This Is Thriller, Thriller Night...

In lieu of the season wherein people are celebrating the "Feast of the Dead" during November 1, where in actuality, it should be observed on November 2 which is All Soul's Day. November 1 is a catholic feast of saints (All Saints' Day) but it was instead turned into a celebration remembering our loved ones who passed away. These festivities happened because of the so-called "holiday economics" of certain politicians who people would like to run-over in the streets... but that is a different matter.

Now, back to what I was saying, in lieu of the season, I would like to share a ghost story which I actually experienced and not some stories by a friend of a friend (it is much easier to get those on Facebook. Just click "share"). It happened sometime last year in my own home.

Now, let me make it clear that, I have never seen a ghost in my entire life. Once there was even a time that I challenged a ghost to appear in front of me but none did. Not even a  Casper-like apparition. I always said that I would only believe that ghosts exist if I see one but most people are telling me that I could only see ghosts if I believe they exist. If that is the case, then I will never ever see a ghost.

Back to my story...

It was very late at night back then, as all ghost stories go. I was playing a game on my computer and I was the only one awake in the house. My sister and her son had gone to sleep hours before and so is my daughter. And since I was the only one awake, I turned off all the lights in the house to save on electricity since I won't be needing them while using the computer.

As I was engrossed on the game I was playing, something caught my eye.  I saw a shadow of a child (or I think it was a shadow of a child) running towards the kitchen passing my left side. When I saw it, the first thing that came to my mind was my nephew is up to no good again so I called out his name. When there was no response, I stood up and looked for him in the kitchen but there was no one there. I checked my sister's room and it was closed and I never heard it open. So I thought it was a daughter trying to get something from the fridge so I went to check on her but she was sound asleep. I shrugged my shoulders and went back to the computer. 

After about half an hour (I think it was half an hour), the same shadow running back from outside the kitchen so I called out the name of my nephew and my daughter but still no answer. I shrugged my shoulders and went back to what I was doing thinking that it was just a flash from the computer monitor playing tricks on my eye. then a few minutes passed and the shadow ran back back to the kitchen but this time, I felt the wind brushed my left cheek as if someone tried to slap my face but missed.

Now this time, I stood up and said in a loud, authoritative voice "Tangna, wala naman takutan!!!" (Son of a b... don't frighten me!!!). Then I felt the air becoming cold and my arms having goose bumps. I immediately turned off the computer, closed the doors and went to bed immediately.

Ride Safe and Happy Halloween!!! 

Wait, who is that behind you?

With A Little Help From My Friends...

No man is an island. It's a fact. It's a way of life. It is even written in the Bible. Even the most powerful man in fiction has the Justice League. Simply put, you won't be alone even if you tried.

These days, friendship seems to be very helpful to cope up with the stress of modern living. I am not saying that during the old days, living without a friend was a good idea. It is just that having a friend nowadays would really make a difference in your life. Your friend will serve as your adviser, critic, shock absorber, your personal jester and sometimes your enforcer.

Personally, for most of my life, I have made some really good friends. Some of them I even consider as brothers or sisters. As a saying goes here from where I am from, "You can keep a secret to your family but you can never do that to your true friend." Friendship had been one of the factors of my formative years. If you have chosen good friends, then your all set. Why? Because true friends help each other out. True friends will not let you stray away from the path. Your friends will be one of the foundations of your character. As another saying goes, "Your friends define you."

I consider myself lucky because I found really good friends. And because of them, I learned a lot of things that I may not even have heard of if only by myself. Even in the most drastic time of my life, my friends were there. They may not be the same person on each occasion but they were there. 

Of course, in every human relationship, there would always be conflict. This would be the test of bonds. Those who can't cope with the conflict, may it be shallow or serious, aren't really friends. They are merely acquaintances.

Right now, I am going through some major adjustments in my life and I am really thankful that my friends are there to support me all the way. Even in my most undesirable moment, they stuck with me as some others would just have left me alone. we may all not be the same, but having something in common really builds up the bonds which connects us. 

Sometimes, your friends need your advice too. Even though you know that they are have a much stronger personality than you, you try your best to give them the best advice also. The reality of it is that an advice is merely an option of what to do. The more advice you give or take, the more choices you have on how to deal with things. With more choices, you can have the best idea on which one is the most applicable to your situation.

I dedicate this one to all the friends that I have especially to those two "kumags" who are so patient enough to put up with me today.

Many people don't like me. I really don't give a damn. But these people stuck with me. Well, I get by with a little help from my friends.

Ride Safe!

Like you're always stuck in second gear...

Life is uncertain. No one can tell what lies ahead in our lives. I haven't met anyone who can really predict the outcome of whatever decisions they make. Sometimes even the most certain of situations can change in a flick of a finger.

In riding a motorcycle, everything is uncertain. One cannot just think that driving safely can bring him to his destination soundly. However careful you are, if the other drivers are not, you may still end up in a mishap. 

Here are some riding tips (applicable in Philippine roads):

Do the deed, suffer the bleed

• Avoid tailgating vehicles especially jeepneys as they tend to stop abruptly to load or unload passengers. Never expect these vehicles to stop in designated jeepney stops.
• Do not or at least avoid overtaking in the right lane. 
• Do not sandwich yourself in the middle of 2 vehicles.
• Do not be the first one to go when the green light is on. Usually, there are drivers (and riders) who try to beat the red light and these can cause accidents.
• Always be alert for people crossing suddenly. 
• Always be alert for other riders who suddenly cut you off.
• And most importantly, NEVER DRINK AND DRIVE.

Life is a highway...
You can never tell how sure
your journey will be

Uncertainty can be a nuisance. It hinders you from making the proper decisions right away. It keeps you from planning your next move. Sometimes, it blinds of the obvious things if only you are sure of the outcome.

How to avoid uncertainty? Actually, there is no such thing as avoiding uncertainty. What you can avoid is worrying about it. It is usually worrying that keeps you awake at night. Worrying prevents you from thinking straight because it results in fear of the possible outcome. You tend to be afraid of the results of whatever decisions you make because of the risks involved.

As my friends say, just stay calm and try to interpret everything with an open mind. Always see the postive and negative side of things. This can be a really big help.

Now mount your bike and go. Riding makes a point about the uncertainty of life in a cool way.

Ride safe!

Time for a cool change...

While listening to a song of "Little River Band", Cool Change

If there's one thing in my life that's missing

It's the time I spend alone

Sailing on the cool and bright clear water

There have been many changes in my life lately but one thing really has been bothering me. I never really had time to spend on myself to think about things. It is always me and my daughter or me and my friends. I never really had a time off for myself. I think it is because I worry too much that I would be making a mistake. I did not realize that worrying too much is already a mistake itself.

There's lots of those friendly people

And they're showing me ways to go

And I never want to lose their inspiration

I am just beginning to see that people around me, friends and family, are supporting me, directly or indirectly, with or without my knowledge. I had built a wall around me so tall and hard to protect myself without realizing that the same wall was also preventing others to help me. Now I am beginning to tear down that wall so that I could see the world around me.

It's time for a cool change

I know that it's time for a cool change

Now that my life is so prearranged

I know that it's time for a cool change

I felt everything was already paved for me that I don't have any choice but take that road. But now it is gonna be different. I will be taking my step on my own terms at my own pace. Everything has to change. I cannot be caught living in one's shadow anymore. I should not be living in the past. I should face the future.

This ain't about riding but still...
Ride safe!

It Ain't About How Fast I Get There...

People nowadays tend to be so busy. They are now too engrossed on how to do about their work that they forget to slow down a bit and enjoy the scenery. The same goes for me. I tend to think too much about work, my kid, the time. Sometimes, I think going fast-paced is overrated.

Sometimes, I envy the children. They don't think too much of what is happening around them. For most of them, a serious problem would be the toy that they would be receiving this Christmas. 

Enjoy the view

For sometime now, I have been riding my bike too fast for my own good. I always feel that if I don't get there fast enough, I will be left behind. And being left behind is one of the things I don't enjoy the most. Sometimes, when riding to certain places, me and my friends tend to go fast, testing the limits of our machines, our nerves and each others. We were going too fast that most of the time, we forget the reason why we travel on our bikes. We forget to slow down our fast-paced lives. We ride to escape the things we normally do from Monday to Friday yet we still do it during our leisure time.

Right now, I am trying to speed up my life's pace but I don't think it is working for my advantage. It makes me feel that I am chasing butterflies... the more I chase them, the farther away they get away from me. It only brings more frustration in me because I am being left behind by the things I am going after. 

I may not be one those successful beings who had caught up with their dreams and now enjoying it. I am also not one of those who are so enthusiastic to chase whatever they are chasing that they forget the most important thing which is the reason why they are doing it in the first place, happiness. Happiness should not be pursued. Happiness is just there, waiting for you to look at it and to enjoy it. 

Smell the flowers

So, the next time you feel like everything passes by in a flash, pause. If everything is going too fast for your comfort, slow down. Try to enjoy the reason why you are doing it in the first place. As the most quoted saying goes, "Stop and smell the flowers." It never fails to enjoy the fruits of your labor. No matter how big or small whatever you are doing, always find time to have a break. No matter haw crazy it is, as long as you are enjoying, then you will find your happiness. It is just there waiting for you to appreciate.

Ride safe!

One Last Call for Alcohol...

I was not able to log in these past few days because I was so busy with work and stuff and I just really did not have the energy to think clearly on what to write. It seems that all the creative juices inside my head dried up. I couldn't come up with a good topic to write about. Everything seemed to be boring me. It is as if nothing is interesting enough to write about.

Yesterday, I saw a friend who went to visit where I work (It was not me who he visited). We talked a bit before we went on our way. It was nice talking to friends. I wish there was some time we could get together and talk about crazy stuff like we did before.

Most friendships start from having a common interest. And when you're in the Philippines, most male friendships start from the most sought after drink second to Coke... Liquor (Lol!) 

With just as much as 50 pesos, you and 2 of your buddies can have the time of your life talking about people, work, sports, love, liberty, justice and the american way. This concoction of fermented grapes can make your ideas flow all night long. There is even a Filipino saying that alcohol makes one a smart one. The more you drink, the smarter you get.

But what makes liquor very attractive to people that they tend to drink so much of it. Well, it is because, when we are with friends, we tend to be shy to speak up and alcohol removes it so everyone is engaged in the conversation making everyone contribute ideas, opinions, and queries that sometimes can help you solve some of the things that have been bothering you. Alcohol is also the thing some men turn to whenever they are experiencing the lowest part of their lives. Some turn to alcohol because they are having trouble sleeping (thanks to call center graveyard shifts and global warming). And to some (read: me and my friends) just like to drink and be merry. We even have a name for our group. Wasalak or as every alcohol-gulping Pinoy may know, is "walang sawa sa alak" (roughly translated as "really likes to drink").

Drinking with friends or family is fun but some people can't seem to control the amount of alcohol they gulp down. It is okay if they are not driving but, sadly, in this country of ours, DUI (driving under the influence) is a traffic violation rarely enforced. Why? Simply because we don't have the knowledge or the equipment to measure how much alcohol percent in the body is safe for driving. Usually, we only find out that the driver is drunk after he hit a lamp post or another vehicle. And when asked if he is drunk, he will immediately say that he is not drunk... he just had a few drinks (like 2 liters of beer... yeah, right...) 

This was once a motorcycle

Nowadays, drunk driving is always the reason people think of when a motorcycle is involved in an accident. Either that or the rider is going too fast... faster than the car... faster than the eye can see... faster than a speeding bullet... yeah, right. As there are some who do drink and drive a bike, most of the time they can't go really far from the place where they were drinking because they simply can't. Why? It is due to the fact that to ride a bike, you need balance... a skill which disappears after 2 liters of a very popular malt-liquor. So if you see a hapless fellow involved in a motorcycle accident, think again. Was the rider drunk? Or was it caused by something else.

Ride Safe!

From left:
Boneneng, Ronald, Guard,
Dado, Bigmak 

(This blog is dedicated to Dado, Ronald and Bigmak. GAME NA!!!)

It's a Little Bit Funny...

Have you ever wondered what the hell you are doing inside that office? Have you ever asked yourself if that is what you want to do? Have you ever said to yourself, I'm a graduate of so and so major and yet I am here?

Nowadays, people tend to work as a something yet that is not what they studied for at least 4 years in college. This is a common problem here in the Philippines as the opportunities for a good employment is highly competitive. And for some, they want to look for a job which pays far greater than what they will earn if they follow the path laid out to them after they leave the halls of their school (or the halls of PICC). Others just accept the fact that their major is really not a money earner.

When I was in college, my major was Management Information Systems in one of the popular computer colleges here in Metro Manila. After that, I never did work as a programmer in any software company. I worked as a sales representative in a packaging company. I worked as a loan officer in a bank. I worked as a data encoder. I worked as a call center representative.

The Lesson

Right now, I am working as an ESL Instructor teaching Koreans how to use the English language. The job itself is not difficult. What is difficult with being an language Instructor is the language barrier between the student and the teacher. 

I remembered the time when the Head Teacher of this academy where I am currently working called me up and asked me if I was interested to be interviewed because they are looking for new instructors.  Since I was looking for a job back then, I said yes right away. After asking for the details and directions on how to get to that office, I put down my phone and wondered... can I be really a teacher? Will the students learn anything from me? Would they like me? Will I like them? So many questions instantly flooded my poor, poor brain....

So I went. The school was okay, though it was a little quiet when I first came in. I was wondering how are things done in that school. It was very much different than tutoring one on one (one of the jobs I took to earn some more way back when I was in Indonesia). The head teacher called me and conducted the interview. It was a very casual interview. It was just all about my teaching experiences and she discussed how things are being done there. It was a rather quick interview then I was asked to observe some of the classes. The other instructors there are quite friendly. There was this female instructor who I was asked to observe an it turned out, I was the one being the topic of her class. She and her student, in turns, asked me to talk a bit about myself. It was fun, I admit. I told myself, I think I am going to enjoy working here.

A few after that, I started working there as an ESL Instructor. I was a bit nervous because it was the first time I was going to handle university students... and all of them are Koreans. My first student came in (by the way, I am handling 1-on-1 or, as they call it, man-to-man). She was a bit shy and tensed at first so made her comfortable by making some jokes and talking to her about her interests. So we had a good chemistry and it was good! I did the same thing with my second student and got the same result. Now we are somewhat  close friends. They called me up from Korea on my birthday and I appreciated it very much. I had 5 students at that time, 4 girls and a boy. The boy was kinda close to me too. He ain't that much keen on studying but he does every homework I asked him to do. Now he calls me up from Korea to ask advice on what to do whenever he feels confused about something. The other two was quite close to me too. There was this shy girl who started coming out of her shell a few weeks before she went back to Korea. I just learned that she is the top of her class for two years in a row! And the other one, she is quite a good kid too! Not that much of a talker though but we still chat from time to time. She is currently in Los Angeles enjoying her vacation.

It was a very good experience. I have grown to love what I am doing. The pay is not that high but it teaches me things about myself that I have not discovered before. I may not be doing what I learned in school, but I like what I am doing so far. I don't know for how long but I do enjoy it. It is not always what you intend to do happens. It's a little bit funny that opportunities for discovering your other skills and talents come from the things that you were even thinking of in the first place.

Follow the light

This is not about riding but still... ride safe!

And Now I'm Falling...

My bike... a typical underbone.

I've been riding my motorcycle for almost 4 years and I learned how to ride since 1995. Motorcycles, especially the underbones have been around for quite sometime but they only became popular here in the Philippines about 10 years ago. These underbone bikes are so called due to the engineering of their chassis which is quite unusual from the regular motorcycles wherein the gas tank is placed on top of the chassis between the seat and handlebars.

The reason why these machines became popular here is because of the skyrocketing prices of fuel. But to some (or maybe more than the average Juan can see) these bikes became popular because of drag races held in almost every major avenue at least in Metro Manila. Due to the popularity of underbones, it also gave birth to a new set of problems... bike crashes.

Pedestrian crossing.

Just this morning, I witnessed a hapless bike rider fell. No one bumped him and he didn't crash to anyone or anything. Traffic was not heavy at that time and I am sure he is within the 60 kmh speed limit because I was riding within the same limits and we were only 4 bikes apart. He doesn't seem to be drunk. The only problem was the road was still wet due to the heavy rains. I stopped for a while just to see if he is alright and when I was sure that he is, I went on my way.

Most news programs feature these kinds of accidents on TV and always, and I mean always, it is being assumed that the poor rider is either drunk or going really fast. In some cases these may be true but most of the time it is not. But the rider who fell always get the look that he is the one at fault of his accident.

                            Ride safe.

People, especially those who have something against two wheeled transports, tend to generalize all riders to be boastful, road hogs, undisciplined and rowdy bunch of obstacles plying the road. I beg to disagree. Yes, there are some who are guilty of those accusations but in reality, only a very small portion of the motorcycle riding populace are like that. Generally, bike riders such as myself, follow traffic rules and regulations. Why? The real reason is that we are always picked out from the rest of the motorists by traffic enforcers who would rather take Php200 - Php500 from riders who are caught violating rather than educating them. And to us, that amount is worth one week of gas and travel... Too much to lose, if you would ask any rider.

To my fellow bike riders, let me give you some more road tips just to ensure personal safety as well as the safety of other motorists.

* Avoid riding on the painted lines on the streets especially on wet roads. These lines are very slippery so avoid them. The same goes for those reflectors on the roads as they may tend to make you lose traction and steering.

Don't try this anywhere.

* Always give way to pedestrians even if they are on the no-crossing zone. If you bump them, you will be the one at fault... Philippine rule. You can shout all the known invectives at them after they have crossed safely.

* Do not play chicken with any four-wheeled vehicles. They tend to be more stubborn than 2-wheeled ones.

* Never forget to wear protective gear when riding. It is much cheaper to buy a good helmet than a good wheel chair or the cheapest memorial plan.

* The maximum number of people who can ride a motorcycle is 2. Hence the 4 four foot pegs.

* The horn is to get the attention of the vehicle in front of you when you are going to pass it and not to attract the attention of the whole neighborhood.

* Always have time to do a maintenance check on your bike as it cannot maintain itself.

* Modifications are usually good only if it is within the limits of your motorcycle riding skills.

* Avoid revving too much in residential areas especially if your bike is fitted with an aftermarket muffler. This may be hazardous to your health and this is already a proven fact.

And lastly, avoid going too fast. Try to enjoy the bike ride and the scenery. Feel the air flowing in to your face. Feel the road and its bumps, curves and ridges. This is the real advantage of a motorcycle from any 4-wheeled contraption.

Ride safe!

The Long and Winding Road...

Tiga-Las Piñas ka ba?  Madalas ka sa ba Las Piñas?  Mahilig ka bang magpupunta sa SM Southmall o kaya sa ATC?  May sarili ka bang kotse?  Motor?  "Professional" commuter ka ba?  Siguro alam mo na ang tinutumbok ko.  Ang walang humpay na trapik sa Alabang-Zapote Road.

Naranasan mo na bang maipit sa trapik?  Yun bang tipong alam mong malapit ka nang bumaba pero malayo pa para lakarin na lang? Sa pagkakatanda ko ay sinimulan nilang biyakin ang kalsada noong November 2010 eh. Susko pagsasikip baga naman ng kalsada noon... teka.. hanggang ngayon pa pala...

Hulaan nyo nga kung saan ito...

At dahil nga sa ganyan, madami jan ang nagpasiya na lang na gamitin ang kanilang mga motorsiklo para baybayin ang daanang ito.  Pero minsan (at madalas yang minsan na yan ha),  kahit anong uri ng transportasyon ang gamitin mo, ay talaga naman hihinto ka rin nang medyo may katagalan.  Ito ay dahil tatlong linya na ang sinakop ng hukay ng Maynilad sa kalsada.  Naalala ko yung isang kasamahan ko sa trabaho, nagmula sa Pulang Lupa, nakarating sa opisina namin sa may Pilar na masama ang loob. Oo, nag-commute lang siya. Mantakin mo ba naman, inabot kaya siya ng dalawang oras mahigit!  Aba, yung dalawang oras na yun ay byahe ko na sa Tagaytay pamula sa bahay ko ah!

Me isa rin akong katropa.  Dating nakamotor din.  Siguro dahil sa nabwisit na sa init at alkabok dulot ng walang katapusang pagbubungkal ng semento ng Maynilad, binenta ang motor at bumili ng kotse...  Aguy! Ngayon halos hindi na namin makasama dahil ang 300 pesos na gas ng kotse nya ay kulang pa para pumunta sa tambayan at bumalik sa bahay niya. Ngayon nag-iisip ulit siya bumalik sa motor.  Siguro dala na rin ng kantiyaw at inggit sa byahe namin.

Minsan, hindi lang trapik ang dulot ng pagbubungkal na ito.  Yung isa kong kaibigan, nasemplang ang motor dahil sa buhanging nakakalat sa kalsada dulot ng pag-ulan.  At bago pa siya nasemplang ay may nauna nang dalawa sa kanya nung araw na ring yon.  Tsk, walang siyang nagawa kundi umuwi ng may bitbit na "tocino" sa siko at tuhod.  "Tapa" yun sigurado matapos ang ilang araw.

Hay... kelan kaya maayos ang Alabang-Zapote Road...

In The Beginning...

Ito ang una kong subok sa paba-"blog" ng mga pangyayari sa buhay ko at sa kapaligiran ko.  Sa totoo lang, hindi ko hilig ang magsulat (o tumipa sa keyboard ng mahabang oras).  Pero sa kagustuhan kong malibang upang maka-iwas sa mga di magandang bagay na pumapasok sa isipan ko na maaring pagsisihan ko pa (ulit) sa huli ay maigi nang idaan ko na lang sa ganito... baka kako kapulutan pa ng katuwaan (o aral) ng mga makakabasa.

Teka, sino nga ba itong nagsulat nito?  Kalma lang... darating tayo jan...

Mangyari ay maraming nang karanasan ang dumapo sa akin.  Mga nakakatuwa, nakakainis, malungkot, kagula-gulantang, walang kwenta, maraming kwenta, kagalit-galit at kakilig-kilig.  Ngunit, sa lahat ng karanasan kong ito, isa lang naman talaga ang tanong ko sa sarili ko... Ano ba talaga ang gusto kong mangyari? 

Sa dami ng aking napagdaanan, hindi ko lubos maisip kumbakit sa pakiramdam ko ay parating may kulang.  Parang parati na lang na hindi ako masaya sa kinalabasan ng lahat ng gawain ko.  At dahil doon, kadalasan din ay nauuwi ito sa bokya.

Nung bata pa ako, natatandaan ko na ang buhay namin maayos sa kabila ng mga problemang dinaranas ng halos lahat ng pamilya.  Bininyagan ako bilang isang katoliko ngunit hindi ako nahilig sa pagsisimba.  Hindi sa wala akong pananampalataya, ngunit ayaw ko lang talaga sa mga lugar na kung saan ay napakaraming tao... yung pakiramdam mo ay kada galaw mo ay may masisiko ka.  Hindi ko rin hilig ang magpipila ng mahaba sa restaurants, ATM, registration windows, sinehan (pero wag ka, tiniis ko lahat yun nung ipalabas ang unang "Transformers" na pelikula), at sa mga ibang lugar na kelangan kang pumila ng mahaba.  Ang tingin ko sa mga pumipila ng mahaba ay mga langgam na alinsunod lamang sa daloy kahit labag sa kalooban o prinsipyo nila.

Tumanda ako ng ganito ang nakasanayan.  Nakapagtrabaho ako ng ganito ang sistema.  Maayos naman sa simula ngunit kalaunan ay hindi na ako nagiging masaya.  Pakiramdam ko ay napipilitan lamang akong sumunod ng sumunod ng sumunod sa kung saan man ako dalhin ng utos sa akin. Yung tipong wala ka nang pagpipilian kundi ang sumunod na lamang kahit ito ay inaayawan mo na.

Sunod sa agos ng buhay.  Yan ang isa sa mga pinag-iisipan ko.  Dapat nga ba akong sumunod na lamang ng sumunod sa dikta ng kapaligiran ko?  Oo, maari kang dalhin nito sa maganda.  Tutal, ikaw rin naman ang pipili sa pag-aanuran mo eh... parati namang may pagpipilian kadalasan nga lang ay wala sa mga pagpipilian ang talagang gusto mo.  Parang kalsada lang na ang pagpipilian mo pagdating sa dulo ay kaliwa o kanan lamang.

Taong 2007. Dahil na rin sa pagkabagot sa pagsakay sa jeep na ubod na nga bagal ay para pang nanadya ang tsuper na magpatagal sa kakaintay sa pasaherong mukha naman ayaw sumakay, nagpasya akong bumili ng motorsiklo.  Ang motor na ito ang nagsilbing paa ko sa pagparoo't parito sa trabaho, grocery, tambay at gala.  Noon ay takot na takot ako sa motor, ngunit dahil na rin sa pangangailangan (isipin mo, ang pagpunta ko sa trabaho pag naka-jeep, isang oras... pag naka-motor, 20 mins), napagpasiyahan kong magmotor na lamang.  Di naman pala nakakatakot.  Nakakatuwa pa nga.  Pakiramdam ko, ako ang may kontrol sa buhay ko at hindi ang kung anumang agos na pilit tumutulak sa akin.  Sa buong buhay ko, ang pagbili ko ng motor ang masasabi kong isa sa pinakamasayang bahagi ng buhay ko.

Nakarating rin ako sa mga lugar na hindi ko pa nararating noon. Calatagan, Nasugbu, Pampanga, at iba pa.  Naranasan ko na rin ang maaksidente na kamuntikan nang tumapos sa akin pero hindi iyon lumikha ng anumang takot.  Medyo nadagdagan nga lang ng ingat.  Nakilala ko ang mga taong magpasahanggang ngayon ay itinuturing kong mga tunay na kaibigan.

Ano nga ba ang tunay na kaibigan? Maraming nagsasabi na ito yung taong makakasama mo sa maraming pagkakataon, sa hirap at ginhawa... HELLO!!! Hindi na basta kaibigan yun! Asawa na ata ang tawag dun.  Sa akin, ang tunay na kaibigan, bagama't nakakasama mo nga, ay iyong may kapupulutan kang pwedeng makatulong sa diskarte mo sa buhay.  Marami na akong nakasama na matagal... sa magulo at mabuti... pero hindi lahat ng taong iyon ay maituturing mong kaibigan.  Minsan, kahit ano pang tagal o lalim ng inyong pinagsamahan, siya ay maituturing mong kakilala lamang.  Ang tunay na kaibigan, ay iyong taong kahit sasandali mo pa lang nakakasama ay naipapakita mo sa kanya ang tunay mong pagkatao na hindi ka mangangambang iiwan ka pag hindi nila trip ang mga trip mo.  Kadalasan, sila yung mga taong kahit anong dami ng kapintasan mo ay tanggap ka nila kahit na alam ninyong lahat na napipilitan na lamang ang isa't-isa (haha!!).  Sila yung mga taong alam ang ang kalikaw ng bituka mo.  Sila yung taong kibot pa lang ng kilay ay nagkakaintindihan na.

Mabuti akong kaibigan, yun ang sabi ng mga kaibigan ko sa kin.  Masayahin daw ako.  Parang wala daw akong pinoproblema.  Kengkoy.  Patawa.  Joker.  Mahusay daw akong makinig.  Me magagandang payo daw ako.  Hindi ko alam kung totoo nga ang sabi nila sa akin, pero parang ayaw kong maniwala.  Masayahin ako, oo... pero iba ang masayahing tao sa masayang tao.  Mahusay daw akong makinig.  Siguro, pero bakit yung taong dapat kong pakinggan ay hindi ko narinig ng ayos (kagulo tuloy...).

Ganito pala kapag nagsusulat.  Ganito pala kapag me gusto kang sabihin pero ayaw mong me makaalam ng sinasabi mo.  Ganito pala kapag naiwan ka sa tapat ng computer at naubusan na ng gagawin.  Ganito pala kapag mejo "emo" ka na sa kakaisip sa nangyayari sa buhay mo. Ganito pala.

Oo nga pala, di pa ko nagpapakilala. Ako pala yung taong akala mo walang pakealam sayo. Di mo lang alam, hirap lang akong maglabas ng saloobin ko sa yo dahil hindi ako sanay ng kinaaawaan.  Ako yung taong akala mo pinabayaan ang samahan natin. Di mo lang alam, hindi ako nagpabaya, hindi ko lang siguro nasunod lahat ng gusto mo.  Ako yung akala mo binalewala ka. Di mo lang alam, hinahanap ko yung dati nating pagkakakilala kasi muntik na kong masanay nang wala ka.  Sabi mo magkaibigan pa rin tayo... kaso hindi tayo basta magkaibigan lang eh...