Reaching Out Through Brigada Eskwela 2010

I can't remember the last time I laid my hands on "dirty" community works.

But last Saturday was another eye-opener for me to the windows of the real world - the real Philippines. My company, the Ramcar Group of Companies - Battery Group, initiated a response to corporate responsibility. It is enlisting our company to a nation-wide Brigada Eskwela. It was volunteerism in the truest essence of the word - no forcing of the employees to join, no promised additional benefits... just pure act of charity and sincere willingness to help out.  

Payatas C Elementary School was our chosen school. Stepping on the grounds of this humble school stirred up my humanitarian genes. Right there and then, I was so eager to sport on my gloves and masks and start doing the "dirty" job. I felt the need of the school for both financial and moral support. In the face of the principal, you'd see how grateful he is for our little hands who would give a noble help to their school. Their school houses 3000++ young kids who tried to fit themselves in just about 21 little classrooms - some of which are even makeshift classrooms! Yes, 3000++ kids in 21 classrooms. Sad. Depressing. 

But just as I was feeling that depression, I saw a bunch of teachers in their positive aura. Hah, shame on me. This school which I regard as a "depressed" one, ranks #5 in the National Achievement Test. Yes, this public school which is situated in a private land, is one of the top performing schools.

It did not take any convincing to sincerely do my part in "cleaning" the school. With my joyful and equally eager colleagues, we did not waste any minute to clean the rooms!

The humble principal of Payatas C Elementary School

"ako po ay nahihiya at nanghihingi at namamalimos na naman kami ng tulong sa inyo...."

above was an excerpt from his speech when he welcomed us. It touched my heart.

Sporting with Motolite shirts and caps, the whole team is so ready to bring it on!

With our HR manager carrying out the task of turning over our donations of books

The real deal!

Everyone was collectively sharing efforts in helping out our adopted school!

Proof that volunteerism knows no gender! :p

that's me at the center striking a pose and taking a quick break!

Closer me!

Work in progress: my second chair!

The finished products!

It was a short yet very fulfilling activity. It reminds me of my social responsibility and have given me a venue where I can mix fun and charity work!

Until the next Brigada, colleagues! We did a great, great job!

Disorganized Me and How It Kills My Life

As posted on my Twitter today, this is another day of  'no-phone' mode because I left my "old" gadget back in my bed. This has been happening frequently. And I hate it.

I hate it when my being a disorganized freak is creeping my whole system. I am aware of it, but I just do not have that urge to fight it back or to make ways of getting rid of this negative attitude of mine. It is killing me both in a minor and major way. Recent proof: losing my wallet with a hefty amount inside it.

Sigh. How can get out of this lousy game? Agh.

Poems To Life

Here's an interesting exchange of poems between me and my dod, Ermz. =)

From my inbox:

i feel sad. i don't know why.

my heart is lonely. but i don't wanna cry.

i feel empty. i always sigh.

i am bored. i wanna fly.

From her inbox:

I cannot answer you right there and then

Since I myself is also asking when?

Life's always a mystery

Why we are here, is a big question to me

 

As we always say

HE does find a way

I know we've been asking Him for ages

What really is His plan for our life's pages

But one thing's definite

Life do gives us a treat!
I may not know what it is

But I do hope it will give us pure bliss!!!

How I Cope Up With A Recent "Loss"

My being a disorganized girl hit me once again yesterday. I was again a victim of my short-term memory syndrome. The result? I lost my wallet with x,xxx.xx php on it. Sigh. Sadness. Regretful me. :(

But in every event that happened in my life, I slowly learn to see both pages of the book. There will always be a good thing for every bad thing that is happening. Yes, the power of positive outlook. :) I remember one email I received which details all the things that you should be thankful with despite its negativity. To shed some lines of it:

... be thankful that you have dishes to wash, that only means you have food to eat.

... be thankful od your laundry, that only means you have clothes to wear.

and the list goes on... Now, in my recent "loss", I've come to realize one thing.

...  be thankful that you have lost your money, for it only means that I have "something" to lose.

It only means that I have a good job which provides me with "something". It only means I have ample time to go and visit the malls beacause I have something to spend on.

And isn't it priceless to see these beautiful smiles?

And these warm hugs?

Way, way better than losing a love one right? Yes, it's just money, Dahlj.

Cheer up!

...

Ms. Perya is...

SUFFERING FROM WRITER'S BLOCK...

Filipinos are Heroes - AGAIN!!!

Please bear with my tarnished polish. :D

Hometown voting!

Above are evidences that I did exercise my right! I am proud enough to say that I am one step ahead of being a responsible citizen.

My bet may not have won, but I know my country did! Two major milestone for the beloved Philippines, the hopefully curtailment of GMA's power and the automated poll election! What can I say, Filipinos are winners!!!

It is all about moving forward. Noynoy may not be

my first choice, but I am committed to accept his victory and support him in this common endeavor - the move for positive change!

Now I hope that everyone of us will utter: Laban at sulong para check ang pagbabago!!! :D

Yes, to start off that positive change I need to get back to work! :P

G1BO: My Worries and Why I Will Still Vote For Him

I am for G1BO. Yes, I am not 100% assured that this country will be saved from the sinking boat of corruption, poverty, and failed economy. I have my own qualms on choosing my president. But what is good about it is that in these worries I have, I did find better answers to wrap my anxiety with hope for a better nation.

Here are my qualms and my pacifiers:

1. He is an Arroyo bet
If I will not vote him just because of the tarnished reputation of that little lady, then I am losing that one hope of having a good president. He may protect GMA, yes. He will protect her in a sense that he may let those accusations on her die down. But I am confident that he will not give in to other succeeding demands of Mrs. Arroyo. After all, I am a believer of moving forward!

2. He did not do good during Ondoy calamity
...if Noy just had passed a lot of laws, then maybe, just maybe, we have a better nation
...if Villar did not grab the lands of the poor, then maybe, just maybe, we have less people on the poverty line
...if Erap just did his job as a good president, then we will not be having an evil president
...if Gordon... hmmm I can't think of any for him! :D

My point is, all of them has flaws - others even have tremendous flaws that crumbled our nation.

3. He is too young and inexperienced in terms of leading the nation
In every political ads we see, they banner all the good things they've done. Xxx number of laws passed, xxx number of roads built, xxx number of health centers donated, etc. BUT, why are we still in this mess?

So I told myself, why not get a fresh face (not to mention, gwapo. lol!) to start anew? Yes, a fresh face backed up with "galing" and "talino".

4. He is just for the people's money
I am always a believer that the old rich are the ones who do not boasts, who do not salivate for "more" money. Be careful with the "new" rich. :D

5. He does not appeal to the masses
So?!

SULONG G1BO!!!

Ah LOVE!

One of the most painful scenes you can witness is seeing your friend crying her hearts out because of the pain that love has given her. Or was it really love who caused the pain? Or was it the creature who God first molded but later on realized that He needs to create a "better" one?

Ah love! It is one word that ironically links two opposing terms - happiness and pain.

I have my own share of love's painful fruits. It was one point of my life when I thought love was the same thing as rapture, the end of the world. It was a classic example that heart and mind are not in harmony. Logic told me to stop all those stupidity, but my heart clamored for "another chance". I hold on to the memories, the plans, the nanghihinayang factor. It is with this experiences that I perfectly understood my friend's perception on the things that recently crumbled her world.

But God indeed has plans, greater plans for me. After that long years of holding on to that failed relationship, he opened one fastastic door for me  - the door which Levy owns! I had the grandest welcome I can think of and more importantly, I experienced and am experiencing the utmost love and care that I yearn for a partner. Levy's coming to my life made that past relationship seem like a dust in a castle. Negligible.

I saw myself six years ago in my friend now. The only difference is that I have surpassed it, and she is yet to overcome the bitter surprise of love. And at this point, the best that I can do is share my thoughts about it based on how I went through it. What were my realizations?

...that on top of all your emotions, learn to accept that he does not love you anymore
...that while you "hope" for another chance, give 99% to letting go, 1% for that "hope"
...that when the logic tells you to move on, listen to your heart and never force it
...that if your mind shouts on you to be happy, be honest and never deny the pain
...that when your friends tell you not to envy the girl. make it the perfect time to boost your confidence

Father time will heal the wound that caused a deep pain to my friend. I do not know when is that time, but I do hope I'd see my friend smiling once again. And I'd like it to be a sincere smile who wraps her life with love from a deserving guy. Cheers to happy love!

Happy couple!