the Promise

I was in terrible shape the last couple of days - I was feverish, my colds kept me from breathing normally, my cough got me into spasmic fits. I found it hard to get up from bed, I felt utterly useless as I was too weak to cook a decent meal for my family. All the sleepless nights has finally taken its toll...I felt blah! There was even a cookie order that I had to refuse. Weeks back my mom would always remind me to take it easy but I just could not stay put. So there...

One afternoon in bed, I woke up to the soft sobs of my youngest son. I asked him why he was crying and pitifully he said that he wants me to get well. I was trying to comfort him when he stood up and came back with his red stool and a glass of water. He said "Mommy drink water..." I felt so touched (he is the only child left who still looks after me that way, while my 2 other kids were tinkering with their cellphones) boo-hoo.  Then he began sobbing again, my youngest told me "Mommy sorry po sa lahat lahat ng kasalanan ko po sa yo" (Mommy sorry for all the terrible things I've done to you.)  That got me thinking if he acquired this from all the teleserye he gets to watch sometimes on the telly lol. So I took that opportunity to ask him the following questions and our conversation went this way:

Allen: Mommy sorry po sa lahat lahat ng kasalanan ko po sa yo.

Mom: (hugs Allen) Aww baby that's okay but promise me that you will be a good boy ok?

Allen: (with matching nods) Opo Mommy (Yes, mommy)

Mom: Promise hindi ka na magla-lie kay Mommy? (do you promise not to lie to Mommy?)

Allen: Opo Mommy. Promise.

Mom: Promise hindi mo na aahitin ang kilay mo? (do you promise not to shave your eyebrows?)

Allen: Opo Mommy. Promise.

Mom: Promise hindi mo na aawayin si Kuya at si Ate? (do you promise not to fight with your siblings?)

Allen: Opo Mommy

Mom: Okay sige panghahawakan ko yung promise mo. (ok I will hold on to your promise)

Allen: (hugs mom and sobs some more) I love you mommy

Awwwww! (how sweet it is to be loved by you!)

Bagong bayani?

This is another blog of mine that I failed to feature weeks ago. And such is due to the fact that I was weighing the pros and cons of publishing this article. But the "writer" in me and the desire to go out with the truth prevailed. So read on...

I was browsing online for forums where I can advertise my "ware" and one of the forums I visited was such a bummer. Reading through one of the threads I felt so disappointed about how some (again I wrote some, not all) Filipinos malign their kababayans who try to make a living abroad. I was forewarned about these type of characters but was still surprised that such people really do exists.  Hence, I tried to contact their adminsitrator and forum moderator but sad to say, they have not responded. Either, they don't have time (which is such a big fat lie...I mean why put up a website for Pinoys to exchange or express their views when they can't even respond to online users like me?) or perhaps they feel that it was easier to ignore such complaints.And to realise further that I was not the first member who complained of such demeanor. If this site is even concerned about their kababayans this is the least they can do… to hear out those who were hurt by bluntless accusations.

 I saw an ally with one of their members who viewed the site's forum content as I did (please refer to "I have been a member of...")   I believe in freedom of expression but just like the controversial RH bill, I believe that certain freedom of whatever needs to be moderated to make sure that an individual stays human and humane. I cannot emphasize more on the fact that whatever skin color we carry we must remember that we are responsible for each other. And because I am a Filipino I feel it is my duty to help our kababayans in whatever way we can. Roughly translated we can help in terms of an opportunity... the same kind that was given to us. But never to belittle even the smallest triumph of our kababayans. It's just so sad that even such triumphs can elicit envy and resentment. In our own vernacular this is how I wish to describe it "parang ayaw niyo nang magtira ng kaunting kaligayan sa ibang kababayan natin." For what? I cannot even start to fathom...

We work abroad because we want to provide our family a better life and be able to help our loved ones and other kababayans as well. That's the reason why when we are given that golden opportunity, we do our best to work and to find other means to earn extra. However, it is so sad to know that there are certain people who will start judging you (without really knowing who you are). Such people will even go to the extent of breaking your chances by breaking your spirit.

Being a part of the human race, I feel that this person or anyone else for that matter, does not earn the right to besmirch anybody especially anyone from his own country. We are all Overseas Filipino workers (supposedly the "bagong bayani" of our country) working our asses off in a country not our own. It is enough that some of our countrymen are treated inhumanely by these locals but to be treated the same and judged without any basis at all by a co-Filipino, just shows how little he respects his kababayans. Instead of helping, he would rather ridicule. Instead of encouraging his kababayans, he finds it more amusing to give out insults in a rather large platter. People like this particular member would rather dish out insults and test people as if he owns them. And people like this man would jump up with glee for the failure of another! I am also an ofw and I've worked as an HR Assistant for a big hotel and I make sure I treat everyone I come across with respect. Simply because I'd like other nationalities to see how good Filipino workers are and because I want to give our kababayans the same kind of opportunity I was given. This is called giving back! I hope something is done about this!

Perhaps this is not the proper venue for me to air my chagrin, but I would like our other kababayans to understand that we should not let others down the way this man has done. How can we expect our country to progress if other Filipinos are more keen on bringing their kababayans down rather than pushing them forward? The trouble with these kinds of people is that they only think of themselves and think of themselves so greatly that they can just say anything they want. Sites like these were supposedly put up to bring Pinoys together so that they can help other kababayans trying to reach out to other Pinoys abroad unfortunately, this is not the case. I really hope something is done because the future of our race and the betterment of the FIlipinos is dependent on how much we want to change and this change must start from ourselves!

"Gift from Virgo"

My daughter just turned 13 while my mom 72, several days ago. I was not able to post my birthday blog for them as after that day I was really swamped with orders. It's the beginning of my daughter's teen years and I don't know what to expect. Perhaps I do, though in denial because being a teener once, I definitely know how it works! So should I be afraid or should I be prepared? I choose the latter though. I want my daughter to enjoy her teen years so that she would have fond memories of this particular stage in her life. I don't want her to grow up afraid or unable to say what's on her mind. I want her to grow up confident and yet respectful of the opinion of others. I want her to be able to strike a balance on what she wants to do and doing things right. Perhaps these are all easier to write about as compared to the execution but I've promised myself to be the kind of mother my daughter will need during this "hormone-crazy" stage. I'll cross my fingers to that!

And to my mom, who I drove bonkers during my own teen years... I can never compare myself to you. Once, my sisters and I were casually talking about our current life; we realise that we can never do the things you did when we were little. It seems that you were tireless... Coming home from school, you would cook, sometimes do the laundry, while making sure we did our homework or studied for an exam. Sometimes I catch myself these days wondering how you managed to do everything while I struggle with my own domestic responsibilities. But that's you! :) Am pretty sure you've crossed your fingers a hundred times for me too! :)

That said... I just want to greet both of you the best birthday ever! I've lived with a virgo for most of my growing up years and now have a virgo of my own. It seems that I'll be surrounded by virgos for the rest of my life. Am not saying it's a bad thing but do Aquarians and Virgo match? really?

In good hands

Just recently I communicated with Metrobank about my concern on account security and what-have-you. It is good to note that I have found their service very reliable and their people willing and able to help, and ready to answer all my questions. No time was wasted, I was able to get answers without being passed around and without having to wait endlessly for someone to respond to my query. I would like to give special thanks particularly to Ms. Irene Rose G. Elpa and Ms. Ma. Consolacion C. Ombac, both employees of the bank who epitomises the bank's main thrust of making their customers feel that indeed they are "In good hands." 

Thank you so much!

Born to be...

I got my first real taste in entrepreneurship when I embarked on a "small" sari sari store when I was about 7 or 8 years old. Because I did not have money then, I'd gather all my tiny toys, choose from amongst them and mark them for sale. I did not sell them as is; at that age I surprised myself by thinking of a strategy on how to entice children to buy.  So what I did was to make my own "palabunutan". And for visual purposes I made something similar to what I did as a child.

The idea is for the kids to choose a number, at the back of this number is the toy that corresponds to the  chosen number. Back then .25 cents was a big deal. I earned but not much, unlike the big sari-sari store in front of our apartment.  I recall bringing out our stool and a small table where I would have a few candies inside jars and this "palabunutan" which I hang on our gate. I also remember a time when I was in gradeschool and highschool where I would make bookmarks and ask my sister to help me sell them. There was even one summer vacation which I spent with my cousin in Laguna ~ they used to have a bakery. I would wake up really early and help them sell "hot pandesal."  :) One fond memory that I'd like to share is when I spent my summer vacation in my maternal grandmother's house in Batangas. I hankered her to buy ingredients for halo-halo which my cousins and I sold for 1 peso per glass the next day. 

My trip down memory lane made me realise that entrepreneurship has been in my blood all along. I was born to be a BusinessMom. My being such a risk taker has helped me in ways which I find stupendous at times, as this has helped me as well in taking that first step.

Am happier where I am now, perhaps what I have achieved is minute compared to our other great kababayans out there. But I basked in the thought that I continue to face everyday with contentment knowing that I have found myself and have taken the road to my aspiration. 

In Silence....we all pray for our fallen brothers

To sister number Two!

To my sister Minpi Carreon Bailon, who celebrates her birthday today.

Sisters are different.

They heard the sobbing in the darkness.

They lived through all your triumphs, all your favorites, all your loves and losses.

They have no delusions.

They lived with you too long.

And so, when you achieve some victory, friends are delighted -

but sisters hold your hands in silence and shine with happiness.

For they know the cost.

- Pam Brown

Because of you I always had something... a shoulder to cry on, a listening ear...whatever it was you were always there. No one else knows me like you do sis! Thank you for believing that I can, for believing that I am and for simply believing. 

I love you and miss you :) enjoy your day buy that expensive bag, or that nice little pair of shoes, or that pretty dress that you've been eyeing for weeks! :)

Happy Happy Birthday! With my wishes are our prayers that the Lord shower you abundantly on this day and always!