Wet pose!

I came to the office one morning in wet shoes and hence wet socks. Awful. Good that I have got a cubicle to hide my feet after removing my shoes and socks to let everything dry. But there was no way to stay barefooted all day. I was not going to buy a new pair of shoes, but I had to buy new socks, at least. 

Barefooted at the office

It's the rainy season again. I don't enjoy commuting in the rain, really, but I gotta do what I gotta do.

In one of my recent commutes, I had to go to Alabang. It was raining, and I hopped on the first Alabang-bound bus I saw, which was a 'Southmall' bus. That will do, I told myself. 

Upon entering, I was instructed to leave my umbrella by the driver side. I was hesitant, thinking that someone might take it, but I understood the instruction. I went farther inside the bus sans my umbrella and with no view of whatever was going on at the driver side. It was a one-hour long ride, and my mind was on my umbrella.

When we arrived at SM, I was glad to have my umbrella with me. I was made to think of my distrust for fellow commuters. I was ashamed that I even thought that someone might steal my umbrella; umbrellas during those time were hot commodity, and I had no plans of parting with my umbrella on a rainy day!

Growing up in Zamboanga, a city not part of the typhoon belt, I did not experience having class suspension because of the weather. It was my college education in  Manila  that prepared me to brave the storm of the city. And since I chose to live in our nation's capital, I should not complain; the school kids of Paranaque are not.

Paranaque school kids trying to keep themselves dry

I took this on July 23, 2012. I like her pose.

Glorious Sunday

"When the whole of the Philippines was glued to the TV and the numerous pay-per-view locations to watch the Pacquiao-Margarito fight, my sister and I went to the mall. As expected, the road was clear and the mall had fewer people. Like most Filipinos, we windowshopped and windowshopped some more only to stop when a bulk of people started coming out of the theaters. Although not a boxing fan, I was excited to learn about the outcome. I couldn't quite read the expression on the faces of the people exiting the theaters. All I could see were blank and expressionless faces. I was getting worried. I had to go to a guy to confirm Pacquiao's loss. He responded, "Pacquiao! Unanimous!" He answered victoriously as if he won the match himself.

"Pacquiao's win didn't surprise me anymore because of his unblemished record. There seems to be nothing that he cannot win nowadays. I shall advise him to bet in the lottery, then. My advice might be worth something. hehe. I wish I had his luck, but, winning boxing matches and a congressional election is not entirely luck."

I was checking my drafts in my blog and found this unfinished post with reference to the November 2010 match of Pacquiao. The draft's title was "Glorious Sunday."

I am not to talk of Pacquiao at length; the past week has been filled with Pacquiao stories detailing his not so apparent loss to Bradley. I just thought of utilizing the Pacquiao account, since it is acceptably written, as my introduction to an equally glorious Sunday I had. hehe.

I was invited by my volunteer friends to go with them to Corregidor. So on 17 June 2012, a Sunday, I braved early in the morning the unfriendly waters of Manila Bay for close to two hours to reach the famed island of Corregidor. Prior to going there, Corregidor was nothing but a "significant place in  World War II history," according to the books, and a reference to losing one's virginity : "Isinuko ang Bataan!"

The craft taking us to the island took longer to than usual; the waves were big and the clouds were foretelling us of a wet day ahead.  The craft's crew members were ready with barf bags and tissue for those having discomfort, and they were busy during the last thirty minutes of the trip, I have to say. Had the weather been fine, we would have made it to the island earlier, and the ship's management would have saved a lot more on tissue and motion sickness bags!

We arrived safely, nonetheless, and were led to tranvias that run on engine. Before the island was obliterated during the war, the entire island was accessed through  the railway system. The Americans did a fine job in equipping the whole island with modern world facilities during the pre-war period. Only a few railtracks are now visible.

The fastcraft that took us to Corregidor

I didn't bring anything with me except my phone and wallet. I wasn't expecting much; I had very little idea of what I was to see and experience. Getting out of Manila was already a treat by itself.

I am used to seeing flight attendants doing safety demonstrations, but not this one.

All aboard the 'Tranvia'

I was to get the surprise of the tour the moment hopped on the tranvia which was to take us all around the island. A minute into the ride, we were welcomed by the picturesque scenery. Little by little, stories of heroism and power were told, sparking interest from even the most disinterested passenger on the tranvia.

I was beaming with pride that the Philippines had a tourist destination that truly spoke of history. The ruins, the barracks, the shrapnel-hit cannons, bomb craters, all presented the horrors of war, a concept which, up to this time, is very unfamiliar to me. Yes, I may have come from Mindanao, but I have never experienced exchanges of gun fires and bullets in my life.

Corregidor may be a symbol of the Philippines' resistance to the Japanese occupation, but for me, a person born after the war, it is a reminder of what I don't want ever to happen in my lifetime or in my children's. I used to proudly announce that I am from Mindanao and nothing should scare me anymore; I was being an as***le when I said that; I have not seen war unlike those who braved the bullets of the insurgents and secessionists in the various parts of the country. I cannot claim courage in war, but I can be honest and brave in my words.

This is one of those trips that I truly enjoyed and learned from.  It's worth taking, really.

Heading back to Manila

Spatial

There are times when I don't know which is right. Or left.

My spatial intelligence is close to non-existence. Because of this, I might not even be able to learn how to drive. You see, I am seeing the necessity to have a car now because of the demands of my work. Other than not knowing how to drive, the OTHER BIG obstacle is buying one. I was being brave when I checked out a car store near my place. I was looking around, asking the right questions and looking very interested. In all fairness to me, I was eager to have my questioned answered, and I did not waste the car dealer's time. Blah, blah, blah.... he talked of the differences of the cars, the functions, the speed, and finally, our talk came to the money part.  Well, he did not exactly  blurt all the money details; instead, he wrote them down. I left the store with that tiny piece of paper in my hand. My car of choice was Hyundai i10. Small and 'cheap' compared to all the other cars on display.

I was doing my math : downpayment + (monthly installment x 5 years)+ parking space + gas + maintenance. I may be lacking in spatial intelligence,  but my arithmetic is certainly not as bad. The sum made me scratch my head.

I was thinking which of the things I enjoy doing I should sacrifice. I listed them down:

1. movies
2. massage
3. eating out
4. home appliances and furniture
5. vanity (moisturizer and lotion)
6. occasional shopping
7. chocolate and ice cream
8. travel

 Let's stop at eight. 

I think between buying a car and not, it's best if I am able to distinguish right from the other right first