So it’s 2011- new year, new phase, new episode, new beginning. What most people usually do is to welcome this year full of hopes and aspirations that life would be as good and gracious, if not better than the ones which already passed. We hope for a better job, higher salaries, more magnificent benefits, new clothes, new lifestyle, new beliefs, more blessings, more of this and more of that. But as they always say, the achievement of those aspirations is contingent upon how we tread the ever rough road of life and how we make use of the past as a tool to sharpen the swords we use to conquer whatever obstacles may come in our ways toward our goals.
This year, I would like to start by commemorating the episodes of my 2010- that year being one of the best years I ever had in my 24 years of fleeting existence.
NEW CAREER
From Business Process Outsourcing, I shifted to Hospitality Services. Take note, I never planned this and I never even thought that i’d be working in this industry I am in right now.
Actually, I see this as an answered prayer. I was supposed to transfer to Cebu to work for Convergys. I remember, I prayed and asked God if He could find a way to give me a job that would pay me better but will not push me farther from my son. Not long afterwards, I met the ex-wife of Arnel Pineda (yes! Journey’s Arnel Pineda) who owns this catering company in Digos City. And of course you can guess, she hired me with a better offer.
As of today I work as a manager for her company. Sure it is not the perfect job but it is not so bad either. I can take my time off whenever I want which means, I could give more time to see my son and my wife.
FIRST BIRTHDAY PARTY FOR JK
For the first time, I organized a birthday party for my own son. I kinda went on a splurge on that but what the heck! it’s my baby and he will never turn one every year again. Though JK did not enjoy it so much because he had a fever due to his teeth coming out, that celebration achieved its purpose to thank the people who took care of him, those who were there to cheer him up when he had tantrums and of course God who gave him to me and to Kenette.
4TH VMDC
I made my 4th VMDC attendance in Silliman University as a debater after being a finalist in the first and second, and being a deputy chief adjudicator in the third. Yes, i know! Many people say it was not so wise given the fact that I was out of the debate scene for more than a year and without practice. But honestly, I did not do it for myself this time, I did it for the institution I owe so much- MSU Marawi. Klenzene and I landed in quarters and I landed 11th in the speaker tabs (screw round 5! hehehe)
Here are few things I have learned from that tournament:
1. It is true, that once you are a debater, you’d always will be.
2. But practice makes it way better than those who rely solely on talent and skill.
3. I could still win without being mean to my debate partner.
4. I do not know a lot of the debaters. Which means, I am old.
5. I can be funny too!
At least i still had my finals appearance. it was a different finals though. It was for Masters (oh! masters huh?! doesn’t that sound so nice?)
Well I think I will never be able to get over debate and the delightful things that come with it. Perhaps, i will die teaching debate or training my own son or grandchild how to make a PM case.
EMO DEBATE VARSITY
This happened in Dumaguete after VMDC. Jo, Anna, Clyde, Ria and I were sitting outside Bo’s cafe with coffee, cigarettes and a bunch of emo stories and emo discussions about life and love. We ended up singing songs and revealing hidden emotions. It was a kick ass thing to do! It was the real fun and learning. It was a moment I would want to go back anytime soon.
That day told me that life and love is a spectrum of colors and not extreme tints of black and white. That day told me that complicated is a word designed to describe what life is in one word. That day was real epic!
MDC 2010
After two years, Mindanao Debate Championship is back on the debate calendar. And I am proud to say, it was because of me.
It all started when i dreamt of that day when we won a Mindanao championship and (for the first time) cash prize. I told people about the idea, they liked it and so I started to organize some people, pull some strings and made it happen. Preparation was bloody! (It would take me another blog to discuss it so just imagine what bloody could mean).
But thanks to God and to all the people who supported the tournament, MDC 2010 was a huge success. Ateneo de Davao bagged the P25,000 championship money as well as the masters division prize of P6,000. Xavier University got P10,000 being first runner-up in both championship and masters finals. On top of all that, there was this hilarious Terrence show!
To Andrew, Shivs, Angelo, Jedyl, Clyde, ADDU, XU, WMSU, MSU Marawi, Gay, Aura, Kuya Sally and Pearl Center staff, KUDOS for making the event a magnificent experience!
GETTING A SHOT AT REAL PARENTHOOD
Since his birth JK stayed under the care and protection of his granparents in his mother’s side. And so I can say, I was never a real parent. I was given the chance to experience the convenience of fulfilling responsibility at a distance. I just send money. I visit a few times and that is it. I know, parenthood is way beyond that.
But this December, Kenette and I experienced what a fulltime mom and dad is. No guide, no maid. Just J, K and JK!
We were together for about 15 days with JK and it sure was unforgettable. The tantrums, the unpredictable shit schedule (I mean the time when he poops…of course we can never tell and sometimes it happens at the worst of places), the feeding chase, the hide and seek, the nursery rhymes, the one-two-three and so much more! I tell you, it’s the most difficult job ever but the loveliest of them all!
KNOWING GOD BETTER
This is by far the best gift 2010 had given me. The chance to know God better and the chance to know and understand what He wants me to be in this earth we live.
Because of this I can say I am a better person. When I received God as my personal Lord and saviour I see things differently and I found more meaning in my life. Sadly though, for some of my friends this is just a funny act. But I will not be fazed. I will do the best I can to be a living testimony of God’s graciousness and beauty.
Indeed the year 2010 is one of the best years I ever had. It filled my life with memories I would always be proud to share as I continue to grow old. It filled my life with lessons I could always look back if the coming years will be rough, tough and confusing. It filled my life with things that make me a man. It filled me with the spirit that will define and prove that once there was I who tried to raise my own flag even if it means taking so much more beatings that one could possibly bear.
So it’s 2011- new year, new phase, new episode, new beginning. And I welcome this year full of hopes and aspirations that life would be as good and gracious if not better than the ones which already passed.
Happy new year to all!
