Loyalty is a virtue

After a day’s bonding with the daughter Sunday, we proceeded to a new shopping complex in the city. It’s a little exploration for her since she just returned to Bohol last week.

She had organic ice cream from The Buzz. We sat on the corner bench provided for The Buzz’s spa clients. A few minutes later, I had Batchoy at Binalot. It’s the food shop where everything you eat has to be wrapped in banana leaves. But the Batchoy was not wrapped huh!

Anyways, as I was relishing my Batchoy ala Boholano with gusto, it rained harder. Shiloh and I watched the rain as well. We absorbed everything in our present environment. In simpler terms, we tuned it. A utility man was busy mopping the wet floor. Customers from the complex hurriedly got inside their vehicles but were afraid to get wet. I thought they could have waited for the rains to stop. Wishful thinking. More cars arriving. The rain didn’t stop.

Then the head security officer (he looks the part) approached the utility man who was mopping the floor. I remember the guy from my high school days. I didn’t forget the face. I then narrated to Shiloh how I remember the guy. I told her the guy has been serving this business establishment since I was in high school. He used to wear the blue security guard uniform back then. Shiloh responded by saying, “talk to him Ma”. I rose to the challenge. I called him and said, Sir I remember you from my high school days. You were serving their original store. He smiled broadly and said, yes Ma’am; I have served this company for 35 years. I was 19 when I started working here and now I have produced an Engineer who works at Panglao Island Nature Resort; a Nurse who works at a local hospital, and a CPA. The company helped me educate them, he added. He was beaming with joy and pride as he shared his story. He said the bosses helped him. I also met my girlfriend who eventually became my wife at the same company, he further explained.

He asked, you do remember me Ma’am? I said yes. He looked glad I did.

We spoke about how city folks used to watch movies at the old movie houses located on the second floor of the original business arcade. In those days, those were the only air-conditioned movie houses. Boy, I remember the days.

Thirty five years is no small feat. It is loyalty etched in the heart and mind of this simple man. What an inspiring story.

That’s Roque Yana. His story is worth emulating.

Sunday afternoon with Yoli

Sunday was so refreshing, love-filled, and relaxing. I spent time with Yoli. Yoli is a lady who has come to Bohol on a mission: to help a person engaged in business. Yoli and I went to the same church in General Santos City for many years.

One of the perks of her job is being billeted in a resort facing Tagbilaran Bay. This resort has a history of its own. We frequented this place in my young life whenever we wanted to listen to good music. Back then, my brother played in the band that regularly performed in the bar. Moreover, when I took up Law last year, my classmates and I came to this place to sing.

Tagbilaran City port

But that’s not the subject of this blog. This blog is about how relaxing, refreshing, and comforting Sunday was. We started with Sunday church service. I picked her from her cottage by the sea. After the service, we bought some stuff for her house transfer then proceeded to the cottage for our lunch. Lunch was served against the backdrop of the blue sea with our hair blown by the relaxing wind. Such a gem!

After a good meal and exceedingly good chat, we deposited ourselves in her cottage and napped.

By afternoon, we went to the mall. She had her relaxing pedicure. I did groceries. After all the chores, we went back to her small cottage and had dinner under a moonlit sky characterized by a strong breeze blowing on our faces while cooling our soup fast. Haha talk about irony. We conversed until we were full until it’s time to retire for the night.

It’s truly amazing how the calm sea, its powerful breeze, a moonlit sky, good food, and wonderful conversation can comfort, relax, and refresh us on a weekend. No stress. No pressure.

Sunday afternoon with Yoli was the best yet so far.

Christmas visit

It's not everyday that our sibling visits us from afar.

For starters, travels entail cost. Of course, you have to synchronize schedules. On top of that, you must be in top shape. Travel is always accompanied by stress so it is important to be physically and emotionally healthy.

I'm glad that my sister Delora and husband Daryl spent the Christmas holidays with us. Early this morning though, I drove them to the van station. They preferred the van over the bus. They have to return to Butuan City for a school activity tomorrow (read: Rizal Day).

We had bonding time and took many photos. Thanks to the inventor of the digital camera, we just point and shoot, so to speak.

Delora is impressed with the development of Gen. Santos City. She is often here but the last time she was here was in December 2007. Since then, it has grown, as she pointed out. We also drove to nearby Alabel, Sarangani.

That the city has grown as observed by a non-resident is wonderful to hear. Now, each Gen. Santos resident or General is duty bound to keep the moral fiber strong as the city is poised to grow even more in the upcoming months.

Like I said, "the best is yet to come".

http://www.gensantos.gov.ph/

http://www.sarangani.gov.ph/

Psalm 127:1
Unless the LORD builds the house, its builders labor in vain. Unless the LORD watches over the city, the watchmen stand guard in vain.

Kindred souls

With high school friends

Is your life filled with kindred spirits? Do you appreciate kindred souls? If your answer to both questions is “yes”, then you are one fortunate human being because with kindred souls, you can never go wrong. Haha I bet you were imagining a fairy tale complete with fairies.
I asked my college best friend Catherine Carmela Consing Taylor who is now based in Canada and who happens to be a very generous Ninang to my son Hezekiah Kit for a possible topic to explore in my column. I requested that the suggestion be light because my head can’t crack heavy stuff at this moment in time. Her reply: “Hmmm...How about importance of good girlfriends? How there are girlfriends who might be far away but still a kindred spirit? Something to do with girlfriends, what do you think?”

And I like it! So let’s attempt to explore the concept of women friends; women bonding; women sharing; women moments and related stuff about women.
Why indeed is girl friendship so essential to women? We can cite several reasons: to feel strengthened; understood and validated; and supported; to be oneself sans inhibitions; to be totally crazy with and not judged or mocked; to have fun; to feel wholly a woman, ad infinitum.
Like for instance my best friend Carmela. We became friends way back in college. I was maid of honor at her wedding in Dumaguete City. Ah Dumaguete. It brings back wonderful memories and Carmela certainly knew about it. Remember those places in your life when you had fun and light moments that stick for a lifetime? I had those moments in Dumaguete and I always smile whenever I remember them. In fact, Kenny G’s Silhouette and Billy Ocean’s The Colour of Love were the songs that captured those moments.

But back to kindred souls, before the onset of modern technology and the internet phenomenon, we kept our relationships with our girlfriends from afar through letters and long distance telephone calls. If they are based elsewhere in the country and our work provides us opportunity to travel, we make sure to visit them and spend time with them. But the most inspired thing is when we share the same city. Then we can set the outings, gigs, bonding and girl talks.
There is always solidarity between or amongst women. But the thing is we must invest time to nurture it. Some women take it for granted that their closest friends are there for them, come hell or high waters. But hey, they are “feeling” beings, too. They also need a call, a text or a girl date to refresh the relationship from time to time. Even computer screens require refreshing huh! And computers can’t even feel. It is not even high-maintenance friendship. Connection could be a peek on how she is doing, a chat over decaf coffee, or simply spending time together, not a tall order, if you ask me.

Since women are emotional beings, they find deep satisfaction from a good talk. For most women, talking is simply therapy. It is inexpensive and yet, very rewarding. As learned people would often say, “Never, underestimate the power of a good talk”. It is cathartic.
I love this line from a book I read a couple of years ago: As a woman, you play different roles. You are a wife; mother; sister; daughter; friend. But lest you forget it, you are a woman, first and foremost. You have needs to be met. You should not neglect that part of your persona. And may I add, if you focus on the rest of your roles but forget the most essential which is the soul of your being, you will falter, because by meeting the essential requirements of your woman nature, you will come out filled and all set to tackle the other roles attached to being a woman.

At home with work friends

Going back to kindred spirits which provide women a sense of balance and solidarity especially during challenging times, when a woman’s girlfriend is going through a tough time in her life – in all areas like not passing the board exam for instance, losing a boyfriend or finding out the husband has a fling or worse paramour, it is so much easier to confide in a friend than a sibling or family. Wonder why.

Disclosure is a breeze when done with a non-relative. Of course, we do not diminish the value of family. Families have their moral ascendancy over the order of things but kindred souls are like an extension of family and yet, there is no felt tension; no implicit or expressed expectations; no ‘hey, watch what you’re saying young lady’ apprehension with them. No guilt trip, plain and simple. They are family and yet they are not.
So what are they? They are simply, heavenly, amazingly called girlfriends – kindred souls, and life is so much better with them around.

Food for thought: This is my wish for you: Comfort on difficult days, smiles when sadness intrudes, rainbows to follow the clouds, laughter to kiss your lips, sunsets to warm your heart, hugs when spirits sag, beauty for your eyes to see, friendships to brighten your being, faith so that you can believe, confidence for when you doubt, courage to know yourself, patience to accept the truth, Love to complete your life.
-- Author Unknown