Ika 31 ng Enero 2009: Hubby's Birthday

Brainchild's break............

Woke up late......... Last night, I went out with friends for coffee. A friend is going to the US for vacation next month and our designated organizer quickly came up with something on short notice. I had to quickly make an exit after my classes as I did no want to miss so much...... or maybe not want not to be my friends' main course........ I came in time for coffee. I already missed dinner with them and just took a quick bite in school as I couldn't join them because of my class. As usual, it was a fun night with lots of fun and laughter.

The girls's\ night out was originally set this weekend. I had to ask them to reset because it's hubby's birthday today. I guess we will celebrate later today. What am I craving for? Eldest daughter said she misses eating at Dampa. Knowing hubby, he would probably give in to ED's craving. We might have seafoods dinner later..... think crabs, shrimps, squid, tuna belly, bamboo shells, scallops ......... yummy........ goodbye diet. Then again, that depend if hubby has cash, the preferred mode of payment in the venue. If he doesn't have it, we would have the celebration in one of those fancy restos. I should rethink my cravings again......

I also have some errands to do..... I want to register the dogs but it looks like it's not possible today. Hubby is not keen on accompanying me. My brother is doing some work. Besides, a technician is also coming over to install a heater in my bathroom.

The helpers are also busy cleaning up the house. I need to also clear out the garage for some stuff we no longer use. I am giving some old books, shoes, and knick knacks to the workers. Other stuff will be freecycled......

That should be about it. I need to squeeze in some rest too. Tomorrow is another day.

PS: Kailangan na maayos tong garahe ko at ng lumabas na ang ganda nito. Yun fountain sa harap di pa rin mapagana at wala pa yun copper tubing na ikakabit ni Mang Boy, ang iron work contractor ko.

Kailangan din namin ng isang magaling na electrician para maayos yun kuryente sa bahay at makabitan ng switch ang pressurized tank.

Dami pa pala gagawin...........

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Ika 30 ng Enero 2009: New Day Dawning

Yesterday, the leeches I mean my colleagues were in the boss's room discussing the impending change which have already been leaked out before the official announcement was made. As usual, they were over-analyzing the change that would affect them directly...... no more frivolity, vagaries, whims, caprices that come with being the boss's pets..... nyeh, nyeh, nyeh, nyeh, nyeh...... Now that their demigod is moving to another office (good luck and may the force be with you all!), there would be nobody to shield them from their incompetence or negligence. There would be nobody to protect their interest now that it has been exposed (thanks to their greed and lust for power!). So now is the time of reckoning...... let's see how you will fare with the new dispensation.

But wait..... these leeches and their god may be down but not out...... They are at it again making noises ......... to thwart the inevitable......... I don't think so..... better accept the change and start mending your ways ......

To us who have long suffered the follies of a very bad dispensation, I'd say it's about time change should happen............ actually, it is long overdue...... We are hopeful that this change will bring about the reforms we wanted..........

Coming to the office today, I could hear Basia's New Day for You .........

......It's gonna be a new day for you
A new day for you
The stars have played their part
The past is gone and done
Have more faith in love
The best is yet to come
So what is this I hear
You deserve a break
Take time to think it out
Don't make a new mistake
I am here - your help at hand
It's gonna be a new day for you
A new day for you, new day for
you, new day for you.......

Soon, it will be for us..........

PS: Kuhanan ng card ng pangalawang anak ko ngayon. Kahapon pa niya sinasabi sa kin to. Sinabi ko na sabihin din sa daddy niya. Hanggang kagabi hindi ko na naman alam paano kukunin ang card. Marami rami na rin ako leave sa opisina at ayoko na sana lumiban. Pero kung walang kukuha, eh wala akong magagawa..... ganyan yata talaga ang papel ng isang nanay.

Naalala ko nang minsan kunin ang card ng anak kong ito...... Galing ako sa isang importanteng meeting sa Maynila kasama ang isang mataas na opisyal. Nagkaroon lang ng lunch break at me hinihintay pang ibang kasama sa yugto ng miting na yon. Nagpaalam ako sa mataas na opisyal na parang alanganin pang payagan ako bagamat babalik din sila sa opisina para mananghalian. Pumayag din naman at pinangako ko na direcho na ako sa opisina kung saan kami nagmimiting. Ibinaba nila ako sa sakayan ko. At dumerecho na ako sa eskwelahan. Tyempo naman na kung kelan ka nagmamadali natraffic ka pa. Mga isang oras lang ang nakalaan para makuha ko ang card at makabalik. Maynila pa yun at papunta ako Alabang.

Nakarating rin naman ako at madali rin nakuha ang card. Dali-dali akong uumalis at sumakay. Nasa Las Pinas pa lang ako nagtext na ang opisyal at sinasabing malapit na sila sa opisina. Sinabi ko kung nasan na ako. Mukang malelate talaga ako at mga kinse minuto na lang yata bago ang takdang oras. Maya maya tumetext sa kin at parang umaakyat ang puso ko sa lalamunan ko tuwing magtetext. Nakarating na sila sa lugar ng miting at ako ay natraffic. Nang makarating ng Buendia, bumaba ako ng bus para mag LRT na lang. Nag-umpisa na ang miting nila at text ng text ang alalay ng opisyal. Pagod na pagod na ako, kinakabahan pa ako na baka pagalitan ako..... Sinabi ko ang lokasyon ko. Sinabihan ako ng alalay na susunduin na lang ako ng driver pag baba ko ng LRT. Yun nga nangyari. Nakarating din ako sa miting na hindi ko alam ano itsura ko at ni hindi na nakakain ng tanghalian .... Agad akong umupo sa tabi ng opisyal para asistihan ito....

Sana naman wag ko nang gawin to ngayon..... Kaya salamat at ang asawa ko ang kukuha ng card..... Yey!

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Ika 29 ng Enero 2009: Prophet of Doom

While having breakfast this morning, I followed up what happened to his talk with their employees yesterday. Hubby remembered he needs to be early yesterday as he would talk to the people. He didn't say meeting but talk.... "About what?', I asked. The buy out and the eventual downsizing. So the people will be offered voluntary resignation. "and if they don't resign?', I further asked. Then, termination will be applied....... He said that they have not talked to those directly affected yet.... I asked what about him....... I said that they might just be asking you to do the dirty job for them and later the new management will also terminate your services. He said nothing.

I suddenly found myself in the shoes of these people about to lose their jobs? I lost a job once for failing to meet my sales target. What should I say? I am not a sales person...... Like the people in hubby's company, I wasn't exactly terminated. I was given a graceful exit. I even made beso beso with the president of the company before I left.... I didn't feel bad at all because a job was already waiting for me..... Besides, I was single, carefree, and ready to move on.......

Now, I am pondering again..... What if soon it will be hubby's turn..... The company could have hold off terminating them so as they could serve as their messenger in delivering the bad news to affected employees. Many of these people have families. They are probably at the prime of their lives...... and there are not many employment opportunities nowadays. What would happen to them?

It's unfortunate that we live in a culture where employment is the norm unlike our Chinese counterparts who are groomed to become entrepreneurs very early in life. Check out Chinese-owned shops and you see kids training on the ropes of the business. In our entire life, we were destined to work. Even our educational institutions are so designed to help students become employable. Lately, some top notch schools have revised their curriculum to make it more entrepreneurial. There is B.S. in Entrepreneurship in some schools now. But still changing the mindset is not only the problem. Engaging in entrepreneurial ventures would require capital..... Who has that nowadays? The risk of failing would always be present. Pinoys are risk-averse too. That is why we would happily be a slave to a boss to ensure that regular income comes every 15th and 30th than be scared out of our wits not knowing where our next meal would come from.

I failed to wish hubby good luck on a tough assignment. Well, I wish him luck because I wouldn't want to be in his shoes these days and deliver the kind of message he has for the people ....

PS: Naghihintay na ng resulta ng NMAT ang anak kong panganay. Kahapon pa tinatanong kung me natanggap kaming sulat sa bahay. Eh wala pa daw sabi ng mga kasama namin. Sana naman ay pumasa ang anak ko..... Ito ang katuparan ng mga pangarap namin.....

Kakarating lang ng resulta ng NMAT. 99 percentile rank ng anak ko. Pwede na magmedicine proper ang anak ko. Yehey!

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Ika 28 ng Enero 2009: Smoggy Morn

While I was dressing up for work, my helper knocked at my door and hesitated to tell me that she needs money for her ailing sister and if she could go to her..... I said ok. I gave her some money before I left for work. On my way out, I had to check the additional materials needed by the painters. I also left money for the workers to buy the needed materials. I finally left with the thought that I have done what is needed to be done.....

As we were traversing Skyway, I happened to look at the direction of where we were headed as I couldn't sleep ........ and I couldn't see a thing......... dark air envelops the urban jungle we were headed to. It wasn't cold so there's no way it was foggy this morning..... Sure, skies were overcast. But I have seen the silhouette of the cold concrete landscape even on such gloomy days before..... Now, I couldn't see a thing..... It looks like we were headed to the place of no return.....

As we were inching closer, the buildings began to emerge........hazy at first ...... then I could see it clearly. And I could only think I work in such conditions! No wonder I get headaches all the time. How we take the essential things for granted....... like the air that we breathe. Aren't our employers supposed to provide an environment conducive to working. But our employers can only do so much. In an air-conditioned office, we might be breathing carbon-dioxide laden air without knowing it. We are all equally responsible for the mess we are in.

Just last night, my friend Dayap, her hubby, another friend, and I had dinner at Som's. I must have been so enamored with the idea of authentic Thai cuisine at reasonable prices that I suggested to them that we go to the place since all of them have not tried it nor heard about it. They were game enough and were actually excited trying it once we were there. We ordered and soon had a feast of Thai food on the table ready to be devoured. Fortunately, they like it. Dayap and her hubby are no neophytes to street food having tried the stalls in Bangkok and elsewhere. Our other friend is also well-traveled and sampled such humble fare in various Asian countries. Well, I am no stranger to street food as well having acquired my amoebiasis from eating these stuff and I still have not learned....... We had an enjoyable meal and were whiling the time away talking about each other's lives.

I happened to look at the noisy group beside us and I saw this young woman blowing her cigarette smoke in our direction as she turned away from her friends. Her friends were also smoking........... a real spoiler on a nice evening. Unfortunately, that's the bane of eating al fresco..... you couldn't choose your dinnermates and you couldn't bar them from smoking. There are also no designated smoking areas which could serve as a detour to prolong the journey of the smoke in reaching non-smokers like us. Not wanting to subject our lungs to the ill effects of second-hand smoke, we left to have coffee in a more conducive place.

The above illustrates how people contribute to the unhealthy condition of the environment of the premier commercial center. Smokers might argue that their contribution would be minimal compared to smoke emissions by vehicles and factories...... but hey, you've done your part. It's too bad that we are forced to draw our selves closer to death as we need to work to earn our keep. Maybe, this explains also why some people here behave like a***s...... must be the consequence of too much exposure to carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases.

For all its bad rap, we hardly notice the air that we breathe is so polluted. Either, we are sleeping or have grown accustomed to it that it doesn't bother us anymore. I must have seen this before but it was only today that I took a closer look. It's like working among the crooked and the corrupt, you would be so numb to do something about being among criminals. You stare them in the eye and you make nothing of it. Suddenly, it becomes the norm rather than the exception..... Doing bad becomes a good thing and you just go with the tide..... the bad air that surrounds a city becomes the air that we breathe day in and day out.

Today, I wanted to break free from the black hole that was sucking us but there was no turning back.......

PS: Isa sa mga napag-usapan naming magkakaibigan kagabi ay ang mga iba ibang pakikitungo sa mga boss namin. Lahat kami ay me mga issues na hinaharap sa pagiging mangagagawa. Malapit lapit na rin siguro kami sa pagreretiro. Pero ipinapagpaliban namin dahil sayang din ang kinikita..... lalo na ngayon me krisis na hinaharap. Pero pag ganitong mga pagkakataon, di mapigilan na pakawalan ang silakbo ng damdamin na pinipigilan isiwalat sa mga tanggapan namin. Mabuti na lang me mga kaibigan nakikinig at pwedeng mahingahan ng sama ng loob.

Nang maghihiwahiwalay na kami at sinundo na ang isang kaibigan ng asawa at anak niya, napansin ng asawa niya na maaliwalas na ang muka ng kaibigan namin. Biniro tuloy namin na dapat yata madalas ang pagkikita-kita namin. Sadyang masarap magkaroon ng mga kaibigan na nagpapagaan ng mga suliranin sa buhay.

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Ika 27 ng Enero 2009: Looming Threat in the Year of the Ox

The Year of the OX was ushered in yesterday. Kong Hei Fat Choi! What is in store for us in the Year of the Ox? A friend born in the Year of the Ox visited my home in the weekend and told me a Chinese told him that it is going to be his year. He feels so lucky as he sees some positive development in his food cart business. He said he hopes to try franchising soon. I am an Ox, so am I supposed to feel good this year.....

Just as I opened my email, a former colleague at the school sent me an email with an alarming news, " Employee Termination continues Worldwide!". I forwarded the email to all my contacts. In a while, hubby would send me a message saying that they would soon join the crowd with more than a thousand of their workers offered voluntary resignation...... Oh, oh. It seems that the buy out of their company by another will push through......... What would happen then? I am so threatened by this news I would not want to contemplate on it right now. I have been hearing the news on TV and it seems it is slowly creeping in at home. This kind of news are life changing. I fear the worst.....

This makes me appreciate my work as a government employee. We enjoy security of tenure as public servant. There are certain compromises........ low pay, fewer benefits, slow career development, limited potential for growth, politics (although all offices have their own brand of politics)........... Still, it is good enough than being jobless. With the economic meltdown, it dawned on me that some things are as they are for a reason. Government cannot afford to pay high salaries because they need to maintain their workforce whatever the economic conditions are. Bureaucracy have to be put in place to manage a very large organization........ without it, order would be compromised.

It is said that the new year brings a new promise......... a fresh start. So why do I feel like I am in doldrums?

PS: Mukang marami ako lakad ngayon linggong to. Mamayang gabi magkikita kita kami ng mga kaibigan kong di ko nakita nung kapaskuhan. Sa biernes naman yun mga kaibigan kong kasama ko sa pagtuturo dati at idedespedida namin yun isang kaibigan na aalis papuntang US.

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Ika 26 ng Enero 2009: Surprise

Lots of stuff to deal with before going to work....... I had to get back another time to make one last instruction....... It always happen on a Monday..... Everything I have to deal with comes all at the same time...... Hay........

I hardly noticed the trip because I was talking with a neighbor first and slept the remainder of the trip after she got off at the first disembarkation point. Reaching the office, I turned on my PC, almost always like an instinct unless I have a very early meeting. I was surprised to see an invitation to view her Facebook from an 'enemy' here at the office. If I could compare her to a flower, she would be a rose........... the thorns in the rose that is......... for making my life here at the office unsavory. She's kinda weird though, a bit crazy if I may add. Before our fight escalated into epic proportion, she sent me this e-card with a message. The message said she missed me........ Huh!!!!??? .......... that was my reaction. She's not a friend. We hardly talked unless on a professional level. She's my superior for Pete's sake (like my son would say)! Unless, she's a lesbian who has secret feelings for me that remained unrequited and wanted to make it known. I did not respond to subsequent emails requesting that I talk to her......about what anyway!!!!???? The days, weeks, and years that followed after that incident would be one for the books in the life of an ordinary worker.... And now, what is she up to? I learned to take things in stride and just deal with things as it comes parrying some hard blows along the way ...... Anyway, I might be overreacting..... it could be one of those blanket invitations and she forgot to remove my name..... or was that done on purpose?

At lunch, I met my friend at our favorite Mang Inasal for serving not only yummy chicken at an affordable price with an unlimited rice to boot. We exchanged updates as we partake of our delicious inasal chicken dipped in a sauce of soy sauce, calamansi, sinamak vinegar, and red pepper...... yummy! I noticed that it has steadily grown as it opened more branches. We need one in the Alabang and Las Pinas area fast. My friend asked if I wanted dessert. I said no. I told her we could just go to a nearby boutique and window shop to aid our digestive system. Well, I got another surprise just as we were about to leave the place. I asked to split the bill as she paid for our meal since she arrived earlier than I. She said it's her birthday treat for me although she would say that I didn't greet her on her birthday. My phone broke down and I lost all my contacts at about that time FCOL! I told her this many times...... I thanked my friend for that very pleasant surprise which will remain a part of me till eternity as I think I gained about two inches on my waist.....

I went back to my office feeling stuffed and satisfied!

PS: Me hinihintay kaming pagbabago sa opisina ito..... kelan kaya mangyayari ito? Sobrang haba na ang pagtitiis namin sa bulok na systema dito....... tama na!

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Ika 25 ng Enero 2009: Relax

Brainchild's break..........

I figured that I should slack off a bit today unless necessary. There are chores I cannot avoid but some can be delegated. Hubby and I went to the market. Then I thought about going to Cartimar after our shopping to buy my cockatiel and to heed my son's request to buy crickets for his scorpion.

I told my son the plan and he got he took a quick bath and prepared to go. We were on our way soon. My son would have other plans..... He brought his money container, an old cylindrical box, where he puts his savings. He was planning to buy a mate for scorpy.... oh, oh. Are my girls gonna scream...... He has around P100 in coins. He was holding to that container when he got off the car. Hubby told him to leave it in the car and he'll just give him money.

We didn't take long and got everything we need in an instant. We were on our way home soon. I had a very flexible schedule for the afternoon but one thing certain is that I will take a nap. We encountered some traffic. Good thing that we bought some burger as my son said he was hungry. Soon, we were home. Lunch was ready and we sat at the table. After lunch, hubby was to bring the girls to school for their Sto. Nino celebration. He asked for the grocery list from our helpers. He didn't ask me to go with him. So he'll do the grocery himself. He always complain about spending more on grocery whenever I am doing the shopping.

So I have the whole afternoon to myself. I went to my room, turned on the TV, and laid down. I ended up watching No Reservation. It was good enough to watch on a lazy afternoon. Besides, I like Catherine Zeta-Jones. I feels good to spend some time in the house. It was just my son and me....... it was a relatively peaceful moment.

Soon the day will end and another week is waiting to unfold......

PS: Katamad na naman pumasok pero me misyon ako na dapat magawa na..... it's been long overdue sabi nga......

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Ika 24 ng Enero 2009: Broken Laptop

Brainchild's break........

Ah, Saturday........... I am in my room watching TV as I do this post early in the morning. Hubby is off to Tagaytay to attend a planning workshop. What is it about Tagaytay? We also often hold our planning activities there. Does the cool weather enable people to plan better? Cooler heads can think better and not make rash decisions.....


I think I don't have to compete with my son for PC use.... Hubby's laptop which was inoperable for a long time is now restored. Thanks to his former colleague who gave him her laptop with a damaged lcd. Our laptop's motherboard gave up more than a year ago. This laptop was formerly used by my eldest daughter. When hubby brought the laptop to the service center, he was told it would cost him P55,000 to have it replaced. What!!!!???? A new laptop could cost less. And that came at a time when the laptop's warranty just expired. I told him not to have it repaired and just buy a cheaper laptop for my eldest daughter. He did just that..... and so my daughter got a new laptop. The old laptop hanged in there for sometime until that opportune time when hubby's ex colleague offered to give him her defective laptop so they can have one working laptop. Now, hubby is wondering how he could repay her. He wanted her to try to have her laptop repaired and they could just divide the costs of restoring the two laptops if the price is reasonable.

I was thinking of buying my own laptop..... but with this development, I probably could delay that plan awhile. My daughter has her own laptop. The other kids and the rest of our household can use the old PC in the study. I then can have all the time in my hand to use a laptop whenever I want to...... sounds good. I could probably write some more. That could be bad because I would be spending more time on the computer and sleep less......... Nah, that's not good.

Today, I vow to write more without sacrificing my wellbeing..... Is it possible? Let's see....

PS: Family day sa SPED Department sa eskwelahan ng anak ko. Natatamad ako..... Ayaw na ayaw ng anak ko umaalis pag sabado at naiistorbo ang paglalaro niya sa computer. Pero dapat kami pumunta dun at kasama yun sa mga inoobserbahan ng mga guro niya. Ano ba gagawin ng isang tinatamad na nanay? Bakit naman kasi umulan pa....... ang sarap tuloy matulog......... bakit kasi ang sakit ng katawan ko....... bakit, bakit, bakit.......... makapagprepara na..... kailangan maging isang magandang ehemplo sa anak.......

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Ika 23 ng Enero 2009: Of Builders and Makers

Today, I have to acknowledge the work of my new batch of workers. This is long overdue. Work started almost three months ago. The first batch of workers with Ago as the foreman was replaced by this new batch of remodelers/finishing artists...... truly heaven sent. While I thank Ago et al for solving my drainage problems, the succeeding job orders proved to be problematic with their constant bickerings. Ago proved to be more of a story-teller than a worker, much less a leader to his men. I had to terminate his services sooner or later. I didn't have to anyway. I was contracting him for one last job, the installation of jars on my fence which my iron work contractor eventually took over(thank God!), he stopped reporting to work. He was asking me to give him a chance to bid for the iron work contract but I said I have been working with my iron work contractor for a long time. That must have disappointed him. Well, it turned out to be a blessing in disguise.

I should thank Ago though for bringing in my boy helper in the job. I got him because of Ago. But that's not all..... My boy helper would introduce me to a distant relative and their group whom he raves about as they did a renovation work before they worked on my home to the great satisfaction of the owner. Of course, it's all talk and there's always a chance that you will encounter another story teller. I decided to try my luck giving them first the tile installation of the garage floor, then the masonry work on the fence, and the installation of decorative stones on the posts.

What I immediately noticed about this new batch of workers is that they are silent workers......... a contrast to Ago's boisterous ways which can be a joy at times but proved to be detrimental in the long run. At work, I also observe this.......... it is the silent worker who delivers than the noisy scanty-brained airhead who goes on an ego-trip and makes all his accomplishments known to all. Indeed, silence is golden because it gets the work done.

Even President Obama acknowledged the men and women who toil silently to bring greatness to their nation in his inaugural address

..... In reaffirming the greatness of our nation, we understand that greatness is never a given. It must be earned. Our journey has never been one of shortcuts or settling for less. It has not been the path for the faint-hearted — for those who prefer leisure over work, or seek only the pleasures of riches and fame. Rather, it has been the risk-takers, the doers, the makers of things — some celebrated but more often men and women obscure in their labor, who have carried us up the long, rugged path towards prosperity and freedom.

We are into the final phase of the work when I noticed the what good craftsmen the workers are. Before contracting them for the painting job, I asked them to make a cabinet and shelves in the garage and seats for the dressers. I began to notice the work. I was happy with the garage work but that was not entirely their work and probably the iron work stands out compared to the garage floor. That is not saying they bungled the job because they really did a good job with that. Maybe, we hardly notice the ground we step on. Anyway, i wasn't expecting too much with the garage cabinet or shelves but they made a fine piece of furniture....

When they called in the painters who will execute the final touches (they are also part of this team), I was amazed how a piece of furniture could look like that..... stylish and elegant.......... and such fine craftmanship. As the days pass, I am getting more and more excited about the facade and all their work. I would probably miss them working on our home. It will be quite some time before I could call them again for some work..... but I know I found my men......

On my way to the office today as I look at the beauty that surrounds us, I would like to thank the builders and makers of the beautiful structures which we all enjoy as it makes life worth living....... I can never do their work........So let me acknowledge their great work that can only be done by hands that knows how to toil for beauty to emerge....... like those of our own Maker.....

PS: Naghuhulihan na naman kanina kaya kung saan saan na naman lumusot yun van na sinasakyan ko. Tong mga traffice aides na to talaga pag me topak, trying hard magpakitang gilas. Alam naman natin lahat ang gusto niyo....... Madalas nangyayari ganito tuwing malapit na pasukan, magpapasko, o yun malapit sa mahabang bakasyon. Malapit na nga pala ang semana santa......... kaya siguro naghahanda na kayo ng panhanda......

Tuwing mahuhuli ang sasakyan, siguradong huli na kaming mga nagtratrabaho sa pagpasok. Tong shuttle service namin, halos lahat me mga radyo kaya naititimbre na sa mga drivers kung me nanghuhuli. Iniiwasan ang mga ruta na me mga nanghuhuli. Hindi nga nahuli yun sinasakyan ko at iniba niya ang ruta..... Pero ayan nahuli naman ako sa pagpasok dahil sa kalokohang ito. Isa sa kaibigan ko dito, di na nakapasok at mahigit isang oras na daw silang naghihintay wala pa dumadating na sasakyan at nagtatago..... Tignan niyo ang abalang idinulot niyo.....

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Ika 22 ng Enero 2009: Traffic Jams and Acronyms

I came to office early. It really is good coming to work early because one is not harassed. It was actually surprising I got up early. I was so beat up last night from our Raon adventure which started on our way there. We got caught in terrible traffic at the intersection of Zobel Roxas turning right to SLEX. It took us 45 minutes. When we reached a corner street my brother decided to turn left to get out of that mess. He went straight and turned right until we reach Buendia and the SLEX intersection. We encountered some traffic but it was moving. When the stopped light changed, my brother dashed but I was surprised he went back to SLEX when I thought he would be going straight through Buendia or the street parallel to it. Exasperated, I sarcastically asked if he hadn't thought that the traffic along SLEX was reason we were caught in the earlier mess. I was scratching my head and he didn't respond. I wanted him to take U-turn but he continued with that route. I was so pissed. But since I was just asking a favor I couldn't complain or risk him leaving me.

It was past 5:00pm when we reached the shop where we would return the defective tank. We told the shopkeeper the problem. They said they can replace it but their warehouse located in another area closes at 5:00pm. They told us to just go back the following day. Still pissed, I told them I cannot keep on going back there as I am working. A lady tried to call their warehouse to get a replacement but the person she talked with was not willing to wait. To pacify me, the lady told me they would just have it delivered.

Not one who would waste opportunities, I asked my brother that we roam around for a while to look for bargains. I was looking for a wooden chopping board which the worker can convert into a stool I bought the last time we were there. Still running out of luck, we couldn't find the vendor. We walked till we reached Quinta Market and I decided to buy scrap ham at Excelente. On our way back to the car, we bought some native veggies which are a steal at P10 per bunch. I saw an interesting looking veggie and asked the vendor what it is. She said katuray. I asked how it is used and she said it is mixed with veggies. I turned to my brother for clarification. He said that he only heard about "anak ng katuray" and the vendor and I laughed. I decided not to buy the katuray. I also bought walis tingting recalling that my helper told me we don't have one anymore. I bought some fruits as well. In a jiffy, my P1000 vanished in thin air.

Near where the car is, my brother brought me to Globe Lumpia House. He said it is a 'must-try' there. We were there earlier but the shop ran out of lumpia..... I thought it must be good. I texted my eldest daughter from there telling her I'll fetch her from her dorm since she was coming home. I was actually nervous if I could still see my car whole upon our return from long sojourn. Thank God, it was still whole.

My brother drove me to my daughter's dorm and we parted ways. Along the way, my daughter and I would catch up on her studies and life in general. She told me they were winning on the volleyball game she was watching before I fetched her. I would recall the entries on her old phone which I am using now. Hubby and I are listed as ICE 2 and ICE 1 respectively. At first, I thought these were her Dad's numbers only when he texted me on this phone. I thought that my daughter must think that his Dad is cool giving him that code on her old phone. I was kinda wondering..........I later discovered that the other ICE is my number. So I had to ask her..... She told me that we are her ICE numbers.....Huh! Just what is ICE........ in case of emergency..........Ahh! So her Dad isn't really cool after all.

Going back to Manila is like revisiting my childhood. I grew up in Manila but have never really got assimilated with the place. I don't know how to go to Divisoria or find my way around Sta. Cruz or Quiapo. Perhaps, I felt I was too urbane for that place back then. I do not have the follies of my youth now. But then and now, I feel I don't belong to that place unlike my brothers who take to it like fish in the water.

While taking a bath this morning, I did it better than usual to remove all the dirt and grime from my adventure yesterday. And as I travel the road to the office, I fondly recall yesterday and perhaps go back to revisit the place of my past every now and then.

PS: Tuwing nag-uusap kaming magkapatid kahapon, di ko mapigilan sabihan siyang tanga tuwing nagkakamali ng diskarte. Ganon din siya sa kin. Di mahalaga kung sino matanda sa amin o kung talagang mali nga. Napansin ko ganito rin ako sa mga tunay at malalapit kong kaibigan. Kahit ano at nasaan na sila, parang bukambibig na namin magsabihan ng tanga. At di kami naiinsulto pag nasasabihan nito. Natural na natural lang na reaction. Minsan, gaganti ka lang at sasagot na "mas tanga ka no" o kaya "sino kaya eng-eng...."

Napanood ko sa isang segment ng Bubble Gang dati na yun pagsasabihan daw ng tanga ay indikasyon kung gaano kalapit yun pagkakaibigan niyo. Pag kaya mo sabihan ito ang isang tao, ibig sabihin close kayo..... siguro nga no.

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Proud to be My Son's Mom

Last night, hubby brought my son to the mall to buy long-sleeves polo shirt to be worn for their graduation picture. I was having dinner when they came back. Too sleepy, he hardly said a word and went upstairs as soon as they arrived lugging two small shopping bags.......... hmmmmmmm.........hubby bought two shirts for him ...... probably so my son would wear something different on his graduation day.

This morning, I woke up a bit late and my son was done with breakfast when I came to the table. Hubby and I would have breakfast together. I asked him what shirt he bought for our son. I asked if he bought two. He told me just one. I asked about the other bag. He said that my son asked him to buy a pair of slippers for our new boy helper because he will have his birthday next month. I was wondering why my son has to buy a gift so early. Hubby continued his story...... My son noticed that our boy helper's slippers (actually hubby's old slippers) bore holes. I was touched by my son's kindness as hubby related this incident to me. I was not surprised at all though.

My son is a sweet child who cares about those around him and is sensitive to the needs of others whether this is another human being or a stray cat. In an earlier post, I related how he kept a kitten he thought was abandoned by its mother in a secured place without my knowledge. He knew I would scold him because he has asthma and the kitten's hair could trigger it. I discovered it one time as he was retrieving the cat and the worker would eventually squeal on him. I feigned anger but I was really happy inside being witness to his great capacity to love.

He would flinch at the images of victims of disasters or abuses and would ask questions that are hard to answer. He would cry when a pet dies. He would get emotional when he processes something that would be related to his being separated from his loved ones. I remember a time when he was about 9 or 10 and he related to me their topic on science on the cycle of life. He even showed me a picture of a boy in his book and the changes that occur as the boy reached puberty and manhood. I made nothing out of it as I thought he was just explaining it to me like I do not know it. But there was sadness in his voice as he told me that when he becomes a man, I would be old and maybe soon after I will die. He was on the verge on crying. My heart was crushed. I tried to pacify him without being untruthful saying that all of us will die eventually but that won't happen soon. I would tell this to hubby and we would both try to make him feel better. I would catch him in tears while in bed many times after that. Eventually, he would get over it...... maybe. I don't see him crying in bed anymore. I still reminisce that incident and think about my son's great love for us.

Shortly after our breakfast, Manong Bus Driver came and my son hurried out of the house with one shopping bag in hand. He handed his gift to our boy helper. I overheard our boy helper thanking him. There was a smile on our helper's face as he did his chores dutifully this morning. It was a small gift but I guess my son touched his heart. I know what kindness is when i see it. I see it in my beautiful son who gives it freely to those who cannot do something in return. Again, I would learn life's lesson from this young fellow.

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Ika 21 ng Enero 2009: No Man's Land

I brought my car to the office today as I am going back to Raon later to return the defective pressurized tank...!@#%^&*())(&%$@#@!! Arrangement was made with my brother as I can't do it by my lonesome. Thank heavens for brothers who make life easy for me. I am actually the eldest in a brood of four. We have our own families now and live far from each other. A sister is now based in the US. One brother might leave again for the US this year and might settle there..... sigh..... that's one support system less for me. He was a McCain supporter. I was teasing him that his man lost and that should serve as some kind of an omen for him and that he shouldn't go...... Actually, I would just miss him and everything that he is to me. My son will also miss his son because they are like brothers. But I really feel that he and his family has to seek greener pasteur there.

It's been a long time since I drove to the office with my car. Traffic was moving and at some points it would slow down but it was ok. I wasn't my traffic freak self and was driving leisurely. I arrived at my office with enough time to spare......... but there was no parking. I slowly drove through the block and discovered that the vacant lots used for parking before now have structures. Oh boy, where should I park? This is why I don't like bringing my car. Looking for a parking space in Makati could prove to be a challenge. Our street is not even at the heart of the city. I made a U-turn before the end of the road ad was on my way to the other block when I read a sign in one building, "Pay Parking, M-F, visitors, tenants, delivery".......... Hmmmmmmmm....I am not any of those but decided to try my luck anyway. I inquired from the guard. He said there an available slot outside. Parking fee is P40 for the whole day. I said I'll take it.

I was about 3 minutes from being late because of the SCARCITY OF PARKING SLOT! Back to working now as I need to leave early to go to no man's land. This time, my brother will drive. I am in no position to wander in such chaos......

PS: Marami na naman sasakyan sa kalye dahil siguro mura na ulit ang gasolina. Kapansin pansin ito. Kasi nung panahon na mataas ang presyo ng mga produktong petrolyo. Sa Pasay mas mababa ang presyo ng gasolina kesa sa ibang lugar..... tatlong piso ang diperensiya. Kaya nung napadaan ako dun nung sabado nagpakarga ako ng full tank. Di na nakakatikim ng full tank ang kotse ko simula nung tumaas ang gasolina maliban kung me lakad kami na malayo. Dami nakapilang sasakyan. Kagabi napansin ko yun Shell na malapit sa amin na mababa na rin ang presyo. Mabuti naman...... magandang senyales ito ng epekto ng kompetisyon sa negosyo........ lalo na ang mga nagbebenta ng mga produktong petrolyo na pinapalakad na parang isang cartel.

Kung sa Amerika, ang Big 3 ay ang mga malalaking kumpanya ng kotse, dito naman ay ang mga kumpanya ng gasolina, Shell, Petron, at Caltex. Sa economics, complementary products ang dalawang ito na pag tumaas ang presyo ng isa ay tataas din yun isa. Kaya pag mataas ang presyo ng gasolina, mababa ang bentahan ng kotse. Kaya ngayon mababa ang presyo ng gasolina, maraming kotse sa kalye..... makes sense di ba?

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Ika 20 ng Enero 2009: Breaking Traditions

The air is abuzz with the Obama inauguration today. To those who want to go to the event, reports have it that tickets are being sold online for as much as $40,000 and demand for tickets is unprecedented. Hotels are also filling up. Gosh, those money could feed a hungry nation. As I was watching Good Morning America this morning while preparing for work, it was reported that Virginia businessman Earl W. Stafford and his nonprofit foundation, which together paid more than $1.6 million so people who otherwise might have been excluded from the festivities would get a chance to celebrate.

I have never seen this much excitement over presidential inauguration.... Perhaps, I was either too young or too jaded to care about such an event. But now, it's seems my interest and those of others are real. But I guess I don't have to attend the event to become involved. First of all, I don't have the proper travel documents. I don't even have the money for the plane fare and hotel.........much less the ticket. And geez, I am not even invited...... Perhaps, I am destined not to meet President Obama in this lifetime........ next lifetime maybe if I get good karma and not reborn a rat or a worm.......

Media is once again all agog about the all too important question on the inauguration. The big question is what would FL Michelle wear to the inauguration?...... OMG, that is truly mind boggling....... There goes our preoccupation with the trivial. I honestly want to hear what President Obama has to say about can be expected from his presidency but more importantly, I want to see what he will do when the klieg lights have dimmed. I would like to see his inaugural as one which breaks old habits and brings in new traditions ushering in a period of renewal that makes us all hope again. Everybody is watching......

On this day I came to the office hoping that racism and oppression will be a thing of the past......Oh, my boss is here and I have to prepare coffee.......

PS: Me problema pa yun nabili namin na pressurized tank ng kapatid ko..... sumisingaw. Ibig sabihin babalik pa ako Raon niyan....@#$%^^&*()&*%^$ Makikipagsiksikan na naman sa madla at makakabili na naman ng kung ano anong bagay..... Matetesting na naman ang pagmamaneho ko sa pagitan ng kalye na punong puno ng tao at sasakyan at di mo na alam kung saan ka lulugar. Ayaw na ayaw ko nagmamaneho dun, parang kinakabahan ako lagi..... eto at kailangan bumalik.... hay...

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Ika 19 ng Enero 2009: Chance Encounter

As expected, I am tired and sleepy today. Last night, I decided to file and organize our bills, a pending task since two weeks ago. I got so engrossed filing while watching Lamb for Lions that I went to bed at almost 1:00am. I feel accomplished after organizing the files. I still have to organize my remodelling receipts. That should take another weekend.

I also expected to go to work late because I had to buy additional materials and discussed the work with the workers. I had to discuss some more things with the painter and show them the color schemes I prefer for this finishing work. I am excited about the outcome of this final work on the facade. Even without the painting, I have been getting complements on the work done which is a really good execution of the design I have in mind. How I wish I have more funds to complete the look that I really like but I have reached my limit. I could enjoy doing this kind of work for a living. Too bad, I only realize my real work interest only now. I think I will be very proud of this design concept that I will post the actual picture of the facade when the work is done.

I met an old friend in the van going to work. We seldom see each other and everytime we do, he talks enthusiastically about his food cart business which seems to be taking off. I am glad about that. He is a former colleague in my first job. I would learn later that they put up a new company that directly competed with our former company due to their disillusion with our previous company, A US firm selling Yellow Pages. They got me there for a while with me just taking a leave of absence from my new office because I wasn't quite sure about the new venture. Like a David pitted against a Goliate, the business did not prosper. I was lucky I was able to go back to my office..... but they lost money from that venture. My friend suffered a lot and I have seen the consequences of that business decision on him because we live in the same village ... some of his children stopped schooling, he lost his car......... and he's got this appearance of a door-to-door salesman down on his luck who can't make a sale as he peddled one business idea after another. But he has a heart that never tires and gives up and always have a smile despite his adversities. I am glad he never gave up and I am glad he is on his way to something good after a very long time.......

Having missed so much of the morning, I decided to meet my friend and have an early lunch and report to the office by lunchtime. My friend is back to our old office from a reassignment. It's nice to pay the old colleagues a surprise visit. I was in this office for more than 15 years and we have seen the important milestone in each other's life. Like before, there is no pretense as we can be who we are no matter what we are in life after all these years.

Finally I am here at the office.......How I wish the day is over so I could go back to sleep......

PS: Pinirmahan ko na ang report card ng anak ko para maibalik na sa kanyang guro. Nag-alala pa rin ako sa mababa niyang marka sa matematika at filipino. Sabi ng guro at nanapupuna ko rin namimili siya ng aralin na gusto niyang aralin. Pag hindi niya gusto, hindi niya talaga iintindihin. Pero pag gusto niya ang aralin gaya ng agham o sibika, madaling madali para sa kanya. Mahirap baguhin ito.... Nagkataon kailangan ng matimatika kahit na ano pang kahinatnan natin sa buhay na ito. Wala rin ako masyadong panahon matutukan siya sa pag-aaral. Kailangan kasi ang praktis sa pagsagot sa mga problema sa aralin na ito. Sana naman ay matutunan gustuhin ng anak ko ang aralin na ito....

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Ika 18 ng Enero 2009: Final Touches

Brainchild's break.......

I just discussed with the workers the remaining work of what our funds can still be stretched to......... the finishing. Recent development in painting called duco finish makes use of the technology of car painting........... a tedious process which requires repeated sanding of the surface painted...... quite expensive too. Yesterday, after withdrawing some money from the bank, I realized we could not go any further than the finishing job. So that will be the final work. After negotiations on the remodellers quotation, we agreed on a contract price that should make all parties happy. I am not so happy though..... but at least we can give employment to some people even temporarily. Life is difficult these days.

I had to attend to the file of junk in the attic our boy helper took out yesterday and which have been lying in the garage. I will bring the junk to our friendly neighborhood junkyard later.

Later, I am off to the hardware to buy the expensive paint materials and some other stuff. I hope to make it to Cartimar to buy a mate for the lutino cockatiel.

Finally, the girls and I will hear mass later..... Hubby and my son went to mass yesterday. All the girls of the house were out yesterday........

PS: Bukas pasukan na naman....... Hindi na ako pwedeng tamarin at marami akong mga lakad sa mga susunod na panahon na paglalaanan ko ng aking pagliliban.....

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Tainting the Greens

I would admit to being one of those who joined in the fray and made snide remarks about the Pangandamans on the Valley Golf brawl. I even made a post, Justice for the Dela Paz family, in this blog backlinking to Bambee's account on the incident in her blog.

Well, some quarters are now airing the other side. In an email I got, another side of the story is being unearthed saying that it was the Dela Pazes who started the brawl. Some bloggers are also raising issue on how some bloggers can be so irresponsible in pointing to the Pangandamans as the culprit without looking at the other side of the story...... ouch.

I may have erred in making a rash judgment on who really was at fault pending the actual ruling on this case by the appropriate court if ever this is litigated ..... Blame it on my disdain for politicians and their ilks. However, I still see it wrong that a person of Mayor Pangandaman's stature would beat and allow his bodyguards to beat a 14-year old boy repeatedly even if he was indeed provoked........... that piece of information got my goat and I am still incensed by it. I maintain that people in authority should maintain their dignity and exercise utmost forbearance in the face of adversity. As an aside, Uncle Ben correctly laid it out for Peter a.k.a Spiderman when he reminded our cute superhero that ....."With great powers comes great responsibility". Through this account, I would also know that one of the bodyguards, the Yayo, brandished a gun, and another one readied an armalite to finish them off presumably. There is always a way for a proper venue for redress if indeed Mr. Delfin Dela Paz instigated the brawl. But that's another matter to think about in a machismo society like ours where justice is swiftly rendered through a slugfest and outcomes can easily be changed once the public takes notice...... culprits can become the underdogs or vice versa....

Again, I may be overreacting....... I must admit to my lack of objectivity where children and injustice are concerned. So I leave it to one and all to make their own judgment..... I rest my case.

In the interest of fairness, I am also posting the email on the result of the investigation of the fact-finding committee.

This is an account of the golf brawl that substantially supports the capsule account of Conrad Benitez. Bottom line: the De La Paz clan started the brawl. By all eyewitness accounts, the De La Paz family is composed of war freaks ready for battle anytime, anyhow, anywhere with anyone.

Israel might want to draft this family for its wars of aggression in the Middle East. Most important, the De La Paz clan is great at propaganda and psywar. Imagine raising the hackles of thousands of people all over the world with images of a young Christian boy on his knees pleading pitifully to be spared the wrath of a towering Muslim Saracen. Brings to mind the historical image Christians would rather delete from their memory: Sultan Salahuddin, Muslim conqueror of Jerusalem in the 12th century.

Apparently, Bambee De La Paz is a golfer, brawler, and script-writer rolled into one. Words from her father's mouth were switched into Nasser Jr.'s mouth and resonated well among people fed up with politicians. Hussein, who got whacked and scratched in the head and face, morphed from brawl victim to bully. This De La Paz family has got real talent. They proved themselves to be more trapo than the trapos.

Moral lesson: Muslim politicians playing golf within Metro Manila's Triumphal Christian Crusader atmosphere must always bring a laptop with them in the fairway. This is a vital golf equipment in case of fairway or clubhouse disputes. Ask Bambee to tell you about it.

This is not the Valley Golf's official report but claims to be first hand sourced from the club's Head of the Fact Finding Committee. Offhand, it sounds like very pro Pangandaman. However, good friends have told me that in Valley Golf, the caddies avoid servicing Delfin de la Paz because they find him abusive and arrogant.

I just spent some time with the head of the fact-finding committee. He has submitted all pertinent facts to the board and leaves it to them to make the necessary decision based on all the facts. I will outline the facts to you as it was outlined to me. Rest assured that the facts were obtained from all parties involved and all witnesses at each incident site. The statements were obtained both by the valley fact-finding group and by the NBI as well. Testimonies were recorded, verified, and re-verified. Fortunately for the parties involved, there were always witnesses to give supporting statements on the events as they occurred.

I will compose the outline shortly as it will be lengthy but just to whet your appetite or get you thinking, you will be quite surprised with the findings. Let's put it this way, the people we thought of as villains weren't quite what they were depicted to be. and the supposed protagonists may have yet been quite as factual in their testimony as it turns out to be. Even our 14-year old isn't as innocent and "prayerful" when all the details come out. just give me a few minutes....

In the interest of making sure that no facts might be left undisclosed, I will take it upon myself to start from the very beginning. Firstly let us start by saying that on or at about 12:40 p.m., the party of the Pangandaman's registered at the starter's area. They registered for 2 flights comprised of 4 individuals per flight. Unfortunately, they still had 2 members of their group that had not yet arrived, so they initially tee'd off as 2 successive threesomes. The starter and marshall were informed that the 2 individuals that had not yet arrived would just catch up with them in the fairway. On or at about 1:05 p.m. the Dela Paz group registered initially as a twosome but since this isn't normally allowed, they registered as a 3-some even if the elder Mr. Dela Paz was not really going to play.

When the Dela Paz 3-some was playing on hole number 3, they were passed by 2 golf carts containing Mayor Pangandaman and his companion (in one cart) and the caddies being brought by one of the starter personnell. The Pangandaman's did not ask permission to drive through because they did not want to disturb the Dela Paz's who were in the middle of the fairway. Upon reaching the green of the 3rd hole, Mr. Dela Paz asked the caddie why the people in the cart just went through. Mayor Pangandaman who was already positioned at the 4th hole, personally informed Mr. Dela Paz that they were part of 2 foursomes. At this point, Mr. Dela Paz said "ah okay, courtesy lang naman". This was verified by the caddies. Mr. Pangandaman said that he did not disturb them anymore because the player was about to hit. At this point, Mayor Pangandaman thought everything was okay so he proceeded to the 4th hole (Par 3) where his other flightmates were. In the records it says that Mr. Pangandaman was not yet even done pitching into the green when a ball landed near his 8-year old child so they immediately made sure the child was secured in the cart. ( For those unaware of the common practice at Valley Golf, on every par 3, the group behind you is signaled to hit into the green once everyone from your group is already on the green) Until you have been cleared to hit by the group ahead, you should not hit into the green. It is common sense and basic precautionary procedure.

In this particular case, we have no corroborative testimony. One set of caddies say they were given clearance, while the other say that no clearance was given as of yet when the ball/s had landed.

The Pangandaman's claim that the same situation happened in the 5th hole (Par5). Even the caddied confirmed this. At this time, Bambee Dela Paz had called the Marshall to tell him that the flight behind them was complaining about why their pace was slow and that the cause of the delay was the 5-some in front of them. Shortly thereafter, a marshall on his motorcycle appeared and approached the Pangandaman's and asked if they were playing as a fivesome to which the Mayor said no. "We are 2 foursomes". Nonetheless, the Pangandaman's had already agreed among themselves that they would rather the Dela Paz's play through. The Mayor was even quoted saying to his Father. " magagaling yung mga bata at malakas pumalo, baka mabagalan sa atin" They informed the marshall that they would just let the Dela Paz group play through and the marshall informed the Mr. Dela Paz of this. (Just as an aside, the investigative group actually asked the group behind Dela paz if indeed they had complained about the slow down and the group said that the y said no such thing to the Dela paz flight. They were not even in contact at anytime before they arrived at the tee house to see the fight and eventually help stop it.) When the Delapaz group reached the green of hole 5, the caddies of the 2 kids gave them their drivers so that they would waste no time playing through. The Mayor, who at that time was sitting along with their companions, stood up to personally tell Mr. Dela Paz to play through. Caddies, and the tee house server claim that the Mayor told Dela Paz na "Mauna na ho kayo" and walked to approach Dela Paz, The response of Dela Paz was "Huwag mo akong pagtaasan ng boses" Dela Paz began to question the Mayor why they were playing as a fivesome. The Mayor said that this was not the case but Dela Paz was insisting and even said (again corroborated by the caddies) "Linoloko mo ba ako?" "Member ka ba dito, Kilala mo ba ako?" (as you can see, this question did not come from Pangandaman. In fact, in the recorded testimony, this is exactly what Pangandaman claimed delapaz had said to him and yet in Delapaz' recorded statement, he never said that the mayor asked him " kilala mo ba ako" Completely different from when the media was already involved.

When Delapaz was posing the above question, the mayor was heard to say. "Sandali lang, hindi naman tayo nagaaway dito. Akala ko ba naayos na natin yung issue kanina sa hole 3? At about this point Delapaz closed his umbrella and then poked the mayor on his stomach using the pointed end ( some caddies say Dela Paz swung the umbrella and some say that he poked the Mayor) The investigative board asked Dela Paz what he did, he said that he poked the Mayor in self defense. When asked who was attacking him, Dela Paz said that he was being surrounded by 4 men. The caddies and other witnesses on hand said that when the umbrella incident happened, it was only Dela Paz and the mayor that were talking. The other parties were in the tee house about 15-20 yards away. The Mayor says he was poked and so he backed off and just as he was about to be poked again, his brother, Hussein ran and attacked Delapaz and hit Delapaz knocking him to the ground.( At this point the commotion took place. One of the things observed is 14-year old Bino hit the Mayor with his driver. Apparently, the mayor parried with his forearm and hand so this is where he sustaned the injury. In the process also, Hussein was being pulled off the older dela paz by his 2 children but again Bino was seen to hit Hussein in the face and head while Bambee had scratched the other side of Husseins face. At this time also, witnesses say, that 3 or 4 other members of the flight excluding the Secretary, the 8-year old boy, and the girlfriend of Hussein were involved in attacking or subduing the older dela paz but this lasted very shortly and when the combatants had been separated the existing people in the tee house as well as the new flight that was playing behind the dela paz's.

At this point the Secretary told the delapaz group to leave so as to avoid any more trouble. As the elder delapaz was leaving he was heard calling someone on his cellphone saying " may away kami, pumunta kayo dito"

No one knew who delapaz was speaking to as he walked away towards the main clubhouse. A few minutes later, the secretary and his group decided to end the day instead of continuing to play. When they got to the clubhouse, Hussein wanted to wash up because he was bleeding in the neck area. As he got near the reception area, he saw delapaz and was heard to have said "O, nandito pa pala kayo" to which Dela Paz said "Hindi pa tapos ito gaganti pa kami". At this point, Bino got in between his Dad and Hussein while saying " Tatandaan ka namin" (None of the witnesses in the clubhouse, and there were many, ever saw Bino kneel and say that he was only 14 years old at maawa na sila) On the contrary, Bino was acting like anything but a helpless child. He sounded tough, angry, and antagonistic enough that the fight broke out again. At this point, the bodyguards of the Mayor ran into the clubhouse via the poolside entrance. When questioned about this, the mayor said that one was his driver and the other was his "Yayo". As far as the board was concerned, the "Yayo" was also a bodyguard. Said Yayo came into the clubhouse with a clutchbag containing a gun and brought out the gun without pointing it at anyone. The Mayor immediately instructed him that there was no need for guns and the gun was put back. During the investigation, the Mayor said that the handgun was his and that his "yayo" was likely going to give it to him but he declined. Upon instructing his "yayo", the man just stayed in one corner. At this time the wife of Dela Paz and his other son arrived. The son was wielding a baseball bat and the wife had a knife which she pulled out of a scabbard. These two were subdued by security but they were verbally threatening the Pangandaman's during this time. There was also a reported incident where the driver of the mayor ran out and came back with a suitcase containing a supposed armalite as claimed by valley security. The driver never pulled it out or pointed it at anyone but it was readily accesible.

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Ika 17 ng Enero 2009: Whew

Brainchild's break.............

Another one of those days when I could hardly keep with the pace of my activities. In the morning, I hurriedly talked to the workers in the morning to discuss the remaining work. I don't know how much longer we can remodel the house. The funds are fast dwindling....... and there are still some work I want done. The iron work contractor also came to collect the balance of the payment for the work done and bring his quotation for a new job order......... I guess the skylight for the service area has to wait till the next windfall..... sigh.

Hubby and I with our eldest daughter and our four dogs rushed for the PTA at my son's school. We couldn't miss this one as we missed the second one. We dropped off my daughter at the bus terminal to meet up with her classmates for their trip to the venue of their initiation for an organization they were joining. I asked if this organization is a sorority in disguise. She said no.... It's one of the organizations in their medical school. Then, we dropped off the dogs at the vet's clinic for their grooming.

Finally, we were at the school almost at the end of the time period for the PTA. There was a parent talking to the teacher when we came in. Then, it was our turn..... I was anxious about what I would hear...... some good news and bad news.... some grades went down, some went up.... same old problem subjects, math and filipino.... on the behavior, his teacher noted a big development as my son is learning to associate and work with his classmate more and more. I actually noticed this too in his day-to-day routine to school. He is more mindful of his responsibilities.......... doing homework on his own.........keeping track of time so he is ready by the time Manong us Driver is here.........and being more aware of the things he needs for school albeit if he has to remind us he needs a long sleeves polo shirt which he doesn't have because he outgrew the old polo shirts, the night before when the shops are already closed and making me borrow from my good neighbor just before midnight. His teacher seemed to be fond of him even telling us that my son makes him smile with his thoughtful greetings as he waits for him before he comes to the classroom. He also said he is a critical thinker judging from the his manner of asking sensible questions.

The report card was given to my son's teacher at the resource school as they had to jointly guide him on math, my son's problem subject. We went to his resource teacher and again we talked. His teacher also noted the big improvement in my son but likewise was concerned about his problem subjects. I said that we will closely monitor him at home. We got the card and bade him goodbye. We were quite happy about what my son's performance and behavior.

We headed home and passed by the hardware to buy some stuff for the carpentry work. I was in a hurry as I was still meeting with my brother at Raon St. in busy Sta. Cruz to buy stuff at a bargain. The things I would do to get good bargain. For the uninitiated, Raon is the place to go for cheap electronic items. The surrounding areas are also sources of cheap stuffs from the simplest to the complex. My brother knows the place and could ably guide me where to go and more importantly park my car in tight spots. I was panicky when I reach the place because he was somewhere canvassing my needs and I was in the area, a no man's land. I double parked putting on my hazard lights. In a few minutes he was there and took over the wheel. He parked my vehicle and we went shopping. It really is a bargain paradise for various stuff.... but you should be willing to sweat it out and slug it out. We have done this before and there would be no problem doing it again.

I bought most of the things I need and eyed some other things I would buy when I make my comeback. I wanted to eat but my brother was fickle minded. He drove me to the main street and we were trying to find a place where we can park the car and eat. I thought of Som which some people have been raving about. It's a resto seling authentic Thai food along the street ala turo-turo reminiscent of food kiosk in Bangkok at cheap prices according to those who tried it. I like asking the servers what is their recommendation and she said curry, red or green. So we ordered that, Tom Yam, garlic shrimp, pad thai chicken, rice, and some Chai. We were hungry so we ate with gusto. I think we ordered too much as we were not able to eat the last dish, the pad thai and asked the server to just bag it along with the leftover curry to take out. We paid our bill and left. I dropped my brother off at the MRT station and headed home. Along the way, I called my middle daughter who texted that they finished their cheerleading practice. I told her I was on my way and will fetch her. They were eating at Jollibee and I picked her up there. Then, we pick up the dogs from the vet's clinic who all looked gorgeous with their new hair and were happy to see us. Finally, we were all going home.

We just arrived, exhausted and ready to drop dead.....

PS: Hay naku, di na naman kami nakasimba sa anticipated mass.... pahirapan na naman paggising bukas......

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Ika 16 ng Enero 2009: Catching up with Friends

Lately, I have been keeping in touch with friends, good friends. There are some I have not seen a long time and I miss their company. One friend will visit here by next month and we are planning a getaway trip somewhere and I am so excited about this as whenever she is here we hardly are ever able to strike a long conversation. I guess we would be able to find that chance this time ...... One friend whom my kids and I will visit sometime this year as has long been planned but due to several factors notably the lack of resources such plan has gathered dust in the dust bin for so long. Finally, we would have that family bonding time there ..... One friend who mothered and wifed for the family she sees only once or twice a year is coming home soon and we are looking forward for a spa treat particularly for her as she told me her hands are all calloused and rough from all the cooking and washing......

There are also friends with whom I have been planning a get together for more than a year. We were close to making it twice but at the last minute the plans fizzled out. These are good friends whose company and stories I enjoy immensely. Ladies, we should really meet. We owe it to ourselves to have a good time while we can still do it. Let's not wait till we need wheeled devices to move us around.....

Today, I was in touch with all of them through the wonders of technology. All these friends enrich my life one way or another and I could not ask for a better set in this lifetime....... I feel lucky to have them all.....

PS: Kanina nasakyan ko na naman si Manong Red Van Driver na feeling ko asar sa akin dahil sa aming nakaraan kung saan nasuspende siya dahil sa pagsusumbong ko sa asosayon nila. Bakit ko nararamdaman to? Kasi lagi masama tingin niya sa kin. Kaya dapat lang na unawain ko si Manong. Nagkataon pila sila kaya kung nagmamadali di ako pwede mamili ng sasakyan. Tamang tama naman na sa hulihan na ako napasakay para di na niya ako masyado mapansin. Ok lang kahit medyo matagtag pag nasa likod di ba.

Natulog lang ako sa biyahe.... masarap matulog nitong mga araw na ito kasi malamig kaya samantalahin di ba....... Nagising ako dahil pag daan ni MRVD sa hump o lubak, naramdaman ko yun bakal ng upuan sa pwet ko.......sakit Manong ha. At di ka nagmenor, eh pwede naman. Naulit pa yun ng ilan beses. Meron pa nga nauntog pa yun ulo ko sa salamin sa likod. Ok ka talaga Manong. Niyugyog mo na buong katawan ko pati ulo ko kaya buhay na buhay na diwa ko papasok sa opisina. Matutuwa siguro mga boss ko.........

Manong parang gumaganti ka ng patago ha..... Me araw ka ulit sa kin.....

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Ika 15 ng Enero 2009: Headstrong

Apparently, today is the first day of implementation of the fixed flexitime system (what's that!) in the office...... it used to be just flexitime. At a time when extreme traffic was eating up the lives of workers going to and from work (that was in the mid 90s when the Skyway was being constructed), the government decided to adopt a system of flexible working hours for government employees that is most suitable and convenient for as long as it will not prejudice the smooth and efficient delivery of public service. That was more than ten years ago and we have gotten used to that system. But our Head is not quite pleased that people can report to the office at 10:00am...... ouch. So the management has to come up with a system that would suit his preference.

In the fixed flexitime system, we can no longer take advantage of the window beyond 9:00 am..... double ouch. After that, an employee is late. I could hardly make it to the 10:00 am homestretch. It wasn't like that before. I was used to a 9:00 to 9:30 am schedule. I even had a 7:30 am to 4:30 am schedule while I was working for a top official of this office....... and I can work overnight with nary a whimper if necessary and with the right motivation. So what happened to me? Quite a long story...... let's just say I don't have the right motivation in the current situation.......

Since I have not read anything on the new ruling, I guess I can still do my old ways with some behavior modification as decided early this week. Today on the first day of implementation of the new policy, I came in at 9:45 am...... so am I late or what? I guess not. In the absence of any information on a rule, there is no rule, right?

PS: Sarap talaga ng malamig na panahon..... ang sarap matulog. Lagi tuloy ako nauunahan gumising ng anak kong lalaki. Tuwing bababa ako kumakain na siya. Patapos na halos siya pag sinamahan ko siya sa hapag kainan. Dahil dito, bihira na kami mag-away sa umaga. Mabuti at hindi pa ako pinagagalitan..........

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