-usapan ang wedding na pupuntahan. The bride and the groom are my friends and former officemates. kinuwentuhan ko sya kung pano kami nagkakilala at nagkalapit. Kung pano tumakbo ang 7 taong pagkakaibigan na kahit hindi masyadong intact ang communication, andun pa rin naman ang friendship. At kung pano naging sila ng dahil sakin. "samin".

ahhh, ikakasal na sila. Parang kelan lang ng parang batang naglalaro lamang ang dalawang un. Ni wala nga sa hinagap na magtatagal sila. Buti pa sila. Sabagay, nauna pa nga pala ako sa kanila. Hindi lamang sa babaeng akala nilang makaka tuluyan ko. Ahhhh Those were days.

Darating kaya sya? Ano na kaya ang itsura nya? Galit pa kaya sya sakin? and i was stuck reminiscing the past. Isang masaya, mapait, masakit at nakaka guilty na nakaraan. I hope she's already okay. Sana masaya sya. Ilang taon na nga ba?...hayssssssss

"Hon, malapit na ba?" isang tanong ang nakapagpabalik ng diwa ko sa kasalukuyan. Nakaka guilty. Eto ako ngayon katabi ang asawa at anak ko. Pero nakaraan ang iniisip ko. Wala akong pinagsisihan sa desisyon ko. Im happy with what i have now. Masaya at simpleng namumuhay malayo sa kabihasnan with my own family. Pero may mga oras na naiisip ko, pano kung hindi ito ang pinili kong buhay. Pano kung naging faithful ako sa kanya? Pano kung hindi ako sumuko at pumili ng iba? Nakaka baliw na tanong. Mga tanong na hanggang ngayon hindi ko pa rin nasasagot at alam kong hindi na rin masasagot kahit kelan.

"Andito na pala tayo. magready ka na."
puno ng kaba ang dibdib ko. Hindi dahil excited akong makita ang kaibigan kong ikakasal kundi dahil sa kung anong maaaring mangyari kapag nakita ko sya dito.

Pumasok ako sa venue na akay ang aking anak at kaakbay ang aking asawa. Lumingon lingon habang papunta sa table na naka reserve para samin hoping to see a familiar face. Hindi pa nagsstart. Medyo late na ata. O hindi lang talaga ako mapalagay. Pinilit kong maging normal habang nakikipag harutan sa aking anak.

wala pa sya. darating ba sya?
Tumugtog na ang wedding song. I saw my friend infront of the altar waiting for his bride. Kinawayan nya ko, at gumanti naman ako ng tango. Nagsimulang lumakad sa aisle ang bride, at nagbato ng isang ngiti sa aming direksyon ng mapadaan sa aming harapan. Si Carry talaga, di pa rin nagbabago.

"Is this seat taken?"

Familiar voice. Dahan-dahan akong lumingon habang hindi ko alam kung sasabog ba ang dibdib ko sa sobrang kaba. Tango ang naisagot ko sa pagkagulat. Is that you?

"Dito daw kasi ako as per seat assignment?" Nakangiti nyang paliwanag.

"ah sure" un lang ang nasabi ko. Tiningnan ko ang asawa ko. Hinanap sa kanyang mukha ang kahit anong reaksyong pede kong makuha.

"Hi Em!, you look the same"
EM?! what? you called me Em? and you look so different. a lot more different 5 years ago.

"haha, ayaw mo nun, di ako tumatanda. how are you, may kasama ka ba?!"

"wala eh, ako lang." ang tamis ng ngiti nyang hindi pa rin nagbabago.

Ang bilis ng pintig ng puso ko. hindi ko na nga marinig ang sarili kong boses. biglang tumigil ang oras. pakiramdam ko, lahat ng camera sa'kin naka focus. Dumako ang tingin nya sa asawa at anak ko. Parang automatic sign na ipakilala ko sila.

"Si Mars...at si Pam"
nakangiti syang naghi. "Hi, Hi Pam"

Hindi ako mapakali. alam kong katabi ko lang sya. at habang seryoso syang nanonood ng seremonyas ng kasal, bumaha ng mga tanong ang utak ko. tanong na gustong gusto kong sabihin sa kanya. palihim ko syang pinagmasdan. Ang laki na ng kanyang pinagbago. Naka braces na sya. Payat pa rin pero may korte ang katawan. red ang nailpolish. may singsing.

ang singsing.

SUOT PA NYA!. hindi ako maaring magkamali. iyon un. tiningnan ko ang kanang daliri ko at madaling sinulyapan ang kanan nyang kamay. Hindi ko alam kung anong pakiramdam ko. Gusto kong umiyak.

sa pagkakataong yon, napansin kong nakatingin ang aking asawa. May bahid na pagtatanong ang kanyang mga mata. Nakakunot ang mga noo. Pero nanatiling tahimik.

Natapos ang kasal ng hindi ko namamalayan. at habang pumapalakpak ang mga bisita, isang bulong ang binitawan ng aking asawa.

"You lied about the ring"