a tribute to papa

No matter how much I hated my papa for doing what he did in the past, I will always be forever thankful to him.

He disciplined me and my siblings well. I guess the belt and your rough calloused hands did work a little to tame this unruly teeny weeny soul. Thank You. Because of you I seized to steal (even if its just 5 pesos from mom’s, not your pocket), I learned the importance of trust, and you taught me that money is never free.

The salt too did a miracle to our knees, not only did we bow down to conform to your set of rules, it made me realize what boulevard I am unconsciously heading. Thank You. I learned enemies are not to be hated, and that education is eternally mandatory for a good life in the future.

No matter how much we hated it to visit the farm, you obliged us to and I discovered the beauty of nature in the process. I learned to embrace simplicity and happiness in small, essential things in life. Thank You. And though you haven’t done well in taking care of the place, still learning from your mistake helped me to be more wary in dealings with people.

You had your share of mistakes pa, and some of it I learned to forgive but I can never eradicate it from my scattered memory. I’m sorry. As they say, only amnesia and death can erase everything we want to forget. But through you, I have, for the first time in my entire life, appreciated mama. She has drawn a clear picture of what true, unconditional love is, she demonstrated sacrifice for the sake of the family, and she has shown how great your love for the three of us. Thank You.

Thank You papa for giving up your comfy life style here in Davao to work for us. Your job in Japan is strenuous enough for young, healthy men and I never thought of you doing it but you did. Thank You. Please keep yourself and mama safe and healthy. There is no need to worry about us here. You have raised us well and we are old enough to discern \what is right (or wrong for us).

Everytime I see your photos in Japan, you look like those fathers in koreanovelas we usually watch on TV. It makes me smile all the time because I would imagine myself the female lead who has a father who works so hard for the family but who seem to end up doing the wrong thing all the time. You’re not that though, not all the time..hehehee…

I love you pa, and again, thank you.

Happy Fathers Day!

Meet my Papa...
Jose L. Te ( You can call him Jun, Pahol, Dong etc...)

Pogi ko noh?

He's not the exact father I have dreamed to have but oh well... I love him. And he taught me a lot... A LOT. So Happy Father's Day Pa!

I love You!

I love my Classmates....

..and I love facebook already. All these suddenly-organized-laags has been the product of fruitful conversations of the most idle people/ bum/ not-so-ex-students in the world.
photo from here

For starters, we decided to do the most unnatural thing for the 3 of us. Spend our precious left over money on a coffee. The sight was awkwardly, ultimately funny. We spent minutes in the counter, looking dumb-struck (especially Marion) at the prices of coffee while deciding if we would really risk dinner over some overly-priced coffee. We ordered anyway just for the heck of it. People do get curios, and coffee at yellowhauz is always a must according to some self-proclaimed coffee guru/hihihii..

Rhea was craving for a pizza but yellow cab is definitely not an option. The budget for the day is surprisingly depleting… and its depleting fast. Since it’s just 4:30 pm and GS is just a stone throw away, we (well… Marion) accelerated just so we can reach Picobello’s before 5. We did make it only to discover that the place is full and there are even guests waiting outside... Heads down and tummy hurting, we decided to go to school.

Fauzi is definitely hungry after his self-inflicted-rice-deprivation for 4 days. So, we went to Mang Manok *singing their commercial theme song*, Moan and Misa was already munching their three-pieces fried chicken when we arrived. We ordered the same too since everybody was carving for anything edible. We were binging on something we can hardly swallow (I swear I can puke anytime), talking about the gross Lamia, colostomy tube, crowning, Puke… etc...

Chiara showed up after hours in midtown, nag photoshoot jud ang bakla. We stayed at their place of course, Gu Jun Pyo and Ji Hoo is too adorable to resist.

We simply loooove them. It’s those guys that make me wanna marry a Korean guy, forget about wrong grammar and geeky dance moves. They are just adorable…
photo from here

After another failed attempt to watch UP (hindi pa rin kasi showing), we opt to go for a karaoke bar instead. We had the best time! I love you guys! Singing/Shouting like a drunkard without inhibitions is truly the most liberating thing in the world for me… *sigh*

*sigh*

Last night I was observing how Jayson would chat to his mom because he seem to get whatever he wants and still be bestfriends with her. Mama and I cannot seem to end a conversation without hurting the other first. Consciously or unconsciously. Anyway, he was soooo good at convincing his mom. And I think I now know how to do the job...

1. You have to greet them first. This would create a good atmosphere that would hopefully last until the end of the conversation. (example: Hi ma, Kumusta?). It also help to divert the concern from your activity to theirs,thus there is no need to elaborate more on what you have done for the day.

2. If you want something, tell them what good it will do to you in general and make it appear like it's not a WANT but a NEED. This is really tricky because they know the difference, so think well and speak well. Hint: Parents usually give in if the concern is your comfort and grades.

3. Allow them to deliberate. Make it appear like they still have the last say. If they say NO, try still to persuade them while maintaining a low, morose, non-whining voice. (example: Pwede man sad pero...., Ok lang man sad pero mas maayo...)

4. If it still fails, compromise something, or make a deal. This usually works for the students. (ex: compromise a fraction of your allowance or promise that you will make it to the top the next semester), parents go high if you have proven yourself worthy and reliable for a deal in the past.

5. If it still doesn't work, try again the next time you talk. Either they are hard as stone, is concern about you, or they just want to see you whine so they can scold you again... but believe me, the key is to make them feel they are still in control and that their decision is the greatest/most important thing in the world for you. And that if they say NO, your happiness (no not your happiness, your grades) is at stake. Do not threaten them though, make it look like its fundamental for your progress and not for anything else.

Do not:

1. Shout at them.
2. Talk big.
3. Appear arrogant and all-knowing.
4. ok.. you get the picture. instead, do otherwise no matter how hurting it is already because whether you like it or not, we are dependent on them. yup! Just as my last entry said truth hurts.