Three years ago my Tita Ritz (who lives in the US), sent me this e-mail on Valentine’s day. It’s one of a few e-mails I frequent read during the V-day.
Hi Bijoinks,
Wag kang mag alala kung wala kang boyfriend ngayong Valentine’s day, at least realistic ang iyong expectations. Kesa naman may boyfriend ka tapos, hindi ka naman maalala sa Valentine’s day o kaya may regalo nga, palpak naman. Meron akong friend na ang regalo sa kanya ng mister nya pag Valentine’s day ay puro household items; such as vacuum cleaner, pressure cooker, pots and pans..kung ako hahampasin ko yun ng vaccum cleaner!
I’m so glad that you’re enjoying work right now - mukhang na cha challenge ka naman. Pero mas maganda rin to start charting the next steps para wag kang ma bore at para at least you can start formulating your career goals. That’s what I had to do - dahil madali akong ma bore, and I’m constantly looking for new challenges, kaya I normally stayed with a company for no more than 5 years. Pero kailangan calculated ang move, don’t quit your current job without a new job, dahil it’s always easier to look for one when you have one.
Below is a story of a Valentine’s day incident 20 years back I sent to friends with some reflections a couple of years ago:
One Valentine’s Day 20 years ago, boyfriend less (not necessarily love less, there’s a difference as some of you will agree – another story for another time), I expected the day to just be an ordinary day. But then, all at once, dozens of roses came in droves for the women in the office. Being an open office environment, the pressure for us single women became too obvious to ignore. Most of the single women in my group received their share of roses by noon, except me. By 2 pm, the pressure was too much to ignore that I actually thought about calling one of my friends to have some flowers delivered just so I can avoid the “what a loser” and “what a pity” glances I was getting from co workers. When all of a sudden, just like fresh April showers from the heavens, the most beautiful bouquet of roses arrived at my desk. The card read,
Dearest Raqui, My love and concern for your future and continued restoration in the Lord. May the Lord’s love provide you with security and peace. Love, Teng Needless to say, my friend, (later my boss) Teng’s deliberate act of kindness not only rescued me from that embarrassing situation, but also taught me a lesson in true friendship. Twenty years later, I’ve kept this card to remind me of that one day many years ago.
Hope this gives you a glimmer of hope that one day you’re Prince Charming will come waltzing in your life and before you can say booh, you’re riding into the sunset in a white horse!
Love,
Tita Ritz
dahil tuwing bday mo may nagyayaring kakaiba (hold-up, bagyo, etc.)
dahil huling-huli ko ang mga ‘moments of love’ mo.
dahil killer ang ‘young boses
(yung tipong may pumuputok sa gitna ng kanta hehehe)
at higit sa lahat dahil ikaw, OO IKAW ang paborito kong bride’s maid.
Happy birthday gracia baby!
Here’s to more coconut, chocnut, donuts at peanuts!
*Tagay!
Here’s a tag from Normi. It’s a long overdue meme. So before I forget…
The RULES:
1. Open your library (iTunes, Media Player, iPod, Winamp etc.)
2. Put it on shuffle.
3. Press play.
4. For every question, type the song that’s playing.
5. When you go to the next question,press the next button
6. Don’t lie and pretend you’re cool.
7. When you’re finished, tag some other people to do it!
A.Opening credits: Just for Today – India Arie (Remember the theme song for Tyra Banks’ Show? That’s the one:
Just for Today I will not worry what tomorrow will bring.
I’m going to try something new, walk through this day like I got nothing to prove.
Although I have the best intention can’t predict anyone reactions, so I just do my best.
I put one foot infront of the other keep on movig forward and let God do the rest.
B. Waking up: Lovely Day – Out of Eden
C. First Day of School: Rain Down on Me – Point of Grace (hehehe suspended ang classes.)
D. Falling in love: - You and Me – Life House (kainis kinikilig nanaman ako.)
Cause it’s you and me and all other people with nothing to doNothing to loseAnd it’s you and me and all other peopleAnd I don’t know why, I can’t keep my eyes off of you
E. First song: Real - Plumb
F. Breaking up: Only Reminds Me Of You – (revived by 
MYMP
G. Prom: The Way You Look Tonight – Michael Buble.
H. Life: I am – Nicole Nordeman
I. Mental breakdown: Too Little, Too Late – Jojo (masaya to sa videoke)
J. Driving: I wanna go home – Michael Buble
K. Flashback: Oh How the years go by – Amy Grant (mas maganda pa din yung version nila ate gladys nung kinanta niya to sa retreat during kapihan. :))
L. Getting back together: Changes in My life (revived by Jed Madela.
N. Birth of a child: I Hope you Dance – Ronan Keating
Hope you never lose your sense of wonder, You get your fill to eat but always keep that hunger, May you never take one single breath for granted, GOD forbid love ever leave you empty handed, I hope you still feel small When you stand beside the ocean, Whenever one door closes I hope one more opens, Promise me that you’ll give faith a fighting chance, And when you get the choice to sit it out or dance. I hope you dance….I hope you dance.
O. Final battle: Your Grace Still Amazes Me – Zoe Group
P. Death scene: It is well with My soul – Jars of Clay
Q. Funeral song: I Can Only Imagine – Mercy Me
R. End credits: One Way – Hillsong (yesssss.)
Taggin’ K. Aleks, A. Gladys, A. Daph, A. Beng, and K. Ruben.
From yahoo news:
“MANILA (AFP) - A jobless man was shot dead by a security guard for singing out of tune in a Philippine karaoke bar, police said Thursday.
Romy Baligula, 29, was halfway through his song on Tuesday night in a bar in San Mateo town, east of Manila, when 43-year-old security guard Robilito Ortega yelled that he was out of tune.
As Baligula ignored his comments and continued singing, Ortega pulled out his revolver and shot him in the chest.
Senior Superintendent Felipe Rojas said Baligula died instantly.
The security guard was detained by an off-duty policeman shortly after the shooting.
Deaths and violence are not uncommon in Philippine karaoke bars.
The popular Frank Sinatra song “My Way” has been taken off many karaoke bars in Manila after it was found to be the cause of fights and even deaths when patrons sang out of tune.”
So that you’ll know that despite of your being ‘pasaway’, you are special.
And that i’ll always be your older sister. (Dahil wala kang choice.)
And I’ll try to be a better sister-bestfriend you can ever have.
And there is nothing you can do to make me love you less.
Happy Birthday Biligdog. Tanda mo na.
If there is a so-called ‘kilabot ng kolehiyala’ (college heartrob), there is also a so-called ‘kilabot ng pre-school. And I, officially, am one of them. Eversince I started my bookstore duty I was able to interact with kids of our customers. You know, ask them their name, their age, what school they go to or even how many teeth they have. I even play Buzz Bee, the King of the Bees at the bookstore video player whenever there are kids around so that they’ll behave and leave their mommys and daddys to do the shopping.
Now I feel like the what my ex-boss-friend usually say that pre-school teachers are usually the first crush boys usually have.
Scene I.
Bookstore office’s door was opened and there was this cute little boy who was peeking.
Bijoiski: Hi
The boy smiled and run away. After a few minutes he was back still smiling.
Bijoiski: Hello.
The boy came in and stood infront of my workplace. He was looking at my ‘mini-creatures’ on my desk.
Bijoiski: Hello. Anong pangalan mo?
He ran away again. And after a few minutes he came back again with that smile. By this time, my supervisor and manager were already laughing really hard.
Bijoiski: Mamaya ka nalang bumalik nagwowork pa ko. Ito number ko. HAHAHA.
After a few minutes I went to the counter to help out and incidentally, his parents are already there paying for thier books. This same boy opened the door at the counter and went in. I was really laughing out loud thinking. “pambihira ang agressive naman.”
Scene 2
I was on a meeting with my 2 bosses yesterday at the Bookstore office. Since the door at the office was made of glass I was able to see those who passes by. There was this little boy, around 6 I guess, who stood outside of the door. I waved my hand. He ran away. After a few minutes he came back again. I smiled. He ran again. By this time his yaya was running after him. When he came back he was trying to open the door and his yaya was making him stop. he dropped his hands from the door knob and he kissed the door. How weird is that. Of course all this time my bosses are laughing and teasing me.
I will not mention anymore how little boys used to sit beside me on restaurants or making pa-cute at the malls. What’s with boys and ‘running away’ anyway? Darn. I do love kids. I really do. But not in a ‘romantic’ way. I don’t want to be put in jail beacuse of love life. HAHAHAHA. But yeah nevertheless, I still love kids. Pambihirang kamote. Wala ba kayong mga kuya?
In the midst of busyness I was again reminded that this small world is not my home. That the paper works on my table are temporary. That I should be wise in investing my time. I’m still amazed on how God sees things. When I thought its not/should not be over … He said, “it’s done.” When I thought that there are alot of things to look forward to and He said “not with him.”
Sadness and joy.
Confusion and peace.
Fear and hope.
I can’t comprehend how these feelings could co-exsist. My eyes are tired from crying. Not for him but for my lost…for our lost.
You will always be remembered Tito Bob.
Oh God it hurts so much.
“Hey girl happy birthday!” My ninang said. She hugged me tight and said, “Ano ka ba kumusta ka na, wala na akong alam sayo.” I smiled and replied. “Ako din po wala na akong alam sa sarili ko e.” She smiled back trying to understand what I just said.
Its not even about the birthday thing, but I’m reaaaallly, reaally sad these days. And I don’t even know why…or the other hand, maybe at the back of my mind I do.
“Why are you downcast, O my soul?
Why so disturbed within me?
Put your hope in God,
for I will yet praise him,
my Savior and my God.”
Psalms 42:11
