Review & Reflect Upon the Year 2012

Year 2012 was said to be the "end of the world". See my index finger waving in front of your face as I say "I don't think so". For me, this is just the "beginning of a new world".

In 2012, I embraced change in all aspects of my life. The whole me changed physically, mentally, and emotionally. I would not say I became mature as I am still the bubbly, childish, loquacious,and not-so-tall girl who came from the north. Physically, I have grown older and bigger so I am currently fighting with all these fats in my body and eye bags too! Also, I believe, my eyes poured a bucket of tears this year. This is primarily due to the fear of not seeing people close to me anymore, specifically my college friends. This triggered too much emotions. After I finally accomplished my 4-year bachelor degree, I had to hand down a job at Saudi Arabia to earn a living. Like what I said before, the collegian has turned into a career woman.

Professional realm was completely different and as a novice, I was tremendously challenged. This is prolly the highlight of the year. It has affected my lifestyle, social life, and love life. Join me in tracing back the past...

January

~Welcomed the year 2012 with my relatives. After several years, we did the ceremonies our family used to do like exchanging gifts, praying, and eating together.

~Miss & Mr. CEU 2012 Pre-pageant was held at CEU - Mendiola. I delivered the declamation speech "No Hope in Dope" made by Uncle June for the talent portion.

~First bonding with Sir Sam at a certain bar near ABS-CBN then headed to his crib to sleep for 30 minutes only.

~Miss & Mr. CEU 2012 candidates were the guest audience of Umagang Kay Ganda.

~Miss & Mr. CEU 2012 was held. I bagged the 2nd runner-up title as well as my partner, Kuya Windsor. It was actually unexpected. I was losing my hope at first but when I confidently answered the question during Q&A portion, I was able to redeem the hope that I could somehow share victory with my supporters and Alma Mater. For more blurb, click this "My Journey to Miss CEU 2012".

February

~After I accomplished my TV on-the-job-training at ABS-CBN last December, I began my radio OJT at Central Luzon TV / RW 95.1 which is situated at San Fernando, Pampanga. I opted to work neither at ABS-CBN nor GMA because I got tired of living in Quezon City. It made me sick of driving along NLEX! And I really love to roll on my pink bed at home and eat tasty food prepped by my uncle. Glad that Jenny, a classmate, was with me. Thus, my work was not that tough. I was lucky to have good superiors like DJ Alex, DJ Kian, DJ Tyra, and Sir Perry.

~I had no date on Valentine's day but Daryl made it out of the ordinary. He left tulips, a cake, and balloons at our terrace.

~Spent quality time with my Super Friends. We went to different restos, bars, and malls.

~Research Forum. Marianne and her thesis-mates represented CELAS and eventually competed with CEU Mendiola and Makati campuses. We fully supported and cheered for them.

~On the 26th of February, a frolic night was spent with Kuya Pao, Kuya Jesson, Keith, and Maine. Kuya Pao and Maine were the emcees of an 18th birthday celebration. After the party, they accompanied me home.

~Celebrated Raiza's birthday at Kabisera.

~Uncle Ross flew back to the Philippines from USA for a short vacay.

March

~A supercalifragilisticexpealodocious out-of-town summer escapade with my friends at Poracay.

~My cousin Ate Marissa and Kuya CJ's wedding day.

~Our friend from CEU-Makati, Ate Jane, regaled us on his birthday at Hap Chan.

~Practicum Graduation. I spilled a lot of tears. Find out why "A Hell of a Lot of Tears".

~Baccalaureate Mass and Sampaguita Interlude, tradition of CEU.

~Pabasa. I got the opportunity to catch up with my childhood friends.

April

~My family arrived in the Philippines from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

~Graduation day plus after-party. At last, my family met the good people from my Alma Mater.

~A goodbye hug to/from mistletoe guy

~Daryl's graduation day.

~Seifeldheen's birthday.

~My 2 nephews had their first sight on and step at the movie house. We watched The Avengers.

~Kuya Michael's despidida party.

~A close encounter with wild animals at Zoobic Safari.
~Silvestre family invaded Tagaytay.

~The weather was too hot that we found ourselves taking a dip at Jed's.
~My family met my pokie bestfriend Marianne.

May

~Ate Yayah (big sister) and Ate Marie's (cousin) birthdays.

~Tita Carol came back all the way from USA. She and my mom hugged each other again after 4 years.
~Silvestre clan spent summer at Poracay.
~Daryl gave mama a bouquet and a cake on mother's day.

~Surprised Daryl for our 5th anniversary.

~Last date with my super friends for the year 2012. We wandered at the city of Angeles and decided to chow down at Kabisera so we could be with the busy-bee Ariane.
~Masel's was welcomed to the Christian world.
~My parents' big treat at Jollibee

~I needed to leave for Riyadh, Saudi Arabia and to hunt a job. I kissed him goodbye.

~I was able to be with a childhood friend, Kuya Junior, in the kingdom.

June

~Got my first full-time job. I was hired by International Group for Educational Consultancy as an admission officer.

~I became part of ABS-CBN TFC's Kabayan Tambayan. I am one of the segment hosts. Fortunate I am to meet wonderful people. Sir Roland, Kuya JP, Brian, and Kuya Timothy were the first people I worked and became friends with.

~My nephews, Seifeldheen and Saifrinzhe, hit their first day of school. We were so excited that we spent several moolah for their school sstuffies. Also, I had fun watching cute little kids having cried on their first day, Seifeldheen was one of them. So adorable!

~Received my first pay, then wined and dined at Peking restaurant.

July

~I met the most insolent person in my life. I believe she is a crone.

~I experienced a tough challenge in my salaried living. As a novice in an admission work, making mistake is unavoidable. I made a handful of mistakes in dealing with files/cases. There was this certain person who heightened everything at its worst and made federal case out of it, instead of disentangling it.

~My first time to weep inside our office, in front of my officemates. Embarrassing it was, I know! Lol!

~Sir Sam, who was our choreographer during Miss & Mr. CEU 2012, died. A former co-candidate told me the news that it shocked me big time.

~I had our first most tiring shooting. 2 different distant locations in one day.

~Mom's birthday.

August

~Celebrated my birthday at Buffalo's. T'was my treat! Someone created a website for me. I felt grateful because I knew how laborious it is to program such thing with all those complicated java/CSS/HTML codes and stuff.

 ~Made a little birthday celebration at our office.
~Ramadan. We went resto-hopping!
~My 2 nephews had their first dance as they handed the roses to the debutante who celebrated her 7th birthday.

September

~Saifrinzhe celebrated his birthday in school with Birdie of McDonald's on the 1st day of the month so did Irah on the 10th day.

~Papa's simple birthday hooley at home.

~I ended the romance.

~Ate Joan, a very kind-hearted colleague, left IGEC.

~ABS-CBN TFC's Balitang Middle East Riyadh correspondent shot their OBB.

~My first funshoot with Kuya Timothy and Brian.

~Jae Ann's 18th birthday party. I finally saw my RIS family.

~BME correspondents and KT hosts' Ramadan escapade at an esteraha.

~Winkie guy caught my attention.

~I was broken that time but my TFC family unconsciously cheered me up due to many events and hangouts that took place.

~TFC Riyadh correspondents and hosts' own version of Gangnam Style music video shooting. Click the link to see the flick "GANGNAM STYLE - ABS CBN TFC BME & KT Central Region"

~After 3 years, it was nice to hang out with Fatima Sala again. We invaded Riyadh's Star City.
~Ramadan - half-day work

October

~Mom and Dad's 32nd anniversary celebration at an esteraha and T.G.I.Friday's restaurant.

~Kuya Timothy's despedida party. He needed to go back to our homeland due to his visa expiration.

~One woman stopped existing in my world. Hurrah!
~Hajj - No work for 5 days
~Ma'am Gulla, who was my Math teacher when I was in college, died.

November

~Winkie guy started to make me blush.

~I was Kuya JP's co-host during the FAPS Music Video Premier. A good stepping stone. 

~I became close to a monkey guy
~After 3 months, my ex-beau and I got a chance to  talk again.
~Watched PBA Legends game.
~My sister and his hubby bought a new car

December
~Hosted FAPS Star Quest with Brian.
~Dumped monkey guy
~No more winkie guy
~Went to farm
~Celebrated Christmas
~IGEC's year-end party. Our counselors danced the Gangnam Style. :D

Honestly, year 2012 is the most unforgettable year for me... so far. I used to be the kind of person who would be thankful for the past and would excitedly ponder what the future holds. Well, I am still thankful... even more thankful actually. But, now that it is 2013, I feel like I left a baggage in the past. I have this feeling that I have a few unfinished business in 2012 that they keep pulling me back. The only reason I could think of is that I miss being a student in the Philippines and not in readiness for a new responsibility. I don't know. Weird it is! But don't get me wrong! I am very grateful for what 2012 has brought into my life... For all the opportunities and new wonderful people! I guess, I made more friends this year than the previous ones (and I want to meet more, the good ones of course). And what makes me much happier is that I see the same faces (which I began to see since I was kid) this new year. I would like to thank the following:

• my parents, 2 sisters, 2 nephews,
• relatives
• Super Friends
• TFC (Kabayan Tambayan & Balitang Middle East)
• Esponilla Family, Alamada Family
• CELAS
• Mr. & Ms. CEU 2012 family
• CEU (Malolos, Makati, Manila)
• FAPS
• CLTV / RW 95.1
• IGEC-mates
• Bornalians
• Facebook Friends / Online Buddies
• other friends and foes

And of course, my creator, Almighty Allah!

2012 just waved goodbye. Here is the next phase of my life and I think I shall call it "MY YEAR". Teehee!

_____________________

See my other retrospectives:

2009 - "God made my 2009 a blissful year!!!"
2010 - "A Retrospective of 2010"
2011 - ""Let's Revert to the Year 2011!"

Who's that girl? Definitely not Maria Clara.

"Who's That Girl? Christmas Episode", akala ko hindi ito papansinin ng mga media personnel dahil feeling ko iniisip nila na normal na lamang ang ganitong klase ng panoorin sa panahon ngayon, Nagulat nalang ako nung mapanood ko ang issue ng video na ito sa TV Patrol.

Napanood ko ang nasabing video dahil naging viral sa Facebook. Libo-libong likes at comments ba naman. Noong una, akala ko maghahanap lang sila ng girl tapos konting interview. Hindi ko akalain na ganoon pala ang konsepto. Sa totoo lang, hindi ko tinapos yung video. Hanggang dun lang ako sa babaeng nagngangalang "Yuka". Hindi ko na pinagpatuloy panonood ko dahil nakaramdam na ako ng inis. Sabi ko sa sarili ko, "Ganito na ba talaga mga babae? Kung kani-kanino nalang magpapahawak at magpapahalik? Kahit unang pagkikita palang?". Napanood ko sa balita na kinu-question ang host at director. Agree naman ako sa sagot nila na "Hindi namin pinilit ang mga babae." Parang hindi ko maituturing exploitation of women ito dahil nga naman pumayag ang mga babae. Nakakalungkot lang isipin na pumayag silang magpahawak at makuhanan ng camera. Ano bang nasa isip nila at napa-oo sila?

Alam ko iba na generation ngayon. Liberated na tayong mga kalalakihan at kababaihan. Pero dapat may limitasyon. Hindi ako naghuhugas kamay. Hindi ko rin naman maihahalintulad sarili ko kay Maria Clara. Pero may respeto ako sa sarili ko dahil gusto kong resputuhin din ako ng mga tao sa paligid ko. Minsan napapaisip ako, maituturing pa bang "edge" ngayon ang pagiging simple ng isang babae o kaya naman ang walang pagkahilig sa bisyo? Boring ba pag ganoon? Sa napapansin ko kasi mas nagugustuhan ng mga lalake yung mga babae sa bar o babaeng puro cleavage ang makikita sa Facebook wall. Ika nga ng mga barako "cool" or "hot". Sa mga ka-henerasyon ko, may mga lalake pa kayang hanap nila "simpleng babae"? May mga lalake pa kayang nakaka-appreciate sa mga babaeng walang bisyo? Palagay ko naman meron pa kahit papaano. Personally, may kilala akong isa. Kelanman hindi siya napapa-second look sa mga babaeng kita hubog ng katawan. Kelanman hindi ko siya nakitaang naglike ng picture ng babaeng naka-lingerie sa Facebook. Hindi sya jejemon, bading, o autistic. Sadyang nirerespeto niya lang yung mga babae. Masyado niya kasing mahal nanay, ate, at nobya niya, kaya to the highest level ang respect. Napapaisip lang ako kung may nabubuhay pang kagaya nya sa henerasyon natin? Sana oo... Sana meron... Kase sobrang mahalaga sa mga kababaihan yon.

It should be a two-way street. Dapat hindi nalang bumuo ng ganito konsepto ang mga lalakeng yun at sana hindi nalang din pumayag ang mga babae. Hindi lang naman sa ganitong pagkakataoon. Sana palagi sa kahit ano pa yan. Why not just spread love, di ba? Lol!