Blessing In Disguise

The Dalai Lama once said, “ Sometimes not getting what you want is a wonderful stroke of good luck. “ As human beings, we all have wishes, it can be to earn more money, find the perfect partner, or simply be beautiful. Sometimes they come true but many times they don’t .If they don’t there is no reason to feel defeated, the best things are sure to come. Things not exactly we hoped for, but in the end, the ones that are best for us according to the perfect plan of God. It is not easy to accept “ detour”, it requires faith in the goodness and love of God for us. No matter what happened in the past and the situation now, remember God wills our happiness and success.

I Luv FPJ

It was in 1992 when I first felt how to be star struck. I was 14 at that time, the period when my sister and I were still both hooked to Ora Engkantada on RPN 9 and FPJ sa GMA on GMA 7. Since my father is a loyal Fernando Poe Jr. fan, we had no choice but to watch FPJ movies with him or lose our only tv viewing time every Saturday. I think I have become a fan as well. I have memorized the plot, characters, and even the dialogue in many FPJ movies, a natural course for someone who had watched the weekly airing of his movies for years.

A national election brought me a step closer to Da King. It was summer of 1992 when he went to Sta. Rosa, Laguna to campaign for his best friend, Joseph Estrada who was then running for the Senate. On that memorable day ( at least in the life of a fan like me ), he was wearing a blue long-sleeved shirt, paired with a blue jeans and a pair of familiar Ray-Ban sunglasses we usually saw him wear. He was waving and smiling at us, even shaking the hands of people who managed to reach him. FPJ appeared the same in person as on the screen. He really had the look of a true action superstar. He was tall with a light brown complexion, and a killer smile that stole the hearts of millions in the Philippines. That I was speechless when I saw him was an understatement. I was actually “lost” when that rendezvous happened. Had I not regained myself, I would have followed him and his convoy to the next town. I can’t help but smile whenever I look back to that day of summer, the day a huge star came down to brighten our then sleepy town.

I was not in the Philippines when he died in 2005. I was then finishing a Chinese Language and Culture course in Taiwan. But like many FPJ followers, I was extremely surprised. His demise was sad and unexpected. His supporters were not ready to lose an icon who had become part of their entertainment culture for almost five decades. A clip of his burial on CNN was my last glimpse of FPJ. And like that fateful summer of 1992, I was not just speechless, I was “in the dark” for having lost a cultural icon whose presence on the big screen had successfully immortalized lives of underrated heroes of the country, an honest and principled law enforcer, an ordinary man searching for justice, a Muslim devoted to his faith, a poor athlete with nothing but honor, and a blacksmith whose courage and goodness saved his town from evil.

As loyal FPJ fans continue to commemorate his birth and death anniversaries, may this country find a new kind of inspiration from the stories of ordinary but dignified people portrayed by Da King in his films. People whose lives clearly speak of the goodness and resilience of Filipinos who are still searching for that elusive “ tuwid na daan”.

Christmas Jitters

The Christmas season caught me unprepared for this special occasion. I came back to the Philippines on December 11 with the worst cold I've ever had. It was so worst I had to nurse it for 10 days, 4 days in Delhi and almost a week here in the Philippines. I think having that cold was my body's way of telling me that I've had so much of " air conditioned air " in the midst of India's shivering winter. While my friends had stopped using their air conditioning units, I was still using it for three straight weeks. As a result, my body system had to keep my nose in a terrible condition to wake me up from a cold slumber.

The Christmas spirit is not as ubiquitous in India as it is in the Philippines. Christmas trees and other decors were not sold until the second week of December and by the time they were to remind me of the season, I was already crazy enjoying my last days in the city.

When I was finally home, the cold was still with me plus the tasks I have to accomplish were already piling up. Aside from that, the week when I arrived was already the last week before Christmas break starts which left me unable to keep up with the fast pace the Christmas season ply. It left me with no time to buy gifts for friends and colleagues and most of all to meditate on the reason for the season. It's like as if Christmas didn't come or maybe it was I who didn't make it for the season. :(

Girl Interrupted

I had intended to write more blog entries for the months of April and May but an unexpected commitment came my way that halted my intention to update this blog on a more regular basis ( at least for these summer months) . Last April 16, a one-month summer job was offered to me. An offer I saw as challenging and stimulating that it would be unwise to refuse. I had little reservation though before I went for the interview but a formidable voice inside told me to accept the offer, so I did. Looking back, I am glad I followed that voice. More than the renumeration involved, the one-month job, somehow opened new possibilities and opportunities I did not expect would be available for me. Thank God for that " little friend ".

April & May

I had written several articles before finally publishing this entry. I thought of publishing an article about my good friend Marlyn as a sort of tribute to her 40th birthday but privacy concerns made me shun from the idea. Instead, I came up with a list of birthday wishes for her and another girl friend, Michelle only to realize that those wishes are better mention face to face than publish on line.

Today, April 1 is the start of my two-month vacation. It is not really a vacation. It is actually a break from my usual day-to-day job where I had to work seriously for 5-6 hours. The next two months will just be a happy walk in the park, thus giving me more time to post entries on my blog, read the books I have been wanting to read, meet up with friends, and stay at home with my family. I will be doing serious stuff too but just the thought of a more relaxed months ahead is enough to bring smile back to my round and oily face. Well, I can only say " Happy Vacation MG ".

Summer Lovin'

The months of April and May are the summer months in tropical Philippines. Just recently, the country's weather bureau reminded everyone in the country to take necessary caution as the summer temperature heats up to 39 C. People are encouraged to take a bath two or more times daily, avoid exposure to the sun from 9:00-3:00 pm, and drink plenty of liquids to prevent dehydration. Despite the raging summer heat in the Philippines, summer is still one of the most awaited time of the year. Children have no school and parents are happy as the giving out of allowance temporarily came to a halt. It seems many have time to unwind and relax. I, for one is looking forward to summer vacation, not for its blazing heat but for the carefree atmosphere it brings.

Every summer I enjoy at least 20 days off from work. Several days of that furlough are spend profitably while the rest are spend aimlessly. At home, I can just sleep and sleep, watch the tv programs that interest me, and stroll at my favorite mall like a true blooded mall rat. This summer, I am looking forward to accomplish the following:

1. Be a volunteer teacher in our church's annual Daily Vacation Bible School ( DVBS ). This year, I decided to spend only 5 days of April contrary to what I have been doing for the past 2 or 3 years. I feel there are many in the church who should experience the joy of volunteerism. If I would always be around to take a slot, I would also be depriving others who could also enjoy the task if I did not take one.

2. See friends like Lyn and Drew whom I haven't seen for a long time. It is true we built a really good friendship 11 years ago and made beutiful memories together but just recently I realized there is a need to reconnect with each other, reassure that there is love, a special place in our hearts exclusively meant for one another. I know I have not been so enthusiastic to see them ( despite Lyn's regular invitation to meet in Manila). This is because I thought our friendship is not dependent on regular get together or frequent exchange of text messages ( the two girls probably think this way too ) to survive. I was secured with our friendship that our last get together happened back in 2006 tsk..tsk.. I was wrong to look at our friendship that way. Now, I see the need to see each other once more, listen to stories about our career, family, and struggles, eat and laugh together, and just be there for each other again not only in words and in thoughts, but in a more " physical " way like we used to back in college.

I will also see other Manila-based friends. One of them is Chloe who I have to see before she leaves for Australia in July. Another friend, I am hoping to meet ( although we really had a marathon conversation before Christmas ) is another friend who just married a Chinese national. This year, I don't know if Marlyn can come to Manila, but I hope she can. I have nothing important to tell her, I just love to see her.

3. Write more blog entries. Believe me, I find blogging therapeutic. Most of my blog entries were written when I was feeling low. I wrote Food!Food!Food! because I miss good food. My first ever blog entry here, Hello World! was written in the midst of boredom. The article In The Mood for Gathering came out from my excitement about the possibility of meeting fellow Tony fanatics. Blogging made it possible for me to express my thoughts freely, without interruptions, without inhibitions. I just love it.

4. Read books on Citizenship Education. Thank God! Finally, I realized this is the field I must explore if I want to be good in my chosen career. I think the Philippines should have more experts on this field. Specialists who can develop and implement policies crucial to the development of responsible and nationalistic Filipinos. If I would be given a chance to study again, this field would top my list.

What Makes Me Smile These Days...

Life can be monotonous. Once you realize it, the feeling can be dragging and difficult. I hate to see life as dragging and difficult because when I see life this way, I will not be able to see its wondrous beauty anymore. The past few weeks were quite uneasy for me. I had to follow-up an important matter in Manila that tested my patience and perseverance. Aside from that, the arrival of the summer season here in the Philippines perfectly triggered my allergic rhinitis.And, finally my father's hospitalization added another blow to my already " toxic life ". I am just thankful, God never fails to provide beautiful things that help me go by... Jai Ho!

1. Nice E-mails from unexpected people. I have been exchanging E-mails with my new found friend whom I met through my favorite website. A busy friend managed to update me with the latest on her life.

2. Churchmates asking my nephew Ponso about my whereabouts when they failed to see me at the church service.

3. My mother's pledge to buy me a nice textile for a formal dress. Thanks Nanay!

4. People reading my blogs especially fellow Tony Leung friends and supporters.

5. New programs on Channel News Asia this month of February that make my Saturdays more enjoyable and relaxing. Please try to catch ....

a. Asian Monarchies

b. Kung Fu Kitchen

c. Sun Tzu: War on Business

d. The Couch

6. Seeing Ponso growing up. Changing from being a skinny child to a nice looking pre-teener.

7. My blog that gives me the opportunity to express myself, share my thoughts, and practice English.

8. My best friend's pregnancy and the inivitation to be one of the Ninangs ( godmother ) of her soon to be born child.

9. Messages from friends telling me the latest in their lives.