An Ode to my Old Work

For the last 2 years, unit 1007 has been my home from 7:30am to 6:00pm, roughly an 11 hour spending of my day. Writing report, eating qualitative and quantitative data for breakfast, lunch and merienda, talking with clients, running around the Metro, midnight roadtrips and foodtrips, and so much more are my main perks for being a Research Executive.

I-View was where it all started. I came across the agency when I was looking for an OJT place and from then on, while still on the academy, I do small stints for I-View. So when I graduated, I never had second thoughts when the former Research Manager invited me to join the team. So days after passing my thesis, I am working, no time for dilly-dallying.

I would never be as competent and more responsible if it wasn't be for I-View. There I learned multi-tasking - eating lunch while running data tables, or answering questionnaires while on the road. I think I have mastered the in and outs of the research agency, because I experienced not only Account Servicing, but also Data Analysis and even fieldwork. Being in a small research agency gave me the convenience of learning everything, and talking with more experienced marketing professionals.

My life with I-View was not only a matter of professional relationship. There I met the people I will share long lasting friendships with. That no matter how low your clients treat you, they are always ready to listen to your rants, to do stress eating with you, to accompany you in the hottest of the days, walking and running in major highways just to be sure you make in right on time. There you meet friends that would back you up, but will surely punch you when you are too negative about things. They would invite to small lunch, small get-togethers, allows you to make decisions for them, consults you when they are unsure of things, makes you a part of their life event planning.

But things come to an end, and opportunity came knocking on my door, and I am taking it. But rest assured, what ever I learned from I-View, the friends I made, the relationships that developed, will never be forgetten.

Thank you Unit 1007 for being the witness to these life events. Thank you girls and boys for being my professional friends, for spending days and overtimes with me, for pestering me when I am too busy to spend lunchtime with you.

For all the love, the friendships, the crying and laughing, for sharing your personal feelings and ideas. I have found a great family with you.

Visita Iglesia 2012

Well, technically, it was my first time to join a Visita Iglesia for the Holy Week. For those who are non-Catholics, Visita Iglesia is usually during the Holy Week, any day from Maundy Thursday to Black Saturday where you visit 7, 12 or 14 churches, pray and reflect. Some do station prayers, based on the stations of the cross.

Yesterday, we joined a family Visita Iglesia - me, my sis, my mom and my aunt and uncle. These are the 7 churches we visited:

1. Antipolo church (Antipolo, Rizal). Many of  the Metro Manila folks visit this church to have their cars or pray for their safe flights, as it is the home of Our Lady of Peace and Good Voyage. It is the nearest church for travel blessing, aside from Our Lady of Manaog in Pangasinan. Aside from these devotees, Antipolo church is always the first stop of many provincial Visita Iglesia and the pit stop for the Alay Lakad of young people, any day from Maundy Thursday to Black Saturday.

Antipolo church

2. Mabitac Church (Mabitac, Laguna). A hidden church a top of a hill in Brgy Mabitac, Laguna, it reminds me of the Lourdes Grotto in Baguio, but not ending of the sacred statue but of a holy place. It is the home of Our Lady of Candelaria or The Lady of the Candles.

Mabitac Church

3. Pakil Church (Pakil, Laguna). A long ride from Mabitac, we reached the old church in Pakil, Laguna. It is the home of our Lady of Sorrows of Turumba. The lady is said to be miraculous and from its history, was found in the Laguna Lake and saved by a priest and was given to Pakil church. The image, before you take its picture, should be whispered and asked for her permission. If you failed to do so, the image of hers will be blurred, similar if she doesn't want you to take the picture of hers. On the other hand, if she allowed you to do so, a clearer picture will be taken.

Pakil Church

4. Paete Church (Paete, Laguna). About 20 minutes away from Pakil, you will reach Paete Church in the middle of Paete proper. It is the home of St. Joseph the Worker, the patron saint for the woodcarvers. This church reflects the business of the community - the woodcarving.

Paete Church

5. Pagsanjan Church (Pagsanjan, Laguna). It is the home of Our Lady of Guadalupe. In Makati, we have our very own National Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe. The Lady is the Protectress of Unborn Children.

Pagsanjan Church

6. Lucban Church (Lucban, Quezon). It is probably the oldest church that we visited in the bunch, however, the feeling of spiritual strength is still there. Its patron saint is San Isidro de Labrador and all of Quezon where Pahiyas Festival is celebrated.

Lucban Church

7. Kamay ni Hesus (Lucban, Quezon). Our final church. My mom loves Father Faller, the healing priest in Kamay ni Hesus church.  This place, a healing and recollection venue houses the 50 foot statue of Jesus Christ and life size figures of the 14 stations of the cross. Many of its visitors have to endure a climb of about 300 steps to the top and see the figures as they climb. Upon reaching the top, you are overlooking the rest of Quezon and Mt. Banahaw. Aside from the life sizes statues and the third biggest Jesus Christ statue in the world, Kamay ni Hesus also have The Garden of Eden and Noah's ark. This is the perfect end for the whole day reflection and Jesus Christ's homes visits.

Kamay ni Hesus

I will be glad to join another Visita Iglesia next year and probably, do a North Luzon trip.

Are we like this in few years time?

As I am sitting in a fastfood resto on a Sunday morning, sitting across my table is a group of friends - a girl with her husband and child, another one of the girls with her husband and son, and a single guy. As I overhear their conversation, I definitely suggest that indeed, the guy was single. I believe, they are on their way to weekend bonding.

I feel for the guy, not that I am single with married and with kids friends, but it was just sad that you don't have somebody to bring on such occasions. That your friends are happy (with their kids and significant others) while you are there looking at them, hoping for a partner whom you can laugh with and laugh at.

For the past 5 years, I feel that somehow, I am that single guy. I have lots of friends and seeing them spending quality time with their significant others, makes me jealous. I can't make Louie come over when I am down, he just gives out virtual hugs and kisses, nor spend a date with him every month, when I feel like celebrating. I miss our Sundays together. It was never easy, and when you are getting older, you feel like you need more of that close encounters.

Moreso, I am that single guy. I overhear him saying, "Galing akong Bacolod, tapos Boracay". Times you spend with yourself, looking for yourself. That's what I see as the advantage of my status. I can go wherever I go, spend time with my girlfriends, watch a movie that I want, travel and study social or spending a day in a coffee shop, just looking around or reading a new book. Most importantly, I can spend a whole day shopping without a boyfriend bugging me, or just sitting at a sofa inside the store.

My relationship status has definitely has its ups and downs, but all I see is the opportunity to grow as myself, and eventually, spending forever with that somebody. After all, you can't love somebody if you don't know how to love yourself.

I'm going to go now and the group is also preparing to leave. I'm off to a trip down south.