BANKING AND CURIOSITY

Was at BDO bank to do some transactions when a woman in her mid-50's who's seated beside me started talking to me. She's wearing a white blouse, a blue denim shorts and a slip on. She's holding a class A Coach shoulder bag, a gold ring on her left 4th finger and a white Guess wrist watch on her left arm. With her were 3 young girls and 2 teenage boys. I believe she's opening a bank account. Bank staff busy with paperworks. She said that her previous transactions are done at Cebuana Lhuillier branches but when the ---refused to let her do transactions of withdrawing more than 50,000pesos, she then decided to open a bank account. I smiled at her but said nothing. When the staff checked on her application, she must have missed out some info and was asked several questions like who's sending the money, what was the occupation of the sender, where did the money come from, how many times will she receive money. According to the woman, her daughter, a domestic helper in Singapore is sending her money once a month and that she prefer to receive it here because they can dispense any amount sent to her. The staff asked if how much will she withdraw. She said, "well, I want to withdraw everything today because my family will go to Pampanga tonight". The staff said she need to have at least a thousand pesos in her account to keep it active. The woman agreed. The staff then removed 6 1000 pesos from a bundle of 20 1000's and gave it to the woman together with 2 thick bundles of 500 pesos amounting to 50,000 each. The woman concluded that she's taking home 114,000 pesos. The staff gave a positive affirmation. She then left the counter and did my own transaction. There were questions in my mind when I left the bank. I was an ICU nurse who've worked in a government hospital in Saudi Arabia. Most of my colleagues get a minimum salary of 42k to a maximum of 90k from the ministry. I was wondering if domestic helpers working in Singapore are getting much more than a nurse who work in Saudi Arabia. 

"MAIS......MAIS....."

This little compound we live in is composed of less than 20 houses, mostly bungalows, duplexes and 2-story buildings. The compound, 'tho private has an access to the public who might want a short cut from the Diversion Road to the street at the back going to the National Highway. Most of those who use this "secret passage" are the vendors who sell fish, vegetables, mais (corn) and pandesal. Everyday, at 6am I can hear the pandesal vendor shouting "pandesal" in his bicycle, and between 8-9am and 1-2pm, men and women or even teenage kids with a basket they carry on their head or arms shout "mais....mais...". Mais is sold for 5 pieces for 25 pesos, 5pesos more expensive than that in the market. It's the season for corn so there's more than one in the area who do sell the native, sticky mais everyday. At times that I crave for mais, I would wait for someone who would come to my doorstep to sell me the best corn on the cob for either snacks or breakfast. Knycole has preference over those sellers. She knew who sells the best mais while I buy from the first available vendor who would come to the compound. 

Most of the time, I pity these vendors. It's summer time and the heat under the sun all throughout the day plus the heavy load they carry to sell their products were such a challenge for a business like this. As I look at them, a thought came to my mind: maybe if they've finished college, they won't be on the streets selling mais. Or if they were born to a rich family, they would never experience such a difficult life. And there's more "ors" and "ifs" in my mind as I ponder their situation. On the other side, I admire the hard work they do. I knew it isn't easy and I also knew that given the chance, they wouldn't be on the streets walking and enduring the heat of the sun carrying a basketful of mais everyday. But then again, no matter how hard it is for them to do their work, these vendor deserve one thing- respect! They maybe doing an odd job and earning a meager income but the job they do is, in Filipino, MARANGAL NA TRABAHO! 

RESPECT, DEAR, RESPECT!

Went home from a dinner hosted by my friend at one of the villas in Thunderbird Resort. When my oldest daughter opened the door for me, she immediately told me that a friend, Kassan is staying for the night because they'll go for an early morning jog tomorrow. Kassan is a member of our Church. Her parents are both leaders in the church. She live a few meters from our apartment. I saw her sitting on the couch as I entered the house. She didn't say anything, as if I didn't exist when I arrived. Kids were all sitting on the sofa, including my nephew Kirby as they watched "How to train your Dragon'. I started telling stories of the dinner I had. Only Kryztl gave me feedbacks. After few minutes, I had my shower and prepared the bedroom for our sleep. Knycole insisted they will take the foam outside so they could sleep in the living room. I contested. I can take the foam on the floor with Kirby and them-  kryztl, knycole and kassan on our 60x75 bed inside the room. Knycole said kassan is so shy she might want to sleep in the living room rather than staying with us in the bedroom. I said it's ok no problem. Knycole insisted and started to raise her voice and told me i cannot understand. Should they have told me, I should have understood! But nobody told me what's going on so what is it that i should understand? She got more irritated with my questions and tried to defend her friend in my expense. I then raised my voiced and told them whatever it is she's going through, tho it's not my right to know, they should at least have told me so I can extend more understanding and compassion. But the kids were so protective of their friends that I have to be dealt with as if I owe them something, i have to tell them then, that  between their friend and me, I deserve more honor and respect than protecting the interest of their friends. I have to tell them i need to talk to them  in the morning. They then took the foam and pillows to the living room. I instructed further that they should prepare their things they needed so they will not disturb me early tomorrow. I locked the door for them to know I am serious. How that. I wanted to tell the kids the importance of respecting their mothers first before protecting their friends. After all, I DESERVE IT!

UNPLANNED BAGUIO ESCAPADE

Got a text message on a Tuesday morning, saying I am invited over for a trip in Baguio the next day. I wasn't feeling well because of dizziness and headache due to my heavy menstruation but I said yes anyway. That Wednesday morning, I had to finish off household chores so I can have time for a nap before my 1pm appointment. At 1:30 pm, I was at Diversion Road and waited for Elma and Connie. A white Mitsubishi montero with plate number EMR 1 came to fetch me. A new lady and a driver was with my friends. We were introduced to one another. Michael Torres was driving with Aprily, a High school batchmate Eduardo Palaroan's sister were my newfound friends. Travelled to Baguio while eating tupig. Dropped by a fruit stand at Burgos before we pushed through with our travel. Arrived at Elma's place in Bakakeng before 4pm. I had dizzy spells. I lied down the bed at the master's bedroom then visited Connie's mom-in-law to give her pasalubongs. After 15minutes, Elma came and was the one driving. Went to SM, bought some appliances and groceries and went back to Bakakeng, this time with Jeanette and partner in their black mustang and Elmer with Charles and Erning in their blue Toyota Corolla. We spent an hour with Korean barbecue then decided to visit Azalea Residences for dinner. Dinner was a 7/10 at Tradisyon Resto. Filipino foods like crispy pata, sinigang na baboy, pinakbet, white rice, and karekare were served. Elma and Jeanette were drinking frozen margarita, the men with beer and me with my coke in can. It was clean fun. Charles was very accomodating. We spent sometime talking and Ernie spending most of his time taking pictures. At 9:30pm, Michael went back to Bakakeng and took Elma's bag. She decided to leave instead to spending another day there. Thursday is set for Michael to drive to Manila for Elma's kid. At 10:15pm, we're on our way back to La Union. It was a 10-hour drive and fun. I thank Elma for remembering me with gigs like this. I felt blessed to have friends who also are my angels.

22-HOUR GETAWAY (The Narrative)

Fetched by a black Mitsubishi adventure 30 minutes past 5pm at the Diversion Road where I waited for almost half an hour, the Morante family, fresh from office work, in their jackets were all ready for an evening of fun and get together with common friends. Travelled for almost 2 hours to the city of pines and arrived in a private place where 5 other friends were waiting and busy barbecuing some Korean pork for our Korean barbecue night. A kind looking woman in her early 60's, well dressed and looks very prim and proper with another woman in her early 40's greeted me at the door. Proceeded to the veranda where I found other two female girlfriends drinking coffee and munching on Korean dried squid. That dried squid was one of the best I tasted! Was it Connie's choice? Surely, it tasted awesome! I was later informed that the old woman was Connie's mother-in-law (who lives nearby) and the other woman was the homeowner's close friend, who happened to be my sister Annabelle's batchmate in high school. We were later introduced formally and needless to say, we "clicked" on ourfirst meeting.

It was 16 degrees in Baguio City. Cold but not too cold, yet it's the coldest in the Philippines at this time of the year and we're ready for it! With light jackets on, we all helped prepare dinner. Sinigang na bisugo, Korean pork, fried shrimp with lots of fruits and white rice satisfied our tummies past 9pm Friday night. We were constantly conversing all throughout. Mommy Belen, with her grandson left just after dinner while we were left behind ready for jamming time. While the boys decided to sit down at the veranda, the girls sat down at the bar area near the kitchen. Two female helpers were busy washing the dishes and doing other stuff. Wasted no time, a bottle of vodka plus a red colored juice was mixed in a pitcher with lots of ice in it. Connie knew I don't drink wines and liquors so they bought for me lots of Del Monte fruit juices of different flavors. And the drinking and story telling began. A container of beer nuts was opened for pulutan, slices of bananas, apples, cucumber, oranges and fresh, crispy lettuce were also served. Pork Korean barbecue with garden salad dressing with Korean red paste (no idea what the paste is called) wrapped in fresh lettuce was also in the table. Sudden burst of loud laughters and few minutes of serious conversations filled the 3rd floor of the 3-story building near midnight. Foreign movie on blu ray was being played on the 54" flat screen TV and the volume has to be turned down so we could hear the littlest detail of our conversations. When it was past midnight, some of us felt sleepy so a game of truth and consequence was initiated by our host. Details of our lives, high school and childhood memories, past and present relationships, business and career, family and our hopes for the future were discussed in funny and serious manner. Another bottle of Tanduay margarita was opened. Connie made frozen margarita for the girls, me still switching between pineaple and orange juices. A kilo of seedless grapes was again opened and we had it finished in no time. We all had a blast that night! With our heavy eyes and bloated tummies at 4am, we unanimously decided to call it a day! Nope, I was the only one with bloated tummy. I was told that I should have taken a sip of vodka or frozen margarita to, at least neutralize those foods I took in.

Slept at 4am but woke up at 6:30am for a morning walk. Walking and/or jogging in Baguio City is very different compared to San Fernando La Union. Roads there have steep slopes and I honestly had a hard time catching up because of my low hemoglobin.Good thing I brought my digital cam so I could document our activities. After an hour of walking, we decided to go back. Dropped by at Connie's mom-in-law just few meters from our private abode. Checked on fresh sayote leaves at their backyard and took some for our breakfast. 

Breakfast table was filled with tinapa, slices of tomatoes, corned beef, eggs and garlic fried rice. Those young sayote leaves were boiled and were dashed with bagoong and tomatoes. It was almost 10am. Then suddenly, we were invited over at Manor Hotel in Camp John Hay for sight seeing and picture taking. After 2 hours, we found ourselves dining in at Shakey's restaurant near Le Monet Hotel. A cut of Manager's choice pan pizza and a small cup of coca cola filled my full stomach. I decided to bring home my share of mojos potatoes and chicken. Our host was very hospitable, she won't let us starve! Such a blessing to have her indeed. Last stop was Manor hotel. We took time to take selfies there before proceeded to brimg our host back home. It was 1:30pm when we traversed Naguilian Road going back to San Fernando La Union. Sleepy, had 15 minutes nap along the way and arrived safely home at exactly 3:30pm. 

That 22-hour getaway was an eye opener. I relearned lessons on humility, of hard work, of appreciating little things in life, of having faith in God, of the importance of true friendship, of relationships, of family and the significance of laughter despite hardships and trials. To friends who made that 22-hour getaway a wonderful memory, may we all be blessed with the good desires of our hearts! Kudos to Elma, Connie, Monette, Cesar and Marge! You bet, we missed you, Elmer and Genny!

FLYING A NO-BUSINESS-CLASS

I waited so long to fly back home! My open ticket was with me since mid-September hoping I could get paid and off I go for exit. When the time came that I needed to book a flight, I was told that there's only one seat available on the next direct flight from Dammam to Manila for Saudia Airlines. Saudia Airlines is the offcial airlines for the Ministry of Health. December 10 has only one seat available but on a BUSINESS CLASS! Next flight would be on the 16th and 17th on a waiting status, then the 22nd and 24th onwards. On a very tight budget, adding more than a thousand rials for a flight is a burden, but staying longer is more burdensome so after a minute of thought, I booked the Dec. 10 flight, got all my things packed and within 48 hours, I'm bound to King Fahd International Airport with 3 other nurses from DMC and MCH. 

On arrival, I quequed at the Sky Priority lane with 3 other passengers who came before me. One American family had trouble with their flight that took them almost an hour before they finally checked in their baggages. While waiting, I hurried to a nearby coffee shop for a cup of hot choco and never noticed a drop of it on my tee until I had my selfie picture taken at the airport's business lounge. When it was my turn to show the staff of my business class ticket, I was told that they've changed aircraft and "everything there is the same!" I panicked knowing that my luggages exceeded that of the required 23kg per luggage per flight requirement. I approached the Saudia Airline supervisor and told him my concern. He said there's no problem with my luggages, they're taking them in. It gave me much of a relief but I again argued, I personally paid for the upgrade. He assured me that'll be taken good care of either. The staff issued me a voucher which I can later claim in Manila for refund. That was indeed helpful of them!

Before entering the immigration, I was told that I have too much of a handcarry. A shoulder bag, a battery operated star shaped pillow, a bag of Doritos and Lay's (they're quite expensive in the Philippines) and an official handcarry troley. I contested I'm going for exit and without further question, the guard allowed me to enter. After passing through the immigration officers, I went directly to the First/ Business Class lounge. No, it wasn't because I am a holder of a revoked business class ticket but because of my Riyadbank titanium credit card which allow holders an entry to the First/Business Lounge of Dammam airport. Perk it is!

What I love about staying at the B Lounge is the comfort of waiting for a flight. Free foods and drinks, free wifi, free movie and I get to sit on a sofa with my legs up, things I cannot do on an ordinary flight. A Filipino receptionist named Andres Valdez came to talk to me while I waited to board. Coincidentally, he knew some people I knew in Manila and as a sign of hospitality, gave me a plateful of special dates for pasalubong. A couple of German guys who seated next to my couch were also entertained as we talked for more than half an hour about our funny experiences in Saudi Arabia. 

My stay at the B lounge lasted for 5hours. Flight was delayed for an hour. We were told to vacate the lounge and proceed immediately to Gate21 before midnight of Tuesday, 10/12/13. True to Sir Andres' words, we were brought by an airport bus to the aircraft, smaller than a boeing, in a remote area of the airport, where seats were on a first come first served basis. My seatmate told me it must be a rented aircraft! I was later informed that Saudia airlines indeed rented Asiana Airlines for that flight.

As I sit there, I thought of a warm welcome by cabin crews on a business class, a welcome drink, a Salvatore Ferragamo personal kit, warm towel to freshen up, candies and menu passed along as they waited for our orders for dinner, a 180-degree recliner with a warm blanket and a bouquet of flowers at the center of the area. Nothing of that perk came as I sit at the upper deck of the plane that night. Passengers were squeezed on to seats with very small spaces in between, cabin crews were a bit grumpy attending to annoying passengers, baby on board too noisy because he can't get a good sleep, my feet were tired not knowing how to stretch them out for that 7.5-hour flight, frequent jarrings on my seat by those male passengers at my back, seatmates who seem to be diabetics they can't wait for the next meal to be served as I was awaken by their munchings of that Digestive biscuits they brought along and yes, I finally accepted the fact that I am flying economy class that night and it doesn't matter anymore as long as I arrive safely home! And fast!

At exactly 1:45pm Manila time, Wednesday 11/12/13, the pilot announced we just arrived at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport. I immediately roamed off my Philippine sim and called my daughter Kryztl to let them know I landed. While waiting for my luggages, my name was paged by the operator! My handcarry trolley was left inside the plane and 2 security personnel came to me personally to deliver my bag. I told them it wasn't my fault because the Flight Attendant confirmed to me that my handcarry was included in the luggages and that I can claim it at the luggage dispatching area. NAIA personnel checked my passport and gave me my bag. After I passed thru immigration, I visited Saudia Airline office at the 4th floor to have my refund, only to be told that I needed to go to their Makati main office for that. 

It took me an hour before I finally met my family at the arrival area. Nothing really compares to the joy of seeing a family. As we travelled back to the province, we were excited to tell our stories. We laughed and teased each other, dropped off at a resto to get a good meal along the highway and simply savored those moments we were together. As I look at my mom, my kids, my brother, my sister, my cousins, my niece and nephew, I knew that I am home! I knew that what lies ahead shouldn't be my concern at the moment but to make that moment my happiest and my break from all those mishaps I went through the past 4 months. A blog to follow!

500,000 RIALS

Chickki and I are both ICU nurses. She came to Dammam when I was about to leave the place in few months. I thought I'd like her the first time. She is funny, well learned and updated. Her unique name was easy to memorize. I always had flaws memorizing names but hers is instantly engraven in my mind.

For few months that I get to work with her, I knew we would "click" but it's a sad thing that I have to leave ICU on mid-3rd quarter of 2013. But this didn't stop us from seeing each other. Another common friend, Precious would invite us over for trips at the malls and so we were able to get to know each other better. Sometimes, we go together for breakfast at McDonald's near the hospital or would meet up at the admin office to process documents, etc. Yet, what really made us closer were times when she has to spend a day or two in my room on her days off. There were 2 beds in my room and lucky enough that I go solo while the rest have roommates. Therein we talk of politics, showbusinesses, current events, her adventures and misadventures at ICU and my not-so-exciting adventures at home. We would watch movies until 4am and sleep like a log after. 

Chickki was my first partner in baking. Well, at least we baked a dozen of chocolate cupcakes and the next day, few rice cakes and we never had any after that! Yet, we both love to eat- that is, when we have money to buy out foods and indulge on our cravings. Food tripping became our bonding moments, too, although most of the time, we feel so guilty indulging in! Well, there's one more thing that keeps our friendship- we both love to imagine- A LOT!

There was never a day when we go out and not talk of our foolish, ridiculous, even hilarious and never ending imagination- that of finding a fortune of 500,000 rials along the way. We would imagine ourselves buying gadgets we wanted so much, bringing home a trolley of groceries and send them home via air cargo, of going to a jewelry store and buy sets of jewelries for our mothers and to ourselves, of dining at the finest restaurants in the city, of sending home millions of pesos to our bank accounts, and immediately resigning from our post and flying back home on business class to the Philippines. We would end up joking the whole day about our money and before going to sleep, we tell ourselves to never lose hope and stay positive! Upon waking up, we would remind ourselves of our 500,000 rials and where we should spend it that day! 

One afternoon, during a walk from the housing to the hospital gate where we flag for a taxi, we dreamed of robbing a bank, too. You know, ala-Italian Job, the movie! We would laugh at our imaginations of digging a hole from the housing to the 3 banks infront of the hospital and come home with sacks of gold bars and cash! 

Oh well, the bottomline of it all is because we are mothers. We have kids at home who need us. We have this imaginations because we wanted to create a world where we can no longer find ourselves stuck in a place where we have to work and leave our kids behind. Through our imaginations, we are empowered! We make our own world! We become like children with a world without limit! Each day and night, we would joke on counting 20 or 50 rial bills infront of a cashier while paying maybe for a Longines watch, a pair of Ninewest sandals, a McBook air or simply a bagful of groceries. Well, who knows? Maybe one day, we would find ourselves actually counting money! Lots of money! Not just 500,000 rials but millions of it! Maybe.........one day!

QUOTES:

"Imagination will often carry us to worlds that never were, but without it we go nowhere." ― Carl Sagan