Funny Question No. 12. What was the worst punishment you received at school?

This question is one of the 25 Funny Questions which was sent to me by a head hunter.  I never expected them to send funny questions since it’s considered that recruiting is a serious business.  But who cares so here’s my two cents of that question.

I remember Tommy Tigulo, our English Teacher when I was in my first year of high school. He was kind of abusive because he’ll just throw the blackboard eraser your head if in case he suspects you of being rowdy in class.  I was not the rebel type then so it was very humiliating for me.  

Funny Question No. 11. What, if anything, have you ever re-gifted?

This question is one of the 25 Funny Questions which was sent to me by a head hunter.  I never expected them to send funny questions since it’s considered that recruiting is a serious business.  But who cares so here’s my two cents of that question.

No. I have few friends and I don’t really encourage gift giving.  It’ll just ruin their respective budgets.  OFWs have responsibilities back home and asking gifts are just an imposition.  There are far more important things in this world.  So, I hardly receive gifts hence, I can’t re-gift.

Funny Question No. 10. What is your favorite cereal?

This question is one of the 25 Funny Questions which was sent to me by a head hunter.  I never expected them to send funny questions since it’s considered that recruiting is a serious business.  But who cares so here’s my two cents of that question.

None. I’m a full blooded Asian. I can live without cereals but can’t without rice.

Funny Question No. 9. What is the nerdiest thing you do in your spare time?

This question is one of the 25 Funny Questions which was sent to me by a head hunter.  I never expected them to send funny questions since it’s considered that recruiting is a serious business.  But who cares so here’s my two cents of that question.

I try to read novels during weekends but I don’t consider it as geeky or nerdy.  It’s only geeky or nerdy if the subject matter is too academic.

Funny Question No. 8. What is the oldest thing in your refrigerator?

This question is one of the 25 Funny Questions which was sent to me by a head hunter.  I never expected them to send funny questions since it’s considered that recruiting is a serious business.  But who cares so here’s my two cents of that question.

Believe it or not, it’s not food but Suppositories. LOL.  If I’m stressed out, I’ll be constipated so I needed it until I discovered the ‘Kancura Tea’ through Andrew.

Funny Question No. 7. Can you play any instruments?

This question is one of the 25 Funny Questions which was sent to me by a head hunter.  I never expected them to send funny questions since it’s considered that recruiting is a serious business.  But who cares so here’s my two cents of that question.

I can’t play.  I never had the opportunity and don’t have the patience to learn.  You are only drawn to instruments if you’re musically inclined.  I was never a good singer and I never had any interest in playing instruments.  If I can turn back the time it would have been better if I learned to play an instrument.

Funny Question No. 6. How old is the oldest pair of shoes in your closet?

This question is one of the 25 Funny Questions which was sent to me by a head hunter.  I never expected them to send funny questions since it’s considered that recruiting is a serious business.  But who cares so here’s my two cents of that question.

I wear shoes until they’re worn out and I don’t keep them, I throw them away.  The oldest shoes I have in my closet are about 2 years old.  They’re mostly Italian made and I wore them in the office.  The shoes I wear for walking don’t last that much.  

Funny Question No. 5. What was your favorite toy as a kid?

This question is one of the 25 Funny Questions which was sent to me by a head hunter.  I never expected them to send funny questions since it’s considered that recruiting is a serious business.  But who cares so here’s my two cents of that question.

I could not really remember what my favourite toy was while I was growing up.  I grew up in a farming community and we play with what nature gave us.  Our marbles are the seeds of the rubber tree while our toy guns are made of banana trunk.  I did remember though that Dad made a wooden truck for me.  We were always horse playing with the neighbourhood kids most of the time and I really did not miss growing up without expensive toys.

Funny Question No. 4. Choose a movie title for the story of your life.

This question is one of the 25 Funny Questions which was sent to me by a head hunter.  I never expected them to send funny questions since it’s considered that recruiting is a serious business.  But who cares so here’s my two cents of that question.

If there’s a very appropriate movie title for the story of my life, it would be, Linktik lang ang Walang Ganti.  I could hardly remember the storyline of that movie but the hero was able to get back to those who have done him wrong. 

Life is a battlefield.  There was one battle that I thought that I was going to lose.  However, with prayers and good people around, I survived.  I was not unscathed though, scars are everywhere and it took a while for me to fully recover.  The hell I went through made me who I am today, sure of myself more and unafraid.  What is the worst thing that could happen to a person than facing death himself?    

Funny Question No. 3. What was your favorite TV show when growing up?

This question is one of the 25 Funny Questions which was sent to me by a head hunter.  I never expected them to send funny questions since it’s considered that recruiting is a serious business.  But who cares so here’s my two cents of that question.

I was not really that fond of TV when I was growing up but I remember that we owned a big black and white TV.  I was more drawn into playing with the neighbourhood kids than watching TV.  I can barely remember the shows being shown and the actors.

Funny Question No. 2. Which storybook/cartoon character turns you on the most?

This question is one of the 25 Funny Questions which was sent to me by a head hunter.  I never expected them to send funny questions since it’s considered that recruiting is a serious business.  But who cares so here’s my two cents of that question.

I don’t have a particular cartoon character that turns me on but I’m a fan of the Japanese Hentai.  For me, hentai is better than the hard core blue flicks.  I do love Naruto but it’s just plain admiration and I was never turned on by watching him.  

Funny Question No. 1. At which store would you like to max-out your credit card?

This question is one of the 25 Funny Questions which was sent to me by a head hunter.  I never expected them to send funny questions since it’s considered that recruiting is a serious business.  But who cares so here’s my two cents of that question.

I’ve always been a conservative.  I don’t splurge and I don’t overspend.  I live in the mantra that you only spend what you earn.  For me, overspending is just like wasting all the graces that God has bestowed on you.  I consider credit cards as a buffer fund, a tool that will help me if things are going to be difficult. 

However, If I’m not who I am I’ll probably be spending on household furniture at the Ikea.  Thrifty as I am, I need to change everything in my current apartment from my descent single bed to a double bed, new wardrobe, new credenza and new appliances.

Moving on…

I don’t want to regret all the decision that I made.  I’ve always believe that good or bad, those decisions were made because it’s what the universe says.  The reason why I went with the flow when D. says we’re moving to a shared apartment was that I felt that at that time, it was the right time to move.  I left the studio flat near Saudi Fisheries in Subeka because I got sick there.  Part of me believed that it had something to do with the flat where I was staying.  That’s the reason why till today, I never regretted moving out from that flat.

I stayed with D. for almost two years in the Prince Abdullah apartment that we shared.  Although I had to deal with Ds cats, I never complained about it.  Since I walk daily to the office, it’s also nearer, like it’ll take me 40 – 45 minutes from the apartment to our Prince Abdullah flat.  We had an alright set up there and so far so good.  I would love for it to remain that way but then, Ds decided to bring his Saudi friend to our shared apartment and that changed everything.

For several days during the month of April, I’ve noticed and was alarmed by the constant visitations.  In the Kingdom of the Sands, anything could happen.  I was tensed every time my flat mate had visitation that eventually I decided to move out.  I am not a kill joy or anything but I had to think of my own safety.  In the Kingdom of the Sands, these kinds of stuff are not tolerated and if you’re lucky, you’ll spend your glory days in the Saudi jail.  I wouldn’t have minded if his visitors are kabayans.

When I had the chance to talk to my manager, he says that I should move out right away.  He says that I already have a capability to pay for a decent apartment.  He says that if something happens to me there, he could not defend me.  I will also forfeit my ‘End of Service Benefits’ if in case, our house is raided.  I wouldn’t have minded if I were doing naughty things too but I am not like that.  I can still be rational that I would never do such things. 

I am free now, free from the danger that D has subjected me. I don’t want to condemn him but I was uneasy with what he did.  My anger has subsided now but it’ll take some time before I can speak to him again.  It was not easy being tensed all time so I suffered in silence.

I have a good feeling with my new flat.  I want to keep the energy positive.  

Krung Krung Moments

Last Tuesday, 16 April 2013, at 8:05 PM I wrote this email to my boss:

Dear Boss,

For the past few months I haven't been feeling so well.  I think I'm stressed and my body can feel it.  I don't think I can anymore handle the demands of my current work.  I'm afraid that if I continue to do this I'm going to have a relapse of the disease that I had 2 years ago.  I'm not young anymore and I can't cope up with multitasking.  

If you will allow it, I would like to look for a position within the Group.  I hope you would understand.

Regards,

Ilonggo sa Desyerto

I did report to work the following day since I applied for a leave to process some personal documents with the Philippine Embassy in Riyadh.  I took an early morning train to Riyadh the following day.  At 9:01 A.M. my boss called saying that he doesn’t want to lose me and that he’ll talk to me on Saturday.  I reported to work on Saturday but he never talked to me.  On Sunday, he left for Lebanon without talking to me.

It’s not that I’m exaggerating what I’m currently feeling.  I recognized that I’m very stressed due to workload.  There was a point where I really enjoyed what I’m doing but recently, what I’m doing becomes a drag.  I don’t enjoy it anymore. 

Strangely, all the reservations and stress that I had were all gone when the boss left for Lebanon.  It could be that he’s causing this stress.  That’s why I don’t look forward of his return.  There’s a big chance that I’ll be stressed once again.

Daddy’s legacy

When I learned that my mother was planning to sell Daddy’s land in San Fernando, I was furious.  My father was a farmer and for a farmer, selling his own land is the worst thing that could ever happen to a farmer.  I based my decision on what would Dad feel if we sell his land and so I really refused the proposal. 

My mother has actually sent the deed of sale to my sister Bam in Manila so she and I could sign the papers.  I initially told my sister not to sign the document so they could not sell the land.  The parcel of land was priced higher since the Province relocated the town proper adjacent to where my father’s land is situated.  The property developer is willing to pay Php.2 M for Dad’s land.  It would have been easy to sign and let go if my mother would buy another land to compensate for the one that they intend to sell.  However, she has told my other siblings that as a wife, she is entitled to half of the amount which is Php. 1 M.  She also said that she is also entitled to the 1/6 of the remaining Php. 1 M.  That leaves us with Php. 167K each.  My mother will walk away with Php. 1,167,000 with the sale of Daddy’s land while we will get to receive Php. 167K each.  Believe me, it was not all about money.  I’m earning good money right now and I just felt that selling Daddy’s land will put his legacy into waste.

What can we buy with Php. 167K?  Nothing.  That’s almost the same amount I splurged during my annual vacation.  What I’m saying is that the money will be put to nothing.

Our eldest brother Toto however thinks that nobody could stop our mother.  She’ll insist on selling the land and the story would not end there.  Tam-an na kasabad so he gave up.  Let the old woman have her way.  I am not really interested with the money but in the end, I did agree with my eldest brother to have the old woman have her way.  I asked my sister Bam to sign the deed of sale and also to sign on my behalf.  I told her to forge my signature if she has to.  If she sends the document here, it’ll cost her money.  So, she did everything and even had the document notarized. 

I still thought about how Dad would feel but there’s no use really.  If selling of that land would make my mother happy, I’ll let her.  Her offspring should not stop her.  At least I now have an excuse not to send money to her.  With that money that she can get from the sale of Dad’s property, I think she’ll be able to provide for herself.  I just hope though that she’ll make good use of the money.  It’s about time that I save for my future.  I’ve started saving but what’s wrong with saving more, right?  I’ve been thinking recently of purchasing a property in Iloilo City where I’ll spend my retirement days.  Away from distractions, away from those who are masabad.

Pope Francis I

Pope Francis I

I label myself as a returning Catholic.  There was a point in my life that I just don’t want anything to do with the faith where I was brought up.  However, I’ve realized that you can’t get away with who you are and you just have to accept that, I guess.  My near death experience from the past changed everything including my perspective on faith and life.  I however believe that there’s only one God, and to some, that’s a cafeteria Catholicism where you just choose whatever you like on your faith.

The 2013 conclave to elect a new Pope was not as emotional as it was during the 2005 conclave.  I think it’s partly because the Pope Emeritus did not die, he just retired.  I was so looking forward to see the ceremony, the smoke on the chimney and all.  I was not disappointed because despite how wired our current world is, the Vatican did not fail us in staging the biggest pageantry of the year, the proclamation of its new pope.

I wasn’t disappointed when Jorge Cardinal Bergoglio was selected by the College of Cardinals.  He’s the first Jesuits and the first Pope from the Americas.  It would have been nice if they selected an African or an Asian Pope but I was happy nevertheless that he didn’t come from the powerful Roman Curia (or Italian).  The new pope is a humble man who has compassion to serve his people. 

I pray to God that He will help Pope Francis in dispensing his duties to his religious flock.

Sad :(

In this posting I will try to avoid the use of the pronoun.  

Let’s just call this person Orange as reference. I was just being myself when I choose to reject the apparent developing relationship with Orange.  I was thinking of the possible heartaches I will be dealing if Orange leaves the Kingdom of the Sands in five months’ time.  I kept my distance and avoided intimacy.  Orange never suspected anything strange for the past weeks.

I was surprised last Sunday morning when Orange told me that they (I’m avoiding using pronoun again) along those who complained to the Saudi Labor Office are being sent home.  Orange asked to see me for the last time that evening.  I was busy assisting the training the whole day but rushed home to see Orange.  We talked a lot and I advised Orange (again avoiding the pronoun) that should they reach Manila, they should just go back to their respective hometowns.   What they were planning was to log a complaint to the POEA and the DOLE against the agent that sent them for contract violation.  I told Orange that filing a case and waiting for the case resolution would just be a waste of time and money.  The best thing that they could do is to, as I’ve suggested, go home, take the needed rest and reapply for another job elsewhere in the world.

After we ate our dinner, I let Orange go.  When Orange left, I just couldn’t express how I felt.  Sadness filled my heart but on the other hand, happy because Orange can finally leave hell.  The following day was not better either.  Today’s day three and I’m still sad.  I am beginning to think that I really love Orange. 

I told D and Nilo about it and they just said arte lang iyan LOL.

Forcing yourself on people

“You don’t force yourself on people.  If you do, you have a void in your life that you want to fill… and that’s sad.” 

I don’t force myself on people.  I've already come to a point where I’m tired of pleasing others.  I've been through hell and back and if today is the last day of my existence, I will not spend it pleasing others who do not care about me.  Don’t get me wrong though.  I’m not mean and I don’t want to be mean to people who did not do anything to me.  If I can get rid and cut ties with some of my family members, it’ll be easier to cut ties with people whom I just met here in the Kingdom of the Sands.

I don’t force myself on people because I don’t owe my existence to them.  It was thanks to God, and my parents that I was born in this world.  The lifestyle, monies, savings and all the goods that come to me are because of the company that I’m working for.  If I’m doing well with my career, they’re all thanks to my bosses and my hard work.  I’ve always prayed to God that I’ll be generous and I think, in my own way, I am.  And by the way, whatever I’m enjoying today could also be taken away, I just don’t know when, but since I’m in Saudi Arabia, that’s the main reason why I’m always preparing for the worst.

I just have one advice to whoever you are, you can’t bring me down.  I’ve seen worst, I’ve been through hell and what you are doing and what you can do is nothing compared to what I’ve been through.  I’m a survivor.  Your words and actions can’t hurt me. I’m made of stone.  If you have pride, show it and don’t be selective.  Just so you remember: You often forget your pride once it is convenient to you.

The man in the mirror

Girl Abunda, host of ABiaS CBN show, would often ask his guests the corniest question in the world, that is ‘What do you see when you look at the mirror?’  I admit, I don’t watch ABiaS CBNs shows as a choice but in a sense, we really could not ignore the intensity of that question.

I called BB (for Black Berry because he’s dark skinned) earlier and I told him the feedback from the people he works with.  There are people who do not really like the way he interacts with them.  To them he’s arrogant.  He was very defensive when I told him that he sent me several emails explaining his side after we talked.  He also said that he does not care how other people’s impression in him and that they’re just envious of him.  He even said that if they’re really interested in his current position, they can have it, he does not care.

I told him that I don’t mean for him to be offended when I called him.  I just want him to realize that as a person, we really do not know how people see us.  In my case, I don’t know that I could be very arrogant, rude and sarcastic at times.  I don’t know that but that is how people view me.  That’s why I told BB to reflect and the best question he could ask himself is of course, ‘What will he tell to that man in the mirror?’

I told him that I’m a survivor.  I’ve learned it early on since growing up without my parents around is very difficult.  If I wasn’t tough, I wouldn’t survive.  In a way, being tough taught me how to be independent and to fend for myself.  That explains why I really do not want people to trample upon me and in any argument or fighting; I always win whether I’m right or wrong.  There was a point in my life that I was also like BB, very defensive and would not admit mistakes.  It would take a lot of time and maturity before we became mature.  In my case, the near death experience made me realized that I’m no superhuman.  If I’m unwell, I’m nothing and it was a life changing experience for me.  It made me stronger but softer at the same time.  I can now handle the meanest criticism without being bothered about it. 

BBs a friend and I want him to get along with the people he’s working with.  To stay and grow in a company, you have to learn how to get along with people.  I know that he has a future in his current role and if he’s matured enough, he’ll be able to achieve whatever he aims to achieve.  Kaya nga lang, I know that it’ll take a lot of counseling for him to grow up.  If he’ll just open his mind and learn to listen to my advice, he’s on his way to the ladder of success.

Is this a good way start the year?

There were numerous rumors regarding our insurance coverage for 2013 but there were just murmurs until everyone received the policy.  It was sent yesterday morning and yes, it was a bomb and it blasted.  Words were spread like wildfire, calls were made and exchanges of opinions took placed.  Oming of Strategy thought of drafting a petition which were sent all over the company.  Everyone signed except for those who wanted to protect their relationship with their direct superior who approved the insurance proposal for 2013.

In the new insurance coverage, employees have to subsidize 20%.  Gone are the days when we enjoyed full coverage.  This is the first time that our company made this decision and people were all surprised.  The sad thing is, not all employees in our company are well paid and can afford in subsidizing the insurance coverage.  The new insurance scheme came out as ‘COLD’ and ‘UNFEELING’ on the part of those who made the decision.  I know that cost were the main consideration why they came up with that decision. 

As an HR Professional, I believe that HR should have been consulted before the scheme was approved since their decision will affect the employees.  Consultations should have been made especially on the effects of their decision.  The decision to close down an insurance deal should never been delegated to people who counts NUMBERS and MONEY because we’re dealing with people.  People have feelings and emotions, NUMBERS and MONEY have none.  However, if that’s the decision of the decision maker, I will bow to their decision.

As an employee however, I think I have the right to know how they came up with the decision.  So, like the rest of the employees, I signed the petition.  Is this a good way to start the year?