The Last Smile

The castle is under siege. The fortress that is once impregnable is now engulfed in flames. The stone walls that took years to build are now shattered by enemy rams. The royal knight took the prince at the hidden exit at the back of the castle.

The royal knight told his prince that he should go back and fight and his majesty must take the hidden passageway that would lead him to the forest where it is safe. It suddenly rained heavily, the number of raindrops equates to the number of casualties as more and more enemy cavalries arrive.

The royal knight promised to return back to his majesty alive but deep inside and they know very well that it is a promise that is impossible to fulfill. The enemy found them, the royal knight did his best to ward off hundreds of enraged brutes. The prince shook his head in conformity, smiled at him turned around and ran as fast as he could.

It was a bloody encounter, the royal knight is outnumbered. The prince looked back, he saw his royal knight facing towards his direction... smiling. The prince fled to safety and will now have to wait for his royal knight...

The prince never knew that a poisoned arrow pierced through his royal knight's armor... and is slowly killing him. The royal knight, using all the strength he has left struck his sword to his leg so he won't fall and with all his might, he smiled at his fleeing prince because for the last time, he wants his prince to see him smiling... and he is worth dying for.

The heavy rain was a blessing... it masked the royal knight's heavy tears. Then he submitted to death... smiling.

The Mystery Biker

Riding on a cool bike he stopped and gave me a weird look,

On his head he wore an impenetrable fortress made from a thick book.

Nodding, he told me: "You look like someone I could take care."

After starting his bike he said: "Hop on, whilst there is no fare."

Like a child yearning for a retort, I grabbed his arms,

Delighted to see someone driving for me has irresistible charms.

Just when I'm about to speak, the stench of worry reeked,

Over the valley of nothingness, words barely leaked.

Hours passed, we never knew because we were having so much fun,

Nothing seemed to matter until we realized there was no sun.

Smiling at me, after seeing me tremble he said: "Hang on tight."

Must be the fact that you make me feel things will be alright.

It's time for me to take the other road and it suddenly poured,

Troubled but we have to go our own ways, he gave me a cord.

He told me: "Never let go, coz losing you is something I can't afford."

A Trainer Named "Jerry"

So I got hired in a call center a month ago...

blah blah blah... to make the story short, Jerry was sent here from the U.S. to train us on products that we will be selling soon.

Jerry looks like a typical Filipino dude. With brown skin, pinoy looks and average height, he can pretty much blend in a crowd and no one will ever know that he's American unless you talk to him. He said it himself, all he needs to learn is the language (Filipino) and he can totally belong! And oh, he grew up in Guam (a U.S. territory) and both of his parents are Filipino and now he is residing in Oregon, U.S.A. just so you know.

Jerry here is showing us how to set up an atomic clock.

He is the type of person who is focused on work but is also up to almost anything when it comes to having fun... and I admire him for that.

I love joking around and laughing all the time. During interviews when a recruiter asks me: "What are your work ethics?" I'd say "Promoting fun in the workplace." I believe if you promote fun in the office and all other mates are having fun as well, it could be enough reason for them to look forward in going to work and that's a big thing!

When it comes to work, focus all your energies at work. Absorb and retain as much information as you can. I joke around but at the same time I can prove myself... and Jerry made me realize that.

So one of our office mates had a party and I was actually surprised to see Jerry there. He said he will come but I never knew that he will really come but I'm glad he did because we had a nice and long cultural exchange... and of course a little bit of green jokes on the side. He is so down to earth, funny and he knows how to have fun! Hours later and almost everyone is drunk (tipsy at the very least) and I told him that I wanna sing and he needs to sing with me on stage! He kept saying no. So I made him choose - "Eat balut or sing with me?" I guess he chose the less revolting one and I was able to pull his arm and sing.

"Wherever You Will Go" drunk version. LOL!

Here is a link to the video (if you are my friend in Facebook) http://www.facebook.com/video/video.php?v=2068869454928&comments&set=t.1640595029&type=1

Jerry is a cool guy! I like how we (my office mates and I) can casually talk about anything under the sun and drink to our heart's content! He is now back in Oregon and another batch of trainers are on their way. I just hope they are as nice as Jerry.

Thanks for the fun times Jerry! ... and Ingat ka palagi! :)

Till We Meet Again, Nisa

"Pag ako namatay, iiyak ka ba?"

If my memory serves me well, she asked me this one almost three years ago.

"Oo naman!"

I was hoping to comfort her because she looked a bit serious at that moment... a different side from what she always shows to other people - a jolly and trouble-free girl.


She's this all-around class jester. She is known for her funny antics and for that she is well-loved by everyone. Who wouldn't? Nisa is someone who wants every face smiling.

I received the bad news that she already passed away. I was in complete denial. I kept on saying no and thought that she's just pulling a prank to the whole wave... but unfortunately no. Feb. 15, she already joined our dear Lord. I cried... and looked for the almost withered bracelet she bought for me 2 years ago when we met and pulled it closer to my heart.

"Alam nyo, wag nyong lolokohin ang mga joker, kasi minsan sila pa ang problemado, dinadaan nalang sa patawa."

Contrary to what most people see... her life is full of challenges.

As we lie down in my room and exchange sentiments... I felt her and I can't even imagine living her life.

3 years later... I found her lying in a coffin... lifeless. A lot of things flashed before my eyes... if there's one thing I regret doing, it's failing to tell her that I love her and she means a lot to me. People come and go in our lives... but Nisa never left my heart. She helped me in a lot of different ways and I am thankful for having a friend like her. I love you my dear friend, dalawin mo naman ako sa panaginip and tell me how beautiful heaven is. =)

We love you, Nisa! You will always be remembered! - Wave 77 (Etelecare Global Solutions)

Plastik Ako!

I must admit... sometimes when I meet a new acquaintance:

- I smile at them even if they are somehow unpleasant.
- I laugh at their jokes even if they are not funny.
- I say "I agree" even if I am not sure.

Positive Kaplastikan
Can you say I am a bad person? Listen up, it always boils down to INTENTIONS. I do those things because I want to make the person feel comfortable and good and it ends there. I do NOT to put them down when they turn away.

This positive kaplastikan turns to a genuine feeling of acceptance and respect in time.

Negative Kaplastikan
I only show this negative kaplastikan to other people who show a nice face and attitude but once you turn your back, they will transform into a frenzied mob of bitches and they stab you with insults. Let them be, I give them a taste of their own medicine.

You can argue that kaplastikan whether positive or negative is still kaplastikan. Very much like "white lies" but then again we are confined in technicality and unless someone invents a new word to call this then I admit I'm plastik but with positive intentions.

I am a real friend, I will do anything for a true friend. If you need money, I'll help you wash cars and sell peanuts.

Dear Sir: The Confrontation Diary

If I were Venus Raj, I think I have an answer to the question: "What is the biggest mistake in your life?" And that would be - "Posting a provocative facebook status." ^^

I started a fire.

A line from Justin Timberlake's song "Cry Me A River" goes like this:
"You know what they say, some things are better left unsaid."

But I have no regrets. In fact, I am thankful for what happened. This is my letter to you, sir.

Dear Sir,

You are both right and wrong.

You are right
when you pointed out something with that facebook wall photo.

Umarte lang ng naaayon sa itsura. Pag hindi masyadong maganda, wag masyadong maarte.

If that Alessandra de Rossi quote is a universal truth then I have absolutely no right na mag-inarte, no doubt about it. I am fully aware that I am not good-looking, I just want to be at least presentable and if my occasional mirror peek makes you and your cronies cringe, then let me tell you this - stop applying powder to your face because it doesn't help at all but if it makes you confident then go ahead.

You are right
when you said

Hindi simple magsulat, it's not a mindless matter.

Sir, this made me laugh because I got an impression that what we are doing (link building) is mindless. Whether it's what you're thinking or not, link building is based on principles and algorithm, there is science and even math in what we do. I know you don't give a shit but I tell you it involves brain activities. You know sir, instead of asking content from you (every time we need some for our link building efforts), I choose to write my own because I don't want to disturb you and I agree that it's not an easy task.

Can't you be a man just this once by saying those tweets and FB status updates straight to my face? Well then, you should thank me for still calling you "sir". You know what sir? I don't really understand your purpose in doing that. For me, it's your way of letting other people know that you are bitching someone up. Your friends will leave comments which is comparable to shooting in the dark, you fish them and make everything look like they have full knowledge of what happened and they are in favor of you. You will then feel high and mighty while others bask in your glory. I find it pathetic, sir. It's a great display of cowardice. Let's take a look at your tweet here...

Work ethic. Not everyone has it. Oh, and talk about paranoia and negativity. Go on, take everything we do the wrong way. Make our day!

Wow, just wow! Someone who submits articles late and who sleeps during working hours is talking about work ethic. Very credible, sir. Very credible! *applause*

Sir, don't you have the fucking balls to say those to my face? You are indeed good at utilizing social media to your advantage... but you can't throw them at my face. Let me remind you sir, I am sitting just behind you. You are a fucking blabbermouth diva! A fucking coward~!

You are wrong
hindi ako nag-iinarte

Ang daming nagiinarte sa mundo! Puros arte, nasaway lang dahil sa ingay nagiinarte na. Hindi simple magsulat, it's not a mindless matter. Simpleng bagay pinapalaki. Puros arte!

If you are thinking na naginarte ako dahil nasaway lang, then you are mistaken. Hindi ako ganun kababaw. Wait did it even occur to you na may malalim na pinag-ugatan un? Of course not! It's because you are insensitive, sir. It's that simple.

Sir, the "ingay" issue is not something na pinalaki ko. I already explained it to your sister (ask her), we already talked about it, I proposed an action plan to the link building team and everything ended well (I think). On another note sir, when do you say a person is nag-iinarte? I didn't throw a barrage of status on FB and twitter... it's just a single post (that affected you big time) as opposed to your everyday twitter rants... so technically... nag-iinarte ka rin? Everyday? So if that single post irritated you, then you could just imagine how others feel reading your sentiments in twitter (ah! i can unfollow you nga pala, sorry my bad). Ikaw rin naman may mga pinapatamaan ka sa twitter, I can see that. So sir, if those people reacted the way you do... can I now say you just had a taste of your own medicine? Bitter, isn't it? LOL.

You are wrong
because you are impulsive and you let prejudice take over you that is why you failed to get my point. Sir, you failed to get my point because you keep on saying that I'm talking stuff that are out of context. Sir, you are insisting that I'm saying out of the context stuff because you are unwilling to listen and understand my side. Sir, you are unwilling to listen and understand my side because you saw an opportunity to put that bitchy character you see in movies and soaps into practice. MAS INUNA MO PA MANLAIT BAGO ALAMIN ANG NANGYAYARI. Well, it's useless din pala, I guess. Did I already mention "unwilling to listen and understand my side"? Oh, wait I already did. LOL!

AM I GETTING PERSONAL?
Yes I am, sir! It's because you started it! This would've been fixed and gotten over with if you didn't get personal with me. I bite hard and deep if situation calls for it. Sir, I started a chat with you with an apology and what did I get in return? A bunch of insults. Well, what do you expect from a ranter? XD

It's funny because I didn't even see a trace of eagerness to patch things up, it seems like you don't want to lift a finger. Oh wait, you actually did lift a finger... in typing those status, that is.

I am thankful
Sir, I thank you with what happened. I learned a lot from this experience. Not all arguments can be settled but there must be a common ground somewhere. Any misunderstanding can be settled, if you have an open mind. E hindi e, you got mad when I said you are dictating how we should feel about stuff. In our "friendly" chat you said something like:

"Wala lang samin un - WALA DAPAT ma offend dun."

So, you are not being a dictator with that statement? Here's the thing sir, a person can never accurately point out what's wrong with him/herself. Not unless he/she would stop and examine himself/herself through the eyes of others BUT you are the type of person who would never even care to think about it because subconsciously you think your opinion is all that matters.

Correct me if I'm wrong but I think the reason why you don't talk to me and joke around with me the way you casually do with others is because you know my capacity... and you can't dominate me. Good thinking, sir. It's a nice move~!

Sir, sayang. I have so much respect for you but in just a snap, it disappeared just like that. Minsan lang tayo mag-usap ng masinsinan, sa ganitong sitwasyon pa. Ang inaakala kong makakasundo ko, makakabangga ko pala. Sir, I know you don't care and I know how annoying I have become to you pero sir, you know what? You should thank me for calling you "sir" kahit most of the time mas malandi ka pa kay Madonna.

I Hate Goodbyes

I hate goodbyes. I don't want to say "goodbye"... again.

...but whenever I do, I make sure I say it with a smile, at the very least. Last week I said goodbye to a dear friend. Her name is Jianya Tang... yep, she's Chinese. She went back home to China for good.

We were classmates in De La Salle University - Dasmariñas and we were inseparable esp. during our early freshman years. The story is quite awkward. It's our first day and she's standing in front of our classroom looking at the classroom number and her student form back and forth for like 3 minutes, straight! It's like she wants to assure herself every second that she is in the right classroom. It was my first time in my entire life to approach a girl and straightforwardly ask: "Hi! We are classmates. Can we be friends?" We shook hands and she said: "Of course!" I can't remove the smile on my face that day.

7 years after... I can't believe I'll be saying the opposite. Actually, I didn't... because I don't think I can handle it. She invited me and 2 of our other classmates for videoke and food, we all know that she'll be leaving in 3 days and it will be her last moment with us, so it was a night of endless photo shoot and laughter! Until I sang this:



"Oh, that was a nice song. Thank you very much." Sometimes being emo helps me in converting my feelings into words and so as not to break the spree, I asked my other classmate to sing "Peng You", a Chinese song about friendship. My classmate sang Kim Chu's version which has Filipino lyrics but Jianya sang with her in Mandarin which made the song a beautiful duet.



And just like in movies, flashbacks occurred to me: We eat most of the time together for lunch (she likes sisig and pinakbet); we review together in a "kubo" (kubos are everywhere in La Salle, they're like benches in a park), we laugh at each other, literally. She thinks I'm a dog... =_= then she'll say "Don't worry, you are the cutest dog!" Then she'll laugh with a bucket load of sarcasm; I taught her and her Chinese friends "Pandanggo sa Ilaw" because they need to present a Philippine traditional dance; I sometimes go with her when she does her grocery shopping and we always stop and debate over fresh produce, I developed that invulnerability to peoples' stare every time we talk oh so loud on the street in English; when we laugh, we laugh out loud, it's like the end of the world; I pretend that I am Thai every time we eat in an authentic Vietnamese, Chinese or Japanese resto (and the waiters really do think I'm Thai! XD )...

Haha, if I go on, this blog post would probably never end. In other words, we had no dull moments. It's like we knew each other since we were babies and cultural and language barriers don't exist between the two of us. She is really a one of a kind friend.
So after that videoke night, she called a cab for us... I was about to go inside but then I turned around looked at her for the last time and said: "Ah! I hate goodbyes. Just take care of yourself." We both know it will be an emotional moment so we didn't say much.

I'm sure that she enjoyed her 7 year stay here in the Philippines just as much as I enjoyed her company. I am also confident that after 50 years she will tell stories to her grandchildren about how much she missed this cute dog she met in the Philippines.
I tried not to cry but I'm such an emo! Goodbye "Pinky"... till we meet again... I'm sure we will... somehow.