The World of Second Chances

The World Is Not A Sweet Place To Live In

March 5, 2009

Wedding & Family Life

After what happened to my father, (see my previous post) I no longer feel safe in the company of familiar faces and strangers. It’s pretty hard to regain my trust because our family experienced it first hand: never be too trusting to strangers and friends for your best friend could even be your worst enemy later.

I live a simple life in the countryside. I have a rewarding career, a loving fiance’ and a company of few close friends that I trust. It’s very different from the life that my family lives on the other side of this region. One thing that I hate is our lack of privacy. It’s not that I loathe entertaining visitors but when it becomes a daily activity, it becomes a burden on our part.

I realize that not all who comes to our house is a friend. Some are just acquaintances. I made it clear to my future husband that my number one house rule is NOBODY SHALL INVADE OUR PRIVACY. For someone who grew up in a company of different kinds of people, I think at least one person could relate to my sentiments.

One thing that I hate in myself is my too trusting attitude. I forgot that there are vultures and snakes around and that the world is not a wide playground with merry-go-round, swings and see-saws. I tend to forget that we’re all here to survive, step on one another and push until we leave the weaker ones behind. I tend to forget that the reality of life is not always about camaraderie and unity; there is always that one big agenda at the back of one’s mind why he/she appears to be friendly or helpful. Yeah, there are still some really good people around. But the majority are just fakes. After all, the world is not a sweet place to live in. We’re all here to survive.
Jollibee San Jose-Balanga City Entrapment Operation?

March 4, 2009

Wedding & Family Life

Source: Manila Bulletin

3 suspected extortionists arrested in Bataan

BALANGA CITY, Bataan — Three suspected members of an alleged extortion group were arrested
the other day by the Provincial Intelligence Bureau led by Chief Inspector Cesar M. Lumiwes
after they were caught in the act of extorting money from a lady trader inside a fast food
annex, here. Sr. Supt. Manuel R. Gaerlan, Bataan police director, identified the suspects
as Eduardo dela Cruz, 58, of Talisay, here; Gil Sumandal, 38, of Pagalanggang, Dinalupihan
town; and Ramon Arellano, 49, of Tenejero, Balanga. Gaerlan said the suspects were arrested
one at a time based on the complaint of Emelita Funilas Aquino, sister of village chieftain
Ludy Funilas, both of Barangay Lucanin, Mariveles, Bataan, whom the group allegedly threatened
to kill since last Feb. 15 through text messages to extort money. Gaerlan said that on the
afternoon of Feb. 26, Aquino sought police assistance for the possible entrapment and arrest
of the suspects that continuously communicated. \”With this development, the operating team
set-up an entrapment operation and used ‘mark money’ amounting to RR50,000 which is equivalent
to the amount being demanded by the suspects,\” said Gaerlan. (Mar Supnad)

**********************************************
Now, what\’s my involvement in the story above? BIG! One of the suspected extortionist is my FATHER. I will not talk about the case because I don\’t want to preempt the case but I will just give my piece about this issue.

1. My father does not need to resort to extortion to have some money. My brother and I provide for their needs.
2. One of the policemen remarked that my father was involved in the extortion activity because my mother is sick. Bullshit! How can that be when me and my brother provide for her medical needs? Eh deh sana di na lang kami nagpakakuba sa trabaho kung may easy money naman. I am deeply offended by this accusation. Mr. Policeman, I\’ve relayed this message to two of your colleagues that your theory is not fair. Nabubuhay kami ng marangal sa marangal na hanapbuhay.
3. The complainant Emelita Funilas Aquino is Kapitan Ludy\’s sister. Kapitan Ludy was a frequent visitor in our home. Kapitan, why on earth would you involve my father in such a difficult situation? How can you implicate someone who\’s not into illegal activities? If my father is into illegal activities, he should have done it years back when our life was much harder and when he was still younger.

I know that just like any ordinary person, some people love my father and some people hate him. But to resort to this whole drama just because of hatred is difficult for me to understand.

Manila Bulletin, I understand that your report was done last Friday when a \”battalion\” of policemen arrived at our home to arrest my father. (Gil and Ramon were arrested in Jollibee San Jose) I would like to correct that the case was not robbery/extortion or extortion but GRAVE THREAT.

As of this writing, my father is out on bail. (Miel and I raised the fund. Baka isipin na naman na may maimpluwensyang taong tumulong. Leche!)Friends and relatives came to our home to give moral support. Maraming salamat po at sabay-sabay naman tayong manalangin para maipalabas ang katotohanan.
My College Life

February 17, 2009

Life & Love

Some teeners go to college because it’s the most common thing to do after high school. Some teeners go to college because it’s what their parents want them to do. Some teeners go to college to gain some freedom. I went to college because of ambition.

I don’t regard myself as an A-1 student. If I were, I wouldn’t have to study very hard just to earn good grades. But I was not the nerdy type either. I wanted to finish college because I knew that it was my only chance to have a better life.

I did not come from a well-off family. I needed to strive harder in life. Several months before my high school graduation, my classmates were worried about passing their college entrance exam. On the other hand, I was worried about whether my parents could afford to send me to college or not. My mother made the biggest sacrifice by sending me to school; it was something that I am grateful of until now.

I lived in a dormitory during my freshman year. I was exposed to a lot of vices. It was my first taste of freedom. While some of my boardmates were busy spending their night out in the bar, I was contended spending my night in Burnham Park with friends.

I moved in Sanitary Camp during my sophomore. I stayed there until the time that I finished college. I remember, I was always tight with money then. I knew that my boardmates would not understand why I had to lock my stocks in my room instead of just storing them in the cupboard. I did it to better monitor my consumption since some of them use my stocks whenever they ran out of it.

People had this misconception that I am rich or I belong to a moneyed clan. It must be my oriental looks. This misconception was probably the reason why I was misjudged.

It saddens me to see students who take their studies for granted. It saddens me to see parents work hard for these kind of children. I finished college because of ambition and my desire to improve my state of life.
My Love Faded

February 13, 2009

Life & Love

We were both 22 when we first met.
I was in a rocky relationship, he was never into a relationship.
We became friends. He said that I was so stupid to stay in a relationship where there is too much hurting.
I ended my relationship with the first one.
He said that he was the happiest man on this planet for having me.
Everybody was against our relationship.
Two against the world was our theme.

A year after, the fairy tale ended.
We were faced with a lot of issues.
Whenever I tried to run away from him, he said that everything in our relationship was just normal.

Is it normal not to talk about the daily happenings in our life?
Is it normal not to feel jealous of his attention to the other girls?
Is it normal not to ask about our future?
He said it was not normal so I molded my self into somebody that he thought was normal.

“Do you love me?” I asked him.
“Yes, of course,” he said.
Why is it that love begets pain, then? What was missing in our relationship?
Maybe a ring?
Maybe a marriage contract?
Maybe a future life together?

I stayed with him because of love.
He said he couldn’t stay with me because of love.
“I love you so I’m setting you free,” he said.
I was taken off-guard; it was unexpected.
“Why are you leaving me after six and a half years together?” I asked.
He gave me a dozen replies but this one broke my heart into pieces.
“I am no longer in love with you since last year.”

Since last year? Or since five years ago?
If he really loved me, he wouldn’t hurt my feelings for the past five years.
Did he really love me or I was just his meantime girl?

It took me 1.5 years to have a new relationship after him.
It took him less than a year to move on.

He IM’d me and said that he wanted to see me before I get married.
For what?
Isn’t he happy with his new girl or does he want a night of fun with me?

I didn’t take his bait.
I couldn’t afford to hurt Miel.
But one thing that I realize is this:
“Never assure that love is enough to make someone stay or come back to you..when pain strikes the heart,love fades no matter how great it was.”

He broke my heart so badly; I could never see him face to face again.
He was forgiven but he has to be forgotten.
He’s now a memory; a good and a bad memory.
The person who made me what I am today.
My Valentine’s Experiences

February 13, 2009

Life & Love

Tomorrow is Valentine’s Day. My best buddy here in the office is very excited about it. Forgive her, she’s only 24. 😉

When I was younger, I regarded this day as the 3rd most special day after All Saint’s Day and Christmas. Valentine’s used to be that special day that could make or break my day. I finished high school with no Valentine’s card, no Valentine’s date and no Valentino to spend the day with. Good thing, my father was born on Valentine’s Day so his birthday celebration made up for it.

It was in Baguio City where I had my first Valentine’s with my first boyfriend. It was actually a group date with a couple of mutual friends. We just had doughnut and soda (what a combination!) at Mr. Donut’s in Session Road. My first boyfriend gave me three red roses on that special day. I was his first love, too; I gave my yes to him 12 days before Valentine’s.

My worst Valentine’s experience was in 1998 when my jealousy-stricken first boyfriend assumed that I was with someone else inside my room. I fell asleep after making a Valentine’s card for him that was why I didn’t hear his knocks. When I opened the door, his eyes were fierce and angrily, he accused me of sleeping with someone else. I showed him the card and after seeing it, he cooled down but he had ruined my romantic mood for that day.

My second boyfriend NEVER gave me flowers for reasons that I do not know until now. My most memorable Valentine’s with him was when he said NO to his teammate’s request for swapping their shift. That was in 2001 and it was our first Valentine’s date. We dined at Shakey’s in Magsaysay Avenue (Olongapo City)

I have yet to celebrate my first Valentine’s with Miel, my third boyfriend and fiance’. I don’t expect red balloons and red roses. I don’t expect chocolate cake or chocolate bars. His presence would just be enough. With Miel, everyday is Valentine’s Day for me.
Celebrity Urban Legend

February 6, 2009

That’s Entertainment

I am having a good time reading this thread from Pinoy Exchange.
(http://zefiris.pinoyexchange.com/forums/showthread.php?t=302672) I think that not only us Filipinos are very much interested on the dirts and intrigues of the people that we put on the pedestal; the celebrities. Does it mean that with all those flaws and inconsistencies, it make them a lesser person or a lesser celebrity? For some people, yes. But for some, especially the logical ones, maybe not!

Urban Legend # 1:
What’s with St. Luke’s that make it a favourite target of abortion urban legends? This urban legend made me curious whenever I’m there for our yearly lead-in-blood testing, a company requirement. Who knows, baka andun si ganitong artista para magpa-abort, debah? But then, if we will analyze it in a logical way, if I were the celebrity, I would have the fetus aborted in the US or anywhere else in Asia; in a place where I can keep my real identity hidden. Why would a good hospital like St. Lukes be the favourite target of intrigues? Why not Makati Med? Why not Asian Hospital?

Urban Legend # 2:
When I was a little kid, I was afraid to go to any Robinson’s mall for fear of being eaten by the snake that’s said to be Robina Gokongwei’s twin. There were two celebrity urban legends that made the story “credible” in the late 80’s: that of Alice Dixson and that of Rita Avila. The latter denied the incident. I wonder, if this snake story is true, then how come people still patronize all Robinson’s stores? It’s now 2009, I guess people from that time (80’s) were more prone to believing baseless rumors just like their belief in ET’s and UFO’s. And don’t you think that that black proganda in the 80’s came from Robinson’s rival mall? Hmmmm….

Urban Legend #3:
Just like Urban Legend #1, there is no solid proof that some of our sweet and decent actresses like Charlene Gonzales or Dawn Zulueta had an abortion. I may agree that some actresses REALLY had an abortion but again, the question is, how reliable is the source of this rumor? I was 19 when I was hospitalized due to dehydration at the height of my morning sickness and one of the nurses who attended me was the son of our family friend. True to his professional code of ethics, he didn’t mention my condition to any of our mutual friends or acquaintances. (Our family kept this incident to protect our privacy since we were living in the countryside with lots of conservative people around.) Now what’s the connection? It’s in the professional code of ethics. Sure, we’re talking about urban legend here that this actress went to this hospital to have an abortion. So who’s the source? The doctor? The nurses? Where is their code of ethics then? If it’s just an urband legend that is meant to ruin one’s reputation, then who made this urban legend?

Some celebrity urban legends are indeed amusing just like Ramon Revilla Sr’s amulet stories and the Nida Blanca-Ninoy Aquino courtship. One thing that also fascinates me is the fake Bongbong Marcos story and Imee Marcos’ paternity story. I wouldn’t want to think that Adolf Hitler is our national hero’s son and I think that it had been proven that Rizal was not his biological father.

Urban legends, real or not, are entertaining to read. It’s just a matter of logic and common sense what to believe and what not to believe. Right?
Ang Babaing Humugot Sa Puso Ni Dingdong

February 4, 2009

That’s Entertainment

Teaser lang ng “Ang Babaing Hinugot Sa Aking Tadyang” ang napapanuod ko. (Mas importante sa akin ang 8 oras na tulog kesa manuod ng TV, hehehe.) Simula ng mapanuod ko, naging curious ako. Paano nga ba ginampanan ni Ms. Vivian Velez ang role na Proserfina? Sa mga hindi nakaaalam, si Ms. Vivian Velez ang tinaguriang Ms. Body Beautiful ng kanyang panahon. Walang retoke yun, ha? Tama ba ang impormasyon ko na ang original role na Proserfina ay isang serial killer? Dito kasi sa Marian Rivera version, isa syang akyat-bahay. Kung ganyan kaganda at ka-sexy ang akyat-bahay, malamang lahat na magpapa-akyat-bahay.

Hindi maikakaila, si Marian Rivera ang babaing humugot sa puso ni Dingdong Dantes. Sa aking palagay, hindi lang gimmick ang sweetness nila ngayon. In fairness, bagay na bagay kay Marian ang malandi at wild na role bilang Proserfina. Siya lang ang naiisip kong tamang artistang gumanap sa papel na iyon.

Vindicated nga ba si Karylle dahil ngayon lumalabas na totoong nagka-developan nga ang dalawang lead stars ng GMA-7. Sa aking palagay, nararapat nang patahimikin din si Karylle at huwag ng ungkatin ang nakaraan nila ni Dingdong. Hindi ito nakabubuti sa career ni Karylle dahil laging may comparison na magaganap sa kanila ni Marian. Let’s face it, hindi leading lady material si Karylle. Mas magandang mag-focus sya sa theater dahil dun naman talaga ang forte nya. Hindi nakakatulong ang pagka-link nya kay Jericho Rosales o Christian Bautista. Nagmumukha syang gumaganti lang sa ex-bf nyang si Dingdong. Natutuwa naman din ako sa very sexy billboards nya for Bench. Classy ang dating ni Karylle at napatunayan din naman nyang she’s HOT in her own right.