The New World I’m In

Most people would probably don’t understand why a degree holder and cum laude like me will consider being CALL CENTER AGENT as her first job. While most of my peers and classmates will go after the premiere banks and other large corporations as their target workplace, I, on the other hand, took the liberty of walking through the hallway of the BEST and LARGEST BPO in the Philippines.

Coming with the decision to walk on a different path wasn’t easy. Of course I have considered what other people might think of me. What will my former professors and instructors think upon learning that the “once promising kid” they have in school is now going to work as an agent?! Sure, some of them will have to raise their eyebrows while some may cast me a questioning look. During my stint as a student, I always make it a point to excel in every way that I can. I may not be the smartest kid in the block during those times but I made sure that I got to be noticed. Yes, I was a grade conscious student back then! For I know that there are so many people who expects something big from me. My parents did not bluntly pressure me to achieve big things. It’s just that I have kept in mind that it is MY responsibility to give them the best that I can. Being an achiever in school is somehow my way of giving back to them, for all the sacrifices and the hard work they managed to put up all these years just to send the three of us to school.

Now that it is actually my turn to bring food on our table and help my Mom in sending my siblings to school, I am extremely pressured to find a job that would not just fit my chosen degree but more importantly, I am keen to find a job that will provide me and my family of what we really need. I wouldn’t lie, I wouldn’t be a hypocrite, the reason why I declined the idea of working into large firms or in a bank is because I know that these corporations will not be able to compensate me that much. I need something that will help me sustain my family. We are all aware of how much a BPO compensates their agent, and that is why I entertained the idea of working for one. In case you’re a bit confused as to why I am so eager to look for a job that will give me huge amount, this is because I am going to be the bread winner for our family. My father passed away nearly three years ago, my Mom lost her job a year ago. So I guess that explains everything.

I am not complaining about the responsibility I am about to take in. I am afraid and nervous more than ever. I know nothing in the world I am about to step in. I am afraid to fail. I am afraid that I won’t do any better. This is the real world!!! Unlike in school, where I almost pull everything off, I am afraid that I won’t be able to do that once I step out into the real world. I am praying really hard for His guidance. I am hoping I can still continue to achieve great things in the new world. I am hoping I can be the daughter and the sister my family needs and can turn into in times of trouble and happiness. I am hoping only for the BEST to happen. 

For now, my own ambitions and plans have to wait a little bit longer because I have a more significant role to play. A big role actually not just a cameo! And I do hope I’ll get an award for portraying the role that is if I play it with the best of my ability :D

Nakarating ka na ba sa Friendzone?

Photo from Google

Kagabi habang naghuhugas ako ng mga plato, napukaw ang atensyon ko sa isang eksena sa bagong TV Show na Princess and I. Yung eksena kung saan nagpanggap si Kiko (Khalil Ramos) na bading para lang makakuha ng impormasyon na maari niyang gamitin laban kay Gino (Danile Padilla). Kung para saan ang impormasyon at ano ang motibo nya? Eto kwento ko sa’yo! Kung sakaling hindi ka pamilyar sa kwento ng mga bagets na toh, eto silent reader, share ko sa’yo yung plot ng kwento.

Ganito kasi yan, si Kiko at Mikay (Kathryn Bernardo) ay mag best friend! BFF since childhood. Eh kaso, itong si Kiko, nainlove kay Mikay. Tapos etong si Gino naman, umapir sa buhay ni Mikay bilang isang bad boy na mapang-asar. Since nasisira na ang image ni Mikay sa campus nila nang dahil kay Gino, umisip tuloy itong si best friend Kiko ng paraan para makaganti sila kay Bad Boy Gino. To cut the story short,nagpanggap etong si Kiko na bading just to get the information he needs. Well, nagtagumpay naman siya nalaman nyang takot pala si Gino sa palaka, kaya ayon, maigaganti na niya ang best friend niya J

So anong konek nito? Bakit ko kinwento? Simple lang, kagaya ni Kiko, nasa friend zone din kasi ako. Friend zone, yung alam mong hanggang kaibigan ka lang. Kahit na magpa sirko sirko ka sa harapan niya, walang magbabago, mamahalin at pahahalagahan ka niya bilang isang KAIBIGAN LANG :D Habang ikaw, pinagdadasal mo na sa lahat ng santo sa langit na sana eh magising na yang kaibigan mo at marealize niya na hindi ka lang pala kaibigan na pwede ka din palang ka-ibigan! :P Napakahirap mapunta sa FRIEND ZONE. Ito yung tipo ng lugar na ayaw na ayaw mo sanang puntahan, pero kahit anong detour ang gawin ang ending eh don ka din lalagpak. Yung kahit anong control mo sa feelings mo, wala kang magawa kasi at the end of the day yung puso mo kakaiba pa din ang talon kapag parating na si “Friend”.

To make the situation worst, si “Friend” eh may ibang iniirog. Tapos sayo pa nya lahat sinasabi ang feelings nya para kay “other”. Natural, close kayo diba? Normal lang na sayo nya i-share ang feelings niya. Since good listener ka, ini-aabsorb mo lang lahat ng sharings ni “friend”. Taga payo ka din kung minsan, kung ano ba ang dapat niyang gawen. Oh, may mas sasawi pa ba dyan? Heeeep! Hindi ka lang sa lovelife nya concern, isama mo na din dyan ang family problems at advice sa school stuffs na palagi nya ding sinasabi sayo at ikinokunsulta! Hahahahahahay!!! :D

Ako? Ready akong gawin lahat mawala lang ang feelings ko para kay “friend”. Pipilitin ko na bumalik sa genuine friendship lang ang hanap ko at hindi na hihigit pa don. Kung dadating man yung araw na pwede na nya suklian yung more than friends feelings ko sakanya, ready siguro akong i-take yung risk. Pero sa ngayon, ayos na ko na isa ako sa pinagkakatiwalaan nya.Na sa tuwing may bumabagabag sakanya, isa ako sa mga taong nilalapitan nya. Ibig sabihin lang non, mahalaga ang opinion ko sakanya. Siguro nga, maganda na din toh at least okay na okay kame bilang magkaibigan. Baka kasi magkalamat pa kapag ipinilit natin na dalhin sa next level diba?!

Ikaw, anong kwentong Friendzone mo??? J sabaw ba ang post na toh? Pasensya na! Sabaw ang nagsulat tsaka blog ko naman toh :P pero, aminin mo minsan ka na ding dinala ng mapaglaro mong puso sa lugar na kung tawagin ay FRIEND ZONE. Ingat ka, medyo mapanganib dyan at iilan lang ang kilala kong umuwi ng Masaya galling dyan :D 

"Mahirap bang maging Ate?!"

While we're on our way to the convenient store nights ago, my cousin asked me this "Ate Nikki, mahirap ba maging ate?" "Hindi naman" I replied to her confidently. When I was about to take a trip to dreamland, I can't help but thought deeply about the question Korene (my cousin) asked me. Mahirap nga ba maging ate?! I asked myself again. 

Mahirap nga ba?! Well, I get used to the idea that somehow I have to be responsible and giving since I am the eldest kid in the family. I am my Mom's and Dad's first born. I am my Lolo's and Lola's first grand child (maternal side). Growing up, my parents instilled in me that I have to responsible all the time. Because I am the "Ate" I have to look after my younger siblings. When we're in grade school, I am assigned to do some chores. Dish washing is my forte. I can wash tons of plates without resting. Trust me! =) At a young age, they also taught me to be generous with my siblings. Ate should always make "palamang" to her younger sibs. If there's one cookie left in the jar and my sister and I both want it, Ate should give the last cookie to the young one. My parents always remind us not be selfish, especially with each other. My Mom says that no matter what happens we should not bring each other down rather the three of us should always look for each other's welfare. 

On the other hand, being the first grandchild in my mother's side, I bear the same responsibilities. Every time the whole family is around and the yayas are out, I help out with the chores. My usual station is of course the SINK! washing all the used plates. Mind you, we have a big family so imagine the number of plates we all have to wash after each meal. HAHAHA! :P We take turns with the chores, since most of us are teenagers (ehem!!!). Aside from the chores, being the "ate", I have to be objective all the time. Their's first before mine :)

I won't be hypocrite. There are times that I hate having those responsibilities. Well, in our culture, first born should be the responsible one, the role model type and the one who always understands. My Uncle once told me to try to be objective all the time. Understanding each differences can also be tiring. 

Now, I ask myself again, mahirap nga ba maging ate?! Oo mahirap! you're expected to be good at all times. you're expected to be the one who always understand. Mahirap maging Ate! Mahirap man, fulfilling din sa pakiramdam kapag nagagampanan mo ng tama ang role mo as the eldest kid. Wala na naman akong magagawa ako ang ate, what I need to do is make sure that I can be the best example. Mahirap pero fulfilling, yun na :P

Beach, please ;)

Since its Summer and we can't stop Mr. Sun from shining so so bright, my friends set up a Summer Gateway for the whole barkada :))) I never planned to go with my peeps since we're busy arranging some stuffs because in a few weeks we're about to move back to Laguna. I'm glad I changed my mind because this summer outing is actually one of the craziest and funniest we ever had :D I so love having our gay friends around they add extra flavor to the group not to mention they provide us with the most hilarious jokes in town :D 

We stayed at a rented room and kill most of our time there at a rented "balsa". Since I'm no good in swimming, I'm one of those who literally stayed at the "balsa" the whole afternoon :P My friends who all of a sudden acquired gills, enjoyed the waters so much. I can't help but get envy as they swim into the deeps effortlessly :( Poor little Angela!!! 

Anyway, I really had a good time with mah buddies :)))) As soon as I got home the next day, I shared the funny stories we had to my Mom. Hearing the hilarious jokes from me, she can't also stop from laughing :P Thank you guys for this another memorable bonding moment. One thing is for sure, I'm growing old with these people around me. You're all AWESOME like that! I LOVE YOU GUYS :D Cheers for more years of crazy friendship!!! :D 

P.S. All photos used in this post are all taken by Juben De Leon :) 

In God's Perfect Time ......

Once again, I proved how our Dear God answers prayers and grants the things our hearts genuinely desires. Just the other night an emergency happened at our house. My Aunt's blood pressure went rapidly high causing her dizziness. My sister kept on monitoring her blood pressure but unfortunately it did not got any better. My Mom and my Aunt aren't speaking to each other for quite some time now. They always have their differences that often leads to misunderstandings. Serious misunderstandings to be precise. 

Since they're quite not speaking to each other, I did not expect my Mom to be all worried with my Aunt's health status. But as the old saying goes, "Blood is thicker than water". My Mom went down, got dressed and accompanied my Aunt to the hospital. Despite the nervousness that surrounds our house during that night, I felt extremely happy to see that no matter what happens, family will always comes first.

That night, I had this positive feeling that all is finally well again =) The "deadma" days are over!!! Cheers to that! :D I am proud of my Mom. I know that move wasn't easy for her to do. But because of the love that she had for her family and to her sisters, she managed to forget whatever differences they have just to attend to the sister that needs her. I have been praying for this reconciliation to happen. Every time I pray to God, I always include my Mom and the rest of our family. I always ask Him to grant each member of our family the understanding and forgiveness that each of us needs in order to have a more harmonious relationship. There maybe wounds that's left unhealed but I know in God's perfect time all is going to be healed. Hearts will soon be open to the idea of love and forgiveness :)

There's no perfect family. Everyone has its own flaws but with constant prayers I know love, peace and understanding will soon be present in each one of us :D For now, I'll be enjoying each precious moment with the most important people in my life, MI FAMILIA :))

I have never .......

My good fried showed me a list of the things that girls should do before she turns 21 and I haven't done half of the things written on the article. HAHA! I will be turning 21 in a few months. So instead of doing all those things, I am making a list of my own. I shall call this "Angela's I HAVE NEVER ........ list" :)) Here yah go, loyal silent readers *wink wink* :P

1. I have never been to Luneta -- Proud Pinoy, but really, I haven't been to Luneta. I have encounter the place just in books. I would always say, "Hindi pa ko ganap na Pinoy kasi hindi pa ko nakakatapak sa Luneta" But I will make sure, one day I'll pay my respect to Gat Jose Rizal. 

2. I have never ride in a plane before -- Well, I am born in a middle class family so travelling via plane isn't really our thing. Now that I am working very soon, I am planning to save money to indulge myself into few travels in the future :)) 

3. I have never touched a puppy or a dog -- Most people wouldn't understand why I hate dogs especially those who love them. But maaaaan, kahit anong cute pa nyan aso pa din yan at takot ako. *end of convo* LOL :D

4. I have never been involved into someone romantically -- Yes, dear friends I am a NBSB!!! HAHA! 

5. I have never got drunk -- I drink? Yes!! I only drink alcohol when I'm with my family and high school friends.

6. I have never been outside the country -- Well, I have been planning on saving some penny so that I can visit my dream destinations. I hope I can do that before I turn 25 or 30 ;) I'd love to see the famous Eiffel Tower. I want to experience walking the streets of Manhattan in New York and have my picture taken in front of the gates of Buckingham Palace. HAHA! Too ambitious right? Who knows I might get richer someday!! LOL

7. I have never swam into an ocean -- I cannot swim! That's it, pancit :D Seriously, whenever I go to the beach, I only swim in the area where my feet can touch the sand. I didn't know why I never learned swimming.

8. I have never tried smoking -- For one reason, I hate the smell of nicotine!!!! Though I have friends who smokes and I believe all of us are second hand smokers :P

9. I have never been kissed -- Didnt I say, I'm a NBSB?? So that's explains it :)

10. I have never been into a bar or a club -- Does comedy bar counts?? I'm no party animal but my friends and I are planning to give clubbing a try *wink wink*

That's it, pancit! HAHA! Let see if this list will go a long way or will it lessen as years go by :D 

It's Official :)

Finally, a deliberation has been made last March 27, 2012! The scholarship office just announced the names of those who are graduating with Honors and luckily, I MADE THE CUT!!! So, I can now tell the whole world that this girl right here will be receiving the fruit of her 17 years of labor in school. She will be marching her way to the stage on the 12th of April to receive her college diploma as well as her Cum Laude award :D yeeeeeeey!!! :)))))

To be honest, I was really hesitant to apply for Cum Laude at first. I thought I do not deserve such award. I was contemplating very hard whether to apply or not. I thought of my Mom who was expecting something from me. The next thing I knew I was at the registrar's office asking for a copy of my grades and on my hands was the application form. I managed to finish all the necessary papers in just a day and passed it to the office. 

I know being a Cum Laude does not stop from the day you receive the award. I know there are watchful eyes out there which are looking after every move that I make. I have a lifetime to prove to them that I deserve and I am worthy of being a Cum Laude :))) 

To all the Graduates, Congratulations and Good luck as we take the next big leap in our lives :D Thank You Lord for making all these possible, without You, all these will not happen!! Maraming, Maraming Maraming Salamat po :D