when you know

But how do you know? I always asked this to myself. How do you know if he/she is the right person for you? My friend said,

"ligawan mo muna para mas makilala mo... pag naging kayo na, in the process malalaman mo kung sya ang soulmate mo. at hindi yun nalalaman overnight. time and circumstances will lead you to your soulmate. basta mararamdaman mo yun, promise!!! ".

Ganun nga ba yun?

You Don't Need Anyone Else, You Only Need Your Family

Last Sunday, I went to Taoyuen and Chungli (both on the southern part of Taiwan) to meet my sister Lyn who is also currently working in this country (she actually just came back and she's been working in this country for more than 5 years). As I noticed, there are more Filipinos in those areas rather than here in Taipei. As I am deeply appalled with the reality Filipinos are facing now, not to mention the hardships, may it be financially or work related we Filipinos are facing each day, I came to realize one thing: I am one lucky man. Why? Let me tell you why.

I cannot consider our family as middle class. We are not rich, we are not poor neither. We are from up north. My father who was once a seaman, retired to focus more on being a farmer. My mother, who helps my father to raise the family, owns a sari-sari store. Nevertheless, my parents worked (even now) so hard in order for me and my siblings, the four of us, to finish a degree. And because of that, I love them even more. In my family, both on the mother and father side, it is seldom that all of the children finishes a degree (financially might be the main reason but maybe its one's choice). And I am very thankful that my parents did all their best to send us to college.

My oldest brother, who took his college degree in Manila, is now a radio announcer/reporter/commentator in the local radio station in our province. My oldest sister Joan, a writer at heart, now works as a nurse in Oslo, Norway. My sister Lyn, an Economy graduate, as I mentioned, still works here in Taiwan. And me, a graduate of BS in Computer and Information Science now work as an IT consultant/programmer.

I've been to few countries already. I've visited Hong Kong, Thailand, some parts of China; I've been to Macau and recently, here in Taiwan. For sure Hong Kong has a special spot in my heart because it's the first ever country I visited outside my home country. But as I reflect more, Taiwan earned the biggest special spot in my heart. For one, I've been here in this country for more than a year and half working in one of our clients here, and second, because of this reason: My two sisters worked here to help my parents financially, to send me to college.

Because of that, I have a better life here compared to our fellow Filipinos who are working here, well, even compared to my sister Lyn's. Actually, that thought strike me the most. I've been living in this country where I manage my own time, I can eat wherever I want, I can shop/buy my needs more so, my wants and I experience things which I think ordinary Filipino workers here can't afford.

My sister Joan was the first one who set foot in Taiwan soil. I was still a high school student then. I believed she sacrificed her first love…her love in writing, for a surefire career that would give her and our family a better life - financially, that is. But of course, she waited for a long time to reach what and where she is now today. She worked in several hospitals in Manila and in our province but the paycheck is not good. An opportunity was given to her to work abroad - here in Taiwan. She was the first in our family to let me and our family appreciates Giordano or Hangten brand names and to taste a “padala” we can call our own (we have other relatives all over the world).

My sister Lyn, worked in factories ever since. She continued my sister Joan's journey as she settles back in the Philippines after six years of stay here. I was in my early days in college then so our family needed a back-up. I know her hardships, how physically demanding her work is. But she survived. That's why she is back.

One might interpret that our family are broke and in desperate need of money. I think we are in some point. But my family own lands and other properties back home. Nevertheless, I cannot consider our family to be rich because in my province, it is just normal to own lands for farming use.

My two sisters sacrificed one way or another, but I believed they took it as stepping ground. Our family needs all the help it can get and my sisters were willing to give a hand. And I believe that's what family is all about.

Thus, the likes of my sisters earn my respect and gratitude. It also goes to show how fate brought us in this country. A place where will always be a part of our life.

Something's Gotta Give

Last night, I watched this movie again for the nth time and boy, this film doesn't ceased to make me laugh. The film was intelligently done, the dialogues were great and Jack Nicholson and Dianne Keaton had such a good rapport together. You see, I seldom watched movies which stars are "old" but this is an exception.

Well, this post is not a review of the film but rather a personal take driven from one of the issues brought on the film.

The big question is: "Can a guy and girl remain friends after having sex?

This catches my attention not because I am in the situation (duh, I wish! hehehe) but it made me think if it's possible.

You may say it's possible if it's just a "casual sex". But that violates the whole context of "friendship". And how does one define friendship? Or how does a friend suppose to treat a friend? Does friendship involves physical or even sexual favors? Really, this issue is such a big thing that I don't even know what to think. What if both parties were beforehand attracted to each other? Of course, that would lead the friendship to more deeper relationship, which is great, right? But what if both parties are not? Say I have a friend for a long time, because of the urge of the current situation, we did it. But no "love" binds between us ( I mean love for friends and love for a someone special are totally different, right?). What will happen next? Of course, awkwardness would be our first response. Yes, we can talk about it. Maybe conclude a solution to JUST LET IT PASS AND KEEP IT WITHIN OURSELVES, but what would happen to the friendship that we had?Are we going to remain as friends as before?

Does sex and friendship can come together?

World's Tallest Building - Taipei 101

Last night, I'm on my way to my "temporary" home here in Taipei City, Taiwan, I noticed that the current world's tallest building (also tagged as the world's tallest and strongest building ) is in its prime beauty. Ive been here in Taipei for about a year and a half now and I didn't saw this building as bright and as alive as last night. Since the building is just a walking distance from where I live, once I got to my apartment, I brought my camera with me and took some pictures.

Well, Im glad that Im one of the first people who saw how this building developed. I know one day this building will be famous. Oh well, given the fact that its already known to the world to be the current tallest building, its famous already.

As the building is not yet open to the public ( although the 101 mall is already open since october of last year), the only question now is when will I climb its rooftop? I'll just wait and see.

Is it too late?

I can sing. I know that for a fact. Melodies sometimes keep flowing but end up losing it because I don't know how to put them in music tabs. The reason? I can't play any damn instrument.

I always wanted to learn how to play a guitar or a piano. I've tried playing the guitar before and in couple of hours, I was able to play "Leaving on a jet plane". I know that that song is not that complicated to learn but what the hell, though it did not sounded perfectly, I was able to do it, Also, I remember that I once had a small electric organ when I was younger, but my skills were never honed.

As a child I remember that:

1. Although my family loves to sing, love listening to music, no one knows how to play any instrument.

2. None from my family encouraged me to polish my skills in playing.
Maybe because of these reasons:
(a) No one knows how to play
(b) We have no extra money for me to enroll
(c) Maybe I/we thought that I'm better off as a singer

3. We, specially my parents, are too busy earning money for more important things

I just wish I had at least one instrument that I can play. Definitely, I can buy any instrument I want now, I can enroll to any school and my family is now financially okay. At 25, I hope it’s not yet too late.

Or is it?

Loner?

The book im currently reading says to be happy, one must express or say what they want. I did that today and I end up taking lunch -ALONE. Was it bad? Yes but definitely NO. Yes maybe because just the thought of one having lunch by oneself, no one to talk to and sometimes being paranoid that you might be the topic over lunch.. who cares? I did what I wanted to do, I ate the food I wanted to have and it made me feel better. Being alone sometimes does not contruct any negative connotation on one's part. It helps most of the times. You got to do what you want and I believe that is what's important.

Random Thoughts

I recently tried to collect and save some thoughts popping out of my head related to work, life, etc., and I decided to post it here.

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July 29, 2004

- We are proud yet ashamed to be Filipino.

- Why don't we use simple “Magandang umaga” instead of Good morning every time we see our officemates in the hallways? Or “Salamat” instead of “Thank You” when we are grateful?

- Why those educational institutions abroad are offering languages such as Chinese, Japanese, Spanish, etc, in their Foreign Language subjects BUT NO Filipino?

- Why is it that when we are abroad, we are overly trying to learn how to say some of the common expressions but never bother knowing what is “Salamat” in Ilocano?

- Why do we treat fellow Filipinos like some sort of stupid who are not grammatically correct in writing mostly in speaking and we find it amusing for Chinese or Japanese?

- Why are we so amazed (or annoyed for some reason) when we hear Filipino speaks English fluently with the proper diction and all but find it weird when we are in “Balagtasan” contests or tease people who talks “malalalim na tagalog” ?

August 5, 2004

- Things come and go when you least expect it
- If our destiny has been laid out, does it mean that even we do nothing, things will fall into place as planned?

August 6, 2004

- Receiving praises and kind words from clients are more rewarding than received it from your boss for a job well done.

- Observe things even though you are not concerned. It doesn't mean you are meddling into things but it's one way for us to prepare what to do when the time comes that we are in the same position (thought from a colleague's advice)

October 12, 2004

Regine Velasquez's song “Hold On To Your Dreams” made me think:

“The song is so inspiring not only for aspiring singers but for each and everyone of us who once or twice fell, but kept our faith and believed that we all can make it happen as long as we hold on.

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