The World of Second Chances

Lost and Found

December 26, 2017

Life & Love

The case of the then missing teenager, Ica Policarpio caught my attention in the same manner when children of less influential parents captured my heart. Personally, I have this interest and intent to help those who are lost and those who are looking for their missing family. As a citizen, what I have been doing is either blogging about the missing person or re-posting through Facebook the family’s plea to find their missing family. So when I read last early Friday morning about Bea Policarpio’s plea to help in looking for her missing sister, I hit the share button and hoped for the best outcome.

Friday night, my friends and I discussed about the circumstances of Ica’s disappearance minutes after she stepped out of the coffee shop where she was said to have stayed from afternoon up to almost 11:00 PM. I told them that there was nothing really unusual about her disappearance because she looked like she did it on purpose. The give-away was when she left her laptop and cellphone inside her bag while she looked for an establishment to break her 1000-peso bill. You don’t just leave your valuables unattended; even grade schoolers are aware of that. Ica probably did that to avoid being traced. The plot thickened when the following day there were news about her argument with her father prior to her disappearance.

Whatever the reasons, I sincerely hoped and prayed that nothing bad would happen to this young lady. Netizens were very happy to know that she was finally found in San Pablo, Laguna on Sunday Morning. Thanks to the technology and thanks to the information of Archie, Danica, Yra and the tricycle driver—except for Danica and Yra who were together when they saw her, the rest of them saw her in different locations.

A press conference attended by her father, Atty. Penny Policarpio, was held on the same day. The netizens expected that her father would tell what really happened. Their excitement and joy turned into bashing and questioning when Ica’s family requested for privacy. This is not the first time that a family of a missing person who went public when asking for help and then turned very private as soon as they found their kin; but Ica’s case was sensationalized in many level so the public became invested with her story so they demanded to know what really happened. Some were saying that she was really kidnapped that was why the family was mum about it. Some were trying to connect it to the 48-hour challenge wherein participants deliberately run away from home and fake their disappearance for likes and hits on Facebook. Some were making assumptions about her psychological state. Some said that she was just as spoiled brat. Unless otherwise clarified by her family, I stick to my impression that Ica just ran away to probably breathe a fresh perspective about life. She was lost and she was found; I’m okay with that as a netizen and I don’t demand for further explanation from them.

I believe that in due time, the real cause about her disappearance will be revealed. It’s a waste of time to be trying to squeeze information from her family when there are missing people around that need our help and attention.
Slam Book and Facebook

December 22, 2017

Filipino Culture
I grew up in the age of slam book, which was our Facebook in the ’80s. My first slam book was a small peach one, followed by a standard notebook size one and then a green hardbound one. My objective in having a slam book was to know more about my friends’ interests. My hidden agenda was to check who among my friends had the same crush as mine!

Let’s compare slam books versus Facebook:
1. Presentation- in terms of the presentation, the slam book is more personal since Facebook’s layout is generic. Therefore, a slam book’s appearance reflects the owner’s style.
2. Gender of the user- slam book is more popular to girls than boys while Facebook is popular to all genders.
3. Age of the user- assuming that both of them existed in the same era when it comes to slam book, the range of the users’ age is from 9-17 years old whereas Facebook users are from minors to seniors.
4. Accessibility- you need the slam book itself and a pen. Facebook users need a tablet, a mobile phone, or a computer and an internet connection.
5. Interface with friends- a slam book offers a more personal interface with the user’s friends because it’s awkward to be asking a stranger to have a few minutes to answer the questions on it. On Facebook, strangers and friends can just “like” your post if they find it amusing.
Out of curiosity, I tried to be my 10-year-old self again and answered a slam book that I found online. Of course, I didn’t have an email and blog when I was 10 years old. I got my first email when I started working, a company email. I had my first blog five years later.

As a 10-year-old, I consider going to the plaza alone as a big achievement because I was afraid of crossing a busy street. Until now, I still have that fear. I just put on a brave front and try to focus as much as possible when crossing the street. Funny how I always wrote that I wanted to be a doctor when I almost always fainted at the sight of the hospital before.

Most children of my time believed in Santa Claus. It was magical. Christmas softened everyone’s heart. Actually, the gifts that my brother and I received were simple and inexpensive. It was the thought that somebody as special as Santa Claus took time to “visit” us that counted.

Pink was the dominant color in my childhood. I was already in college when I realized that I never really wanted that color for myself. I was just influenced that it was my favorite.

My parents loved to wear perfume. It is something that I did not get from them. Today, I barely wear perfume–only when needed. In terms of my role model, I looked up to my late mother because she was sociable and intellectual.

I used to write in the slam book that I love jazz. Truth is, I’ve never heard a piece of jazz music not until I was 15 years old! But in terms of singer, Whitney Houston has always been on my list since I was a kid. In the 80s, almost every kid knew the lyrics of her hit song “The Greatest Love of All.” Ironically, I don’t remember being a fan of any celebrity (actors/actresses) before.

I laugh at my 10-year-old self now when I remember that I used to write that I love Japanese foods. How can that happen when there were very few restaurants in Balanga when I was growing up? And kinilaw na isda is not even a Japanese dish. What was I thinking then? Hahaha.

The weekend activity that I was referring to was the Saturday visit to the church with Mary Ann to pray with Ate Meding and the Banzon kids. We prayed the rosary for Mama Mary. They called it Legion of Mary. After that, Mary Ann and I would eat in Denbell’s and then go home.

One of my favorite hobbies was reading magazines like Time, Newsweek, MOD, Woman’s, and Women’s. When I started working, I bought my own magazines like Good Housekeeping and Health and Home. I stopped collecting magazines when it became more convenient to research on the internet.

Two of my favorite TV shows were Shaider and O-shin. They were the only Japanese-produced show that I loved when I was growing up. Holy Week in the 80s was more serene than the present time. The Ten Commandments never fails to impress me especially the parting of the Red Sea scene. I think this movie led me to be interested in reading the bible. Because of this influence, I have always believed that God is love.
Girl Scout Camping Experience

December 16, 2017

Filipino Culture
I wonder if being a Girl Scout or Boy Scout is still a big deal nowadays but back in my era (80’s), it was! I started as a star scout at the age of 9 but I couldn’t remember if I attended an investiture. The following year, I became actively involved in girl scout activities because that was one of the coolest things to do during those times. I felt proud wearing the green uniform, pink neckerchief with green and yellow ring, girl scout pin and hat. We wore the girl scout attire every Friday and if anybody did not wear it, it was like a mortal sin for either forgetting or for not joining the girl scout.

My grade IV teacher, Ms. Pruna announced one sleepy January that we’re going to have a girl scout camping on late February! I asked my BFF Shellah if she would join the camping and I was ecstatic to know that both of us were bent on joining it. There were two problems that we faced: first, if our parents would let us join the camping and second, we had no tent!

It took me a week to convince my father that the camping was worth it. It helped to have Shellah’s mother (Ate Ruby) to back us up. Besides, the camping site was a walking distance from our home and it was within the vicinity of the school. Our tent problem was solved when Rhonna told us that she could accommodate us.

The day before the camping, I packed my clothes and brought some kitchen utensils, cans of sardines, spoon, fork and plate. My parents were there during the opening ceremony at the school ground and when it was cooking time for dinner, they left. I felt like I was about to cry because separation anxiety was something that I couldn’t beat since I was in kinder. Shellah seemed to be enjoying so I just went with the flow and pretended that I was happy. My first night at the tent was unbearable because I had a slight aversion to enclosed spaces. As a result, I was mostly sleeping during the girl scout lectures the following day.

On our second night, there was a small miscommunication between our group leader and Shellah about the food. If I remember it right, all of us were adjusting to our own cooking capability and as well as the number of servings allowed per dish so how could you divide a small fried chicken into 8 little mouths? Shellah cried, maybe out of frustration. I cried, too but out of homesickness! Abigail tried to comfort us and she thought that I just cried because Shellah cried! Truth was, I cried because I wanted to go home!

The second night at Rhonna’s tent was another challenge for me. I wanted to tell her to open the zipper but I thought of worms and snakes entering our tent so I junked the idea. There were more daytime activities on that day and I felt like a walking zombie.

We had a bonfire on the 3rd night at the school oval and I was surprised to know how many of us were there. There were girl scouts from the other schools and as well as boy scouts from our school. I wish we had digital cameras in the 80’s!

Back at our camp site later, Shellah and I stayed at Ernaida’s tent to chat with classmates. Out of fatigue, we fell asleep at Ernaida’s tent. Her tent was thrice the size of Rhonna’s tent and had a small opening so I didn’t feel like I was enclosed. I woke up at around 2AM and saw some six girls sleeping. I went to Rhonna’s tent to get my pillow and slept again at Ernaida’s tent.

Truth is, I cringe every time I remember what I did to Rhonna. She was very generous in accommodating us but when I felt some discomfort, I left her without saying a word. I was 10 years old and I was stupid.

After the camping, I was very much relieved and I felt like I was away for 4 years, instead of 4 days.

“So what did you learn from the camping?” my mother asked.

“I learned how to cook using wood and tripod,” I replied.

“Only that?” she seemed surprised.

“Yes,” I was confused why she said that.

As a mother and many years later after that memorable camping, I would have wanted my children to learn the following:
- Independence- because parents wouldn’t be around forever.
- Reliability- because being in a group, team or family means being there for one another.
- Hard work-because we need to work for something that we want.
- Friendship- because no man is an island.
- Courage- because most of our fears are only imagined fears.
- Trust and obedience- because leaders are there for a reason.
- Loyalty- because a true friend stays through thick and thins.
Usog

December 13, 2017

Filipino Culture

This happened last night: “Mama, I want to sleep. I’m going to school tomorrow.”

Aba, himala! Maagang matutulog dahil may pasok pa daw sya bukas. I was on the verge of texting my father on what to do with my youngest son’s throwing up since lunchtime. Instead, I got the digital thermometer from my pouch and checked my son’s body temperature.

“37^C”—- I calmed myself and checked the internet for signs and symptoms of stomach flu. I gave him a bottle of probiotics and hoped that the symptoms would disappear. Fortunately, he fell asleep a little faster than I expected. Good job to myself!

I remember how I was prone to “usog” when I was a little girl.

“Kung saan-saan nyo dinadala ang bata, ayan, nababati tuloy,” my worried grandmother would tell my mother. Then, they would touch my feet to check if they were cold. If yes, then nausog nga ako.

“Who was the last person who greeted you?” my father would ask.

“Ah, si Tiya Felicing!”my mother would remember.

The three of us would go back to the market to look for Tiya Felicing. Kelangang malawayan daw ako para ako gumaling. Tiya Felicing, in her ever charming smile would apologize to me for causing trouble and then raise my shirt, wet her thumb with a little saliva and then press it lightly against my tummy.

“Gagaling ka na nyan,” Tiya Felicing would say.

At home, I was still dizzy and weak but my parents would assure me that I would feel better “kasi nalawayan na ako.” I would pretend to be okay because that was expected of me because “nalawayan na ako.”

Being prone to “usog” limited my exposure because my parents were afraid that if somebody that they did not know greeted me and made me sick, I would not be cured because “saan naman hahanapin ang nakausog?”

As a teenager and when I was becoming adventurous, they knew that the only way to protect me against “usog” was for me to wear anti-usog bracelet or stones. The stones were sewn on a red cloth and were supposed to be clipped on my clothes for my protection. Believe me, until now, my father reminds me to wear the anti-usog every time I get out of the house!

So why am I telling this story? I realize that aside from parenting style, I am no longer a believer of “usog.” My son probably caught a virus and since viruses are self-limiting, he felt better sooner than I expected. Looking back, I probably had a weak immune system so my body adjusted to new environments and reacted to it that was why I was prone to getting sick before.
Pamasko

December 13, 2017

Filipino Culture

Noong bata ka pa, big deal sa iyo ang 13th month pay ng magulang mo dahil ibig sabihin, pwede ka ng bilhan ng damit pamasko. Kapag nabilhan ka naman, gusto mong hilahin ang araw para mag-Pasko na. Parati mong tinitignan kung kasya pa sa yo ang bagong damit at bagong sapatos mo kahit sa isang maghapon at sampung beses mo na itong naisukat.

Ini-imagine mo na ang damit mo ang pinakamaganda sa lahat; na ma-iimpress ang crush mo sa get-up mo. Minsan, ila-lock mo ang pinto ng kwarto habang nagsusukat. Kapag may kumatok at natagalan kang buksan, idadahilan mong natutulog ka lang.

Sa mismong araw ng Pasko, di ka mapakali hanggang di mo naisusuot. Ikaw pa ang nagpapaunang magyaya na magsimba na kayo ng pamilya mo. Ikaw yung masigasig magbahay-bahay sa mga kapitbahay, ninong at ninang mo para mamasko.

“Anlaki mo na at ang ganda/gwapo!” —- yan ang hinahantay mong papuri sa kanila.

Uuwi ka mula sa maghapong paggala na sulit ang bagong damit at bagong sapatos. Magbibilang ka ng napamaskuhan, makikipagpasiklaban sa kapatid o pinsan sa kung sino ang mas madaming regalo o pamasko. Magbibihis at matutulog na kumpleto ang araw ng Pasko.
EGiveCash Problem

December 4, 2017

Career, Finance & Product

March 29, 2020 Update:

I am back to using egivecash since March 2020. So far, all the problems that I mentioned in my 2017 post have been addressed. Happy banking!

Original Post:

Being a busy person that I am, I pay my bills through Security Bank Online; I have been doing this for 11 years. For local remittance, I learned about the egivecash feature of Security Bank. This feature was heaven-sent for me because aside from charging a remittance fee of only PhP20.00, I didn’t have to go to a money-transfer agent, thus saving me gas and time!

To those of you who are not aware; the egivecash feature of Security Bank is a cardless transaction wherein a 16-digit code is generated and sent to the intended recipient as his account number. Then, a 4-digit passcode is sent to the sender and the sender then sends it to the recipient as his PIN to proceed with the withdrawal.

It sounds easy and practical, isn’t it? However, since July 2017, egivecash has been giving me headaches! First off, my recipient could not withdraw if the money that I transferred was not divisible by 500 pesos. My second issue happened in October 2017 when despite the unfulfilled transaction of my recipient, I was debited and the transaction was tagged as “fulfilled.” Security Bank credited back the amount three banking days later. The 3rd issue happened on the same month and it was just the same issue of being debited the amount despite my recipient’s unfulfilled transaction.

The 4th, 5th and 6th issue happened this morning, December 2017 when all three egivecash purchases were labeled as “suspect” transaction! Worse, the amount was debited for two of the three transactions that I made. Per the customer service, it would take at most 5 banking days to investigate this issue. Wow! Five banking days is TOO LONG for a customer who is not even at fault for their shortcomings!

With all these bugs happening, I suspect that the IT department of Security Bank is TRYING HARD to secure their system to the point of mistakenly securing some codes meant for cardless transaction.

For the meantime, I will patronize Western Union because they offer the lowest rates among money-transfer agents in the Philippines.
When in Baguio, Try Good Taste!

November 24, 2017

Travel

When in Baguio, try the Good Taste Restaurant, located at the corner of Otek and Carino Street. For breakfast, I ordered mami (80 pesos) and Good Taste rice (100 pesos). Sulit naman dahil andami, pang-dalawahan sya. True to its name, good taste talaga ang pagkain nila.

From ordering to serving took around 10 minutes only.

Cleanliness,okay naman . Wala naman akong nakitang ipis o langaw.

Yung cushioned chairs ang kailangan ng improvement, worn out na kasi. Nag-monoblock na lang kami ng friend ko. Waitresses are nice kaso dahil very busy sila, panay lagi silang nagmamadali. I appreciate na malawak ang dining area dahil hindi nagkakabungguan ang customers.

Again, breakfast nang pumunta ako at nag-taxi lang kaya hindi nagging issue ang serving time at parking space sa akin. Will I go back to Good Taste when I’m in Baguio? Definitely yes! Overall rating: 4/5.