Employment Arena

Who would think that I could actually be an employed person only after a week of job hunting? Bragging, you say? Na-uh! This is the reason my parents brought me here right after I finished college.

My parents are aware of how scanty job offers are in the Philippines and how many millions of students graduate every year. It would take a month or more before you receive job interviews. They did not need to inject this slight note of reality into me because I myself know that getting a job there is like getting a blood out of stone.

You may say I ain't competitive enough for I chose to walk on an easy path, instead of vying for a job position with millions of fresh graduates. But I say... Not! Saudi Arabia is a rich country that gives livelihood to several Filipinos. It is easy to find your business here but not easy to work with other races whose personalities are unfamiliar. In fact, working abroad means lucking through. You are going out of your comfort zone which is the Philippines. No one knows if you would succeed or not. One more reason for working here is practicality. Why choose to be open-mouthed as you wait for calls from companies if there is an open door waiting for you? And of course, I want to help my parents in our expenses as early as possible. That is a meaningful reason that pushed me to seek job here. So voila! I am now an overseas Filipino worker in the kingdom.

When I received my first salary, my heart beat (past tense) fast that I was shaking as the man handed me the moolah. The feeling of receiving salary you work hard for is way different to receiving a TF. You know how much sweat and blood you sacrifice just to gain it. Wanna know how I spent my first salary?

When a typical childless unmarried person receives his salary, he sure buys the latest gadget. Well, I am not typical. I only bought an Ab King Pro (hoping I can get a flat abdomen. lol!) and did a so-so shopping spree. Moreover, I brought my whole fam bam to a restaurant. Then the rest of my money went to my little sister's bank account. It is alright to put some money for indulgence. But I will never use most of it for dispensable stuff. I have many plans for my future and family's. Hence, I think twice before I execute a certain act.

Life is too short. I have 10 years to achieve all my dreams and goals before I settle down and start my own family. And I am sure, God is with me all throughout! :)

Prayer

Dear God,

I am taking every pin that pricks my heart wholeheartedly for I know this is Your way of giving me might. And in the end, I believe that You would give me the saviour who will bestow warmth in my frail heart.

Thank You, Oh God...

Cordially,
A.C.

Relinquish

She is not a party tigress and a drinker, neither a smoker nor a girl with tats.

She has no fiery bod that she could confidently flaunt on social media,

Not even an oozing cleavage to get a hundred of likes from boys.

Often does she act like a smart lass, that is why she could be a pain in the ass.

You may have feelings for her, but definitely not the kind of girl you would be proud of.

Simply because she is not cool, fun, and hot, unlike girls you give thumbs up to.

But I tell you what, this girl you don't cherish will soon relinquish...
Maybe not the love... But YOU...

***

I don't care.

I have no hair bangs and no eyeliner on the inner rims.

I ain't gorgeous? I don't care.

I just let my hair fall down freely and let my eyes twinkle without any ornaments.

I don't wear 2-piece and post sexy photos on Facebook.

I ain't hot? I don't care.

I just want to be well-regarded.

I don't booze.

I ain't fun? I don't care.

I just don't want to get sick someday and regret it all my life.

I don't tattoo myself with indelible ink.

I ain't cool? I don't care.

I just express myself through writings.

I am not a musical instrument player.

I ain't bodacious? I don't care.

I just listen to music and give it admiration.

I don't curse and I seldom mouth street words.

I ain't mega? I don't care.

I just try to get rid of words that could possibly outrage friends.

I am not pretty and admirable in your eyes.

You ain't gratified? I don't care.

I just show who I really am and you don't matter at all.

Realization

Sometimes things you like are not the ones that could give you happiness. Do you believe in this? Have you ever realized it? Among all things you see, there is always one that could catch your attention. You start liking it and eventually have it in you. But at the end of the day, you perceive the right thing to choose, that you are unhappy with it and wish you did not overlook the beauty of the rest.

The Silvestre Family

Our ancestors neither did bequeath us million pesos nor thousand hectares of land. Our family is one of the ordinary families residing in the island. We do not possess tons of luxuries. But I am sure we have all the necessity; food, clothes, house, and of course our love for each other.

I am one of the babies of Silvestre family and I could say how close and strong the tie is. I don't mean to brag here, but I mean to tell the world how happy and fortunate I am to be part of this clan.

We celebrate all occasions and events together, but not all are celebrated grandly because of practical reason. Sometimes 3 dishes would do, even one big casserole of pancit and a jar of water on the table could give satisfaction to the members. Honestly, it is not the food that gives satisfaction but togetherness is. When we see each other eating and enjoying, our tummies automatically get full. Happiness that grows in our hearts is certainly much heavier than food that enters the tummy. Not to mention, we always pray before we attack the dinning table. :)))

When one of the members is in need of something, we help him. Relatives who are not as fortunate as the other members, their education are supported by the more fortunate ones. And of course, no one would let a member be in a fight alone. Anyone who touches us, he gotta call assistance or better yet never go outside his house, because this huge family could give him his worst nightmare in just a single snap. Haha! Kiddin'! :-P

I am very thankful that God brought these amazing people into my life. I will forever carry this "Silvestre" name with my head up in the clouds. :-)

Diploma Dedicated to Detractors

In a literal sense, college diploma is just a piece of sheet that could be rifted or become a blank slate again when you spill water on it. A sheet it is but definitely hard to gain and changes a person's life and being.

Primarily, a college diploma we worked for several years is dedicated to the dear parents and siblings. I personally offer mine to my wonderful family who has been with me since I came out of the womb. However, there are other people whom I like to dedicate this piece of sheet to as well. These are people who are my depraved critics. People who have disparaged me and never believed in me.

I want to share a short story. There was a girl who took up her secondary schooling from one of the Philippine international schools in Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. It is a Muslim country, thus people are expected to be clothed in conservative clothes and be demure. (Ladies inside an institution are allowed to take off their abayas.) This girl loved to wear girly stuff and tight clothing, like body-fit t-shirt but never did they see her wearing plunging neckline dress nor shorts/miniskirts inside the campus. She was a loud person and barely embraced modesty, but never did they hear her cursing and arguing with someone. I was this noisy girl who wore tight shirt and jeans and invaded the kingdom. Being like this, I received various unfavourable comments from various stone-hearted haters, whether it be young or old one. Looks deceive people but it never gives them prerogative to criticize. Two of the hurting comments I heard were "Her parents might not raise her well" and "She will never finish her studies for she will get married and get pregnant soon". It was hurting because they belittled my individuality but funny at the same time. How could they tell this crap? They had the nerve to criticize me when I was an honor student and didn't even involve myself in drugs, premarital sex, and alcohol. These people dress up conservatively but think of their fellows nastily.

High School days: My typical getup during wash day.

The high school uniform.

I would like to humbly share with these haters that I was a good student and just graduated without baby beside or inside me. I'm ready to clobber their faces with my diploma. HAHA! Kidding! :-P But seriously,  the diploma and all certificates I got from school and other activities could be an awesome slap in their faces.

***