The Adventures of Tarabusaw

Happy Birthday to me!!!  I just turned 24 today.  I celebrated it with some of my dearest friends (and my family, of course).  At these times, when everyone is very busy dealing with their own lives, it’s a pleasure to know that some people still care and can even spare some of their time.  Hahaha!!!  Senti mode talaga ako ngayon.  Many thanks to Kat, Neng, Lhea, Jonald, Macky, Melissa, Jeff, Beth, Jhoana, Apples and Rey for making my (last?) birthday (in the Philippines) a very memorable one.  I will really really really really miss all of you. 

~0~

Heard a very good and very relevant homily from the priest at (yesterday’s anticipated) mass.  He kept on talking about character building.  And I just can’t help but agree with what he’s trying to imply - our fears, our greatest insecurities and our hardships develop our character and personality.  We may not know it on the onset, but living with fear and overcoming it, coping with our insecurities and killing it and experiencing hardships and hurdling it molds our identity and character.

~0~

Bought a new book last Friday. Its title is "The Last Time I Saw Mother" and is written by Arlene Chai.  She is based in Sydney, Australia but is actually a Filipino with Spanish and Chinese descent. 

Tila yata’t ikaw ay naninibugho?  Ikaw ba’y may itinatagong galit sa akin?  Huwag mo ng ikaila.  Ayan at kitang-kita sa iyong nagnganaglit na mga mata at kumukunot na noo.  Nabasa ko na rin ang liham na dapat sana’y hindi mo ipaaabot sa aking dulangan.  Akala ko ba’y napagusapan na natin ang bagay na ito?  Ang buong pakiwari ko ay malinaw na sa atin ang lahat. Ano’t heto ka’t nagmamaktol na muli. 

Ano?!  Ipagpapalit kita?  Ano’t iyan’y pumasok sa iyong isipan?  Ni sa hinagap ay hindi ko mawaring ikaw ay lisanin… ang maghanap pa kaya ng iba at ikaw ay palitan?  Hindi ko nais na ikaw ay manibugho.  Kung alam mo lamang na sa bawat araw ay walang sandaling hindi ikaw ang aking nasa isip.  Kung kaya’t anong ikinababagabag ng iyong kalooban?  Kahit kailan ay hindi kita magagawang ipagpalit sa iba.  Iyan ang aking pangako. 

Huwag mong isipin na ang lahat ng ito ay aking ninais.  Hindi ba’t labag din naman ito sa aking kalooban noon?  Ngunit ano ang aking magagawa?  Waring lahat ng mga pangyayari ay itinitulak ako upang tahakin ang landasing ito.  Alam kong mahirap, lalo na’t ngayon lamang tayo magkakahiwalay.  Hindi lamang naman ikaw ang nasasaktan.  Kahit ako’y aligaga na rin sa aking nalalapit na paglisan.  Waring ako’y mababaliw sa tuwing iniisip kong ikaw’y maiiwan ko.  Subalit kailangan nating magtiis at batahin ang sakit na ito.  Kailangan nating isipin na ang lahat ng ito ay para sa isang mas magandang hinaharap. 

Pahirin mo na ang iyong luha.  Ayaw kong makitang dumadaloy iyan sa iyong mga pisngi.  Ang nais ko’y ngiti lamang ang nasa iyong labi.  Ang kaakit-akit mong biloy at ang mga alaalang ating pinagsaluhan na lamang ang siyang tangi mong maipababaon.  Tahan na.  Hindi ito ang aking huling pahimakas.  Nangangako akong ako’y magbabalik.  Nawa’y kaakibat nito ang iyo namang pangako na ako’y iyong hihintayin. 

Ingatan mo ang iyong sarili.  Hanggang sa muling pagkikita… mahal kong Pilipinas.

What is the Ayala Triangle?  It may not be in the same league as that of the mysterious and paranormal Bermuda Triangle, but this triangle is certainly in the limelight of Philippine setting.  It is actually the intersection of three streets within the country’s premier financial district – Ayala Avenue, Makati Avenue and Paseo de Roxas.  You may be asking what the relevance of my introduction is.  Sa totoo lang, wala! Hahaha!!! Just want to share my dreaded “walking” experience earlier at the Ayala Triangle!

I went to SSS to apply as an overseas member.  Oh, by the way, the SSS offices are in Gil Puyat Avenue, right in front of BPI-FEB Center.  I was already the ninth in the queue when an unfortunate event happened.  The lady behind the counter got hungry and decided to send us away!  And being the oh-so-patient Ian that I am, I just went off without saying anything (I think I have already perfected the art of waiting!  Hahaha!!!).  I just decided to go to the other room to have my application for e-card validated.  But, as I have expected, the personnel assigned is also on lunch break!  (Why are these people so excited for their lunch breaks?  It was only 11:50 when I was there!).  So, instead of nagging (just like what others in the line did), I just made my time more fruitful.  I decided to go to BPI-Philamlife to buy travellers cheques.  I think it is handier and more secure than bringing dollar notes.   

I was already walking my way to the intersection of Gil Puyat and Makati Avenues where the pedestrian crossing is located.  The sun was at its highest glory while I was treading my way.  I know I sweat a lot, and this day was no exception.  I was already in Citibank when I decided to stop and wipe my sweaty face… Eeeewww!!!  My polo was soaking with sweat and it was nakakahiya talaga!!!  I wasn’t able to bring extra shirt pa naman.

So, nakarating naman ako ng maayos sa aking “paboritong” bangko.  The peso-dollar conversion was at one of its all-time high!  The rate they gave me was around 50 pesos a dollar.  I decided to freshen up, so I went to the food park at the tower’s ninth floor. 

I then went to the Enterprise Center to pay my bills in HSBC.  I was so mabaho na talaga that time.  I wasn’t able to bring my cologne pa naman.  Nakakahiya talaga!  Buti na lang, there weren’t a lot of people in HSBC.  Maybe because it’s almost 1 o’clock na and their lunch breaks were already over.  I was about to cross the underpass again to go to Ayala Tower One to pay my dues in Chinatrust, but found out that my funds weren’t sufficient.  So, I just continued walking the other side of the triangle – Ayala Avenue.  I passed by PhilFirst Building, SGV and Allied before I took the underpass going to Makati Avenue.  I am now headed to Pag-ibig Fund in Atrium Center.

It was my first time to be inside the Atrium Center.  It may look a bit dilapidated and old outside, but it was actually nice inside.  It has an atrium (thus, the name) in the center where coffee shops and food stall abound.  I was enticed to eat some snacks since I haven’t taken my lunch yet.  Pero naisip kong tapusin muna lahat bago ako kumain.  I headed to the 6th floor where the International Operations Division of Pag-ibig Fund is located.  As usual, I filled up tons countless forms and stuff.  But, the processing time was actually fast!  It only took me less than an hour to finish everything.  I even went out with my Identification card! 

I felt na hindi ko na kayang maglakad pa ng hindi kumakain.  Luckily, there was a Mini-stop inside.  So I took a bottle of C2 and a piece of Asado Kariman for lunch.  I also bought a small cologne since I myself can’t stand my own disgusting odour… Hahaha!!! 

I was planning to take a cab to take me back to SSS in Gil Puyat.  Unfortunately, there were not so many available cabs that time (Oh gosh those cabs!  Pag hindi mo kailangan nandiyang lahat!  Kung kelan mo naman kailangan, nagsisipagtaguan!!! Grrr!).  So I was left with no other option but to walk my way back to the SSS offices.  I passed by the same sets of buildings when I went to BPI-Philamlife earlier – Citibank, Gerson, UCPB, Equitable-PCI and Pacific Star!  Haaaay… I was really tired and soaking wet (in my own sweat!). 

There weren’t a lot of people in the queue… thankfully!  It only took me 20 minutes to finish my registration.  I will be paying my first contribution as a voluntary member on October 10.  I went to the other room where I had my ID application form validated.  The SSS employee was done with it.  Unfortunately, I need to be back some other time to have my picture taken.  And I was informed that only the first 100 validated applicants ang pwedeng magpapicture.  So, kailangan ko na naming gumising ng maaga para pumila!!!

I was really really tired!  Glad I had my reliable sneakers on, so my feet were well taken care of.  I was about to report to my “personal business” but decided not to push through.  Nakakahiya naman eh… Ang bantot ko talaga pramis!!!  Hahaha!!!

So there’s the tale of the Ayala Triangle.  Though, I had a dreadful experience earlier, I can still say that I will always love Ayala Center.  Gonna miss it… huhuhu…

*** Ayala Triangle photo courtesy of www.marmeid.com

Went to Tiaong, Quezon yesterday to attend the wedding of a cousin.  We then made a side trip to Liliw, Laguna to visit the house of an aunt and buy some footwear as well.  Liliw is well-known for its quality shoes and slippers.  We parked our car at the town’s parish church.  This quaint little town boasts a grand church!  It was really a magnificent sight to behold.  The church is made of earthen bricks which adds more flavor and class to it. 

Here are some pictures I was able to take yesterday:

Nagkaroon ako ng pagkakataong lumibot sa kalungsuran kahapon.  Nakipagkita ako kina Jun at Sisley.  Sila ang magkabiyak na makakasama ko sa Canada.  Galing kasi sila sa Bacolod at may pasalubong silang Napoleones sa akin.  Bago kami nagtagpo sa Galleria ay galing muna sa POEA si Jun upang magpalista bilang Manggagawang Pilipino sa Ibayong Dagat (OFW).  Saglit akong nakipagbugilan sa kanila ngunit nagpaalam na rin makalipas ang ilang sandali dahil kailangan ko pang magtungo sa Divisoria upang mamili ng mga dadalhin ko sa Canada.

Naisip kong gamitin ang MRT mula Ortigas hanggang sa himpilan nito sa Cubao.  Subalit naisip kong may kalayuan ang himpilan sa Ortigas sa Galleria.  Napagpasyahan kong mag-bus na lamang.  Kunsabagay, ay malapit na lamang naman ang Cubao sa Ortigas.  Pagdating sa Ortigas ay dagli akong pumasok sa Plaza Fair.  Medyo may kataasan na kasi ang sikat ng araw at pakiramdam ko’y nasusunog na ang aking balat.  Mula sa Plaza Fair ay tinahak ko ang "elevated walkway" patungong Gateway.  Mula sa Gateway ay tumungo ako sa himpilan ng LRT-2 sa Cubao.  Ito ang aking unang karanasang sumakay sa bagong tramo ng siyudad. 

Walang kahera sa himpilan, hindi tulad ng sa MRT at LRT-1.  Kailangan mo lamang piliin ang himpilang iyong pupuntahan at maghulog ng sapat na barya o di kaya’y buong salapi at lalabas na ang iyong "ticket."  Naalala ko tuloy ang tren na aming nilulanan sa Bangkok na may katulad na pamamaraan ng pagbili ng "ticket." 

‘Di hamak na mas malaki at mas maluwag ang mga himpilan nito kaysa sa dalawang naunang mga tramo sa siyudad.  Hindi rin maikakaila ang maaliwalas at malinis na paligid.  Marahil dahil ito ay bago pa lamang.  Sana lamang ay mapanatili ito sa ganitong kalagayan.  Naaliw din ako sa buong biyahe.  Sa dahilang binabagtas nito ang kahabaan ng Lungsod ng Quezon, Bayan ng San Juan at Lungsod ng Maynila ay kitang-kita ang naglalakihan at nagtataasang mga gusali ng Ortigas at Makati.  Animo’y wala ka sa isang bayang nagdarahop dahil sa kakaibang tanawing iyon.  Sayang nga lamang at hindi ko ito nakunan ng larawan.  Nahihiya na rin ako sa iba pang taong lulan ng tren.  Baka akalain nilang bagong salta lamang ako sa Maynila.

Pagkatapos kong mamili sa Divisoria ay nagtungo naman ako sa Simbahan ng Sta. Cruz.  Habang binabagtas ko ang Avenida ay nakita ko si Chris.  Siya ang kasintahan ng aking kamag-aral sa kolehiyo na si Arlene.  Nakatutuwang isipin na sa isang mataong lugar tulad ng Avenida pa kami magkikita.  Kasalukuyan niyang kausap sa telepono si Arlene, kung kaya’t pansamantala muna niyang iniabot ito sa akin upang kami muna ang makapagkwentuhan.  Matagal-tagal na rin kasi ang panahong hindi kami nagkita o nagkausap man lamang ng kamag-aral kong ito.  Nagpaalam na kami sa isa’t-isa, at sinabi ko na lamang na ikamusta niya ako sa kanyang nobya.  Tumango naman siya at sinabing mag-ingat na lamang ako.

Tamang-tama at may misa pala noong araw na iyon sa Simbahan ng Sta. Cruz.  Nakidalo na rin ako.  Pagkatapos nito ay nagdasal ako…nagpasalamat… at humingi ng gabay mula sa Kanya.  Para sa kaalaman ninyong lahat, isa sa mga natatanging lugar para sa akin ang Simbahan ng Sta. Cruz.  Noong ako’y naghahanda para sa "Board Exams" ay dito ako lagi pumupunta upang magdasal at magmuni.  Hindi ko alam kung bakit, subalit may kakaibang pakiramdam ako tuwing ako’y nasa loob ng dambanang ito.  Kahit na ito’y nasa gitna ng isang magulong distrito ng Maynila ay nakakahanap ako ng katahimikan at kapanatagan.  Nagsindi ako ng ilang kandila pagkatapos kong magdasal.  Nagpasya na rin muna akong mananghalian dahil halos ika-dalawa na ng hapon.  Pagkakain ay umuwi na ako dahil walang kasama ang aking ama sa aming tahanan. 

Napagpasyahan kong sumakay na lamang sa LRT-1.  Sabi kasi ni Chris ay may "rally" daw sa may Kalaw.  Hindi ko mapigilang ikumpara ang dalawang tramong aking nasakyan nang araw na iyon.  Kay liit at kay kipot ng mga himpilan ng LRT-1.  Mas pinakipot pa ito sa dami ng tao lalo na sa Carriedo kung saan ako sumakay.  Hindi maikukubling may kalumaan at katandaan na ang tramong ito.  Sabagay, mahigit na rin namang dalawang dekada na nitong pinagsisilbihan ang mga tao sa Kamaynilaan.  Sana nga lamang ay gumawa ng paraan ang namamahala nito upang maisaayos ang linya.  Sayang naman kung patuloy itong mapababayaan. 

Ika-apat na halos ng hapon ng ako ay makarating sa aming tahanan.  Lubhang nakakapagod ang araw na ito para sa akin.  Ilang lungsod at bayan ang aking nadaanan: Muntinlupa-Parañaque-Pasay-Makati-Mandaluyong-Pasig-Quezon-San Juan-Maynila! (Ang ilang naman dito ay lulan ako ng bus dahil kasama talaga ang mga bayan at lungsod na ito sa araw-araw ng biyahe mula sa Laguna).  Ngunit ang pagod ay pansamantala lamang.  Nagalak naman ako sa aking mga napuntahan, nakita at napamili.  Matagal-tagal pa uling panahon bago ko malibot ang mga lugar na ito kung kaya’t ayos na ring ako’y nakapaglagalag.  Ngayon ay binabalak ko namang libuting muli ang Intramuros.  Sana ay magawa ko ito bago ang aking pagyao sa ibang bansa.  =)

Finally!  I am done with the processing of my POEA papers!  I am now a registered Overseas Filipino Worker!  Bagong Bayani na din ako.  =D I thought my POEA experience would be bad, but I found it okay, in all honesty.  I may have taken two days in finishing all the work but considering the number of Filipinos flocking the POEA offices, I find the whole process bearable and understandable.   Or is it just me?  Hahaha!!!  I always believed that the level of my patience is very high.  I know how to manage stress and anger.  I really don’t let small things get to my nerves.  Hmmm… Maybe, it’s just really me.  Nyahahaha!!!  Because most of the people there seemed to be very annoyed.  Or maybe my pocketbook and iTunes helped a lot.  Anyway, I’m just glad that everything is all okay.  I will be booking my flight next week.  Sorry Ayms and Kendz, can’t make it to Singapore for stopover.  I will probably be taking Korean Air with stopover in Incheon.  Singapore Airlines is way too expensive!  We shall meet again, somewhere… sometime. 

~0~

Heard an officemate is diagnosed with dengue fever and is currently in the hospital.  Let’s all pray for her.  Get well soon Kendy!

I’m feeling it.  I was anxious while waiting for my visa.  But now that I am about to leave, I really feel depressed and sad.  Of course, I am excited… but I can never deny the fact that I am afraid.  I will be living alone…for the first time.  And to top it all, it’s in a foreign land!

I guess it’s all but normal.  Maybe butterflies abound in my stomach, but I’ll get over this feeling in time.  Maybe once I am in the Land of the Maple Tree all the what-if’s and hoola-baloo’s will vanish.  I just hope for the best.

~0~

Music has been a very important part of my life.  I am fond of listening to different kinds of it.  I say I am an eclectic type when it comes to music.  I can shift from mellow to alternative.  But you’ll never catch me listening to heavy metal sound.  It’s not just my cup of tea.

Here are some of the songs in my playlist:

• Breakaway by Kelly Clarkson – I know this is a bit old.  Just love it, especially the part where Kelly sings about taking risks and making chances.  And, I too grew up in my small town of San Pedro.  Who would’ve thought I can make it “big” (?) someday?

I’ll do what it takes so touch the sky
Take a risk, take a chance, make a change
And breakaway…

• Unwritten by Natasha Bedingfield – I loved the song from the moment I heard it.  It is upbeat yet the message is superb.  Certainly,  a can-relate-and-feel-good song.  Hope my story will have a great ending.  Not that I want a statue to be built for me or a street to be named after me.  Just want my life to be happy.

Feel the rain on your skin
No one else can feel it for you
Only you can let it in
No one else, no one else
Can speak the words on your lips
Drench yourself with words unspoken
Live your life with arms wide open
Through the years, where you book begins
The rest is still unwritten

• Blue Sky by Hale – I know it’s a love song, but there’s a line (or two) there that’s really good especially for “worried” people like me:

It’s beautiful to be alive
It’s wonderful to live a life
The sun is sure to shine
For you and me for everyone
So don’t be sad it’s just the start
Of a new beginning in your life

Was able to talk to her while waiting for my name to be called in POEA.  She actually read my previous post!!!  Ahahaha!!!  Wala lang. 

Here’s the last part of my four-part story.  Sorry if I wasn’t able to post this yesterday.  I was so overwhelmed by my visa approval, I forgot about everything else… Hahaha!!! =D

~0~

“Excuse me Miss, is Mrs. Torres still there?”

“Sir, she just left a few minutes ago.”

“Oh I see.  Who’s in the office right now?”

“I believe Ms. Dhalia is in the office.”

“Dhalia Vergara?!?”

“No Sir, Dhalia Mendoza.”

“Ah ok! Dhalia Mendoza.  Can I talk to her?”

“For a while Sir, I’ll ask her.”

Sobrang na-excite ako.  Makikita ko si Dhang!  Kamusta na kaya siya?  Makulit pa rin kaya?  Mendoza na pala ang apelyido niya.

“Sir, sige po pasok na po kayo sa office.”

“Thanks, Miss…?”

“Jen Villaruel Sir.”

“Thanks Jen.”

Pumasok na ako sa office nina Dhang. 

“Dhang?”

“Tarabu!!!  Kamusta na?”

“Ito okay naman.  Ikaw kamusta na?  Mrs. Mendoza ka na pala ngayon ha.  Kaya lang maliit ka pa rin!  Hahaha!”

“Hoy! Kahit maliit ako, maganda naman.  Nasabi nga nina Kat na pumunta ka dito kanina eh.  Bakit ka bumalik?  May naiwan ka no?”

“Nandito ba?  Dito ko ba naiwan ang phone ko?”

“Opo.  Ano ba yan?  Ang laki-laki na, nakakaiwan pa rin ng celphone!  Pero in fairness, ang payat mo ngayon ha.”

“Uy, thank you!… Sandali, anong trabaho ni Jen dito?”

“Aba! Pa’no mo siya nakilala? Ian ha…”

“Tinanong ko yung pangalan siyempre.  Sa kanya ako nagtanong kung sinong tao dito eh, so nung nag-thank you ako, tinanong ko na rin ang name niya.  Anong work niya?”

“Branch Manager.  Uy! Interesado!  Okay lang, dalaga pa yun.”

“Hindi ko naman tinatanong ah.”

“Sus!  Yung mga ganyan mo alam na alam ko na.”

“Sandali, kamusta na nga pala si Jho?”

“Si Jho?  Naku ang daming pag-aaring bar nun.  Sa Malate meron, sa Makati at QC meron din.”

“Talaga?  Kamusta na sila ng husband niya?  Ilan na baby nila?”

“Going stronger and stronger pa rin sila ni Davied.  Apat na nga ang anak nila eh.  May anak ka na rin daw sabi ni Beth, pero walang asawa.”

“Oo, divorced na kasi kami eh.”

“O yun! Tamang-tama, pwede mo ng ligawan si Jen!”

“Tumigil ka nga diyan!  Baka matukso ako!  Hahaha! … Sige na Dhang, I mean Ms. Mendoza, I’ll go ahead na.  Naghihintay na si Matt eh.  Nice seeing you again.”

I finally decided to go back home.  Nagpasundo ako sa brother ko.  Its been a long day!  Ang daming nangyari.  Parang kulang pa nga eh. 

We finally arrived in Laguna Bel-Air.  Dito na nakabili ng bahay ang pamilya namin.  Plano ko na nga ring dito na lang kami ni Matt sa Pilipinas eh.  Tutal nakaipon na din naman ako.

Habang papasok ang kotse sa village di ko mapigilang mapangiti.  Nakita ko lahat ng mga kaibigan and I was able to catch on the latest buzzes about them.  And, of course, aside from that, I was able to rekindle the memories I shared with them. 

It’s been fifteen years since we’ve graduated… its good to know that we are doing very well in the respective paths we chose to take.  I just hope that the legacy of the worst block (if there is any) will flourish in our children, and our children’s children.

- Wakas -

Day Twenty Five.  The countdown ends.  BECAUSE I FINALLY GOT MY VISA!!!  Woohoo!!!  I’m so happy!!!  I was screaming all over our house when I opened the package from the embassy and my passport with the Canadian Visa peeked through. 

I told the good news to almost everyone in our compound! Hahaha!!!  I am planning to leave on the 30th of September, so I can still celebrate my birthday here in the Philippines.  I now need to process my papers in POEA.  A friend told me it was a nightmare!  Well what can you expect from a government agency?  I feel the experience will be something bloggable!  Hahaha!!!  I am now preparing my list of to-brings to Canada.  But I might not be bringing a lot of stuff. 

But of course, behind that excited and oh-so-good feeling is anxiety (if you may call it).  Or to put it in a lighter note, I am sad.  I was very anxious when my visa was not yet with me.  But now, I feel that I am leaving too soon.  If ever I can book a flight on the 30th and all my other requirements are settled… that means I only got 21 days left in the Philippines!!!  Hwaaaa!!!  Naiiyak na ako!!!

~0~

By the way, the Final Four contenders of SCQ Batch 1 (of PwC) were re-united yesterday.  Candy was in town, so we decided to burn her wallet!!!  Hahaha!!!  We ate at Red Crab, though I’m not really into seafoods (especially crab… eewww) talaga.  Then we had this delicious new craze in town for dessert!  It’s name is Cold Rock Ice Cream!  It’s actually a typical ice cream, but you get to pick any toppings that delight you. Though it was a little expensive, it was worth the experience.  I loved my mmm…mocha ice cream with chocolate chip and oreo topping!  It was really mmmmmmmmasarap.