A Boy Named Leech

Leech is only a code name.

I met Leech years ago. The first time I saw him was when I first live in Pateros. Since we were clan mates, he sent a group message telling everyone that he was on his way to Taguig. During that time, I was walking Pasig Park on my way to the jeepney stop where all the vehicles bound to Pateros and Taguig pass.

We were at the same place, at the same time, so it became inevitable that we should meet up.

That was the start. Since our areas were near each other, we started drinking together, and every moment was fun. He sang well, while I sang okay, so our favorite bonding moment was singing in a cheap videoke place in Rotonda.

Leech is awesome. You will really want him as your friend. He is your typical alpha gay but he doesn't consider him as such. He knows what he have but you will never feel that he brags about him. Yes, you will hear stories about him, the things he does and all, but you have to transcend through all the stories to fully understand him.

But things always happen. I left the clan that he used to lead then we lost communication.

God knows how I tried my best to find him. It is really my nature that when someone starts to mean something to me, specially if that person became my friend, I will do my best to keep you. But when you start to realize that the only information you have is his first name left my hopes in finding him on FB flush on the drain. I ask our common friends and found out that he was not on our clan before. Leech was really a slimy thing to catch.

But I found him. Just a while ago. And I cannot be more ecstatic about it. Nothing beats looking for something you missed terribly.

And that is why I am writing again. Because I am not just happy, I feel splendid. :D

So, how you've been? Let's catch up. :)

Sta Mesa Chronicles Part 2: Ang Caroling sa Bisperas

Sanay na ako sa opisina magpasko. Dati akong ahente sa call center. Automatic, kahit ayaw mo, kailangan mong masanay na habang ang iba ay nagbabatian, nagbebeso-beso at kumakain na ng masarap na pagkain pagpatak ng alas dose ng hating gabi, ikaw nagcacalls.

Ngunit nung bisperas ng pasko noon, at hindi ko na maalala bakit naiwan kami ni Jazmine mag isa sa buong boarding house. At dahil dalawa kaming working student na naiwan sa bahay, wala kaming ginawa buong gabi kung hindi planuhin lang kung paano kami makikikain ng noche buena sa kapit bahay. Haha. Sa mga oras ng kagipitan, si Jazmine ang maasahan mo sa usapang abilidad. Haha.

Pinlano naming mag stay sa tapat ng bahay. Pagusapan lahat ng mga bagay na napagusapan na namin dati pa at tumawa ng tumawa dahil dun lang kami magiging maingay dalawa. Pag maingay kami, mapapansin kami ng mga mababait naming kapit bahay, tatanungin bakit hindi kami umuwi? Sasabihin namin na maaga ang pasok namin bukas. Tapos yayayain nila kaming kumain sa kanila. At ayun, Merry Christmas na! Haha.

Habang nakatambay kaming dalawa. Isang binata ang lumapit sa aming dalawa bitbit ang kanyang gitara. "Magandang gabi, pwede bang mangaroling?" Nahinto ang harutan namin ni Jazmine, nagtinginan sa isa't isa, at nagisip kung totoo ba ang nasa harap namin.

Tinignan ko ang binata. May itsura. Parang istudyante sa PUP. Tinignan ko ang aking kaibigan, nginitian, alam na niya ang nasa isip ko. Dalawa lang kami sa buong boarding house at since alam naman namin na parang nagpaparamdam na, aarte pa ba kami? Haha.

Yun nga lang, seryoso si Kuya sa pagkanta ng Christmas Song so cancel na ang maitim na balak. Haha. Hinayaan nalang namin na kumanta siya. Ang pasko ay pagbibigayan. At dahil bisperas na, kailangan na talagang magbigay sa mga nangangaroling. Madami na kaming hiningan ng tawad at ngayon, hindi na uubra yun.

Sinimulan ni Kuya ng Pasko na Sinta Ko. Hindi niya tinapos. Hindi daw niya alam ang chords. Haha. Hanggang sa kumanta na siya ng Always Be My Baby ni David Cook. Tinapos na niya. At sinundan pa din niya ng napakaraming kanta na hindi ko na maalala. Lahat alternative. Lahat bahay sa boses niya. Lahat nakakainlove ayiiee...

Pagkatapos ng private performance ni Kuya. Nagrequest na si Jazmine na kantahin niya ang Let's Get Lound ni JLo. Ganoon talaga siya. Biglang ipapasok ang comedy sa mga sandaling kilig na kilig ka na. Pumasok si Jazmine sa kwarto para kumuha ng pera. Habang ginagawa niya yun, nagkwentuhan kami ni Kuya.

Naiwan din siyang mag isa sa boarding house nila at sa kadahilanang mamatay na siya sa boredom, naisipan nalang niyang mag caroling. Nawala na ang boredom niya, nagkapera pa siya. Style. Parehas kaming galing Muntinlupa. At parehas kaming mahilig kumanta. Ewan ko ba, pakiramdam ko, sa mga oras na iyon, hindi na lalamig ang pasko ko. Nagyaya na siya sa boarding house nila, isang oo nalang, Mering merry na talaga ang Christmas. Asa harap ko na siya, konting landi nalang, alam ko na magiging akin na siya... hanggang lumabas si Jazmine.

"Ayan na nga ba ang sinasabi ko eh." Kutya niya.

Natawa nalang ako. At hinayaang lumayo ang binatang may dalang gitara. Curfew daw. Hindi ko alam ang pangalan niya, o ang numero ng telepono. Pero sa mga sandaling iyon, alam ko na hindi na iyon mahalaga.

Ang pasko ay para sa pamilya, at sa mga sandaling iyon, kahit malayo kami sa mga pamilya namin, may isa akong kapatid na hindi ko magagawang iwan mag isa para sa isang lalaki kakikilala palang. Pamilya si Jaz, at hindi na mababago yun.

Maligayang Pasko!

Stereotypes and Bugs

I have two friends in Guadalupe aside from Roommate. For this blog, we will just call them Tita M and Cyclops. Tita M owns the salon in front of our boarding house, he is now at his mid fifties, his hair is long though it is close to disappearing and he is my companion every time I want to drink. Cyclops, on the other hand, is my housemate. Like Tita M, he also has long hairs and he drinks hormone pills to give him the extra shape on his bosoms. Cyclops is aware of his lustful acts, and out of the three of us, he is the type who will do everything to get the man that he wants.

The three of us were talking about the new guy in the neighborhood – Baker Boy (BB). BB used to work in a Gay Bar, his body is okay and at some angles, he can be considered cute. He is also a bastard. He will just stay in the salon, acting cute and hot and he will do everything for you to notice him, he asks Tita M for money to pay his gym expenses Tita M even said that he show his willy whenever he has the chance.

Shocked, I gave BB the benefit of the doubt. However, the two of them confirmed that they already saw BB’s willy and what make things more confusing was they thought that I already saw it. I just told them hindi ah, at wala naman akong intensiyon na makita yun.

They said, lalaki na nga ang gumagawa noon, ayaw mo pa? naging bading ka pa which made me post this on my FB page.



When I accepted me, I prepared myself for the stereotype and the discrimination that straight people might shoot at me. However, I am not ready for the things that people like me may say. I am aware of my naughty and lustful side, and I am being honest when I say that it never shows up every time. It will not show when I am drinking with guys. It doesn’t appear when a random teenager invites me to his place on my way home. And it will never show if a bastard will just show his willy in exchange of a price. The idea is too extreme for me. And I am way better than that.

While someone like me thinks that you must grab every opportunity that may come your way, my mind will think of all the consequence with all my actions. While Cyclops formulates ways on how he can get his ways with my hot roommate, I always find ways to resist being tempted. And while Tita M pays for all the guys he sleeps with, I am already financial planning, thinking if the experience will be worth it. Most of the time, my head always tells me that it is not. Haha.

People must understand that though we are the same at some aspects, there are certain things that still differ. For me, I don’t have the guts. And I choose not to do such acts because most of the time, my conscience hits me. I really have no problems with what people do, if you are happy living your life the way you want to live it, then I will always be happy for you. But always stick to what is right. Always believe in your values. And if people do things differently, let them be. Mind your own business.

We will always try our best to be better than someone else. We will use everything we have to be unique. It may make us all the same but still, we have our own playing fields. Fight your own battles and never get involve in someone else’s.

Queues and Conversations

I used to share a room with two other people – they are brothers and they are both gay. It never started that way, Roommate and I shared the room for three months until his brother made a sudden decision to fly to Manila for work. The three of us are living together in one room for a month now.

I made a decision to move out.

When my Roommate's Brother (RB) moved in with us, I expected that the bills will be divided into three. Three people sharing one room should divide all the expenses between the three of them. I was also expecting that the bills will be divided into two people. RB doesn't have any job, yet. And since my roommate and I have been friends for quite a while now, I really don't want him having a hard time covering most of their expenses.

The latter option happened, and now my mind is perplexed.

It is really not my nature to dwell too much about money. My friends can testify how generous I can get. Obviously, the former option will work best for me. Less expense means more savings, right? All the people I talked to about the set up of our room agreed with the idea. However, when you know somebody pretty well and you consider each other as friends, my side of the story can be considered as selfish.

Roommate (RM) was in Galera when I talked to him about the set up. It was really uncomfortable talking about it. However, if we will not fix it now, we will suffer more. After I told him not to get offended, I went straight to my point.

Aren't we supposed to divide the expenses into three? You know, the rent, electric bills, etc ME.

The Electricity, I agree. However, for the rent, I don't. I am having a hard time sleeping. RM

Okay, that is fine. I'm glad we talked about this; at least it cleared the air. ME.

That is all I want. I just need to understand where he was coming from. Since the brothers sleep together in one bed, it is really difficult for them.

 We were quiet for a while, and then he continued.

If you are having a hard time with the set up, just tell me, we can move out.

I fix my stare on the screen, concentrating with what to say next.

Are you having a hard time na? ME

Nahihirapan akong matulog. RM.

That was my queue. I need to be careful with what I will say because it will define how the following days will turn out.

You guys don't need to move out, I have lesser stuff, and it will be easier for me compared to you both. ME.

I always believe that even the most sensitive of topics can be fixed with a good conversation. And I know with what happened, I know it will be the best option. It upsets me a bit, but it's something that I can't bear. What just frustrates me is that I have to move my things again, but I've done such a lot of times. Too much, that it has been a piece of cake.

Sta Mesa Chronicles Part 1: Si Momentz at Si Jazmine

Okay, tagalog lang po. LOL.

Nung naisip kong sulatin ang mga kaartehan kaganapan ng buhay ko sa Sta Mesa, alam ko na sila ang unang dalawang taong isusulat ko. Sila sina Momentz and Jazmine, siyempre nick name lang nila yun. Honestly, mas pang babae pa ang pangalan ko sa kanila, pero sina Moments and Jazmine, mga babae na ngayon. LOL.

Nakilala ko sila sa pangalawa kong boarding house. Hanggang ngayon hindi ko maisip paano ba kami naging close. Siguro dahil sobrang magkakaiba kami, nabalanse namin ang isa't isa. Ako yung weird, si Momentz ang mean girl ang peg, tapos si Jazmine ang Ms. Congeniality, kapag magkakasama kami, automatic, parang amin ang Road 2.

Si Momentz, siya ang pinakaprangka sa aming tatlo, sasabihin niya lahat ng gusto niya, gagawin niya ang mga bagay na sa tingin niya ay tama, at kapag kinanti mo siya, siguradong gagawin niyang miserable ang buhay mo. Momentz graduated as a Salutatorian of his class. Matalino talaga si bakla, at hindi lang yun, magaling din siyang magproject sa mga pictorials. Si Momentz, mas maagang nag work sa akin. Siguro pagkatungtong palang niya sa Manila, naghanap na kaagad siya ng work. LOL. Kadalasan Momentz and I clash, clash meaning walang usapan ng pagkatagal tagal. Sobrang daming pagkakataon na nasubukan ang pagkakaibigan naming dahil sa mga ugali namin, pero ang mahalaga, naayos namin ang mga bagay bagay sa pagitan namin.

Si Jazmine naman, siya yung social butterfly. Siya yung mahilig magpatawa, laging patok ang mga jokes, at kapag humirit siya, sigurado kong tatawa ka ng wagas. Si Jazmine, siya yung mas sensitive sa aming tatlo. Umiiyak kapag nanonood ng Wish Ko Lang, kakantahin ang Let's Get Loud para antukin, at aarte ng wagas kapag inasar, pero bigla ka namang patatawanin. Basta, walang malungkot na sandali kapag kasama mo siya. Kapag nagaway kami ni Momentz, asahan mo, si Jazmine ang gagawa ng paraan para magkaayos kami.

Ilang beses din ata kaming muntikang mabarangay dahil sa mga tiliang nagaganap sa madaling araw. Ilang beses na rin naming dineny ang mga kalandian na ginawa ng isa't isa. Ilang ex ko na ang nakilala nila samantalang silang dalawa, puro "kaibigan" lang daw. Haha.

Hindi naman puro pagkakaiba ang mayroon  kami. Pare-parehas kaming breadwinner habang nagaaral kami, pareparehas kaming magmamahal ng wagas pero parang gusto lang ata sa amin ay maging kaibigan lang, at pare parehas kaming nangangarap ng mas magandang buhay. Pare parehas kaming maka Nanay,

Habang sinusulat ko ito, namimiss ko sila, ang matapang na hirit ni Momentz, ang mga jokes ni Jazmine na kailangan mong sakyan kung hindi maasar ka, at ang mga sandaling nagkukwentuhan lang kami ng matagal sa labas ng bahay namin. Isa lang ang totoo ngayon, kung may pagkakataon na kasama ko ulet silang dalawa sa bahay, hindi talaga ako magdadalawang isip.

Marami pang kwento ang Sta Mesa. At alam ko, ngayong napakilala ko na silang dalawa, madali ng isalaysay ang lahat.

Geography

Okay, this will be naughty.

 

I’ve done it in the weird places. I’ve done it on a rooftop at Pureza, at a dark alley in Pateros, in a parked boat at San Juan, in a Girl’s Restroom at Pansol. But nothing beats doing it on a bus, haha. Oh my, this is too much information. LOLs.

 

Basically, I also have my naughty, lustful and adventurous side. Stories like where people did such never interests me much because obviously, I also have my own share of things that I am not really proud about.

 

So, when my friend told me that he did it on a MRT cart, during rush hour, and while the vehicle is really crowded. I really don’t know if I will believe him or not. Obviously, the first question will be how? Haha. But since I also have my fair share of nastiness, I know that all that happened in the poor MRT cart is something that involves the hands. Haha!

 

My friend then explained how it happened. The advantage of taking a ride  on a crowded MRT is that you will definitely be flesh to flesh with someone beside you. It will be hot. It will really be uncomfortable. And if you aren’t lucky enough, it will stink. Haha. Before this post get too SPG (Strong Parental Guidance), I will just let your imagination do its work in order to think how it happened. All I can tell you is that my friend pretended that the ride was bumpy in order to kiss the guy’s nape in front of him. Haha!

 

And, no. I am not encouraging this type of things. I was just really curious slash fascinated slash envious after hearing what my friend told me. Now, I am really thankful it never happened to me. Knowing how messy things can get, seriously, it is nasty. Haha!

 

Friends, if ever you feel the urge to do something with someone, I am begging, get a room. I understand that sometimes we can get adventurous and playful, but nothing beats it doing where it should really be done.

Spider Web

Early last year, E and L are together. After a couple of months, they broke up.

Early this year, L and M are together. They are not in a relationship but they watched movies, went to mall, and did a lot of things together. Go figure. After a couple of months, they went on their separate ways.

Recently, E and M became a couple. And hopefully, what they have will last.

Why am I writing this?

I have a crush on E, L, and M but I never pursued any of them.

Watching them from afar was already enough for me. Being friends with them is already a blessing. Hearing stories about them sometimes complete my day.

Still, I never pursued any of them.

And I am glad I never did.

Endearments

On a boring Sunday morning, my friend and I have this conversation.

Friend: uy may kwekwento ako sayo, bigyan mo ako ng advice

Me: sige try natin, hehehe

Friend: cge I have this friend, hindi ko sasabihin ung name kasi kilala mo to for sure hehe

Me: leche, sabihin na ang name

Friend: ah kilala mu si (insert guy name here)

Me: ah, jowa ni (insert guy's boyfriend name here), tama?

Friend: yup

Me: what about

Friend: aun, friend ko siya sa FB matagan na 2010 pa ata.  tapos this year aun nag kaka chat kami, nag kuhaan ng number, eh taga paranaque lang un, we decided to meet

Me: when was this? don't tell me it's recently hahahaha

Friend: uhmmm, February ata or march. wala naman nangyari, friends lang, naging close kami

Me: u know na he is in a relationship?

Friend: yup I know naman

Me: mamaya na answers to my question, tuloy ang kwento, sorry

Friend: pero alam mu ung tipong parang dati, ganun, may tawagan kami tapos sweet kami sa isa't isa pero napag kasunduan namin na friends lang kami. nadala ko na nga siya sa bahay eh.

Me: hahaha, then what bothers you?

Friend: wala lang feeling ko kasi nag bago na siya eh, biglaan na lang

Me: okay, first thing, what are your expectations? i guess i will be fine if i will be blunt/rude, right? Some pieces of advice will work that way

Friend: I'm not expecting naman na magiging kami

Me: i will ask the question again, what are your expectations?

Friend: na hindi siya mag babago

Me: let me understand this pretty well first base on your answers. parang coaching session lang sa QA, haha. so you are expecting na you will remain as close friends, with terms of endearments and all, though you know na he has a boyfriend? YES or NO?

Friend: yes

Me: hmm, do you think its okay for someone to have terms of endearment with someone though he has a boyfriend?

Friend: ung terms of endearment namin naman eh hindi pang syota. pang friends lang

Me: i don't need your explanation, do you think it's okay to have terms of endearments with someone else though you know na you have a boyfriend?  kasi people will not look at it that way

Friend: nope

Me: okay... we will think of the possibilities now. first, his bf found out? next, he doesn't want the friendship to intensify because both of you know that it may lead to something else? TRUE or FALSE? :D

Friend: true. so kaya siya nag bago kasi baka malaman ng bf niya at alam niya kung anu ang kahahantungan ng ginagawa namin

Me:  probably. ang problem lang dito friend, he has someone else. unfortunately, you just have your friends. :D

Friend: hmmmm...well. hahah wala ako masabi

Me: hmm, masakit mang isipin, minsan ganun lang talaga. :D yeah, the truth may leave you speechless

Friend: honestly, na kwento na siya ng bf niya kung sino daw ba ako. hindi naman nagalit ung bf niya. sabi niya friends

Me: pero siyempre bf pa din un. ikaw friend ka lang... :D

Friend: hehehe alam ko naman un

Me: so wag ka ng mag emote jan. he will be back, just give it time.

As I re-read this conversation, I am really not sure if what I told my friend is correct. How many friends zone have I encounter? I cannot remember. It happens to me the same way it happens to everyone else, and now, that I have to give an advice to someone experiencing it, the scenario remains a puzzle that will always be difficult to put together.

Clutters

I was staring at my Facebook page trying to understand why my sister posted a picture of a motorcycle accident. It was bloody, disgusting and all together, eeew. LOL. When I realized that aside from her post, my timeline has been posted by so many things. And to make things worst, it was posted by people who I really have no idea about.

Blame Zynga for making me add so many people who were addicted to Citiville. I think that is the main reason why my Facebook has been cluttered by so many things. And since they are also foreigner, you will see someone shared a post on a different language. Why did I ever allow this to happen?

So before I even get late to work I started unfriending people. Since I no longer play any applications of Facebook, I deleted all the foreigners that I've met from the game.

After I removed all the people I met through several Facebook applications, I realized that there are still a lot of people I really cannot recognize. I realized when I was still joining clans, I added a lot of people, and when I left the clans, I never removed them on my friends list. For sure, some of them just add me because they want to brag about the number of friends that they have on their site, and if ever I  removed them, I guess it will not hurt losing one soul, right?

I also removed my former agents who never communicate with me for the past year. I also remove my office mates which I never talk to. Old school mates who I never even have one serious conversation. And lastly, I remove people who just brag about their lives on Facebook. I never unfriend my sister, though. Haha.

It was hard doing such. What if they found out, right? But I am sure that they will not feel bad about it,  since I don't know them, they also don't know me as well. And in my boring, weird life, I really cannot post anything interesting on Facebook so I am sure that they will not realize that I am no longer on their list.

I think I will just concentrate on how you define friends when adding someone on the site. My life has been a mess lately, and since I am trying my best to fix everything, I guess I will start with Facebook. It is time to remove the clutters on the site, first. :D

Yeah, I know, I can get nasty sometimes. :D

Word Problems

 

You told me you love your BF and I believe you.

Though before you tell me that, you shared an incident that happened between you and an officemate in the service elevator. You mentioned that he was your type, and he kept on insisting that you get a place on your own so the kiss in will turn out to be something more intense. We often talked about how hard it was for you to say no to him, that you were always doing your best to avoid him, and though you both know that you were both taken, things still happened.

You told me you love your BF and I believe you.

Then, the next day I saw your conversation in twitter with someone from God knows where. Both of you were talking about a human blanket, you tweeting how cold it was and you need someone to hug you in order to get warm. And him, well, volunteering. The next conversation I noticed was from him saying how bored he was, and then the next tweets came from you saying that he should ask you out in order for the boredom to subside.

You told me you love your BF and I believe you.

Our next SKYPE conversation was about you BF. You said that he saw your Officemate’s messages on your phone and he started apologizing because he was way different from officemate. After that, you said you were also crying and you want to break up with bf because you know that he will always end up getting hurt with all the things that he may find out in the future. However, you said it was hard because you love your BF very much.

You told me you love your BF and I believe you.

Honestly, I do.

But as I try to even type the proper words to comfort and console you, I don’t even know where to start. A part of me was pissed, a part of me understands, and a greater part of me was confused. “Okay lang yan,” I said. It was stupid I know, but that was all that I can think of. I know sometime I screw up being a friend. But ever since you shared me your stories, you know where I stand, as long as you’re happy, I will back you up, no matter what.

You told me you love your BF and I believe you.

In spite of everything that happened. I still and will always believe you.

Para kay Mariel

kababata ko si erick. mayaman ang family nila. sa tingin ko, sila ang pinakamayamang pamilya sa lugar naming dati. engineer kasi ang tatay niya.

sabay kaming lumaki ni erick. naging classmates din kami nung elementary. ang bahay nila, parang pangalawang tahanan ko na dati, alam na alam ko ko ang lahat ng bahagi noon. marami kaming activities ni erick dati. si erick ang kasama kong mangaroling pag christmas, siya ang nagturo sa king mag solitaire sa computer, siya ang nagturo sa kin na mag chess at scrabble, ang unang magkakakita ng una kong performance para sa school oration, at marami pang iba. minsan, lagi din akong kasama sa mga lakad ng family niya kunwari may laban sila ng taekwondo o pupunta sa recital ng kapatid niya. si erick ay isang depenisyon ng isang childhood bestfriend, at isa siya sa pinakabest noong mga panahon na iyon.

pero ang kwento na ito ay hindi tungkol sa kanya. :p

may pinsan sina erick na kaclose ko din – sina marvin at mariel. laki silang dalawa sa probinsiya at dumadalaw lang tuwing bakasyon sa muntinlupa. si marvin, kasing edad namin ni erick, kasama din sa mga kalokohan naming dati. si mariel naman, mas bata ata sa min ng limang taon.

si mariel, matapang na bata, saka masipag. dati, kahit tanghaling tapat, kapag inutusan siya hindi siya aangal. minsan naabutan ko siya ng alas nueve ng gabi kasi may inuutos pa sa kanya. mabait si mariel, masayahin, isang typical na bata.

magkachat kami sa skype ni erick kanina, asa uk na kasi siya. kahit na matagal na kaming hindi nagkakasama, kapag sinipag, we get to catch up. kinamusta ko sina marvin at mariel kay erick, kasi nga matagal na rin akong walang balita sa kanila ng malaman ko na namatay na si mariel.

nagpakamatay.

ayon kay erick, hindi daw nakayanan ni mariel ang pagkabigo niya sa babae. nagbigti daw siya. nakakalungkot lang kasing isipin kasi one week pa bago natagpuan ang katawan niyang nakasabi sa dating computer shop ng kapatid ni erick. long weekend daw kasi, kaya hindi nakadalaw agad ang kapatid ni erick sa shop nila.

kaya nga sinasabi ko, mahirap uminom mag isa ang mga taong may malaking problema.

nakakalungkot. kahit two years ago pa iyon, hindi ko maisip na may kakilala akong ginawa iyon.

hindi talaga perfect ang buhay. 

mariel, kung asan ka man. sana natagpuan mo na ang kaligayahang matagal mo ng pinaglalaban.

F for Efren

 

Kung may isa akong tao hindi makakalimutan nung college ako, si Efren yun.

Si Efren, classmate ko siya nung nagtransfer ako from Accountancy to Banking. Sobrang opposite kami, siya maingay, masayahin, madaldal, madaming sinasabi, makulit.  kakanta ng Come On in and Out of the Rain sa videoke, Ako, dati lagi ko lang kasama ang mga barkada ko, tahimik, hindi masyadong nakikipagusap, pero nung fourth year kami, something bond us together – Ang pagiging working student.

Parehas kaming call center rep slash graduating student, ako sa Makati, siya naman sa Ortigas nagwowork. Since halos parehas kami ng mga pinagdadaanan noon, naging mas close kami, hanggang napansin ko nalang na lagi kaming magkasama. At lalong dumami ang kalokohan ko dahil sa kanya.

Ganito kasi yun, since parehas nga kaming working student, sa araw araw na ginawa ni Bro na 7:30 am ang pasok, late kami parati! Minsan, makikita ko nalang siya sa catwalk ng PUP, hahabulin ko yan, tapos imbes na dumeretso at mas magmadali papunta sa classroom, magbebreakfast muna kami, tapos magyoyosi sa chapel, tapos magkukwentuhan sa nangyaring shift kagabi, magtatamaan ng pronunciation at grammar, magbibidahan ng paghahandle ng irate callers, at pag naisipan namin na pumasok na, dun palang kami papasok. Pagtitinginan nalang kami ng mga kaklase ko, kami, magtataas nalang ng kilay.

Dati, may Professor kasi kaming 82 years old (R.I.P) tuwing Saturday, e hindi talaga nalelate yun, tapos amoy lupa pa, as in nakakairita talagang pumasok sa klase niya. Worst, tatlong oras ang subject niya, ung una’t kalahating oras, magsusulat siya sa board ng lecture, tapos yung nalalabing oras, sasabihan niya kami na gawin nalang ang Feasib namin. Since tatlong oras ang klase niya, magaatendance siya sa umpisa at pagkatapos ng klase. Ganito ang gagawin namin, hahabulin talaga naming dalawa ang attendance sa simula ng klase, at pag nagsimula ng magsulat si Lolo sa board, sisimple na ako ng “Lolo, este, Sir, May I go out…PO.” Titignan ko si Efren at alam na niya ang gagawin, in five minutes magkikita na kami sa baba at doon na kami magbebreakfast, tapos magyoyosi sa chapel, tapos magkukwentuhan sa nangyaring shift kagabi, magtatamaan ng pronunciation at grammar, at magbibidahan ng paghahandle ng irate callers. Kailan kami babalik? Tama! Sa attendance na bago matapos ang klase ni Tanda.

Since parehas nga kaming working students, sobrang lag na lagi ng mga utak namin pagdating sa klase. Puyat na kasi tapos kailangan pang magstay ng six hours, what do you expect, right? Halos lahat na ata ng exam nagkopyahan kami, lahat ng assignments parehas kami ng sagot, minsan gagawa siya ng report para sa kin, at ganoon din naman ako sa kanya, minsan parehas kami ng reaction paper na ipapasa, magkaiba lang ng pangalan at title. At since magkaiba ang circle of friends namin, sobrang dami naming source.

Sobrang pasaway namin, hindi kami naguuniform. Haha!

Minsan, exam sa International Banking, since wala kaming inaral parehas, umasa nalang kami sa Divine Intervention at sa skills naming dalawa. Badtrip pa si Professor, kasi pinaghiwalay kaming dalawa, pero swerte ata talaga kami kasi sa kalagitnaan ng exam, pinatawag ang prof. Hahaha… Alam na!

Kanya kanya na kaming diskarte lahat, e since magkalayo kami noon, pagkatapos kong isurvey ang paligid kung may nagbabantay, sumigaw na ako,

“Efren, anong sagot mo sa 23?”

“Ay friend, B,” sagot ni kalbo, tapos sabi, “Lourd, may sagot ka na sa 26?”

“C,” Sabi ko.

Dalawang students ang pagitan naming dalawa noon ha. Nagtuloy tuloy ang pasahan ng sagot,

“Efren, 33?”

“Ay… C ata, nabasa ko yun e,” bigkas ni Efren.

“Friend, nagbasa ka? Sana pinabasa mo din sa akin kanina yung nabasa mo.” Tapos sabay tawa kaming dalawa, ang mga classmates kong epal, pinapatahimik na kami. Nageexam nga naman diba? Pero wapakels, pumunta kayo sa sementeryo kung gusto niyong magexam ng tahimik

Tagal ng prof, kami ni Efren pasahan pa din ng sagot.

“Efren, may 46 ka na?”

“Ay friend, wala pa din,” sabi ni Efren.

“C.” May boses babaeng sumagot, napatingin kami parehas, si Shiela pala, isa sa mga kapanalig namin ni Kalbo. Sulat agad kami ni Efren, hahaha…. Nung tapos na akong magsagot, since hindi ko mapapasa ang papel ko sa kanya, sinabi ko nalang,“Efren, didictate ko nalang ha, ready ka na? One, B. Two, C. etc etc”

Malakas ang boses ko noon, lantaran na rin naman na nagkokopyahan kami, tuloy tuloy ko na diba? Habang patuloy ang pagsabi ko ng mga sagot, nagulat nalang kaming dalawa kasi ang iba kong mga kaklase, pinapabagalan na ang pagbigkas ko, hindi kasi sila makasunod. Ang iba naman, pinapaulit. Hahaha… Kala ko pa naman kami lang ang hindi nag-aral, hindi pala kami nagiisa. Ending, lahat kami pumasa, siyempre parehas kami ng score ni Efren.

Nung naging close kami, seriously, dumami ang kaaway namin. Halos lahat parang kaaway na namin sa klase, kasi yung iba naming kaklase, yung mga brainy type, parang sinasabi na masyado lang daw kaming confident sa mga sarili namin kaya kami pumapasa, yung iba naman sabi masyado daw kaming maangas porke nagwork na, hindi na aatend ng mga meeting, seminars, mga ganoon. Tapos yung iba naman, parang insecure lang. Ang hirap talagang maging maganda!

Pero si Efren kasi ang tumatalak sa kanila, ako tagatawa lang, habang siya ang nakikipagmalditahan, ako ang gumagawa ng paraan para may magpahiram sa min ng notes at libro. Habang si Efren ang naghahanap ng certificates naming sa seminar na hindi naman naming inaatendan, ako naman ang nagbabayad para sa printing at pagbabago ng pangalan noon. Sobrang partners in crime talaga kami!

Kapag naalala ko si Efren, at lahat ng mga pinagdaanan namin, natatawa nalang ako. Kasi hindi ko talaga inexpect na magiging close kami, pero siguro ganoon lang talaga, may mga taong magiging part ng buhay natin na babaguhin ang kasabihan na “First Impressions, last.” After naging super friends kami ni Efren, mas naging open ako sa mga nakikilala ko, hindi naging judgmental, ngayon, lagi kong pinapairal ang tolerance at understanding. Minsan, I even embrace our differences. Because, First Impressions never last.

Complicated

COMPLICATED ANG POST NA ITO!

May friend ako, Bisexual siya. Okay naman siya, maganda ang work, asa magandang company, tapos mabait naman siya. Si Friend ko, may BF. Si BF niya, CPA, okay din naman. Matagal na silang dalawa, three years na ata.

Si Friend ko, may nakilala sa office nila, nurse siya doon. Si nurse, nung kinwento sa kin ng friend ko, okay naman. Nagiisip ako ng paraan kung paano siya idedescribe pero ganito nalang, lahat na siguro ng hinahanap ng kaibigan ko sa isang tao, na kay nurse na siguro.

Mula sa kwento ng friend ko. Close sila. Kumakain ng magkasabay tapos laging nagkikita, parang ganoon. Parang they are in a bromance type of relationship na mahirap idiscribe.

Ang problema nga lang, si Nurse, may girlfriend!

You’ve read it right. Si nurse may girlfriend. So parang si Friend ko, kabit ni nurse. Tapos si nurse mayroon pa siyang isang male na Doctor na parang ang treatment ata ay parang ang pagtrato ni nurse sa friend ko.

Sana sa point na ito malinaw pa ang lahat.

Nung last chat conversation namin ng kaibigan ko, parang he and nurse talked it over na the nurse will get rid of the Doctor, siguro para at least isa lang ang kabit, para siya lang ang kabit. Bad shot na sa akin si nurse sa point na ito, I don’t know, alam mo kung gagawing tao ang isang player, si nurse lang ang naiisip kong perfect example noon.

Si friend ko naman, minsan hindi ko na maintindihan. Alam mo iyong may “legal wife” naman siyang kanya pero may mga ganoon pa.

Haist, ang hirap maging masaya! Ang hirap maging kuntento! Higit sa lahat, ang hirap maging kaibigan!

Siguro lahat naman ng mga kaibigan walang ibang gusto kung hindi ang masaya ang mga kaibigan nila. Pero siyempre, gusto ko naman na masaya ang kaibigan ko sa mga tamang dahilan. Alam ko din na nahihirapan ang friend ko sa pinagdadaanan niya, pero minsan, mas mahirap sa isang tao na makita ang mga pinahahalagahan mo na nagkakaganoon.

Naubusan na rin ako ng pep talks. Kaya binoblog ko nalang ito, sana may magcomment kung ano ang magandang sabihin. Hahaha…

Si Dave

Isang officemate ko na naman ang magreresign. Hindi na talaga ako sanay na may nagreresign. Ewan ko ba, sa limang kompanya na nagtrabaho ako, hindi ko maiwasan na malungkot at ang manghinayang.

Anyways, pag usapan natin si Dave.

Pumasok si Dave sa company naming nung February. Nursing graduate siya, masayahin, tahimik nung una, at gaya ng sabi ng ibang Clara (kontrabida) sa office, medyo slow daw. Nung naguumpisa palang si Dave, alam ko na nahihirapan na siya sa ginagawa nia. Ikaw ba naman ang pumasok sa isang Financial Institution na ang tanging alam mo lang ay ang parte ng katawan ng tao, pag hindi ka nawindang doon. Sa call center kasi naming siya dapat ilalagay kaso nga since lagi kaming kulang ng tao, pasensiya ka na Dave, pero magtiis ka jan!

Magkaiba kami ng shift ni Dave, morning siya at night shift naman ako. Lagi kaming magkasamang nagyoyosi pag uwian na niya. “Meeting “ ang tawag naming doon. Wala lang, paguusapan lang namin ang mga nangyari sa office, kung pano siya inapi, kung anong ginawa niya, mga tanong about work at marami pang iba. Napuputol lang kasi unang 15 minute break ko lang iyon at siyempre kailangan ko namang magtrabaho. Lahat ng mga pighati (wow) na dinanas niya sa buong araw, sa ‘kin niya kinukwento, mula sa mga bagay na sinasabi at ginagawa sa kanya ng mga Claras hanggang sa mga natutunan niya. Magaling naman si Dave kaso nga lang gusto ng mga Clara sa company namin, dapat unang turo, kuha agad. Dapat pag may sinabi, yun lang ang tangi mong bagay na gagawin. At since trained si Dave sa pagiging pasaway at palaban ko, hindi rin siya sumusunod.

Hanggang sa sinabi nalang niya sa ‘kin na tinanggap na daw niya ang offer sa isang call center. Naubusan na rin ako ng pep talk at ng mga motivation na pwede kong sabihin para kay Dave. Alam ko naman kasi ang mga dusa na pinagdaanan niya, at siyempe ayaw ko na din na pagdaanan pa niya ang mga kalupitan ng mga Clara. Siyempre gusto ko din na malaki ang sweldo nia para may gift siya sa akin sa Christmas at sa unang sweldo niya, may Starbucks ako, hehe. Higit sa lahat, kung saan masaya ang kaibigan ko, doon ako, regardless kung mahirapan, malungkot at magdusa pa ako.

Ang blog na ito ay para sa iyo Dave! Humayo ka at magpaka-becky!

All About Elmer!

My blog looks different now and it will never be possible without the help of a new friend, a fellow blogger, Elmer! He has several blogs and he taught me where I can I get a new template, how to use a Windows live writer, and he just told me to keep on blogging. You can check his blog by clicking on this link. I can say that Elmer was my blog mentor, and I am thankful that I learned from one of the Best!

Elmer, Maraming Salamat!

 

BALANCE

Last Friday, Nate and I were exchanging text messages about questions that normally come out on interview. Nate is currently unemployed that is why he ask me if I will be able to give him questions and answer it that way, if the question will show up on his interview, he will be able to answer them confidently.

Since I am a good friend, I give him what he wanted. I told him some of the questions that were ask to me before when I was still applying. I just hope it works for him the way it worked for me before.

If there is one thing that I am really confident at, I may say that one of them is job hunting. For the past seven years that I have been working, most of the interviews that I attended, I pass. I am really not sure how it happens. It seems that every time I am looking for a job, I transform into a different type of being, I become more and more aggressive to the point that my confidence just translate to every single thing I am saying. Unlike most people, I really don’t get scared with questions. I remained calm no matter how tough a query is.

In exchange, Nate taught me how to flirt. He told me the things that he noticed while we were together. That I am really into my position, I am a little intimidating and sometimes I really don’t blend well. He also told me to use toner on my face, to apply a whitening lotion on my body, and to wax my hair. He also did not forget to advise me that I should start to dress well, maybe become a metro sexual or some sort. His ideas were crazy. Some of them were verging on something that I am not used to. Sigh, I don’t know what happened to me! I know that work has overpowered me that sometimes I get so into it I already forgot to take care of myself. It sucks, but it’s true.

What just happened in our conversation just made me realized how magnificent our Lord is. He will never give what everything to you. Some things are definitely your turf and certain stuff needs a lot of polishing. Sometimes, I am wishing that I will be more confident with myself when it comes to interacting, meeting and flirting with other people, though I know that I have a lot to offer, sometimes, I just find it hard showing it without being intimidating, and sometimes cocky. Confusion is hitting me now. The battle between my confident and my timid self is really stressful and upsetting and sometimes it will get ultimately depressing.

Hence, I am still hopeful. Knowing that there are things that I am good and not good at is also comforting. At least, I don’t have to worry of starving because I know that I will land on a job instantly. However, like what I told Nate, victories are useless if you don’t have any one to share it with. Sometimes, it’s not fun. No matter if you created a big difference to somebody, having no one is really sad. Balance, where are you? I really need you now, and I need you fast!