The World of Second Chances

Three Years Of Hell

July 13, 2010

Health & Beauty

Korean actors. Japanese businessmen. Ordinary people. We can all be victims of depression that may lead to taking our own lives to ease the unstoppable emotional pain. I was a victim of depression… and I managed to get out of it.

As early as ten years old, I remember feeling emotionally down and helpless. There were personal reasons that triggered it but at that very young age, I thought that maybe, it was just part of my growing up.

The first time that I thought of suicide was when I was 14 or 15 years old. It was my second time to experience depression. The first time lasted for almost a year. Fortunately, all my depressions did not affect my schooling.

In college, my third time, the depression was triggered by a bad relationship. Often, I thought of ending my life.

The worst depression that I had was in 2001 to 2004. I couldn’t sleep. I had no peace of mind. I had a stormy relationship at a time when I was so sure of my feelings and it pushed me to a downward spiral. Ironically, those were the years when I thought that I was at my best at work.

Manic-depressive. I was in a state of mania during the daytime and in a state of melancholia at nightime, when nobody could see the tears falling from my eyes.

I tried to ask for help and support from my then bf and my late mother. But no matter how much they loved me and cared for me, they just couldn’t understand that depression really exists. It takes one to know one; they wouldn’t know the feeling because they didn’t experience it.

In 2004, I had a brief talk with one of my friends named Fred. I told him that I had enough of everything negative that was going through in my life and I shared the reasons why I was depressed. His words were full of positive energy, some of it rubbed off on me.

Little by little, I managed to survive. Little by little, the pain was subsiding. I was fully healed in 2004! All it took was one kind word from a friend who never judged me why I was depressed.

Rationale, we could have avoided these suicides if we would be emphatic on family or friends who need emotional support. And if we are the ones who need emotional support, let’s remove our pride and seek help from family and trusted friends.

I was depressed and in a hellish state for three years and yet I managed to get out of it WITHOUT even taking Prozac. You, too can manage. Celebrate life!
Missing Boy: Ram Ram

July 9, 2010

Life & Love

I fail to write down his mother’s name and his full name, too but this three year-old boy named Ram Ram has been on the news since early this week. His family name sounds like they’re Muslim.

The little boy was with his yaya when an unidentified woman approached them and introduced herself as a relative. She borrowed Ram Ram from the yaya and told her that she would just be buying ice. The kidnapper did not return prompting the yaya to text Ram Ram’s mother about the incident.

The mother was hysterical. She lost her youngest child last year and she admitted that she has not yet moved on. With Ram Ram, it’s a bigger tragedy because she doesn’t know where the little boy is and what intentions the evil kidnapper had on her mind. My heart goes out to Ram Ram’s mother. I am a mother, too and a very protective one.

The yaya was put in jail for charges of negligence. Could she be part of the kidnapping? Was she too trusting or she was just too gullible?

We can only hope that the CCTV camera from a nearby warehouse can unlock the mystery on who really took the boy. Personal interest or syndicate, what that person did is KIDNAPPING and she or they should pay for it!

Let us be vigilant, people. If somebody from your neighborhood suddenly appears with a three-year old boy, it would be helpful to contact the police to conduct an investigation if who they have with them is Ram Ram.

August 29, 2017 Update:

Seven years after I wrote this article, Ram Ram is on the news again. His mother thinks that Ram Ram is in the hands of the Maute group and is being groomed as a child warrior. =(

http://www.pinoythinking.info/2017/08/mom-cries-for-help-lost-son-turns-up-as.html

September 5, 2017 Update:

Ram Ram is said to be reunited with his parents. What a happy ending!
SBMA/Gapo Restaurants

July 7, 2010

Travel

http://kaasikid.blogspot.com/2010/07/subicgapo-food-trip.html

san ba ok kumain sa subic or gapo? kung me kasama kang local ok rin para madaling hanapin or be adventurous explore the place.

1) Wimpy’s – fast food to. maraming branch sa gapo meron din sa subic malapit sa entrance. try the cheeseburger.
Iris says: Try mo yung parang chicken lauriat nila dun. Mura ang food dun tapos masarap. Favorite ko yung Wimpy’s sa may Magsaysay. Then yung nasa loob ng SBMA. Favorite spot ko yung sa may kaloob-looban para walang makakita sa lakas ng kain ko.

2) Meat Plus – sa subic to. try nyo ung steak nila. ok din ung ambience.
Iris says: Pang-sosyal ang Meatplus. Hindi lahat afford kumain dun. Nung kumain kami dun, nalimutan pa yung isang order namin. Muntik na naming layasan.

3) Coffee Shop – medyo malayo to sa subic. papuntang zambales na. try the tacos.
Iris: Ah…dyan ako unang dinala ng mga IE. Hindi ako gaanong impressed sa menu nila.

4) Rico’s – located sa residential part ng gapo. me mga lutong bahay. try silog meals.
Iris: Saan yan?????
5) Sam’s Pizza – located sa gapo along magsaysay. me live band. of course, try their pizza.
Iris: Hmmm.,…di ko matandaan sino ang kasama ko nung kumain ako dito.
6) Extremely Espresso – located inside subic. try their big pizza saka coffee.
Iris says: Ah, okay dito. Very cozy. Meron pa ba nito? Di ko to napansin nung nag-SBMA kami ng friends ko.
I’m So In Love With You!

July 7, 2010

Life & Love

His tiny body clings to me for a sweet embrace. His wet lips reaches to mine for a kiss. I can smell his sweet smell. Nobody really beats Adi! Excuse me Chang and Miel, I don’t mean to hurt your feelings or cause jealousy. I know that we all love our little baby boy.

How can I not fall in love with my baby? His arrival is just timely. When I was turning 20, I was deprived of motherhood; circumstances just did not allow me. Chang, for twelve years, was a stranger to me and vice-versa. With Adi, the pregnancy was welcomed by family and friends…and yes, the community. I had him at the time when most women are expected to marry and raise a family.

How can I not fall in love with a baby who wakes me up with a loving smile? A baby who’s a replica of me. He changed a lot in my life. Yes, I don’t have a nightlife anymore. It started when I went steady with Miel two years ago. (Ours was a whirlwind courtship)

I love you, Adi. You taught me how to love unconditionally. You taught me how to be a mother. You taught me the value of FAMILY.
The Monkey and The Baby

July 6, 2010

Life & Love

You naughty little monkey!
Why did you pinch my nose?
Why did you slap my lips?
Instead of giving loving kisses?

You’re jumping up and down my bed
Like a wild monkey on the loose
You’re spilling milk all over the floor
And still can manage to smile at me?

Your big black eyes are very bright
Your brown hair covers your bumpy forehead
Your red lips, oh, those are mine!
Your eight little teeth resemble a small chainsaw

My little baby, you’re not a monkey!
You are a doll, an angel that God sent to me
We can play all day until you’re ten
By that time, mommy will be older and cannot run after you
Bye, MSU!

July 5, 2010

Career, Finance & Product

July 5, 2010, MSU in Wistron Infocomm Philippines announced its closure.

When I was still working for WPH as an IE, I thought that I would reach old age serving the company. But a lot of things happened along the way; I left WPH but I never forgot the good times I spent with the best engineers, accountants, IT’s and production operators there.

There’s always a reason why things happen. For every sad ending is a hope for a happy beginning.

Good-bye, MSU!

To my friends and acquaintances who are affected by the closure, keep in touch!
Five Things That I Will Do For A Better Philippines

July 1, 2010

Life & Love

June 30 gave me an opportunity to slow down. I spent the day just relaxing while watching PNoy’s inauguration. Contrary to speculations, there was a peaceful transfer of government from ex-PGMA to PNoy. PMGA looked cheerful when she welcomed PNoy. I didn’t see a trace of her being negative and regretful that she would no longer be the highest elected government official on the Philippines. It must be the fallback, huh? She won as Congresswoman in Pampanga. The Pampangueños must really love her so much.

The four Aquino sisters were beautiful at their yellow gown. Ballsy’s beauty is that of a colegiala, sosyalin!. Pinky’s bangs made her ten years younger, I mistook her for cousin Jackie Aquino! Viel’s angelic face resembles that of cousin Mikee Cojuangco. The youngest Kris was a stand out in her yellow gown. Oh, she handled her personal problems well. I didn’t see her gloomy at the occasion. (I was hoping that James would attend. Sad!)

PNoy is regarded by his supporters as the messiah who would save us from our economic, social, political and maybe spiritual problem. The presidency is no easy task so I think it would be better if we start changing our mindsets in time for the new government.

These are the five things that I intend to do for a better Philippines:

1. I will work harder to attain 100% financial freedom.
– They say that you cannot give what you do not have. At present, I am sending my youngest brother to school. Such a noble act, isn’t it? But this is what I learned from my Japanese sponsors in college: share whatever you have. Offer scholarships to poor but deserving kids even if it means sacrificing some of your luxuries in life. Ok, very noble! But I am also working for my family! So, I think that to be able to afford some of life’s luxuries while helping others, then I need to be 100% financially independent. Financial independence means that I have a positive cash flow. Walang malaking utang.

2. I will continue to study and hone my craft.
– I can’t stop at my current position. I need to learn the latest in engineering and business administration to be able to mentor the people under me. The Indians are good at IT because they persevered for it. Are the Filipinos regarded as good in Engineering? Maybe yes. It’s the reason why Singapore, Taiwan and China hire Filipino Engineers. But can you tell me how you were treated compared to your Chinese or at least Malaysian counterparts?

3. I will teach my kids to speak, write, pronounce and understand English.
– Grammar police, arrrest me! I don’t claim to be flawless when it comes to speaking the King’s language. In fact, until now, I am still lost for some English words. I notice that most of our young children and teenagers today find it hard to express in English. It’s very different during the 80’s when even public school kids speak and write good English. Are we deteriorating? Yes. Most of the people here at the office can write good English but cannot speak in straight English. I think that it’s my duty as a parent to teach my kids good English. We don’t live in a community where English is the means of communication. It’s the countryside where the Tagalogs live.

4. I will stay beautiful inside and out.
– False spirituality teaches us not to focus on physical beauty because what is important is inner beauty; the spirituality itself. I beg to disagree. We have eyes to appreciate what is beautiful and what is not beautiful. Physical beauty is about maintaing a good skin, good set of teeth, good smile, good health and clean finger and toe nails. Being beautiful inside and out radiates and affects other people. I will affect other people by staying beautiful inside and out.

5. I will be more disciplined.
– I will religiously segregate the biodegradables from non-biodegradable wastes. I will follow the traffic rules. I will be on time for appointments. And I will teach or influence my family and friends to do the same.

There’s a lot to do more than those mentioned above. But I will start from there. 🙂