A Bruneiyuki’s Emotional Baggage!

Last friday, after cancelling a job interview in Makati which was offering me a really attractive salary, I have faced all my fears, trashed my doubts and tossed away all my anxieties, and headed for a final "panel" interview at UP Diliman as a final requirement for my graduate study application in media studies (Broadcasting). End point, wala pang result at s

ana

lang talaga eh makapasa because this is really important to me - a matter of life and life! Imagine, i’ve been waiting for this oppurtunity to come since last year and its just now nagmaterialize. Kaya i’m calling all the good angels up in the heavens to at least give me this chance and once again prove that i can be the brightest star in the universe! Charing lang! But seriously, mamatay man ako peksman, i’m positively and extremely hoping to pass in this nerve wracking event in my life! So help me God!

For me, having a masters degree in media studies has been an overdue plan since last year. We all know, especially my closest friends all know that because of my busy and hectic production work schedules, i never had the luxury to seriously apply for a graduate study. Ni magsuklay nga ng buhok di ko magawa dahil sa pagka-haggard sa work. Kaya naman, when the perfecting timing starts knocking at my door, I’m doing freelance and I have all the time in the world to do what I missed to do and think reflectively, aba, i really grabbed the oppurtunity of pursuing a masters degree! And now that i’m on my way of fulfilling that dream, with high hopes and trust solidifying, aside from wishing  God will help me to be "in” and direct me to someday land in a university where i can teach mass communication - sharing what i have learned and mastered in the ropes of the broadcasting world- especifically television writing, directing and performance, I’m looking forward of reincarnating my unselfish and uncorrupted self back in the academe! Again, as for me, a masteral degree will thicken all of my hands-on experience to really hone and produce the best and competitive young minds in the industry. O well, why teach? Well, aside from the fact, I enjoy talking and sharing what I know to people, i firmly support the saying that teaching is a noble profession and for an iskolar ng bayan like me who has been exposed to the commercialized, feudal and capitalist aspect of the media industry, there’s a certain calling to at least spur reform and initiate actions especially in transforming the traditional and oppressive system of the industry I’ve been enslaved in. I’ve seen the rottening politics, the filthy ball game, and the process of manipulation by those who are in the position to get what they want and so i stand by to what i believe that will grease a wheel of fair and humane industry- and that is starting it through educating minds! Undoubtedly, It is through education that i cant instil and impart work ethics and a greater share of responsibility among future media practitioners. Without awareness and an aggressive positioning of perspectives that is vigilant and empowering, the tyrannical nature of the present Philippine mass media system runned by "commercialized" minds will continuously progress in abusing its power by recreating worlds and altering the truth and perceptions that is narrow and bleak. Thus, with all of these words,true enough, teaching is not just simply a profession, but its a calling that asks for dedication, passion and lifetime commitment. So help me God.   

Finally, last Friday, after some months of planning, our college barkada get together was pushed through! Thanks to Jhoanna, Joy and Lory’s effort, amidst their hectic work schedules, they were able to come and made the gathering explosively memorable! No doubt about it because there are all humorous, outgoing and certified insane just like me!

For everyone’s information, though I have lots of super friends, Jhoanna, Joy and Lory are some of my closest friends in college. Aside from being a co-founder and members of UP SIKAP (Sandigan para sa Ikaaunlad ng Kamalayang Maka-Araling Pilipino), we all took up and graduated at the College of Arts and Letters with a degree in Philippines Studies. As a second discipline, I, Jho and Yoj chose the bizarre path and trailblazing world of Broadcast Communication while Lory ended up in the niche of film makers. Unfortunately, after graduating college, we never had the chance to see each other again because of our busy work schedules. Jhoanna became so busy working as a recruiter at Accenture and now works in 77SGI, Joy as an executive assistant in Victoria Court and Lory as production staff in some studio 23’s shows. It was only through text and some midnight calls that we were able to recoup, update, and share personal stories.

So last Friday, as I’ve said, we had a get together and held at three different locations. First, with left-and-right photo session that heightened our pig-out session, we ate a sumptuous dinner at Chicken Inasal. After which, we transferred at Starbucks along Congressional and had a frappe and shared an Oreo Cheese cake. Another set of picture moments peppered the night with an overflowing narratives of college days flashbacks and recent updates on love, work, family and future plans. And by 11 pm, exhausted but still energetic, we all decided to cut our chit chats and go home.

The original plan was after dropping off Lory back at ABS-CBN because she had to pull out for a taping slash staff outing scheduled at Zambales, jhoanna and I will just drop off at Philcoa and commute home. But because we were desirous and hungry to hear and share more kept and unheard stories of college years and estrangement due to demands of work, we all approved to detour and stayed at Joy’s place in Tandang Sora.

Our journey to Joy’s place was full of laughter, teasing, wild acts and impersonation of those people who made a mark in our lives! We were talking about any topic that pops out in our minds - stories of love, frustrations, dreams, hopes, and more personal dramas. In fact, we were also debating on what is the meaning of the word “pusikit” which accidentally slips off my tongue. We all just thought that the word “pusikit” is so interesting that it best describes some of today’s youth’s hidden angst, frustrations, and doubts making them, including us, speak up apprehensively.

Upon arriving at Joy’s house, laughing at the top of our lungs and still debating on some issues of our past, we all went inside and relaxed. Actually there’s something fishy that night when we arrived at joy’s house that I won’t mention anymore in this entry. I believe it was so private, right joy? Anyways, a little bit affected of the situation, Jhoanna called home to inform her mom that she will be arriving at 2:30 AM maximum, while I, recharging my energy, just informed my dad through text that I’ll be going home late and told him to lock the main door because I have a key duplicate with me. With everything legal, we stepped our way to another disturbing, unparalleled and undomesticated chikahan session!

Aside from the pictorial session spearheaded, and directed by self-confessed sexbomb wanna-be and PBB Mariel Rodriguez look-alike Joy, we all together unfolded the stories of our past- happy or sad. But more or more, it was night meant for cam whores like us with me as the photographer and Jho and Joy as the subject and object of fun and desire? If you’ll only see their picture, you’ll definitely drool on it! And to top it all, we made an intriguing and captivating brutality-themed pictures played by yours truly and joy. An award-winning pose of Jhoanna, as a baby, as a cripple, and as a victim of a landslide, made us fall laughing from our seats! It’s as if we were freed from a mental hospital or addicted to some drugs doing those acts!

Aside from the striking photo stints and role playing we had that night, we also talked tons of insights, thoughts and stories of the past, present and future. First, joy shared her work experiences at Victoria Court as an Executive Assistant while also enjoying her new found career as the assistant editor of the company’s newsletter. She even let us read her compositions and articles published in the freshly-baked newsletter. Based on my observation, still, Joy’s literary prowess has not either changed or diminished even after years of corporate exposure. She’s still the sweet, sensitive and madly-in-love writer of our batch, and her words, truly heart warming! In fact, one of joy’s dreams is to become a writer for television which I think is not so impossible to happen with her innate skills in writing. I just wish she fulfills that dream soon because she is really damn good! On the other hand, Joy also showed us her collection of dresses that she invests on- a haltered top embellished with beads, a shinny earth-colored new shoe from Manels, and some dresses she wear during special occasions. After digging joy’s wardrobe collection to rationalize her changing fashion sense, Jhoanna who is still skinny but glamorous as ever, shared her intimate past relationships and most cherished present commitments. She mentioned that her ex-boyfriend’s leg was already cut due to cancer and plans to visit him soon. However, with a positive and bright attitude, Jhoanna assured everyone of an everything-is-under-control feeling by revealing her blossoming relationship with a guy named (I forgot!). And so the question of tying the knot popped out. Unfortunately, no one was ready to talk it over especially me who doesn’t have any special someone in the first place to share my love with! Well, reality bites! Bottom line is, maybe we are still at the prime of our age where we are carefree yet aggressive with uncorrupted and fresh perspectives in life.

So after three hours of non-stop chit chat and ala-highschool retreat bonding, Jhoanna and I packed our bags and got ready to leave. It was already two am when I called the R and E taxi to fetch us at Tandang sora. While waiting, again and again, we took pictures of ourselves from every location we go- from the sala, to the garden, to the street and way up in the veranda- that lasted for almost an hour waiting for the taxi. Of course, side-by-side stories interrupted our ala- supermodels-wanna-be inspired activity.

With god’s help and gallons of patience, after waiting more than 2 hours, the taxi arrived at 4 am. And so we left joy’s house. I dropped off Jhoanna at UP and headed home with a joyous and rejuvenated self.

In a nutshell, once in a while, it’s nice to have a get-together with your closest friends because it does not only unleash the child in you that make you carefree and fall in the state of nirvana, it also brings you back to the past to remind you of who and what you used to be- loud, brave and simple. Also, it is a perfect a way of re-energizing and solidifying pieces of oneself that makes you a genuine and whole person! Undeniably, all through out this experience, I was again moved by God’s presence and power in continuously making reasonable and life-changing ways to make me happy and share that happiness to others. Also, I realized, sometimes, it’s not bad and really effective to eat, speak, laugh, entertain, act and think like a child for these are simple joys that makes life worth remembering!

True enough, we live in a world full of mundane aspirations where people search and equate the real meaning of happiness to material wealth, but in fact, happiness can be gained as a result of simplicity and humility that can materialize at the least expected point in our lives. I believe, our friends and family, though we sometimes take them for granted, are the real precious treasures to prove that happiness can be found by being and sharing moments with them. Thanks to Jho, Joy and Lory for sharing their time with me that painted a smile in my heart. Truly priceless!

Last week, from April 17 to 21, I did a “raket” as a booth assistant of a foreign exhibitor at the

World

Trade

Center

for the annual Manila FAME International. With this year’s theme,

Asia

’s Best Design Designation, Manila FAME International showcased the Filipino ingenuity by presenting Filipino world class products which utilizes indigenous materials fused with contemporary designs. Known for its grandeur and festivity, with over a hundred participating industries nationwide- arts and crafts, furniture, holiday décor, gift items and fashion accessories- Manila FAME International, unquestionably, lifted the Filipino creativity and resourcefulness to its zenith because hundreds of buyers and visitors from all over the world swarmed to spot the best designs, marketable items, and unique products competitively saleable to the international market. No wonder, Manila FAME International efforts paved way as positive feedback and opportunities flocked among Filipino exhibitors. Also, during the trade show, some world renowned designers were awarded for their craftsmanship, passion and innovation in aggressively creating matchless work of art - namely: Milo Naval, Tes Pasola, Tony Gonzales, and Reimon Gutierrez; Chito Prieto and Darwin Aviles were also recognized for their fresh perspectives in making Christmas and Holiday Décor. Nonetheless, true to its theme

Asia

’s Best Design Designation, Manila FAME International succeeded in showing the Filipino’s superlative talent.

Well, aside from the great finds and hot items that undeniably has ignited a streak of an interior designer spirit in me during the trade show, I think, one of the things that I will unforgettably cherish is the new set of friends I have had at the four-day exhibit. Honestly, the job would never be tolerable and enjoyable without these people. But before anything else, let me unveil to all of you the whole story of my raket escapade. Let me start with the statement…”It all began in a very humid Tuesday afternoon…”

Defending my title as “The late Earvs” for always being late in any meetings, gatherings or barkada kita kits, last April 17, nothing new, I arrived late at the East Pavillion of the

World

Trade

Center

. Upon arriving, gasping for air, I immediately approached the busy bunch of people setting up their booth. There, Cherry, the coordinator from CITEM, introduced me to the group and jokingly asked everyone what punishment I should get from coming in late. Since everyone was “considerate” and of course kinda introvert in expressing what they really feel,  they just all agreed to rebuff Cherry’s  statement, and instead  helped me out in “fashionably” decorating my booth which was located at the back area of the East Pavillion. While everyone was seriously mapping out how to “attractively” position the existing 8 “mini-posters” in an eight-paneled booth area, I got to know everyone one-by-one.  So there I met, Karina (assigned to

Italy

’s Fashion Booth and my kapitbahay at the back area of the exhibitors), Bheng (assigned to

India

’s handicrafts Trade Show), Con (assigned to

China

’s Trade Show), Ria (Assigned to Hongkong’s Trade event), Eloise (Assigned to

Spain

’s Fashion Exhibit) and Butch (I forgot his designation – sorry!).

Observing the way they speak and interact with each other, I came up with some first impressions in my mind.  Based on my observation, I thought, Bheng, Ria and Con are gregarious while Karina and Eloisa are soft-spoken and very poised. I was not mistaken! In fact they also fall under the category of being chikadora in an unbearable level! It’s just funny because I never expected we would create a super-glued type of friendship that is so genuine and hilarious. It’s as if we’re all soul mates contained in serendipity.

April 18, to save transportation fee and maintain my exercise habit, I woke up at 4 am and went with my father on his way to GSIS since The World Trade Center is near to his office. We arrived at around 5:56 am at GSIS and jogged at 6 am to 7 am.  Then by 8 am, I was on my way to the

World

Trade

Center

and at 8:30, I was logging in with my co-booth assistants.  All dressed up in formal outfit, I walked head up high not because this is the first day of another raket adventure but because I broke the record of always coming late in any occasion. For the first time, I was not late and in fact 30-minutes early on the agreed call time. Way to go! Because of that experience, I was very energetic as the trade show opened at 9 am.

I was assigned to man the Mexican Gift Show booth.  Compared to other participating foreign exhibitors promoting their upcoming trade shows, mine had the least number of promotional materials; I had only 230 leaflets which are to be divided for the four day event.  So what did I do to utilize the existing materials? Well, by using one of the rudimentary lessons in mathematics which is division, I divided the total number of leaflets into four. Paki-compute nga…

So the first day, since there were a lot of buyers, visitors and exhibitors that participated, I allotted 80 leaflets, all of which were taken. I also handed over some leaflets to participating local exhibitors under the arts and crafts categories at the

East Pavillion

to generate participants. Though the job entailed a lot of PR work, still, I got to enjoy it because aside from the fact I love talking and dealing with people, I also got to meet hundreds of Filipino exhibitors who has been producing exquisite and competitive all-natural products. At least by inviting them to join the Mexican Gift Show, with their products’ striking design and quality, they can advertise and showcase it to prospect foreign buyers. On the other hand, I collected all interested buyers, visitors and exhibitor’s business cards for the Mexican trade show’s references.

On the first day, I targeted exhibitors at the

East Pavillion

which are mostly under the arts and crafts category. In the afternoon, together with some of my co-booth assistants, we went to the

World

Trade

Center

and handed over invitations among exhibitors also under the arts and crafts category. Then on the second day, we went to PICC to distribute leaflets among fashion accessories exhibitors. And on the last day, transported through a shuttle bus, again, we went to PICC to invite selected holiday décor exhibitors. In a nutshell, my job was to service inquiries and invite prospective buyers, visitors and exhibitors interested in participating in the upcoming Mexican Gift show to be obviously held in

Mexico

.

My so called “raket” at the Manila FAME International, again, would not be as enjoyable and tolerable as I expected it to be without the few friends I have had at the four-day event.  Aside from jogging at GSIS every 6 to 7 am that gave each day a refreshing and rejuvenating appeal, plus an overwhelming feeling of not being late and harassed, truly, Karina, Bheng, Ria, Eloisa, Con, and Butch, who were also my lunch mates, lighted a candle of happiness in my heart. Of course, I would also like to include in this new found friends of mine -Dennis and Arnel. They were my “exhibiting neighbors” at the

East Pavillion

who always intrude my “booth-yard” to share with me their personal dramas in life, to the point they lost attention in helping their mom in transacting with buyers and visitors. These two men are certified pasaway!

There are tons of unforgettable moments that has affected me; Aside from acquiring new skills and work experience by being a booth representative of a foreign exhibitor, and absorbing the matchless international appeal of all Filipino products surrounding me, Su doku, a number placing game introduced to me by Karina, is one of those things that made a great impact on me - truly amazing.  I became so addicted in playing Su doku that in fact on the end of our third working day; I rushed to the mall to get a copy of it.  So expectedly, the following day, secretly just like what Karina strategically do, I was seriously learning and mastering the game. But don’t worry because I was able to manage my time- a time to play and a time to work! Until now, I’m very hooked playing su doku!

True enough, every story has to end, be it a happy or sad one. In our case, we call it perpetual because we believe we have created a friendship that is bound forever. So on the last day, before we bid a temporary farewell to each other, we had a sumptuous dinner and pig-out session at Aristocrat along

Roxas Boulevard

. After which, holding on to some shared stories and memories, we all went home with a joy in our hearts.  Bheng, Ria and Karina were there with me at Aristocrat.

In a nutshell, I know God navigates our lives by bringing us to different levels of experiences where we can meet people who may influence us or where we can learn lessons that can shape our sensibilities and perspectives, and even gain strength in testing our faith. But more importantly, God is teaching us ways to humble ourselves and find happiness even in the most unexpected and simplest event in our lives. As for me, my experience at the Manila FAME International is truly a blessing and I’m very thankful for it. I never regret taking the job because I did not only enjoy it but also, I gained friends who are real and just like me – unique! San ka pa!