Planet Dive

It’s one of those rare moments when your team building meets your hobby. In this case, our team building happened on a dive resort! Yahoo! This gave me an opportunity to both be with my team mates in a non-office setting and dive again.

It’s a good thing that I decided to go with Chris on the way to Planet Dive because we had a chance to leave at a latter time. We were suppose to meet at 7 am in a McDonalds joint near my house as supposed to going to Makati at 6am where the arranged transportation will be. I say it’s a good thing because I woke up at 5:30am still at Ryan’s place from the previous night’s ’session.’ Waaahhh! I hurriedly went home realizing that I cannot afford to waste any time. I was able to make it to the meeting place without causing anybody any inconvenience. Yehey!

The trip on the way there was very relaxed. There was Chris, Tristan (her husband), Isabel (her baby daughter), Nick and I. We got lost along the way but it was OK. We were all laughing and having discreet conversations so by the time we got there, we weren’t really stressed. The program and games prepared by the team was exciting. Everybody participated and all were having some nice team building fun. I believe the program finished at around 3pm and we were given some free time until 7pm. So you know what this means? Dive time!

We opted for a shore dive since I got feedback that the corals in the area were also delightful. It was actually my first time to dive without a dive master to plan and guide the dive. It was just us boys – Sherwin, Sean, Carlos and I. We went to this place called the Twin Rocks. It’s like this 2 huge female bosom 40 feet below the water. The rocks were teeming with life and biodiversity. We crossed the ‘cleavage’ just for fun. It was a tight one I tell you. We couldn’t use our hands and our fining was very limited to avoid hitting the corals.

We got back at the shore and almost all of my team mates are there. I realized that this is he first time that they’ll see me not so much as an office mate but a diver in action! Hehe. As I walked across the shore with my gear, I can feel all the eyes behind those shades directed at us. This is something only a few of us in the team are certified to do. I realized that I can use this attention to encourage some of the guys there to take intro diving so I kept pestering them to take the intro dive offered by the resort.

The night was another adventure. Before joining the team for some drinking session, I first had some smores and chocolate fondue in our room. It was something that my IC group had planned on doing and it was great that we were able to pull it off. We were hysterically laughing because there were so many boo-boos in the process. Oh well, the night had a great start. We joined the team afterwards along the sea shore. There were so many booze! Beer, Tequila, Kurant, Lambanog etc. Anton got super wasted primarily because of Sean. Hehe. Anton revealed so many things that the guys in our team were quite shocked by some of the things he is saying. Haha. Oh well, I guess it was really a night to let loose. And then there was the ceremonial ‘tagay’ of AAT with Mike to sort of welcome him in the group. Sherwin initiated the process and all the AAT members toasted with Mike a glass of beer. Of course each of us drank a glass while Mike had to drink a lot for each of us. Hehe. Mike Bien even had a proxy and I had to wake up Carlos who was at that time almost sleeping due to being drunk – all of this just so everybody is accounted for. It all ended with the ‘tagay’ of Mike and Ekky. Yahoo!

Lastly, there was the morning dive that I thought took forever to begin. We were so behind schedule on the dive that I had to ask Chris to leave without me (I was supposed to join them on the way home) because I know that they had to leave early for their baby. The dive was a boat dive this time. We went to this ship wreck called Dari Laut. I’m not really sure about the depth because somebody in the dive group mentioned that we got up to a hundred feet but my gauge only tells me 60 feet. I’m standing by my gauge reading. This time Leah was able to join us (too bad Omi wasn’t there. Huhu). I’ve seen some ship wrecks before in Galera but this one was particularly eerie. You know those horror/thriller movie that that goes down to the sea and then finds this weird looking form on a dark blue water with unknown white solid particles constantly crossing your path. That was the initial feeling. Of course, I got over it when I got a closer look at the wreck and all the marine life that chose it to be its sanctuary. Ahhh… It was a thing if beauty…

After the dive, we got back to the resort, rested a while and accompanied Ram, Sheng, Dave and Alvin in their intro to diving. They were being towed like toys by the DMs. It was actually a bit funny because they were like dead dolls hovering in the sea floor. But that was OK, I knew they were enjoying with what’s happening so we just looked after them, played with them, took pictures of them etc. It was very welcoming to see other team members taking their first steps in diving. I hope they follow through.

I rode with the team bus and got home at 8pm. Wow, what a weekend!

JM’s turn

Honesty is one of the many things that I appreciate about these guys. Last Saturday, THE CHERIBOYS (Notice the ‘the’ much like ‘the’ Ateneo. Haha! And yes, we shortened it for legal purposes) had another session. But this time, we opted for something simpler, cheaper and more toned down (no bumping and grinding here) – a sleepover! Well, sort of. I was really just looking for the interesting conversations so it does not matter to me much where we’re going as long as we’re talking. We met on a Friday night at Ryan’s house. We thought this was a nice opportunity for Ryan to play host. Hehe.

I notice that in every gimmick/session, there usually is a person who has the most sharing/stories to tell. During our formation stages, it was PA. On PA’s birthday, it was JB. On one of our gimmicks, it was I…. telling stories about her…. So this time, I thought it would be good for Ryan and JM to be on the spotlight. I’m close to these guys individually so I know that there are so many things about Ryan that he still haven’t shared with most of the guys, the same way that I know there also things about JM that some of them don’t really know about.

Ryan only shared a little. Mostly those things where I am also a witness to. Our lives are so intertwined lately that it’s getting to be confusing to determine which experiences we are talking about. Hehe. Oh well. I guess he thought there really isn’t anything to tell. I’m telling you bro, there is. I’m sure you’ll open up more to them when you’re ready. On the other hand, JM went full blast. He opened up as much as he can with no pretenses, justifications nor cover-ups. Just the plain truth with the sincerest emotions. Of course, we listened with no judgment and outmost confidentiality. JM, I thought that it was good that you have shared with the guys. I’m sure that they learned a thing or two about you and your life. I second the motion when you say that your life is a testimony of trusting in God.

Firsts and Repeats

Last Holy Week was a series of firsts and repeats for me. Here are the mentionable:

1. First – My officemate/manager/friend invited us to go to their house last holy Wednesday. It was the first time I’ve seen the insides of their new home. We had our videoke session, something that all of us seem to extremely enjoy lately. As expected, the highest scorer is Jona, the song Goddess. Haha! Thanks Chris for the generosity in inviting us over! Till the next session!
2. First – In my 3 years in SFC, I never had the opportunity to join my chapter in their annual Bisita Iglesia. This year, I asked my parents if we can just go home to Pampanga on a Thursday night instead of the usual Thursday morning. Thankfully, they agreed. Yahoo! Finally! It was a fun experience for me. Most of our new members were unable to join so only the old-timers were there. I don’t know how to describe the feeling.. but that event reminded me of how small our chapter was before and how big we’ve grown through the years. Ah I know! It was a comforting feeling that the older members are still active in service while newer ones are becoming more and more engrossed into this community. Happy times!
3. Repeat – While in Pampanga, we went to Baliuag, Bulacan (about 30 mins away from our town) to watch the yearly procession depicting the life and death of Jesus Christ. Their procession is quite a big event for them because they showcase these magnificent looking statues. It started late (~ 10pm) so halfway into the whole presentation, we got so tired of standing for hours that we just decided to head home since we’ve already seen the whole thing last year.
4. Repeat – I again met with my officemate/AAT bud, Karen, because we live in neighboring towns. This time she was with her boyfriend, which also happens to be our officemate, Elison. By the time I got there on the way home from the procession, Elison was already asleep so I was only able to talk to Karen. Last year, she was the one who dropped by our house, so this year it was my turn. Hehe
5. Repeat – After visiting my relatives on my father’s side, we headed to another part of Pampanga to visit my relatives on my mother’s side (didn’t I tell you that my holy week is for family?! Hehe). We went to this resort in San Fernando called ‘Don Alfredo’s Resort’ something. We already been there last holy week but since it was new then and it was a good place, we just decided to go there again. Actually, I was a bit disappointed by how it looked now. It looked so good last year but now there are writings in their cottages, comforts rooms etc. I really don’t understand why people do that. It’s just a shame….
6. First – While we were in the resort, my mom, dad and sister decided to go to mass. I was NEVER able to attend mass on Black Saturday because on those times, I am usually drinking in some resort with either family or friends. So this was a first for me. We went to this nearby parish called ‘St. Augustine’ something. Now, I tell you the mass was so interesting. We started outside the church with some bonfire, proceeded to enter the church, lit the candles in particular instances and the priest blessed the water and candles we brought. Oh, and did I mention that the whole mass was celebrated in Kapampangan?! Wow! I have now confirmed that I have lost my ability to comprehend the dialect. I used to be fluent in Kapampangan when I was a kid. In the mass, I only understood so little. I could not even sing the Lord’s Prayer (Our Father) because even the songs are in Kapampangan! Well, this was definitely a first for me….
7. First – I ended my Holy Week by attending my SFC bro/adopted HH member’s birthday. We went back to Cainta, attended Sunday mass and went straight to Eugene’s house to celebrate. There were lots of food, good conversations, heartfelt laughter, sincere honoring of the birthday celebrator among other things. This was also a first for me….. Anyway, Happy Birthday Eugene! Good luck on your board exams, love life and service! God bless!

MYMP

You have made your momma proud by having that singing voice. I knew you like to sing but I didn’t know you’re good at it! Next time, we’re going at Red Box so that you can have your mini concert there. Hehe. Again, I cannot expound simply because It’s Complicated!

Dodong’s Despedida

Yesterday was my SFC brother’s last day here in the Philippines. He is going to Taiwan to work. Before that, some of our chapter mates, dropped by his house to wish him well. We gave our regards and prayed over him for all the many things he needs on this new episode of his life. By this writing, you should have landed there and have started weaving your way into their society. Yahoo! Congrats Dodong for finally getting that job! God bless bro!

Also, I know my text message was a bit short notice but you guys still came: Allan, Rose, Ryzel, Klea, Raziel, Eugene, Joenel, and Jonas. I rarely mention collective names but you guys deserve this one. Kudos!

PMG Meeting

I attended my first meeting with the role my chapter has bestowed on me…. well actually, it’s more like the heads forced me to take it. Hehe. I was assigned as PMG of the new GK site our chapter will be taking care of — Simona in Taytay, Rizal. I knew the task would be big since the site will be basically built from scratch but I didn’t know it was going to be that challenging! First of all, the role encompasses a lot. You have to different things to different people. Second, I think I am the only PMG for that site (the other one they are eyeing has not confirmed yet since she has a job at Laguna). So it will be just me doing all those things. Lastly, I will still actively serve in my other GK work, which is the News Bureau. In there, I am Sector Editor (together with John Mark) and also a News Correspondent for one site. The Sector Editor role alone covers work for the 8 GK sites in our sector. And did I mention I still have a full day job? Hehe.

Given all these, I am actually still excited. I know it would be difficult. But I also know it would be possible. I’m a little nervous because I know that I have to overcome some shortcomings as person to effectively do my work. One of that is being shy. I need to thicken my face for all the beneficiaries of this site. I am still unsure how everything would work out for me in this new role. For sure, I would need my chapter’s full support because I cannot carry the site alone. Time and again, it has to be a chapter effort. Ultimately, I am thankful for this new challenge because this is an opportunity to better serve the Lord by serving my country. I would need HIM to lend me his strength to perform this work for HIM.

PS1: Great thanks to my SFC brother and very good friend Jonas for coming with me on that meeting. You are the epitome of Gawad Kalinga and service for the poor. Your service alone inspires me to do better with mine.

PS2: I got an offline comment that questioned why I advertise my charity. He said, it is not supposed to be done discreetly? To all those who think that, Gawad Kalinga is not a work of charity… It is a work of nation-building. Every person needs to hear about the work of Gawad Kalinga. The GK story has to be told…..

“You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before men that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.” Matt. 5:14 Matt. 5:14- 16

So spread the word!

Home Spa

After what seemed to be an eternal quest to get one, I finally got what I wanted — a MASSAGE! A full body massage at that. I’ve wanted to get one for the longest time because I feel that i have been so stressed with work these past months. Good thing I have friends that are as stressed as I! Hehe.

Last Saturday, JM, Ryan and I went to this place called Home Spa in our area. Initially it was just JM and I who intended on getting one because of the stresses of the past quarter. We tried getting a massage the last time but it was unsuccessful. Ryan, on the other hand, had also been lacking sleep and rest lately because of his work and team lead duties in our CLP. Wanting to get some breather, he said, ‘pamasahe’ tayo… Initially, i thought he wants to commute or something (see how stressed I was? Hehe) but realizing that he was also after a nice massage, I just thought of just joining the two (I don’t want to damage my pocket and perhaps my body by going into two simultaneous massages for them. Hehe).

We went into the spa and they told us that they only had a room for two. We told them, ‘di pa pwede gawan ng paraan na tatlo? Kawawa naman yung maiiwan samin.’ And so we had to wait to clear out the room and provide additional bedding. The massage done on me was a combination of Swedish and Shiatsu. Oh, it was so perfect. I literally felt my stresses dissolving.

During the whole thing, there were so many bloopers and anecdotes. Ryan, being the ultimate photo-album blogger took pictures that are humorous and of course embarrassing to take. JM had a lot of hilarious experiences too. But I guess I’m not at liberty to tell it since he will be placed in a compromising position (Hahaha! Joke!) Being the energetic people that we are, we were talking and laughing even at our most relaxed moments. The masseuse even said, ‘kayo ho yung pinaka-maingay na grupong namasahe ko. Parang hindi kayo nag-rerelax eh.’ But we were. It was just a fun experience for all of us. The masseuses were even laughing with us.

After the massage (around 10pm), I got hungry and asked my buds to eat. And yes I ate what I define as comfort food – warm ‘goto’ with boiled egg and ‘tokwa’t baboy’ Hay… This is the life….

PA’s Birthday Celebration

It’s one of those times when you think that you are going to have at worst an OK-day and at best a great day. Since PA’s birthday fell on a Wednesday, we decided to just celebrate it on a Friday to give us more time to… well celebrate… Hehe.

I realized that at 430pm, I still had tons of tasks to finish. And just when the going gets tough, I unintentionally closed a report I was just finishing up without saving it! Oh and did I mention that was due end of that day?! Waahhh! I just promised to submit it the following day to give me time to attend PA’s birthday celebration. With all the toxicity that happened during the day, I really thought I would have a terrible night.

I was so far from being correct. Unexpected surprises and events, people keeping their promises, camaraderie being strengthened, new relationships developing, lively but intimate conversations transpiring, greats news being delivered and all other things combined made the night a memorable one for me. I wasn’t able to stay long but the time I stayed there was more than enough for me. Haha. Again, no elaboration on this one.

Happy Birthday brother PA! Like I said, I didn’t think we’d be close because both of us have quite strong personalities but I guess things really have a way of working out. Now, you’re one of the few people I confide with. Good luck with your new job and best wishes to you and Gian. Haha! Cheers to the many great things your challenging but blessed life has to offer!

City Barn

Last Saturday, I wanted to attend the music min practice for our CLP. My father had a talk about Christian family in the Couples for Christ CLP in our parish so the whole family supported him through our sharing. It was a welcome experience for me since it has been a while since we did that. Also, I was able to advertise our CLP to the titos and titas there. Hehe. I told Ryan that I and my sister would immediately go to the practice right after our sharing. Unluckily for us, the practice ended earlier than we expected because the music min already knew the songs. Good thing that my chapter dropped by the chapel on their way home. I was able to meet them and perhaps because I missed them (because I knew they were already going home and some other reasons), I hastily asked them to go out! Since it was last minute (not all of them asked for permission and did not really prepared money for it), we just opted to go somewhere near and affordable. There’s this coffee shop called City Barn. We thought this would be a good place since all we needed was a place to have good conversation.

We were almost on the entrance of this place when we heard people singing and saw this videoke monitor with some lyrics displaying. I thought, ‘Oh, great. There are no band playing so maybe this is their entertainment when there are no live band performances….’ I know my chapter mates would not back down on any opportunity to sing so we went in. While walking towards our chosen table in the corner of the room, I got a glimpse of the video being played as background of the lyrics in the videoke monitor. It was Katya Santos… In all her naked glory! I thought, ‘maybe it’s one of those videoke machines that shuffles its vidoes and it just so happened that this song had that not-so-wholesome video.’ The girls in our chapter initially sat in the couch facing the videoke monitor while the guys sat in the wooden chair facing the girls. We ordered and all when Anthony whispered to me to look at the monitor. I looked and saw Maui Taylor… and her fully exposed body (well, minus the thingy that is covered by this large shell. Hehe.)

I thought, ‘What the hell has this place been?! Isn’t this the coffee shop that we pass by daily?!’ Upon further ‘inspection’, we realized that they were showing Viva Hotbabes Hot Stuff Video followed by the Sex Goddess video thingy by Asia Agcaoili and Patricia Javier. I really felt a bit embarrassed because all of my companions are girls and there were only 3 guys in the group. Wrong place, wrong crowd. But then we thought, ‘Oh well, we might as well enjoy since we are all here.’

We enjoyed the night having a bit more personal conversations and a lot of singing our hearts out. It was just weirdly funny that groups of men started arriving and would choose ladies to sit with them. If my memory serves me right, this kind of place is one of the least wholesome places one can go. But during that time, we are already into the singing that we didn’t mind. We went out to enjoy and that’s what we’re doing. Hehe. We ended the night with group singing with the microphone being passed around. This time it was ‘Picture of You’ by Boyzone. I think the people in City Barn were more shocked by our nonchalance than us being surprised by their sudden ‘change of business.’

PS: When we were billing out we could not find the waitress that was taking our orders, serving our food and helping us pick the videoke song (their service was personalized). We later found her sitting in one of tables entertaining some ‘visitors.’ Talk about double duty and job rotation!

Cherifer Boys

I was suppose to write a post on how the Cherifer boys had another gimmick in The Basement in Eastwood that lasted until the next morning when I realized that I haven’t really written anything that gave this group their due recognition. So I’m changing the goal of this post to the Cherifer Boys introduction and probably honor them along the way.

For anybody who has seen me, Ryan, JM, JB & PA, they’ll surely know the relevance of the name. Haha! We basically have the same height – I think the politically correct term for that is ‘vertically challenged.’ Haha! But why did we allow ourselves to be named as this? I don’t exactly know the answer. Maybe because nobody really had any violent reaction against the name. After all, it sure is funny to someone who knows each of us individually. It only proves that we don’t take ourselves seriously. Life is too short to be serious all the time. If we could bring out laughter in somebody, then it’s all good right? Also, I never really felt insecure about my height. It has never put me at a serious disadvantage because of the other talents/skills that the good Lord has bestowed on me.

I guess it’s one of those times when you realize you found something good. I’ve known each of these guys individually and I didn’t realize how a blast it would be if we bond. For me, what makes it a blessing is the fact that we are all servant-leaders in SFC. We’re on the same age bracket, all of us are active in the community, most of us share the same struggles in service and even life, most of us share the same interest and the list goes on. What could have been accomplished in say two year’s worth of friendship, we accomplished in 2 months… or something like that. This is due to the decision to just be open and honest without the worry of being judged or gossiped about. You wouldn’t believe all the things we have talked about. It’s very freeing. We try our best to help each other in living out an authentic Christian life despite all the distractions and temptations our generation holds. I know we are far from perfect, but that’s not the point….. Plus we are each other’s supporters when it comes to that matter called ‘love’ and ‘women.’ Hehe. *Hint Hint*

I’ve been in an all-boys environment in High School and I’ve made good friendship similar to this. I guess what makes this group different is the spiritual aspect. Yes, we’re gimmick and drinking buddies. We party hard and drink harder every now and then. But we also pray hard, serve hard, praise hard, and most importantly, we all chose to take the ‘road less traveled by…’ Where in the world would you find men that after they went clubbing and drinking actually prayed and thanked the Lord during breakfast for all the blessings that He has given them that night? Yes, we are weird, I know. But this is one weird thing I am comfortable and proud accepting.

I do not know what the future will hold for us. Given that PA now has a night-shift job, I am unsure if we’ll be able to meet regularly again. Who knows, we might even disband because of one important thing that’s keeping us together – girls! Or somebody might start an issue on us, causing us to distrust each other. A lot of bad things can happen to good people. But I am optimistic that as long as we are under the love and guidance of this community called Singles for Christ, we will be OK. I have learned to surrender myself to Him lately and this is no exception. I am lifting up the friendship to the greatest Cherifer boy up there who gave it to me…..