I met this petite woman two years back for the very first time. There was something strange in her that I couldn’t explain. I just felt awkward when I never received even an iota of warmth a little after I introduced myself to her. That insincere smile of hers was too evident that nothing could ever conceal it.
I could still recall how the pitch of her voice suddenly heightened when I mentioned the institution – NORMISIST with which I am connected. I almost put my palms before my ears when she audaciously cursed such institution right to my face. I left frozen in disbelief on how she got the nerve to spew bad words against the institution of someone she just met. I wonder how I stifled a fierce scream when she kept on hurling those damn irritating insults. It was good that I managed to stay calm and composed in the midst of that worst getting-to-know conversation.
After that instance, I ran into her several times and it got me into unexpected casual conversations with her. Along all those chit-chats with her, I noticed that she also had a sense of humor and a bit of a woman’s charm. I started convincing myself to appreciate her positive attitude and merely ignore anything undesirable about her.
But, the more I coaxed myself to see the beautiful side of her, the more I vividly spotted the rotten part of herself. I shut my ears each time she maligned people around, but, I could still hear her spiteful words. What made this woman love despising the people? She seemed to be mad at anyone. In fact, I seldom heard her saying good things about her friends. Most of the time I heard nothing from her but constantly backbiting, gossiping, relaying rumors and even bragging shamelessly.
Sometimes I couldn’t help asking if she has gone through some traumatic experiences or perhaps a childhood hang-up that most probably caused her undesirable attitude. Perhaps she had once experienced severe humiliation or oppression which carved great frustrations, insecurities and pain deep within her. Not having completely overcome these negative emotions might be the reason why she got a distorted personality.
I tried hard to find some means to understand her. I never allowed her unusual behavior to make me evade her. No one is perfect any way. So, I never rejected the friendship. I still had my ears for her garrulous mouth and her boastfulness.
I began hearing complaints from our common friends. A lot of them have already noticed her eccentricity. In fact her officemate told me that almost all the people in their division disliked her. Again, it brought me to a deep contemplation. I started to ponder why I still tolerate her oddness when most of them barely bore with it.
With me still keeping our friendship, consequently, she happened to drag my name into a mess. Somebody became very mad at me because of her. I was seething in fury at that time that I almost blew her head off. But, after that, I still forgave her.
I still kept the friendship but, I then became cautious and conscious with the words I uttered when she was around. Along our friendship, I usually observed how she often messed with other people. I also witnessed how those people hated her to pieces which made them eventually elude her. “She is not a true friend. She could not be trusted. Beware of that bitch” were some of the warnings they threw at me. It seemed like the world hated her and all the more, I felt pity for her. I wonder if she was that sensitive to discern that she’s been disliked by the many.
I never quitted from that friendship. But I took extra care in dealing with her. I still chatted and laughed with her with some degree of caution. What’s funny was the fact that I still bore her usual fabricated stories which I thought most of her friends could hardly bear.
I guess, one thing that made me stick to her despite of her incongruousness was my hope to see her transform. I never left her because I waited for the right timing to wake her up and see the “real she”……………and to somehow make her aware that people are staying away from her and she really has a lot to fix in the inner core of herself to win them back and not to eventually run out of wonderful friends. I never turned my back because I wanted to get a grip of the perfect chance to tell her that she was already getting out of hand and she had to grow up.
Before I had the chance to do what I’d been longing to do, I got into trouble again because of her. She used to relay gossips and rumors from one person to another. She was very immature and unprofessional enough to exaggerate information she received from others and relayed them to me even if she knew that it was very confidential. Such news which she already exaggerated provoked me and made me confront the source right away. I got more infuriated when I knew that she just exaggerated the whole story and even fabricated the rest of the news. WTF!
Right after that incident, I lost a very good opportunity to travel and get trained for a very interesting kind of field research because of her again. She told me she already informed the organizer that I was coming with them but the truth was she never mentioned my name during the final agreement about the trip. Consequently, it eliminated my chance to be with the group. Only her group was able to join the training. Isn’t it too much already?
Enough is enough. How stupid I was to ignore other people’s warning about her. The recent mistake she made brought my stupidity to an abrupt halt. I couldn’t let it pass anymore. My patience had already reached its threshold level. I couldn’t stretch it any longer. She has done so much damage already. It’s time to really stay away from her for my own sake. I might lose a career or even worse than that if I’ll continue to be with her. They are right that it’s not healthy to be with this unpredictable woman.
Yes I could forgive her for what she unfairly did to me and to others………….but I couldn’t afford anymore to let her have another chance to give me another problem. Everything is over. Enough of all those headaches she has given me.
I am now fervently praying for her transformation ……………and for her to stop hurting others and causing so much trouble to anyone around. May she learn a lesson from any of her bad deeds and wake up to the reality that she is not really behaving well. I am badly hoping for her to discern on how to do the right things to make her win her friends back.
Friends are anybody’s wealth. She will always remain poor if she’ll never bother to change for the better. I am grateful that I am wallowing in wealth…………not in money but in friends………….simply because the world never hates me. I know I am not perfect but anyhow, I have a good heart. I think it is anybody’s choice to win many friends. Why can’t she take this simple choice?
Sunday, May 31, 2009
REMARKABLE GRANDMA
What makes my grandma
A grand mother?
She’s grand
Because she mothers my dear father
Who fathers me
And she mothers
The special fathers and mothers
Who father and mother my cousins.
She is very old
Yet young at heart
Beneath her wrinkled and grey skin
Is her beautiful soul
In spite of her grainy and foggy eyes
She sees the wonders of life
Her salt-and-pepper hair
Conjures up her well-ripened wisdom.
She’s got back and muscle pains
Yet she’s a very good baby sitter of her grandkids
She’s got bones weakened by age
Yet she has the strength to protect her loved ones
She’s got no teeth in her gums
Yet her smile is lovely and eloquent
She’s got arthritis-afflicted legs
Yet her lap is the best place when I’m sad.
She is my remarkable grandma
She’s old, yet young
She’s weak, yet strong
She’s wrinkled, yet beautiful
Her smile means a world to me
Her hugs and kisses are greater than comfort
I know that when God takes her at the right time
She’ll die asleep and happy………..
A grand mother?
She’s grand
Because she mothers my dear father
Who fathers me
And she mothers
The special fathers and mothers
Who father and mother my cousins.
She is very old
Yet young at heart
Beneath her wrinkled and grey skin
Is her beautiful soul
In spite of her grainy and foggy eyes
She sees the wonders of life
Her salt-and-pepper hair
Conjures up her well-ripened wisdom.
She’s got back and muscle pains
Yet she’s a very good baby sitter of her grandkids
She’s got bones weakened by age
Yet she has the strength to protect her loved ones
She’s got no teeth in her gums
Yet her smile is lovely and eloquent
She’s got arthritis-afflicted legs
Yet her lap is the best place when I’m sad.
She is my remarkable grandma
She’s old, yet young
She’s weak, yet strong
She’s wrinkled, yet beautiful
Her smile means a world to me
Her hugs and kisses are greater than comfort
I know that when God takes her at the right time
She’ll die asleep and happy………..
MAY IN THE PHILIPPINES
When the month of May sets in, I think of a series of celebrations. In fact, I could associate this lovely month with the Pinoy’s rich culture. Everyday is “fiesta”. From the very first day ‘till the last day of May, everyone seems bustling around for fiesta celebration. Everything is gussied up from the remote sitios, barrios or villages to the Philippine cities. There is a mixture of joyful noise and copious food in many places all over the country. The crispy lechon with an apple in its mouth is always the highlight on the dining table. There is that soaring candle sales in the church for the Patron Saint offerings. May is not a sober month in the Philippines. Everyone is drunk……everyone becomes a glutton………everyone is having fun in this month.
Another grand event in May is the Flores de Mayo – a tribute to the Virgin Mary. In the Philippines, I could start seeing the rain in May after a long, dry summer. With the rainfall, the flowers magically bloom and the flower fragrance floats in the air. With this beneficial rainfall which makes the surroundings colorful, the Catholics offer prayers, reflections, songs and the children march down the church center aisle and sprinkle fragrant petals for Mama Mary. As these little angels sing hymns to Lady Immaculate while offering a bunch of flowers to the altar, I can’t help on bringing myself back to my childhood years. I always had flowers and friends with me in the church before. I had once experienced becoming an angel who offered flower petals too and I had also been crowned as the little Flores de Mayo Queen in our hometown at the age of six. That angel within me shall live on. Every month of May, I still become an angel………an adult angel who just loves watching the new generation of young angels celebrating the essence of Flores de Mayo.
Santacruzan is another exciting highlight of May which is usually held on the later part of this month. This is a historical-religious parade of beautiful Filipina maidens with their handsome escorts under the hand-carried bamboo arcs decorated by fragrant native flowers. It is a novena procession to rekindle the St. Helena’s finding of the cross – the mother of Constantine the great. This reminds me of the Santacruzan 2001 in my place. I was chosen as the Reyna Elena with my little Constantine partner. It was a great honor for me to flaunt my beautiful gown. I couldn’t conceal the glint of pride across my face since Santacruzan is not just an ordinary pageant of looks or beauties but also the embodiment of traditional feminine traits. This is a historical event and a part of our Filipino culture which had been adopted from the Spaniards more than 100 years ago. And so, it’s not just an entertainment but an inspiration as well.
To sum it all up, May is absolutely a festive month. It is the month of food, noise, fun, fragrance, blossoms and prayers…………a month of the Filipino culture………..a month of history and religion………….a month of celebration ……………a special month that speaks of who and what a Filipino is…………..a month that explains that a Filipino like me is a fun-loving, religious and a cultured person.
Another grand event in May is the Flores de Mayo – a tribute to the Virgin Mary. In the Philippines, I could start seeing the rain in May after a long, dry summer. With the rainfall, the flowers magically bloom and the flower fragrance floats in the air. With this beneficial rainfall which makes the surroundings colorful, the Catholics offer prayers, reflections, songs and the children march down the church center aisle and sprinkle fragrant petals for Mama Mary. As these little angels sing hymns to Lady Immaculate while offering a bunch of flowers to the altar, I can’t help on bringing myself back to my childhood years. I always had flowers and friends with me in the church before. I had once experienced becoming an angel who offered flower petals too and I had also been crowned as the little Flores de Mayo Queen in our hometown at the age of six. That angel within me shall live on. Every month of May, I still become an angel………an adult angel who just loves watching the new generation of young angels celebrating the essence of Flores de Mayo.
Santacruzan is another exciting highlight of May which is usually held on the later part of this month. This is a historical-religious parade of beautiful Filipina maidens with their handsome escorts under the hand-carried bamboo arcs decorated by fragrant native flowers. It is a novena procession to rekindle the St. Helena’s finding of the cross – the mother of Constantine the great. This reminds me of the Santacruzan 2001 in my place. I was chosen as the Reyna Elena with my little Constantine partner. It was a great honor for me to flaunt my beautiful gown. I couldn’t conceal the glint of pride across my face since Santacruzan is not just an ordinary pageant of looks or beauties but also the embodiment of traditional feminine traits. This is a historical event and a part of our Filipino culture which had been adopted from the Spaniards more than 100 years ago. And so, it’s not just an entertainment but an inspiration as well.
To sum it all up, May is absolutely a festive month. It is the month of food, noise, fun, fragrance, blossoms and prayers…………a month of the Filipino culture………..a month of history and religion………….a month of celebration ……………a special month that speaks of who and what a Filipino is…………..a month that explains that a Filipino like me is a fun-loving, religious and a cultured person.
Sunday, May 3, 2009
MAMA MELY
Mother of all seasons is the best title for you
Among all the mothers I’ve known, you stand out to be the best
Moments with you are like golden chips of time glistening on my palm
A noble wife……a fulfilled mother……..a dedicated teacher……….an asset in the family like
you deserves the best things in the world.
Ma, on this mother’s day, ignore those wrinkles on your face
Evolution must go on with time
Love your age and never ever hate it……..for it makes life enriched with wonderful experiences………as you grow in age, you too, grow in wisdom……and definitely, life grows in beauty as you grow in wisdom.
You better yell in joy as you breathe for life on this mother’s day ……life is to be lived at age. Maybe aging process shows physically but there’s still such thing as being young at heart , young in spirit. Then, there is no sadness, only joy. “Age has not got much to do with how old you are” You have portrayed your role as a mother and as a wife very well. All your sacrifices for us, your children and your motherly love and care have made your life and age very meaningful…………………………………….
HAPPY MOM’S DAY MA!
Among all the mothers I’ve known, you stand out to be the best
Moments with you are like golden chips of time glistening on my palm
A noble wife……a fulfilled mother……..a dedicated teacher……….an asset in the family like
you deserves the best things in the world.
Ma, on this mother’s day, ignore those wrinkles on your face
Evolution must go on with time
Love your age and never ever hate it……..for it makes life enriched with wonderful experiences………as you grow in age, you too, grow in wisdom……and definitely, life grows in beauty as you grow in wisdom.
You better yell in joy as you breathe for life on this mother’s day ……life is to be lived at age. Maybe aging process shows physically but there’s still such thing as being young at heart , young in spirit. Then, there is no sadness, only joy. “Age has not got much to do with how old you are” You have portrayed your role as a mother and as a wife very well. All your sacrifices for us, your children and your motherly love and care have made your life and age very meaningful…………………………………….
HAPPY MOM’S DAY MA!
A UNIQUE MOTHER
God knows how I owe her a lot……….
For nine crucial months I was in her womb
Eating what she ate
Feeling what she felt
Hearing what she heard
And I loved all those things.
The special food she took
Sent vigor and strength to my fragile bones
Her gentle caress on her womb
Truly cheered me up
Her motherly lullabies
Were more than a delight
Hearing her hum a few notes
Under her breath sent me to a nice nap.
It was a beautiful day of Sept. 20, 1980
When she gave birth to me
I saw that tremendous joy
That radiated across her face
And the smile that played
At the curve of her lips
I still remember that warm kiss
She planted on my forehead
With her tears of joy
Trickling down her face
And her trembling fingers
Tousling my rosy, thin cheeks
All her happy gestures on that day
Still keep on flashing in my thoughts now.
She never neglected me as her daughter
She forwent all her needs for my sake
My illness made her anxious
My cries were jagged spears plunged into her heart
She did everything that she could
Just to make me well.
She spent most of her time playing with me
Singing and dancing with me
She was so excited seeing the first time I crawled
Until she saw me learning to walk a few steps
She couldn’t contain her joy
When she heard me uttering Ma-ma ad Pa-pa
She was there with me in all my firsts
And her love for me never faded
In every stage of life that I had gone through.
Her immeasurable motherly care
Brought me up into a wholesome child
The disciplinary measures she imposed
Taught me to behave accordingly
She molded me physically, emotionally,
Mentally and spiritually
She taught me to be honest and generous
To my playmates and to everyone else
She taught me to respect the elders
And love all the creations of God
She taught me to pray and fear God above all.
When I was assailed with a lot of confusions
In my adolescent stage she was there with me
She helped me unravel all those riddles
That teenagers could hardly understand
She made me responsible and confident
In anything I did
She made me decide well
In all my plans and desires in life
She made me see the difference
Between what was right and wrong
And she successfully made me
Resist the tempting peer pressure
She tried her best to steer my path
To a remarkable and promising future.
In my adulthood
She never stopped giving her advices
And her guidance to me
She was always there through all
The ups and downs of my career
She inspired me to become
A proficient and a dedicated teacher
And to love the teaching profession more
Through loving and shaping my students well.
She was never absent in my marriage life
She was always there at my back
Reminding me the need to be
A patient, strong and a loving wife and mom
And to value and keep our marital bond
And to be a good model to my future kids.
Whoever I am today
That’s my unique mother
Who built the totality of my personality
Who gave me substance
Who filled me with character
Who made me love life to the fullest.
To my unique Mom………
A zillion thanks to her……….
HAPPY MOTHER’S DAY TO YOU MA AND TO ALL THE MOTHERS ON EARTH………………..
For nine crucial months I was in her womb
Eating what she ate
Feeling what she felt
Hearing what she heard
And I loved all those things.
The special food she took
Sent vigor and strength to my fragile bones
Her gentle caress on her womb
Truly cheered me up
Her motherly lullabies
Were more than a delight
Hearing her hum a few notes
Under her breath sent me to a nice nap.
It was a beautiful day of Sept. 20, 1980
When she gave birth to me
I saw that tremendous joy
That radiated across her face
And the smile that played
At the curve of her lips
I still remember that warm kiss
She planted on my forehead
With her tears of joy
Trickling down her face
And her trembling fingers
Tousling my rosy, thin cheeks
All her happy gestures on that day
Still keep on flashing in my thoughts now.
She never neglected me as her daughter
She forwent all her needs for my sake
My illness made her anxious
My cries were jagged spears plunged into her heart
She did everything that she could
Just to make me well.
She spent most of her time playing with me
Singing and dancing with me
She was so excited seeing the first time I crawled
Until she saw me learning to walk a few steps
She couldn’t contain her joy
When she heard me uttering Ma-ma ad Pa-pa
She was there with me in all my firsts
And her love for me never faded
In every stage of life that I had gone through.
Her immeasurable motherly care
Brought me up into a wholesome child
The disciplinary measures she imposed
Taught me to behave accordingly
She molded me physically, emotionally,
Mentally and spiritually
She taught me to be honest and generous
To my playmates and to everyone else
She taught me to respect the elders
And love all the creations of God
She taught me to pray and fear God above all.
When I was assailed with a lot of confusions
In my adolescent stage she was there with me
She helped me unravel all those riddles
That teenagers could hardly understand
She made me responsible and confident
In anything I did
She made me decide well
In all my plans and desires in life
She made me see the difference
Between what was right and wrong
And she successfully made me
Resist the tempting peer pressure
She tried her best to steer my path
To a remarkable and promising future.
In my adulthood
She never stopped giving her advices
And her guidance to me
She was always there through all
The ups and downs of my career
She inspired me to become
A proficient and a dedicated teacher
And to love the teaching profession more
Through loving and shaping my students well.
She was never absent in my marriage life
She was always there at my back
Reminding me the need to be
A patient, strong and a loving wife and mom
And to value and keep our marital bond
And to be a good model to my future kids.
Whoever I am today
That’s my unique mother
Who built the totality of my personality
Who gave me substance
Who filled me with character
Who made me love life to the fullest.
To my unique Mom………
A zillion thanks to her……….
HAPPY MOTHER’S DAY TO YOU MA AND TO ALL THE MOTHERS ON EARTH………………..
PRICELESS EXPERIENCE IN BAGUIO CITY
My wallet kept on whining when I went to Baguio City. I thought that travel was a total waste of time, effort and money. But, when I got there, I realized that nary an experience of mine was vain. Let me enumerate here my priceless experiences :
a. Attended Wildlife Conservation Society of the Philippines Symposium
It was my first time to attend such symposium at UP Baguio. The presentations inspired me so much to be always a good environmental steward and a wildlife conservation enthusiast. I think I would do it best by doing more wildlife researches in Mindanao. Through this, I could possibly come up with a more effective conservation management strategies.
b. Met WCSP people (researchers and conservationists)
It felt good to have met WCSP peeps – those with great hearts for nature. Running into this new circle of friends was more than a gift. It made me enhance my professional network. All the more, it had driven me to become more active in saving whatever has been left in the wild.
c. Travelled Alone
Travelling alone as far as Butuan City to Baguio City for the very first time was super fulfilling. I mean it took me a lot of courage to dare travelling all by myself to reach the place I have never been in my entire life. Thanks God I reached there in a perfect safety. Well, that travel taught me a lot which I guess would truly help me grow up and become more mature.
d. Tour around Baguio City with Tess and Ate Nelie
Before and after the symposium, I got to see the beauty of Baguio with Tess and Ate Nelie (my co-grad students at MSU-IIT).
Boating at Burnham Park was a whole lot of fun. Viewing the mountain sceneries from SM Baguio and Mines View Park was truly breath-taking. The colorful blossoms and their fragrant scent in Botanical Garden and Wright Park were incomparable. I saw that stunning elegance in The Mansion as well as in the Philippine Military Academy. The lovely red color of strawberries was very pleasant to my sight. And I just couldn’t help hobnobbing with the pine trees parading along the roadways. In short, Baguio is a paradise.
e. Met my Thesis Adviser – Dr. Neil Aldrin Mallari
Finally I met my idol during the WCSP symposium. I looked up to him more when I saw his paper presentation. I gave him two thumbs up for that. His outstanding presentation inspired me to do something like that later. I wonder if I could do that. Hmmmmmm………..let me try lol! One thing I couldn’t forget about this person is when he kept on pushing me to go for excellence and nothing below it. What a pressure! But I will keep that in mind………promise…………….
f. Met Peter’s relatives for the very first time
I was so happy that I finally met my hubby’s mother-side relatives in Scout Barrio. Camp John Hay. Actually, I stayed in their house all throughout my short vacation in Baguio. I was so grateful for their hospitality. Thanks Lola Agus, Aunt Bebe and Aunt Lilia for your warmth and kindness. The cute bracelets I received from Aunt Bebe would forever be treasured.
g. Chilly wind and very cold water in the bathroom
I wish we have that chilly wind and extremely cold water in Butuan City too hahahah! My God, I absolutely relish the chilly wind in Baguio. It felt so refreshing. The cold weather knocked my mood swings and tantrums out of me. From the time I got there ‘till I left the place, I felt so fresh and light because of its low temperature. I loved taking a shower early in the morning due to that cold water that was seemingly distressing.
h. Lola Agus gave me a traditional “Hilot” to put my uterus in its proper place
She’s a known “manghihilot” in their place. When she offered to do free hilot for me, I didn’t turn her down. I got my uterus prepared and ready for pregnancy already. But I think I’ll be more ready for pregnancy several months from now yet.
i. Wishing Well
I made a wish after I threw a 1-peso coin into the Wishing Well at the Philippine Military Academy. Not just a wish but a bunch of wishes………….hope they will all come true.
j. Night Life
Another thing I love about Baguio is the diversity of bars. The city is dotted with several bars. I had much fun with Merben, a new friend from Alaska, Tess and Ate Nelie at Kamalig Comedy Bar. The two gay comedians in that bar were pretty amusing who made us laugh endlessly.
A night after, I was at Gecko Bar with Tess (PhD student), Daniel (world expert on large lizards), Pinky (from UPLB) and Twinkle (from UPLB). The most exciting part of the conversation was when Daniel told me and Tess to go to Polillo Island for a monitor lizard research exposure. I would more than love to go there and get trained on the specs of such field research. This would be another promising experience. I’m looking forward to go there maybe anytime this month. Whew! Exciting!
Those were my top-rating experiences that money can’t buy in Baguio City. They were all priceless, aren’t they? I never had any regrets in going there at all.
a. Attended Wildlife Conservation Society of the Philippines Symposium
It was my first time to attend such symposium at UP Baguio. The presentations inspired me so much to be always a good environmental steward and a wildlife conservation enthusiast. I think I would do it best by doing more wildlife researches in Mindanao. Through this, I could possibly come up with a more effective conservation management strategies.
b. Met WCSP people (researchers and conservationists)
It felt good to have met WCSP peeps – those with great hearts for nature. Running into this new circle of friends was more than a gift. It made me enhance my professional network. All the more, it had driven me to become more active in saving whatever has been left in the wild.
c. Travelled Alone
Travelling alone as far as Butuan City to Baguio City for the very first time was super fulfilling. I mean it took me a lot of courage to dare travelling all by myself to reach the place I have never been in my entire life. Thanks God I reached there in a perfect safety. Well, that travel taught me a lot which I guess would truly help me grow up and become more mature.
d. Tour around Baguio City with Tess and Ate Nelie
Before and after the symposium, I got to see the beauty of Baguio with Tess and Ate Nelie (my co-grad students at MSU-IIT).
Boating at Burnham Park was a whole lot of fun. Viewing the mountain sceneries from SM Baguio and Mines View Park was truly breath-taking. The colorful blossoms and their fragrant scent in Botanical Garden and Wright Park were incomparable. I saw that stunning elegance in The Mansion as well as in the Philippine Military Academy. The lovely red color of strawberries was very pleasant to my sight. And I just couldn’t help hobnobbing with the pine trees parading along the roadways. In short, Baguio is a paradise.
e. Met my Thesis Adviser – Dr. Neil Aldrin Mallari
Finally I met my idol during the WCSP symposium. I looked up to him more when I saw his paper presentation. I gave him two thumbs up for that. His outstanding presentation inspired me to do something like that later. I wonder if I could do that. Hmmmmmm………..let me try lol! One thing I couldn’t forget about this person is when he kept on pushing me to go for excellence and nothing below it. What a pressure! But I will keep that in mind………promise…………….
f. Met Peter’s relatives for the very first time
I was so happy that I finally met my hubby’s mother-side relatives in Scout Barrio. Camp John Hay. Actually, I stayed in their house all throughout my short vacation in Baguio. I was so grateful for their hospitality. Thanks Lola Agus, Aunt Bebe and Aunt Lilia for your warmth and kindness. The cute bracelets I received from Aunt Bebe would forever be treasured.
g. Chilly wind and very cold water in the bathroom
I wish we have that chilly wind and extremely cold water in Butuan City too hahahah! My God, I absolutely relish the chilly wind in Baguio. It felt so refreshing. The cold weather knocked my mood swings and tantrums out of me. From the time I got there ‘till I left the place, I felt so fresh and light because of its low temperature. I loved taking a shower early in the morning due to that cold water that was seemingly distressing.
h. Lola Agus gave me a traditional “Hilot” to put my uterus in its proper place
She’s a known “manghihilot” in their place. When she offered to do free hilot for me, I didn’t turn her down. I got my uterus prepared and ready for pregnancy already. But I think I’ll be more ready for pregnancy several months from now yet.
i. Wishing Well
I made a wish after I threw a 1-peso coin into the Wishing Well at the Philippine Military Academy. Not just a wish but a bunch of wishes………….hope they will all come true.
j. Night Life
Another thing I love about Baguio is the diversity of bars. The city is dotted with several bars. I had much fun with Merben, a new friend from Alaska, Tess and Ate Nelie at Kamalig Comedy Bar. The two gay comedians in that bar were pretty amusing who made us laugh endlessly.
A night after, I was at Gecko Bar with Tess (PhD student), Daniel (world expert on large lizards), Pinky (from UPLB) and Twinkle (from UPLB). The most exciting part of the conversation was when Daniel told me and Tess to go to Polillo Island for a monitor lizard research exposure. I would more than love to go there and get trained on the specs of such field research. This would be another promising experience. I’m looking forward to go there maybe anytime this month. Whew! Exciting!
Those were my top-rating experiences that money can’t buy in Baguio City. They were all priceless, aren’t they? I never had any regrets in going there at all.
BAGUIO CITY
Baguio City
Is a beautiful place
That I swoon.
Famous of its chilly wind
That caresses my cheek
And rejuvenates my soul
Endowed with amenities
That I adore much
Gifted with sceneries
Too awesome and magical
Grown with colorful blossoms
Making its surroundings lovely
Scented with nature’s fragrance
Like strawberries and pine trees
Oh Baguio, oh Baguio
Let me just own you
You’re showing me a great reason
To fall in love with you
Oh Baguio, oh Baguio
You’re a city by the clouds
You’re such a paradise!
Is a beautiful place
That I swoon.
Famous of its chilly wind
That caresses my cheek
And rejuvenates my soul
Endowed with amenities
That I adore much
Gifted with sceneries
Too awesome and magical
Grown with colorful blossoms
Making its surroundings lovely
Scented with nature’s fragrance
Like strawberries and pine trees
Oh Baguio, oh Baguio
Let me just own you
You’re showing me a great reason
To fall in love with you
Oh Baguio, oh Baguio
You’re a city by the clouds
You’re such a paradise!
PATIENCE PAYS OFF
Everybody was exploding in anger. The passengers were heaping insults and obscene words on the ship personnel. They could not bear the maddening long delay of the sea trip. Those who were taking the plane for Manila were already worried of not catching their flight on time. All of a sudden, I heard loud screams urging the ship to leave. But, the tension grew worse when someone advised the passengers to stay calm since they were still trying to settle the clearance stuff.
I stayed calm and composed though. To panic like most of the people around me at that time was senseless. It would just drain me. To flare up like those who were in a hurry was just futile. I mean, delays are accidental. The ship departure was supposed to be at 7 a.m. but we were still stuck at 9 a.m. I held on to my patience. I picked my book and amuse myself through reading so I would not dwell on the frustrating delay. My attention was caught by some people packing up and getting of the ship with a little scowl. I merely stared at them.
After some minutes, someone finally announced the departure of the ship. The people’s applause was akin to the one heard when someone is declared to win the lottery. And the ship left……………….what about those who just got off?
If I failed to stretch my patience, of course, I would have gotten off the ship as well. See what the patience did for me? Patience really does pay off. There are instances that really test our self-control. Delays are some of those especially when we are in a hurry. But accidental as they are, there is nothing we can do about them. They are beyond our control. To react is normal, but to respond vehemently and go out of hand is absurd. Why not remain calm instead of sweating in panic? Calmness in the midst of any unexpected situation is essential to maintain a clear thought so, one could plan for a remarkable alternative and come up with a rational decision to beat a sudden delay. And if there is no other way out like no other ship to take when one is stuck then just patiently wait until things are resolved.
What do you think had happened to those who impatiently got off the ship? All the more, they got delayed and annoyed.
It was just a very simple situation that taught me a huge lesson. There is nothing better than staying calm and patient in any trying moments. Otherwise, one would really lose the game.
I stayed calm and composed though. To panic like most of the people around me at that time was senseless. It would just drain me. To flare up like those who were in a hurry was just futile. I mean, delays are accidental. The ship departure was supposed to be at 7 a.m. but we were still stuck at 9 a.m. I held on to my patience. I picked my book and amuse myself through reading so I would not dwell on the frustrating delay. My attention was caught by some people packing up and getting of the ship with a little scowl. I merely stared at them.
After some minutes, someone finally announced the departure of the ship. The people’s applause was akin to the one heard when someone is declared to win the lottery. And the ship left……………….what about those who just got off?
If I failed to stretch my patience, of course, I would have gotten off the ship as well. See what the patience did for me? Patience really does pay off. There are instances that really test our self-control. Delays are some of those especially when we are in a hurry. But accidental as they are, there is nothing we can do about them. They are beyond our control. To react is normal, but to respond vehemently and go out of hand is absurd. Why not remain calm instead of sweating in panic? Calmness in the midst of any unexpected situation is essential to maintain a clear thought so, one could plan for a remarkable alternative and come up with a rational decision to beat a sudden delay. And if there is no other way out like no other ship to take when one is stuck then just patiently wait until things are resolved.
What do you think had happened to those who impatiently got off the ship? All the more, they got delayed and annoyed.
It was just a very simple situation that taught me a huge lesson. There is nothing better than staying calm and patient in any trying moments. Otherwise, one would really lose the game.
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