The funny thing about life is that things don’t always turn out the way you want them to be.  In the first 25 years of my existence I never thought that I would be later on independent and live all by myself.  Living alone can actually be quite empowering.

More than 5 years ago, it just dawned on me that I needed some space to spread my wings as an independent, responsible person.  And the only way that I could do that is if I live on my own.  Don’t get me wrong, I care for my family dearly and they love me as well.

Some mortals thought I was foolish leaving the solace and comforts of home.  Others thought that it was a wise decision for it may reinforce my independent beliefs and would build me character.

Living independently entails a lot of things and making certain sacrifices…

1. Budget is always a primary concern.  I need to be more responsible with my finances because I don’t want to be crawling back to Nengkoy for some help
2. It controls what I eat.  I now serve the food that comes to my system.  I have the power to make healthier food choices
3. I manage my own time.  I need to have the discipline to wake up and sleep on time.  It entails me to properly schedule my activities on weekdays and weekends.
4. In the grocery, I now bother the potency of laundry detergents, the effects of bleaching agents, the strength of scrubbing pads, the color of rags, scent of bathroom deodorizer, the thickness of toilet papers, the size of trash bags and the list go on.
5. I need to meet up and coordinate with people whom I didn’t bother dealing with before.  An electrician, a plumber, a computer technician, cable and telephone linemen, internet customer server and even the trash collector.
6. Laundry is another thing. Plus, ironing it! Which, I hate and have mastered.
7. Being on your own also means being responsible for everything in my place including maintaining it.  I literally get down to my knees and start scrubbing.  I believe that cleaning your own space and place reinforces the feeling of independence.

There would be days when feelings of loneliness get to me.  I must admit, this adjustment period took a while and getting used to during the early months.  But once I got over this initial hurdle, nothing compares to coming home to the place that is all mine.  On those days when loneliness hits me my personal solutions would go out and do shopping (when there is disposable income), go to a spa and get a relaxing massage, visit my mom or call some friends for small talks.  If all else fails I just read a good book, listen to music or watch a new DVD movie.

Living independently is more than just a choice – it has been my necessary rite of passage.  The time of solitude is one of the keys in helping me reflect about myself.  It aided me to value those who are genuinely important as well was what is truly important.

Now, I rarely feel restless living alone in my apartment.  I go home knowing that I have made a home for myself.  I wake up in the morning and take pride in what I have accomplished.  This is empowerment. 

Happy Independence Day to all!

Aside from going to the gym, I totally spent my May 1 in front of the boob tube.  May 1, a Labor Day is ironically a non-working day.  This is the day when people commemorate about their being a worker but remarkably mortals do not have work on this day.

May 1 gave me the opportunity to catch up on the all-stars edition of Amazing Race.  AXN channel featured all the previous episodes of the all-star edition that ran from 12:00 noon until 6:00 PM.  I was able to watch the said TV marathon.

Now I know that the Philippines is the reason why the condescending and stalwart duo of Rob and Amber (regulars of reality shows like: Survivor: All Stars, Survisor Marquesas, Survisor Australian Outback and Amazing Race Season 7) was eliminated from the race.  Their task was to build a sign that tracks Magellan’s route in his legendary expeditions.  They got it all right, Rob was such a whiz in following Magellan’s trail, but regrettably the tandem misspelled the name of our dear country.  They keep on spelling it as… P-H-I-L-I-P-E-A-N-S!!!

Well, this only shows that the Philippines have yet to truly glitter and impact the world.  Let’s face it, people of other countries still do not know where and what Philippines is… that is why they can’t spell it!  But we Filipinos, though we haven’t been there, know how to spell Mississippi or Czechoslovakia and lately Slovenia (thanks to housemate Tina and the Big Brother swap).  It is because these places or their people may have astonished our lives…

Happy Labor Day PHILIPEANS este Philippines!

Yesterday was a totally new experience.  It was my very first of being a “Ninong” in a wedding.  Yes folks… I know you won’t believe it but I am now a wedding ninong.

Months ago Nhess (my new inaanak) surprisingly phoned me in my office informing that she and her husband-to-be wants me as one of their ninongs.  At first, I thought they were just joking.  I thought to myself, who in this world would get me as a wedding ninong.  But about a month ago, here comes Nhess and Neil (her husband) visiting my office and over dinner at Café Adriatico in Malate, the couple formally informed me that they were actually serious on getting me as one of the Principal Sponsors.  Knowing that they have been in a boyfriend-girlfriend relationship for nearly ten years, without hesitation, I accepted the invitation.

I guess I was one of those mortals responsible why these gorgeous couple fell for each other.  I can still recall that I paired them throughout their Experimental Psychology course laboratory activities in which I was their instructor at Manila Doctors College.

Yesterday was the beautiful event…  Neil and Nhess tied the knot and vowed to be together for better or for worse.

Congratulations and Best Wishes!

It’s the year of the Fire Pig which according to Chinese calendar comes only every after 60 years!  Unlike the western calendar, I did not prepare for it.  Honestly, I am so confused with the Chinese custom of how and what to set up on the eve and first day of the new lunar year so as to have a promising and auspicious whole year.  You would probably go broke if you would buy all the lucky charms that the Chinese belief dictates.

As far as the first day of the Chinese New Year is concerned, all I did today was do my usual Sunday ritual, i.e., do the laundry, iron a mountain of clothes, shine my shoes, clean my bathroom, attend a Sunday Mass and watch a lot of TV.

Basta bahala na si Batman! Kung Hei Fat Choy!

It’s the time of the year when people are thinking of what unique gift to offer his or her loved one this coming Valentines.  For sure roses, balloons, diamond rings, chocolates and strawberries will have sky rocketing prices.  Might as well have fun with some customized ideas to give your special someone that will make this year’s Valentines a memorable one:

1. Instead of blanketing your loved one’s room with balloons and roses, might as well fill her room with durian fruits and tell her you placed a diamond ring in one of it.
2. Instead of giving a necklace with your loved one’s initials on the pendant, try cutting out the full name from belekoy candies sprinkled with toasted sesame seeds.
3. Giving strawberries and chocolates on Valentines is so western, why not personally bake a kamias cake and served it ala mode with bagoong balayan swirl
4. Surprising your partner with a red-colored and heart-shaped bukayo for dessert from your bag of goodies after a hearty dinner on Valentines will surely win your partner’s affection.

Happy Valentines!

A new hair cut on New Year according to Chinese tradition will bring good luck. This will cut away the troubles, messed-up problems and bad nuances from last year.

That is why, at around six thirty in the afternoon on the last day of 2006, I dragged by delicious body to SM Mall of Asia to have a hair cut.  I went straight to the hair salons lined up at the second floor but no shop would allow me anymore since according to them they’re already close.

Until I entered David Salon and zealously asked the receptionist if they can still accommodate the filamentous projections coming out of my scalp.  Voila!  They did accommodate me!  At the end of the day, all other customers have settled their bill and all staffs of the salon are hurrying to clean up the shop but I was still inside.  After my hair was styled, I told the courteous stylist that I am actually their last customer for 2006.

This is the last feat I had with year 2006, being the last customer of David’s Salon SM Mall of Asia for 2006.

Sa may buhok man o wala, Happy New Year!

For a change I will be the one to give Santa Claus a gift!  For being so naughty this year I am saving him a trip to my house.  I know his going to be so tired coming Christmas Eve since there has been a lot of mortals who has been so nice.  With billions of people expecting gift from Santa all over the world he will be mega busy and will be worn-out, drained and dead-beaten.

One proof that people has been so nice this year was Time Magazine’s decision to choose everyone (yes everybody!) to be the “Person of the Year”.  To those who don’t know it yet, YOU are Time Magazine’s Person of the Year.  Congratulations to all of us!

What about you? What’s your gift for Santa? Let me give 3 good suggestions…

1.  Santa for sure will love a whole body massage!  After carrying those back breaking load of gifts, he can have a relaxing day on December 26, the day when everybody is enjoying the gifts that they have received

2.  Santa needs to have a facial.  His face for sure will be full of dirt after getting in through the chimney of every house around the world.  There might be no chimney in the houses in the Philippines but with the dark polluted air in Metro Manila his skin pores will surely be clogged.

3.  With his classic beer belly look a cool shirt with a print saying "No, I’m not pregnant" will be perfect!

Ho! Ho! Ho! Merry Christmas!

On Looks:

Thank goodness I celebrated my birthday with a waistline way below my age.  It’s a tall order when you passed the age of 30.  What I am now is not a product of a huge bank account or a result of a liposuction clinic. Fortunately, every part of me is but a genetic gift. 

On Demeanor:

Treating all people equal and the same has been a challenge.  Trying to understand and be mature enough about things and situations is a huge accomplishment.  I have been a work in progress.  Maybe it’s the age.  Maybe the long years have finally paid off.

On Feelings:

With my age, I have long mastered the art of being alone in solitude and enjoy what my simple life has to offer.  Whatever it is, I love what my life has been and I am looking forward to more blessings… big, small, round, square or whatever shape it may be.

On Wealth:

Meron akong two hundred twenty three pesos sa wallet ko ngayon!

In the Philippines when the “BER” months begins to surface, people starts sending text messages greeting their friends a Happy Christmas wanting to claim that they are the first person this year to greet you such.  There are even radio stations that would initiate playing Happy Holiday songs or live local TV shows having a countdown on the number of days before Christmas.

This leaves less anticipation for the country’s Halloween celebration.  Hey people, as of this writing, there’s 43 beautiful days before the Halloween! Trick or Treat!