Ika 17 ng Pebrero 2009: Living Dangerously

I thought hubby was past the danger zone when he told me some weeks back that they were announcing redundancies for a little less than 2,000 workers. At dinner last night, he said that their office would have another important announcement today. I said I thought you were done 'being afraid'. He said the first pass was just a cost-cutting measure. He is assuming that today their top management will announce the clinching of the deal with another electronic giant who is buying this segment of the business operating in the Philippines. Understandably, he is worried. Who wouldn't be?

Let's see why. More than two years ago, we took out a housing loan in deference to my kids' wishes to make the house bigger. There were worries But we felt it was time to make that decision then banking on the vaunted stability of being in a Japanese firm. In management class, we learned about the difference between American management and Japanese management. In a Japanese firm, one is assured of lifetime employment if one plays his cards right. We didn't know then what we will know later...... that last year, the US economy will crumble and hit everything in sight. The US recession was the harbinger of more bad days ahead. Soon, the other economies tossed, turned, and tumbled. Lay-offs by US and European firms were reported. We were anxious but refuse to believe that Japanese firms will see the day when it will have to succumbed to economic pressures. Management books have to be rewritten in the light of recent events. First, the lay-offs........... Now, what lies ahead is not so clear as the deal is closed. There are rumors that the new firm will have its own executives upon takeover .......

Before this, we fell victim to the Yuchengco's greed as planholders of tradiional education plans of the now infamous Pacific Plans Inc which promised to pay for our children's education at whatever cost. Problem started about four years ago when PPI abandoned their responsibility of paying our children's tuition fees and applying for rehabilitation which was approved by the courts. Some call it corporate irresponsibility, we call it plain theft. We wanted to be assured that our children will get their education banking on the reputation of the Yuchengco name. We sacrificed a dress, a vacation, maybe a meal to pay for our premiums. For sacrificing our consumption in the past, we expected to get gratification in the future. But what did we get? A kick in the butt for believing the Yuchengco promise of a good future for our children. They remain one of the wealthiest families with their business holdings in the country while we had to work doubly hard to keep our kids in school because they reneged on their promise. Instead of just paying up their obligations, they would rather engage us in a legal battle. With their money, they still manage to paint a good picture of themselves in the media. To add insult to the injury, they expressed their desire to buy Philamlife, a financial company engaged in insurance and other pre-need products. Recently, Pacific Plans was sold to the Onate Group of Companies just as when they are supposed to pay up the agreed price to planholders under the rehabilitation plan. Coincidence? Or just being wise....

We tried to make sense of the impending peril if what's heard on the grapevines becomes the truth. I told him last night that if the offer is good it would be ok even if I am also unsure as we have long-term obligations. Good means in the vicinity of thrice his monthly pay for every year of service and tax-free. Being pragmatic, he said there is no rule in the labor code that says that the company should take care of laid off staff. I argued that such an occurrence is life-changing at his stature and age. I also mentioned that in other countries, the government ensures that lay-offs are justified and workers are properly compensated for their loss. But these are in developed countries who also give unemployment assistance to their unemployed. Now, it is my pragmatism that is showing.......... Aside from lower costs, another reason why multinationals set-up their factories in developing countries is because of their less stricter labor code.

Inspite of this, hubby slept soundly. He always does. This morning wanting to make things light before he left for work I told him to bring home his office chair which I want to use for the new glass table in my room as long as it meets ergonometric standards if he finds himself unemployed after their meeting. Taking the cue, he said that there is a better choice, the chair in their conference. Go get it! Maybe, he can negotiate it to be part of his package.

Just as he would have a date with destiny moments later, I am also about to embark on a life-changing meeting with a top official today. So who will emerge victorious the day after? I am praying for the best for our family's sake.............

PS: Sa jeepney kanina, me nakasabay akong mag-ina. Bata pa yun nanay at yun bata mga dalawa o tatlong taon. Tahimik lang yun bata, tingin lang siya ng tingin. Minsan pinipipi niya ang ilong o mata niya, sinusundot ang kilay. ang cute niya tignan kasi maputi at tsinito yun bata. Sa mga kilos niya, kitang-kita mo yun pagkainosente niya. Tinitignan ko siya habang nakatingin siya sa kin, minsan nginingitian ko.

Kung matanda kaya ang gumawa ng ginagawa ng bata? Hindi na cute no.... Maiisip natin baka me tama sa ulo o me dipresiya kaya ganon umarte. Bakit nga ba pag matanda ang gumawa ng ginagawa ng bata, me kakaibang interpretasyon. Sarap tuloy isipin na mabuti na lang sigurong maging bata habangbuhay....... walang iniisip..... walang prinoproblema.......