Category Archives: Work

Connections

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Sometimes, ideas come easily. Other times, you’re trying to shake your brain to come up with something… anything. This unfortunately, is one of the latter ones. Yet as hard as I may try, I still end up typing on the keyboard what naturally–or maybe desperately–comes to mind. One would think that after two straight weekends of finally having new material written, I’d be back in the groove. But I guess, I’m more rusty than I thought.

I did have one topic in mind, but I feel that the timing isn’t appropriate (yet) to pen it down. Maybe in a couple of weeks. To think that after seeing Yasuke on Netflix, WW84 on HBO Go, and continuing my Friends marathon (also on Netflix), my mind would have fresh material to play around with. Still, I can’t quite get the creative gears going (even after having two beers and three shots of whisky–going on a fourth).

So I tried looking back at what happened the past week. It was actually quite a work week, with two early and long days, a bunch of interviews and meetings, and a couple of presentations. Well, not necessarily presentations per se, but I would probably say speaking engagements I had to be part of. In any case, it was a long, drawn out week. But what stood out during that week was a group call I received late Friday shift (early Saturday morning).

My shift was winding down, and it was about an hour after I finished the last of my meetings for the week. I was in the middle of finishing whatever emails I had to send out when my Messenger app rang. I saw that it’s a group call and was quite surprised that they’d call at that hour, but there wasn’t any hesitation on my part as I answered. They opened with the usual inside jokes they used to crack from time to time, and I responded with some of my own; and in no time, it was like we just physically saw each other yesterday.

Before we knew it, we’ve already been talking for more than an hour. We talked about what’s currently going on in our lives, shared stories, asked and answered questions about whatever came to mind, ranted about this damned virus and how we can’t go out like we used to, and one of them even tried to play matchmaker (seriously). But the common thing we did in the midst of all those things, was to laugh. It’s one thing to laugh when you’re watching a classic comedy TV series or even a funny movie; but to have that laughter shared among people you’ve grown to admire and respect, it’s somehow become more meaningful. And with a lot less things to laugh about these days, it was something that we all badly needed.

After the call ended, I was still smiling as I resumed to finish the remaining work tasks I had. Suddenly, instead of feeling absolutely relieved and thankful that the difficult work week was about to end, I somehow felt different. That work week was no longer defined by all the things I had to do and complete, or how my body clock was messed up, or even the number of mugs of coffee and gummi bears I consumed just to keep my sanity. It will forever be known as having that group call that made everything that week worth it.

And it also made me realize the value of checking in with people, whether they are your friends, colleagues, or even family. We constantly get reminders of looking after our own well-being, or taking personal time off, that we sometimes forget the one important thing that this virus and pandemic has taken away aside from health: our personal interactions and physical connections with people. More so, with those who we care about. Granted, there are those who will slowly or suddenly turn cold on you despite your best efforts (some, without any reason at all); but as long as you did your part, you can most likely sleep well at night. Take it from someone who’s no stranger from being left high and dry often (and used to it).

So to the group who made that surprise call, I can’t personally thank you enough. You drastically lifted my spirits up when all I was already thinking about that time was to probably hibernate all weekend. You’re all aces in my book, and I’m really looking forward to seeing–and laughing–with you personally again when it’s safe to do so. I wish you and your families safety and protection from this virus. Until we meet again.

Have a good week and month, everyone.

birthday appreciation

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I was supposed to do this yesterday, but I was feeling a bit emotional from all that transpired during my birthday weekend (yes, me emotional during my own birthday).  Plus, I wanted to go through all of those birthday greetings and well-wishes in order for me to do this “thank you entry” properly.

They say that good things sometimes come unexpectedly, and this held true for me this year.  As far as I can remember, I haven’t experienced what I did this past Friday in close to 10 years.  From simple gestures such as three hand-made birthday open cards littered with personal greetings, to a very surprising birthday cake, I don’t remember having smiled a lot in one day and even being speechless from everything that came my way.

I have mentioned time and again that I don’t really care about my own birthday, and that it doesn’t matter to me anymore.  What does matter are the people who do really remember and took time to greet me last Friday and over the weekend.  For them to do such, makes me want to repay them ten times over, but we all know that wouldn’t be possible unless I win the lottery, so I will or send them good karma and hope for good fortune coming their way.  And to really show my appreciation, allow me to list here everyone who did what for me is a humbling gesture and sent their birthday greetings for someone like me.  Here goes:

First and foremost, my family:  my awesome Mom and great Dad, my lil’ big brother Patrick and his lovey-dovey Ivy, and my lil’ big sister Lei and her husband Jared; my aunts:  Tita Letty, Tita Linda, Tita Ofie, and uncles:  Tito Nards and Tito Fermin; my cousins:  Aileen, Malen, Ian, Ryan, Lynette, Debbe, Treck, Lyn, Faye, Matt, Martin, Chey, Gab, my goddaughter Dani, Zaren, and Jerome.  Family is indeed love and they have never stopped giving love and support to me all these years.  Thank you.

My friends:  both close, regular and once-in-a-blue-moon friends, whether your greetings were made via Facebook, Twitter or SMS, you have all shown me how much you value my friendship with you (or maybe you either really remembered that it’s my birthday, or saw others post on my Facebook timeline, but they’re appreciated nonetheless).  In no particular order:  Liezl, Princess, Roel, Edgar, Khai, Chappy, Lisa, Cher, Wally, Jaymee, Trina, Reggie, Shandar, Raschelle, Jabi, Mela (thank you for the black forest cake), Weng, and Diana.  I admit, there are names who I wish were on that list, but I guess there’s always next year.  Thank you for your continued friendship with me.

Finally, my Helicon colleagues:  from our CEO, Mr. Konstantinos Boukis (who conveyed his greeting the Greek way which took me by surprise), to everyone else, I have never experienced the kind of outpouring of support and greeting compared to my previous jobs, which is really, really special.  To the Operations team:  Ems, Bryan, Kat, Isah, Myrell, Heizel, George, Mark, FF, Korie, Kaye, JG, Cherryl, Angel, Ashley, Dan, Rona, Krizia, Francis, Bel, Marie, Eunice, Rhoda, Rachel, Jermarie, Mike, Maita, Leo, Marge, Ronna, Anton, Nino, and Ariel; to the TQA team who also gave me a very delicious birthday cake:  Lara, Meanne, Julie, Tonie, Dada, and April; and the IT & HR personnel:  Kenn, Pat, Rolly, Joy and Atty. Juvy.  I am so humbled and blessed to have colleagues and colleagues-turned-friends such as you.  That videoke party was really one for the books!  Thank you so, so very much.

All of you, again, your well-wishes and greetings are very much appreciated.  Thank you.  You have made my birthday this 2013 one to really, really remember.  One common greeting I received was “may your wish(es) come true.”  In this stage of my life, there is only one wish that I want to come true.  Some of you may have an idea what it is, while most of you are in the same area.  Only time (again) will tell whether that wish will come true or not.  Nonetheless, whatever happens, that wish will be the very last one I’ll ever be making.  No more in the following years.

I couldn’t say “thank you” enough to all of you.  May you be blessed more by the big guy upstairs, and may more happiness and success in whatever you do come your way.  You’re all warmly remembered in my heart (or what’s left of it).  Until my next entry.

Thank you.

bruised and bloodied

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It’s been a while.

While I hope to be writing again on more uplifting circumstances–especially after a long absence–I’m afraid it’s somehow the opposite.  I guess it’s because for the first time in my life, I might have done something I wish I could take back.

Don’t get me wrong, I have always lived my life without any regrets.  And that I have always believed that having regrets is like slapping the face of a teacher trying to teach you a lesson.

I suppose the old adage holds true:  “there is always a first time for everything.”  Or maybe, all of us are meant to experience this kind of situation in one way or another.  Yet I have always, always had my better judgement prevail in the midst of being faced with such difficult choices.  After all, I have gone halfway through my life experiencing almost everything a professional would encounter.  Add to that, I sought the advice and wisdom of friends and colleagues-turned-friends alike.  All of them telling me to go with the decision I made.  But let me be very clear that for the record, I am NOT in any way putting blame on them.  It was MY decision to make.  MY own.  I blame MYSELF for this.  It’s like what I tell my friends when they ask me for advice:  “I can always tell you what you want to hear, or what you need to hear.  But in the end, it’s going to be you and you alone who makes that decision.”

I honestly feel that I betrayed myself; went against my (un)written rule:  “never settle for anything less than what you truly believe you deserve to receive for yourself.”  Years of blood, sweat, and tears of getting to where I am somehow just thrown away like trash.  If there is an opposite to the term “sellout,” then that befits me rightly.

It may be that easy to say, “then just turn around, you asshole!  Why wallow in your predicament?”  If only it were that easy and complication-free.  I did what I think I had to do.  I surely do not know the reason why I did it, and right now, I’m still searching the very recesses of what’s left of my soul for answers.  I may find it, or I may not.  But now that I’m here, and what’s done is done, I just move forward.  I may not like–borderline, hate–what I did, but I am a professional.  I do what’s asked of me; use my expertise, knowledge and wisdom I have acquired over the years and be better.  I’ll deal with it, like what I have always done in life.

All of that was two weeks ago.  Since then, I’ve been picking up the pieces of my pride, ego, and better judgement that received a major ass-whooping from, who else, myself.  I guess being a Gemini has it’s benefits.  My other side is carrying me through each and every day.  Only time will really tell if I’ll ever forgive myself.

Yet, maybe there’s a deeper reason why I am where I am.  Fate?  Chance?  Part of the life program?  A higher power at work?  Who knows?  All I do know right now is that I made my own shitload of a mess, and I’m the only one who can and will clean it up.