Serenity in Solitude

The soft blowing of the midsummer wind sends the satin curtains into rhythmic waves. The rustling of leaves outside the window brings to memory a past of bliss and simple joys. The flame of the candle that has just been lit dances to the music of the chimes of hollow tin pipes. The smell of wet grass, reminiscent of long walks after a rain. Dusk is falling. The framed portrait remains unmoved on the mahogany bedside table. The image, wearing the same smile at the doorway many years ago… it seems. Sounds, colors, scents…. still, nothing can fill this void, this emptiness….

 Every afternoon, for a long time, I would sit on the shore, facing the horizon, with my eyes closed, just listening to the waves, imagining you’d be appearing from nowhere and embracing me from behind. I would still feel the warmth of your arms echoing on my skin..the beating of your heart thumping so close to me telling me we’d never be apart…I wouldn’t want to open my eyes again just to see the vast seas that separates us and the heavens that took you away from me…

I’ve dreamt about this before. I woke up crying quietly in the middle of the night. You were right beside me, sleeping like the angel that you’ve always been to me. I put my arms around you and held you tightly, partly wishing you’d wake up just to be sure you were still alive. You stirred from slumber and asked me what was wrong. I said I just dreamt that I lost you. You said it was just a dream, and that you would never be gone. Your words were comforting. I believed you. I should have held on tighter…I shouldn’t have let go…

Now, I float on this raft of nostalgia, never knowing when this would come to an end or when I would reach the edge. I pray for deliverance. I wish for death to arrive. I hope for time to walk backwards. But this is my fate. This is the price I have to pay for adoring you like a deity..for allowing myself to be consumed by my love for you…I can never take you back…I will never be able to see you again…

Murder at Quarter Past Two

I walked into your room, careful not to make any sound. I could smell the musky scent of your body wash mixed with the light perfume of the fabric freshener. Your bathroom door was slightly ajar.

It was past two in the morning. The glow of the lamplights outside your window was creeping inside the room through the vertical slit between the heavy maroon curtains. The suitcase was already open and sitting on the study chair, but the contents were still inside, as if expecting another trip back. Pictures were strewn all over your study table; a glass, almost empty of vodka, stood sentinel to the tracks of moments you were reliving. Your clothes overflow from the hamper; your waste-basket, half-filled with crumpled unfinished letters. Under the unlit bedside lamp, was a necklace I easily recognized, and the missing empty bottle of liquor.

I saw you in bed. Asleep, unshaven, with dark circles around your eyes. Save for the red and white checkered boxers, you were naked. You had a pale and somewhat dry skin. The scars on your chest were still there....and the fresh wounds. You were in deep sleep having been spending long sleepless nights. Your breathing was shallow. The air was heavy.

I went to the left side of your bed and took out the knife I bought specifically for that night. I looked at you for the last time and tried to keep myself from shedding a tear. I held the knife over my head and lunged at the center of your chest. You opened your eyes at that instant and looked straight at me.

You understood.

I closed your eyes with my other hand and took the knife out. I leaned over and whispered, "See you later this morning." 

I walked out as quietly as I entered and shut the door behind me. We'll get through this yet again.

I made it to 23!

It has been a tradition for me to write down what happened on my birthday every year so I could read them in the years to come and so here I go again.

Clock strikes at 12 midnight and the FB notification goes crazy. I owe facebook a lot because without it, people won't remember that it's my day (or at least only a few would remember). I admit, without FB, I won't remember the bday of my friends as well. :D

I slept around 4am because I was busy chatting with an old acquaintance. I learned a lot from him. Wish I could meet this great person again... :)

Mom woke me up around 11am to show me what she was planning to buy for me. Wow. I've been asking for that thing from her for ages and finally, by some sort of divine intervention, it came down to her senses that I need that electronic gadget for my feasibility study. Thanks mom!

Then Ninong dropped by our place bringing two boxes of pizza. People who know me are very much aware that I'm really not into pizza but, like a miracle, I loved the pizza. I had three slices. Good way to kick-start my much-awaited day.

Then I went to the Cathedral to offer a prayer to God to thank him for all the blessings that He had bestowed upon me. After that, I went to Face & Fab to get a new haircut.

Met BJ and Eng2 at Seoul Fushion and spent a little time with them. I was not in the mood to attend my Monday class because it's my day and I just wanna live a day without having to worry about FS and other academic stuff but I received a text from Danico requesting me to attend the class otherwise I'll miss that day's class activity. Being the grade concious student that I am, I immediately rushed to the room and I was planning not to make my presence felt when I enter the classroom but I was greeted by a birthday song by the class and, even though I'm late and worse, not in uniform, my professor admitted me to her class because it's my day. Thank you Ma'am Buen.

After class, I spent some time with my classmates before I headed back to seoul fushion and bumped into Regina. Spent a few hours there then walked my way to Bistro in Paseo with Danico. There I met my other friends, Xavier, Joan, Mayet, Chiki, Dudu, Robin, Rhoi and Lyka and we had a not-so-extravagant dinner at Bistro (and thanks a lot to Sandra for the cake and the discount). It was a wonderful meal.

To add more surprises, Flying Lanterns were released into the air and it reminded me of Rupunzel in the movie Tangled (it was also during her bday when lanterns were released by the kingdom). Before, I wished that I could have a bday like that and tonight, my wish was granted. And as if the lanterns were not enough, a short spectacle of fireworks lighted up the night sky. Truly a wonderful way to cap the evening.

I want to say thank you to every person who greeted me and made this day so special. I would also like to thank my B10 family in Manila for making me feel that they're here celebrating with me. I miss you guys. And most especially, to the people who responded to my invitation and shared that one simple, blissful moment with me which will last me a lifetime. Thank you guys. it's a HAPPY BIRTHDAY for me!

Love Guru Pieces of Advice

Love Guru Advice # 1

Pag crush mo, dapat hanggang crush lang… Huwag mo ng i-level up. Dahil ‘pag nagkapalitan na kayo ng number at nagkaligawan at naging kayo, dun tumataas ang satisfaction level mo. Naaalala mo dati yung makita mo lang sya eh masaya ka na? Yung isang ngiti lang nya sayo eh buo na ang araw mo? Kaysa naman ngayon na kayo na pero hindi ka lang nya ma-text ng Good Morning eh SIRA NA ARAW MO!!!! 

Love Guru Advice # 2

Sundin mo kung ano ang nilalaman ng puso mo. Kung yan ang sa tingin mo ay tama, walang problema. Kung alam mong dyan ka magiging masaya. SULONG lang! Follow your heart… pero huwag ka lang umasa na magiging masaya ka nga talaga. Kasi, just because you followed your heart, it doesn’t mean it’s gonna be a happy ending for you. 

Love Guru Advice # 3

Huwag mo ng pahirapan sarili mo. Kung di sya nagtetext sayo, hindi ka nya iniisip, hindi ka nya namimiss. Kung parating busy, ibig sabihin ayaw ka nyang makasama. Kung parating sya ang nasusunod, hindi ka nya mahal gaya ng pagmamahal mo sa kanya… ang taong nagpaparaya ang taong may malaking pagmamahal sa relasyon at yung parating nasusunod o the person in-control of the relationship is the person who loves less. 

Ateneo Freshman Guide

Ok. Listen up Freshies. We, the seniors (or what we call the veterans) would want to make your entry to the college world as less painful as possible. If you can't keep up, you will die. Here are some survival tips that we, veterans, can give you! So know this by heart or else, YOU WILL DIE!

1.) Ok. We understand that you are proud that you are now part of the most expensive school in town. Now GET OVER IT! (don't wear your ID's outside school, for God's sake!)

2.) Use the infirmary services. You are paying bucks for their crappy services so just use it. Pretend that you're sick so you can get an excuse from class.. They will give you a medical slip... Yes, that will do the trick.

3.) There is an unspoken rule inside the campus: Don't wear fake labels! Especially LV Bags! (We can tell which is genuine and which is not).

4.) If you're a b*tch, please transfer to another school. We already have enough b*tches in school.

5.) Join clubs and orgs, that will define you. You can join geek clubs or fame clubs, just join them. You need friends.

6.) Don't buy a notebook for every subject. You don't wanna carry them in your expensive bag. Unless you wanna wear backpacks and look like that explorer we see on TV.

7.) Don't be a social phony! There's no "social climbing" sport during Ateneo Fiestas.

8.) If you wanna keep your affair a secret, don't date under the acacia tree at the backfield. People from the NCB can see you.

9.) McDonalds is an extension of our school canteen... Own it! ok? (and so is Mr. Donuts)

10.) Friday is "Fashion Day". You can strut your stuff and swagger at the cat walk (fronting the Chapel) every Friday. That's your runway baby.

11.) Always make sure that you can find a classmate who loves to scribble down notes. You will need his/her notes to photocopy during exams.

12.) Don't write lectures at the back of your notebooks. You will need that space for doodling when you're bored at class.

13.) Attend acquaintance parties! It's like prom but 20 folds better! You don't wanna miss the fun!

14.) Don't feel like you own the place, ok? We still own it, so BACK OFF! (It will be yours once we're gone, anyway)

15.) Oh. You can sleep at the library. The place is cool.

16.) Beware of Crabs and Snakes. They can be seen anywhere.

17.) If you think you're the hottest thing in High School, when you enter college, it's back to zero. It's a race to popularity.

18.) The hottest guy and girl in campus is already taken. So stop dreaming.

19.) Attend classes. (I think that's the only good thing I ever said here. LOL)

20.) Make a hard copy of this blog because you might want to look at it whenever you're unsure inside the campus. :)

There you have it Ladies and Gentlemen... I hope I was able to boost your confidence. Make your first day your best day. Make good impressions. Ok? Alright. Bye.

Good. Bye.

Sorry is not the hardest word... it's good bye... well, at least for me...

2 months... I never thought I'll get this far... I mastered almost all of the major thoroughfares in the Metro, whereas before, put me in EDSA and darn, I'm lost!!! I almost got the Manila Accent albeit my southern accent is still very distinguishable (and my officemates find it amusing.. I find it rather, uhmmmm, nevermind. :p). I was able to see places that, not so long ago, were just part of my "To Go" list. And most importantly, I was able to build strong ties with people that were once strangers to me... I never thought it would be this hard to leave Metro Manila... 

To my Batch 10 family, although AEGIS has been a pain in the ass, you have been my ointment in easing the pain in  my ass. Darn, I already dedicated two friggin' blogs for you guys. That's how much you mean to me... I never got this attached to people... Just to give you a slice of me, I barely make friends... I mean, I'm not congenial. I bet you noticed that in the first week of our AEGIS chronicles... I tend to keep my circle small because I don't like big crowds... But you made it possible for me to enjoy a big crowd... 

Ok... I'll do this again. I'll name names:

ALEX: you have been one of the coolest lesbos I've ever met... I'm so glad we did... I learned a lot from you... 

Gina: One of the sweetests... I have always admired how you speak, so calm... and I will surely miss your sweet voice.

Kat: One of the wittiest people I met... I'm looking forward to a debate with you. :) I'll miss your sweetness, too... (oh, it rhymes!! :D) 

JC: Pare!!! the funniest!!! you never fail to make me laugh... the moment you start talking, it's epic... 

Cy: Bratty girl but definitely sweet... I'll miss the sound of my knuckles crackling... only you can crackle it like a pro!!! :)

Isma: ok. you know I'm not gonna praise you. haha. but thanks for being around whenever I need you to be around. Although I always kid around you, you never get mad... haha... thanks for being a good sport.

Anne: all-around girl... can be the mother of all, can be the teacher, can be the sweetest friend... thanks for coming into my life. :p

MArk: We never got the chance to really hang out but I enjoy it whenever you're around... I'm looking forward to hanging out with you again soon. :)

KC: my partner in going home... we always talk about life whenever we're at The Fort bus... from the simplest to the biggest dreams... I hope all of them will come true. :)

Aaron: I always like your company because you're very nice... Unfortunately, we really didn't have that much opportunity to hang out but I enjoyed that moment when we talked about business and other related stuff, it made me feel that somehow, someone can understand what the eff I'm talking about. :)

Amber: I wrote this blog in English for you! I really find you very friendly and nice... And even though you give me a hard time whenever we talk, I really enjoy talking to you... stay sweet Amber... I hope we'll meet again. :)

Kat with the H: Miss Nava, our tour guide... we also shared moments.. remember that walk under the rain? :) I'll miss you Kath... hope to see you in one of the YFC activities soon. :)

Dave: I wish we could hang out again 'coz you're definitely one of the coolests... leave all the issues behind because they're not worth it... would it be nice if we could all go to your house again and do crazy stuff? come back, Dave. :)

Keng: oh my... I don't know what to say... I always get speechless when it comes to Keng... :) 

Leah: the mysterious girl.. Honestly, I still can't figure you out... I mean, you're so quiet when we are together but you get too noisy in GMs... hehe... we need to hang out more often! :p

Mommy Helen: I'm so sad because I can't come to your wedding celebration... I wish a wonderful life ahead of you and your husband-to-be... :) I'll miss your jokes!! they made my day when we were in training. :)

Ate Marie, Bryan, Walter: I know we haven't got the chance to know each other that much but I wish we could get to know more about each other when I come back... :) well... that's all for now...

Saying goodbye isn’t the hard part, it’s what we leave behind that’s tough.  We only part to meet again.
But you never leave someone behind, you take a part of them with you and leave a part of yourself behind.

I feel so damn lucky to have known people who were so hard to say good bye to. 

It's all said and done... it's real... and it's been fun. :')

Kutsara Mal Labaw

Sa mga Zamboanguenio (sorry, di ko alam kung pano yung enye pag sa laptop ako nagta-type) na tulad ko, alam natin kung ano ang ibig sabihin ng Kutsara Mal Labaw (In english, badly washed spoon). Ang ibig sabihin nito ay sawsaw, epal, pakialamero, etc. etc. Kung bakit Kutsara Mal Labaw ang tawag sa kanila ay hindi ko alam basta ang alam ko, bigla na lang naisip ng mga tao na tawagin ang mga epal ng Kutsara Mal Labaw sa di malamang kadahilanan.

Kutsara Mal Labaw.

Sa mga Manilenyo (enye) na nakasama ko dito, iba ang ibig sabihin ng Kutsara Mal Labaw. May kinuwento kasi ako sa kanila. Tungkol ito sa isang hayop na di ko maalala kung ano ang pangalan kaya pinangalanan ko itong Kutsara Mal Labaw. Alam niyo ba kung ano ang kutsara mal labaw? Ganito ang kwento:

Isang araw, may malibog na rabbit sa kagubatan (di ako sure ha kung sa gubat ba matatagpuan ang mga rabbit). Masaya itong lumulundag-lundag sa gubat nang makasalubong niya si squirrel. Dahil sa curious by nature si squirrel, tinanong nya kung anong klaseng hayop si Rabbit. Sabi ni Rabbit, 'Gusto mong malaman"? "Oo, gusto ko", sagot ni Squirrel. "Gusto mo talagang malaman?", tanong ulit ni Rabbit. "Oo nga sabi eh, kulit", sabi ni squirrel. "Sasabihin ko sayo pero Sex muna tayo". So ayun, nagpakasarap si Rabbit kay squirrel. Matapos ang makamundong kaliksihan ng dalawa, sinabi ni Rabbit kay Squirrel "Rabbit Ako!"..

So ayun, eh di masaya si Squirrel. Nauhaw si Rabbit kaya naisipan nyang uminom ng tubig sa malapit na danaw (pond po, sa di nakakaalam). Nakita sya ni duck. Dahil sa curious by nature si duck, tinanong nya si rabbit "Anong klaseng hayop ka?". "Gusto mong malaman?", sagot ni rabbit. "Oo, gusto kong malaman", sabi ni duck. "Gusto mo talagang malaman?", tanong ulit ni rabbit. "Oo ba, gusto ko", sagot ni duck. "Sige, sasabihin ko sa'yo, pero sex muna tayo", sabi ni rabbit. So ayun, nagpakasaya ang dalawang mga hayop. Matapos yun, sinabi ni rabbit kay duck na rabbit sya.

Dahil sa sobrang napagod at nainitan si rabbit, napagdesisyunan nya na magpahinga sa lilim ng isang puno... pagdating nya dun, may nakita syang isang kakaibang hayop. Ito ang unang pagkakataon na makakita sya ng ganitong uri ng hayop. Tinanong ni rabbit ang kakaibang hayop, "Anong klaseng hayop ka?". Tumingin sa kanya ang hayop at sumagot ng "KUTSARA MAL LABAW AKO!". At nung nalaman ito ni rabbit, bigla syang tumakbo papalayo sa takot..

Napahaba ang kwentuhan dahil sa Kutsara Mal Labaw. Ang gusto ko naman talagang ikwento dito ay tungkol sa mga "AMAZING PEOPLE" na nakilala ko sa Manila... Mga katrabaho ko sila sa office at for security reasons, di ko babanggitin ang mga pangalan nila (ang OA no?) pero bibigyan ko sila ng codenames. Kilalanin niyo sila:

1.) Ang Payaso: sya ang pinakamaingay sa grupo. Nung una tahimik pero nung naging komportable na sya sa grupo, lumabas ang pagiging joker. matampuhin. paborito nya ang kantang "por que" na isang chavacano song. Lalaki sya pero sa katawan lang. :D

2.) Dwarfism: oo. sinabihan ko sya na may sakit sya na dwarfism kasi maliit ang mga kamay nya (tinawag ko rin syang lotus hand na best friend ni lotus feet). pero love ko to. kasi kalog. Sya'y babae pero sa katawan lamang. :D

3.) Artista Boy: Sya na ang artista, ang sikat, ang gwapo, ang magaling, sya na (kahit ako naman talaga). Maporma. At lately nadiscover ko na mahilig sya sa donuts. :D

4.) Debater: oh. ang galing nya. pareho kame ng hilig... current events (echos ako). Mabait at matalino, kaya love ko to (pero mas love nya ako kasi nadama nya sa akin ang 3 K's ng pag-ibig: Kaba, Kilig, at Kapos sa salita).

5.) Dota Princess: sya pinakaunang friend ko sa office. Pretty sya kasi kapatid ko sya sa ina (Goddess Aphrodite). Mukha syang "girly" pero adik sa DOTA!!!

6.) Mr. Iba-ang-meaning-pag-sya-nagsasalita : watch him turn the most innocent of statements to dirty, lustful remarks. Oo, masyadong ambiguous ang mga sinasabi ng lalaking ito. Mahilig sya sa ice cream.

7.) Marian Rivera: Di sila magkamukha ni Marian pero di hamak naman na mas maganda ang babaeng ito. Di rin sila magkasing-ugali kasi ang bait ng babaeng ito. Saan sila magkapareho? pareho silang PSYCHOLOGY! hahaha

8.) Mommy: oh. pareho kameng Taga-Taguig at parati kong nakakasabay pauwi (although napipilitan lang sya kasi gusto nya sa Guadalupe kame bumaba, eh ayaw ko din kasi chaotic, haha, gusto ko sa Ayala). Isa rin sa mga unang friends ko sa office. :) may baby na sya pero di halata. ang cute ng baby nya, parang kapatid lang nya. :)

9.) Miss Head Turner: sya na yata pinakamaganda sa office. yun lang masasabi ko. :)

10.) Miss Oh-my-gosh: oh, straight from London, England. Mapapanose-bleed ka sa kanyang Harry Potter-ish accent. We love talking to her. She's super cool.

11.) Miss Gifted Child: Oh. matalino ito. UP Manila eh... hahaha. sabi ko sa kanya, sa kanya ako magpapa-massage someday. (Update: Sa tingin ko, dati syang Tour Guide kasi alam nya lahat ng pasikot-sikot sa Manila. hahahahaha)

12.) Clara: oo, kamukna nya si Clara ng Mara Clara. Pero di sya kasing maldita ni Clara ha. Bait nito. Tahimik in person pero maingay sa GM. haha. Yoko! :p

13.) Mr. Nice Guy: malakas ang pananampalataya sa Diyos. Mabait. Same kame ng course so nakakarelate kame sa isa't isa.

14.) Babe ni Payaso: oo. love na love siya ni payaso. haha. Nag-walk out sya during the ramp. ewan ko kung bakit.. pero cool ito! kamukha ni Elly Buendia ng Eheads!!!

15.)Teacher: nako, wag na wag kang magkakamali sa harap ni teacher, itatama ka nya na parang guro. haha. idol ko ito.

16.) Mr. Chef: Chef tawag ko sa kanya kasi twice ko ng natikman ang mga luto nia. Mahilig yatang magluto. Nagdala sya ng spaghetti sa office at ipinaghain kame ng tortang talong sa bahay nila. Mahilig sa shots kahit tanghaling tapat. hahaha.

17.) Ang pinaka-cool at pinaka-hot na Trainer sa balat ng lupa: need I say more? codename pa lang, it speaks everything about her na. :)

Yun, sila ang mga naging ka-close ko sa office. Parang ayaw ko na ngang umuwi ng Zamboanga because of them... Kung umabot ka sa puntong ito (which is, a miracle kasi pinagtyagaan mong basahin lahat), maaaring nagtataka ka kung anong konek ng kutsara mal labaw sa kanila? well, ako din di ko alam. Basta kinuwento ko lang sa kanila ang tungkol sa misteryosong hayop na ito. Maaaring hanggang ngayon nagtataka ka pa rin kung ano nga ba ang KUTSARA MAL LABAW? Ano nga ba?

Ang tanong ko sa'yo kaibigan: GUSTO MO BA TALAGANG MALAMAN? :))

Manila Chronicles

Sabi nga nila, it takes two to dance Tango...

Pero walang kinalaman sa Tango ang isusulat ko, wala ring kinalaman sa number two... trip ko lang sabihin yan kasi ang mga katagang yan ang unang pumasok sa isip ko nung naghahanap ako ng magandang intro... maaaring wala itong halaga sa akin sa ngayon... pero anong malay natin? bukas, sa makalawa, magiging makabuluhan ito sa akin...

Uncertainties...

Yun, parating walang katiyakan ang hinaharap. Gaya ng pag-tapak ko dito sa malaking lungsod, walang katiyakan kung anong mangyayari sa akin dito.

Mag-iisang buwan na ako sa Maynila pero pakiramadam ko, ang tagal tagal ko na dito. It might be because everyday's a long day for me... Para sa isang taong hindi sanay sa bilis ng takbo ng buhay ng malaking lungsod, tiyak maninibago sya sa bawat busina ng bus na hindi makapaghintay na makatawid ang mga tao sa daan, sa tulakan at siksikan sa MRT, sa mahabang pila sa terminal ng dyip at sa bilis ng paglalakad ng mga tao sa lansangan.

May plano na ako bago pa ako tumapak dito. Syempre, determinado akong tao. Lagi akong nagpaplano. Pero gaya nga ng sinabi ko sa pangalawang pangungusap (maituturin mo bang pangungusap yun? ayoko nang sariwain ang natutunan ko sa Filipino nung hayskul), Uncertain parati ang hinaharap (hindi boobs ha). Plano kong maging english tutor ng mga Koreans... Mahilig kasi ako sa oriental eh, kaya yun ang plinano ko (haha). And aside from that, I have this penchant for teaching. So perfect na sa akin ang maging isang tutor, let alone sa Koreans (weird fascination. haha).

Siguro naman, predictable na ang kinahinatnan ng pagpunta ko dito. Obvious naman sa premise ko diba? So ayun, hindi ako naging english tutor ng mga koreans. Instead, naging call boy ako. Oo, call boy na nagtatrabaho sa gabi. Call boy na madaming customers. Call boy na sinasabihan ng "F" word (Fuck, if you wanna be blatant about it) ng mga customers. Call boy na americano ang mga customers.

 Masarap ang maging call boy. Lalo na kung natutuwa sa iyo ang mga customers kasi maganda serbis mo.

Don't get me wrong. Maraming call boy at call girl dito sa Maynila. Naka-assign ako sa Ayala Avenue, Makati. Madami kaming nakapwesto dito. Madami rin sa Ortigas, sa Global City, sa Eastwood, sa McKinley Hill atbp. Ang tanging puhunan namin ay "excellent customer service" at American accent.

Hindi ko inaasahang papasok ako ulit sa ganitong trabaho (Yes, children, hindi ko 'to 1st time!), pero ine-enjoy ko na lang kung anong meron ako sa ngayon. Besides, kelangan kong maging responsable sa aking desisyon na pumunta dito at maghanap ng trabaho para makatulong sa magulang (Cheesy much?).

Uuwi na ako sa Hunyo. Babalik na ako sa simpleng pamumuhay. Pero madami pa akong matutuklasan dito, madami pa akong pwedeng ikwento. Bago ko wakasan ang blog entry na ito, mag-iiwan ako ng mga kataga:

"It takes two to dance Tango but do you know how to dance?"

Meaning? hindi ko rin alam... pero malay mo, bukas, sa makalawa, magkakaroon na ng kabuluhan ang mga katagang yan.

Manila Chronicles

Sabi nga nila, it takes two to dance Tango...

Pero walang kinalaman sa Tango ang isusulat ko, wala ring kinalaman sa number two... trip ko lang sabihin yan kasi ang mga katagang yan ang unang pumasok sa isip ko nung naghahanap ako ng magandang intro... maaaring wala itong halaga sa akin sa ngayon... pero anong malay natin? bukas, sa makalawa, magiging makabuluhan ito sa akin...

Uncertainties...

Yun, parating walang katiyakan ang hinaharap. Gaya ng pag-tapak ko dito sa malaking lungsod, walang katiyakan kung anong mangyayari sa akin dito.

Mag-iisang buwan na ako sa Maynila pero pakiramadam ko, ang tagal tagal ko na dito. It might be because everyday's a long day for me... Para sa isang taong hindi sanay sa bilis ng takbo ng buhay ng malaking lungsod, tiyak maninibago sya sa bawat busina ng bus na hindi makapaghintay na makatawid ang mga tao sa daan, sa tulakan at siksikan sa MRT, sa mahabang pila sa terminal ng dyip at sa bilis ng paglalakad ng mga tao sa lansangan.

May plano na ako bago pa ako tumapak dito. Syempre, determinado akong tao. Lagi akong nagpaplano. Pero gaya nga ng sinabi ko sa pangalawang pangungusap (maituturin mo bang pangungusap yun? ayoko nang sariwain ang natutunan ko sa Filipino nung hayskul), Uncertain parati ang hinaharap (hindi boobs ha). Plano kong maging english tutor ng mga Koreans... Mahilig kasi ako sa oriental eh, kaya yun ang plinano ko (haha). And aside from that, I have this penchant for teaching. So perfect na sa akin ang maging isang tutor, let alone sa Koreans (weird fascination. haha).

Siguro naman, predictable na ang kinahinatnan ng pagpunta ko dito. Obvious naman sa premise ko diba? So ayun, hindi ako naging english tutor ng mga koreans. Instead, naging call boy ako. Oo, call boy na nagtatrabaho sa gabi. Call boy na madaming customers. Call boy na sinasabihan ng "F" word (Fuck, if you wanna be blatant about it) ng mga customers. Call boy na americano ang mga customers.

 Masarap ang maging call boy. Lalo na kung natutuwa sa iyo ang mga customers kasi maganda serbis mo.

Don't get me wrong. Maraming call boy at call girl dito sa Maynila. Naka-assign ako sa Ayala Avenue, Makati. Madami kaming nakapwesto dito. Madami rin sa Ortigas, sa Global City, sa Eastwood, sa McKinley Hill atbp. Ang tanging puhunan namin ay "excellent customer service" at American accent.

Hindi ko inaasahang papasok ako ulit sa ganitong trabaho (Yes, children, hindi ko 'to 1st time!), pero ine-enjoy ko na lang kung anong meron ako sa ngayon. Besides, kelangan kong maging responsable sa aking desisyon na pumunta dito at maghanap ng trabaho para makatulong sa magulang (Cheesy much?).

Uuwi na ako sa Hunyo. Babalik na ako sa simpleng pamumuhay. Pero madami pa akong matutuklasan dito, madami pa akong pwedeng ikwento. Bago ko wakasan ang blog entry na ito, mag-iiwan ako ng mga kataga:

"It takes two to dance Tango but do you know how to dance?"

Meaning? hindi ko rin alam... pero malay mo, bukas, sa makalawa, magkakaroon na ng kabuluhan ang mga katagang yan.

Unang tatlong lingo sa Metro.

"Kuya, pano pong papuntang Munisipyo ng Taguig?"

"Kuya, papuntang C5 ba to?"

"Kuya, saan dito ang CR?"

"Kuya, eto na po ba ang Apo Bi?"

Yun... kabisado ko na ang sining ng pagtatanong. Bawat pagtatanong, iniensayo ko para hindi mahalatang taga ibang lungsod ako (lungsod ng Zamboanga... pero Probinsya ang tawag ng mga Manilenyo sa kahit anong lugar na hindi sakop ng Metro Manila... kahit syudad ang Zamboanga, probinsya pa rin ito para sa kanila). 

Marami akong natutunan sa tatlong linggong pananatili ko dito sa Maynila. Ang blog na ito ay iniaalay ko sa mga kapwa kong taga-ibang lungsod (o probinsyano, sige na lang) na nangagailangan ng gabay sa paggala nila sa malaking lungsod.

Tip # 1: Learn the Basics: Sa Zamboanga kasi, kung papara ka ng jeep, ang kailangan mo lang gawin ay kalantugin ang kahit anong baryang meron ka sa steel bar ng jeep at gets na ni Manong driver na bababa ka na. Dito sa Maynila, kelangan mong isigaw ang "PARA!!" ng bonggang bongga. Hindi pwedeng "pah-ra" na pakiyeme-kiyeme dahil di ka maririnig ni Manong Driver... maingay ang mga kalye ng Maynila... kelangan mong sumigaw!! At tuwing iaabot mo ang bayad, ang sasabihin mo "Bayad ho!" sabay "pasuyo ho ng bayad" sa katabi.

Tip # 2: Ang pedestrian lane ay hindi PROJECT RUNWAY: di pwede ang pabagal-bagal pag tumatawid ng kalsada! Pero pwede naman ang pabagal-bagal ,yun ay kung gusto mong masagasaan. Sa Zamboanga kasi, pwede kang maglakad sa pedestrian lane, dito, kelangan mong tumakbo!!! 

Tip # 3: Social Networking: Huwag kang pumunta ng Maynila kung wala kang kakilala!!! Diyos ko, mawawala ka dito! kelangan mo ng "gabay" sa simula.. pag medyo kabisado mo na ng konti ang Maynila, pwede ka ng mag-solo. Gaya ko, sa pangalawang araw ko dito, nangahas na akong mag-commute. Natutunan ko kung saan ang EDSA, ang C5 at madami pang iba...

Tip # 4: Malaki ang Metro Manila: kung may plano kang pumunta ng isang lugar na medyo malayo sa tinitirhan mo sa lungsod, kelangan mong i-consider ang travel time. Sa Zamboanga kasi, 5-10 minutes lang ang travel kung pupunta ka sa mga malls, opisina ng gobyerno, mga liwasang-bayan, etc. at usually isang sakayan lang dahil lahat ng route ng jeep ay papuntang "Town" o yung commercial district ng Zamboanga o kaya sakay ka na lang ng Tricycle (ang Taxi ng Zamboanga) kung gusto mo ng privacy. Pero dito sa MAynila, usually tatlong sakayan. Kunwari, kung pupunta ako ng Trinoma mall. Mag-aabang ako ng Jeep na papuntang Tulay sa Lawton Avenue (Fort Bonifacio) at bababa ako sa Market! Market Mall. Tapos sasakay ako ng Bus na papuntang Ayala (Makati). Tapos sasakay ako ng MRT sa Ayala tapos bababa sa North Avenue. That will take me 1 hour and 30 minutes!! see the difference? 

Tip # 5: Be Inquisitive: sinimulan ko ang blog na ito sa mga tanong dahil yun ang pinaka-importante kung gusto mong mag-survive dito... syempre, pumili ka rin ng pagtatanungan mo, dapat yung mukhang reliable. Usually, sa mga sekyu kasi sila ang mas nakakaalam ng mga pasikot-sikot dito.

Ayun... sana ay nakatulong ito sa mga may balak bumiyahe o mamasyal sa Kamaynilaan. Abangan nyo't madami pa akong ibabahagi sa inyo...

Trivia: First time kong magsulat ng blog sa Tagalog kasi gusto kong mahasa ang speaking skill ko sa Tagalog. Pinag-aaralan ko din ang intonasyon at "accent" ng mga Manilenyo... :))