The World of Second Chances

Chapter 13: Life is Full of Surprises

December 2, 2023

Poems & Stories

“Alam mo bang nag-expand na ang SLU? May college na din dun sa Bakakeng. Naaalala ko noong homesick na homesick ka, ang sabi mo, ano bang eskwelahan ang napuntahan mo samantalang andami mong choices sa Manila,” nanunukso nyang sabi.

“Insensitive lang talaga ako noon,” ang sabi ko naman.

Humihip ang malamig na hangin kaya sinuot ko na ang jacket ko. Kinuha ko kay Rupert ang brown envelope na naglalaman ng transcript of records at diploma ko.

“So, saan ka papasyal ngayon?” tanong nya.

“I think uuwi muna ako. Baka ma-misplace ko pa itong documents, sayang naman,” sagot ko.

“Tamang-tama, pauwi din ako. May naiwan akong documents na dapat kong pirmahan. Sumabay ka na sa akin pauwi,” alok nya.

Hindi na ako tumutol dahil halata namang masyadong umiiwas ako. Naglakad kami papuntang parking at sumakay sa kotse.Napansin niyang panay ang tingin ko sa cellphone ko habang nasa byahe kami.

“Seloso ba si Jim?”

Napatingin ako sa kanya. Sumulyap sya sa akin sabay ngiti.

“Bakit, selosa ba si Abigail?” ganti ko.

“Sabi ko nga, she was the kindest person I’ve ever met. Wala na akong makikitang parang siya,” seryoso niyang sagot.

“But you said it in a past tense. Bakit, hindi na ba siya mabait ngayon?” may halong inis na tanong ko.
Hindi ko alam kung napikon lang sa akin si Rupert o may iniwasang sasakyan sa biglang kabig niya ng manibela. Nagulat ako at napatingin sa kanya. Kalmado naman ang mukha niya kaya maaaring hindi naman siya napikon sa akin.

“I said it in a past tense because she’s no longer here. Matagal nang namatay si Abigail. It was a short-lived marriage but it was happy and full of love,” may lungkot sa boses niya.

Nagulat ako sa nalaman ko. Hindi ko nabalitaang wala na si Abigail. Si Abigail ang naging girlfriend niya pagkatapos namin. Wala naman akong problema kay Abigail dahil nasa iisang academic club lang kami.

“I’m sorry…. I didn’t know…”

“Madami kang hindi alam after you left Baguio..”

“Exactly. That’s why I am here now. I want to know the things that happened 18 years ago. Bakit hindi natin pag-usapan ngayon pala?” matapang kong hamon.

Hindi ko napansin na diniretso pala ni Rupert ang pagmamaneho papuntang Country Club.

“Lumagpas na tayo,” paalala ko.

“Sinadya ko. Magla-lunch tayo dito,” madiin niyang sabi.

Ipinarada niya ang sasakyan at pagkatapos ay binuksan ang pintuan para makalabas ako.

“Don’t worry, nag-order na ako. Okay lang naman sa iyo ang Japanese food, di ba?” tanong niya sabay hawak sa braso ko para umalalay.

“Oh, she’s here,” turo ni Rupert sa nakatalikod na babae sa table. Nagtaka ako dahil wala naman siyang nabanggit na makakasama namin sa lunch.

May pagtataka akong lumapit at nagulat ako sa katauhan ng babaeng makakasama namin— si Clara! Salitan kong pinagmamasdan ang mga mukha nila para basahin kung anuman ang pinupunto ng pagkikitang ito.

“Hi, Leona. Long time no see,” ang nakangiting sabi ni Clara.

“Clara! I am not expecting this. So paano… how did you know that I’m here?” umupo ako pagkatapos. Sumunod din si Rupert na nakangiti sa amin.

“Hindi ba nabanggit ni Rupert? Siya ang nagsabi sa akin na andito ka.”

“But… why? I’m sorry but I can’t recall na naging close kayo?” may pagtataka pa din sa boses ko.

“Well, dear. People change,” nakangiti niyang sagot.

Natahimik ako. Hindi ko halos makilala si Clara mula sa sopistikadang pananamit hanggang sa magandang make up at hair style. Naunahan ako ng intimidation para tanungin kung ano ba ang namamagitan sa kanila ni Rupert. Tiningnan ko si Rupert at abala siya sa cellphone niya. Nakangiti namang nakatingin si Clara sa akin na parang tinatanya ang magiging reaksyon. Malaking pagkagulat siguro ang nakapaskil na ekspresyon sa aking mukha. Oo, isang malaking pagkagulat.
Pag-Asa

September 13, 2023

Life & Love

Sa magulo’t komplikadong buhay, naglalakbay ang mga ugnayan.
Bawat isa may sariling landas, mga opinyon o pananaw.
Ngunit sa mga itong kumukubli, may isang uri tayong namumukhaan.
Isang paglalakbay na di-tiyak, isang masalimuot na pagkakabigkis.

Mga ugnayang walang kinabukasan, di singlalim ng karagatan.
Sa walang agos na tubig, nagsisikap makadaan.
Walang-katapusang pag-ikot, minsan ay nakakalimutan.
Nakapako sa pag-asam, di alintana ang kinabukasan.

Di tiyak, di laan, mga bagay na hindi magkakatugma.
Ang hinaharap na inaasam ngunit baka walang katiyakan.
Pansariling hidwaan, pagtatalo ng isip at kalooban.
Pinipilit kayanin ang bukas,kahit pundasyon ay kinatatakutan.

Mga lakas na panlabas, pinaghahandaan ang bawat hamon.
Dahil saang dako man pumaroon, lakas ng loob ang pansuong.
Kahit pa pusong may pagkatakot, tumatapang sa hirap ng buhay.
Mundo man ay maging malungkot, narito tayo’t nakikibaka.

Dahil di lahat ay nawawala, hindi lahat ay walang kabuluhan.
Darating din ang panahon na lahat ay magiginhawahan.
May leksyon ang bawat ganap, maghantay ka lang at magmasid.
Ang ating pang-unawa sa sarili, at ang landasin ng ating pag-unlad.

Kaya’t yakapin ang karunungan, hayaang mabuksan,
Ang malayang pag-iisip basta’t walang nilalabag na utos ng Ama.
Walang kinabukasang hawak, ngunit may aral na di-mabilang.
Gabay sa ating pagkatao, sa ating mga kwento na nabubuklat.
Wild Guesses on Dirty Linen

July 31, 2023

That’s Entertainment
Mukhang patapos na ang Dirty Linen.

Sa teaser, may hint na aaminin ni Mila/Alexa na magkapatid sila ni Chiara.

May hint din na mabibisto na ng mga Fierro na si Mila ay si Alexa.

Pero may mga tanong pa din sa kwento na hindi pa mahulaan ng kagaya kong fan ng serye na ito.
1. Bakit walang mana si Feliz at si Doña Cielo? Sabi nila, dahil baka nagkaroon ng affair si Doña Cielo kay Chief Alejandro at si Feliz ang naging lovechild kung kaya’t nang malaman ni Don Fierro, inalis nya sa mana ang dalawa. My wild guess is, si Carlos ang anak ni Chief Alejandro dahil masyado niya itong pinrotektahan. Maybe Lemuel’s kuya knew the truth kaya pinapatay siya. Fake ang last will and testament at ang tunay na tagapagmana ay si Feliz.
2. Sino ang nakabaril kay Olivia? Sabi nila ay baka si Aidan dahil baka aksidenteng tinamaan si Olivia nang paglaruan ang baril. I don’t think it’s Aidan dahil mukhang takot na takot si Olivia nang magtago siya. Mahirap hulaan so maybe si Doña Cielo ang nag-utos dahil baka nalaman ni Olivia ang lihim nya na hindi tunay na Fierro si Carlos.
3. Magkakatuluyan pa ba sila Aidan at Mila? Naku, sa dami ng issue nila, malabo na yan. Baka si Aidan at si Sophie pa din at si Mila/Alexa at si Lemuel naman pero they will always be each other’s TOTGA (naisingit pa yun eh ano?)
4. Ano na ang mangyayari kay Chiara? Syempre, since si Alexa/Mila ang bida dito, ang ending ay sa kanya sasama si Chiara! LOL.
5. Makakamit ba nila ang hustisya laban sa mga Fierro- Oo, makukulong si Carlos, Leona, Ador at Chief Alejandro. Gagawin ni Olga lahat ng makakaya niya para mailabas si Leona and they will live happily ever after.
Kayo, ano ang wild guess nyo?
Sabrina M on Rico Yan

July 9, 2023

That’s Entertainment

Many were surprised by the revelation of former sexy star Sabrina M about her two-year secret relationship with former matinee idol Rico Yan. Rico Yan passed away on March 29, 2002 while on vacation in Palawan with his best friend Dominic Ochoa and his then-girlfriend Janna Victoria. Sabrina revealed their secret relationship in 2021, but it was not given much attention at the time, perhaps because people were busy dealing with their own problems brought about by the pandemic.

Now that life has returned to normal, many are interested in the truth behind Sabrina’s statements about Rico Yan. For those who were not born yet when Rico became famous and passed away, Rico was a former matinee idol who was paired with both Judy Ann Santos and Claudine Barretto. He was also the first youth spokesperson for the Department of Education Culture and Sports in 1998. Before his rise to fame, he worked as a commercial model through Eskinol Master. He came from a military family, with his grandfather General Manuel Yan Sr. and his uncle General Edgar Aglipay. He also graduated with a degree in Marketing Management from DLSU in 1997. Rico Yan had a wholesome image that was further adored by fans when he became the boyfriend of his screen partner Claudine Barretto in 1998. Claudine was at the peak of her career as the queen of ABS-CBN and had a wide fan base.

There were rumors back in November 2001 that Claudine and Rico had already broken up while the production of “Got To Believe” was still ongoing. However, they managed to keep their breakup hidden from the public until it premiered in February 2002. There were also rumors of intense fights between them in Claudine Barretto’s condo, possibly because Claudine did not want to reconcile with Rico. There were hints of a lovers’ quarrel due to jealousy, and some initially thought it was the younger sister of her politician best friend, who was still a teenager at the time. Sabrina’s name also came up, but fans didn’t take it seriously, thinking that Rico wouldn’t fall in love with a sexy star.

Sabrina insists that she was not the third party or the cause of Rico and Claudine’s breakup. She also stated that Bobby Yan, Rico’s brother, and Claudine Barretto herself were aware that she was Rico’s secret girlfriend. However, what seems to be slightly conflicting is her statement that she and Rico were in a two-year relationship before he passed away. If true, it means that Rico’s relationship with Sabrina overlapped with his relationship with Claudine, and it also gives a clue that Rico was not faithful to Claudine.

During Rico’s wake, the Yan family had a cold treatment towards Claudine. She needed to be accompanied by her sisters Gretchen and Marjorie. Claudine was not in the front row and was just mixed in with the majority of mourners. Sabrina did not mention where she was positioned during Rico’s wake, but she mentioned that Bobby handed her a flower to drop as Rico’s casket was lowered. Claudine did not approach while Rico was being buried as there was a tension between her and the Yans.

Over the course of 21 years, there has been a judgment against Claudine that she was the cause of Rico Yan’s depression, and then later to his death by acute hemorrhagic pancreatitis. It was not reported if Rico was aware that Raymart and Claudine were together in Subic while he was in Palawan. Claudine stated that they would talk after the Holy Week to discuss what needs to be discussed and fix what needs to be fixed.

Rico may have had a relationship with Sabrina, but it was Claudine whom he truly loved, which is why he wanted to fix everything, especially when he heard that Raymart Santiago was getting close to Claudine. Claudine swallowed all the criticisms, and perhaps there was guilt because Rico passed away without them having closure. Hence, she never forgot Rico after all these years.

Even though Rico passed away 21 years ago, he is still being talked about because, generally, he was a nice man. If he did have another girlfriend while he was still with Claudine, I think he deeply regretted hurting his greatest love. Perhaps he also loved Sabrina, but not to the extent of his love for Claudine, so who are we to judge Sabrina if there was indeed something between her and Rico.

There is only one thing clear in this story: Rico was a well-loved man, and anybody would love to reminisce the happy memories they had with him.
Dirty Linen Addict

July 5, 2023

That’s Entertainment

I am following the teleserye (TV drama series) called “Dirty Linen” starring Janine Gutierrez and Zanjoe Marudo. It is a story of revenge rooted in the disappearance of the four helpers of the family.

The Fierro family is the most powerful family in El Hambra, led by the feisty Doña Cielo Fierro. Her eldest son, Carlos, is her successor and the husband of Leona Fierro. They are the parents of Aidan and Chiara. Doña Cielo’s youngest daughter is Feliz, who married one of their staff members, Ador Pavia. They also have two children, Tonet and Tristan.

Externally, the Fierro family appears to be very happy because of their wealth. Doña Cielo’s grandchildren are studying in an exclusive school. The family is involved in livelihood programs. Both Carlos and Leona, as well as Ador and Feliz, seem to be deeply in love with each other.

The hidden agenda of the family gradually unraveled when Mila Dela Cruz entered their lives. Mila, who was a household helper of the Fierros, had a motive for seeking revenge. Mila’s mother was one of the missing household helpers from ten years ago. We will also learn that Carlos’ trusted driver, Mang Abe, is the mastermind behind the revenge plot because his wife was among the missing household helpers. The two relatives of the missing helpers, Lala and Max, will also cause turmoil in the lives of the Fierros.

We will discover that Carlos was not faithful to Leona. He had multiple affairs with other women, which deeply hurt Leona. As a result, she shifted her affection towards the female lawyer who serves as the Fierro family’s legal counsel. Her name is Atty. Olga. There is also tension over money in the Pavia household because they solely rely on the allowance provided by Doña Cielo. In their desire to improve their financial situation, Ador ventured into pornography, while Feliz got caught up in gambling at the casino. Cousins Chiara and Tonet constantly argue and even reached a point where they both fell in love with the same man, Nico.

In the twisting and turning tale of pursuit, legal battles, torture, conflicts, and jealousy, sometimes I just want to know who really killed Olivia, Alexa’s mother. Who are Mila and Alexa in Dirty Linen? I suggest you watch it and let’s get hooked together.
Old (Netflix Movie)

June 26, 2023

That’s Entertainment

The movie “Old” is currently streaming on Netflix. Its story has a touch of science fiction. The narrative begins by introducing a family aboard a coaster on their way to a beautiful resort. Despite their efforts to hide it from their two children, the tension between the couple is evident. Upon arriving at the resort, they can hardly believe how stunning the place is. The young son, who is only six years old, quickly befriends another child. In their hotel room, we discover that the couple is on the verge of divorcing and planned the vacation as one last happy memory as a complete family.

The following day, the hotel manager offers them the opportunity to explore a hidden cove. Intrigued by the adventure, the couple agrees. In the coaster, they meet another family. At the cove, the daughter, who idolizes a rapper, is thrilled to find him there. However, the rapper’s female companion drowns shortly afterward. Weirder things follow like the Capa siblings, and the young daughter of a doctor have an insatiable appetite. The movie’s story revolves around the inexplicable rapid aging of those in the cove. The children become teenagers within a few hours. The doctor’s daughter becomes pregnant and gives birth to a baby that cannot withstand the cove’s magic and dies. In the end, the surviving members are the couple and their two children, as anyone attempting to escape the cove perishes.

The elements of the film “Old” suggest the question of “who or what is most important in your life?” The doctor’s wife experiences deep sorrow upon realizing that her true love was her first love, whom she never reciprocated due to his average looks. The couple, who had considered separating, realizes that their love for each other never disappeared, and in their rapid aging, they discover that they should be together. The children, who suddenly become teenagers, are saddened by the fact that they have no memories of the typical stages a child goes through on the path to becoming a teenager. The ending of the movie is left for you to watch.

What I liked about it was the realization that perhaps we are too busy criticizing what we lack in our lives, but all along, the things we truly desire are already within us. Sometimes, we think that we lack blessings or love because we focus too much on people’s shortcomings instead of accepting them as they are. At times, we also believe that we have all the time in the world, which is why there’s a scene where the psychologist who is with them, regrets not being on speaking terms with her sister. In the case of the doctor’s wife, her attention is fixated on superficial things like physical appearance and wealth, which is why even though she was deeply loved by her first love, she left him. “Old” revolves around the idea of embracing life to the fullest, recognizing the transient nature of everything around us.
Karma

June 16, 2023

Life & Love

Karma is a concept deeply rooted in ancient Indian philosophy and widely recognized across various spiritual traditions. It is often referred to as the law of cause and effect, suggesting that our actions have consequences that shape our present and future experiences. Karma teaches us that every thought, word, and action we express has a ripple effect, influencing our lives and the world around us.

At its core, karma reminds us of the interconnectedness of all things. It implies that our choices and actions are not isolated events but are part of a grand web of cause and effect. Just as a pebble thrown into a still pond creates ripples that spread outwards, our actions create energetic imprints that reverberate throughout the universe.

Karma operates on three dimensions. The first dimension is Sanchita Karma, which encompasses all our accumulated actions and their consequences over multiple lifetimes. It suggests that our present experiences are shaped not only by our current actions but also by the karmic imprints carried forward from previous incarnations.

The second dimension, Prarabdha Karma, represents the portion of accumulated karma that manifests in our present lives. It is the karmic package that we are born with, encompassing the circumstances and life situations we encounter. Prarabdha Karma serves as the canvas upon which we paint our current life’s experiences.

The third dimension, Agami Karma, refers to the actions we generate in our present lives. It is the karma we create through our thoughts, intentions, words, and deeds in the here and now. Agami Karma holds tremendous power, as it directly influences the trajectory of our lives and shapes the quality of our future experiences.

While karma is often associated with rewards and punishments, it is essential to understand that it goes beyond a simplistic system of cosmic justice. Karma is not about judgment or blame but rather about learning, growth, and personal responsibility. It reminds us that we have the power to shape our own destinies through our conscious choices and actions.

The path to transforming negative karma lies in cultivating mindfulness, self-awareness, and the willingness to take responsibility for our actions. By examining our thoughts, motives, and intentions, we can identify negative patterns and make conscious efforts to break free from them. Practicing forgiveness, compassion, and kindness towards ourselves and others helps create positive karmic imprints, paving the way for healing and growth.

Karma also extends beyond individual actions. It encompasses the collective karma of societies and the interconnectedness of all beings. Our choices and actions have implications not only for ourselves but also for the world we live in. By recognizing the ripple effects of our actions, we can become conscious contributors to a more harmonious and compassionate society.

Ultimately, the understanding of karma invites us to let go of attachment to outcomes. It encourages us to embrace detachment and surrender to the flow of life, trusting that the universe holds a higher wisdom beyond our limited perspective. By releasing the need to control and accepting the natural unfolding of karmic consequences, we can find peace, resilience, and a deeper sense of purpose.

In essence, karma serves as a powerful reminder of our interconnectedness and the profound impact our actions have on ourselves and the world. It invites us to tread the path of self-awareness, personal growth, and conscious living. By aligning our thoughts, words, and actions with positive intentions, we can sow the seeds of positive karma and contribute to a more compassionate and harmonious existence.