‘Religious’ Government Offices

A couple of months ago, I went to Pag-Ibig Fund in Caloocan City branch to pay my dues. I noticed an altar in one of its offices at the second floor. The scenario is a strong imagery of a dominant religion’s inevitable influence in the government in terms of space.

An Altar at Pag-ibig (HDMF) Caloocan City Branch

Apart from being proud of one’s religion or projecting an image of religiosity, could this also be an intentional ploy for image management to subtly tell its members that our government is doing its job well because we respect God hence we have integrity? I opt not to be pessimistic because so far, compared with other government agencies that I have dealt with, I could really say that Pag-Ibig is quite organized and well-run.

In Valenzuela City, it is also a unique culture of its local government employees to display their faith. On Mondays, during flag raising ceremonies, bible verses are read and reflected on by certain Christian pastors. On Fridays, almost always without skip, Friday masses are held in different venues – AVR, amphitheatre, lobby, tax payer’s lounge, etc. I also learned that there are certain offices at the Geronimo Angeles Building (the Finance Building) that briefly pause their operation every afternoon for the three o’clock habit. While the radio is turned on and the loud prayer flutters on the airwaves, the employees stop whatever it is that they’re doing, for them to feel the presence of the Lord in their work space. If you’re a taxpayer who’d get to chance upon this scene, you’d probably quiver inside.

The 3 O'clock Prayer
Source: Pinterest

In our country, we often hear the notion of “Separation of Church and State.” Some say this should be reinforced, whatever this implies. The concept is profound and may be debatable. From a sheer observer’s perspective, most especially in small-scale practices, I see no harm in diligently exercising your faith. If your religion can guide you and remind you each day to behave accordingly and be upright in all government transactions, not only will you become a model employee of the institution you’re in, you’ll also become an effective handmaid of the Lord. It’s a win-win, whichever angle you look at.

A Family Tree is Money Tree

One unforgettable lesson I learned from the Gift of God Catholic Community is the notion that, whenever we need help, God is always sending us the aid that we need. A lot of times, we just need to use our “coconut shell” to figure out how to get through an uncomfortable situation.

At this point, my heaviest problem is on my mishandled finances. My loans cost more than what I am earning that’s why I have to keep several jobs.  Because of my situation, I have rubbed elbows with the loan sharks at work. During emergencies, every time I need money, I run to them to pawn my payroll ATM card so that I could have immediate cash. Although this is hassle-free, still, the interest can kill me big time if I continue this practice.

Good thing, I’ve been reading articles about managing finances and I read somewhere that if you want to save money from interests, you can borrow money from your relatives.

Here in the Philippines, the culture of close family ties resides. This culture helped me tremendously because through the help of my supportive relatives, little by little, I’m getting back on track. I was also able to buy three computer sets for my small printing shop through financial aids at “pay-when-able” basis.

I have proven to myself once more that in challenging situations, God will surely send help no matter how impossible the conditions may seem. We just need to open our eyes wider so that we could find God’s grace around. If at certain point we cannot comprehend the Lord’s message, all we need to do is to just continue to pray. For God will lead the way.

On this blog, I just want to say thank you to all my relatives and friends who continue to give me support. Indeed, there is sunshine after the storm. Thanks guys for sticking around.

Life Is A Press Release

I heard my wise friend once say, “Writing is therapeutic.” Maybe this is the reason why a lot of people, including me, post dramatic status on Facebook which sooner or later we also regret. Time and experience have taught me that while we may feel “free” every time we write; we should also be responsible netizens to avoid hurting others’ feelings. Once you use the social media platform to attack other people, it is already an indication that you’re a disturbed person on your way to self-destruction.

Lately, I have been reiterating that life is all about press release and image management. I often use our unsung heroes as examples of people whose names were never published in history books because they were ordinary folks who did not have access to the print media. There could have been braver and nobler Filipinos than Rizal and Bonifacio whose contributions remained unknown, simply because their contributions were never documented. Therefore, you have to document your significance while you can because you can’t expect others to do it for you.

While some people with seemingly ill reputation would say, “I do not have to explain myself to other people,” we also have to realize that we live in a judgmental world. Whatever you do, whether good or bad, you will be prejudged anyway. So you have to use your tools wisely to portray to the world the kind of image you want others to see in you. Conceal the bad and broadcast what’s good. Hopefully, you’d get to share more positive vibes. And of course, your real friends will be happy to also see you enjoying your life. Dwell not in self-pity, but rather, realize all the gifts around you from the Lord. 

"Not Your Usual Self"
This is my team's Halloween peg for our photoshoot.
Wear the mask of your choice so you could feel good about yourself.

Pokemon Day

My son adores Pokemon. He enjoys watching it on TV, he enjoys playing its computer game version, and the last time a book fair was held in his school, he also ordered a Pokemon activity book.

Upon being invited by my high school friends Madel and Jhet-jhet for their son’s Pokemon-themed seventh birthday, I committed right away to be at the event together with my son, Vladimir. True enough, he enjoyed the party big time!

The party was pretty impressive. One can truly feel the parents’ love for their child, Nathan. It is well-organized and everything inside the party can really make each guest enjoy.

At the entrance of the event’s venue, a photobooth and a nice backdrop greeted me and Vladimir. When we got in the activity area, a magician was already seizing the center stage. The performance was followed by a puppet show of a 39-year old ventriloquist. The children’s laughter was music to my ears and my son’s attentiveness to the show touched my heart because I know he was having fun. As for me, I headed to the buffet table to enjoy the palatable food served.  Yum!

Magic Show

Salon for Kids

New Buddies

Nathan’s birthday celebration was also an opportunity for our semi-high school reunion. I was glad to see my former schoolmates and it felt funny that all of us are now wearing older faces, now with our respective children and some with their current partners.

Soulmeytz Reunion

The birthday bash had an unexpected post-party activity – the balloon popping game! While the waiters were dismantling the place, the remaining children ran around the hall and popped every balloon within their reach. It became an opportunity for the children to play among themselves and interact freely. We, the parents, got contented to chit chat on the side while we observed the kids enjoy.

Balloon Popping Game

I saw on Nathan’s face that he was overwhelmed by all the fun stuff happening before his eyes. What a lucky kid to have Madel and Jhet-jhet as his parents... and of course Tita Rebbie and Tito Boy as his ever supportive grandparents.

France and I decided to bring our kids to arcade in SM North. My godchild Levi and his brother Jared became Vladimir’s instant buddies during our bonding moment. 

Jared hit a jackpot on a fishing game and Vladimir was able to win a Pikachu stuff toy at a clamping play station. I played once just to test if yellow is indeed my lucky color this year. And the color betting game proved the Chinese astrology right – I won 75 tickets in my one and only bet. Haha!

At World Of Fun’s redemption booth, we exchanged our tickets for spin tops and candies.

Pikachu & Pokeball Loot Bag

We ended our Pokemon Day with a brief early dinner at McDonalds and a joy ride with France’s dad on our way home. 

A Day in a Life of a Stage Mother

Before preparing myself to work this morning, I checked my Facebook to relax a bit. I know that I’m going to have a busy day ahead so I needed an early breather.

My son’s first Battle Of The Brains experience popped onto my Facebook’s memory timeline and for that, my entry today is about a day in a life of a backstage mama.

The Timeline Photo of Battle of the Brains 2015

Last week, I filed for a vacation leave at work to accompany my son to Our Lady of Lourdes College in Barangay Gen. T. de Leon, the host school for this year’s “battle.” My little boy was an alternate-contestant, and his team bagged 7^th place out of over 40 plus participants. Not bad.

It was a pleasant break away from my daily grind at the office because through this school activity, I was able to chit chat with my child’s teachers. I was also able to compare parenting notes with Gary, father of one of his classmates. I noticed that the grandmother of their Top 1 classmate was rather strict and competitive, so I avoided talking with her. I might not be able to contain her arrogance for I am equally airhead too. Haha!

The best part of the day was seeing my high school close friend there, France. She also accompanied my godson Levi, who’s also up for the contest.

We had the entire day for catching up! I mentioned to her that we’re already full blown adults for both of our issues have skyrocketed into a higher level. No more highschoolish problems. Both of us are facing more serious matters at hand. We agreed to see each other again soon at the Pokemon birthday bash of our common friend’s seventh birthday.

We parted ways when the Battle for grade one started. While she waited at the astrodome’s gates, I roamed around to take pictures of the venue.

Registration Area

Anxious stage parents are waiting outside the contest area

Our Lady of Lourdes College - Battle of the Brains 2016 host school

The following day, which was a Friday, Vladimir felt lazy to go to school. He asked me to text his teacher if he could have his rest day that day. I asked him what was there for him to rest about since he was only an alternate. He said he got tired of walking and playing. I weighed his request and texted his trainer. I thought, Fridays anyway are just play days for them. Upon his teacher’s reply that it’s okay for Vladimir to take a rest, my son yelled in triumph. Oh dear, he already knows to find excuses not to go to school. For some reason, I can’t get mad at my son. I’m rather proud actually that he’s showing signs of being practical.

Last night, I asked my son his preferred lunch. He reminded me, mom, we have no classes tomorrow. Right. The reminder was on his assignment notebook. He’s quite quick when it comes to holidays and class suspensions.

Hey son, sometimes I’m clueless with what I am supposed to do with you. Still I love you to the moon and back.

Pageants Galore

I am currently helping some colleagues at the City Social Welfare and Development Office in organizing the Women’s Month Celebration this coming March. One of its highlights will be the first ever beauty pageant for the horizontally challenged ladies, the “Binibining Bigatin 2016.” I was told that I’ll be one of the judges at the pre-pageant.

Perhaps they got the idea to invite me to sit with the panel when I mentioned that I have experienced judging for local pageants before. There were times when I had to bring my little boy because I got nobody to look after him at home. I opt to look at my situation as something positive because at least, I could expose my son to a “learning activity.”

Behave, baby.

I was browsing through the old photographs in my laptop files so that I could already discard the not-so-important-ones and at the same time, save some memory space. I chanced upon some photographs when I judged the pre-pageant of Binibining Malinta.

Opening Number

Swimsuit Competition

Intermission Number
(while the ladies are dressing up at the backstage)

Formal Wear Competition

I reckon, I told Vladimir that the reason why I brought him with me is because he shall be my official photographer. Since I will be judging the candidates, of course I can’t take pictures of the event. He excitedly agreed so I necklaced unto him my digicam before sending him off. I pointed him the specific spot where he could take pictures and I told him that he shouldn’t go anywhere farther than that. Good thing, my son is quite good in following instructions. I was glancing at his direction from time to time to make sure he was doing alright.

Vladimir's Photographed Candidate

I was a little horrified when he mentioned that the girls were “sexy.” I acknowledged his comment and tried to change the topic to make it appear that it’s no biggie. It occurred to me then that it’s about time that young children should be taught sexuality without hinting any malice so that it would be inculcated in them that all human beings really come in different forms and sizes. Regardless of the physical attribute, it’s still the character that matters.

One of my co-judges initiated a conversation with me and asked if I was the title holder in 2005 from UP Diliman. Upon saying yes, he added that he was one of our judges when I joined the same pageant. Wow. It was already 10 years ago but he can still remember me. I must have made that kind of impact. (Haha! Sorry for the bloated ego. I’m just making fun of myself.)

Stay lovely everyone!

Seventh Heaven At Sky Ranch

For the sake of Vladimir’s happiness for his seventh birthday, I agreed to his biological father’s invitation that we go out together last February 12. It was a pleasant family day which I am sure, my children will cherish forever in their lives.

Sky Ranch in San Fernando, Pampanga is a very ideal and convenient getaway for families. It is located adjacent to the mall, which means that almost everything that one would need for family enjoyment is all around.

Upon arriving there, we opted to make ourselves fully charged first by dining at Cabalen. We strolled around a bit to check the establishments there. After which, we proceeded to the Sky Ranch.

"piggy eater not a picky eater"

We chose the safe and boring rides because both my son and I are scared of heights. The ticket price ranges from Php50 to Php100.

Vladimir and his dad tried the Sky Cycle and Bumper Boat together.

Father & Son

Then the four of us tried the Express Train and the Carousel. The bright smile of my children, especially the amused look of my daughter, melted the mother’s heart in me.

"The Three Little Pigs"

Before leaving Pampanga, we went back to the mall for our last-minute stroll.

My son, who’s always hungry, asked us to buy him french fries. As I usually do, I asked him to do the purchase by himself so that he would become independent.

I also bought Krispy Krème doughnuts so that we’ll have something to munch when we get home.

I thanked my ex for the pleasant experience. It was an important episode in our son’s life so I had it documented for his future school use.