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My Parents’ Ruby Anniversary

Today is Mom and Dad’s wedding anniversary. They were married exactly 40 years ago in a lowly church in the sleepy town of Macalelon, Quezon. My mom was five months pregnant then with Ate Ethel. As I saw it in their lone wedding picture, nothing is grandiose about this very important event in their life. My mom is just wearing a simple knee-length white gown and a white veil while dad is sporting a simple barong tagalog. Dad is three years younger than mom. And according to her, he was a fine-looking man during his younger years.

The relationship went on smoothly, with of course some ups and downs in their lives. They yielded 5 children, the second and the fourth died when they were still babies, while the middle child was taken away when she was 21 years old after being involved in a freak vehicular accident. The writer is the youngest, born after 13 years of marriage.

Life was difficult then. The couple lived in a literal bahay-kubo made of pawid, anahaw and kawayan. I was very young then, I don’t understand poverty yet. The couple, who are teachers by profession, augment their monthly income by selling ice candy, mani, yema, and ceramics to pupils and co-workers. My dad is also engaged in coconut farming.

Soon life became better to them. My dad’s 1960s motorcycle was changed to an owner-type jeepney. We transferred to a more decent house, now made of concrete and galvanized iron. They were able to send Ate Ethel to College in Manila, and Ate Mhy, though she wasn’t able to finish her college studies, landed a good job in a multinational company.

Prosperity continued, but took away some important lives. Ate Mhy died unexpectedly in a vehicular accident in C5 Makati. And my mom followed her after a year. I was fifteen then.

Life went on for me, my sister, and dad. Dad met another woman who never left him when he suffered from two consecutive brainstrokes. Ate Ethel is happily married, with two grown up kids, the eldest is about to graduate from college. And here I am, a struggling college educator who has, somehow, made a name in the field of communication education.

They were not as fortunate as other couples who have seen their gold or diamond anniversaries. But this is one relationship that I know will leave a lasting legacy to the lives of the people they have touched in some ways.

Happy Anniversary, Mr. and Mrs. Cantal!

TRAVELOGUE: Arana’t Baluarte Festival

May 15, 2009 , Gumaca, Quezon Province.

As early as February, my fellow faculty in the university and I have plans of road-tripping to Bicol, passing by my hometown Gumaca, Quezon first to experience the Arana’t Baluarte Festival on May 15 before proceeding to Bicolandia. But weather did not permit us to pursue our plan. Rainy season came ahead of time. The plan was aborted.

Realizing that I have plans of going home on the 15th, my close friend Marc, a clinical instructor from Calapan City, signified his intention to join me in my way back home. And on the early morning of May 15, together with my eldest nephew CJ, we drove 200 kilometers south of Manila to watch the Arana’t Baluarte Festival of Gumaca, Quezon.

We left Makati (where I picked up CJ) at around 4:45 am. The journey went on smoothly except when we reached Sariaya, Quezon, one of the 4 town of Quezon that celebrate the thanksgiving feast to San Isidro Labrador. We were grid-locked in traffic jam so we decided to find another way. The less-travelled road seems like going to the slopes of the majestic Banahaw until we found our way back to civilization. We passed the dreaded bitukang manok of Quezon until we reached Gumaca. We took a rest first and went back to town proper at 3:00 pm and joined the town officials and guests in visiting each Baluarte.

Arana’t Baluarte Festival of Gumaca, Quezon started since time immemorial but gained popularity during the eraly part of 2000 because of the strong drive of public officials to develop tourism industry in the locality. It is being done in honor of San Isidro Labrador, the patron saint of farmers. Baluartes (bamboo arch) are erected in every corner of streets in the town proper and decorated with Aranas (bamboo chandeliers) filled with vegetables, fruits, and other agricultural produce. When the image of San Isidro pass by in the afternoon procession, the produce are dropped to the expectors, creating a friendly chaos in the streets.

We stayed for one more day before going home to Manila.

Prawn and Mango Salad

May 5, 2009 – Baang Coffee Tomas Morato. Laziness has set in. I am in an unofficial leave given by my dean as a reward to the days I came to school last month to assist the enrollment of students. It has been five days since I felt worthless. I thought when somebody is just sitting down and receives a semi-handsome pay for doing nothing is a great idea. But I proved my self wrong. The past five days are the most boring days of my life. I do nothing but to sleep, eat, and sleep, giving me more pounds in my belly. Pusoy helped to ease my boredom in some ways, but it’s not everyday that you have friends who will play with you. I planned of re-enrolling in gym, or boxing, but my salary is not enough to sustain such activity. I got a lot of bills to pay, particularly my credit card. So that’s what I do right now, stare at people passing by in coffee shops like this (Baang) and seize the opportunity for free wifi.
I really wish I can get some drive to make the things I’ve planned work. Maybe all I need is inspiration…. hayyy…

By the way, the prawns and mango salad is delicious.

Kung Bakit Sumasama ang Loob Ko…

Nitong mga nakaraang gabi, dumadalas ang aking mga panaginip. Kung anu-ano ang aking mga napapaniginipan. Mayroong ikinakasal raw ako ng sapilitan, may pagkakataong nasa military service raw ako, at kagabi nga, nakikipag-basag-ulo daw ako sa mga inupahang mamamatay-tao ng isang kaaway.

Naniniwala ako na malaki ang bahaging ginagampanan ng panaginip sa ating buhay. Ang mga bagay-bagay at saloobing hindi natin mailabas sa katotohanan ay sa panaginip nagkakaroon ng pagkakataong kumawala. Sabi nga ng isang dream anayst na nakausap ko, ang bayolente kong karakter sa panaginip ay ang mga sama ng loob kong hindi ko mailabas-labas kapag ako ay nasa kamalayan.

Sa mga pagkakataong ako’y nananaginip, nais kong maibahagi ito sa mga taong naging bahagi ng aking buhay-pagtulog kahit sa konting sandali. Layon kong maiparating sa kanila ang detalye, at mabigyan ng babala, kung sakali man, sa kung anumang panganib ang nakatakdang dumating. Nakasasama lang ng loob na may mga taong naiiba ang interpretasyon sa aking mga mensahe. Wala akong makitang dahilan upang magkaroon ng inseguridad ang ilang indibidwal kung ibahagi ko man ito sa mga taong malalapit sa kanila, lalo pa nga’t kasal na sila. Totoong naging bahagi ng aking buhay, matagal na panahon na ang nakararaan, ang taong aking napanaginipan, subalit nais ko lamang linawin na wala akong balak agawin ang sinuman, o sirain ang isang relasyon, o bigyan ng problema ang mag-asawa para sa hindi ko mawaring kapakinabangan. Masama ang loob ko dahil ito pala ang iniisip ng taong naging mahalaga rin sa akin sa loob ng ilang taon.

Wala kamaing masamang tinapay. Wala akong atraso sa kanya at sa pamilya nya. Nais ko lang naman maging magkaibigan ulit kami, “for old time’s sake,” ika nga, makilala ang kanyang naging kabiyak, maging ninong sa kanilang magiging anak, kung sakali man. Dahil silang mga naging mahalaga sa akin, sa ilang bahagi ng aking buhay, ay itinuturing kong kaibigan sa habambuhay.

Pipilitin kong unawain ang sitwasyong kinatatayuan nya ngayon. Sana nga ay maging masaya siya at sa pagkakataong ito, pinagsisihan ko na nagkaroon pa ulit kami ng komunikasyon, dahil kung ayaw na pala niyang magambala, sana sa alaala ko na lang siya namalagi at hindi na sumama ang loob ko.

Back from Boracay

The CAS faculty of Trinity University of Asia went to Boracay last March 28 to April 1, 2009. We are on a tight budget and we only took the RORO route instead of plane. Nonetheless, we enjoyed our Boracay experience.

Wanted: Video Editing and Photography Part-time Instructor

Trinity University of Asia’s Department of Media Studies is currently looking for one (1) instructor for photography and video editing for First Semester, School Year 2009-2010. Applicant must meet the following criteria:

Educational Qualification: Master’s Degree Holder in Communication or allied field or MA units with at least five years professional experience.

With knowledge in the following areas: Adobe Premier, Final-cut Pro, Macintosh and Linear Editing. Knowledge in sound editing is also expected. Must know the aesthetics of photography, with knowledge in developing and printing black and white pictures, altering images through Photoshop, and capable of producing and teaching exhibit-quality photos. Must have good communication and teaching skills, knows how to write syllabus and other paper requirements, with patience in dealing with average college students, and must develop harmonious relationship with students and superiors.

Schedule is twice a week in a one and a half hour session between 7:30 am to 9:00 pm. Partner days are Monday-Thursday, Tuesday-Friday, and Wednesday-Saturday.

Salary is per hour, and depends on the rate of the applicant which is based on his educational qualification. More or less, MA degree holder is P215/hour.

If you think you are qualified, e-mail your resume to dlcantaljr@tua.edu.ph and I will scrutinize your qualifications and make the necessary recommendations to the dean.

Open until the position is filled.

Jellyum Lychee Nata de Coco Jelly

I am munching Jellyum Lychee flavored nata de coco jelly. I love its slimy texture flow down to my throat easily, while its flavor retains in my mouth making my breath smells like this tasty fruit that I used to put in mom’s original recipe gulaman.
It is my treat to my throat. Yesterday, I emceed the Ginebra San Miguel Flair Idol 2009 at the Rizal STadium in Vito Cruz, Manila.
When Dr. Gloria Baken Wong- Siy, dean of College of Hospitality and Tourism Management of Trinity University of Asia and president of AAHRMEI, the association of HRM and Tourism professors, handpicked me to be the emcee for the said event, I immediately said yes. She informed me that talent fee is only P3000, quite low as compared to other big events that give much budget for the master of ceremonies. But still I accepted the offer because I might get the break that I need to be discovered. She said that Nicole-hiyala of 90.7 Love Radio will join me by 5:00 pm and the event will also be televised in Channel 13 or 9, I guess.
So yesterday, I did not sleep at all because I need to be in the stadium early in the morning so I can secure a good parking slot and be able to prepare for my hosting job. The program says registration will start at 6am and my hosting at 8:00 but I do not know what happened. The program started at 9:30. I am already sweating. The morning should be devoted to the elimination round of pulutan showdown and flairtending but it extended until the mid of afternoon. I wasn’t given a break, and I can’t go out because I need to keep the audience alive inside the hot and humid stadium. I only ate the 1-pc burger steak that Mark Adem gave me when the flair idols are performing, one spoonful at a time.
The two events ended and its time for the final showdown. But since we’re running out of time, the events went on simultaneously, with only one host to take care of introduction and summary.
Later, a high ranking official of GSM talked to me, asking me to prolong the segments so that the concert of Shamrock and Spongecola will begin by 8:00 and not 7:00 as stated in the program. But there is still Mr. and Ms. Flair Idol to take care of. We were not able to make it on time, and I had to go home without finishing the program, disappointed in some ways, that only I can explain.
Emceeing a big event like this is really a gargantuan task. Everybody thinks that I am part of the committee so all of their concerns are given to me. Crowdpleaser Dino did not disappoint them. I took care of their simplest problems like blender that is not working, to big things like complaints and pleads. Yet in the end, some people still blamed me for things that are beyond my control.
Papa Jack (90.7 Love Radio, not Nicole) got mad at me because I introduced Shamrock and it’s his spiel. He did not know that the floor director gave me that instruction.
I got embarrassed because the organizers of Mr. and Ms. Flair Idol did not orient me with the sequence, and I ran out of spiels while I was in the stage.
Shamrock entered the stage when we are not yet finished with the Mr. and Ms.
A professor shouted at me because she found out that I allowed a barista to perform when he did not appear on the time allotted to him. At that instance, that is the best judgment that I can make. More issues can be thrown at me if I did not allow him.
It was ten o’clock and the show is not yet finished. Audiences are going gaga over Shamrock and I feel I’m useless anymore. I am sleepless, very tired, very hungry (the last food I take are two pieces of empanaditas around 6 hours ago) and I don’t know what to do with Mr. and Ms., as their presentation were held because of a lost bag of a candidate. I did not finished the program. I went home teary-eyed, disappointed, and my chance to be discovered went to the thick and humid air of Rizal Stadium.
Now I’m treating my throat with Jellyum for a work well done (?) and I have finished a pack while I am typing this part.

The busiest days of my life…

Many think that being a professor is just an easy job. They think that sending students to the library or discussing non-sense things are easy escapegoats to take a rest in a sleepy afternoon. But for those who closely monitor my actions, there is one word that’s appropriate for the gargantuan tasks being put on my shoulders — exploited.

Yes I am exploited, but it is part of the contract I signed at the beginning of school year. We are supposed to perform tasks that are assigned to us by our superiors aside from the main task which is teaching. Though there are no monetary remuneration for the extra jobs I am performing, sometimes a pat in the shoulder, shakehands from administrators, treat to a dinner, or even simple kind and heartwarming words are enough to replenish the efforts. Trust is a very good investment that one may reserve for future use.

The first week of February is our university’s founding anniversary. Since my student days, I am being tapped to be part of several committees. Now that I am holding a middle-level position, more responsibilities are being put on my shoulders. This year, I am the chairman of the documentation and sound system committee.

As chairman of the above-mentioned committee, I have to be literally present in all activities, from day 1 to day 7, sun up to sun down, to supervise the photographers, videographers and sound system operators. I have to ensure that they capture through the lenses the highlights of the celebration. We are tasked to produce an annual montage at the celebration. But before that, we had experienced a lot of pre-production like preparing the video presentations for university night, Lupang Hinirang, and Trinity March. It took us three weeks to complete the process.

During the week, I requested 5 student assistants that the HR director Jose Lino Sarmiento gladly approved. We need them badly especially during the big productions like Mr. and Ms. Trinity 2009 and the University Night.

I also shelled out money first because materials and budget for food came late. My car became the service of my committee to transport equipment from the school to another venue.

But aside from these tasks, I was also requested to be one of the two emcees for the pageant. I do not know if I did well on stage but as per self-assessment, I think I got 7 out of 10. Mr. Sarmiento also asked me to direct the university night which turned out very well. I got positive response.

Last night is the last activity of the celebration. And papers have gathered in top of my table. I haven’t checked the midterm examinations of my students yet nor computed their midterm grades and the deadline is fast approaching. If I may add, by Monday, we’ll have a research grand prix, courtesy of my professional organization and I have a part in the program. My students will be competing in this grand prix. Accreditation (?) and ISO certification is fast approaching, as well as our bid for autonomous status and for sure, more paper works are in store for us.

It’s hard to be in my position. Slowly, I will accomplish these tasks. I just did it last week!

Fondest Memories of My Childhood

I am writing this blog because this might be the only time I have to reminisce my childhood years. A lot of things have changed and somehow, I want to share to my readers what I experienced which I know will never be experienced anymore by this and the future generation.

I grew up in a village around eight kilometers away from the town proper. I can still remember I was very young then when I first wondered why I was born in the boondocks. What if God gave a twist in my life and made me born in the city, or in another province, let’s say in Mindanao, or in another country? I could have been enjoying a very different life.
My parents are both elementary school teachers. They teach at the barangay school in the next village. We are poor. We live only in a house made of splitted bamboos and anahaw leaves for the roof. It is elevated few meters from the ground. We have a spacious balconaje where my sisters Ethel and Myra play. Ethel is already grown up then and I seldom see her because she was studying then in Manila. Myra, on the other hand, was my worst enemy. We always argue on everything. Probably because of our eight years gap. My favorite toy then is a duckling with wheels. I inherited it from my cousins in Manila. Lola Loring, dad’s mom, brought it to me one time she went to our province.
I have a few playmates then, mostly our neighbors. We play a lot of outdoor games ranging from bahay-bahayan, taguan, barilan, and the likes. Sometimes, they let me join them in shepherding their carabaos. We ride at the paragos and endure the whippings of bushes in our bodies. My first time was terrible. I panicked because I thought that the paragos will turn upside down. Only when my elder neighbors assured me that it never will because of its design that I calmed down.
During the month of May, all children from our village are instructed to participate in Mother Mary devotion. We search the wilderness for wildflowers and other colorful stuffs to toss to the image of Mary when we parade her to the altar. My most favorite then is the fire tree. I am very amazed with its color – yellow-orangy with lollipop-like pistils.
May 15 is the feast of San Isidro Labrador, the patron of farmers. Our town celebrates it with aranyas at baluartes. My mom always bring me to the town proper to see the sights and wait for the procession. When the image of the saint passed by a balwarte, all stuffs like fruits, vegetables, coconuts, and other agri-products are being dropped from arches, causing a friendly chaos among people who try their best to get their share of loot. One time, my mother got engaged with her tete-a-tete with Ninang Mila that she forgot the time of procession. When we checked the baluartes, nothing’s left except for the trash that the commotion created.
I also remember Nanang Lilia and her stories of horror. She’s our neighbor and the mom of my playmates. Sometimes, when mom doesn’t allow me to go with her at work, she leaves me to Nanang Lilia’s custody. Inihabilin is the tagalog term for that. I usually cry when she doesn’t allow me to go with her but I got used to it after many months. One time, they have a night affair in the school and it’s already 10:00 in the evening. Nanang Lilia prepared my bed in their house and I began my silent cry. Then I saw her and Tatang Sonny put the buntot-pagi and bolo on their bedside. I ask them why and they began telling me stories about mananangggal and tikbalangs. I think I was gullible then that I believed in the stories at least for that night but I am not afraid. I don’t know, but I am just not afraid of them.
Sometimes, when my parents leave me at the neighbor’s house, I wander around our area. I put on the medal of my dad (saw it hanging in the wall and its nice to wear) and walked until I find something interesting. My uncle Johnny then maintains a tupada. It’s a cockpit made out of bamboo and usually illegal. I would peep in the cockpit wearing that medal and rub elbows with people I do not know. Now that I am already old and I realize my stupidity then, I can’t help but smile.
I have a lot of memories and I have to put it in record so I will not forget it. Some are already scattered in the corners of my mind and I know I am in the verge of losing them. But I am happy that I was able to experience it. Not all people were able to catch dragonflies and chase fireflies at night. Not everyone danced and sang in the rain with playmates and went to the river to catch talangka and hito afterwards. Not everyone hiked from one village to another because the road is too muddy for vehicles to pass by (actually I did not hike, I was carried by an elder neighbor in his shoulders).
In the age of starbucks and facebook, these are treasures that only a few enjoy.

Who are you going to choose…?

They say that some persons are very good in advising problems especially when it comes to the matters of the heart, yet they find it dificult to solve their own love problems. The same is true for me. And I am in the tip of a stiff cliff right now, and I have to decide before I fall down.

Who are you going to choose? It’s really a tough question and it needs a very careful examination of all facets so the decision wouldn’t be immatured.

I am happy when I am with person A. With ___, I feel secured and protected. Nevertheless, we shared more than  four years of good friendship and we have finetuned each other’s differences. I have a lot of good memories with ___. And many times I realized that ____ is willing to risk ___ life for me. Friends who know me well know who ___ is and can attest to the strength of our special friendship that has withstood the test of time. Lately when I realized that ___ still values me the way __did before, it made me want to take a u-turn and find ___ side where I am so much happy. If not for some instances that made us part ways, I know I will still be by ___ side. The problem is ___ has an excess baggage now, but I don’t care. If __ agrees, I even want ___ son to be mine. But I think the biggest obstacle is that ___ is not ready for us, yet ___ gives everything and every effort to let me feel that I am loved and important.

Person B is different. _____ is the impossible dream, the unreachable star. And when I am with ___, I know I am wearing a crown that is the envy of others. ___ is always there, readily available always for me. We share the same likes and dislikes, ____ is the one I always share dinner with, somebody who gives me company in my solitary life in the city. I’ve fallen for ___, yet I did not give my whole heart unlike with Person A. I am now afraid to get hurt again. And so did ___. Anyway, ___ is a star, a million miles away from me, and it is impossible for __ to fall for a commoner like me. Though I am enjoying every moment I am with ___.

This time I want a level-up. I want more than friendship and companionship. Person A gives me love that I need yet __ is not always around to show me that he does. Person B gives me company and boosts my morale and ___ is always (read: always) there for me yet it’s just friendship and companionship.

Who am I going to choose? If I can only make one person out of them…