The World of Second Chances

My Nine Year Old Shoes

October 14, 2010

Career, Finance & Product

Jazz. That’s the brand of my 9-year old shoes. I bought it in 2001 for US$ 24 in Olongapo City. It’s cheap, it’s durable, it’s high-quality and it’s not imported. Jazz is manufactured in Marikina City and it’s a common knowledge here that Marikina produces cheap yet high quality shoes. I wonder why this brand of shoes didn’t make well in the Philippine market; I don’t see any Jazz shoes anymore.

Here’s the history of my Jazz shoes. In December 2001, I decided to buy a new pair of shoes for the company Christmas party. You see, Christmas party in Wistron is quite extravagant as compared to the other companies in SBMA. When you say extravagant, you’ve got to dress a little to fit in for the occasion. With PhP 2,000 (US$ 43) in my pocket, I went to a mall along Rizal Avenue and there I saw this black high cut, a semi-boots, and it was even on sale! I wear a size 7 and the shoes on display was my size. The leather was soft on the inside and the sole was light for a semi-boots. I bought it for the Christmas party then.

The major weakness of Jazz shoes is its wooden heels; it has a tendency to loosen after years of using. In 2002, I had a minor bus accident because of this. Just when I was about to step down the bus, the right heel of my shoes was disintegrated and so I fell to the ground while the bus was slowly running. I suffered from minor bruises. My mother told me to throw away my shoes but I thought, the leather was still good, I could have the heels repaired instead. So I had it repaired.

In 2004, the sole of my Jazz shoes had some cracks so my socks always got wet during the rainy season.Again, I sent my shoes to the shoe repair shop for a much needed “change sole.”

Up to now, the leather does not fade; thanks to Kiwi shoe wax. This pair of shoes has been my companion during company events, job interviews, dinner dates, movie dates, family affairs…etc. If I were to compute for its depreciated value after 9 years, would you believe that it is now a negative 600 pesos? (-US$13)

Maybe I am wrong in assuming that Jazz shoes are no longer available in the market. I’d love to buy three new shoes from them.
What’s Eating You, Iris?

October 13, 2010

Career, Finance & Product

Me- the physical Iris
Myself- the mental Iris

Myself: It’s quite obvious that you were not able to sleep well last night.
Me: I thought I could conceal the dark circles under my eyes with my stick concealer.
Myself: Nah, it’s not about your face or your eyes….it’s your gloomy aura today. You’re not being your bubbly self today.
Me: You know what I’m going through.
Myself: Hahahaha! Of course!
Me: And you have the nerve to laugh at me?
Myself: Hahaha… Well, Iris. I don’t get it why you’re so affected with the current situation in your workplace! Hahaha.
Me: And what’s so funny about it?
Myself: Haha…you are like a tamed lion. A wounded soldier who refuses to fight anymore. An exact opposite of who you really are.
Me: Iris, things change. Perspectives change. Feelings change.
Myself: And what’s so good about those changes? Surely, those people around you have changed. Maybe in their eyes you’re no longer value-adding to them. But do you stop there? Now is the perfect timing to showcase your talent, Iris. Iris, this is a war. Nobody is exempted. You have to prepare for this war.
Me: I’ve stopped being a fighter after settling down.
Myself: How demoralizing! But you were born a fighter. You are always a fighter! Don’t let your personal affairs hinder you to stop being a fighter.
Me: I am just tired…I want a life of solitude. I want to go fishing with my family…I am content watching Showbiz Central every Sunday.
Myself: Now you’re being a loser. Who wants a loser in a company?
Me: I am NOT a loser!
Myself: Then prove it to me. Prove it to them. Prove it to the powers-that-be! Iris, this is a war. Don’t depend on your boss for protection. Don’t expect the management to be fair. There will be casualties so make a GRAND escape plan. Or maybe join the war and see for yourself if you can handle it. Now is not the right time to cry, to imagine things and to be lax. Iris, this is war. Remember WWI and WWII.
Me: Thanks for giving me those insights. I am torn between joining the war and making a grand escape plan. But for now, I will shield myself against the enemies and strengthen whatever amunitions that I have.
Tagalog Love Quotes

October 8, 2010

Life & Love

Some Tagalog love quotes that I found online:

Iniwan kita di dahil ayoko na sayo. tinalikuran kita di dahil galit ako sayo, lumayo ako di dahil ayaw na kitang makita, umalis lang ako kasi ayaw ko nang umiyak habang nakikita kang masaya…sa piling niya.

Muntik ko nang ipagtapat sayo ang nararamdaman ko nung magkasama tayo…muntik ko na sabihin na mahal kita…pero nung sasabihin ko na…napatigil ako dahil bigla mong sinabi….”lam mo mahal ko pa siya”.

Mahal kita, mahal mo siya. Siya naman di ka kayang mahalin katulad ng pagmamahal ko sayo…tanga ka at siya naman, manhid….parang tayong dalawa…yun nga lang…ako yung tanga at ikaw naman yung manhid.
TANGA daw ako nang pakawalan kita! GAGO daw ako, mas pinili kong lumisan ka! TANGNA ko daw, pumayag akong magmahal ka ng iba. ULOL SILA! Bakit ko IPAGPIPILITAN ang sarili ko sa taong ‘di naman ako mahal, di ba?

Sabi ko suko na ko, sabi ko di na kita mahal, sabi ko malilimutan rin kita, sabi ko di na kita kailangan, sabi ko masaya na ko, sabi ko yun… pero sana yun din ang sabi ng puso ko!

NakakaPAGOD magtxt noh? Lalo na pag… WALANG NAGREREPLY! Pero lam mo? May mas nakakaPAGOD pa dun! NakakaPAGOD magmahal ng taong hindi mo malaman kung sinong mahal…

Ang hirap makipagkaibigan sa mga kagaya mo lalo na pag may nararamdaman ka sa kanya na gaya ng nararamdaman ko sa ‘yo ngayon…

Nafeel mo na ba yung kala mo nakalimutan mo na siya? … as in wala na! Tapos na lahat. Then one day nagkita kayo. Nagsmile sya sa yo. Nasabi mo na lang… “Tangna! Mahal ko pa pala tong gagong ‘to!”
Pa’no mo malalaman kung mahal mong isang tao? Pag hinahanap mo ba? Pag namimiss mo? Siguro… pero mahal mo talaga pag masaya ka basta masaya sya…
May mga bagay na masaya… pero corny… may mga bagay na corny… pero masaya… pero pag kasama kita… lagi masaya… corny noh? Pero masaya…
Kunwari, masaya ako. Kunwari, OK ako. Kunwari, wala akong problema. Kunwari, nasa langit ako. OK lang ba kung isipin kong kunwari mahal mo rin ako? Kunwari lang naman e…
Masakit pag yung taong mahal mo iniwan ka… masakit kapag nakita mong may kasama syang iba… pero di ba mas masakit pag nakita mo masaya sya — masaya sya dahil wala ka na…

Matagal na kitang mahal… alam ‘yun ng iba… ngunit ba’t ikaw? Hanggang ngayoin, hindi pa… nakita kitang masaya at nakatawa… lalapitan na sana kita kaya lang, tangina! Kasama mo sya…
Alam mo miss na kita, kaso siya naman miss mo! lam mo mahal kita, kaso siya rin mahal mo! Siya na lang lagi! Kahit nasasaktan ka niya okay lang kasi mahal mo siya! Ang tanga mo no, parang ako!
If I only have one hour left to live and I’m with you that day…I’ll lay my head unto your shoulders as I feel the breeze touch my skin and say ” pasandal lang po muna ha? matagal po akong mawawala eh.”
Kung mahal mo raw, ipaglaban mo. totoo ba yon? paano kung hindi ka niya mahal? anong ipaglalaban mo? isang pag-ibig na ikaw lang ang nakakadama? mahirap yata yon ah!!! kaya mo ba? pero pag mahal mo talaga, kakayanin mo di ba?
Sana pag nakita mo na yung taong mahal mo, huwag kang magpakatanga, wag kang magpakamartir, wag kang magpakagago…ayokong makitang nahihirapan ka…tignan mo nangyari sa akin nung minahal kita….
Sabi nila, kapag mahal mo, lahat ibibigay mo…lahat gagawin mo…pero paano na lang kung hilingin niya na maghiwalay kayo…ibibigay mo ba kahit mahal mo pa siya?
Paano mo malalaman kung mahal ka niya? Simple lang….tumalon ka tapos sigaw mong mahal mo siya, pero kung di ka niya sasaluhin, wag kang mag-alala, ano ba’ng silbi ko? di ba tagasalo pag wala siya?
Sabi mo mahal mo ko…sabi mo di mo ko iiwan..sabi mo hihintayin mo ko. Saglit lang akong nawala iba na kasama mo. andaya talaga…dahil ba sa mahal mo lang ako pag wala siya?
Ask ko si God, sabi ko “Bakit mo siya kinuha sa kin? binigay ko naman lahat?” Sabi niya “Di ka kasi nagtira para sa’yo” sabi ko, “Ganito po kasi ako magmahal.” sabi niya, “Kaya pala lahat kinalimutan mo pati ako”
Sana akin ka para di ka iiyak. sana akin ka para di ka na masasaktan. sana akin ka para di ka na aasa pa. ngunit ang talagang nais ko’y Sana ako siya na minahal mo ng sobra sobra.
Minsan ang layo ng tingin mo. Sino ba’ng hinahanap mo? yun tao bang magmamahal sayo? yan ang hirap sayo eh! ang layo lagi ng tingin mo, ang tagal ko na dito…di ba pwedeng sa kin ka naman tumingin?

cno mhal mu? a.. xia pla eon.. kea pla nssktan akou.. pro ok lng eon! kce alm kng msya k.. kht mskt.. kce mhal kta..
d kou alm kng dpt akung ma2wa na ikay akin na @ iniwn muh na xia, pro bkt prng d akou lubos na mlgya, dhl b lam ko na hngng ngaun mhl mo p rn xia?
Vinegar As Toilet Bowl Cleaner

October 6, 2010

Life & Love

Si Lumen lang ba ang wais na misis? Try me! hehehe….

I ran out of toilet bowl cleaner and muriatic acid so as a substitute, I made use of Datu Puti and Lorin’s vinegar. I just mixed the left-over vinegar and I was able to collect half a cup of it; just enough quantity for our toilet bowl. The cleaning effect was just the same as muriatic acid.
Adi’s Developments

September 30, 2010

Wedding & Family Life

My baby boy is fastly growing up. Everyday seems like playtime when I’m with him. He turned one last September 10. He got a lot of gifts from family and friends. My brother and his wife gave him a bicycle for a birthday present. Most of the gifts were clothes and toys.

He loves to play naughty when he’s with his Ate Chang (A-te means Big Sister). He loves to be mischievous when Chang is doing her homework.

Scene 1: Adi is trying to get Chang’s attention. He called her name.
Adi: Ate
Chang: (looks at him)
Adi: (waves his hand) Lagot ka. Bad ka.

Scene 2: Chang moved to another area to concentrate more on her homework. Adi followed her. He tapped the furniture to get Chang’s attention.

Scene 3: Adi threw his toy guitar.
Adi: Ate, gah! (He can’t pronounce “get.”)

I love to kiss Adi’s chubby cheeks. My baby boy is the reason of my childish happiness. Chang is the reason why I came back to life. Miel is the reason why I manage to keep my sanity intact.
In Your Eyes,Movie

September 27, 2010

That’s Entertainment

Storm (Richard Gutierrez) meets Julia (Anne Curtis) at the club and is intrigued by her easy-go-lucky character. In the US, Ciara (Claudine Baretto) calls up Julia to check on her and to inform her that they will soon be reunited in the US. Such a contrast on the two sisters’ character; the elder being conservative and hardworking while the younger being fun-loving and easy-go-lucky.

Storm is more attracted to Julia than she is to him. He goes with Julia to the US on a tourist visa and meets Ciara for the first time. He is impressed with Ciara’s caring attitude towards Julia.

Life in the US proves to be challeling to Storm and Julia. Julia, being on student visa, is prohibited by law to accept full time jobs. Storm, an alien with no working visa is confined to do photo printing instead of being a photographer.

Feeling hopeless, Julia asks Ciara to marry Storm so that he can obtain a decent job. Out of sisterly love, the old maid Ciara obliged.

Storm and Ciara gets married and try to live their life as husband and wife under the watchful eyes of the I.N.S. or immigration officials. Julia stays in another room; Storm sleeps with her whenever there is a chance.

There is no hint that Ciara and Storm are secretly attracted to one another until that first spontaneous kiss before the eyes of Ciara’s ex-boyfriend who they chances upon during one of their strollings. Ciara is obviously shaken when she sees her old flame with an attractive new partner and Storm sympathizes with her. The next scene is the so-called disturbing love scene of Storm and Ciara. (I wonder what is disturbing there?) The two keep their affair to Julia although technically, it is not an affair! Julia feels alienated from Storm and her suspicions are validated when she sees her sister and boyfriend kissing passionately.

A heart-broken Julia nearly curses her sister. She and Storm go back to the Philippines in an attempt to salvage their relationship. But Storm feels that he’s in love with Ciara and he makes Julia’s life miserable by ignoring her. The easy-go-lucky Julia suddenly plays a martyr girlfriend who will do everything to keep the relationship until she gives up one day at a time when Ciara decides to give up on Storm, too.

After four years, Storm goes back to the US and meets Julia at the park while she’s taking a stroll with a baby on a pram. Then Ciara approaches them with her husband and gets the baby from Julia. In the end, Julia and Storm reconcile while Ciara leads a happy family life without offending anyone.
Mariel and Robin on Startalk

September 23, 2010

That’s Entertainment

Are they married or are they not? Who cares? The couple seems ecstatic over their newfound happiness in each other. I’m used to seeing Mariel in her signature boisterous laughter “HAHAHAHA!” But a prim and proper Mariel graced Startalk’s audience last September 18. Could it be Robin’s influence on her? That Startalk episode was one hell of an interview; I could have stomache due to continuous laughing!

Imagine, Mariel was with Robin and his two kids by ex-wife (?) Liezel Padilla. Mariel was replying to an (unseen) interviewer’s question and you could hear Alih talking, too on the background. Distracted, Mariel seemed more surprised to know that she was answering a LIVE interview. So, what’s with that? Well, she’s the host of E-Live on GMA-7’s rival channel, the ABS-CBN. Maybe that was the reason why she was unusually not her euphoric old self all throughout the interview.

Kylie granted an interview, too but like step-mom Mariel, she was also distracted by Alih.

Kylie: Why are you laughing?
Alih: (in his Australian accent) I’m not laughing….I’m just smiling.

Robin seemed to be controlling his emotions, careful not to scold his youngest child. He was holding Alih’s hands but the little boy of seven or ten seemed to be VERY clueless that he and his family were being interviewed LIVE. As usual, when asked about Mariel, Robin would answer as if he was a direct descendant of Francisco Baltazar. I wonder if it was that style that captured the hearts of his many exes. I noticed that Mariel and Kylie were not comfortable to be seated next to each other. In fairness to Mariel, she seemed to be reaching out to Robin’s kids. I hope she could also be good friends with Liezel.

Going back to the wedding issue; Robin said in The World Tonight that he married Mariel last August 19 in Agra, India, home of the Taj Mahal. But Robin, isn’t it a little weird to get married near Taj Mahal since it’s a mausoleum? Or maybe your were moved by Shah Jahan and Mumtaz Mahal’s love story? If that is so, is it safe to say that Mariel would be the last woman in your life?

Robin allegedly married Mariel for the second time in Camp 7, Baguio City. If my memory serves me right, Camp 7 is along Kennon Road. Being a Muslim, Robin’s loyalty to his faith was questioned but he justified the Ibaloi wedding by saying that he is an Igorot and his mother, Mrs. Eva Padilla is related to the Cariños of Baguio City. Joaquin Cariño granted an interview in 24 Oras and explained that Robin and Eva could not be found on the Cariño family tree. Joaquin or Jack is the great grandson of Mateo Cariño, a popular figure in Baguio City. But being hospitable, the Cariños acknowledged Robin as their honorary cousin. In fact, they’re still not closing their doors on him; Robin would just have to prove that they have blood relations. Hats off to the Cariños of Baguio City; they didn’t claim to be related to a popular figure unless they have a proof. If they were not classy at all, they would grab the chance of being related to Robin Padilla. Off-topic, are the Cariños related to the Hamadas who own the Midland Courier?

Read up, I mentioned that Liezel is Robin’s ex-wife with a question mark. I read on PEP that their marriage is not yet dissolved. Is that a premonition that no matter what, Liezel will forever be Mrs. Robin Padilla? I think that Liezel was Robin’s love of his life; it’s just that, womanizing is part of his system. With four kids and a marriage that has yet to be dissolved, Robin and Liezel’s bond will remain. That, Mariel has to live with and accept.