300

photo credit: maxtango.com


I can't believe it.

Umabot na pala ako sa 300th post ko at hindi ko man lang namamalayan. Actually, the 300th post was Tie a Yellow Ribbon for Tita Cory.

Ang bilis ng panahon noh. Parang kailan lang ay nasa 100th pa ako, tapos naging 200th, at ngayon ay more than 300 posts na pala ako.

Well, it only shows na marami-rami na rin pala ang naikwento at naibahagi ko sa inyo mga dear readers.

You know, the drama, the ka-etchosan, the stories na mababaw at meron din naman yung medyo may sense.

I hope to share with you more stories and more experiences in the days to come. For now, enjoy muna natin ang moment.


I still have a long way to go.



Malayo pa ang lalakarin ko sa bukid noh!

Hahaha!
Cheers!

Pinnocchio

So what can you say about the president’s State Of the Nation Address yesterday?

Or should I say, the State Of the Nation Address Etchos Edition by Pres. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.


photo credit: ellentordesillas.com


Kalokah noh?

Matutuwa kaya si Barack Obama sa ginawa niya? Wish ko lang ay i-cancel ni Tito Barack ang pakikipag-meeting niya with Ate Glow later this week. Tingnan ko lang kung hindi puputok ang implants niya sa kahihiyan. Hahaha!

Juice ko, katakot-takot na kasinungalingan pala ang SONA niya kahapon. And this is according to some points stated by the ever-lovely and best-dressed Senator Pia Cayetano on her twitter. Like the one with EPIRA and Cheaper Medicines Bill.

Anyway, I was so expecting that PGMA will lie talaga. Ni hindi nga niya binigyan ng pansin ang corruption kasi nga siya din naman ang matatamaan nito. I so agree with Sen. Cayetano's statement. What Gloria did was giving us statistics again. At first, it may seem attractive kasi you’ll see improvements sa graphics na pinakita niya. I applaud her team for that, very convincing ang ginawa niyo te. Parang totoo talaga na may improvement noh?

Her side comments against her critics particularly with Sen. Mar Roxas and former president Joseph Estrada is not something to be proud of. Yes, it drew applause from her ass-kissing audience but that is so lame. It only showed how much of a bitch our president is. Ayan tuloy, pinatulan ka ni Mar. He responded on his twitter. Buti nga sa iyo. Magsabunutan na nga lang kayo, pareho naman kayong manggagamit at etchosera. Wala kayong pinagkaiba. Nanggaling lang kayo sa isang hulmahan ng mga trapo.

Last year’s SONA featured a little boy from Antique who was promised to be given support as victims of typhoon Frank. May nangyari ba sa sitwasyon ng bata? Unfortunately wala. Walang natanggap na anumang tulong ang bata from the government. Another pangako na napako. Diyan talaga magaling si Ate Glow, ang mangako pero napapako. Ipapako niya kaya yung sarili niya? Hahaha!

On her statement that she’ll end her term as president next year, well ginawa na niya yan dati so don’t expect that she’ll keep her words. Bitin nga di ba? She should’ve said she’ll no longer run for president or will not push for that con-ass and matutuloy ang presidential elections next year. Dapat black and white yung statement niya about this. Binitin pa ng pandak so let’s keep our eyes wide open about this issue. She will do anything to remain in power. Anything.

As much as I want to make a positive note on the president’s SONA, I just can’t. I would be totally lying if I would say that I am satisfied about what our country’s current state. It’s so not true kasi. Those statistics and figures that she showed us could not be felt by the common tao. I could not feel it. Most of us are still underpaid. More people are still hungry. Majority are still living in poverty.
I asked one of our employees to take a break to watch the SONA with me. Her reply was very simple.

“Unsaon man ko nang SONA nga puros botbot ra man gihapon ang isulti ni Gloria. Kung tinuod pa na Mel, din a unta ko maglisud ug pangita ug pamugas bisan karon lang adlawa.”

Translation: Aanhin ko naman yang SONA eh puro kasinungalingan naman ang lahat ng sasabihin ni Gloria. Kung totoo man yan Mel, sana hindi na ako nahihirapan na maghanap ng kakainin naming kahit ngayong araw lang.


I did not respond to her statement. Totoo naman ang sinabi niya eh.

Forget Me Not

I forget a lot of things.


forget-me-not flower


If my head is not attached to my body, malamang nakalimutan ko na rin yun kung saan ko man inilagay.

I don’t know why I’m so forgetful. Hindi naman ako operada. Sabi ni mother, malamang dahil daw yun sa nung bata pa ako ay sangkaterbang gamot ang itinurok sa akin nung maospital ako. Pati yung time na nakagat ako ng asong ulol, everyday kaming dumadaan sa hospital to get a shot of the anti-rabies vaccine. And that was for fourteen shots in fourteen straight days. Kung bakit ganoon kadami ang shots, ay nakalimutan ko na rin. Hahaha!

Some also consider coffee or caffeine to be the reason behind forgetfulness. Ewan ko kung trulili at may scientific explanation behind this claim. Malamang totoo. Kasi sa isang araw ay hindi bumababa sa tatlong baso ng kape ang iniinom ko. Kung walang kape, patayin niyo na lang ako. I can’t live without coffee. You know, it’s the ‘air that I breathe’. Charing!

In fairness, may mga bagay din naman that I remember quickly and I can always recall at a snap of a finger. Like my cellphone numbers. Pati nga yung mga lumang numbers ko ay naaalala ko pa rin. Pati numbers ng crushes ko ay alam ko. Lahat ng aking credit card numbers ay memorised ko rin. Mahirap imemorise yun ha, 16 digits kaya ang isa nun. It’s a gift to memorise numerous credit card numbers. I should know, mahilig kasi akong umutang noh! Hahaha!

Pati birthdays ng lahat ng miyembro ng aking pamilya ay memoryado ko rin. Si Daddy October 20th, si Mother November 2nd. Si Manang December 27th. Si Ate August 20th. Si brother December 9th. Si Yanee May 16th. Si Pacey December 3rd. Teka, kelan ulet ang birthday ni Zoe? Ay! Noong July 22nd pala! OMG, I forgot. Hahaha! Belated Happy Birthday na lang to my niece Zoe. Pasensya na at makakalimutin ang tita. I’ll buy you a gift this weekend. Hihi.

Pero honestly ha, hindi ko matandaan ang birthday ng dalawang closest friendship ko na si Edz and Unique. Ang alam ko either November 24th , 25th or 27th . Basta, ichecheck ko na lang sa Facebook nila kapag malapit na ang ganoong dates para ma-igreet ko sila on the exact date. Hahaha!

Everytime I travel, madalas ko rin makalimutan ang aking toiletries. Kaya as a remedy ang bags na madalas kong gamit sa biyahe ay may kanya-kanya nang toiletry bag with complete toiletries para hindi na ako maghahalungkat sa whichever bag at ilipat ito sa bag na aking gagamitin. Sa dalas ko kasing makalimot ay naka-accumulate na yata ako ng apat na sets of toiletries. Hahaha!

Minsan naman ay nakakalimutan ko na rin ang kumain. Sa sobrang busy siguro sa work ay hindi na ako nakakaramdam ng gutom. Lalo na kung Saturdays, I think I only eat once at sa gabi na sa sobrang busy the whole day.

Noong nag-aaral pa ako, hate na hate ko yung professors na mahilig magbigay ng enumeration type of examination. Isinusumpa ko sila. Mabuti na lang at magaling akong gumawa ng kodigo kaya laban pa rin. In fairness, once lang ako nahuli ng professor na nangongodigo sa aming Research. Nilamukos ang aking testpaper. Ayun, ang aking grado, Coke Zero. Hahaha!

Maraming paraan upang labanan ang pagiging malimutin. Ang ginagawa ko na lang ay palagi akong may dalang notepad at ballpen para maisulat ko dito ang anumang reminder na importanteng hindi makalimutan. Effective din ang Organiser ng cellphone. Kung walang notepad at ballpen, puwede rin dito mo na lang itype. Just make sure to check on it oftentimes or gawin mong alarm ang naturang reminder.

Remember, don’t rely on a friend to remind you of something, chances are kagaya mo rin silang makakalimutin. Hahaha!



There are things in life that you want to forget but can't seem to lose them from your memory. Yet there also those that you would always want to remain in your memory but oftentimes you forget about them.

So unfair.


Ano pa ba?

Hmmmm…

Nakalimutan ko na ang isusulat ko.

Mamaya na lang, ihahabol ko kapag naalala ko na.

Okay? Go!

Touch A Blogger: Tie A Yellow Ribbon For Cory Aquino

Ate Reynz started this and I want to be a part of it. We owe a lot of things to former President Cory Aquino. She has served our country the best she can do in her term. She has done a lot of other things even though she is no longer our president. She continues to inspire us to fight for our country and protect it from evil.

This time, Tita Cory needs our help.

This is just our little way of supporting her.

Sana gumaling na siya.

Let us pray for her fast recovery.



So, what is this all about, well just follow the simple instructions below. Remember, hindi ito pilitan.

1. Create an entry entitled: “Touch a blogger: Tie a yellow ribbon for Cory Aquino!“. A link to this original entry will be appreciated, but is not required.

2. Post a yellow ribbon in your blog for President Cory Aquino. Whatever form of yellow ribbon that your creative imagination can come up with.

3. Invite other bloggers to tie a yellow ribbon for Cory.





GO NA!

Bonus

The main reason why I went to Cebu last Sunday was to visit the Basilica of the Sto. Nino of Cebu and to thank Him ‘personally’.

I was also supposed to meet my friend Unique somewhere in Ayala Center para sabay na kaming pumunta kay Sto. Nino. I have been to Cebu many times but I never got to see the Holy Infant up close. Tamad kasi akong pumila kasi palaging marami ang nakapila to see Him.

I arrived 7:05 AM, 25 minutes ahead of the scheduled arrival. I waited for my friend Unique in Starbucks and after three tall glasses of caramel macchiato ay dumating na rin ang bruha galing Bohol. We hailed a cab and went straight to the basilica. Ayun, pumila kami and after queueing for 45 minutes ay nakaharap ko na rin for the first
time ang very miraculous Sto. Nino of Cebu. I prayed and thanked Him for being there when I needed Him. I also prayed for all my loved ones and friends, oo kasali ka dun sa prayer ko. Hihi.

Nag picture taking din kaming dalawa using Unique's digicam kaya wala akong kopya ng mga litrato. To follow na lang daw. Hahaha!

Anyway, here’s some photos from my ever reliable primitive phone taken at The Terraces, also in Ayala Center Cebu.


mel and unique



oh di ba ang ganda.... ng fountain. charing!


Siyempre hindi puwedeng mawala ang aking signature pose.

caroline trentini, isdatchu? lol


Anyway, we ate lunch at Friday’s, also at The Terraces and did a little window shopping. Walang pera eh. Hahaha!


unique at friday's


After lunch at napagod sa kaka-windowshop we decided to go to SM North Wing to buy brownies for pasalubong for our pamangkins. Doon na rin kami rumampa at pumatay ng oras by more window shopping. Nakakapagod pala ang mag-shopping ng walang pera. Hahaha!

Anyway, my flight back home was 6:40PM and Unique’s was 7:00PM kaya hindi na kami puwedeng tumagal ng beyond 5PM. Time pressure ito.

We were walking along the stalls inside SM when all of a sudden a guy in black shirt and khaki pants with an apron along his waist blocked our way. A barista in one of the coffee shops nearby. He was grinning at me.

Namutla ako.

It was him.

You know, ang dahilan ng aking drama lately.

You see, I thought I was never gonna see him.
I know he WAS in Cebu but I thought umuwi na siya sa Leyte.
That was our last topic. He never kept in touch after that.

Sumuko na nga ako ‘di ba?

Pero why is he here?
And why is he smiling?

Akala ko ba sa mga pelikula lang nangyayari ang mga ganitong eksena. Charing!
This is so not part of the plan.

Ang bait talaga ni Sto. Nino at binigyan niya ako ng bonus for being a good girl!

Speechless ako kaya pinaupo niya kami ni Unique doon sa coffeeshop.

We talked, yes. He really did went home in Leyte but came back to Cebu just last week when he got accepted at his current job. I won’t share the details of what really happened the day we lost contact but he explained why he was gone and everything that goes with it, kasali na ang drama at ang 'pagtatapon ng cellphone'. Hahaha! He said sorry and I apologised too for ‘saying bad things’.

During his break, we ate dinner at Spice Fusion and Unique took this photo.


ang ganda ko talaga. hahaha!


So to end this post, yes I went home with not just a smiling face but also with a smiling heart.

We’re friends again.

High Surprise

Something came in the mail today.





Hmmmm....
I wonder what’s inside.






Drum roll please.

.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.


Tadaaaaaaa!







I love it!!!





OMG, perfect fit.







Salamat sa nagpadala.
You know who you are.





Hahaha!

Round Ass Kick

photo credit. livingtv.co.uk


Did you notice I haven’t been writing stuff about politics lately?

Well, sa totoo lang ‘day, hindi na ako masyadong nanonood ng both local and foreign news lately. Kung nakatutok naman ako sa CNN ay tuwing Anderson Cooper 360 lang for obvious reasons. Si Anderson lang ang focus ko at hindi ang balita. Charing! Hindi na rin ako nakakapagbasa ng daily broadsheet. Mahal na kasi ang Inquirer. Hahaha! Hindi ko na nga alam kung ano ang kinahinatnan nung Smartmatic-TIM issue sa upcoming elections. Mabuti na lang at nagbabasa ako sa Barrio Siete at sa blog ng mga writers nito kaya medyo may update pa rin ako sa mundo ng pulitika.


Anyway, gustuhin ko man ay medyo disappointed na ako sa nangyayari sa ating bansa.

Halimbawa, yung issue ng amnesty sa mga Abu Sayyaf, heller?!

Ang Cheaper Medicines bill ni Lolo Mar Roxas mukhang sa kangkungan na rin yata pupulutin.

Teka, nasaan na ba si Cesar Mancao, buhay pa ba siya? Wala na kasi akong narinig na chika mula sa kanya. Akala ko ba may pasasabugin siyang revelations.


Ganito na talaga yata sa ating mahal na Pilipinas noh. Kung ano ang mainit na balita yun ang pinapatulan, kung malamig na ay mas matindi pa sa kaning lamig or bahaw ang kahihinatnan nito.

Maliban na lang siguro kung ang chika ay medyo showbiz, ayun nagkakandarapa tayo sa pag-update. Kahit panis na ito ay pilit pa ring nire-revive. Case in point: Hayden-Katrina issue.

Juice ko, puwede na ba tayo mag move on? Kung si Maricar Reyes nga eh nakapag-move on na, may sarili nang afternoon weekend teleserye, lumabas pa sa May Bukas Pa and Bud Brothers. Tigilan na natin ang isyung ito. Lalong dumadami ang wrinkles ng aking Lola Vicki. Hahaha!

Teka sandali. Akala ko ba eh hindi na abogado ni Lola Vicki si Papa Adel Tamano, eh bakit nakikita ko pa rin siya na ine-escortan ang lola ko nung huling hearing ng video scandal ek-ek?

Ano vah Papa Adel, layuan mo na ang cosmetic living legend! She’s full of negative aura and bad publicity, nadadamay ang iyong political career. Nahahawa ka na sa kanyang negativity na parang A-H1N1 virus.

Eto pa, napanood ko lang kanina habang commercial break ng Boys Over Flowers. Have you seen that latest political tv ad of Mar Roxas? Juice ko, mas worst pa doon sa Padyak chuchu. Dinamay pa ang mga taga looban sa drama ng presidentiable na ito. Bad acting much? Ang plastic! Para siyang hostess sa isang Tupperware party. Mas lalo ko siyang hindi iboboto at ikakampanya na huwag iboto. Hahaha!

Itong mga presidentiable na may mga tv ad na sobrang OA, juice ko, huwag niyong iboto.

At least si Senator Enrile ay may bonggang ginawa, pinahabaan ang buhay ng prepaid load ko sa cellphone. Eh kasi naman, prepaid din siya. Hahaha!

Pati yung House Speaker, aba may political ad na rin! At the expense of taxpayer’s money ha! Nagpapabango yata ang mga animal dahil sobrang nawalan ng amor ang mga people dahil dun sa ginawa nilang pag-approve sa Con-Ass. Kapag nakita niyo ang tv ad na ito, pansinin niyo si Speaker Nograles, mukhang ASS talaga ang fez niya. Hahaha!

Okay, yan na muna ang ipopost ko. Naalala ko kasi ang fez ni Speaker, biglang sumakit ang tiyan ko. I need to go to the bathroom.




P.S. You're probably wondering why I posted Jesse Metcalfe's photo, well actually wala naman talaga siyang relevance sa post na ito. Gusto ko lang may nakikita kayong guwapo habang binabasa ang mga panlalait ko. Hahaha!

Hear No Evil

My friend Edz and I have so much in common.



We both like latte.

We are both beautiful. That’s a fact. Charing.

Pareho kaming sexy kahit na plus-sized. Yung katawan niya parang balyena, yung sa akin naman parang sa dugong.

Parehong ‘distorted’ ang aming mga paa sa dancefloor. Sa kanya puro right, sa akin naman puro left.

We both love Japanese food. Actually, lahat ng food love namin, kaya nga 'sexy' kami pareho.

We both have this fantasy of making out with a man in uniform, e.g. policeman or sundalo. Or puwede na rin ang sikyu. Hahaha!

Love namin pareho si Regine and Mariah.

Kung kumakanta kami ng “When You Believe” sa videoke, siya si Mariah at ako naman si Whitney.

When I was checked by an ENT doctor last Monday regarding my left ear, my fear was finally realised. It can’t function like it used to be. Sumabog daw kasi ang eardrum nito kaya it was bleeding during the time of the ambush. Hindi kinaya ng powers nito ang putukan.

Oh well. That means I’m partially deaf na talaga. If you and I are gonna talk dapat nasa right side kita so that I could hear your words clearly. Kung nasa kaliwang side naman kita, maririnig ko pa rin ang sinasabi mo pero parang natatakpan ng mga kamay mo ang bunganga mo sa pandinig ko.

Anyway, back to Edz. He confessed to us that he also is partially deaf din pala. In his case, it’s his right ear.

I am surprised actually that he has kept this secret from us all these years. Kaya pala kung minsan tinatawag namin siya ay dedma lang ang bruha. Yun pala ay hindi niya kami naririnig ng maayos. Hahaha!

On the bright side, puwede na kaming mag share ng ipod. Sa kanya ang right earplug, sa akin naman ang left. Hindi na kami mag—aaway. ‘Di ba bongga?

Yes, tanggap ko na ang aking bagong kapansanan. Hindi ko na ito iniyakan.

There’s no use crying over spilled milk. Magtitimpla na lang ako ng kape. Siyempre yung latte.

Plan C

The last time I went to Cebu was last year pa during my birthday. Cebu is one of my most favourite places that I’ve been to so far. If I have to live elsewhere in the Philippines, it would be my first choice.



Good food, good shopping, good ambiance, good-looking men. Yan ang Cebu. Better than home? Maybe. Charing!

I was talking to my close friend Unique (who’s in Bohol) last night and the topic about Cebu was opened. How we miss the place, the good memories we have during our last stay there, particularly in Plantation Bay. The restaurants we frequented. The friends we met. I got excited.

So ayun, I opened my laptop, went to cebupacificair.com and booked myself a flight to Cebu for the weekend. Hahaha!

Mabuti na lang at na-avail ko pa ang promo rates. You know, sa tulad kong kakarampot lang ang sweldo, luxury na ang travelling by plane noh.

I plan to visit and pay respect to our beloved Sto. Nino first to thank Him.
Tapos lakwatsa, do a little shopping maybe. I need to buy a new pair of high heels. Eat at a nice place, go to Taboan and buy danggit.

I’ll be there the whole Sunday lang po. Uwi din ako sa bukid kinagabihan.

I’ll keep you posted. Promise.

Hmmm…. I wonder what I’m gonna wear.

My Brother Is Not A Pig

How do you forgive someone who called you a ‘pig’?

Never.



First of all, I live in a decent home. Hindi sa pigpen.

I was born a human by human parents. My siblings are also humans. Hindi kami sabay-sabay na pinanganak tulad ng mga baboy.

I am well-educated. I have a college degree with two majors. Samantalang ang baboy walang educational attainment.

I have a decent job. There are at least 50 people under my supervision. Mga tao silang lahat. None of them behave like pigs.

I eat at least three times a day. I use plate, spoon, fork and other necessary utensils when eating. Sometimes nagkakamay din ako especially when the ulam is barbecue or seafood like alimango. I always wash my hands before and after meals. Hindi yan nagagawa ng mga baboy.

I sleep in a queen size bed with 7 pillows. Pigs sleep with no pillows.

I take a bath regularly. At least twice daily. Pigs take a bath too but they like mud. I don’t.

I flush the toilet after using it. Ang mga baboy they leave their waste kung saan-saan lang.

I can communicate clearly through speaking. I can speak Cebuano and Ilonggo fluently. I can speak Tagalog without revealing my Bisaya accent. I can speak English, sometimes with a British accent. Pigs, they just oink and oink.

People can be mean sometimes.

To you,

Calling me a pig because I’m fat won’t make you a better person.
It hurts, but you know what, it won’t make me less of a human.

At least now I know the size of your brain is relative to the size of your values.


Makakain na nga, gutom na ako.
At least sa bahay namin puno ng pagkain ang ref. Eh ikaw, may kinakain ka pa ba? Nagpapalibre ka na nga ng dinner sa isang bakla.

Pathetic.

Proof

Just want to show you that I am okay, back to normal, alive and kicking.




See?




Notice the scars in my right arm.




Yun lang po. Hahaha!

Eyes Wide Shut

It was a busy day.

Filing a case is not an easy task pala.

So many requirements to submit, so many processes involved, so many paperworks, so many documents to be signed, parang kakandidato na rin ako sa susunod na eleksiyon.

Very draining ang buong araw.

I’m glad that the provincial prosecutor escalated our case from a simple robbery to three counts of attempted murder. One of the suspects is now detained at the provincial jail.

Yes.

I saw him, we were face to face infront of the fiscal.
He confessed that after they get the money they were gonna kill us pala eventually.
Gusto ko siyang hampasin ng tubo. Nanginginig ako deep within at kahit gusto ko nang umiyak ay pinigilan ko. I was trying to show strength in my face, that I was not afraid to face my murderer. Grace under pressure is not enough to describe it.

He was accompanied by his father, a policeman from their hometown, and his equally ugly cousin who looks like a ‘tulisan’ too.

He said he was sorry. I wanted to slap him.
No, gusto ko siyang tadyakan, bugbugin, sakalin hanggang malagutan ng hininga.
In the end, I maintained focus.
Bahala na ang batas sa kanya.


Anyway, I’m back to work now but I’ve changed my routine tremendously. No more taking chances.
With regards to my ear, well, it’s not yet healed. I still can’t hear words correctly. Parang mumbling ang kumakausap sa akin through my left side.
I was joking my boss that if this won’t heal talaga, okay lang sa akin. Since I’m partially deaf, qualified na ako to get a 20% discount for everything. This is what I call “Forever Sale”. Hahaha!


Alam niyo, with what happened to me I realised maybe may hindi pa ako nagagawa dito sa mundo na God has tasked me to do. I’m not sure what it is though.

Or perhaps this is my wake-up call.
Maybe He wants me to change something. Something that I needed to give more focus and importance.

I’m not a perfect person. I am totally flawed and I can’t promise Him anything.

Only that I will try to be good.

Of course, my eyes are more open now.




Maybe that’s what He wants me to do.






photo credit: storpmix.net

Thank You

I’ll just make this short.


I would like to say THANK YOU to all of you who wishes me well.

THANK YOU for the virtual hugs.

THANK YOU for caring.

THANK YOU for the love.

THANK YOU to the policemen, doctors, and nurses.

THANK YOU friends and co-bloggers.

THANK YOU bestfriends.

THANK YOU Manang, Ate, and Weng.

THANK YOU GOD.

Second Chance: My Brush With Death

Yesterday was the 3rd of July 2009, the most significant day of my life.

I was doing my usual routine. Woke up at 6 and I was at the office by 7. I wore a green shirt and pinstripe pants with my ever reliable leather slip ons. I looked fine as usual.

By lunchtime, I was asked by our manager to go to the bank to withdraw money since it's payday the next day for our workers.

And so I did.

Together with me was our driver and one bodyguard.

On our way back to the office, our bodyguard noticed two motorcycles following us.

All of a sudden, I heard gunshots hitting the windshield. I automatically ducked and covered my head. At that moment all I heard was me screaming to the top of my lungs while bullets were flying everywhere from various ammunitions.

I thought to myself, "Oh my God, we're getting ambushed!"

Our car stopped.

I thought our driver was shot.

I was still in thesame position as the exchange of bullet continues.
I knew our bodyguard who was seated at the back was retaliating at the criminals. He eventually got out of the car and continued firing.

Broken glasses and splinters were hurting me.
My shoulders are aching because I was forcing myself to duck and I was still wearing a seatbelt. It was painful.

I felt something wet from my left arm and cheek.

It was blood.

When the exchange of bullets stopped I looked at my driver and he was looking at me too. I immediately told him,

"Tara na!"

He started the engine, our guard jumped inside and we drove from the place quickly.

Passers by were looking at what happened to our car and me in front with a bloodied face.

I can still feel the blood rushing from my face and neck. My left ear is bleeding.

I grabbed my cellphone and called a friend, then my boss.

We were running very fast to seek refuge and assistance to the nearest police station.



There were four men who ambushed us. All of them armed.

There were only three of us. Only 1 is armed.

No one from our side was hurt very badly.

Two of the lawless elements were killed.
Two of them injured. One is currently detained and the other one escaped and is still at large.



My driver and bodyguard are both okay physically. Not a scratch.

I am not totally okay. I suffered wounds and burns in my head, arms and legs caused by the broken windshield and gunpowder. I can't hear a thing from my left ear. I think it's punctured that's why it was bleeding profusely.

Despite the physical pain, I am not heartbroken or demoralised.

I did not cry.

I can't cry.

I am happy.

We survived a possible death.



I called God many times when we were in the middle of the ordeal. I asked for help.

Eventhough I'm not a good person, He listened.

He gave me a chance.

He protected me and my companions.

This is my second life.
I am thankful and I feel blessed.

Life is very unpredictable.

Everyday is a surprise.

To live each day to the fullest is not realistic. You just can't.

You have to live each day without regret. Each and every action you make can result to something good or bad.

What happened yesterday was an unfateful event that we really don't want to be a part of.

I really thought I was gonna die.

The important thing is today.

We are still here.

Once again, I thank God.
I thank my faith in Him.
I thank Him for another chance at life.

God is Good.

Amen.

This Way

So.

Kahit malungkot ay kailangan pa rin natin magpatuloy sa ating buhay, right?

What are the best ways to cope up with loneliness or sadness for that matter?

Well, in my case maraming puwedeng gawin.

First, deal with it. Get on with your daily routine like nothing happened. Magpaka-busy sa work. Atupagin ang mga pending reports at ‘wag nang hintayin na umabot pa ito sa deadline. Very effective itong pang-divert ng lungkot. Kung subsob ka sa trabaho makakalimutan mo na ang problemang personal mo. Makakalimutan mo na rin ang kumain. Hahaha!

Second, kung hindi ka naman busy sa work, magsulat ka ng poems. Or kung hindi ka naman makata, magsulat ng blog entry, tulad ng ginagawa ko. Make your hands busy. Mag-drawing or mag-sketch. Sa ganitong paraan nae-exercise mo na ang creativity mo, nailalabas mo pa ang iyong sama ng loob, angst at kung anu-ano pang emotion na maaaring na-trap sa iyong kalungkutan or depression.

Third, kung marami kang pera, mag-shopping! Maraming sale ngayon kasi mid-year. Ang alam ko whole month ng July ay may sale ang Zara. Pati na ang mga imported brands na franchise ni Ben Chan. Marami din akong nakitang online shopping site na may sale. Hello? Oki-ni.com. Juice ko nakakalula ang sale items nila. Jil Sander, Alexander McQueen, Rick Owens, Maison Martin Margiela and more! Huwag mo lang kalimutan na padalhan ako, okay?

Fourth, mag-binge eating. Wala naman silbi ang kaka-diet mo dahil nawalan ka rin naman ng lablayp, ano pa ang silbi ng pagpapasexy mo noh. Hahaha! Kumain ka ng kumain ng kumain. Kumain ka ng breakfast, yung heavy. Mag meryenda, mag lunch, snacks, dinner at midnight snacks. Ubusin mo ang junk foods sa buong shelf ng Robinsons. Maghanap ka ng matakaw na friend, e.g. me at yayain mo akong mag food trip. Hahaha!

Fifth, huwag kang makinig ng senti music. Juice ko, tigilan mo na ang kakaiyak. Tama na ang dalawa hanggang tatlong gabing pag-iyak. Change your music from mellow to alternative. Think classic Nirvana, or Garbage, vintage Blondie or much better kung si Marilyn Manson ang karamay mo. Iwasan mo lang ang ma-praning. Hihi

Sixth, mag-bakasyon. It doesn’t have to be somewhere far or expensive. Kahit sa beach lang or sa gubat. Hahaha! Bring your friends or family. Mag-bonding. Reconnect your life with them. Sila ang mga taong unconditional ang love sa’yo.

Ano pa ba? Wala na akong maisip.

Any suggestions?

Basta marami pang paraan to help yourself in getting back to normal. Explore. Ask yourself. Meditate.

Best of all, maintain your sanity. Always think that a lot of people care for you. Your family loves you. Your friends are there to listen and to help you.

Most importantly, you have to move on.

Flip over the page.

It’s time for the next chapter.





Ready na ako.

And I Love You So

It’s hard to endure physical pain.

But it’s harder pala if the pain is from deep within.

I thought I was invincible.

Hindi pala. Akala ko kasi I would never experience such pain. Madalas nauuna na akong tumakas bago pa man ako masaktan.

Not all the time pala.

Yes. I am currently hurting.

But nobody knew. Not even my friends. My family.
Not even him.

Who would have thought.

They see me everyday with a smile painted on my face 24/7. Tumatawa ng wala sa poise.
Yun ang akala nila.

I am the kind of person who would never show appropriate emotions in front of the world, especially when I’m in pain.

Don’t worry. This will pass. Bukas ng umaga I will go on with my life. Magtatrabaho, like nothing happened. Kakain ng agahan kahit walang gana. Ipagpapatuloy ang pag-ngiti kahit sa façade lang. I know I’m good at it.

Setting aside the feeling of being left out in the rain.



Alam ko, titigil din ang ulan.







P.S.
Salamat kay Ate Regine.

I Never Dreamed Someone Like You Could Want Someone Like Me

You.

Me.

You saw me.

I noticed you.

You were with someone else.

I was not committed.

You said ‘Hi’.

I said ‘Hello’.

My first impression of you was ‘suplado’.

I hated you so much.

You said I’m ‘suplada’ and too full of myself.

Hello? Look who’s talking.

But as they said, there’s a very fine line between hate and love.

We both crossed the border.

You pursued.

I let you follow.

All of a sudden, we became close.

We were happy.

You met my friend, I’m met yours.

Even your family.

We were never physical but we were intimate.

Our friendship blossomed.

After it bloomed, it wilted.

Very fast.

When you left, I cried.

But you promised to return.

When you were away I met other people.

They were never like you.

I heard stories about you but I was hopeful you’ll come back to me.

A few months ago, you kept your promise.

I cried again but with tears of joy.

I was happy again.

I noticed you’ve changed but hoping it’s for the better.

Things would hopefully come back to normal.

But it didn’t. I was wrong.

You left again.

This time, I don’t know if I will still find you or you’ll come back again.

You did not promise anything.

But you know what, that’s okay.

I’ll still wait for you.

That’s what airports are for.







photo credit: jpgmag.com