The week that is about to pass is just so full of oddities that I cannot help but record them so that some day, when I feel that I need 25 hours in a day, I will fully understand why God says I should just make do with my 24.
Mondays are supposed to start the period but I felt like I jumped right into the eve of a long weekend when deadlines pile up -- talking points, event books, rationales of activities for the week and the week that follows came one after the other. And that does not exclude quick requirements on topics which need a bit of research. But yeah, my team survived the Monday blues!
Tuesday carried over some of the harried feels of Monday. Check, correct, edit, write, and thanking Google for some reference mercies that we would not have been able to put together.
Wednesday passed by in a blur-- much like a race where you notice people passing you by as you seem to be running in place. Meetings hour after hour. An early time in did not nothing to pack it up for the long day that ended at 10:30pm with a night of fun for media. Going home at 12mn, I hope I can get this vibe into my system fast enough.
But the fun night was not the happening that somehow sapped my energy. You know, when the brain acts up too much and the heart pumps extra and there is too much to worry about, you the feeling of being pulled to one corner asking for a tap out. You see, as I was on Uber going to the party at BGC, my son Frans and daughter-in-law Aiz called me to say that somebody called our house phone and attempted a 'budol-budol' act on our helper Josie. The lady caller said I figured in an accident and my face was so mashed up, my lips all bloodied and I could not talk properly. I was supposed to have talked to Josie on the phone, giving instructions on how to get money in an envelop that was just beside my jewelry box because I needed to undergo surgery right away. Even as she was aware that the caller was faking it and the voice of the caller couldn't have been mine, Josie was visibly shaken and immediately confided in Aiz, who, by the grace of God, came home earlier than usual. Frans and Aiz tried to entrap the caller and even recorded their conversation but they appeared to be pros who immediately put down the phone when they sensed they were being led on as well.
Well, Aiz asked me how my lip was as I was about to sleep and that capped the day.
Thursday was like the Monday kind of rush, only this time, I managed a quick run to the Museum to catch up with a friend from Citibank and have a quick lunch before running off to a meeting in Manila with the National Historical Commission. Good meeting with the NHCP as they were willing to adapt our campaign and even put us up in the schedule for the national independence day. Excited but quite a lot of work again to get this done.
I remained on the fast lane on Friday with meetings in the office, quick runs for the restroom and to refill my coffee cup and drink water, and off to last minute checks and edits on paperwork again. My last act for the day was supposed to be easy -- that was, to deliver 2 letters of invite to Cabsec and dub video and photos from RTVM for JAZA on AC's request but lo and behold! Friday was hard-to-get-home day because I did not know that Uber and Grab were not as active in the Manila, moreso in the Malacanang area. So when I dropped by the St. Jude Parish to pray, I also asked the saint of the impossible to please help me get a ride home.
On the way home, Friday traffic was bad, but hey, I got to catch the last segments of my favourite fanta-serye, Encantadia.
Then I smiled myself to sleep because this morning, Saturday, I needed to pull my lazy weekend bones together for an early dialysis session with my husband Rhoneil. The nurses were going on an outing and patients needed to check in earlier than usual for their treatment.
Now, as I write this entry, I have already dyed my hair and treated myself to the last few capsules of my DIY face galvanic spa. So now I sit before the computer just trying to see how my fellow Filipinos are so affected by the inauguration rites for the new American President, Donald Trump.
Well, I did miss Barack and Michelle Obama's class a bit, but I figured there are more worries here at home that I hope to help solve in my own little way.
So help us God.
Saturday, January 21, 2017
Sunday, January 1, 2017
National Siblings Day 2015
Today is said to be National Siblings Day. This is another new 'occasion' which, in the absense of social media, might not be as 'celebrated' or even known.
Presenting my siblings--
Three and a half of them are engineers. One is an accountant. One is a nurse-physical therapist- clinical instructor. And I am the only one working in media.
Nestor, a mechanical engineer, is my eldest brother. Everyone of us calls him Kuya. He was my Lola Ating's favorite grandchild, the first born of his favorite son, Polon. According to Mama, Kuya was so talkative in grade school that he was told by one of his teachers that whenever he is absent, the class is so behaved. We used to tease Kuya as "Motor" because of the last syllable of his first name, and maybe because he really is a motor-mouth-- someone who never runs out of stories to tell, with 'sound effects' at that. Imagine listening to him after he has watched an action movie, and you will realize you have saved yourself money because it will be like you've seen the movie yourself.
George, my Manong Jojong, another mechanical engineer, is the exact opposite of Kuya. He is one of few words and easily cries. When he was small, he is said to mumble to himself when he wants something and if frustrated, he cries while banging his unusually huge head on the table. We called him "Bagjong", more of an endearment than part of our childish teasings because Manong Jojong seldom fought with us as kids. He was always giving of his time and his listening ear. He is one to work best quietly. Quiet as he is, he is very creative. He even invented a gadget that saved Nestle Philippines a few million pesos in maintenance expenses.
Emmanuel, a certified public accountant, is the third in our brood. I call him Manong Bobot. I also call him Itom because of the unusually dark colour of his skin. He is now an elder of Jehovah's Witness, a religion he chose to belong as his family found their collective calling to serve the Lord there. Itom was my arch-enemy when we were young. He was called "pusong" by Mama for he was also glib and found it always easy to come up with a story or an excuse when caught in the middle of a situation or in a conversation. Thinking of Itom's qualities, I would have been surprised if he became a politician, instead of a preacher.
Mary Grace, or Bingbing, or Pikot, is a civil engineer. She is the real brainiac in the family, having facility both in numbers and letters. But unlike me, she is often quiet and rarely raises any issue in the open. When we were in grade school, she used to point to me her classmate who offended her in one way or another. She had always egged me on to take her case and get back at those whom she considers as her tormentors. She is also the most OC among us, keeping her things neat and clean, and planning out her affairs in a manner that leaves surprises out of the question.
Cristina or Christie is my little sister who acts like she is the big one especially when compared to Pikot. She is brave and is often in control of situations in and out of her home. She married a bit late though, and bore her 2 beautiful daughters when she was already in her thirties. She is not only a licensed Physical Therapist but also a licensed Nurse. Easily, she is the most diligent among us when it comes to studies. And this trait shows even among her children.
Apolonio, Jr. or Dodong is the biggest baby in the family. He married young and was a bit of a black sheep until he realised, when he was already in his 30's, that he had to make a go of his life. He is now a very busy individual who is into a lot of businesses, big and small-- a far cry from his 20's self when he would be content just smoking a cigarette and laze around with friends, oblivious to the needs of his family.
More....
Presenting my siblings--
Three and a half of them are engineers. One is an accountant. One is a nurse-physical therapist- clinical instructor. And I am the only one working in media.
Nestor, a mechanical engineer, is my eldest brother. Everyone of us calls him Kuya. He was my Lola Ating's favorite grandchild, the first born of his favorite son, Polon. According to Mama, Kuya was so talkative in grade school that he was told by one of his teachers that whenever he is absent, the class is so behaved. We used to tease Kuya as "Motor" because of the last syllable of his first name, and maybe because he really is a motor-mouth-- someone who never runs out of stories to tell, with 'sound effects' at that. Imagine listening to him after he has watched an action movie, and you will realize you have saved yourself money because it will be like you've seen the movie yourself.
George, my Manong Jojong, another mechanical engineer, is the exact opposite of Kuya. He is one of few words and easily cries. When he was small, he is said to mumble to himself when he wants something and if frustrated, he cries while banging his unusually huge head on the table. We called him "Bagjong", more of an endearment than part of our childish teasings because Manong Jojong seldom fought with us as kids. He was always giving of his time and his listening ear. He is one to work best quietly. Quiet as he is, he is very creative. He even invented a gadget that saved Nestle Philippines a few million pesos in maintenance expenses.
Emmanuel, a certified public accountant, is the third in our brood. I call him Manong Bobot. I also call him Itom because of the unusually dark colour of his skin. He is now an elder of Jehovah's Witness, a religion he chose to belong as his family found their collective calling to serve the Lord there. Itom was my arch-enemy when we were young. He was called "pusong" by Mama for he was also glib and found it always easy to come up with a story or an excuse when caught in the middle of a situation or in a conversation. Thinking of Itom's qualities, I would have been surprised if he became a politician, instead of a preacher.
Mary Grace, or Bingbing, or Pikot, is a civil engineer. She is the real brainiac in the family, having facility both in numbers and letters. But unlike me, she is often quiet and rarely raises any issue in the open. When we were in grade school, she used to point to me her classmate who offended her in one way or another. She had always egged me on to take her case and get back at those whom she considers as her tormentors. She is also the most OC among us, keeping her things neat and clean, and planning out her affairs in a manner that leaves surprises out of the question.
Cristina or Christie is my little sister who acts like she is the big one especially when compared to Pikot. She is brave and is often in control of situations in and out of her home. She married a bit late though, and bore her 2 beautiful daughters when she was already in her thirties. She is not only a licensed Physical Therapist but also a licensed Nurse. Easily, she is the most diligent among us when it comes to studies. And this trait shows even among her children.
Apolonio, Jr. or Dodong is the biggest baby in the family. He married young and was a bit of a black sheep until he realised, when he was already in his 30's, that he had to make a go of his life. He is now a very busy individual who is into a lot of businesses, big and small-- a far cry from his 20's self when he would be content just smoking a cigarette and laze around with friends, oblivious to the needs of his family.
More....
Fire Horse entering the house of the Fire Rooster
Happy New Year to my family and friends!
It has been quite a time since I updated this blog. Allow me a bit of 'me' time even just for today so I can share with you, who are close to my heart, how my 2016 was. Note that I will attempt to write monthly highlights of these from memory and I may have to edit and re-edit it from time to time.
January was my last month of work at GMA where I spent the last 10 years at work. It has been a very fulfilling journey, knowing that those I left behind are well-trained, dedicated, passionate producers, reporters and production crew who would be assets to any television company or wherever it is they may be if and when they move on from being Kapuso.
My first day of work was at Ayala Foundation was February 1 when the organization had its State of the Foundation Address (SOFA) by the President where all plans and directions for the year are outlined. On my 3rd day at work, I celebrated my 50th birthday. When I went home, my family surprised me with a party. My children gifted me with a gold Michael Kors watch, and my husband cooked a feast for family and friends who made time to go to our place for dinner.
March marked Mama's 82nd birthday. When your parents reach this age, each year becomes more precious moving forward. This was also a time when I was becoming more adjusted to work at AFI and was starting to think up projects, among which was the National Anthem project.
April 12 was my husband's 50th as well. After going through several near-death experiences from 2014 both as a heart patient (2-blockage angioplasty) and undergoing hemodialysis three times a week, there was a lot to be thankful for. Simply being able to wake up and see family and go to work continues to be an everyday blessing.
May was when things were getting more hectic at work and my role in the organisation was really starting to shape up to be bigger than I expected. I never thought that May 27 was to be Tatay's last birthday with us also.
Gia was set to graduate in June and as a parent, this is also marked as a personal milestone.
Let me refresh my memory bank as to what happened in July.....
Gia passed the Physical Therapy Board Exam in August! Thank God she made it. Sacrifices really paying off.
It was as if September came in unnoticed. Unlike Christmases in the past, I would already be doing my gift list, but this time, the urge was not there. So I simply let this pass. The most significant occasion, aside from the many milestones at work, was Gia's birthday.
October was a sad month as Tatay Johnny succumbed multiple organ malfunction. It was a very sad moment for the Amores family. Tatay was definitely well-loved even outside the family circle.
November passed like a blur. So many activities at AFI-- Ayala brand launch, our National Anthem project finally launched in an Ayala-wide event.
I look back at December and see Basilan, the last trip I had with our documentation team before we took the holiday break. There were a lot of realisations after the trip, not just about work and people at work, but about life itself.
Thankful. Thankful. Thankful. That God blessed me with life so that I may carry on His will and be an instrument of His plans here on earth.
It has been quite a time since I updated this blog. Allow me a bit of 'me' time even just for today so I can share with you, who are close to my heart, how my 2016 was. Note that I will attempt to write monthly highlights of these from memory and I may have to edit and re-edit it from time to time.
January was my last month of work at GMA where I spent the last 10 years at work. It has been a very fulfilling journey, knowing that those I left behind are well-trained, dedicated, passionate producers, reporters and production crew who would be assets to any television company or wherever it is they may be if and when they move on from being Kapuso.
My first day of work was at Ayala Foundation was February 1 when the organization had its State of the Foundation Address (SOFA) by the President where all plans and directions for the year are outlined. On my 3rd day at work, I celebrated my 50th birthday. When I went home, my family surprised me with a party. My children gifted me with a gold Michael Kors watch, and my husband cooked a feast for family and friends who made time to go to our place for dinner.
March marked Mama's 82nd birthday. When your parents reach this age, each year becomes more precious moving forward. This was also a time when I was becoming more adjusted to work at AFI and was starting to think up projects, among which was the National Anthem project.
April 12 was my husband's 50th as well. After going through several near-death experiences from 2014 both as a heart patient (2-blockage angioplasty) and undergoing hemodialysis three times a week, there was a lot to be thankful for. Simply being able to wake up and see family and go to work continues to be an everyday blessing.
May was when things were getting more hectic at work and my role in the organisation was really starting to shape up to be bigger than I expected. I never thought that May 27 was to be Tatay's last birthday with us also.
Gia was set to graduate in June and as a parent, this is also marked as a personal milestone.
Let me refresh my memory bank as to what happened in July.....
Gia passed the Physical Therapy Board Exam in August! Thank God she made it. Sacrifices really paying off.
It was as if September came in unnoticed. Unlike Christmases in the past, I would already be doing my gift list, but this time, the urge was not there. So I simply let this pass. The most significant occasion, aside from the many milestones at work, was Gia's birthday.
October was a sad month as Tatay Johnny succumbed multiple organ malfunction. It was a very sad moment for the Amores family. Tatay was definitely well-loved even outside the family circle.
November passed like a blur. So many activities at AFI-- Ayala brand launch, our National Anthem project finally launched in an Ayala-wide event.
I look back at December and see Basilan, the last trip I had with our documentation team before we took the holiday break. There were a lot of realisations after the trip, not just about work and people at work, but about life itself.
Thankful. Thankful. Thankful. That God blessed me with life so that I may carry on His will and be an instrument of His plans here on earth.
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