The Government Offices

When I go to government offices, I always expect inefficiency and utter, “gobyerno kasi, asa pa ako.” When I come to click government websites, most of them are not updated or the page can not be loaded, “gobyerno kasi, asa pa ako.” But then, I know I should not always perceive “all” government offices as such. There are still some of them that deserve commendation.

PhilPost. I did not know that in the era where email is very prevalent and sending snail mail became less popular, the Philippine Post Office is still making way to be efficient. Last year, I already enjoyed my time staying in the building with their very accommodating tellers. Yesterday, I needed to go there again to mail some letters for out NYC. I was with a friend; the experience was the same and even more.

In each window where mailers can go for assistance, the names and pictures of the tellers behind are posted — one way for us to know whom are we transacting with; and whenever there are complaints it would be easier for us to pin point their employees who did not do their jobs. The tellers were all smile while assisting us.

The mail boxes, which used to be cartons, are already galvanized. With that, it helps mailers sort their mails easier and drop them in the right boxes.

Moreover, it has also a website that is updated and where mailers can go for online assistance. You can also download postal forms and documents from there and fill them up before going to their offices.

PhilPost, you deserve a clap!

(Photos (except the Phil Post Building) courtesy of Mighty.)

Social Security System. Two months after I first applied my SSS Auto Debit Arrangement, it was finally approved and they will begin deducting this March. I have not paid my contribution since October and I am glad I can pay again.

I resigned by job last October but stayed in the same company as part-time employee. As such, my company ceased to pay my SSS, Pag-Ibig and Philhealth. I wanted to settle my SSS contribution first because I know what benefits it can give me in the long run. However, the process was really painstaking.

When we first went to SSS Cubao, they told us to submit the Auto-Debit Enrollment Form to our bank. Mighty went to our bank but the bank said that it should be submitted to the SSS office (ano ba talaga?). Mighty went back to SSS and told them what the bank told him. Finally, they have resolved the issue by telling him to submit a photocopy of valid ID, proof of income and statement of account. Why shouldn’t they told us the first time we went there?

The following week, carrying all the requirements, I went back to their office. The teller again told me to submit the form to my bank (huwaaaattt???). I told her that we already went there and told her the whole story. In fairness to me, I was really trying to be calm. I did not want to raise my voice though I was really annoyed. She told me she do not know what to do with the form because it was their first time to receive such. She even consulted her superiors about it. Other tellers meddled with us and told us that the form should really go to the bank. I did not believe them, I know she only do not know what she was doing. Did SSS make a form and policy like that and the teller was not informed? Impossible!

To appease me, she just received my form, gave me a receipt and told me to follow-up. She told me that she’ll figure out what to do with my application. Prayerfully, I waited for a confirmation. I was not able to follow-up yet until BPI called me up and verified if I really enrolled for an Auto-Debit contribution. That was the first indication that my enrollment already reached my bank and would soon deduct.

Last Friday, I finally received a letter from SSS:

They were not even sure how to address me (hahaha): Dear Sir/Madam.

DTI. This morning, I received a text message telling me that I won a certain raffle:

 ”Congratulations! Ur SIMcard # had won PhP780,000 thru elect/raffle promo draw’s last 03/05/2008 from PGMA Charity Foundation 4 more info & dtl’s pls. call me now. I’m Sec. ALEX  A RAYES DTI-PERMIT #1548 series of 2008.”  —09279418613

It was not my first time to received such kind of text. Previously, I just ignored the texts. This time, curious of what really the person is up to, though I know that such texts are hoax, I tried to reply while I was trying to reach DTI.

I replied to the text asking how can I claim the prize. He still urged me to call. Since no one was answering DTI’s phone, perhaps because it is Saturday, I tried to consult their site. There is a page where consumers can verify DTI permits especially when avoiding text scams. The site told me that the permit is INVALID.

The good thing is that it is now very easy to verify permits of sales promo in just one click or call. I hope many other offices of the government have such efficient services.

Next week, I am planning to get my community tax certificate from the City Hall and update my Pag-Ibig records. I hope they will be as accommodating as the people in the PhilPost. Good luck!

Reasons for this blog

I transferred from blogdrive.com to wordpress.com not simply that I want something new or for a change. In fairness to me, I stayed in blogdrive for two years after seeing it more friendly than my first blog at mindsay.com. Now, I have just set up a new one again, the difference is, I copied almost all entries I had for two years. I am planning to delete my old blog sometime soon, so those who still want to read my previous post, I still have them here. So here are the reasons:

1. wordpress is easier googled than blogdrive. So I guess there will be more people who can read my blog. WordPress uses tags and categories that are searchable and could easily show my post using search engines. I know because I already have two blogs here before I decided to migrate lifesharer.
2. wordpress enables me to add pages on my site, also an advantage over blogger and blogdrive. I can use the pages to enter more information about me or separate some writing outputs. Watch out for those pages in the future.
3. WordPress has widgets that are easy dragged-and-dropped and added-and deleted whenever I want.
4. wordpress has nice templates I can choose from.
5. wordpress allows me to cut long posts and continue it by using the “read more” button, something I was not able to do in my old blog.

And finally, I think this is really for me because being a writer I am of “words” and “press.” Good thing, I also have the same blog title.

Does it mean goodbye to coffee?

I am suffering from gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).

Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is a more serious form of gastroesophageal reflux (GER), which is common. GER occurs when the lower esophageal sphincter (LES) opens spontaneously, for varying periods of time, or does not close properly and stomach contents rise up into the esophagus. GER is also called acid reflux or acid regurgitation, because digestive juices—called acids—rise up with the food. The esophagus is the tube that carries food from the mouth to the stomach. The LES is a ring of muscle at the bottom of the esophagus that acts like a valve between the esophagus and stomach.

When acid reflux occurs, food or fluid can be tasted in the back of the mouth. When refluxed stomach acid touches the lining of the esophagus it may cause a burning sensation in the chest or throat called heartburn or acid indigestion. Occasional GER is common and does not necessarily mean one has GERD. Persistent reflux that occurs more than twice a week is considered GERD, and it can eventually lead to more serious health problems. People of all ages can have GERD.

“Persistent reflux that occurs more than twice a week is considered GERD.” I took not of that, I know mine is serious because it occurs almost every after meal. It is also induced when I am brushing my tongue. It has been long since it started, I was just afraid to consult a doctor but this time it is chronic so I had no choice.

I am currently under medication and my doctor advised me to avoid the following foods:

• citrus fruits
• chocolate
• coffee, tea and alcohol
• fatty and fried foods
• garlic and onions
• mint flavorings
• spicy foods
• tomato based-foods

Well, no more coffee and tea (haven’t taken since Friday). That’s the reason I am always sleepy (might be a withdrawal syndrome). My can’t go a day without coffee or tea. If I miss drinking at home I make sure that I got a cup in the office. But now, I can’t even have a sip.

No more chocolates, no more oranges or even citrus fruits, no more spicy foods (I love spicy!), no more spaghetti, no more ketchup… no more. What can I eat, lahat na lang bawal!

I want this to end immediately! It seems that my life isn’t normal anymore. One more thing, the medicines are very expensive.

hindi sila nakatutuwa

noong sabado, sumakay ako ng dyip papuntang mall. sa dyip, kapansin-pansin ang tatlong babaeng nakaupo sa likod ng mamang drayber. noong una, hindi ko lang sila pinapansin (minsan kasi nag-iingay din kami sa dyip) dahil ano naman nga ang paki ko sa kanila. pero dahil sa lakas ng kanilang mga boses at sa paksa na rin ng kanilang usapan nagsimula na akong mairita.

pahapyaw kong tinitignan ang mga reaksyon ng mga tao sa loob ng dyip. lahat sila tahimik lang at mukang nakikinig na rin. maaring yung iba ay natutuwa sa pag-uusap nila ngunit kapansin-pansin din ang pagkairita ng karamihan lalo na yung magjowa na nasa tabi ko.

tama ba naman kasi na pag-usapan nila at ipagkalandakan ang kanilang mga crushes at mga relasyon sa mga lalake at (take note) mga babae. yung isa, cross-dresser at halatang “tibo” (tama ba yung term ko?) dahil nakapolo ng itim, yung isa naman, maganda at tsinita pa kaso konyo ang tono ng pananalita at yung isa mukang wala lang reaksyon pero kasama pa rin sa usapan.

“yung isa kong ex dati,” sabi nung tsinita.

“linawin mo, boy ba yan o girl,” sabi naman nung nakaitim.

“boy, boy ito.”

huwaaattt??? sa ganda niyang yun “bi” din siya? hindi ko lang malaman kung bakit hindi man lang nila maitago ang kanilang mga kalaswaan at kailangan pa talagang pag-usapan sa isang pampublikong lugar.

may mga pagkakataon na hindi na naririnig nung drayber kung saan bababa o kung may pumaparang pasahero dahil sa lakas ng boses ng mga nasa likuran niya; yan ang dumagdag pa sa inis ko.

ang wish ko na lang ay sana bumaba na sila, pero it turned out na pareho pala kami ng pupuntahan hanggang sa dumating na sa malapit sa mall at kaming apat na lang ang laman ng dyip. hay.

i have really nothing against them lalo na nga at hindi ko sila kilala. let’s say, karapatan nilang magsalita at sabihin ang lahat ng gusto nilang sabihin o karapatan nila sa maramdaman ang ganun sa parehong kasarian (kung ganun nga talaga) pero sana naging mas sensitibo naman sila sa mga taong nasa paligid nila. sa tingin ko kasi isang napakapribadong paksa ang pinag-usapan nila at lalo na at hindi naman sila mga artista para magpress release; o kung mag-uusap man sila sa mga sensitibong bagay, pwede bang pakihinaan naman ang kanilang boses at nang di makaabala sa publiko?

haler! ikaw ba gusto mong pag-usapan at ikwento ang buhay mo sa loob ng dyip? kung gusto nila, sana sumulat na lang sila kay ate charing sa malala na kaya.

So much challenged

Ang lahat ng bagay ay magkaugnay
Sa kanlungang lupa tayo’y magkaakbay

Last Sunday, we had a community exposure in an Aeta community in Tarlac. It wasn’t a very new experience for me since I have already been to community missions. But my realizations now are deeper. Before the exposure, we also had lectures on culture and community development but I also had a lot of such when I was in school and of course from some seminars I can’t even remember now.

Was it a calling? I know I still have a lot more things, concepts, theories and experiences that I should know about social work, community development and culture. I have a great appreciation for such as I also want to work in communities. I always want to do mission works as long as I have opportunities. I am planning to study literature for a masters degree but was it (the weekend training on mission) a call that I should study community development or culture instead? Or was it a call that I should seriously write my mission experiences into a book now? Or was it both? Think Earlie, think…

So what about the “mission” of the church on mission. We have a lot of conferences and meetings but we really don’t have comprehensive framework for mission. Well, depending again on the concept of the church or what concept the church has (I mean my church). This has pose me another challenge. We’re still on the beginning step of making the framework, curriculum and modules of campus ministry but here is another one. I am already spread so thinly to programs and ideas + unending meetings, conferences and talks + bureaucracy and politics + personal life. I want to have some focus. Ohoh… now I am thinking of a big HOW and WHEN.

I’ll be posting a more detailed entry of the training and exposure soon… (I hope)

sudden shift: maturity, readiness and SEX

From my emotional and depressing entries, I am now posting an entry of entirely different topic. I just want to share this essay that earned me a consolation prize in an essay competition (and if my memory serves me right, my first winning essay in a competition outside school, hmmm). Awarding ceremony is on Friday. Yey!

Are Filipino Teenagers Emotionally Ready for Sex? was an essay competition spearheaded by Advocates for Youth in cooperation with United Nations Population Fund, Meg Magazine and Philippine Star.

I titled my essay, Ready, Set, Wait for Maturity! I just wanted to share what I think of the timely subject. The consolation prize (a real consolation) was unexpected. I actually rushed the article, conceived it in between my usual write-ups in SD last month (which were about Human Rights) and submitted on the day of the deadline. I was hopeless to finish the essay then because my depression started two days before the deadline and I wasn’t able to concentrate. But my muse was with me and kept me writing. I have also forgotten about it until the congratulatory email. Okay, enough of this.

Read on! Ready, Set, Wait for Maturity! [please click the link and leave a thought if you may]

Encounters and random thoughts

As soon as PJ arrived last night, he recounted his encounter with a old woman outside.

Nakakaawa yung matanda sa baba. Nakita ko siya sa harap ng BPI tapos hindi makatawid kasi ang bagal-bagal niyang maglakad. Itinawid ko siya. Pinakita nga niya yung pera niya P2.50 na lang tapos wala daw siyang pamasahe papuntang Proj. 8. May pinakita siyang sulat at nagsosolicit siya ng P250 pambili daw ng gamot. Siyempre, anong magagawa ko, sinabi ko na pasensiya na po, walang-wala din po kasi ako ngayon.

Grabe ang sarap niya sanang tulungan. Tinanong ko kung nasaan yung pamilya niya, sabi niya hindi na raw siya pinapakialaman. Biruin mo? Tama ba naman yun? Ako, okay lang tumulong e basta meron.

His encounter with that old woman reminded me of the families I often encounter as I pass the waiting shed in front of Sto. Domingo Church. They sleep along the road. They cook and eat there. Worse, one of the men, probably the father inhales rugby and just let his children eat some food they were able to get somewhere. I always pray for them. Ask God for His mercy toward such people. But what could my prayers do? Yes, perhaps God hears me every time, not questions for that. But will my prayers reach them? Will my prayers able to feed the starving children? Will my prayers give them decent abode?

What is ironic is that these people are just outside the church. The church that should be extending help to the needy especially those are not reached out by the government. Blah, blah, blah!

Deuteronomy 15:11 states “There will always be poor people in the land. Therefore, I command you to be open handed towards your brother and toward the poor and needy in the land.”

The poor will always be there. They are there for fortunate people to learn to extend help. How? This has been a big question for me. Yes, I have what I need, at least the basics. And many people too, especially the rich, could not extend help and do sort of “sacrifices.” Don’t be a hypocrite anymore. Many people “want” to help but are not “willing.”

I once wrote that perhaps the poor are there so that we could acknowledge how blessed were are. But how about them? How could they be blessed? To whom they would compare their lives with and they could tell that they are blessed. “Blessed are the poor… blah, blah, blah! How could they know about that passage?

Now, how could people be blessed while others are in despair? Eat plentiful and pleasurably while others starve to death? Dress like a queen or king while other don’t even have clothing?

*** There are many decisions I have to make, God grant me wisdom.*** I feel tired and low, God grant me strength.*** Hindi sa lahat ng pagkakataon ay narito ako na umaako ng mga gawain ng ibang tao.*** Gusto kong lumaklak ng maraming kape at magising hanggang sa matapos ang lahat ng gawain ko.*** Gusto kong matulog at hindi na muling magising.***Sana may isang taong masasandalan.***Miss ko na si Ate Cheekai!***Miss ko na ang GLP.***Gusto kong maglaho kahit saglit lang.***Makulay ang buhay pero ngayon black and white lang, red and blue kung minsan.***Ano kaya ang tawag doon sa candy na dala ng kuya ko kagabi?***Sana P43.50 pa rin ang pamasahe pauwi sa Isabela tulad noong 1990.***Kelan ko kaya matatapos yung mga librong sinimulan ko at yung mga sulatin kong natengga na?***

Happy new month

Today is a new month!

What am I suppose to do other than type this entry? I already finished the four articles assigned to me since Tuesday. Our supervisor isn’t here yet. The office is silent again, oh i mean as usual. People do their own businesses. What is not good at the beginning of today is we do not have our Internet connection!

***

Reading the newspaper…

The Philippines is again at the top. Yes, having recently tagged as having the Asia’s most crowded classrooms.

What has become of our education system? From crowded classrooms to unqualified teachers, to deteriorating English skills, to erroneous textbooks, to downgraded facilities, to many other flaws, our education system have it all! So what our future generation become if they will be educated within the Philippine education system, there is no exemption whether a child is schooling in private or public institutions.

Let me go back to the crowded classrooms issue. Like books, pens and papers, classrooms are also part of the basic commodity of formal learning. Classrooms will immediately turn the student’s atmosphere into learning. However, in cases that the classrooms are crowded, there will be so much destruction because there will be too many persons with different views, characters, and attitudes that a single learner would be dealing. Besides, it would be crowded and will make the atmosphere hot and the students uneasy. Ideally, there should only be 30-35 students in a class; however, since there are no available classrooms, more than 50 students are packed into regular size classroom. The end result will be one or more of the following: the students will become insecure of their classmates, the students will have less concentration on the lessons, it would be difficult to the teachers to manage the class, it would also difficult both for the students and the teachers to communicate the lessons. So how could the government give our future generation the quality education that will make them competitive in and outside the country if they could not even give them a simple classroom?

There are many issues to be addressed in the Philippines’ educational system but this is just a simple matter to ponder.

Fleeting scenes on my way to the office

When I go to the office everyday, I ride a jeep from the front of our building until Araneta Avenue. From there, I cross the footbridge and take a walk until Ma. Clara Street where our office is located.

On my way, almost everyday, I meet a lady who looks like going to work as I do. She is also in her semi-business attire, I mean, a simple t-shirt blouse and a seda pants. She walks so fast and looks intently on her way.

The street is a commercial area with all of the high-rise commercial and industrial buildings; however, there is a cluster of residential houses, where I usually see the lady coming from.

Every morning, an old man probably in his 60s sits in his wheelchair in front of a house. His back always turned away from the sun. He is probably in his therapy from stroke. This morning, as I passed by, he was trying to carry himself, his hands pushing the arm rests of the wheelchair. But then, he did not managed, instead, he went back to just sitting.

Sometimes, other than that old man, there are two children playing. They are probably the grandchildren of the old man or sometimes a young man talks with him. After a few steps, there is also a baby always carried by a woman, perhaps in her late 20s and probably the mother of the child. They are also catching the rays of the sun, which is good to that little child. However, I don’t feel the people’s daily routine as good, because though they catch the morning sunlight, they are surrounded with polluted air emitted by the vehicles that pass by the main street.

After that house, I will pass by the new building of Vibal Publishing. There on the gate are two kittens lying side by side, the other white and the other orange in colors. They are always there as if waiting for every employee to come.

Then after that, I will cross another street, a wide one, where most of the time I am not able to see the vehicles coming behind me. One time, I was almost hit by a taxicab. I looked left and right and there were no vehicles but then, that taxi rushed through. Good thing, I am a fast walker.

Finally, I will walk pass the gasoline station, then there it is, the gate of Vibal Publishing!

Criticisms and Killings

After criticisms are mentioned on air or written in print, death threats follow, then a gun shot. This is what Filipino journalists are up to nowadays. There is already no safe place for journalists who opt to do their jobs responsibly.

The Philippines have been tagged as the second most dangerous country for journalists considering 80 dead since the restoration of democracy in 1986. Yesterday, a broadcast journalist from Puerto Princesa, Palawan was killed; and last week, a photojournalist was shot dead. Who will be the next?

Reports said that before the killings, the journalists has already been accepting death threats. Why is this so? Is it because most journalists are critics?

Is is easy for journalists, either broadcast or print, to throw criticisms to the government or to whoever because they are the ones who cover the stories, who see the scenes, and who are responsible in bringing any information they believe the public must know. So why would people kill those persons who are just doing their job right? Are people afraid of criticisms or just paranoid?

Well, who knows? What are we suppose to do? Let journalist carry firearms for protection? On the other side of the stories, most of them remained unsolved. Does this reflect that the government is not concerned for the media or the snail walking justice system?

These killings, one way or the other, threatens journalists in doing their job responsibly and courageously. These would also discourage would-be journalists to pursue their careers in mainstream media. *** Though the issue of killings of journalists is not the reason why I, for one, did not like to practice my profession as a journalist; sometimes I realize that perhaps I made the right decision.

I have always wanted to write or be a writer but I studied journalism not really intending to work in media. One, being a “full-pledge” journalist would mean a battle in ethical standards and principles. Two, I am not a people person. I have always have a hard time making connections with other people, other than those around me everyday. Three, my health may not sustain me in the job. I have a very weak physicality. I oftentimes having difficulty in breathing and just recently, I discovered that I have scoliosis. Fourth, I’ve got a lot of other commitments that require my time. Being in mainstream media may not permit me in engaging in other activities. I might not have time for myself anymore. Finally, i don’t want to die young, to be shot dead or whatever.

Now, I can still be a writer. Away from media, I write for educational magazines.

***
STOP THE ULTIMATE FORM OF MEDIA CENSORSHIP. STOP KILLING JOURNALISTS!