Dispirited

(This is a page/place where I muse with honesty. Open-minded people (especially those who love to read) would give advices. Bigoted people would surely hate.)

"I am never rich, but I am one of the cream of the crop", I must say the best words that could describe the OLD ME. Never did I hope to be the best among the rest; I just wanted to be one of the best. Never did I impress people; I just showed them what I got when needed.

Back in high school, I was very determined to do well in everything I do. But neither surpassing others' achievements nor overshadowing fellows was my intention. I only wanted to excel. However, I unconsciously set and perpetuated my standards a tad higher. I was a consistent honor student and student leader. I performed in every school program. I was the school muse for every interschool competition. Funny to say, I had the same measures for other inessential things; such as the idea of a cheerleader is for a varsity jock SLASH captain ball; or it could be having a boyfriend who is a campus crush because he is a band member; very likely we would be the prom king and queen of the night. This went on up to the time of college.

Now, why do I say this? Bragging is not in my mind. I am trying to discover a resolution for the depression and frustration I've been carrying for almost a year. A year after graduation, I made decisions with bad timing and I also committed mistakes. And so, life has been painfully challenging me. I am jobless, I have not achieved my goals yet, my dreams have not come true, and I lost 2 beautiful relationships. All of this made me feel so down. Imagine this. I was an honor student and now, I am unemployed. I was adored by people and now, some disapprove of me because of my past relationship and the way I dress. That hurts though. I was treated like a queen by suitors and now, I feel like I am not good enough for anyone. I used to represent school or even a municipality/city and now, I feel useless like no one needs me. My self-esteem is gone. I feel lost that sometimes I do not enjoy life. Setting standards does not exist as I am feeling low. These thoughts and emotions are dragging me right into the chasm of self-pity where one negative thing will draw many more other negative things to it.

I fully understand that a man cannot have the lime light forever. Life has its ups and downs. One cannot be on top every single day. Remember I never wanted a spotlight; I just wanted to do well in everything I do. Where is that determination I used to have? I can no longer see it.

I avow, it's my fault. Hence, I need to pick myself up. I have to redeem myself. I hope and pray that one day, I will be able to tilt my head up again.

Hug from Behind

 

When was the last time you hugged me from behind? Was it a day before our anniversary? Oh yes! It was in Minato, Tokyo. I remember you were wearing this long-sleeved polo, buttoned all the way up. You looked so good, which is not unusual. You always do. And I was draped with an orange dress. I wonder if you liked it. Thousands of red lights sparkled. The cool breeze of air created warmth in us. People's chatting voice from afar just suddenly turned into chirping birds in the hedges. This beautiful surrounding begot a romantic mood. That perhaps, it pushed you to come from my behind. You wrapped your hands and arms around my waist as you rested your head against mine. Was it the first time you did it to me? I believe so. And I think, it's the last.

 

That hug from behind made me feel so special and important. It was the moment that I had a feeling that you need me. I do not know how and/or what you need from me. Maybe, you need me because I am part of your dream. I am in it??? It could be the relief I give you when you are stressed. Or maybe you need me to have someone you can chitchat with each time you are bored in the office. I have no idea. I am not even sure if you really do need the useless and hopeless me. I just want to say that your hug is not just a hug for me. It means more. It is not a typical touch. It speaks from the heart, where I just want to get stuck on and into.

Polaris Prophecy

 

Polaris Prophecy

 by: Joseph Adefuin

 

Scenario: Year 2028. Is it 2 decades ago? It must be.... Date: May 1, 2028. I glance at the calendar. May 15 has a red circle. A red-letter day. Gosh! where's the note I got? Next week is our first class reunion. Excitedly, I get hold of the invitation card "Reunion of RIS: X- Polaris Batch 2007-2008, Ballroom of the Grand Plaza Hotel, 8:00 pm" Oh my! I still have nothing to wear! I turned on the television to watch TFC. Having been away for 10 years, they should not know that I'm not updated with the latest trends in Manila....Whew! I must hurry up. TV Patrol World Headlines, the ASEAN SUMMIT in China, watching the news, my eyes caught H.E Norman Daryl Esponilla, President of the Philippines and DFA Secretary Faisal Pilingan Jr with other Presidents and Prime Ministers of other countries involved. Great! They really hitched their wagons to the stars. And to my surprise the journalist who made the report was none other than Annizah Camid, she really dreamt of being a journalist and a newscaster..good for her...I clicked on the remote to change the channel, MTV Asia... "Uhm...like hello guys! I am so excited with my upcoming comeback concert in the Philippines, Please be with me at the Araneta Coloseum on May 10, tickets are available in any SM Mall...Luvz ya al!" Hey isnt that Joseph Tabor? He is now a well known international singer, so he decided to make a come back to the Philippines after a luxurious life in Holywood? I turned the tv off and decided to read the Manila Philippine Star newspaper...My jaw almost dropped open when I saw the picture of the scientist who discovered the 12th planet, it's none other than Vincent John Bito-on, this quiet, eccentric guy during our Senior days has always dreamt of being a Mad Scientist, but it's good he chose to be a GOOD scientist. I turned the page to the sports column, "PBA All Stars...the Clash of the Titans", that's what the title says. I looked at the pictures of the players who are included in this basketball play off...I saw 3 very familiar faces who happen to be Ryan Arizo, Anthony Mark Dela Pena and Jello Joe Santos..Nice..professional basketball players..huh! and well known to be exact.

Going back to the Editorial page, got a glimpse of a column, "The View" by Precious Jo Abustan. I thought she continued with nursing? Oh well! this serene, nice girl during the good old days has always been low profile and loved writing. Who would have thought that she has her own column? Glancing at the society page, there's the lovely pictures of Kulsoom Mundoc, Ellen Charmane Cala, Alyanna Marie Tabor, Precious Ann Blanco, Jesika Lesli Leoveras and Mary Josephine Porlas as members of the Philippine Modern Dance Crew to represent the country in the Cannes Festival in France...(So, the Stewardess did fly their way to success!) They are to leave next month. Surely we'll be seeing each other for a long chat. Mind you, the Stewardess is to be billeted at the Manila-Vezcon Hotel and Resort owned by Mr. Alexis Maurice Peter Galvez...business do run in his blood...hehehe! It still puzzled me, I hope they all realized their dreams to be nurses..but I guess this is their forte...I just wish them luck..
Well, well....leafing through pages, I happen to take a look at the miscellaneous page. There I catch the news about a medical association having a fund drive for the urban slum dwellers in Manila.
The names Dr. Arthel Joshua La Valle, leading Cardiologist, Dr. Khen Aromin, visiting Dietician, Ms. Sharifa Rawda Yasin, head nurse of Manila Doctors Hospital, Juhainah Solaiman, head nurse of St. Luke's Medical Center, Ellen Marie Cuenca, head nurse Makati Medical Center and Ms. Anjanette Salubayba, a representative from the Red Cross lead the list of sponsors. Gee, what a great concern for the less-fortunate ones.
Wow! this news paper gave me all the information I need...looking at the Business and Leisure column, I was amazed to see Businessman/Socialite Robhel Ian Ambida, opening his Mole of Asia Boutique, the biggest Boutique to be opened in New Manila, reading this article I found out that Dante Pedro, an Architect designed the structure of the boutique. Hmmm...this confirm my other inquiries.

I looked at the time, it's 9 am...it's still early..I turned on my computer and went online...still reading the news about the Philippines on Yehey Online...oh...by the way this website is designed and created by Hawie Pingue, now a graphics designer together with Jericho Sta. Maria, a web developer. I was browsing the website for information regarding the new GPS system, the latest break through in communication...my eyes popped open when I read the names Riyah Mae Dellosa and Kevin Joshua Cala, E.C.E Specialists..so they're the ones who created the GPS system? Why didn't I know that?
That night, I packed my belongings and went to the airport. I was so excited, this is our first class reunion ..and after 10 years I'm going back to the Philippines. Time for take off! "Ladies and Gentlemen, please fasten your seat belts and turn off any electronic device. In just a few minutes we will be taking off...Our pilot Jofae Adefuin together with the cabin crew would flying with you for the next 12 hours, thank you for choosing Cathay Pacific.." the flight attentant announced. Since, the plane's going to take off the stewards and stewardess positioned themselves in the aisle for the flight safety demonstration. Hey wait...isn't that Genelyn Kaiklian? Yes...she is...it was nice seeing her fulfilling her dream to be a stewardess... "Ladies and Gentlemen, we are now approaching Ninoy Aquino International Airport...please keep your seat belts fasten and remain in your seats until the plane lands, thank you". The plane landed safely in the NAIA. It was such a long trip but it was worth it..Philippines I'm back...I sat for a few more minutes waiting for all the passengers to go out of the plane..I don't want to bump in the crowd..I don't want any hastle so just let them go out first...Ok..It's my time to go...on my way out..I almost faint when I found out that JR Urrutia, was one of the Cabin Crew...he was the Co-Pilot..can you imagine that?
So I'm here in Manila, staying at the Coconut Palace Hotel...a little bit tired...and have nothig to do..so i went online and checked my mails, Oh! an invitation sent by Engineer Jason Santiago through e-mail, he organized this reunion together with Raisa Baquisal owner of the Grand Plaza Hotel, Wow! this is big time. "Paging all RIS Seniors, hope you'll all attend the 1st grand reunion of Class 2007-2008..."

I could hardly wait for that day to come, I knew they hadn't heard from me for quite so long. Want a bet? I really missed them so much....remembering all the smiling faces, laughter, tears and frowns we had...reminiscing all the memories of RIS Polaris Class of 2007-2008...I realized how busy I was with my work..and what could that be? I am Josef Van Roel Adefuin, C.E.O and owner of EojZtudios Photography and Modelling Agency based in Los Angeles...
Atlast, it's our reunion night...I was entering the ballroom of the Grand Plaza Hotel..excited and nervous at the same time...I can see them one by one...I moved closer...

then...

"KRINGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGG!!!!!
My alarm went on...huh? Hey wait! where am I? I looked at the calendar...Friday March 28, 2008...I am back in the year 2008! 20 years earlier...and it's our High School Graduation day! Does this mean that it was all a dream? It felt so real though. Whew! I wish it wasn't...but anyway...i better get up and be ready..in a few hours..we will be singing Connected and 36 Days...hahahaha! I just wish that it won't be just a dream..20 years from now....are we still like these? 5...10...15..20 forever and ever POLARIS BABIES!!!! well, lets just wait for our dreams to come true........
GOOD LUCK GUYS!!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Extreme Fun at Sandbox

I was randomly surfing the internet, when I found a post about Alviera's Sandbox. I think it was from a blog. It caught my attention as I was also looking for an adventurous place to go with Patrick.  I found it cool as I discovered that it has a roller coaster zipline. Never heard. Never seen. It was actually my first time to learn about it. Wanting to know more, I browsed a lot more. I felt lucky to know that this Ayala's property is located in Porac, Pampanga. As you know, I reside in this province. They officially opened last April 12, 2014.

Immediately, I grabbed my phone and gave Patrick a ring. I was relaying about Sandbox with so much energy, like I wanted to drag him to the place at the moment.

Being spoiled by this guy, he took me to this amazing place on April 25, 2014. It is just skip and a jump away. You can take NLEX, then proceed to SCTEX.  It is just off the Porac exit. You would see the broad open area with many flags waving.

They offer different outdoor activities, and packages as well. We chose Package A.

Photo from Alviera Sandbox website

I have acrophobia (fear of heights), thus, most of the activities gave me a fright. I survived all, except one; wall climbing. Yes, it is an easy task, but it requires too much forceful physical exertion. Plus, the rubber shoes I borrowed from my little sister was very, very bulky, giving me a tough time to step on stones. I was halfway up the wall, when I gave up. Hihi!

Roller coaster zipline was my favorite. Aerial walk was the most challenging one, but I reached the finish line! Nailed it!

We were not able to experience its mini golf, as we were in a hurry.

Crew here are very kind and accommodating. They would even volunteer to be your official photographers. Haha! Also, there is a cafeteria in there where you can munch and rest. Their burgers and shakes are yum!

I would not overcome this extreme adventure without Patrick's help. Ain't even fun without him.

P.S.

A lot of our pals asked about Alviera's Sanbox location and how to get there after having posted our pictures. Yay! :)