Today is the start of Munato Festival

Dear Blog,

I was awaken by the alarm of my phone at 5:45am. That's what I set to meet the time of our parade - 7:00am. Huh! Dexter, my new friend and boardmate was not around. He was so kind to share with me his clean restroom for take taking a bath and uh, daily elimination of body waste. So, this morning I had to use the common toilet for the boarders. I had to survive the stench of human waste. I took a bath in an open area where there's a faucet. I just borrowed a pail and dipper from Sheila, my former boardmate in Gen. Santos. It was cold.

At 6:45am I was ready to go to our assembly area, in the "bibingkahan" near the capitol area. We did not go to the Municipal Hall where the parade started because it was far and tiring. We still have work after the parade. When the parade reached us where we waited, we just inserted and joined the stretch of people.

We did not attend the program where Noli de Castro, the Vice President, was the speaker. We went immediately went to the office and had our free breakfast and went to work.

Though it takes certain degree of effort to start a day, I'm still amused to think that it's Munato Festival, a time to relax and enjoy. If not for work, I would visit the fair booths and check what are being offered. The program might be interesting to attend to. I want to listen to the Vice President and see him in person. But my stay here is for a different purpose. It's business first before pleasure. Anyway, there's still tomorrow.

'Til the next...

Alabel’s Munato Festival

Wow! Another event to really watch-out is Alabel's Munato Festival. That will be on November 26-28, 2008 in celebration of the Province of Sarangani's foundation anniversary. I have read from billboards that Freestyle band and Joey Ayala will be coming here for a concert to be held at Alabel's gymnasium.

All of us in the branch had practiced already for the field demonstration on Friday. This will be participated by different offices and government agencies. This particular number is a 12-minute dance where all the participants will simultaneously move to the rhythm. I was assigned to choreograph the said number for our unit and it made me sweat profusely. What a way to exercise after a day's work! It really feels good. There will be a parade from the Municipality of Alabel to the capitol grounds of Sarangani Province on November 28, 2008.

Lots of events have been prepared and organized by the Department of Tourism. So, I'm inviting you all to come and experience the unique celebration here in Alabel as they showcase their bounty as well as the warmth and hospitality of its people. This will be a very good occasion to visit the place. See you around ka-berks!

 

God’s provision is always on time (never advance or delayed)

Now that I'm coping with the recent changes, I have enumerated some necessities in my mind, to mention: my transportation, my boarding house, my clothing, my food, my communication, etc. How will I acquire them being away? I have to sacrifice the extravagance of feeling sufficient in my home. I can't bring everything that I have or else I will be carrying a very heavy baggage. All I have to do is to sort out what are important. The rest, I have to be resourceful. Along the way, I have experienced that God is there to fill what I need in various ways.

I can't believe that that I have eaten my dinner with my long-time-no-see brod in Gen. Santos. I can't believe that I'm here in Alabel in the house of my high school classmate who offered this temporary accommodation. I can't believe that I have met my former classmates in high school at the wake of the father of our classmate. What a wonderful experience that God has accomplished in this moment of my life! I know that this is not an accident. I believe that He has a purpose and has laid out everything for me. I need not worry what I will eat, where I will stay, what I will wear. He will provide everything that I need. I have witnessed all this things happening in my life and it's always on time (if not, I might have died of hunger, cold or of whatever).

All I need is to acknowledge that He is mighty and able to meet my needs and I am one of His instruments to accomplish His mighty works.

 

 

My First Day in Alabel Branch

It was wonderful! I could not believe that I had made my first day in my new assignment. God provided everything for me. I was happy that I was sent by our pick-up in Gen. Santos. Edwin had a schedule to pick-up our boss so I hopped in and join the ride. Due to a different route, our driver dropped me in crossing makar and without any problem, a tricycle delivered me to Lagao Public Market where the terminal to Alabel is located. I never knew about it. I inquired from the driver how to go there and he showed me the way. Due to time constraint I decided to ride 'habal-habal', a motorcycle for hire operating without permit just to arrive immediately to my new post. Thanks God, I was safe.

I went to Ma'am Beth for briefing and some instructions. I was happy to see her because she was my boss then in 1999-2000 when I was assigned in Area Lending Center. It was indeed a small world.

I was introduced to Edna who further explained to me what I'm going to do. She was very amiable and accommodating. We ate lunch together.

One by one, I tried to familiarize my tasks. Actually, it was not new to me. I was the bookkeeper then in Koronadal Morales but since I was assigned to a different position, I forgot the details of CASA.

At 18:05pm we went home. Sir John offered a ride to us. I ate dinner in Jollibee highway, the most convenient spot i know to take my meal.

I informed Toto, my very good friend that I'm going to stay in his boarding house for the moment. Since he had some appointment, I stopped and waited for him until he came at Taps and Mix, a wifi hot spot where I'm doing this blog right now... it's cool here. Here's our pic... more news next time!

Moving to a new workplace

It is sad to leave my present function. I have loved my work and the people around me. Although I knew about the special order of my new job, the thought of leaving sank in just this midday when I was told by my supervisor that I will be taking a new post in our Regional office. Whenever I bumped somebody in the office, they would speak to me not wanting me to go. I was really touched. How we wished that I could be with them until the Christmas Party on December. I talked to Ma'am E and the need of one branch is immediate. I was requested to hasten my turn-over of duties and responsibilities and the necessary things that go with it.

When I was aboard the A Car while going to one of the branches, I felt a sense of sadness. I will never pass this way again. I will never ride this car and soon I will be leaving my security guards and my driver. They were my companions for more than two years and they have been very supportive to me. They were obedient to my instructions and they have shown great concern.

Jean, my best friend in the office repeatedly requested that I will make a visit whenever I get the chance. She told me that she will miss our going out during snack time and our camaraderie. I told her the same thing.

I have felt the love of my officemates when they told me about the good memories we have shared, so many great moments together. I will surely miss the travels we had together.

Life is a constant change and it is the only permanent thing in this world. Just like any other re-assignments that I had in the past, I am looking forward to the next chapter of my work with full positiveness. I'm hopeful that my new job will bring out the best of me. I'm eager to work with other people and I will share to them what blessings God has given me.

To my superiors and co-employees, goodbye is not the end. Someday we will all meet each other again at the crossroads. I'm sure we will be glad to reminisce the past. Thank you for all the kindness you have shown. I will always bring them wherever I may go.

The Secret of Winning (In Ping Pong)

It was again one weekend of table tennis pastime…

I received a text message from Brod Jeff. He asked me if I was doing right so I replied that I am. Another message appeared on my phone: "Brod, we (Brod Jeff and Brod Ernie) will be going there (my home) later. Let's play table tennis." I told him to text me whenever they're coming. I was at the mall counter that time queuing to pay for the groceries.

When I reached home, I fixed the stuff I brought. I was preparing food for dinner when they came. I eagerly welcomed them with our usual handshake.

It's been a long time that Brod Ernie and I saw each other. He seldom visited us since he was assigned in Tacurong. I asked him about his wedding this coming December. He told me that it's final on the 29^th. We laughed at how things got to be but it's not a case of white elephant because he blurted that both of them liked each other though he said he was not ready. "It's there and I can't make another mistake." he explained.

We ate dinner and then assembled the table and net in my garage. They played first. I did the scoring. Brod Ernie was high spirited and energetic. He played well and won in the close score decision game. I got my turn to match with the winner. I won in the decision game. When Jeff and I had our match, I wondered why I lost the first and the decision game. Was it luck? Jeff might be doing some tricks. Brod Ernie and Jeff played again this time Jeff won. Jeff and I had a rematch and I made it. Then I defeated Brod Ernie in another game as well as Brod Jeff in our third rematch.

Everytime we play, it is not unusual that we recall our past games. Brod Carl was with us before (He's in Oman right now.) We were always amused of how Brod Carl would react whenever he lost a game. "It's not my game. Let's just play soccer." But Brod Ernie would answer back, "Gab-i naman Brod para e-soccer! (Brod, it's already dark to play soccer!" And we would burst in laughter. He would sometimes be very conscious about the score in a close match (because the scorer sometimes got confused) and say, "Sa scoring lang ta mapirdi ba! (We can only be defeated in score!)"LOL He would also criticize a serve made that he can't get as "daya" (illegitimate).

We missed Brod Carl a lot, his unique language, his being warm and transparent and his angry face when agitated of the situation.

At the end of the game, when I usually emerge as the champ they would exclaim, "Well, it's home court advantage!"

"You see", I told them "Technically, I'm not expert but you lose control in the course of the game. I observed your weaknesses and then I attacked it from there. I don't care if I win or lose. I play in the spirit of sportsmanship."

Attitude plays an important part of winning, not just in a game but even in every aspect of life. Our attitudes can make or break us. They say that success or failure is a state of mind. YES, I believe it is. It is how you respond to defeat that matters.

Wanted: Good People

Yesterday, Friday was a busy day in the bank when a client called up. I was the one who answered the phone with my usual greetings and she was looking for our manager. I told her that our manager is not around so she asked for Ma'am R, our assistant manager. I felt something different but I never mind giving the receiver to Ma'am R. Moments passed, a lady came up to the office showing to us the receipt of her transaction. She narrated that the ATM (I was personally handling.) issued an amount more than she requested. When I heard it, my heart beat fast with a thought that an error might have occurred. What if it happened to previous transactions? I stayed calm and immediately called our monitoring team to give the information. We were thankful that our depositor was concerned and returned the excess cash. We rushed to the machine to check it. I performed the necessary operation and had determined that the machine is indeed experiencing an error. In the afternoon, when I accounted for the transaction, I was surprised that the amount returned tallied with the counters. What a great relief! If all clients were like the honest lady, there will be enough peace on earth. With this, I encourage all my readers to give out the same following. A good deed is never wasted. Sooner or later it comes back to you.

Batchoy Time at Hapit Anay

Last Wednesday, Jean and I had an enjoyable 'food trip' experience. It was Jean's treat for me. We went to 'Hapit Anay' just a block away from our office. She ordered batchoy, a Filipino dish made up of pancit miki (noodles) with delectable spices and meat and a super hot 'sabaw'(soup). We partnered it with freshly baked pandesal she bought from KCC. When the food was served, we quickly added soy sauce to suit our taste. Presto! Few words came up from our busy mouth until we finished eating. What's more interesting about it? It only costs P25 and it's already special. We even bought one serve 'to go' for our officemates, they shared it to five of them (I wonder how did that happen?) and they loved it.

We'll it dawned on me that to be happy, it's not the price that counts most. The company of my good friend can really light up a stressful day. Knowing somebody I can share my thoughts and feelings is one in a million and I'm glad I found one. When I feel stupid, I can be stupid and being with somebody who understands, it doesn't bother.

 

 

Just flashing back...

Jose, one of my brods visited here in Koronadal for STEP, a school activity which I later knew to be the present name of FHP/FFP during our time. Jeff texted me so eventhough I got home already, I went out and met them at Lambat. Later, we went to a disco at Galaxy Galeria. It was my first time being there. We had a lot of fun, not minding that the following day was still a working day. Taking time to relax was the spur of the moment so we took it as it is 'coz tomorrow will be a different day.

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Halloween is already finished. I hit my target to visit the grave of Brod Toto Erle in Golden Valley Memorial Garden. I met there my Ms. Lorlyn, my officemate who was with her family and friends. She celebrated her birthday so it was really a good thing. She gave me something to eat. After the rain (as expected every Nov. 1) I went to Koronadal Valley Eternal Garden where my Lola, Ate Cat, my cousin and some of our relatives were buried. When I got there, I met Papang. Auntie Ebing, Omar, Cheska, Noynoy, Iza and Jap Jap were already at the tent. We hopped around and met other kins. We ate dinner, Mamang came later. We lighted candles at the graves of our relatives and friends buried in that same ground in recollection of their lives before. Time flies... some years ago, some of them were with us commemorating the celebration of All Saints Day. We can't hold time but their memories will always remain.

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Back to work again... time to refresh my mind of the daily routine. This work gives me bread and butter. I will do it to the best of my ability.