Still a Beautiful Night

November 6, 2011

Sunday

“I love you so much.” – these are the words that I wanted to remember the most from our 20-minute conversation last Saturday, November 5. If not for that argument, he would not have approached me personally to settle our misunderstanding.

It all started when he talked to me saying that we should not steal any scene that night since it’s our friend’s despedida and she should have the stage. I was kind of drunk that time already and have just vomited about a ‘liter’ of what I have consumed. I told him that that was the situation and I am not trying to steal any scenes.

Our argument happened outside the condo unit while I was trying to call my friend as I have been told she left the building because we already took the piss out of her. I admit that I have raised my voice during our argument and I was crying again. Perhaps, I’m being too sensitive as I’m really feeling bad that time.

So my friend (the one who’s about to leave for Singapore in 3 days time) came back after an hour and I told her that I’m really sorry and that I am not trying to steal or make any scene. She totally understood me and even said she was not thinking about it in the first place. She left because she and her boyfriend just needed time to be alone as they will be missing each other so much and could not even imagine being apart for two years.

           Going back to our argument, it has been fixed the next morning when he took the initiative to talk to me seriously. He said ‘sorry’ for more than ten times, we hugged each other for like five times and reassured ourselves that everything is good between us.

            But what struck me the most was when he told me, “I love you so much and I miss you so much.” I told him that perhaps, he was just drunk so he’s saying those things but then he told me he isn’t and that he’s very serious about it.

           “You deserve to be happy Grace. Be selfish. You deserve someone better, someone who’s more gwapo, more matalino, more matangkad. Fuck them. Fuck him. Get over our college life ‘coz it’s already in the past.”

          Yeah. He’s definitely right. He bombarded me with a lot of ‘sermon’ that morning and it worked. For real. Big time. Funny how a one night gathering is all that I need to wake up from a not-so-good dream of six years.

          I am awake now. I truly am. I couldn’t be more thankful to him for everything he’s done. It turned out he remembered everything that happened. That’s cool. :)

My Own Stranger

This was an essay I have written during my 2nd year in college, if I am not mistaken. Perhaps two to three years ago. It meant a lot for me.

………………

“Each human being is unique, each with their own qualities, instincts, forms of pleasure and desire for adventure. However, society imposes on us a collective way of behaving and people never stop to wonder why they should behave like that.”

- Dr. Igor (Veronika Decides to Die, by Paulo Coelho)

Humans are created according to God’s image. We exist because of His awesome power to create and sustain us with all the strength, wisdom, knowledge and courage that we will be needing every time we wake up in the morning. He gave us everything we have and will continue to do so. Most of all, He gave us life. And He gave us this life to enjoy everything.

Though we are all created by one Supreme Being, still each man is unique. Each being definitely showcases his/her differences to other people whether directly or indirectly. We all have our own points of view, beliefs, traditions or the so-called “culture” that we stand up on. Because of this, we cannot help and avoid being a “STRANGER” to our family, friends, to the nation and even to ourselves.

For the past 18 years of my life, I have gone through such situations of being a “STRANGER.” And I think my most unforgettable “stranger” experiences took place the moment I passed all my requirements for college admittance.

Posters and statements bearing straightforward outcries like “Oust Gloria!” are the ones, during my time, who will welcome you the moment you enter the premises of the main campus of the Polytechnic University of the Philippines in Sta. Mesa, Manila. For a college newbie like me who have spent the past 11 years growing up and studying in a conservative and Christian institution, sites like these were undoubtedly strange.

Back then, having stepped my feet in a University which they referred to as a “dwelling place for activists,” I felt really strange- a true stranger I should say. I was not even sure if I can afford on to this kind of environment for the whole four years of my college life. The feeling was like I have left my world and went to another planet of which I am not certain of what is in store for me.

I wandered my eyes around the campus and saw a different environment- different from what I used to see before. I felt a different atmosphere- different from what I have felt before. Some students do not even look like a student because of their outfits. Others appeared like they have been studying for the past 30 years of their lives. And the classrooms are a lot different compared to the rooms that I have been going onto in the past. There are only two available electric fans and none of them are working. Though two out of four fluorescent lamps are on their best, still, it’s not enough to totally light up the whole room. Furthermore, we are the ones who have to fix the chairs and clean the area to get ready for the next class, not the janitors. These are totally strange for me.

But as my stay in this University progresses, I was able to overcome my being a “STRANGER”. In fact, I was able to totally get used to it, since I am already here for three years now. After a five-month adjustment period, I have finally considered myself a bonafide PUPian.

I then started venturing out of the four-cornered rooms. I began finding a life outside the life that I have always had. I have discovered a lot, realized much and until now, I am experiencing these. Above all, I have learned things that I have not learned during my preparatory, elementary and high school days.

And I was successful in finding a new avenue for myself. I joined them. I learn with them. I fight with them. For more than five months, I have been mingling with them after school hours. Of course, after that, I still have to face another day of my academic life and hours at home- as a daughter and as a sister. I started feeling “STRANGER” again. I just felt that I am a different person now- different from the one they have known ever since especially to my old friends and my family. I am not a new person who has changed totally though. I can say that I am a much better person now who knows how to accept the reality of this society and who knows how to respond to that. It is not that easy to communicate al my thoughts to the people whom I have known for more than five years because during those times, I was just a typical high school student driven by my goal to finish the race with flying colors, just that. Now, I am living and driven with more than that in mind. I know I have lots to accomplish as a daughter, as a student, as a Filipino and most importantly, as a child of God.

Living out of your box is not bad at all as long as you know you are on the right track. For my friends and to all those that I truly love and cherish, I may be deviant at times and certainly hard to understand. But their continuous support and love for me keep me going. I know they are proud of me. They really are. And I know my Father up there feels the same way too. I do not want to disappoint them especially Him that is why I am doing my very best to give back all the glory and honor that He deserves.

You become a stranger the moment you stop conforming to the majority’s actions and ways. You become a stranger the instance you decide to think twice if the world where you’re at right now is the world where you belong. Indeed, I am a STRANGER. And I cannot avoid being one because in a way or another, we are all strangers to our family, to our friends, to the nation and even to ourselves. I am definitely MY OWN STRANGER.

What is reality- “It’s what the majority seem it to be. It’s not necessarily the best or most logical, but it’s one that supports the desires of the society as a whole.”

- Dr. Igor (Veronika Decides to Die, by Paulo Coelho)

Another Lesson Learned

Who could have thought that a 21 year old lady like me would fall for a guy whose 10 years older, my trainer and has a daughter and a wife (though they are already separated but not yet legally).  Who? Certainly, I have not thought of that even in my ‘wildest dreams’.

Scratch Papers

            Kagagaling ko lang sa pagkakape at paglalabas ng sama ng loob…sa banyo. Salamat sa kape at naging regular na ulit ang bowel movement ko. Noong “call center” at “thesis days” ko kasi, every two or three days lang ako nakakapag-express ng hinanakit. Ngayon bumalik na sa dati. Yehey! Walang Nescafe 3-in-1 sa tindahan namin ngayon ( sa totoo lang, mukhang wala na ring balak bumili si Mama ng Nescafe 3-in-1 kasi sa oras ng bumili siya ng isang dosena, isang lingo lang halos ang titnatagal) kaya nagkasya na lang ako sa simpleng kape (may bongga bang kape?) at coffee mate. Balak ko pa sanang mag-asukal kahit isang kutsarita lang, sa kasamaang palad hindi ko mabuksan ang lalagyan ng asukal. Nauwi tuloy ako sa pagkakape ng walang asukal. Ang pait. Pero masarap kasi alam kong kape ang iniinom ko.

            Hindi talaga tungkol sa kape ang gusto kong ikwento. Kwento nga ba? Hindi yata. Sanaysay na lang o kaya naman sharing (ano nga palang Tagalog ng sharing?).

            Isa sa PINAKAIMPORTANTE at PINAKAMAHALAGANG naipundar ko sa loob ng apat na taong pamamalagi ko sa PUP sintang paaralan bilang isang Communication Research major ay SCRATCH PAPER. SCRATCH PAPERS. Oo, scratch papers.

            Pinakaimportante? Kung walang scratch papers, walang 1^st draft, 2^nd draft, 3^rd draft, 4^th draft and so on and so forth. Kung walang scratch papers, walang 1^st output, 2^nd output, 3^rd output, 4^th output and so on and so forth (ano naman ang Tagalog ng so on and so forth?). sa medaling sabi, kung walang scratch papers, walang drafts at outputs. Kahit pa halos lahat ay may kaniya-kaniya ng personal computer at laptop, hindi pa rin maikakaila ang halaga ng scratch papers lalo na sa katulad ko. Kapag may overnight (tanong ulit, ano naman ang Tagalog ng overnight?), hindi ito pwedeng mawala sa maleta ko. Kahit nga ordinaryong araw lang, may scratch paper pa rin sa bag ko. Ewan ko ba nasanay na siguro ako.

            Pinakamarami? Kung nakita ninyo ang thesis namin, triple pa nun o higit pa ang dami ng scratch papers ko ngayon ditto sa bahay. Salamat sa Thesis Writing course subject namin nitong 4^th Year 1^st Sem at pati na rin sa Data Interpretation and Reporting noong 3^rd Year 2^nd Sem  dumami ng ganito ang scratch papers ko. May pagka-PACK RAT din kasi ako kaya hindi ako basta-basta nagtatapon ng papel. Sayang kasi. SAVE MOTHER EARTH.

            At sa dami nga ng scratch papers ko, nagawa ko na itong ikategorya—MAGANDA, MEDYO MAGANDA at PANGIT.          

            Maganda. Ito ‘yung tipong pagkalabas na pagkalabas pa lang sa printer at nakita mong may mali kahit kapiranggot lang na letra, scratch paper na. Ang ganda ng papel at print kaso hindi naman pwedeng ‘yun ang ipasa mo kasi nga may mali kaya scratch paper na lang.

            Medyo maganda. Ito naman ‘yung tipong nagamit mo na ng tatlo o apat na beses o depende sa tagal ng pagpasok ng propesor mo sa klase at pagtuturo niya ng isang paksa dahil sa ito ay ang iyong dakilang hand-outs. Uso sa amin ‘to. Dahil walang sapat na reference books sa silid-aklatan at may mga patnugot na sadyang sa ibang bansa lang matatagpuan ang kanilang libro, photocopy ang solusyon (ang sistema, kukunin sa internet ang akda nila tapos ipapaphotocopy para sa buong klase).

            Pangit. Ito ‘yung mga papel na malapit ko na talagang itapon pero hindi ko pa maitapon. May masusulatan pa kasi sa likod. Sayang naman. Ang mga papel na ito ay ang tipong pinagpasa-pasahan na rin ng buong klase at pagbalik sa ‘yo hindi na flawless. Ito rin ‘yung tinupi na ng ilang beses at malapit nang mapunit. Ito rin ‘yung may mantsa na ang harapan o kahit na ang likuran—mantsa galling sa pagkain, sa nagtaeng bolpen o kaya naman ay thumbmark este marka ng daliri o kmay dahil sa pawis, tinta o kung ano pa man.

            Paano nga ba masasabing ang isang papel ay scratch paper na? Base sa aking karanasan, ito ang criteria?

            Una. Kapag nadoble ang print. Isa lang naman ang kopyang ipinapasa ng estudyante sa propesor niya maliban na lamang kung gusto mo ng sariling kopya (pero kung hindi buong dokumento ang nadoble ng print, 90% sa pagiging scratch paper din ang kauuwian ng papel na ‘yun).

            Pangalawa. Kapag ang daming naprint nag hindi sinasadya. Ang dahilan? Ang nakakatarantang paper jam at miscommunication kay Manong Taga-print. Minsan kasi dalawang kopya lang ang kailangan mo, nagiging limang kopya pagkabigay sa ‘yo. Ganito rin ang sitwasyon sa mga photocopies.

            Pangatlo. Kapag may mali sa print. Kahit page number o isang letra lang ang mali diyan, mali pa rin ‘yan. Ang isang letra pwedeng maging dahilan ng pagkakamali ng isang pangungusap o ng isang talata o maging ng isang buong sanaysay o kwento mo. Kapag nakatagpo ka ng “grammar freak” na propesor at nakita nag pagkakamaling ‘yun, bawas “pogi points” na panigurado.

            Pang-apat. Kapag natapos na ang baseline survey o pre-test at post test, evaluation pati na rin ang pagtatally ta pag-aanalisa ng mga nakalap na datos dahil ang ibig sabihin niyan, kung ilan mang kalahok mayroon ang inyong pag-aaral, ganoon din kadami ang mga questionnaires na matitira sa ‘yo (mabentang-mabenta ‘to noong mga panahong kinukuha namin ang mga sumusunod na asignatura—Public Information and Campaign, Development Communication, Communication Evaluation, Advertising/Public Relations Case Studies at Media Literacy and Studies).

            Panlima. Kapag naipasa mo na ang output mo at binalik sa iyo nang may hindi magandan grado o komento. Kapag bagsak ang grado malamng hindi mo na ito itatabi pa. pero kung 3.0, pwede pa itong isalba sa pagiging scratch paper. Noong ginagawa kasi namin ang Chapters 1-3 ng thesis namin at ito ang grado na nakuha namin, masaya na kami (noong una kasi 3.5 o kaya 4.0, at least may improvement). Ibig sabihin din ng 3.0 noong panahong ‘yun, hindi lumipad o pinalipad ang papel namin sa ere o kaya naman walang nagsusumigaw na X o ? mark ang pinasa namin.

            Pang-anim. Kapag ito ya napaglumaan ng panahon. Hindi naman habambuhay ay kukunin ko nag asignaturang ito kaya ‘pag sa tingin ko ay nagamit ko na ito at hindi na muli pang magagamit sa pag-aaral at pamumuhay ko, scratch paper na ang tawag ko dito.

            Pampito at ang panghuli. Kapag wala na kong magawa sa papelat ayaw ko pa itong itapon, pansamantalang scratch paper na ito (baka sa mga sususnod na araw ay may maisipan akong kapaki-pakinabang na gawin sa papel na ‘yun).

            Kung gusto niyo ng scratch papers, pwede kayong manghingi sa ‘kin. Joke! Sigurado akong marami rin kayong scratch papers diyan lalo na sa mga research majors na gaya ko. Subukan niyong pagsama-samahin nag mga scratch papers niyo at ilagay sa isang kahon o kahit ano pang lalagyan, magugulat kayo kung gaano na karami ang naitatago ninyong yaman.

            Salamat sa scratch papers, nakatipid ako ng kuryente ngayon. Habang ginagawa ko kasi ito, sinusulat ko muna para na rin mabawasan ang scratch papers ko tapos tsaka ko na lang itatayp. Hindi ko naman kasi madadala at magagamit nang husto ang mga scratch papers na ito sa magiging trabaho ko dahil panigurado may isang lugar sa opisina o malaking kahon na puro scratch papers lang ang laman (tulad na lang sa World Vision Development Foundation, Inc. Buong buo!).

            Ayan. Okay na ‘to. Nabawasan na ng apat na papel ang munting koleksyon ko ng SCRATCH PAPERS. Arrivederci!

I Want You to Stay

How can you prepare to say goodbye to a person who is about to leave in two or three year’s time when in your heart, you’re still hoping that he will stay? Perhaps, you’ll know what to do when that time comes. For cases like this, preparation is quite inappropriate. But then again a bit of expectation will definitely help you.

I have been thinking of this scenario lately. What if he decides to leave after passing the board exam? What if he decides to settle in Canada and never come back here in the Philippines? What am I supposed to do then? And how come I’m already worrying like this when in the first place, he’s not even worried of me? Or so I thought.

It’s tough to stop developing feelings for someone whom you are closed with and whom you share special moments with. Undoubtedly, I am in this phase right now. Again. Yeah, special moments. This is for me, the best way to describe the hours or minutes or even seconds when I am with him. I’m not yet in love, that I’m certain of. It’s just that these past few weeks, he’s always on my mind. Whenever I have my phone beside me, his messages are the ones I mostly read over and over again, perhaps looking for a hint of tenderness in his words to me.

Looks like my ‘favorite word’ have already been replaced. I have moved on and I now know inside of me that this ‘new’ guy is important. He is really important to me. I want to be with him as much as I could but I know as of the moment that is next to impossibility. I want him to drop by at the house everyday before he goes home but I know he’s very busy and would rather go straight home to rest than exert another ounce of effort to visit me. I want him to text me everyday but again, he’s the type of person who does not text that much.

And most of all, I want him to stay.

Realizations…acceptance…inevitable certainties

Realizations…acceptance…inevitable certainties. No one can ever escape the truth. No one can deny the fact that once in a while, life will present us with certain realizations that may be hard to bare and also with unfathomable cases that we have to accept. Life is indeed life—quite tough to define and quite tough to predict because it’s all in His hands alone.

It’s just that there are several moments when I come to a point wherein I wanted to have the power to control this life, to control the life of the people around me, to make them compromise or obey with what I am telling them. Well, I know this is impossible. It’s a fact and I have admitted this wholeheartedly.

College life is one tough voyage. I could have drowned in a sea of depression and fatigue way back in my freshman year if not for those people who never gave up on pushing me to the top. Thank God I have made it this far. I am about to leave this chapter of my life to welcome a new one. However, I don’t know if I can totally leave knowing that there is still a gap that isn’t filled yet.

Yes, there is a gap. This time, it’s a gap which I’m not certain of when and how it will be filled.

Realizations. I have come to realize that not all people are as ‘straight’ as you are literally and figuratively. There are people who struggle with their disposition and beliefs and that this leads to a change of path, to a change of direction in life.

Acceptance. I have come to accept that there are people who are stubborn and that once in a while, you will encounter people who will have the guts to lie to you face to face and at times they are the ones you’ve known for years.

Inevitable certainties. I have come to discover that outside my world, there is another world out there that is way beyond my imagination. As of the moment, I cannot see any possibility of merging my world with that world.

I wanted to stay strong. I wanted to stay firm with my beliefs. God guide me. I can’t handle all these without You by my side. Please give me the wisdom to make the necessary decisions at the right time, at the right place and at the right circumstance. I hope that when the time calls for my decision, there will be no such scene as choosing which is which and that there will be no such picture as giving up something for the sake of another thing.

my 23rd day in World Vision

Tuesday March 9, 2010

Today, I’m just focused on the modification of teh referral network. And actually, I’m already done consolidating all the necessary information. What’s left is only the finishing touches. Moreover, I again took pictures of the ABK2 Team. Our pics our cool and i like it.

This day is definitely great! Thank you Lord for everything!:)

my 22nd day in World Vision

Monday March 8, 2010

Start of a new week means a start on my re-validation of the children’s distribution list in Bulacan. This has been my taskfor like three or four days already. Well, I don’t have any problem with this task ‘coz I know that this part of the project is really important. We have to be certain of those beneficiaries who have received their supplies before because another school year is coming in about three more months. Monitoring and evaluation is really crucial and very much necessary. 

I was able to finish it though. So I passed my findings or the final output to Ate Belle to have her check it. And then I moved on to my other pending task which is the modification of the referral network– another task that will again need the presence of my good eyesight. Haha!! I can do this! Yeah!!

Also, for documentaion purposes, I started taking pictures of those people that I go with here in ABK2 Initative. I had fun taking pictures of them. They’re all nice. Love it much!

my 21st day in World Vision

Thursday March 4, 2010

this validation thing that I have been doing for more than a week now is really tiring– mentally and physically.My eyes are really really tired because of being in front of the pc for at least 10 hours a day– 8 hours in the office and 2 more hours at home.

but I know I’ll be finished with this thing sooner or later. i just have to endure it. Besides, this will be a great help and necessary element to the evaluation and monitoring part of the project.

Over and Over Again

If there is one unexpected thing that I would like to happen time and again, that would be me being with him– me being with Rowell, bonding with him, talking and laughing with him. It’s just feels good to know that despite the distance, ever since we graduated from high school four years ago, we still have our communication either through text messages or through our social networks and we still find time to see each other in person most especially because we share the same interests and enthusiasm when it comes to reading novels and watching films. I can say that we are indeed close friends—good, close friends. And that alone is already a big and priceless blessing. I am very much grateful for that.

What’s funny about our meetings is that we don’t plan for it or if we do plan for it, we plan it on the same day that we will go out together or meet each other. So it’s like that there are only a few hours of preparation. We don’t have any problem with that of course. What’s important is that as long as we get to see each other. And despite our love for film, we still haven’t watched a single movie together but we did stayed in record and video store before, scanning all the albums and movies there and asking each other if we have already watched it or if it’s a good film and all. That was all that we did for more than two hours I think. And I did not even notice that we have stayed that long doing that.  It just goes to show that if you share the same interests or hobbies, no matter how simple the bonding will be, it will never be boring or a waste of time.

Though we haven’t watched a single movie together, we have already spent dinner in Greenwich, KFC and the latest is at Wendy’s. KFC is my favorite fast food so when we go out together, eat dinner together, KFC is always in my vocabulary. Though he’s the one to pay for everything, I’m the one who dictates where to eat most of the time.

So much for the introduction. Actually, I created this blog basically because I wanted to share our 2^nd unplanned bonding for the year. If last time, we were in SM North Edsa and ate in KFC, this time, we’re in SM Marilao at Wendy’s. The reason for this dinner? Well, it’s his promise that he shouldn’t break. We had an agreement that if he made it to the top 200 of the pre-board exam, he’ll treat me again in KFC and he’s the one to offer that if ever he made it top 20, we’ll eat in KFC and Wendy’s. Agreement settled. And this March 1, he texted me to say a good news—that he made it to the top 20. Glory to God!! Just reading his message that night made me smile the whole ride back home. I’m proud of him. Then he told me that we will set a date.

But obviously, it turned out to be another unplanned date. Since I have a free call, I called him to say my congratulations and that was around 1:00 in the afternoon. Then he asked me for another impromptu meeting. I have lots of commitment this afternoon but I was able to get through it just to see him. We were supposed to meet in SM Marilao at 6:00 pm but I arrived at 7:00 in the evening. And Wendy’s is the place this time. Sad to say, KFC in SM Marialo is under renovation at the moment. We ate and stayed for about an hour there, talking and again taking pictures. He’s really happy that he made it to the top. And I’m very much happy for him as well. So I gave my word to him that I will study the hand-outs on research that he will be giving to me soon so that I can properly tutor him for his upcoming licensure exam. I want to help him and be a part of his achievement.

Thanks again to him, for making my day even more complete and wonderful. Though we’re together for only more than an hour, it was more than enough. And we’ll see each other again soon—I’m expecting it to be another unplanned meeting and if it’s with him, I would really like that to happen over and over again. 

My 20th day in World Vision

Wednesday March 3, 2010

I was only able to stay for four hours in the office today. I arrived at past 11:00 this morning and left at past 3:00 in the afternoon. the reason why I’m late was because I went to our target school for our Media Literacy campaign which is the Lolomboy National High School to get the principal’s confirmation with regards to the implementation of our program. God is so good ‘coz the principal agreed!! And then I talked to the head teacher with regards to the day and time and the facilities to be used for the implementation. We agreed to make March 15, 2010 as the implementation date. But that is still tentative so I have to call this coming Friday for further confirmation.

And today, I’m still working on my re-validation of the distribution list and modification of the referral network. Also, I passed my work report to Ate Pima and then told her that I will only be rendering a total of 200 hours in this organization instead of 300. She told me that it’s fine because it’s already March and I think she’s really seeing the fact that I’m very much busy in school again. Lots of commitments and requirements to comply with. By God’s grace, we’ll be able to accomplish it all. Amen!

My 19th day in World Vision

Tuesday March 2, 2010

Second day of the month of March and I’m near to the end of my internship here in World Vision most especially now that the 300 required internship hours was lessened to only 200 hours. Well, it’s a good thing so that we can have ample time finish all the requirements for graduation.

I’m still on my multitasking mode today—dong the re-validation of the Bulacan children’s distribution list and modifying the referral network and a little bit of calls all at the same time. Well, my priority this time is the re-validation. I only get to stay ‘til 2:00 in the afternoon today because I have another commitment in school.

So tomorrow, will be another multitasking day mode. Aja!

Always an Unplanned Bonding

It was around 3:00 in the afternoon when I received a text message consisting of these words, “…wala akong magawa…tara gala tayo…” and the one who sent this was none other than Rowell Roxas Mendoza. I was shocked really upon receiving that message and then a big smile just suddenly started to appear on my face. Obviously, I was happy he texted me with such words ‘coz that only means that we will be together again even if it’s just for a couple of hours.

So on that day, Thursday, February 26, we planned to meet again after eight months. We then decided to meet at around 5:00 in the afternoon and the first plan was in Trinoma but we ended up in SM North Edsa, The Block and the Annex of course. I’ll tell you in the preceding sections why and how we ended up in these parts of the mall. But before that, as I have said a while ago, he texted me at around 3:00, so I still have to wait for two more hours before we meet up ‘coz that time, he was enrolling in a review center while me on the other hand, was still in the office working on the validation of the children’s distribution list in Bulacan. Now, those two hours was quite agonizing in a positive way. Well, I think it’s just that I am excited to see him again. Eight months is a long time already and besides that, there is this fear inside of me that this bonding may not push through again. Talk about paranoia huh? But of course, I have high hopes that it will push through and it did!!

He’s the one who suggested Trinoma and he’s also the one who backed out going to Trinoma and then decided to SM North Edsa instead. According to him, there was an ongoing event in Trinoma at that time and it was very noisy. He hates noisy places. In SM North Edsa, it was quite noisy too but not as much in Trinoma. By the way, he was the one to first arrive in Trinoma and I was the one to first arrive in SM North Edsa. I waited for him in the National Bookstore, and about 10 or 15 minutes of staying in that bookstore, while looking and scanning some books of Nicholas Sparks, I just noticed someone standing in front me, wearing an orange shirt, quite thin and definitely tall with brownish hair—Rowell. I could have hugged him that very moment, but I did not. Good thing I did not.

So our journey began…I mean our bonding began. We started walking and chatting with each other, saying our ‘kumusta’– our introduction to another Dance’s helical conversation which will take place in the next two to three hours. He’s certainly the same Rowell I’ve been with months ago but with a little mark of maturity in his face. And his height did not change of course. It’s still the same. He is still way taller than me.

He was the one to lead the way. I was the one to follow him the whole time in terms of directions but not in terms of where to eat. Love it!! We ate in KFC—my decision of course. And a bucket of fries is present in our dinner—still my decision though he was the one to pay for all of it. Great!! He even joked me at first that the fries were out of stock and that he bought ‘Krushers’ instead which I did not believe!! No way will KFC run out of fries!!

We ate in The Block and I liked the place because only a few people were there which means that we get to choose a better place to sit in. I was the one to choose on this matter again. I chose the tables and seats beside the window. It was a 10 person dining table if I’m not mistaken, but we were the only ones in it. So we get to chat without being conscious of other people hearing it. And we get to take pictures of ourselves as well. It was very fortunate that I have my digicam at this very important day. Actually, I did bring my digicam that day because I was planning to attend the Feb Donor Café of World Vision but I was not able to do so because I still have lots of work in the office and if I did join in that event, perhaps, I won’t be with Rowell on that day. I have no regrets at all of not being in the said event. This is a more important affair for me—the one I have with Rowell. 

We ate, we chatted, and we took pictures and all. And if I’m not mistaken, we were in KFC for about two hours. We did talk about a lot of things, from our previous SOLID Christmas Party, to his supposed gift to me for the party, to his pre-board exam, to our graduation schedules and our plans after that and many more. Undoubtedly, we were catching up with each others lives. And also I can’t forget how I struggled finishing the fries. I was really full so Rowell just finished eating it all up.

After dinner, time for desert!!! Well, this time, he was the one who decided on what to have after that dinner at KFC The Block. Dairy Queen is up next. We went to the lower ground level in search of its stall but we failed on finding it. After asking the lady in the Information booth, we found out that the Dairy Queen stall is located in SM Annex. So we went there to grab our very Butterfinger sweet cold deserts. And while eating, we strolled and came across a kiosk of World Vision Development Foundation, where I am currently working as an intern. It made me really happy and proud to know that Rowell is interested in the sponsorship program for the children of this organization. And I’m looking forward on him doing that and me as well. It is such a very rewarding feeling to help those lesser fortunate youth of the country. And the World Vision’s way is one of the best ways to do that.

So, that’s how we ended up being in the Block and Annex all at the same time. By 8:30 in the evening, we decided to go home and got on a bus without much hassle. Still on the bus, we continued our conversation. And he even requested me to teach him about research in preparation for his upcoming board exam. Of course I’ll teach him. But I think I have to go on my notes all over again to be able to teach or tutor him better because some concepts are not that crystal clear to me anymore especially when it comes to statistics. Good luck with that! With regards to the basics of research there’s no problem but with statistics, I really have to review on that. 

I arrived home around 10:00 in the evening with a very, very genuine smile and a happy heart. Thanks to Rowell for making that day extra special and adding in to my collection of wonderful memories with him. This is indeed another unplanned bonding but I know inside, we have been wishing for this time to come.

my 18th day in World Vision

Monday March 1, 2010

Welcome March!!!

The end is near and I really have to finish my 150 hours in World Vision by this Friday so that my plan to transfer to ABS-CBN will be a reality. So today, I was able to finish my two-phase validation of the children’s distribution list for the province of Bulacan. But of course, I will have to recheck or revalidate it monitor just so it’ll be truly accurate. My eyes are definitely tired of being in front of the computer for at least eight hours a day but I have to endure it. This is for my future. 

Also, I have gained another great learning experience today at our devotion and since today is the International Women’s Month, the guys of World Vision made a sort of a tribute to the ladies and girls of this organization. We all did receive a white rose. So sweet! i love it much!

And not to forget, tehre is another addition in teh circle of interns in World Vision- our very own classmate and friend, Margarita Baula. I’m sure it’ll be more fun now that we are already seven in the office. Great!

my 17th day in World Vision

Friday February 26, 2010

Today is a very ‘eye-tiring’ day. My eyes were really tortured with this validation task. I almost gave up really. I planned to have an early out but I was not able to do so. Good thing, I was able to endure the task ’til 6:00 pm. This morning, I was able to finish my 2-phase validation for the children’s distribution list in Camarines Norte. The total number of students that I have validated was about 2000 names. Whew!!!

Thank God it’s Friday!! Time to rest…:)

my 16th day in World Vision

Thursday February 25, 2010

I had to be absent again from ojt for two straight days because of school matters. We still don’t have a school to implement our Media Literacy campaign with. Hopefully, we’ll be able to confirm it this coming Monday. ‘Coz we’ve already went to a school and we still need to confirm it from the principal.

Back to my work in the office. Well, today is basically still a validation day. This is like my 4^th day to work on working with the validation of the children’s distribution list and to be more specific, these are the children from Camarines Norte. There are about 2,500 target children in Camarines Norte. These are the target audience of the ABK2 Initiative. I finished the 1^st phase of validation before lunch break and a while ago, before I left the office, there were only about 700 more children’s names that need to be validated and this time, it is already for the 2^nd phase. So by tomorrow, I’ll be starting with my validation for the distribution list f Bulacan.

I only stayed ‘til 5:00 in the office today because I have someone to meet up. I’m planning to render my internship ‘til 7:00 in the evening tomorrow. Hopefully, I’ll make it. I still have lots of things to do.

my 15th and 14th day in World Vision

Monday February 22, 2010

Today is holiday– EDSA Uno day. So there’s no classes today but of course, there is still work.

I was able to stay in the office ’til 6pm because I don’t have any commitments or schedules in school. I’m still stuck in my validation and follow up calls tasks. But the good thing is Jackie, my classmate and friend who is also an intern in World Vision under the SMT division is in ABK2 today to help me out in my validation. There’s no pressure anyway. We just have to enjoy what we’re doing and everything will be fine.

By the way, today is also our devotion day. And guess what!? Today was my very first time to share my thoughts in front of almost all the World Vision staff. My hands are actually shaking upon holding the microphone. Despite that, I think I was able to share something good to them. Well, we were asked to share our thoughts regarding the video that we have watched. The video is about God. It’s a seven-minute video that consists of all the possible descriptions that we can think of for God. I did learn something valuable again!! Great!!

Friday, February 19, 2010

Today is a wonderful day!!! I stayed in the office ’til 6pm and I’m satisfied on how I performed my tasks most especially today. So basically, I was doing a multitasking thing back in the office. While waiting for someone to answer my calls, I was also indulging myself in my validation task. But you know what, this day was quite nerve wrecking to me because I have to talk to a lot of VIPs or high profile point persons with regards to our advocacy plugs. Well, good thing they are all kind. But then again, I have to call them back this coming Monday ‘coz I still did not get all the information that I needed for our technical progress report.

Later this afternoon, I passed my contact report to Ate Pima- our Advocacy and Communication Specialist in the ABK2 Initiative. She’s like my direct supervisor. And guess what? She commended me for my contact report. Good job!! Thank you Lord! That commendation did inspire me to do my best in the upcoming task.

my 13th day in World Vision

Thursday, February 18, 2010

I only stayed for about five hours in the office today because I have to go to school for some paper works again. Today is the third day of my follow-up calls with regards to the plugs that we have sent in 20 stations/ networks.And I am definitely getting used to it. I even made a script of spiels at first in preparation for this task but it turned out that I won’t be needing it that much. It did serve as a useful guide though. 

Tomorrow will be another day of loaded calls and by the way, I already started today my next task which is the validation of the various distribution lists in all the eight target provinces of the ABK2 initiative. I’m gonna explain more about this new task in the coming days. This will be another duty that will need my patience.:)

my 12th day in World Vision

February 17, 2010 Wednesday

I did not attend ojt yesterday to be able to participate as an audience of course, in the 2nd annual research grand prix of ACMC. i want to support my comrades more than anything else. We have classmates/ friends who are participants in the competition per se and they are Rosa Ann Cruz, Francisco Bautista and Ebenezer Bonbon as the research assistant. their study is about media credibility (the title is quite long and i don’t memorize it so I won’t be able to specify it here). Anyway, good news!! because our entry made it to the top 5 out of about 12 competitors coming from all over the country. Not bad for a concept paper. God is really good!! and this makes me even more proud to be included in the pioneer batch of the Bachelor in Communication research program in PUP-COC. Hopefully, in about two years, this will be eventually elevated to a department. Hoping for the best.

Let’s now go back to my ojt life. well, this day is the second day of my matching report. Again, i called all teh 20 networks that we have already sent the plugs and verified if they did receive it and the status of those plugs as well. With this task, I am able to definitely practice my communication and listening skills. And again, with this kind of task, patience is a virtue ‘coz you have to always call back, perhaps at least three times, until you get all the pieces of information that you needed. But then again, I’m enjoying the conversations I’m having through calls with people such as the receptionists and then the point persons. And also, I have to research those networks who have their contact details not working in our master copy.

So there…patience…patience…patience…:)

my 11th day in World Vision

February 15, 2010 Monday

Today is indeed another great day!!! i think I’m doing good with my task (i’m not bragging..:p). and besides, I’m enjoying it that is why everything is going smoothly. this is the first day of my data gathering for the matching report of our advocacy plugs. I called a total of 21 stations or networks today. However, i was not able to receive responses from all of those because there were about five or six networks whose lines are always busy and the others are even out of service at the time. So obviously, I will have to call them up again tomorrow, the next day until I get all the details that I needed. the remaining 15 networks, i was able to get a response from them but i will still have to call them back again tomorrow because I was advised to do so. there is also this one network that advised me to have the package resend (the package contains a letter and a dvd copy of our advocacy plugs about child labor).

And a while ago, I was able to finalize our directory of partners. and not to forget, our monday devotion. The testimony of Mr. Boy was so heartwarming. I indeed learned another essential lesson in life. well, not actually learned, but I was refreshed with this lesson—Live one day at a time.

To God be the glory!!