Sunday's Treat

Yesterday was not a usual Sunday routine. Since my uncle’s taxi had an engine problem, my whole family travelled Gen Luis St., NLEX and EDSA by Dela Rosa Bus and from Anapolis Greenhills we rode a taxi all the way to Valle Verde Country Club where Kerygma Feast is celebrated weekly. Fortunately, we arrived just on time. The church was not yet full so we were able to get seats on the middle part and away from industrial aircondition unit Halleluiah!

Rev. Fr. Rudy Horst presided the Holy Mass.Then, as usual, former actor Adrian Panganiban led the worship. But this time he was accompanied by budding Catholic preachers Andrew and Joseph (that’s not their real name. Memory gap? Yeah :p). Bro. Bo’s talk followed with a brand new series called OMG! Here’s a glimpse of yesterday’s handout.

Next, we had an early lunch in SM Megamall to avoid long queue of hungry shoppers. Finally, while having lunch and a little chitchat, I was able to convince my mom to see an expo (I am a certified EXPOs addict). So our next stop: Megatrade Hall 1 to 3.

Megatrade Hall 1: SM Mega Shoes and Bags Sale
Megatrade Hall 2: 17th Buy Pinoy Exporter’s Fair
Megatrade Hall 3: 8th National Coconut Festival

We only had a quick look inside the first hall. For us, discounts don't matter too much if the things on sale are not so needed. Not included in our financial budget, so to speak. Thus, we relocated to Buy Pinoy Expo. There was a P10 entrance fee. I was disappointed because I was expecting a Free Entrance. I just wanted to tour my mom and let her experience a different indulgence. But she insisted “Sampung piso lang naman pumasok na tayo…” (Obviously, I am more frugal than my mom). We leisurely walked and visited every booth that caught our attention, mostly on food. After less than an hour, we went out with three plastic bags and a heavier tummy. Yes, we groceried inside and savored various Pinoy dishes and delicacies at no cost. After that, we moved to Megatrade Hall 3 where various coconut products were exhibited. Like in Megatrade Hall 1 it’s free. However, the place was less crowded compare to its neighbor. We didn’t spend too much time here since our legs were also getting tired – a clear signal that we should go home.

On our way home, the heavy rain fell. It was raining cats and dogs from NLEX to Caloocan. Upon arriving my youngest brother bathed in the rain. And so did I. Sarap maligo sa ulan. Namiss ko yun. Parang bata lang. Feeling bata!...

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Later in the afternoon, I received a phone call from a friend who is thousand miles away. He called just to greet me "Belated Happy Birthday!" Thanks, bro! And the next episodes were back to usual. The End.

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Yun lang po. Gusto ko lang pong ishare. Have a blessed week ahead mga kablogs!

.P.S. Thank you to everyone who greeted me on my birthday! Here’s my treat… (Courtesy of my loving mother)

Thanks, mom!

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Pare, Shumat Ka Muna (Part I)

Para sa mga lasenggero sa kalye, mga tumador sa may kanto, social drinker, alcohol addict, oenophile, boozers, drunkard, bartender, bata, matanda, may ngipin o wala, ako muna ang babangka. Eto ay kwentong tungkol sa mga liquor. Wag mag-alala hindi eto rated PG...

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Sa Tindahan ni Aling Nena

Alas Otso na ng gabi. Nakahanda na ang mesa, ang isang mahabang upuan at ilang monoblocks. Sa ibabaw ng mesa’y may nakalagay na dalawang baso at mangkok na puno ng yelo. Katabi ng mangkok ay isang pinggan na may Hot and Spicy corned beef at isang plastic ng sampung pirasong isaw na kakatanggal pa lang sa ihawan. Ummm… Delisyus!!!

Paparating ay isang mamang may malaking tyan. Dala ang isang bote ng Emperador Brandy na inutang pa sa kalapit na tindahan. “Buksan na yan,” winika ng isang patpating tomador na mukhang sampung taon ng hindi nagaahit ng bigote.

Inuman na…

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Ang Kahulugan

Inuman. Tagay. Tomahan. Lasingan. Laklakan. Session. Social Drinking (wow, sosyal). Kung ano pa man ang tawag dyan, alak at beer lang ang tinutukoy dyan.

Hindi ako umiinom. Pero hindi nangangahulugan na kinokondena ko ang mga taong umiinom. Wala naman masama sa pag-inom ng alak at beer. Kahit nga nung biblical times in demand na ang alak. Meron ding nagsasabi na may ilang benepisyong pangkalusugang naidudulot ang mga inuming nabanggit. Kung ano man yun at interesado kayong malaman iresearch nyo na lang sa google o kumunsulta sa kilalang medico experto.

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Patikim-tikim

College ako noong una kong nasubukang uminom. Sa may Polo, Bulacan unang natikman ang Gin-pomelo. Hindi sa nagmamaganda pero sa maniwala kayo o sa hindi ako at ang mga hay skul friends ay hindi talaga umiinom. Tila bawal na gamot ang alak at beer noong mga panahong iyon. Basta hindi iyon ang trip namin. Trip to Jerusalem pwede pa. Joke?!

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Commercial Break

Charade. Yan ang paborito namin nung Hay Skul. Kapag walang teacher, charade. Kapag break, charade. Kapag may pakulo sa reporting, charade pa rin. Wala kamatayang charade. Minsan nagbabasaan ng tubig kapag napatambay sa may Pascual Road. Minsan naman nagaasaran lang. Kung saan ang simpleng asaran kung minsa’y nauuwi sa hindi pagkakaunawaan. Mula sa isang maliit na usok, nagiging isang malaking sunog. Bwahahaha!!!

Maituturing na mga batang isip pa kami noon. Ngayong nasa 21st century na at nasa 20+ something na ang mga edad, natural marami na ang nagbago. Lahat kami naranasan ng uminom. Pero in fairness, karamihan sa amin ay hindi naman nalalango. Oops! Ewan ko lang din. Hehe!

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Kill Joy?

Balik tayo sa main topic.

Allergy. Oo, allergy ang pangunahing dahilan kung bakit ako hindi pwedeng uminom. May ilang tao ang nagpayo sa akin na mawawala rin ang allergy ko kapag uminom ako uli. Aba, may ilang beses ko na rin sinuway ang payo ng aking doctor pero wala naman nangyari. Pantal, init ng katawan at pangangati lang ang inabot ko. Hindi lang yon, may kasama pang maikling sermon mula kina mama at papa. Yan ang napapala ng mga taong matigas ang ulo at walang kadaladala.

Ayokong maging KJ. Pakikisama ang pangunahing dahilan kung bakit ako umiinom. Sa totoo lang hindi ko talaga gusto ang lasa ng anumang alcoholic beverages na available sa malapit na tindahan at SM Supermarket. Ngunit, subalit, datapwat minsan kailangan eh.

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Ang Allergy at Ang Mabisang Droga

Isang gabi, matapos ang toxicity sa opisina nagtreat ang isang big boss. Yinaya ang mga sekretarya na magdinner sa dinadayong restawrant na malapit sa may ABS-CBN. Ang daming inorder. Solve talaga ang mga kumakalam na tyan. Masarap talaga kapag libre. Tapos eto na, umorder na si bossing ng San Mig Light at Red Horse ata yun. Naglabas naman si ate. Napuno ang mesa ng mga baso’t bote na dati’y puno ng pinggan ng kanin at ulam. Iniabot ng isa pang bossing ang dalang anti-allergy tablet at pinainom sa akin. Believe it or not kahit sa San Mig Light pinapantal ako. In all fairness, effective naman. Nakauwi naman ako ng hindi bangenge at may normal na temperatura.

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Hapi Beerday 2 u!!!

Sa ano mang party o espesyal na handaan, siguradong (o madalas) hindi nawawala ang inuman. Kahit nga children’s birthday party pa eto siguradong kasama sa budget ang ilang case ng beer o isang bote ng Grand Matador o Gin tapos hahaluan na lang ng orange juice o any juice na nasa tetra pack. Kapag medyo sosyal, may imported wine or champaign na kapag naalog ng husto ang bote sumasabog ang bula na parang bomba. Mga terorista siguro ang nagpauso ng champaign. Ano sa tingin nyo?

Sympre, hindi naman para sa mga tsikiting ang isang case ng beer. Para yan kinamommy at daddy, kumpare at kumare, tito at tita, lolo at lola, pati ilang malalapit na kapitbahay. Minsan nga sa children’s birthday party para bang mas marami pa ang oldies kesa sa mga invited na kids. Wala pa sigurong FS si baby. :p

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To be continued…

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Read:

Part II, Part III and Part IV

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It's My Birthday!

Chaos.

Is a very short word which means extreme confusion or disorder. The perfect word to describe my current thinking cap.

I really wanted to indite a sanguine post; something uplifting. But I couldn’t squeeze the good words. Right now, I just want to be honest with myself. I just want to admit that I am hurting inside. Please bear with the inconvenience.

Today is my 26th birthday. Yes, it’s MY BIRTHDAY!
To some women, this is an ideal age for marriage. But not for me.

To some folks of my age they are probably halfway towards the realization of their dreams or maybe they are already in the zenith of their career. But not for me, either. Ouch!

I have no problem with statement no. 1. Marriage or even “Exclusively dating” still remain strange words. Yes, I’m not seeing anyone and that is absolutely fine with me. I actually believe that marriage is not my fate. Or maybe it’s more appropriate to say that at my age having or not having a partner or “special someone” is not yet an issue.

Shift to statement no. 2.

I used this line before (in my other blog) but I’ll say it again “I now officially declare myself unemployed.” (this is a late announcement). Since I graduated from college in 2004, I already had eight official and unofficial jobs with maximum of 1 year and 1 month term and pathetic 4-day record.

Did you just say “What?!!!”

I say it’s MY BIRHTDAY! In my blog rej-goneastray, I said "Be ready to criticize, disgust and belittle this twenty something creature from a complex metropolis. Admonish her if you must. Then love her afterwards…" For this particular post, I will use it with a slight revision:“You can criticize, disgust and belittle this twenty something creature from a complex metropolis. Admonish me if you must. But please not today." :p
Seriously, I consider my employment record very blessed. Some of my previous occupations were my “ideal jobs.” Some companies that trusted my aptitude were my “dream companies.” I met a lot of people which until now I regard as good friends. Dreaming is indeed very powerful. However, some things just didn’t work well. I guess that’s the diplomatic way to summarize my work history rather than label myself a “failure.” I would like to think I am not. Am I?

So many things are bothering me. But one thing is clear in my mind “Hindi pwede ‘to! Hindi pwedeng parating ganito! (This is not right! This has to stop!)" I am not a feeble. I am physically and mentally healthy. I know I just need to invigorate my inner strength to face my fears. In this case, I need your help. Please pray for me.

Let me end this post with a video of the song “Lead Me Lord” by Gary Valenciano - my song and my prayer for my birthday and the coming days.

P.S. I have one final request on my birthday. Before leaving this blog please read the story of Baby Hannah. She will be celebrating her 2nd birthday on August 14. I hope we can say a little prayer for her and her family.

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