The World of Second Chances

When Being Ms. Nice Aint Good

February 7, 2013

Life & Love

After reading Ms. Joyce Burton’s (Adventures of a Beauty Queen) post about the Ms. Earth “scandal,” I realize that I have the same sentiment as Ms. Lorraine Shruck: that being polite before greedy and unrighteous people may not be the best thing to do.

A typical Filipino will just smile and keep his cool even when he feels that his rights or personal space have been violated.

Somebody cut you in the middle of a long queue–wala lang. Pagpasensyahan at baka in a hurry.

Your neighbor’s dog planted “landmines” on your yard—wala lang. Maybe the dog doesn’t mean it, you can take the dust pan and cover the poop with some sand.

Your friend or lover is late on your date— sige lang, baka na-traffic.

Some people at the office are not happy about the result of your audit and asked for a less tight tolerance—ah okay po, noted, let’s revise the audit anyway.

Being nice and polite will bring you down in the long run. For example, if you always tolerate people to cut you in the line, you tolerate others to abuse you. You tolerate that person to repeat his action to others. Other persons might think it’s okay to cut somebody in the line so they might as well adapt that “diskarte.” In the end, more people are influenced that it’s okay to be undisciplined because nobody’s correcting them anyway. You’ve just created a culture of tolerance.

At work, our integrity lies on the quality of work or service that we provide. Integrity comes with a strong-willed heart to push for what is right and not be intimidated by anyone who seems powerful. That’s the “tuwid na daan” and I remember the late Secretary Robredo said “gawin mo lang ang tama dahil sa huli, tama pa rin ang magwawagi.”

It’s okay to be impolite if being impolite means not getting intimidated by anybody over what you think is the right thing to do. It’s okay not to be a people-pleaser because in the end, ilalaglag ka rin naman ng mga yan pag pumalpak ang gusto nila. It’s okay to be a bitch sometimes. Focus on what is right and forget the people who try to influence you with their wicked decisions.
Donald Trump Jr’s Twitter Post

February 1, 2013

Life & Love

http://www.businessmirror.com.ph/index.php/news/nation/8624-donald-trump-jr-causes-twitter-uproar-over-tubbataha

Okay, Donald Trump Jr., I got your point; you’re a businessman and you’re not Filipino so who are we (Filipinos) to judge you?

But you should know where we’re coming from, too. The Tubbataha Reef is one of the most remarkable coral reefs in the world; it is not just an ordinary tourist spot. Its beauty is spectacular, the habitat beneath it is vast and diverse. It is our treasure. It is our pride and it lies on Philippine seas.

I understand that it’s a stupid act to destroy a multi-million vessel just to prevent further damage of the reef. Your economy has yet to bounce back; that money could be put to more useful projects there. But we did not ask your country’s vessel to accidentally “sail” on our reef. It was an accident, yes. But damages due to accident must be compensated. The vessel destroyed something of environmental and tourism value to us.

You value the worth of your country’s vessel while we value the worth of our reef. You may never understand the feelings of the people here and vice versa when it comes to defining what is valuable and what is not.

Again, it’s all about dignity and responsibility. It’s about paying the damages done.
I Miss The Sharon-Gabby Days

January 31, 2013

That’s Entertainment

Got the video from youtube. It was Sharon’s birthday celebration with Gabby Concepcion and KC as guests. Sharon was at the prime of her HOTNESS and KC was very cute as a young girl. Looking at the video, Gabby didn’t change a bit since 1988.

My mother loved the Sharon-Gabby tandem. I remember her watching Sharon and Gabby’s movie. There’s something in their love team that’s just very charming. Their on-screen chemistry was good. I wonder who could match their loveteam in terms of following and popularity.
Thank You!

January 26, 2013

Life & Love

muchogustopanama.com

Nothing is more encouraging and envigorating than receiving a word of gratitude from somebody who received a favor from us. It makes us feel special, it makes us feel needed, it makes us feel appreciated.

The sincerity of saying “Thank you” counts better; I could cry at that. Everytime I hear my toddler say “Thank you” to me, I become emotional. You could see the happiness in his eyes for having given a toy or a favorite food. Small kids are more truthful with their emotions so I know that his gratitude is not superficial.

My husband taught me to pray before meal to thank the Lord for providing us with food. No matter what food is served on the table, the important thing is we have something to eat while a lot of people on the other side of the archipelago are going hungry because of the calamities last year.

Giving thanks to whoever and whatever makes me realize to appreciate the big things and small things in life.
My Kim and Maja

January 25, 2013

Life & Love

from tumbr

The “ahasan” issue between young stars Maja Salvador and Kim Chiu is nothing but a growing up phase in their lives. In the first place, there was no “ahasan” at all because Kim and Gerald Anderson parted ways three years before the latter found the former’s bestfriend attractive.

The question is, would it be okay to court your ex’s bestfriend? Would it be okay to fall in love with your bestfriend’s ex? Would you give your blessing to your ex and your bestfriend to fall in love?

When I was of Kim and Maja’s age, I figured in a bitter love triangle. For the purpose of anonymity, let’s call my friends Kim, Maja and Gerald. Gerald used to flirt with Kim but it was nothing but a casual flirting on his side. Kim took it seriously and hoped that their closeness would elevate to the next level. Gerald was introduced to Maja and immediately fell in love with her. Maja entertained Gerald and Kim thought that Gerald betrayed her.

Kim sought the support of some of our common friends. Some of us sided with Kim while some, with Maja. I sided with Maja because I found nothing wrong in her relationship with Gerald. Kim was just too naive to understand that Gerald never fancied her in the first place.

Maja and Gerald ended up with one another and they are now living happily. Kim has yet to meet Mr. Right. Looking back, I wished that heads were cooler and minds were more open then. I wish that I never took sides and instead became the peacemaker.

Friendship is something that’s very important to me as years are adding to my life. When feelings are hurt, it’s hard to start the friendship all over again. It’s not worth losing a true friend over some infatuation. Good thing, Gerald’s infatuation over Maja ended up in true love. But it could have been happier had everybody in our circle, including the main characters, prioritized friendship over personal happiness.
Babalik at Babalik Ka Rin

January 24, 2013

Wedding & Family Life

I was outside of the Departure Area (NAIA) yesterday and witnessed the closeness of family members among the Filipinos. There was this family who came all the way from La Union just to drive their son to the airport. The OFW’s mother, father, wife and two small kids were there. The husband and wife were obviously holding back their tears while the two small kids were busy playing hide and seek. The parents of the husband (OFW) were quiet and gave those precious moments to the couple who would be separating (physically) 30 minutes later.

There was this young couple who were hugging each other tightly while planting kisses occassionally. The wife (or girlfriend?) and the husband (or boyfriend?) were both crying. The husband (?) assured the wife (?) that he would be back soon as if two years of separation and waiting is not forever to those who pine for their loved ones. I turned my back from this young couple; they affected me so much and I needed some space to breath, too.

Then I saw a middle-aged couple hugging each other while praying. Both were strong in their faith that their separation would bring good for the family. If one is not blessed with a good job or career here, then perhaps, an overseas employment is the best option.

I thought I saw a young actor but the young guy was simply goodlooking and could be mistaken for an actor. His family (parents and sisters) were with him and they seemed to be quite excited for his flight. They were even taking pictures of him while entering the Departure Area.

Babalik at babalik ka rin, as the song (by Gary V) says. I wonder, how many of these people will be back as a whole person after their contract expires. Some of them come home with an empty pocket. Some of them come home with an empty mind (insane). Some of them come home in a casket. Some women come home pregnant; intentional or not. Some men come back to the Philippines but go straight to their new “wife.” The life of an OFW is not charmed; it’s a challenge.
Middle-class and Upper-class

January 17, 2013

Life & Love

taken from the web

taken from the web

People from the middle class are fond of knowing about the life and life style of the people from the high society. We want to know where they dine, what they eat, where they go to school, where they spend their holidays. We want to know their idiosyncrasies, their heartaches, their naughtiness, their failures, their latest partner. We want to know how they think, what they think of us, what they think of a product. They are aware that we’re interested in them that’s why reality shows like that of Paris Hilton’s were produced for our entertainment. We want to know how Paris act if she’s outside of her comfortable mansion. Locally, we are fascinated with “it” girls like Solenn Heusaff (her family is said to be well-off) and KC Concepcion but except for Kris Aquino, Mikee and China Cojuangco, we have yet to see the children of the more affluent families like the Zobel de Ayalas join showbiz.

The manufacturers of fake Louis Vuitton know that the middle-class want that projection of wealth and style. The middle-class is their target market and their business is doing good. Even fake Melissa jelly shoes can be bought online. But super rich people prefer Blahnik or Jimmy Choo; they do not go to SM to shop and Bench or Penshoppe is not their norm for what’s fashionable. They do not have to take public transportation and one or two personal assistants are a common sight. Oh, and they must be laughing at the social climbers, too! They know a wannabe because they know what a class act is from not.