SLU Chapel

It was not part of our itinerary to visit my Alma Mater when I traveled back to Baguio City. My balikbayan friend needed to visit the Registrar Office to process the document requested by another friend of ours working in abroad. We did not waste our time and make the most of our time while roaming around the university campus.

We visited memorable places in SLU and shared our own stories and experiences in those places. The Diego Silang Building, the former building for accounting and commerce students was our first stop. We proceeded to the Giant Steps, next to the Gym, followed by SLU Library until we headed to SLU Chapel.

When we entered the chapel I looked around and the holy place seems like it never aged. Although I witnessed a change in the altar, still the layout of the chapel,  the shining wooded floor and sturdy pews were still the same. I miss the serenity and silence covering the atmosphere. I couldn’t hide my joy as I finally step-in back to my favorite place for prayer.

My first visit in the chapel was way back my enrollment day as an incoming freshman. From there on, it became my habit to attend Sunday masses (I preferred the afternoon mass). I like the simplicity of mass and the reflections from the homilies of CICM priests. When I closed my eyes, the resounding music of Messiah Choir and Litcom Choir (my favorite choir groups) seems like playing in the background.

As I closed my eyes and knelt for a short prayer, I traveled back memory lane as a typical college student. Before what I prayed for were just for good results in exams and quizzes, stable relationship with my girlfriend then, successful programs and events for our organization and my ultimate goal of becoming a CPA. Even when I didn’t have specific request or petition, I dropped by the chapel to calm my heart, and clear my mind. The chapel was my sanctuary where I used to recharge my battery in life to face the challenges during my college days.

Now details of my prayers have changed. When I said my prayer, I asked for guidance for my work and my decisions as I set my career path. I asked for God’s intervention as I continue my life – a complex life  but still humble and simple. I have new dreams and goals in life which I want to fulfill not just for me but also for my family. There are also personal requests I have and just a thought of it,  I realized as I get matured (oh well get old), I keep on asking for more. I asked for:

More strength and determination to achieve.

More compassion and understanding to people who hurt me.

More joy and fulfillment both at work and things I do.

More blessings for me and for my family.

When I finished praying, I took a second glance, and I saw a young Louisian praying… I remember the old me. I reached out for my digicam and take a shot. As I bade farewell to the chapel, I whispered a soft prayer for her…

Lord bless her the way You blessed me.

What lies ahead of me?

Did I choose the right course?

Will go out for a movie or chill out tonight?

Am I still young or already old?

Am I independent or still a happy-go-lucky type of guy?

Will I graduate on time?

Find a high-paying job?

Will I ever succeed?

If only I could see my future the way I look over the window.

Ahh it’s nice to daydream, happy thoughts running my mind.

I have my dreams and my share or dilemma.

Am I just worried or just thinking too much?

Time’s up… I still have to run for my class.

Hope there’s no surprise quiz today.

Ang mabentang joke sa office last week:

Last week nagkaroon ng photoshoot sa office para sa aming ID. Since the company changed its logo, a change of ID went next. Before magpapicture.

Officemate 1: Wow ang galing pwedeng creative shot sa ID.

Officemate2: Oo nga.

Pumasok sa office si Officemate 3 (buntis).

Officemate1: Naku di pala pwede magpapicture ang mga buntis.

Officemate2: Bakit?

Officemate1: Baka kasi makunan.

DB: (Smile lang)

nyeek!

Parang hindi pang ID.... parang pang TV Series lang.

It is one of my plans this year to make a monthly wrap-up of events and happenings this 2012. I actually planned to do Project 365 or Daily Mobile Picture. I realized it would take time so instead of bothering myself to do the project daily, I decided to summarize na lang what happened in each month. So ano nga ba ang nangyari sa akin last January. Drum roll please…

What The Moment!

January 5. After a great dinner and billiards night with one of our colleague who arrived from Saudi Arabia, an unfortunate event happened. I got involved in a freak but minor accident. When we were on our way home and I finished saying good byes and ingats with my friends, I half-opened the door of the passenger seat of my friend’s Fortuner. I checked if there’s any vehicle approaching. It was clear. When I totally opened the car… bang! A sudden collision between the door and a man of late thirties riding on a bike. The man driving the bike lost his balance and hit his head on the pavement. Good thing the approaching taxi pressed on the break just in time before it hit the biker’s head. I was shocked and cold hand froze me from holding the door’s handle. My instinct pushed me to move out the vehicle and checked on the biker. Thank God he was conscious, though feeling drowsy. He admitted he was drunk after attending a birthday party and did not see the door about to open. Things went so fast, a tourist police assisted to us, then ambulance came into picture. Instead of going home for a sound sleep, I ended up inside the ambulance and spent the whole night till the early sunrise in the hospital. What a way to start the year! Did I feel jinx or worried that my 2012 would be affected by negative vibes? Not at all. I dismissed that idea.

First Time 

January 18. My audit team did not celebrate a Christmas Party/Dinner last December since we were not complete. We  agreed to have post-Christmas dinner on January instead. Pero syempre having dinner with the whole team was a little to simple for a whacky and energetic team like ours. We decided to play Laser Tagging in Market-Market. Most of us were excited to play. We were like kids once again playing hi-tech baril-barilan. Playing the whole 15 minutes might be too short, on a contrary it was already too long. We were totally sweating running around, hiding through the walls and corners and going up and down the ramp. I give Extreme Laser Tagging two thumbs-up!

Laser Tagging with CFA Team

Resto Adventure

After burning calories playing, we headed to Brazil Brazil in Serendra for dinner. I could describe our dining experience as this – totally non-stop serving of grilled meat! It was a buffet of variety of grilled meat, sausages along with some pasta and fresh salad on the side. We went home burping!

Non-stop Grilled Meat offers

Wagas na kabusugan!

Wish Granted

January 19. Due to consistent demand I eventually gave in to the request of my officemates to seat-in in my auditing class. Of course I asked permission to the university academic coordinator and my students. I really planned to involve the three lady visitors in my discussion. I wanted to share their real-life experience doing the audit just to add actual accounts in the my lecture. Good thing my officemates were such good sports – they just go with the flow.  My evening class ended with photo shoot. Ginawang studio ang classroom after my class. We ended our long day for a dinner in Chickboy.

Ang makukulets

Mga naki-seat-in bow!

Photo of the Month:

Walang criteria… kinunan lang.

Sawsawan ng Bayan

Movie of the Month

January 21. It was one of my former student’s birthday and I was invited to her birthday celebration. Due to an earlier commitment, I did not make it for lunch. Instead I joined the group for a movie. We watched Underworld. The movie was awesome. The story is not dragging and always upbeat. The lykans evolved and added more spices to the story. Can’t wait for the follow-up movie.

Underworld Awakening

Celebration of the Month

January 23. The day they Year of the Dragon was finally welcomed and tikoy rained in the office. Kung Hei Fat Choi!

Meet the Stars

January 31. After winning the Philippine Cup, players and coaching staff of Talk and Text visited our office. We were shocked when big guys went out from the elevator. We managed to have a photo ops with Ali Peek and Larry Fonacier who were sitting outside the adjacent office. I extended my congratulations and wish them luck for the next conference.

Feeling point-guard (benchwarmer) ng TnT

My January is just like… simply like that.

Looking Forward for Feb,

DB

Ang mabentang joke sa class ko:

Kwento ito nung nag-order ako sa isang fastfood chain:

DB: One piece chicken meal.

Cashier: Ok sir, how about your drinks sir?

DB: Coke regular.

Cashier: Anything else sir?

DB: Wala na,

Cashier: Eighty-eight pesos po lahat sir.

Ibinigay ko ang bayad ko P1,000.

Cashier: Sir wala kang smaller bill?

DB: Ah miss sa pagkakaalam ko pare-pareho lang ang laki ng Philippine Peso Bill.

Cashier just smiled.

Nyeek!

 ***

Minsan naman ganito ang eksena:

Cashier: Sir One-hundred two pesos po lahat.

Binigay ko ang P500 bill.

Cashier: Sir may 2 pesos ka?

DB: Miss bakit kulang pa ba?

Cashier just smiled…

Nyahk!!!

My day in the office is not complete if I don’t listen to music. This habit started when I bought my android phone a month after I started in my present job. It has never been my practice to listen to music while working in the office. I guess I was influenced by the people in office – almost all of my co-workers have headsets and earphones plugged in their ears.

Good thing our department allows us to listen to music while at work. My previous job used to prohibit listening to music in work areas. Eventually the management gave in to the desire of the employees. It did not cause me to celebrate though. Like I said, listening to music has never been a part of my office routine. Add the fact that the announcement was made, when I was about to leave the company.

Things are changed now. I become addicted listening to music while at work. I have a dismal number of songs in my phone that’s why I just tune in to FM radio stations for my music needs.  Again listening to radio is not actually my cup of tea. However, as my stay in the office progresses and as my workload increases, I eventually learned to listen to FM radio. I could not start my day without grabbing my earphones from my drawer and listen to songs being played by radio jocks. I am not an avid fan or follower of any radio station or radio jock. However I learned to appreciate the coolness of radio programs, choices of songs, and side topics discussed by radio DJs.

Speaking of radio DJs, I think being a radio DJ is one of the coolest job – especially to music lovers. I love music but it seems music doesn’t love me (oows). Being a DJ gives someone a chance to play his/her favorite songs, meet various artists both local and international, host various events, share some thoughts with madlang pipol and of course get instant fame. Just like any other jobs, indeed there are pros and cons being a DJ, though I don’t bother to discuss the disadvantages of being a DJ because I am not  a DJ and not in their shoes so to speak.

Being a quasi radio fanatic, I don’t blame myself not having a great dose of information about famous and uprising DJ in town. Though I know a few like Papa Jack, Joe D’ Mango, Chico and Delamar, Mo Twister, Angelicopter, Andi  and the naughty trio of the Boys Night  Out, Tony Toni, Slick Rick and Sam YG.

Going back to my listening regimen, my favorite radio program in the morning is Office Radio of 94.7 Mellow Touch. I like how DJ Angel (who by the way will be transferred to her weekend program, yun oh updated?) and DJ Ingrid manage the program. Their song selection fits well to a typical office atmosphere – songs that are not too loud but good enough to keep you awake. I also enjoyed their topics about office work which I could relate to. Combining right kind of music and topic with my brewed coffee makes sense to me (parang commercial lang). It is a perfect formula to give me the spark for my work. I feel energize both mentally and physically while tuning in to Office Radio. In fact, I am in the zone or should I say on a momentum to accomplish my tasks each time I am listening to this radio program (bolex tama na pabibo kunwari).

When afternoon kicks in, I enjoyed the cool and smooth (swabe pare) acoustic and live sounds being played in The Afternoon Cruise. It reminds me of radio stations of Baguio like K-Lite  and the defunct Smooth Jazz. I feel nostalgic once again of the my dorm days. I remember one time my dormmates called to K-Lite and when they heard their names mentioned by the DJ there was a euphoria and outburst of cheers in their room… big time! I am an acoustic fan which I inherited during college days in Baguio.  I love to hang-out in acoustic bars and coffee shop. Definitely I miss those days (Panagbenga na, Tara na sa Baguio… anyone?). For me there is something in acoustic music especially those pop songs with acoustic renditions. Though I gave up learning playing guitars, still I enjoyed the simplicity of acoustic sounds with plain accompaniment of guitar, percussion and cajon. My craving for acoustic and live sounds is satisfied by the Afternoon Cruise. DJ Ingrid is a perfect cruise directress. Her voice and her life reflections keep me in my senses during my yawning and sleepy moments in the afternoon (especially after lunch busog kasi lols).

And when I extend my stay in the office, I shift frequency and listen to Boys Night Out of Magic 89.9. The naughty trio of Tony Toni, Slick Rick and Sam YG is a complete package. Lately Ramos Bautista (isa pang makulet) is joining the group  in the air. They really  just want to have fun. Behind their wackiest, funniest and “wholesome” image I see how they add value to “man-side” in every relationship story or topic. Most of their topics is still considered as taboo by some. These topics are either pang boytalk lang or even intentionally ignored in gatherings, drinking sessions and hang-outs. But these guys have the guts to discuss on air and let other men and women of this new generation participate. Kudos to these guys!

Radio stories strive each in every one of us. I know all of us have our own share of radio stories to share, especially during our younger days. But as we grow old, we tend to become satisfied in listening to music and forgetting the thrill to make a ring  to radio DJs and request for songs or greet friends and special love ones. In my whole existence, I never tried making a call or request for songs on and off the air though there is still the  urge  lurking deep inside me. Funny thing is, I really though I am done with that.  But with the sudden change of desire to listen to radio again, who knows maybe one day I’ll make a call.

I might even make a call to Papa Jack and ask for his sagad to the bones advice! Hahaha!

So what’s your radio story?

Working with earphones,

DB

Ang mabentang joke for the week sa office:

Dorm Boy: Alam mo ba kung magkanu ang laman ng ATM Machine?

Officemate: Hindi.

Dorm Boy: Eighty million pre! Ang laki noh?

Officemate: Wheh di nga?

Dorm Boy: Oo pre kaya nga gwardyado kapag kinakargahan ng cash ang ATM Machine.

Officemate: Paano mo nalaman?

Dorm Boy: Kasi di ba pag 30 Million- 30M?

Officemate: Oo

Dorm Boy: Kapag 60 Million naman 60M?

Officemate: Oo (Sabay tango)

Dorm Boy: Eh ang 80 Million?

Officemate: 80M.

Dorm Boy: ATM, 80M di ba?

Officemate: (Laughtrip)

Maraming salamat kay Boss Mike sa Epic ATM Joke!

Thank God it’s long weekend! Finally after driving ourselves to go back to work after the Christmas break, the first holiday for 2012 has finally come (by the way Kung Hei Fat Choi to all!).  Funny thing is I look forward for this day since I resumed completing my audit engagement. I have no specific plans during this long weekend. There is no out-of-town trip or occasion to visit or attend to. I simply want to go back home and enjoy laid back kind-of-life. I miss the fresh air, the savoury taste of home-cooked meal and the comfort of my bed.

I  learned my lesson whenever there is a long weekend – to plan not to plan.

Based on my experience, every time I planned to do things on holidays I ended up not accomplishing the long list of activities. Blame it to too much number of activities for a short period of time. I always assumed before that I could do multiple tasks while on break.  I used to bring a portion of my work, topic to write for my blog, pictures to edit, DVDs to watch and other things to do as a product of my imaginative mind. Each time I set foot to our place, no matter how well designed my plan was, I ended up doing nothing except for one – Facebook.

My spirit is willing to accomplish my plan but my body isn’t. The gap between these two becomes evident at each passing hours of my hiatus.  No matter how I refused to give in from being unproductive, I always ended up saying, “Ay wala na naman akong nagawa!”

This long weekend, I lower down my expectations (ehem). I decided to totally just go with the flow. When I felt like staying online, I surfed the net till my connection bogged down.  When I felt hungry, I ate whatever food stored for me in our ref. When I felt like watching DVD, I went straight to my father’s collection of movies and checked which movie I desired of watching. And when I felt like sleepy, I detached myself from online world and shutdown both my laptop and myself and became dead to the world for hours. For a short moment, I removed the burden of following any plan and it actually felt great (Ang sarap ng buhay).

While writing this one, I am just a couple of hours away before I travel back to Manila and all I could say is that I am recharged… totally. I am ready again for  taxing days in the office.  Good thing I have a place called probinsya and whenever I get burned-out I am just four-hour bus trip away from being reinvigorated.

Thank God You made me a probinsyano.

So how did you spend your long weekend (normal weekend  lang for some)?

If you were successful to accomplish your plan; well that’s great. Good for you. If not, don’t be too hard to yourself. I am sure you still managed to enjoy your break.

As the long weekend ends, allow me to invite you and cry out as loud as you can this one….

“Pasukan na naman bukas! Waaaaaaaaaaaaaa!”

Will travel in awhile,

DB

Photos taken by: Dorm Boy

Title: Sleeping Giant

Location: Coron Palawan, Circa 2008

Bisikleta

April of 1995

Summer is always a good time to learn how to bike. For a kid like me who grew up in  province, learning how to balance myself on a bike was one of my greatest accomplishments. It took me almost a week to learn how to bike. All my mornings and afternoons were spent along the street.  I kept on pedaling until my legs ached. Each time I struggled to move I would lose my balance. My stronger left foot was always ready to extend each time I was about to fall.

Wise people in our community said you cannot learn how to bike if you never stumbled,  fall and wounded. I guess they were right. I was not an exception. I tasted my first fall and I cherished my wounds and scratches- thinking I would eventually learn how to bike.

But I still failed.

My kuya came into picture when after a  couple of days I didn’t show any progress. He volunteered to  hold the back portion of my seat as I kept on slowly pedaling. I was thinking he was still at my back but ho and behold he was meters away from me! I did not notice how he released his hold of me. I was on my own!

Finally, I felt like a king riding and driving a bike!

July of 1995

July is Nutrition month in our school. I was part of the group who would participate in a Nutri Jingle contest. Prior to the day of the contest my teacher allowed us to go home early and to get some rest after days of practice. On that fateful day, as I arrived from school I excitedly took out my bike.

I drove along the street of our community. I was a typical kaskero during my younger days. I look forward for the fast wind and cool breeze of afternoon. I love the intersections and the streets in between the blocks of our community. On my way to the sloppy intersection near our house, I noticed another bike was also going to my way. I  did not mind him since he was distanced away from me, but I was approaching so fast. Then, all things went so fast, I was already tailing the other bike. Without any hesitation he took an unceremonious turn. Our bikes collided just like two smashing Titans. We both summer surfed finding our own self away from our bikes. At a certain point I lost consciousness as I temporarily blacked out. When I gained consciousness, I feel a slight pain on my back and in my right leg. I saw the other kid standing and fixing his bike. I tried to hide the pain and gathered myself up. Credit to the adrenaline rushing in my veins, I still managed to pedal my way back to our house.

When I arrived home, I could no longer walk straight. I felt pricking pain each time I make a small step or stand. A small bruise appeared at the lower part of my right leg near my ankle.

I broke my foot.

On the contest day I did not join my group. My teacher got mad at me… totally. I was lost and depressed thinking how would I continue my life. I thought I could never walk again.  After a day in the hospital, I saw my leg totally casted.

Clutches became my ally.

I was banned to bike again after the accident.

My biking ended… temporarily.

DB

Photo by: Arnel Vergara