Coffee with Susy

If there’s one person I love to always spend time with, it’s Susy.

It’s very rare that I get to meet this lady, now that she's living in Zamboanga City with her little angels.

That is why it is always such a delight to talk to her whenever she’s around.

I had this chance the other night, and I took it without hesitation.

I love the way she listens to people without judgment. Hers is an extinct race.

I love the way she questions without intimidation. There is no spite in her.

I love the way she shares her opinion, neither self-serving nor pompous.

I love the way she cracks jokes, and laughs at mine.

I love the way she accepts me for whatever I am.

I love the way she regards me as important to her.

I love the way she has turned out – a fine lady indeed.

I look forward to having coffee with her again. I don’t know when this would be, but it sure would be worth waiting.

I seek to hear the beat
that rang from ancient drums

I seek to dance the rhythm
that echoed through the ages

I seek to chant the words
that flowed from wizened lips

I seek to live the Path
that sprang from hearts so true


To open my eyes and see

To open my mind and know

To open my heart and feel

To open my Self and Be

Atypical Day

5:00 AM. Bedroom. San Mateo.

My mobile phone alarm just went on. Im the first one in the house to wake up - barely. 15 more minutes of stolen sleep...


7:30 AM. Building Lobby. Ortigas.

Sipping my second mug of coffee for the day. First stick of cigarette at hand. My eyes are still droopy.


9:45 AM. Paseo de Sta. Rosa. Laguna.

Breakfast at ChowKing. Had King's Special and Nai Cha.


10:30 AM. Taal Crater Lake View. Tagaytay.

Clear view of the crater lake. Couldn't stop for site-seeing. Meeting before lunch at Nasugbu, Batangas.


2:00 PM. Leslie's Restaurant. Tagaytay.

Late lunch. Leslie's has a great view of the crater lake. The view makes up for the lousy service and dulled glasses (sabong bareta nanaman ang ginamit nyo, ano?). Had my second stick of cigarette for the day. Had a light from the cutie at the other table.


3:30 PM. Road to Sta. Rosa Exit. Silang.

Buko pie at Colette's and pineapples along the road. Pineapples were so sweet.


4:30 PM. South Superhighway. Sucat.

Woke up to traffic. My butt hurts.


5:30 PM. South Superhighway Toll Plaza. Magallanes.

TRAFFIC! Received an SMS from Nhette. She'd been released from work. Good news. But my butt still hurts.


6:30 PM. Pasong Tamo Extension. Makati.

Just dropped samples for testing. Another cutie showed up. Sweet day.


7:30 PM. C-5. Pasig.

My butt really hurts so badly now. My leg is having cramps. Finished a pack of broas. Tired, tired, tired.


8:00 PM. Office. Ortigas.

Ready to fall asleep, AS IN!

The Amazing (g)Race

I seem to be living my life daily like a race. Hell, in some days, like a rat race, even! There are always some deadlines to catch, goals to finish, dreams to fulfill. There are obstacles to hurdle, challenges to weather, and decisions to make. It's tiring most of the time and depressing some of the times. And in worst days, I can't help but want to quit.

But then again, there are days when the course seem smooth that I just breeze through it. Or, I'm so psyched up properly that nothing seems to bother me at all. It's those days that I can't help but think that LIFE IS GOOD!

But life ISN'T always good. Nor does life play fair. It's the harshest reality of life that in order to live, one must struggle. Survival of the fittest is the name of the game. It's a universal paradox that one must face death in order to live.

Dying to one's self and running life's race seem like an odd combination, but every athlete knows that these two come hand in hand. Every hurdle jumped and every lap ran requires a certain amount of letting go and risk-taking. A victory is not worth celebrating if gained without pain. No athlete is prouder than one who has the scars to show for his troubles.

And that is how I'm running my race. I stumble. I fall. I get hurt a lot. I win some. I lose some. I get battered by the elements, but I batter back. I run on, bruised and broken.

My only consolation is finally crossing the finish line, with head held high, amidst cheers of friends and loved ones in the crowd.

Everyday of my life is a race. Every day a leg to complete. Each day a new experience requiring a fresh infusion of grace and strength and hope.

S.O.W. and RE.A.P.

I am going to embark on a new life program. I call it my S.O.W. and RE.A.P. Program. It stands for Start Of the Week and REview, Assess and Plan Program.

Its actually a two part program that will allow me to efficiently handle my time and track my progress in work and in life.

The program involves making a weekly plan at the start of the week (S.O.W. part). Its going to be basically a list of to-do stuff with a more or less detailed description of each activity or objective. Nothing new really. Nothing spectacular.

At the end of the week, the plan shall be reviewed and assessed as to how much of it has been accomplished and a new plan for the coming week shall be formulated based on this appraisal (RE.A.P. part).

I have never been random. I value order in my life. I love working with and in a plan. Any deviation makes me disoriented.

With this program, I hope to make something productive with my life. Pursue my life purpose. Make a worthwhile contribution to society. Change the world for the better...

... and now back to reality. Hehehe

Seriously, I just want this program to keep me aware of how much and how well I am spending my time. Nothing grand. No illusions. Just plain mensuration device for self-assessment.

In the end, only I could say that my time on earth was well spent. And this is how I plan to back-up my claim.

Sullen is the road trudged alone
Heavy are the feet that walk in solitude
Time stands still for a weary soul
whose goal seems distant when no one's there to hold

Like a traveling staff to one who journeys
is a friend or a loved one ready to give solace
Like cool water drank from a stream
are words of comfort uttered by one who's sincere

RA's spears may burn or hurt
even as he gives life and light to the world
But as balm to the wounds are hands that care
even if at times chastisements they serve

Barren the land may be to one who searches not
But there is spirit even in grains of sand
Yes, love and joy are to be had in the warmth of others
But this is wisdom: life is a journey to be taken mostly on our own