The way we were

"As I looked back on those good old days, young and careless, thinking that we can conquer the world, such naivety. We all have changed, physically at least, but the memories of those moments are still fresh in my mind and will always be cherished."

August 1993, I started my new life and new career in Makati, a place where I spent the best 4 years of my life. I was born and raised in the gloomy village of Mintal, which is some 8 kilometers west of downtown Davao. I remember, the only time my parents will take us to the city center is when we have to buy school supplies once a year in Gaisano Bolton. I have never seen a movie in the cinema until I was in college. The only dream I have then was to build a bungalow house, yes I did make a small version, a child's dream. My folks thought I should be an architect, in my mind all I want is a nice house to live in, I don't even have a clue what an architect is.

My folks enrolled me in BS Education, but I can't see myself as a mentor, am too scattered brained. The next semester I shifted to BSC but still doesn't have a clue as to what I shall be doing after. I want to be a civil engineer at the University of the Philippines but in my young mind I know, it's not possible. My parents can't afford to send me to a local college how much more to a university in Manila. I hurdle each semester as a workscholar then on my 3rd year I was hired as a secretary for a BIR examiner. I was so happy to finally land a real job, although I don't have a real salary but my boss is benevolent enough to provide for my school fees and living expenses until I graduate. A month after receiving my diploma I was hired as a bookkeeper for a local company without informing my boss at the BIR. The free-spirited me can't wait to experience life.

A year after graduating, my sister Belen offered to send me to Manila for my CPA review. It was an opportunity I can't missed, living and working in the big city is what I've always dreamed of. I may really be gifted, I passed the CPA board exam in one take. Acquaintances and friends I have in Manila were amazed at how I did it since they seldom see me study, am always out on trips somewhere.

I started my career in Manila as a banker in one of the universal banks in Makati. Having come from the province, everything seemed surreal, I work in one of the biggest building in the center of Makati, a nice office, my officemates were from top universities and here I am, one of them. Since all of us were almost of the same age and I guess of the same hunger for excitement, we all love to waste our earnings shopping to the max, dining out and before we knew it, we have no more money left that can last us until the next salary. Out of town trips are our most favorite. I have one officemate who's grandma have a fish farm in Bulacan. The boat ride is one of the perks, but the best part is the freshly catch bangus (milkfish) fried crisply and his mom's oxtail kare kare, just the best. I never have a manic Monday, as I always look forward to seeing my second family after a Sunday hiatus, wait, did we ever take a break? We seemed to go on and on, weekdays are all work, work, work and weekend all fun, fun, fun. The carefree lifestyle didn't last long though, things changed, guess its the realization that we all have a future to look forward to, a future that will be laden with more responsibilities, scary but inevitable. Some left for a better opportunity, some have committed stupid mistakes but nevertheless didn't regret of the outcome but most got caught in the oldest institution of marriage.

For all of us, the cyle of life have just begun.

To do or not to do

"Sometimes we are faced with decisions that are against our principles."

Things happened so fast and I find myself in an assignment doing what I thought I would never do. For financial reasons, I decided to just take everything in a stride while waiting for a better opportunity, also I was promised a higher pay.

I can't help but loathe the new job. Just thinking about losing the 12 years I've spent honing my skills makes me cringe. What used to be a dynamic and exciting work environment have lost its radiance and work have become work in its truest sense, everyday have become a struggle. One of the lessons I've learned is that, money is not everything, you need to love what you do. As Confucius once said, "Find the job you love and you will never have to work a day in your life."

Finally last Sept 2008, I got a job offer in one of the biggest property developer in Dubai with a good salary package. I was so ecstatic but the excitement is short lived. To make the story short, with the current economic downturn, the company have to scale back the project before I was to join them. It's so tragic!

In Nov, I rolled my car in one of the most dangerous sports of dune bashing, broke my clavicle badly and have no choice but to stay home. Happy though that am alive after rolling 3 times!

Up and about. For the last 2 months I've been searching for a finance job, a job that am good at and even a lot more knowledgeable than other financial managers I know. I got some calls from the recruitment agencies, still waiting though for an actual interview from probable employers. I don't know how long I can hold on to find that "job", I may just have to take whatever may come. With the crisis, job hunting can be so frustrating.

Yesterday, I sent out an email to my ex-boss for the unpaid bonus. I got a reply, "Speak next week?" What should I say? Hmmm, "Sure anytime. When are you available?"

Will I get paid next week?