Feeling the Pinch

I used to enjoy doing the grocery but lately when all the prices of commodities are soaring high, the grocery is one place I dreaded the most. On my latest trip to the grocery, I only had few items in my grocery bag with a receipt of one thousand pesos plus plus. These are what I got in my bag: a kilo of purefoods hotdog, a small bottle cooking oil, 6 pieces burger patties, 6 pieces burger bun, a bottle of rubbing alcohol (biggest size), a pack of biscuits, a kilo of powdered orange juice, sandwich bags, bottle of 250ml shampoo and a tube of 250ml conditioner. Geezz, I didn’t even get to buy the basic commodity like meat, fish and rice.

My lola would often tell me stories about how things are simple and inexpensive back in her time. She has a lot of things in her possession that are really cheap. Imagine an original painting of a famous artist displayed at her dinning room which costs only 35 cents and her pair of bakya slippers which she still uses until now for only 1 cent. My lola would tell me that their life may be simple back then but they have the abundance of mother nature’s produce.

Gone are the days when almost all household would stack one sack of rice in a month. Gone are the days when a regular household can afford and cook special meals. It’s just horrifying to see almost all prices gone up. Though some can still afford to splurge from time to time, my family would start tightening the belts. In this time of crisis, we can’t afford to waste food, water, electricity, gas and money. With the house amortization to commence really soon, I’m starting to feel the financial pinch. Though I try not to stress about it too much coz there’s really nothing I can do to lower down these prices but I have listed down some strategies that might help in small and big ways.

* Cut on unnecessary purchases on material things like clothes, toys, gadgets etc.

* Instead of eating out at some fancy restos during weekends, prepare meals at home for the family to enjoy.

* This I started doing...instead of buying at the office canteen, pack up lunch and/or snacks to work. It’s good that we have a microwave oven at work.

* Limit use of appliances like television, dvd player, computer, electric iron, electric fan, lights and the fridge (which has to be defrosted every week).

* Yard sale (this will happen prior to the big move)...To clean up the closet and at least have some extra cash for some of my projects in the new house like landscape, new curtains etc.

* Ditch using car and start a trend of riding a bike in going to the office or elsewhere...Why not? We could save on gasoline, minimize pollution and good way to exercise.

I hope the government will also do something about this increase in commodities aside from giving away P500 bucks to less fortunate Filipinos which I think is just a temporary remedy. Why not come up with long term solutions to problems like implement compressed work schedule for some companies and government agencies. This will lessen fuel and electricity consumption.

Well, I'll think of some more creative ideas on how to deal with this pinch and update this list. Feel free to share some...

It's Raining Blog Badges

Thanks Feng, for these badges.

It's really my first time to receive these badges and it's simply amazing and heartwarming.

Sometimes, no words could best describe how we feel for all the people who touch our lives in many different ways. So, allow these badges to get through your hearts and minds.

I wish to share these to all my friends in my blogroll as well as my multiply contacts.

Bonding with Old Friends

I was super excited when Cathy texted me last Monday informing that she’s back from Algeria and inviting me and Alvie for lunch. The last time we hang out was during the baptism of her second son, Michael. Since we graduated college, a lot has changed and we have gone separate ways and finding each other’s niche in the community. There were times when we have lost touch for some reason but God will always find ways of bringing us together. And thanks to Friendster for somehow allowing us to get updates from each other’s lives from time to time. Cathy, Alvie and I have decided to settle in Cebu. It’s just a small city yet we seldom see each other maybe because of some priorities such as careers and family. However, we make it a point to at least bond especially during special occasions.

So, when we finally met last Saturday, it was one of those rare moments and it really felt like the old times. It was fun catching up on each other’s lives and sharing notes about parenting, motherhood, wifey stuff (like sex…of course not every detail of it haha) and our children. I even joked that we used to talk about thesis and school stuff but now, it's a different level. Then we go down memory lane reminiscing our college adventures and misadventures. Then we talked about those who were absent --- Cecil and Beth who are now based in Singapore and Dubai respectively.

In many ways, I realized that we have grown leaps and bounds. We now have a more mature outlook in life and our responsibilities have become complex. But one thing that never really changed…it’s the friendship that we have nurtured all these years despite the distance, despite time, despite the many changes in our lives.

Some living proofs of the many changes...no less than the kids.

Gabriel (Cathy's eldest) and my Alex

tabaching-ching Michael (Cathy's second)

If there’s one thing in my life that I am always grateful about, that would be having met these girls and sharing a part of my life with them. I look forward to some bonding moments in the future and our upcoming reunion sometime November, December or January. Hopefully, by that time the five of us will all be present.

Bitching is actually not my game...

Or is it?

When taxi drivers overcharge me for a route I take everyday, I complain and insist on paying my usual charge. Is that bitching?

When an officemate constantly keeps the office shuttle and its passengers waiting and remarks that those waiting shouldn’t complain blah blah. Is it bitching when you call her attention?

While doing your work and this maintenance guy stands in-front of you, stares at you, looks at what you’re doing then says “puwede magpa-load mam?” You look at him with eyebrows raised…now, that’s bitching!

There are times when I can’t contain my bluntness and my looks reflect so much about my emotions. If looks could kill, I could have killed that maintenance guy a long time ago. There are people who really get into my nerves and could be very irritating. They are always the receiving end of my wrath. At home, I’m as meek as a lamb but in the office, I could be brutally frank and aloof. It all depends on the people I deal with. If they're nice, I could be a darling. But people who thinks and acts as if the world evolves around them are not my favorite people. In fact, I despise them and as much as possible, I stay away from them. I’m not one who lambastes at an individual without any reason at all. I could be a bitch for the appropriate reasons and persons.

That's basically...ME!

Tribute to the Boss(es)

Did you ever know that you're my hero,

and ev'rything I would like to be?

I can fly higher than an eagle,

'cause you are the wind beneath my wings.

~ Bette Midler ~

Call it luck but in my life, I've been really blessed with two amazing lady bosses. They have been very instrumental for whatever I have become now. With that, I will always be thankful to these two women for shaping me into somebody, for pushing me to the limits and for bringing out the best in me. And for all the executives and bosses behind the secretaries and admin professionals... THANK YOU!!!

Here's sharing some photos during last Friday's tribute to our bosses @ City Sports Club...More photos HERE.

secretaries turned executives (except me)...left to right Mam Fili, JPL, moi, Ms. O and Ms. Veradrama ang beauty

ladies in black and blue

newbies

Hola Espańa

After visiting some pillars of the Philippine Association of Secretaries & Admin Professionals, we treated ourselves to a hearty lunch at Hola Espańa. It was actually my first time to visit the place and I was clueless of what to order. My taste for Spanish or Mexican food is limited to arroz caldo, lengua, estofado, paella, chimichangas or pizza. I just settled for spaghetti carbonara since I was having lbm at that very moment. But the carbonara was a bad idea as I have to run to the restroom just as we were about to leave. I just made some excuses that I was changing sanitary naps since I was in the toilet for so long relieving myself. Well, part of it is true but that's another sordid story that I won't share any further.

The resto is a quaint little place with very Spanish and Mexican interior. The waiters look like bull fighters sans the hat and cape while the waitresses look like flamenco dancers. And they were really very polite. Though I only tried the carbonara and gambas, I bet everything on their menu tastes really good. If you want a taste of Spain and Mexico, check out the place...it's located in Banilad Road going to Ma. Luisa...just a stone's throw away from Gustavian.

Upon stepping out of the place, it's good to hear their crew saying gracias altogether. We cant' help answering back de nada.

Despite the lbm, I've managed to take a few photos of the place.

Beware

Beware of this woman who claims to be a rich balikbayan and brags about having a car and staying in a posh hotel. Her modus operandi is that she'll borrow something from you - expensive items or cash. Of course, after making you believe that she's well-off, you will find yourself giving her what she's asking for. Then she disappears without a trace. She goes by the name Giselle but uses other names such as Charli.

Hubby's encounter with her started when they accidentally bumped into each other in Ayala last week. They were classmates in elementary. After a little "kumustahan" and exchange of numbers, they went on their separate ways. She was bragging about her riches and all and shared her intent of buying a house and lot in near the beach. So, hubby referred her to our broker who eventually made her checked a twenty-million peso fully furnished house in Mactan. Our broker was made to believe that she's really buying the house and take note - on spot cash ha! In the process of checking the house, she borrowed a lot of stuff from the owner and even from our broker. She borrowed a digicam, cellphone, two thousand five hundred pesos and another one thousand pesos. After getting all the items, she talked it out with them and made many excuses which they really believed. The day ends and she was gone and never answered any of our broker's phonecalls. Our broker suspected that hubby was involved since he was the one who referred Giselle to him. Hubby, oblivious of Giselle's personality and history, investigated further and discovered that Giselle was a notorious swindler. She was once imprisoned because she was involved in a swindling activity. Friday night, they were able to trace her whereabouts and was able to retrieve the items but not the cash. As expected, she was making a lot of excuses and alibis. The bad thing though was that they weren't able to contact the police during the entrapment. Thus, this woman is still out there just waiting for her next victim.

Sisters

(Quadro Marias -- Matet, Magee, Moi & Maryann)

"Sisterhood is many things. It's warm smile on a cold rainy day, a friendly hug, a cheerful hello...It's all that a good and lasting friendship is, only better. It's treasured. It's sacred. It's knowing that there will always be someone there for you. It's dreams shared and goals achieved. It's counting on others and being counted on. It is real."

Last night, I had one of those moments when I felt that having a sister is a blessing rather than a curse. I had the best talk ever with my sister Magee. No bickering this time. Just talking and laughing about the silly things we did when we were still kids. Yeah, nostalgic indeed. We also talked about serious stuff too like sharing our frustrations about our other sisters who live with us. Being the eldest (me) and the second (Magee) in the brood of five and already working, we were responsible for our other siblings who are still studying. Two of them are still college students at USC. Maryann (3rd sib) is staying with me while Matet (4th sib) is staying with Magee. Both have different personalities and sometimes the pain in our asses. Sometimes we just wished that our parents are here in Cebu coz it's not easy raising grown-ups. But we are designated by our parents to be our sister's keepers so we have to live up to their expectations and that includes being uncool and killjoy sometimes.

Our talk moved into more deeper topics like careers and jobs and goals and plans in the future and her recent goiter operation. It was a heartwarming talk indeed. At 3am, we called it a night (or rather dawn). I hope we have more of these little talks coz sometimes we always find ourselves arguing and bickering like we used to be when we're still kids.

Infidelity in Marriage

One of the most painful experiences we go through in our marriage and perhaps in LIFE is finding out your better half is cheating on you. Worst is when he or she admits to the mistake.

I am not talking about my own marriage here. Knock on wood…God forbids!

I am talking about a friend whose marriage is about to fall because of her husband’s infidelity. Last Saturday, I received a message from her asking me if I have any knowledge whatsoever about her husband having an affair with another woman. She said she’s been hearing rumors from other people about the affair but she wanted to investigate further. She also told me that they suddenly drifted apart and they’re not in good speaking terms the past six months.

The following day, she sent me another message informing that her husband admitted to the crime so to speak and that even my husband knows about the affair. What a shame! But my husband told me that he doesn’t want to complicate things and stick his nose in their situation -- the reason for his silence.

I really don’t know the reasons behind the problems in their marriage but cheating on your spouse is totally taboo. If I were in her shoes, I would definitely feel devastated and I would fight hell for my right as a wife to the extent of killing b**ches who gets in the way. And these cheating husbands should also be taught some lessons. I used to think that her husband is the sanest among their barkada but I guess men will always be men. They easily succumb to temptations especially when it comes to women. I’ve personally talked to my friend yesterday and she admitted that perhaps she is to be blamed as well. The culprit has been they fail to find TIME for each other. She was focused on her career trying to support her family’s needs while her husband is passionately managing a resto-bar and a mistress. She said she doesn’t deserve all these crap and even thinks of ending the marriage. I told her to hang on if she thinks it is still worth it. As the song goes, “Don’t give in without a fight”.

At some point in our marriage, I had doubts about my husband having an affair. My self-esteem was quite low at that time and I had this insane suspicion that he’s replacing me for some hot chick in his friendster network. I even tried some crazy stuff just to gather some proof but they weren’t strong enough to support my allegation. So, I just allowed the issue to die. And here we are still holding on. Circumstances like these make me hang on to our marriage and love my husband even more. I do have doubts sometimes considering his profession but more than that I trust him to be faithful all the time. It’s the trust that’s really important. He may look at other girls in a lustful way but at the end of the day, he will always come home to me.

Marketing Christmas Party

Thanks Marketing peeps for inviting (read:adopting) the admin, encoder, it dev and pre-press team to your party. We sure had fun. Handuraw Cafe' is just the perfect venue for the party as we have lots of props to use for the photo ops. The food was also great. There's so much laughter in the air and the company was wondreful--- that defines what a P A R T Y is all about.

However, me and Rapeh have to rush back to the office to work thus our partying was cut short. I would have wanted to go back and rejoin them after work but I've got so much things to bring. Though short, it is still one of the best parties I've attended this year.


Cheers!















using Handuraw items as fashion props















vietkong???

muni-muni by the window



















some items sold @ Handuraw - perfect gifts this Christmas


More craziness here...

Table 7 @ Larshan

Napad-pad sa Larshan Hernan Cortes ang grupong Table 7 aron manihapon. Dugay-dugay na pod ni nga plano adto unta sa “Jun-jun and Malou” pero karon lang gyud nahitabo. Salamat sa among mga drivers nga ginganlan ug Totski ug FranG sa pagkarga namu padulong didto…murag bug-at sad ang mga karga padulong ug pabalik.



Sa uban nga wala pa nasayod, ang Larshan Hernan Cortes bag-o lang gyud gi-open. Parehas ra pod ni ug style sa larshan fuente ug larshan paseo --- grill pork, chicken, fish, liver ug uban parte sa lawas sa baboy ug manok nga gisugba ang naa sa ilang menu. Daghan pod stalls naa didto…barato ra man gud ang abangan. Imagine, P4k lang a month ang renta sa stalls.

Pero kung adto ka mukaon, kinahanglan nga isog-isog ka ug tiyan kay wala sad ta masayod kung natarong pag-prepare ang ilang gibaligya.

You also need to follow these time-tested tips:

1.Dapat mag-hugas sa kamot sa dili pa mukaon.


2.Dapat magsul-ob ug saktong proteksyon sa kamot inig kaon…a.k.a plastic gloves.


3. Take note kung pila ka puso (hanging rice) ang imong nakaon. Honesty is the best policy.


4. Dili puwede ang diet-diet…kaon tamans ginhawa.


5. Ayaw kalimot sa softdrinks...perfect combination sa grilled barbeque


6. Kinahanglan maglinya kung mugamit sa CR.


7. Ayaw kalimot sa paghulog ug piso human gamit sa CR.


8. Ayaw kalimot ug bayad kay lisod na.


9. Smile for the camera.


10. Don’t forget to spray cologne/perfume all over your body kay baho na kaayo kag larshan.


Bitaw, pasensya na…wa jud klaro akong mga tips.

Why Table 7?

Table 7 is a group of Xl employees from various departments (Finance, Sales, Admin, HR, Audit and Marketing) who convene every 7:00 PM for dinner. They would often discuss their many sentiments about their respective jobs, their bosses, their colleagues. They started this group way back Mango time and they continue to increase in number though some have left the company for good.

More stories about Table 7 coming at yah soon...

A Gathering of GS Talents

There were a lot of reasons to celebrate that night and I’m glad the gathering was finally set after several postponements. Thanks to Herbelle – our official events coordinator for the text brigades and reminders. Big thanks to JPL for being our ever-generous host in her cozy Mahogany Grove residence.(pics to follow --- Glaze, please upload them asap)

One thing common about us is that we’re all “ex-GS talents” and has remained friends despite us employed at different companies. We always touch based with each other and hold little gatherings to celebrate victories and special occasions. There were 3 reasons to celebrate that night: 1. Kristine’s despedida (she’s off to Ausie to join her family) 2. Anabelle’s upcoming wedding (of course, we also scheduled a separate bridal shower sometime September) 3. My promotion (t’was JPL who made the announcement).

It was good traveling down memory lane and refresh old memories while we’re still with GS. We had a good laugh talking about our many bloopers and “pasaway” moments, sulk about bitter experiences and back-bite our previous employer over a bottle of red wine that got “Ano” drunk. It was also a time to catch up on each other’s lives and brag about our “after-GS” lives. Most of us love the life we now have veering away from the life we used to have with GS. Life at GS is not at all heaven but it wasn’t pure hell too. With due respect, GS brought us leaps and bounds in our respective careers and prep us for the bigger world.

Good food, fine wine, good company and a bit of nostalgia just made the night perfect. I look forward to more of these in the coming days.

Reminiscin' the good old days @ GS








The formidable "etch arr" team

Now and then

Just recently, I got reunited with my college friends via email. It’s such a wonderful feeling hearing from them and knowing what their lives have been after college. Though we get to communicate from time to time through text or phone calls but the email thing was almost impossible what with Beth who is a self-proclaimed internet un-savvy.

After graduation, we went on our separate ways, trying to find a place in the community. Fresh from the cradles of STC, we were eager to spread our wings.

I landed a job at GS and stayed there for almost 5 years. Then I moved out and transferred to my present employer. I got married and had a kid. My life is not as exciting as that of my other classmates but I’m happy.

For a while, Beth and I became officemates in GS. She moved to another division before she decided to leave the job. She went to Manila and carved her future there. Beth’s life was dramatic. She lost her mom to cancer 3 years ago. She got herself pregnant to an “attached” man. Her many failures didn’t stopped her from chasing her dreams. I want her to come back to Cebu so I could watch over her every decisions.

Alvie is the only person in the barkada who went back to her roots. After college, she went home and took care of her ailing mom. She finished her Masters degree and earned some units in education. Right now, I am proud to say that Alvie started the Mass Communication curriculum in her high school alma mater. I also learned from her that she finally got a boyfriend ---- it’s her first.

Among us, Cecil has always been “the financially blessed” --- rich girl so to speak. Where is Cecil now? She’s in Dubai multiplying her riches. Talk about one lucky girl --- she also brags about her cute boyfriend. Hope to hear wedding bells soon…

Cathy --- she’s the baby in the group because she’s younger in age and in maturity. Like Alvie, Cathy also heeded the call of teaching. For a while, she worked in an accounting/ auditing firm as executive assistant. She gave up the position and proceeded to take on some units in education. She is now a full-pledged teacher in Indonesia. This girl’s getting married in January next year.

It has been more than five years and I just find it so amazing to know what life has been for the five of us – Beth, Alvie, Cecil, Cathy and me. Looking back when we first stepped in the corridors of STC, fears were building inside us but it vanished just seeing the warm smiles of these ladies we now call friends. College life was tough --- COM classes with Madam Abanto, history and philosophy classes, defending our thesis. But I bet, it was fun too --- photojournalism with Sir Ben, theater with Ms. Baad, Kilig Moments with Sir Leo, sportswriting with Sir Nimrod, lunches at the canteen, group study at the Greenhouse and library and some “leakages” from time to time, practicum at various media outfits. I just couldn’t imagine what college life would be having shared it with other set of friends. Sure, we had friends from other circles but the kind of friendship that we have was beyond the so-called friendship --- we were like sisters. We are each other’s source of strength. If it were not for each other, we wouldn’t have survived college life.
Thank you girls for being a part of my life! I know it would be difficult to bring back what we have before having lived separate lives now but it would be worthwhile to just bring back memories from time to time.

Please, let’s keep in touch!


Fresh from high school...virgin pa!



so young and innocent...now no more!

So Long, Tropa

Promise, this will be my last write up about the issue. I’ve been writing topics about cheating and hurting and moving on since I started my blog in March. Sure, it’s an interesting topic to write but its kinda’ distressing especially when you know so well the people involved. It even came to a point when my own relationship was affected since I tend to stereotype men including my own husband as cheaters and has this hobby playing with somebody else’s feelings.

Or was I just trying to sensationalize events the way showbiz people do? I know for a fact that it has been tough especially for the people directly or indirectly involved.

Everything seems to be ok these past weeks after that dreadful night in Vudu. We started to go out again as a group or should I say --- as a family. But then, there are just these crazy people trying to destroy this family --- people outside the circle. What makes it more painful though is that there are those who rightfully belong to this family who in one way or another supports the destruction. The same people we considered “friends” who without any bit of regret just took this family for granted.

I know things will never be the same again. I, for one no longer wants to be associated with this group (except to my husband of course!). I couldn’t help but feel sorry for what could’ve been a wonderful family. Sayang!

Da Vinci’s club will continue to hang-out… that’s for sure. But the “tropa”? Naaahhh!

Before I finally wrap up this post, I have no regrets having met these people:

The girls

Et
wounded soul


joni (2nd from right)
one lucky momma


kate
survivor and fighter


me
drama queen

The Guys

Earl
my honest to goodness husband


bugoi
inconsistent… uncertain


Paul
life of a party…user?


Ahloie – cheater; fucker


Eden (1st from left)
RnB guy…Johnny Bravo for life

Louie (1st from right)
the most sensible person in the group


I don’t wanna jump into conclusions though…Maybe it isn’t over yet…. I’m still hopeful that there’s a light at the end of the tunnel and that in time issues will be resolved.