MMFF 2016: DIE BEAUTIFUL

Every year, I spare a little of my time and my money to watch the Metro Manila Film Festival Entries. Of course, I got to choose the best movie that I think is worthy of my time and money. This year, it is that time again.... I gotta watch movies of the Metro Manila Film Festival entries.

I just watched Die Beautiful. I watched it first because I wanted to support gender equality. Die beautiful is a stereotypical story of a gayman who struggles to be accepted and to be loved by his father. A transgender woman by the name of Trisha who was raped by group of men of whom he adores. He was thrown away by his father and neglected to be a father. A son who longed for understanding. As the story progresses, Trisha gained a family and comfort outside of his own house. He persevere to become a better person. He made beauty pageant as her bread and butter. She wanted to become a beauty queen. She struggles in answering questions. In my oppinion, the reason why she struggles to answer question was because she was never supported, loved and cherished by her own family. She lacks guidance and care from her father. Her winning question at the later part of the story was "if you were given the chance to live again what would you choose and why?" A typical question in beauty contest but Trisha's answer: "If I were to die and blessed to live again, I would choose to be me, because I am the only person who can fulfill that I need to do... so I would choose, nobody, nobody, nobody but me!" (Non verbatim)

Trisha delivered the answer beautifully. She did it with full confidence. She was the winner... The beauty queen who died at her coronation day...

We all have our own battles. We sometimes win over our battles but we also have our own losses. It is how we handle our own battles that will make us what we are today.

The story line, the casting and acting was plausable. It was well crafted. As the movie has a tragic end, I was hoping there is acceptance. But sad there was none. The movie is for those who tried so hard to prove they are worthy enough to be loved by their family until their time has expired. Thats a hard fact of reality. There are still people accross the globe who struggles because they are different and maybe thats what the movie wanted to show.

Despite all these... people in the gay community find shelter and understanding from outside of their home. The role of Barbs in the story is a reflection of the second home for the LGBT community. A reflection of people who are always there to be at the side of the LGBTP who are ready to show love, care, understanding and shelter for the shattered gay men and women out there. In everyone's life... there will always be that BARBS who will always be there till they expire.

MERRY CHRISTMAS 2016

Its this time of the year again, where you see kids so happy. See them knock on doors and sing a christmas carol. You hear the never ending SA AMING BAHAY song sung happily by these kids expecting a coin from their neighbors.

As for me, I simply want to greet all of you a Merry Merry Christmas! May this season bring you joy, love and peace. Celebrate this holiday season safely and joyfuly!

The perks of being alone and single as well is youve got to be at work on this special days where you will be with your friends at work teasing and having fun while doing your work.

So as we conclude 2016, lets be merry this holiday season!

Xoxo,
Charlton D. Kis-ing

Before Applying for Housing Loan

Are you planning of taking a PAG-IBIG Housing Loan? Or an in-house Housing Loan, or bank Housing Loan? Maybe you should step back in a bit and try to see if you are ready to take one. Or you would end up being bitten by this ruthless, heartless, and rude collection agents.

I, myself was brain washed and was slightly forced to take a housing loan. Though in the beginning I was hesitant and was trying to explain that it was still too early too soon but the point is clear and agreed to take a housing loan with the following reason.

1. I am taking a housing loan because I dont have savings.

2. I am taking a housing loan because it is better to have this long term loan through Pag-ibig at least I have a house I can call my own rather than renting and can never call my own.

These were all my reason why I took a long term housing loan through Pag-ibig. Are these reason valid? Of course they are VALID because they are true in all aspect. They will only become invalid when the question to ask is are you really ready to take that loan?

My reason for taking a housing loan are all valid but it leads me to my greatest mistake as well. I wasnt ready to take the housing loan. Now, before you commit the same mistake, here's what you should take in consideration first before even thinking of having a PAG-IBIG FINANCED HOUSING LOAN.

1. Emergency Fund - you should calculate your monthly expenses. From household expenses to expenses going, during and after work including your vices then whatever is the result multiply it by eight. Or the easiest way is your current monthly income times eight. Having an emergency fund will at least secure you to be able to have funds in any case something happen to you like you'll get sick or when you lost your job. Never ever take a housing loan if you dont have this 8-month emergency fund.

2. Savings - Aside from the emergency fund, check how much savings you have. The idea is to have at least 10% of the total contract price of the house you are planning to get. Once the house gets turned over to you, am sure there would be a lot of things you would wanna do, am sure you would want to remodel the house. So you would need at least a good amount of money to have everything situated.

3. Once you have your emergency fund and your savings. Check on the value of the house and check how much monthly you would be paying. It is highly important to save up at least 70% of the contract price ready before going agreeing to a loan through PAG-IBIG. Yes, going to a long term housing loan through PAG-IBIG may sound cheap and attainable but when you compute the 30 years times your monthly payment through them boy its double the amount. In my case, the contract price is 750K pesos, my monthly is ranging from 5.5K to 6K a month after 30 years I have paid PAG-IBIG 1.7 Million pesos or more. So it will sounf like I have given PAG-IBIG 1 million pesos after 30 years. So I would advise, to pay PAG-IBIG the moment your house gets turned over to you at least 50 to 70 percent of the total contract price and have them recompute to have a lower number of years to pay. Then pay off the remaining ballance at the earliest possible time.

If you have these 3, then by all means go get a house. Course it through PAG-IBIG for a lower interest charge and have a house of your own.

Rock and Roll Outfit

When it was announced that our Clusters General Assembly would go rock and roll. I immediately started generalizing for an outfit that can rock everyone. Nah kidding aside I was thinking of something that would be far different most of them and definitely somehing affordable.

I decided to color my hair blue. Hair is the crowning glory. It sets the phase of your look. It is also the first detail of your look that will attract audiences so choose a hair style that will match the look you wante to portray.

The next part is your make up. I went to dark and pale make up to make sure it doesnt kill the hair style and it does not over power the out fit. The make up should definitely compliment the whole look you want to portray.

Next is the outfit. Getting and choosing an outfit should not be that expensive. Just because you wanted to show off and to conform on the dress code or to the agreed outfit you would over spend on the outfit. For me, I checked on my closet and check on possible clothed that can be used for the theme. After that head to ukay ukay's and look for the clothes. So before heading to ukay ukay or thrift shops, you should already have the details of the kind of clothes you wanted to wear so you wont end up staying there for hours and wasting your time.

Next is your accessories, for me I create my own accessories. I just have to be a little creative as to how I can make my accessories match the theme of the party. Most of the time, I recycle my old accessories so it could be easier to manage and of course less expensive.

When I Take In Calls - The Introduction

When I finally decided to take in a job in a BPO industry and become a customer service representative for a reputable credit card company, I am supplied with a daily dose of learnings about people in general. Be it my colleagues, what inspires them, their stories, troubles, frustration and personal struggles upto my customers calling in to complain, to have their problem solve from paying their bills to managing their online access upto explaining their bills.

With all these happening one after the other; it has thought me to be more flexible in understanding processes, customer concerns, problem solving, and understanding personality all of course at the same time.

It has reminded me that life by the end of it all talks about the adversities and propagated happiness and how one has juggled all of it in his lifetime.

This is my introduction to a more stories behind the voices the customer hears when they call. This time I must say, I am proud I have and is working in a service oriented type of job.

A Concert for a Cause

A benefit Concert organized by a daughter for her Beautiful and Courageous Mom!

Aside from helping Shirley Prieto who is battling for Colorectal Cancer you will also got to see TATAK AHAS, SLOWDOUGH, TEVANNY, PSEUDO RED, YOHAN, BEEWINGS, DAFFADOWNDILLY, NAVY BLUE PANTS, WAITING FOR NEVERLAND, BLACK WOLF GYOSIES Perform at THE QUARRY BEER GARDEN. It is located near SM SOUTHMALL.

Your presence and your prayers is highly appreciated. Lets help Shirley as she go through the battle.

MIRIAM DEFENSOR SANTIAGO DIED AT 71

I was at work when I heard the news that Former Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago died peacefully in her sleep.

I was saddened for the fact that she has finally lost her final battle against cancer. The very reason why many of her supporters back out on her from the most recent Presidential Race.

Nevertheles, I still campaigned for her secretly because I believe she should have been the best President the country never had. She should have been that President way before. I believe in her wits and her political style.

Goodbye madam Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago! You have served the Filipino really well. The laws you have authored will forever be cherished by many generations.

Of the (recent) Laws she authored

Rest in peace Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago! You'll finally re-unite with your son in the after life.

You will surely be missed by many of your supporters!

Tips During Typhoon in the Philippines

Its this season and months again where typhoons often hits the Philippines. Its RAINY Season again. Ofcourse if its rainy season flooding in Metro Manila and some parts of the Ph is ramphant.

So here are some must haves:

During typhoons it is always best to stay at home but in any case you need to be out or you need to go to work then here are some flood prone areas in Metro Manila that you should avoid during typhoons to avoid compromising your activities.

More typhoon tips in the coming days!

UNCONVENTIONAL LOVE AFFAIR

"Habulin mo ako Reynaldo!," sabi ni Dale sa kaibigan...

"Saglit lang hinihingal na ako di ko na kaya" sagot ni Reynaldo. "Ok ka lang ba? Segi pahinga na muna tayo. Mahirap na baka atakihin ka jan eh ako pa magbuhat sayo."

"Grabe to. Atake agad di ba pwedeng napagod lang."

Ganyan kami ni Dale. Dalawang gwapong magkaibigan. Nagsimula ang pagiging magkaibigan nila nung napadpad sa maynila si Reynaldo para magtrabaho sa isang sikat na Call Center sa Makati. Pangarap nya yun. Pangarap nyang magtrabaho sa Ayala, the countries Business District.

Nahihirapan ako magadjust sa mga panahon na yun. Salamat na lang at may isang Dale na umalalay at tinulungan ako sa mga mumunting bagay. Tinuruan ako kung paano manamit, dinala ako sa mga functions at mga lugar na si sine ko lang nakikita.

Yun nga lang gimikero etong si Dale at maluho. Kada tapos ng trabaho ayun nasa galaan nakikipag inuman sa mga kaibigan nya.

Ako naman pag nabobored na sa bahay pag day off ko nasa Evia lang ako. Nagjojogging sa madaling araw hanggang pagsikat ng araw. Kagaya ngayon since wala naman ako ginagawa nasa Evia nanaman ako naka upo sa ilalim ng isang puno habang nagsusulat ng mga kwentong naglalaro sa aking isipan.

Kinabukasan masigla nanaman ako papasok sa opisina. Ewan ko ba. Excited ako makita mga kaibigan ko. Excied ako makibalita at makinig sa mga ginawa ni Dale naparepareho lang naman. Mga kwento at kabulastugan nya sa gimikan.

"Pare! Hanep may nakilala ako sa bar kagabi. Ang gwapo nya tol. Makinis at maputi ang balat. Mapupula ang labi," sabi ni Dale.

"Am sure inuwi mo nanaman eto. Naku pag ikaw nagkasakit ewan ko na lang," sagot ko naman.

"Syempre naman," sagot ni Dale.

"So kayo na nga? Naku Dale. Kada linggo na lang. Parepareho ang iyong kwento. Ibahin mo naman. Yung tipong nagkawangga ka. Pumunta ka sa bahay ampunan. Hindi yung parepareho na lang na may nameet ka. Ikinama. At kayo na. Sa susunod na linggo iba naman. Swere na lang kung tumagal ng isang buwan ang makakarelasyon mo," pangaral ko sa kanya.

"Andami mo ng sinabi. Tatanong tanong ka kung ano kaganapan tapos pag nagkwento ako sayo aariba ka naman ng sangkatutak na sermon," sagot ni Dale kay Reynaldo.

"Alam mo ang mahirap kasi sayo. Tingin mo ata sa mga tao mga laruan mo eh. Hindi ka nakukuntento sa iisa lang. Pagnagsawa ka paalisin mo na lang basta. Ako na lang ata ang di mo pa pinapaalis sa tabi mo eh. Sabagay kaibigan lang naman pala ako sayo. Swerte ko na lang kung ganun," saad ko kay Dale.

"Teka lang. Ba't kung makapagsalita parang may relasyon tayo higit sa magkaibigan ah. At kasalanan ko ba kung walang nakakatagal sa akin? Tapatin mo nga ako gusto may gusto ka ba sa akin," sigaw ni Dale.

Bigla na lang ako tumayo at linayasan si Dale. Ewan ko ba. Tatlong taon na kami magkaibigan pero di na ako nasanay sa kanya. May gusto nga ba ako sa kanya? Kaibigan nga lang ba ang turing ko sa kanya?

Hinabol nya ako. "Rey saglit lang."

Bigla akong humarap sa kanya. Nangingilid ang aking mga luha.

"Pare pasensya ka na. Pasensya ka na kung minahal ko ang best friend ko bilang syota. Pasensya ka na kung ang best friend mo gustong syotahin ka. Pasensya ka na. Wala eh ganun talaga. Ayaw kong best friend lang kita. Gusto ko akin ka," sabi ko kay Dale habang ang luhang kanina ko pa pinipigil ay unti unting pumapatak.

Niyakap ako ni Dale ng mahigpit. Mahigpit na mahigpit. Unti unting nilapit ni Dale ang kanyang mapupulang labi sa akin pisngi marahan nyang hinalikan ang mga luhang umaagos sa aking pisngi. Hanggang natapat ang labi namin sa isat isa. Marahan kaming naghahalikan.

"Hoy! May motel at Sogo dun kayo maglandian hindi dito sa kalsada," sigaw ng isang lalaki na naglalakad.

Bigla kaming natauhan at nagtawanan.

"Wala nga pala tayo sa Italy." Sabay naming nasabi.

"Magmula ngayon akin ka lang at iyong iyo na ako", sabi ni Dale at bigla nya hinawakan ang aking mga kamay.

"Babe na ang tawag ko sa yo hindi na pare." Saad ni Dale.

"Salamat." Sagot ko naman sa kanya.

"Eto pala. Walang sex na magaganap sa atin hanggang mag isang taon tayo. Halikan lang ang sex natin. At promise ko sayo hinding hindi ako makikipag sex sa iba. May palad naman eh.

Naging masaya kami. At yung promise namin na walang sex natupad nga namin. Puro sariling sikap lang kami.

What a brand new day! Sabi ko sa sarili ko. Nagpeprepare na ako papasok ng work nung biglang tumunog ang telepono ko. Tumatawag ang love of my life.

"Good morning babe!" Bati ko.

"Good morning babe. Mamayang gabi sunduin kita. May surprise ako sayo," sabi ni Dale.

"Alright! Segi babe deretso ka na lang sa offie message mo ako or tawag ka pag nasa baba ka na ng building para makababa na ako di na ako mag oovertime."

Maghapon akong excited nun. Natapos ko lahat ng aking gawain.

Sinundo nga nya ako around 6pm. At dumeretso kami sa restaurant. Pagka upo na pagka upo namin. May tumugtog ng violin. Alam nyang favorite ko ang mga instrumental.

Naka smile lang sya at lalo ako nainlove sa kanya. Ang sarap talaga halikan ng jowa kung to sabi ko lang sa isip ko.

"Darating man ang araw na mawawala ako. Wag na wag mo sana isipin na nawala ako. Alalahanin mo na sa bawat araw na lilipas ikaw ang aking iniisip. Ikaw ang nagpabago sa akin. Ikaw ang rason kung bakit nag iba ang pananaw ko sa sex at relasyon. Ikaw ang taong nagmulat sa akin na pahalagahan ang mga taong malapit sa akin. Ikaw na hindi umalis at hindi ako binitawan kahit pa araw araw kang nasasaktan. Ikaw na nagbigay ng depinasyon sa aking pagbabagong buhay," saad ni Dale.

"Hinding hindi kita iiwan at hinding hindi ka mawawala sa aking paningin. Hahanapin kita kung ikaw ay mawawala. Hindi ako bibitaw," sagot ko sa kanya.

"Happy 11th monthsary, " sabi ni Dale.

Masayang masaya ako ng gabing yun. Umuwi kami na masaya. Pagdating sa bahay naghaharutan pa kami bago matulog.

"Babe uwi ako bukas sa probinsya. Sigurado ka ba ayaw mo sumama?" Tanong ko kay Dale.

"Naku babe andami ko aasikasuhin sa work. Magiging super busy ako ng hanggang next week. Hanggang kelan ka ba dun babe?" Litanya ni Dale.

"One week ako dun babe. Birthday kasi ni mama at gusto ko naman magcelebrate dun kasama ng mga kapatid ko. Anim na taon din ako na hindi umuwi sa amin eh."

"Ganun ba. Ikumusta mo na lang ako kay tita. Pasensya na kamo at busy talaga ako sa work ngayon eh. Dami mga reports kailangan tapusin."

Kina-umagahan. Hinatid nya ako sa paradahan ng Victory. Niyakap nya ako ng mahigpit at hinalikan ako. Parang kakaiba ang halik ni Dale nung araw na yun. Mas gentle mas matagal mas sweet kesa sa dati. Ramdam mo ang boung init ng pagmamahal nya sa halik nya. Yung halik na parang walang bukas. Yung halik na mas intense pero punong puno ng pagmamahal.

"Magiingat ka parati ha. Wag na wag mo papabayaan ang iyong sarili. Tandaan mo mahal na mahal kita hanggang sa dulo ng walang hanggan!" Sabi ni Dale kasabay ng pagpatak ng kanyang luha.

"Naku babe hinding hindi ko pababayaan ang sarili ko dahil gusto ko makita mo ako parati na maayos." Sagot ko sa kanya.

"Yung maintenance mo sa puso. Yung mga vitamins mo wag ka papalya sa pag inom ng mga yun ah," patuloy ni Dale sa pagbibilin.

"Ano ka ba babe kompleto po lahat ng gamot ko. Tsaka isang buwan ako dun pag wala ka ginagawa puntahan mo na lang ako dun ah. Mamimiss kita sobra" sabay halik sa kanya sa labi. Tumagal ng sampong minuto ang halikan namin.

Habol habol namin ang aming hininga. "Wag na lang kaya ako tumuloy babe. Parang may kung anong nagsasabing wag na ako tumuloy eh." Sabi ko pagkatapos namin maghalikan.

Hahahaha

Tumawa lang sya. "Naku babe. Tagal mo ng plinano eto. Segi na aalis na yung bus. Yung pasalubong ko ah. Yung ube jam na favorite natin. Dali na babe sakay ka na," pagtataboy nya sa akin.

Naghalikan ulet kami sabay tayo ako at umalis. Bago ako umakyat ng bus ay hinabol pa nya ako at mahigpit na niyakap. Di niya ako binitawan sa pagkakayakap hanggang sa tinawag na kami ng conductor at aalis na nga yung bus.

Masaya ako nakadungaw sa bintana habang papaalis ang bus. Nakita ko si Dale nakatayo umiiyak at kumakaway. Nakatingin ako sa kanya. "Over acting ang jowa ko ngayon ah. Daig pa ang best Actor sa Famas kung makaiyak eh." Sabi ko sa aking sarili habang binabagtas ng bus ang kahabaan ng EDSA.

Nakarating ako sa bahay ng matiwasay at naidaos naman namin ang birthday bash ng mama ko. Masaya kaming magkakapatid kasama ng mga pamangkin at pinsan ko.

Since walang signal ang phone ko. Naging camera na lang sya.

Hanggang sa dumating ang araw ng aking pagbabalik sa Manila. Tinatawagan ko si Dale para sana magpasundo at madami akong dala. Binili ko lahat ng paborito nya. Peanut brittle, isang kartoon ng ube jam dahil alam ko uubusin nya lang yun ng isanf linggo, strawberry at strawberry jam, fruit wines at kung ano ano pa.

Ngunit nakaka ilang tawag at txt ako sa kanya walang sumasagot. Pagtinatawagan ko out of coverage naman. Inisip ko na lang na siguro busy sya at pinatay ang phone para di sya maistorbo.

Hanggang sa nakauwi ako ng condo na inuupahan naming dalawa. Nakita ko sa parking lot na andun ang kotse nya pero maalikabok na halatang hindi nagagamit ng ilang linggo.

Nagtataka man dumeretso na lang ako ng room unit namin at nagpatulong na lang ako sa mga taga maintenance ng condo.

Ang unit namin ang alikabok. Naririnig ko may instrumental na mga songs na Kenny G ang sounds nya. Favorite ko kasi yun.

"Dale! Babe andito na ako. Tulog ka ba? Bakit di ka man lang naglinis ng bahay. Kaw talaga pag tinutupak ka ni paglilinis di mo magawa." Sigaw ko. Tingin ko natutulog sya kasi naka ayos yung inside sleeper nya sa may pintuan ng room namin.

Deretso lang ako ng kusina habang sinasalansan ang mga pasalubong ko sa ref.

"Babe gising ka na ba? Bat mo pinatay yung phone mo? Papasundo pa naman sana ako sayo," patuloy ko sa pagsasalita.

Walang sumasagot mula sa kwarto. "Kaw talaga babe pag matulog ka para kang mantika. Babe gising na jan!" Sigaw ko.

Wala pa rin sumasagot mula sa kwarto. Linisan ko ang lamesa namin at nagsalin ako ng brewed coffee.

"Babe gising na! Di ka ba malalate sa work?" Sigaw ko ulet pero wala talaga sumasagot mula sa kwarto.

Pumasok na ako ng kwarto ar nakita ko na walang tao. Yung ipad nya naka saksak lang  at naka auto play lahat ng mga favorite song ko. Ang weird lang ng pakiramdam. Di ko man naiintindihan ang nangyayari kung bakit naiwan na naka auto play ang aking mga favorite song.

Naiwan lang kaya nya sa pagmamadaling pumasok. May surprise kaya sya sa akin? Nasaan nga ba sya?

Lumapit ako sa ipad nya at pinatay eto. Bumalik ako sa kusina at kumain mag isa. Parang hindi ako sanay. Parang hindi masarap yung hinanda ko. Hays miss na miss ko pa naman ang babe ko.

Naligo na lang ako at pumasok na sa kwarto. Dahil sobrang pagod ko sa byahe eh nakatulogan ko na ang pagiisip kung nasaan na si Dale.

Gabi na nung gumising ako. Mag aalas syete na ng gabi. Dapat andito na si Dale ah? Ah siguro natraffic. Triny ko tawagan ulet ang number nya pero out of coverage pa rin.

Nagprepare na lang ako ng hapunan namin. At habang inaantay sya nanood muna ako ng pelikula sa HBO. Alas dyes na ng gabi wala pa ring dumarating na Dale. Naiinis na ako at kinakabahan. Alam kong alam nya na kaninang madaling araw ang uwi ko dahil sya pa ang nagpabook ng reserve ticket ko.

Binuksan ko ang ipad nya. Wala naman ako makita dun chineck ko ang FB nya deactivated na. Triny ko mag log in pero ayaw.

Busy ako sa pagkakalikot ng kanyang ipad nung aksidente ko nabuksan ang isang saved video.

Si Dale:

"Welcome home babe. I am sorry wala ako jan. Sorry kasi alam ko madami ka bibilhin na pasalubong and I am sure na kakailanganin mo tulong ko. Kahit wala ako jan ngayon alalahanin mo na mahal na mahal kita. Ikaw ang una at huli ko na mamahalin. Sinisisi ko ang sarili ko dahil hindi ako nakapagpaalam man lang sayo. Na kahit man lang sana sa huling pagkakataon mahagkan at mayakap kita. Na sa huling pagkakataon maipadama ko ang labis ko na pagmamahal sayo. Na sana kahit isang beses lang mapagbigyan ako na mapagisa natin ang ating katawan. Na maramdaman ko ang katawan mo sa loob ng katawan ko. Na kahit sa isang pagkakataon maisakatuparan ko ang matagal kong ninanis na maangkin ka ng boung buo. Wag mo sana pababayaan ang sarili mo babe. Wala man ako jan ngayon parati ka naman dito sa puso ko. Ikaw na nagmamay-ari sa akin. Babe I am sorry kasi dito ko na lang to sasabihin. Itinoun ko talaga ang pag-alis mo pa-uwi sa inyo sa pag-alis ko papuntang ibang bansa. Matagal o baka hindi na ako makakabalik pa pero tatandaan mo na sa bawat pag andar ng oras at pintig ng puso ko ikaw ang laman neto. Ikaw lang ang mamahalin ko hanggang sa mga huling sandali pa ng aking buhay. At kung may makita ka na pwede mo mahalin sana babe huwag mo pigilan ang iyong puso na magmahal. Wag mong itali ang puso mo sa akin babe. Mahal na mahal kita at hanggang sa muli nating pagkikita. Sayo ko ipinapangalan ang condo babe. At ang kotse ko sayo ko din nakapangalan yan. Sa yo na yan babe souvenir ko para sayo."

Natapos na ang Goodbye video ni Dale at nakatulala pa rin ako kasabay ng pag agos ng aking mga luha. Hindi ko eto mapigilan. Ngayon ko lang napagtanto na binili pala no Dale ang condo akala ko inuupahan namin eto. Wala din ako kamalay malay na sa akin pala nakapangalan lahat ng kanyang ari-arian. Pero bakit? Bakit sya umalis? Minahal ko naman sya ng higit pa sa kahit sino man at alam nya na sa kanya umiikot ang aking mundo. Alam ko na alam nya na abot langit ang pagmamahal ko sa kanya pero bakit nya ako iniwan tanong ko sa aking sarili habang patuloy na umiiyak.

Nakutulugan ko na ang pagiyak gabi gabi habang yakap yakap ang mga damit ni Dale na natira.

Pumapasok ako sa opisina gamit ang maskara ng payaso. Tumatawa ng malakas nagbibiro at kung ano anong kalukuhan ang pinaggagawa ko. Puro positive ang pinopost ko sa facebook ko para lang isipin nila na wala ako problema.

Pero bawat gabi pag uwi ko lungkot at iyak ang ginagawa ko. Nakagawian ko na rin ang  manood ng korean novela at comedy movies pero bakit umiiyak pa rin ako kahit nakakatawa ang mga eksena. Kina-ugalian ko na rin ang kumain ng kumain isang boung pizza kinakain ko habang nanonood ng movie at isa pa ulet na pizza bago matulog. Ganun na ang gawain ko hanggang sa isang araw "Grabe ka Rey. Sobrang hindi mo na maasikaso ang sarili mo sa trabaho ah. Tignan mo nga. Wala ka na six packs. Anlaki ng tiyan mo. Ang taba taba mo na. At mukhang hindi mo naalagaan ang sarili mo. Hindi ka na flawless," isang mahabang litanya ni Oscar nung minsan nakasalubong ko sya sa Glorieta.

"Grabe to. Kung maka describe parang inouod na ako ah," biro ko sa kaibigan ko. "Hindi ba pwedeng mangumusta ka na lang?"

"Nagsasabi lang ako ng totoo noh," sagot ni Oscar sa akin.

"Tara starbucks tayo Rey. Lets catch up. Sampung taon din tayo di nagkita. Inactive parati facebook mo eh.:

Madami kami napagkwentuhan ni Oscar. Nakwento ko na rin sa kanya na every day off ko na nasa sinehan lang ako nanonood ng sine at kumakain ng pizza.

"Hay naku friend. Masakit ang ginawa ni Dale pero hindi naman pwede na pabayaan mo ang sarili mo. Wag mo naman isangkalan ang sarili mo para lang mapagtakpan ang problema mo. Marami pa jan. At kung ano man ang rason ni Dale at bigla na lang syang umiskapo Diyos na ang bahala dun." Sabi ni Oscar. Hinug nya ako ng mahigpit sabay sabi, "marami jan Reynaldo. Tama na sampung taon ka ng nagluluksa dinaig mo pa si Nora, Sharon, Vilma at Maricel sa kadramahan mo. Wake up and move on my dear friend."

"Friend umaasa kasi ako na babalik sya eh. Umaasa ako na sana balang araw magpakita sya sa condo namin. Umaasa ako na isang araw makita ko sya sa daan. Kahit isang pagkakataon lang. Kahit isang yakap na lang nya. Kahit isang minuto lang matanong ko lang sa kanya bakit nya ako iniwan ng ganun ganun lang." Sagot ko kay Oscar.

"Tahan na friend. Pasikatin mo naman na ang araw jan sa buhay mo. Ang dilim eh. Yung ngiti mo ibalik mo naman. Yung totoong ngiti mo. Yung ikaw na ikaw. Tama na ang paghohold mo sa nakaraan. Nakakawa ka na eh." May awang saad ni Oscar.

Natapos na nga ang catch up namin ng friend ko. Gumaan naman ang aking pakiramdam.

Kinaumagahan. Prinint ko na ang aking resignation at nagresign na ako. Binenta ko na rin ang kotse ni Dale at ang condo namin. Tanging ang iniwan ko na lang ay yung mga pictures at mga damit nya.

Bumili ako ng maliit na bahay sa Cavite to start everything fresh and new.

Lahat iniwan ko na. Gusto ko na magsimula ulet ng bagong buhay. Yung ako lang. Yung walang Dale naman yung walang ibang tao pinaglalaanan.

Lahat ng gamit ni Dale inilagay ko na lang sa isang kartoon at itinago eto.

Dun ko na nga napansin na sobrang taba ko na pala. Yung dating 57kilos na ako ngayon 92 kilos na. Oo nga tama si Oscar. Siguro nga kailangan ko na mag move on. Wala na siguro ako maantay pa.

Dahil dun Binuhos ko ang oras ko sa trabaho. At sa pagjojogging. Sumali ako sa mga marathon. At nagdiet ako ng todo.

Unti unti ko ng naibaba ang aking timbang. Mahigit sampung taon na nung huli kaming magkita at mag usap ni Dale. Kasalukuyan ako nakatitig nagpapahinga sa isang waiting shed dito sa Evia katatapos ko lang magjogging nung time na yun. Habang pinagmamasdan ko ang isang magarbong simbahan naalala ko si Dale.

"Eleven years na pala mula nung huli kita mahagkan. Eleven years na nung hinatid mo ako sa bus station. Eleven years na din kitang hindi makalimutan. Naalala pa rin kita babe andito ka pa rin sa puso ko. Hindi ko mareformat eh. Ang daya mo naman. Ako na nga etong naiwan ako pa ang nagdurusa." Bulong ko sa hangin.

Dun ko napansin na may kasama pala ako nakatayo. Tinignan ko sya. Payat na payat na sobrang puti ng lalaki na nakatayo din katabi ko. Hindi sya umiimik pero lumuluha din kagaya ko. Hikbi ng hikbi.

Naasiwa ako at tumalikod na ako. At nagsimulang tumakbo. Sabay naman ng pag ihip ng hangin. At sya namang nalanghap ko yung amoy ng pabango nung lalaking nakatayo malapit sa akin.

Paglingon ko nakita ko na pasakay na sya sa sasakyan. Lumingon sa akin at kumaway sabay pahid ng luha nya. Inalalayan sya ng isang matandang babae papasok sa sasakyan.

Nakatayo lang ako at pilit minumukhaan. Kaso di ko mamukhaan kasi naka sumbrero na may malaking initials na R sa harapan.

Bago umandar ang sasakyan nya nakita ko na nagspray sya ng pabango sa hangin. Tinitignan ko lang yung sasakyan nya palayo. At naamoy ko yung pabango ulet dun ko naalala na yung pabango ay ang paboritong pabango ni Dale.

Umuwi na ako at iniisip ko pa rin yung lalaki na payat. Nakasout ng shorts na kulay brown, tshirt na kulay moss green at naka cap ng kulay white at may initial na R.

Wala sa loob ko na pumasok sa isang kwarto ng bahay ko kung saan andun ang mga alala ni Dale. Napagdisiyunan ko na na sunugin ang mga eto.

Nung isa isa kung binubuklat yung mga pictures namin nakita ko yung picture ni Dale na kaparehong kapareho nung mama sa Evia kanina lang.

Napaluha ako nung bigla ko naalala lahat ng pangyayari. Chinarge ko yung ipad at nagbabakasakali ako na pwede pa at gumagana pa. Namiss ko ang unang pag-ibig ko ang unang lalaking nagpatibok sa aking puso ang nagpatatag sa aking pagkatao. Inilabas ko yung perfume nya na naiwan pa nya at inispray ko eto sa isa sa mga damit nya.

Pinanood ko ng paulit ulit yung message nya. Bago ako matulog, pagkagising ko, bago ako pumasok at pagkauwi ko ng bahay. Araw araw ako nakatayo kung saan ko huling nakita sa Dale. Yung payat at sobrang puting Dale nagbabakasakali ako na muli ko syang masilayan. Hindi na ako magtatanong kung bakit sya nawala. Hawak hawak ko parati ang mga lumang damit nya ang pictures naming dalawa. Baka sakali lang na magpakita sya muli. Ngunit ang araw ay naging linggo. Ang linggo ay naging buwan. Di na sya nagbalik. Di ko na ulet sya nakita.

Pagka uwi ko ng bahay ng minsang galing ako ng Evia may biglang pumaradang itim na van. Kamukha nung sasakyan na sinakyan ni Dale sa Evia. Bumaba ang isang babae.

"Hi are you Reynaldo", wika ng babae.
"Yes maam, I am. What can I do for you?" Sagot ko naman.
"Oh I am Ivanka Smith. I am Dale's older sister. May I come in?" Paanyaya nya sa sarili nya.
Ang lakas ng kaba ko. Naalala ko nga pala si Ivanka na parating kinukuwento ni Dale sa akin. Yung kwela at pinaka close nya kapatid na nasa Germany. Na-excite ako dahil sa wakas may magsasabi na sa akin kung nasaan si Dale. May mapagtatanongan na rin ako sa wakas.

"Sure please come in. Do you want juice? Coffee? Beer?" Pautal utal kong sagot kay Ivanka. Halatang nanginginig ako.

Halos hihimatayin na ako. Pigil na pigil ko ang sarili ko na lumuha. Pigil pigil ang emosyon ko.

Nang biglang lumapit sa akin at yinakap ng sobrang higpit. Naramdaman ko ang paghikbi nya. Walang salitang lumalabas sa kanyang bibig pero ramdam ko ang bawat emosyon na gusto nya ipadama sa akin. Bumigay na rin ako. Sinabayan ko sya ng pagiyak.

"I loved your brother so much. I did loved him from the moment I saw him up until now. I loved him even more when he just disappear from nowhere while I am on vacation." Sabi ko kay Ivanka.

"I know. Lets sit shall we?" Sabi ni Ivanka.

"Oh sure. I am sorry" sabay pahid ko ng aking luha.

"Please remember that my brother never stopped loving you. He just need to do what he needs to do so you can flourish. So he will not drag you into the mess he had created. He visited me in Germany and started his medication there."

"Wait. Was he sick? Is that why he was so thin that I cant barely recognize him when he stand beside me in Evia?" Putol ko kay Ivanka.

"Yes. He is very very ill. Infact three years ago we flew back here in Philippines because he wanted to see you. He wanted to see you. Everyday he is following you. We are watching you weep your tears when you are passing by to your most memorable places. He sneak into your condo unti when you are fast asleep. He knows you are taking in sleeping pills so he will sleep beside you and hug you while you are sleeping. He was there with you everday for the past three years. Not until when you sold the condo unit and the car."

"Where is he? I wanted to see him. Is he with you?" Tumakbo ako palabas. "DALE!!!" Sigaw ko sabay katok sa van ni Ivanka. "Buksan mo to Dale. Miss na miss na kita."

"He is not there." Sabi ni Ivanka. "Lock your house you have to come with me."

Wala na akong paki alam kung ano ang sout ko. Wala na ako paki alam kung hindi paka nakapagshower. Gusto ko na sya makita. Gusto ko na sya mahagkan muli.

Panay ang kwento ni Ivanka sa mga activities ni Dale sa Germany. Sa mga pagkain sa sauna sa mga lugar na binisita nya. "Sabi nga nya how he'd wish na kasama ka daw nya. Iniimagine nya na kasama ka nya. Iniimagine nya na kasal na kayo."

Dumeretso si Ivanka sa Asian Hospital sa Alabang. At pinindot ang 9th floor. "Ano ba ang sakit ni Dale?" Tanong ko kay Ivanka. Hinarap ako ni Ivanka at sabay yakap sa akin. Si Dale na lang daw ang magsasabi sa akin.

Pagdating namin sa room ni Dale. Tulog na tulog sya. Ang gwapo pa rin nya kahit sobrang payat na nya. Lalapitan ko na sana sya nung biglang hinawakan ako ng gwapo nyang doctor.

"Ikaw si Reynaldo?" Sabi ng doctor.
"Yes ako nga po."
"Well I suggest you follow me first before seeing your boyfriend. Plus he is resting so let him rest for a while." Sabi ng doctor.
Wala ako magawa kundi sumunod kay Ivanka at sa Doctor.
"I am Dr Murphy. Kapatid ko si Dale at Ivanka at ako na din ang Dr ni Dale." Pagpapakilala ni Murphy. "Sorry at hindi natayo nagkakilala nung kayo pa. Isa talaga ako sa mga tutol sa love affair ninyo. At laking pagkakamali ko na ginawa ko yun."

"Ano pong sakit ni Dale Doc." Tanung ko.
"Murphy na lang since kapatid na rin naman na kita. Kasi minahal mo ng husto ang kapatid ko. Di na ako magpaligoyligoy pa. May AIDS si Dale. At nasa huling stages na sya ng AIDS. Maaring ikamatay na nya ang mga komplikasyon na naglalabasan. At maaring hindi na sya abutan ng susunod na taon." Sabi ni Murphy.

Nanlumo ako. Parang nagunaw ang aking mundo. Panay lang ang iyak ko. May sinasabi pa si Murphy pero di ko na naiintindihan. Di ko na naririnig. Yakap yakap na lang ako ni Ivanka. Habang nagiiyakan kaming tatlo.

"Hindi pa man ako namamatay kung makaiyak ako patay na ako," nakangiting sabi ni Murphy.

Lumapit ako sa kanya at sabay halik sa kanyang labi.

"Saglit lang babe," sabi ni Dale sabay ubo. "Sorry babe iniwan kita na sa ipad lang nagpaalam. Sorry sa ginawa ko. Sorry dahil eleven years din kitang araw araw na sinasaktan at pinapaasa na babalik ako."

"SHHHHHH" saway ko kay Dale. "Bago mo pa lang gawin yun napatawad na kita. Pero sana hindi ka na lang umalis.

Sana ako na lang nag alaga sayo. Sana babe kasama mo ako sa pagharap mo sa hamon ng buhay." Sabi ko kay Dale habang yakap yakap ko sya at umiiyak.

"Thats exactly why I left kasi mas gugustuhin ko na masaktan ka na lang dahil alam iniwan kita kaysa sa ako ang maging dahilan para lalo ka malugmok at sa takot na rin na baka mahawaan kita. Kaya ko sinabi na magiging tayo at kailangan isang taon bago tayo magsex dahil alam ko madami ako naka sex paiba iba at alam mo yan. Nung naging tayo nagpa check up na ako kinabukasan at kailangan ulitin ang check up after 6 months at on the ninth month. Tinago ko sayo yung mga gamot at iyong resulta kasi natatakot ako na baka iwanan mo ako. Kaya din ako umalis kasi para malaya ako magpagamot kasama ng kapatid ko sa ibang bansa. Ayaw ko idawit kita pag nalaman nila na may AIDS ako." Paliwanag ni Dale.

"Shhhh tahan na... wala na yun importante magkasama na tayo." Sabi ko sa kanya.

"Ahemmmm" sabi naman ni Dr Murphy. "Bro are we ready?"

"Yes we are" sabi naman ni Dale.

Nagtataka ako pero tahimik lang ako baka procedure lang nila yun. Baka kailangan lang turukan ng gamot si Dale kaya tumayo ako.

May inabot si Dale sa akin na maliit na box. "Buksan mo" utos nya.

Nagulat ako nung pagkabukas ko. Sing sing yun. Naka ukit ang pangalan naming dalawa.

"Will you marry me?" Tanong ni Dale.

"OF COURSE" sagot ko agad agad sa kanya.

Si Murphy na ang nagkunwaring pari sa kasal namin sya na ang nag officiate ng kasal namin kasi hindi pa naman legal ang same sex marriage dito sa Pilipinas. Masaya ako nakayakap sa kanya. Nag indifinite leave na rin ako sa opisina at buti na lang maunawain ang boss ko at pinayagan ako bilang regalo na lang dib daw nya sa kasal ko.

Gabi gabi binabasa ko sa kanya ang diary nya. Gabi gabi yakap yakap ko sya na matulog. Andun ako pag inaatake sya. Andun ako pag kinakapos si Dale ng hininga.

"Lord. Maawa ka po sa amin. Bigyan mo pa kami ng panahon ni Dale para magkasama. Bigyan mo pa kami Lord ng chance para maipadama naman ang pagmamahal namin sa isat isa." Ang dalangin namin pareho ni Dale bago matulog.

Isang umaga. Pagkagising ko nakita ko ang maamong mukha ni Dale  nakasmile at maaliwalas. Nakayakap sya sa akin. Pero yung kwentas nya isinout nya sa akin. Pero naramdaman ko ang malamig na katawan ni Dale. Isang malamig na Dale na lang pala ang kayakap ko. Napansin ko din na ang aparato na nakakabit sa kanya ay tinanggal nya.

Wala na ako mailuluha na iiyak ko na lahat. Nagpaalam ako sa kanya isang masuyong halik ang pinabaon ko sa kanya hanggang sa tuluyan na syang matakpan ng lupa.

#TheEnd#

This is dedicated to everyone who is fighting for AIDS and to those who is standing/stood besides those who suffer and to those who continued to be inlove despite the adversities of life.

Kiss and Good Bye

It was dark. It was so dark. I can’t see anything but the flickering lamp post so far from me. The wind blowing harshly and the rain pouring immensely. It was one cold night. So cold that I can feel it piercing from within. The stridulating sound of the cricket and croaking of the frogs sounded like a chorale in the night adorn with the flickering light from the fire fly.

It was that night where these creatures are rejoicing from the dark. I wanted to go home. I wanted to feel the comfort of my bed and the warmth of my house.

Plugged my earphone and played my playlist while walking in the cold rainy night.

Why can't you hold me in the street?
Why can't I kiss you on the dance floor?
I wish that it could be like that
Why can't we be like that?
'Cause I'm yours

And nobody knows I'm in love with someone's baby
I don't wanna hide us away
Tell the world about the love we're making
I'm living for that day
Someday

It was then I remember a friend. I remember the times when I was so sick and unable to get out of the house he’d come and play with me. Sleep together like real siblings. Play wet soils soaked with our own urine when no one is watching. I remember before you go away, you’d left me your mud fish pet asking me to take good care of it until we would meet again. I remember crying over it for months when it died after a year. I remember the unparalleled friendship when I have none. I remember you standing beside me when I was bullied because I was labelled as the weakest link amongst everyone.

I remember my friend every time I am being rushed at the hospital. Growing up would never be that exciting if not with the memories that we shared. The stories we created. The crying and comforting. We are best friends; we are best buddies.

I was so happy when after 10 long years we finally met as we took the same major in college. I remember the nights of sleep over. The pranks and the laughter. I remember the bar hopping and smoking packs of cigarettes. I remember how you snore and your after shower smell. I remember those smiles. I still remember your unwashed hair, your delicate lips and your eyes with a thousand emotions.

Now we are miles away. Now we both have separate lives and problems to take care. I remember how worried I am when my only best friend was abducted by Abu Sayyaf before your marriage. I guess those were the days and will always be part of a sweet memory. I will always remember you.

I continue walking home in that one called night. The rain continues to pour hard. The wind continues to blow angrily. The frogs and the crickets continues to make sound. I continue to listen to the music playing in my phone.

Then you came out of nowhere
I could not believe my heart
I didn't know how to tell you
Didn't know where to start
I know you understand

When I hid inside
I almost died
Oh, I hid inside and I cried
A loving heart in a sensitive man
I know you'll understand

As the second song continues to play. I continued remembering the past. I continued remembering the days and the people whom I have been in the past. I continue to remember you then suddenly I see a flash of a rushing head light gearing towards me. Then, I hear a screeching sound of a tire. I hear scream of the by standers. The croaking of the frog slowly fading away.

I feel numbness from within. I feel cold. I am not hearing anything but I hear your sweet voice once again. I hear your voice whispering your goodbye. As everything goes dark and really cold, I imagined I was riding at the back of the mud fish. I imagined just you and me for the last time playing, chatting and laughing in the river where the mud fish swims freely and happily. As I savor the moment, everything is fading slowly. I tried to hold on. I see you fading away. I see things going dark and getting colder by the second.

BER MONTHS IN THE PHILIPPINES

Ber month finally kicks in... and so is the busy holiday season! Yes baby! Its holiday season. Back when I was younger... when September kicks in, you would already hear firecrackers and the start of Christmass rush, you would already hear Christmass songs and children starts thier Christmass Carolling.

I dont hear firecracker very often nowadays in September but I am sure hearing people start talking about Christmass and New Year.

So let me start my blog a very early HAPPY HOLLIDAYS my dear readers.

Now, the real holiday shopping rush here in the Philippines will start in the later week of November up until last week of December.

So for now here are some few tips for you my dear readers to avoid being in a terrible shopping rush and terrible traffic.

GIFTS AND GIVEAWAYS

Since Filipinoys by nature love gifts and giveaways might as well start your preparations there since this is tedious and definitely time consuming plus of course it can drain your budget most especially if you dont plan it in advance.

1. List down everyone whom you intend in giving a gift this Holiday Season. Categories them wether they are a family, a friend, or a god-children. Categorizing them would be easier for you to identify and ensure you are not forgetting someone in the list.

2. Plan your gifts. Its easier to have a generic item for kids, boys and girls, family member and or a friend. In this way it is easier to pre-determine your approximate budget for each category plus you can buy by bulk and have more chances of getting a bigger discount. BUY by bulk its always cheaper that way.

3. Scout for a store. Since you already have a list start scouting for a store who could give you better prices. Avoid buying stuff in a mall. Mall merchants are way more expensive so either you resort to buying online or visiting Divisoria or Baclaran and finding the best gift and giveaways this Holiday Season.

CHRISTMAS DECORS

Its high time for you to start checking the decorations you had last year. I hope you had preserve those decorations. So go ahead and unbox them and start checking for those decorations that are still re-usable. There will be decorations that needs repainting and a little repair needed. If you need to buy some you might start buying now as the prices are still quite cheap. For major items I would suggest you have them listed and buy them when it is out of season or in Janaury and the prices will drastically go as low as 70% off during peak season. Example a five foot Christmass tree is worth more than 3 or 4 thousand pesos during peak season but that would go down to as low as 1 thousand in Janaury in time for bext years holiday decoration. So for now, recycle the old one and repair them if needed then a new one in Janaury when the holiday rush dies down.

DONT SPEND ALL YOUR MONEY!

The best gift you can give yourself this Christmass season is your savings and security at old age. This is the time of the year where you will have your bonuses. So instead of having this all be spent for bruhahaha during the holiday you might want to have the 50% of it if not all in a time deposit for your emergency fund or start building your mutual fund.

Having an eight month emergency fund, mutual fund, or stock investment will at least help you when you can no longer work. When your old or when your kids go to college. Have your kids educational plan insured in a reputable company. OR get ab insurance policy so if anything goes wrong then at least your family will not end up misserable. All these will help you in the future.

In the coming months I will try to feature best stores to buy for your Christmass giveaways.

See you all next time!

The Long Wait is Over

Its been a while since I've updated my blog. I kept looking for something that interest me or inspire to write about problem is I havent found anything interesting or something that inspires me.

I have been busy lurking around to a new found metier around Alabang area. Its a totally different ball game comparing it to the previous I had. Good thing is I am learning so much in so many ways. There will always be struggle I know that for sure but learning about the business, about the people behind the success of the business, the type of leaders who leads its people are all worth it.

I only have one left in my dream board and I was thinking, will this be the enterprise who can bestow my most covetted dream listed at the top of my dream board? Maybe. This could be company that gives me the success I ever wanted and dreamed for.

My thoughts leads me to how I measure success. Maybe success is not only measured by the achievements we have. Success has evolve in my system from promotion to developing something or someone and flourish to a beautiful experience.

I will have a different demographic of success. I always thought of success as climbing up the ladder of the corporate clichè. I was wrong! It is the experience that will make someone successful. Instead of putting all my might and my strength being someone I actually am not, I would rather just feel and explore opportunities of being part of the company.

Employees are of course measured by the numbers and the so called metrics and it is good if you nail all of it. But behind all those numbers lies the mighty learning and sharing.

It is time to impart the knowledge accumulated through the years to someone who is willing. Success is not all about numbers but rather it is more of your qualities and maturity is above and beyond.

I am more than ever fueled up to bring out the best of me. I am more than ever inspired. I am excited with the new tasks ahead.

PAOLO BALLESTEROS MAKE UP TRANSFORMATION REVEALED

Paolo Ballesteros, an actor and host of the most talked and well loved noon time show EAT BULAGA reveals his Make Up Transformation that earns him a spot in many well known news and public affairs and talk shows worldwide.

He did make up transformation of many well known holiwood personalities but let me go local first when he battled to succesfully do his Make Up Transformation of YAYA DUB.

Kate Middleton

WONDERWOMAN

Ms World Meagan Young

BEYONCE

QUEEN ELSA

My Pokemon Go

I wasnt never a fan of the pokemon serries while growing up but of course even though I was never a fan of the cartoon serries I still got to watch them once in a while so pretty much I have that idea as to whats going on.

Nevertheles when this POKEMON GO grew big and really became very popular to teenagers upto the working class, I got too curious too.

So I started downloading and started playing it. Little did I know that I will be so into it.

Then I realize this could be so great in my fitness experience. So every day off I gear up for my usual running/Brisk walking while collecting pokemons, dropping by at the pokestop near by, and of course hatching eggs.

Now I had a whole new motivation to wake up and go for a long distance walk and having fun while getting fit.

So guys wake up early wear your shoes and go out for brisk walking dont forget to turn on your GPS and start walking, gettig fit, and of course collecting pokemon, poke eggs and hatching eggs.

Just as I thought... after kilometers of walking... I finally caught my first Pikachu!

My Kind of Great Place to Work

I've been swooning and wallooping status in social media about experiences of great place to work. In deed it is mind blowing and inspiring to see such status of being and having a place to work in such working environment.

All companies and institutions are great places to work because all of them provides a bread and butter for everyone. Everyone gets to go home and have a milk in the table.

So the first in my list if I am going to qualify a company for a Great Place to Work are the Benifits. It is something an employee got to take home extra aside from of course the take home pay. It is the mere reason why an employee signs up the contract in the first place because that employee because it is that benifit that differs from one company to the next.

The moment that employee signs up, then their experience within the company becomes super important. Benifits are useless if we have very bad executors. Leaders or the managers should be a very good executors.

What makes an employee happy basically is when they feel that the company they are working for feel the care. For the employee the company is represented by the managers.

Trust plays a significant role in making sure that the company is indeed a great place to work and the essential element for an employee is when the benifits and laws are properly executed by the executor that is when a trust is built.

As an employee, the moment I trusted the leaders in the company, I see better performance in me and so as the other employees. I take pride of what I do and I flourish a smiling customers.

Employees take pride of what they do and they enjoy doing what they are supposed to do plus other activities that go beyond expectation. Employees exceeds the expectation because they trust the leaders, that they are treated fairly.

For example in a very well known company had a very good compensation package and definitely mind blowing benifits. They surpass the benifits and went above and beyond the problem was the executors.

They have favoritism, unfair judgement, and employee relations is very very poor.

Here's the story:

There were two kinds of employee both are hard working but have different areas of oppurtunity. The other one has the highest number of events executed for the past year there were misses along the way, had a very bad situation in the family, still manages to go to work everyday and conduct the usual routine and goes back home and helps in a family matters.

On the otherhand, there's these one who have very or rarely commits mistake at work, had one of fewest events executed for the year and almost non-existent as either on maternity leave, sick leave and had to attend school activities.

The later gets the highest increase by year end assesment.

In this situation, the company is fantastic, a very good benifits but very very poor leadership they have a terrible executors.

The employees are the face of the company but for the employees the leaders is the company. A well taken cared employee definitely radiates and affects others creating a great culture and values radiates outside and bring forth a happier customer a better performance.

To end, I agree that a great place to work is one in which employees trust the people they work for resulting to take pride of what they do and further resulting to enjoying working with the people they work with.

My Fashionable Cross Pendants

I always had this fascination on crystals... it inspires me to do so many things from bracelets to pendants.

This time around I ended up making cross pendants that I think is cool looking and definitely wearable (at least in my nutshell they are wearable).

So I ofcourse started it with crystal beads and I definitely loving them and since I tend to wear plain shirts or polo's I am sure these cross pendants are awesome whatever I choose to wear.

Thats the best thing about wearing plain colored shirts and polos you can easily match it up with accessories and you would look great.

So here are my creations.

 First off is the disco ball beads with pink cats eye crystal beads... I so love this as it litterary sparkle when struck by sunlight. It basically lightens up my day.

Then an officemate saw my design and wanted a black cross made of course with these black crystal beads and I totally loving it. It does look good and definitely can rock whatever clothese you wear.

Then one of my favorite... the blue crystal beads cross pendant... it is rockingly crazy beautiful.

I get feedback that most of what I sell are quite expensive... is because of the materials used...so i decided to use a light material, it still sparkle and it is equally beautiful... I used red plastic beads and a black plastic flower at the center to add drama and design to it... and they are awesome!.

I Was Treated Well

In the field of customer service, your knowledge comes only after emotions. People do not care about what you know. They do not care if you are precise and concise in providing instruction. They do not care if you have memorized and understood everything in the conpanies procedure and practices.

What matters most is how they felt after talking to you. Their feeling will determine how well you are as a customer service representative. If they felt and treated right thier response will definitely and will always be positive. Its either they woulf say, "the representative I have spoken with answered and understood my situation" or they would say, "the representative keeps putting me on hold to find an answer to my question and I appreciate that".

The point of the matter is, I knew for a fact that Starbucks barista when it comes to dealing with their customer it is always above and beyond and so I am already expecting that when I visit their coffe shop they will talk to me and serve me well. However, when I was feeling exhausted, tired, worried and devastated I happen to drop by at STARBUCKS SHAW Boulevard WORLDWIDE CORP CENTER just to have a coffee just to ease these negativities its just like my stress food. I went in and of course the usual greetings and good smile. So I just ordered an paid my coffee.

I went ahead the table and lighted my cigarette and started drinking my coffee and puffing my cigarette.

I noticed in my cup the barrista had wrote: "HELLO CHARLTON and a smiley." It made me smile and it made my day. I then look back at the counter and saw him doing stuff and keeping himself busy while there are no customer around. I noticed his work attitude, his passion in what he do... I noticed he is damn good looking too... and I remembered the name in his tag... His name is CARLO.

See... just like me, I will soon realize how good the customer service representative after I felt good, I felt I was treated right. A simple Hello Charlton and a smiley ib my cup made me feel good because I wasnt expecting it. It is because a barista named Carlo went the extra mile in giving customer service.

THANK YOU CARLO! YOU MADE MY DAY!

KUYA J HALOHALO

Its my day off and my birthday month as well. So just for a quick getaway of my usual daily routine, I decided to finally splurge myself with just a little treat.

As I continue to explore the beauty of Filipino food and desserts. I decided to experience KUYA J's Halohalo. Kuya J is a newly opened restaurant in near my house (a few kilometers away to be exact). They I suppose specializes in Filipino cusine basing my judgement to their menu.

So I am so excited to once try thier halohalo. Halohalo is one of my favorite Filipino desert. Its one thing I usually devulge when humidity spikes up.

I must say that Kuya J's halohalo is one of the best halohalo I ever tasted. I must say that it scores really high on my standard of a very good Halohalo.

I think it is called halohalo because you have to mix all the ingredients together before eating it.

However Kuya J's halohalo is serve ready to it. Its creaminess and sweatness is highly commendable. Truly a must try dessert when visiting Kuya J's halohalo.

Have you tried dinning at Kuya J? Let me know your experience and the food you ordered? What do you recommend in thier menu?

Phenomenal Love Team ALDUB Celebrates First Year Anniversary

AlDub turns one!

Photo from GMA 7 official Twitter account

July 16, 2015 is the day where magic sparks and made the whole Filipino community go gaga over Alden Richards and Maine Mendoza. An accidental segment in a noontime show that no one has ever thought it will rule the twitter world and the ratings.

I must say that this is the only FANDOM in the Philippine Showbiz that is so diverse that it includes all genders, every proffession from doctors to politicians to call center agents to doctors and nurses to overseas Filipino workers and lawyers; name it and I am sure it is well represented.

It has been one year where this segment of a NOONTIME show EAT BULAGA has been rocking the twitter world for one year with one million tweets each day.

The celebration was still crazy and lovely. The feeling from when it started is still the same for the fans.

As a proof everyone brings their support in twitter and started twitting about what was happening on that day. In exactly 24 hours, the hashtag for the day ended with more than six million tweets.

Not only Local celebrities are being hooked with ALDUB but this include some International celebrity like Bryan White who sang the Official love song for ALDUB, "GOD GAVE ME YOU". Ask a fan and I am sure they know God Gave Me You by heart.

Bryan White, a country singer in the US flew all the way from the US to the Philippines to be part of getting stronger Love Team of ALDEN RICHARDS and MAINE MENDOZA  ALDUB's 1st ANNIVERSARY Celebration. (Click here to visit Bryan White website)

To wrap it all up, the launching of their first movie together entitled Imagine You and Me is also well loved. Ticket sales and movie houses are definitely over flowing.

This two are definitely well loved by the fans. They get all the support they needed. The most talked about love team. The most active fandom worldwide.

The latest post of Maine Mendoza in instagram was also being shared and being talked about in twitter.

Why are these tandem so loved many Filipinos? Why is their audience so wide from toddlers to grandparents name it I am sure everyone knows them. Is their love simply for the show? Is the love story for real or reel? The so called "kilig" factor of their love story blew the roof of the biggest arena in the Philippines. Was it true love that makes it so believable that will make someone of all ages swoon and wish theyll have their own prince/princes charming woulf show up in a very mysterious way?

No matter what their secret is, it is working perfectly fine that no one can deny that their love is felt in every episode of KALYESERYE and or their movie/s. If you havent watched the movie yet, I encourage you I am sure you would be blown away as they transpire the love right to next to your heart.

Robert and His Piggy Bank

Cling! Clang! Cling! Clang!

“Sorbetes! Come have a piece of this delicious ice cream,” shouted the ice cream man!

“YEY!!!” chorus the kids.

“Mom! Buy me an ice cream!” says another kid. “Petra can we just skip that for now, you just ate sandwich and soda,” replied Petra’s mom.

“Mom, my playmates are eating their sorbetes,” Petra cried.

“OK!” Petra’s mother exclaimed.

“What about you Robert? Do you want some sorbetes?” Aling Martha asked her son Robert.

“Oh mom! Its ok I still have some money in my pocket and I don’t want to be spending on things I actually don’t need’” Robert replied.

“Waaaaahhhh Robert doesn’t have ice cream!” Robert’s playmate teases him. “Meh meh  meh meh, Robert doesn’t have an ice cream!”

“Come on Robert, I will buy you one,” said his mom Aling Martha.

“It’s ok mom, I already ate my lunch and I also made some sandwich at home,” Robert replied.

“So where do you spend your money that I am giving you every day?” asked her mom

“I buy water or juice when I already drank all the juice that I brought from home or I buy some candies as well when I felt like eating one. But I make sure I don’t spend everything I always drop a portion of my daily allowance in my piggy bank,” Robert’s long answer to his mom.

“Are you not jealous with your playmates, when they are eating candies, ice cream, drinking soda or buying some toys at Ms Bebang’s store?” asked his mom.

“Ma, I have sandwich, I brought with me my lunch and I have toys at home, I am also already full and I don’t need to eat all those every day,” Robert replied.

“Ok”, replied his mom.
Days and months have passed. Robert continued dropping a portion of his allowance in his piggy bank. He was able to fill up three large piggy bank. Robert is excited to count how much he was able save. Excitedly he broke his piggy bank open and counted all the coins.

“AHA!”, Robert exclaimed. “Its my mom’s birthday tomorrow, I think I can buy her a new dress! I will surprise her, she has been working all day and I think I can just simply give her something.”

The following morning, Robert woke up and as usual his mother is rushing cooking while doing the dishes.

“Mom!”, called Robert!

“What! Come on you’ll be late. And I will be late at my work too.”, she exclaimed.

“Just come here mom I have something to show you!” Robert exclaimed.

Robert’s mom rushed at Robert’s room very worried. When she arrives at Robert’s room.

“Surprise!!!!! Happy Birthday Mom! I broke one of my piggy bank because so I could buy you a gift!”

“Oh I love you my son! Thank you so much!” Robert’s my cried. “You saved a portion of your money so you can buy me a gift on my birthday, you should just buy some toys for yourself” she continued.

“Oh mom! I still have more don’t worry and I will just a toy when I already broke some of the toys,” Robert answered.

“Wow! You really surprised me Robert. I have a suggestion to you my son, let’s open a bank account for you so every time you filled up your piggy bank, let’s deposit it from there in that way when you need something in the future you would have something to use. Plus it won’t get stolen or lost because the bank will take good care of your money,” Aling Martha told her son Robert.

“Sure! I would love to do that mom”, Robert replied.

“Look mom I also bought a new bag and it’s my favorite super hero SUPERMAN”, Robert happily showed his mom his new bag that he bought.

Robert and his mom happily had their breakfast. After they had their breakfast, Aling Martha walked Robert to his school.

On their way to school, Robert saw his classmate playing.

“Wow! Robert you had a new bag and it’s Superman!”, exclaimed Alex. “Look guys Robert had a new bag!”

Robert proudly smiled to Alex!

All the children gathered around Robert to check on the new bag.

“I will ask my mom to buy me one too!” said another children

“Me too!” said another.

“Aling Martha, where did you buy Robert’s bag?” asked Marvin

“I did not buy the bag, Robert did and he bought me a dress too for my birthday,” Aling Martha answered.

“Wow! Robert where did you get your money. I saw that bag at the mall and its pretty expensive,” asked Greg.

“I am saving a portion of my allowance in my piggy bank so I can buy something when I needed something to buy. My mom also said she will open a bank account for me so I could put my money that I saved in my piggy bank every time it gets full,” Robert explained.

From then on, Robert continued saving a portion of his allowances in his piggy bank and every time it gets filled up, his mother accompanies Robert in the bank.

Also, his classmates’ gets so inspired since Robert can buy expensive things by simply saving a portion of their allowance in their own piggy bank.

***End***