A few weeks ago, our company acquired Digitel’s services to install us DSL connection as part of our “Follow The Sun” model we are following to support fabs globally.

Digitel, after some misunderstandings in the installation date, installed the phone and DSL at our home without me (at the house) since I was at the office. Buti na lang may tao sa bahay. Anyway, they weren’t able to test the DSL connection as there is no power during that time.

After a few days or so, I am still waiting for digitel to go back to our house and set up the DSL. “It is taking them long to install”, I said to myself. So I went ahead and had set it up by myself. Besides, I have a little background in doing so since I worked for PLDT as an intern installing the same services.

However, after so many tinkering, I came to a point where I can no longer do it as it requires some digitel passwords and settings of some sort to setup my DSL. So I called digitel’s 24/7 hotline – 1200. And, oh, trust me did I waste my time. Here’s our discussion with the agent:

CC Agent: “Hello, how may I help you?”
Me: “Hmm…gusto ko sana i-report about my DSL connection? Kaiinstall lang kasi itong phone at sinusubukan ko ang Internet pero wala eh.”

The agent asked me basic information such as my name, family name, and the device number which luckily written at the phone’s box. So, the agent continued to ask me more questions:

CC Agent: “Sir, marunong po ba kayong mag-computer?”
Me: “Ha??!”
CC Agent: “Ahh…alam niyo po your way around sa computer?”
Me: “O…oo?”

(Ahh baka di niya alam na hindi ako nag-cocomputer at first time ko gumamit nun! Timpi.)

CC Agent: “Ah sir, nakailaw po ba yung sa may DSL router niyo?”
Me: “Oo.”
CC Agent: “Eh ilan po naka-ilaw?”
Me: “Tatlo.”
CC Agent: “Ah tatlo. Naka-ilaw po lahat maliban sa Internet?”
Me: “Oo.”

(Sa puntong ito medyo naiirita na ako pero sige kalma pa rin.)

CC Agent: “Ah sir, paki-click yung ‘Start’”
Me: “Ok”
CC Agent: “Tapos Control Panel”

(At this point alam ko na kung san niya ako papupuntahin at nagawa ko na ‘yun pero dahil sa pakikipag-kapwa tao sige tuloy pa rin.)

Me: “O…”
CC Agent: “Tapos right click niyo connection”
Me: “O..”
CC Agent: “Disable”
Me: “O, tapos?”
CC Agent: “Enable po.”
Me: “O..”
CC Agent: “Try po ninyo ulit kung may internet na.”

(Dahil masunurin ako kahit alam ko ng wala talaga chineck ko pa rin dahil baka may himala pero)

Me: “Wala pa rin eh.”
CC Agent: “Ah, ok, sir. Click niyo po ulit start.”
Me: “O tapos?”
CC Agent: “Tapos Run”
Me: “O..”
CC Agent: “Then type niyo cmd.”
Me: “Ok.”
CC Agent: “Tapos type niyo ‘ping‘”
Me: “O..”
CC Agent: “Tapos space.”
Me: “O..”
CC Agent: “Tapos type niyo 192..”

(Pagkasabi niya 192 alam ko na ano gusto niya ipagawa. Pero walang kadala-dala sige tuloy pa rin.)

Me: “O..”
CC Agent: “Dot”
Me: “Tapos?”
CC Agent: “..168..”

(At this point, di na ako nakapag-pigil. Masyado ng matagal kaya…)

Me: “Actually, nagawa ko na yang sasabihin mo. Nakakapasok ako sa router mismo pero wala pa ring interent.”
CC Agent (Nagulat): “Ah ganun ba?”
CC Agent: “Sige irerefer ko nlng po kayo sa technical agent namin!”

(Ngek! Akala ko siya na yung tech agent! Naiirita na talaga ako.)

CC Agent: “Kunin ko na lang po iba pang information niyo.”
CC Agent: “Ano pong address niyo?”

(Sinabi ko naman ang address ng bahay namin.)

CC Agent: “Ah, —-. San po malapit sa inyo?”
Me: “Sa tapat lang ng —–.”

(Silence with typing sa background)

CC Agent: “May email po ba kayo sir?”
Me: “Oo.”
CC Agent: “Ano po yun?”

(Binigay ko email address ko)

CC Agent: “Eh phone, meron po ba?”
Me: “O..oo? Heto nga gamit ko, kausap ka.”
CC Agent: “A..a..oo nga pala. Eh ano number pala sir?”

(Sinabi ko number ko habang pinipigilang tumawa)

CC Agent: “Eh celphone mumber sir?”

(Sinabi ko rin number ko)

CC Agent: “Is there anything else that I can help you with sir?”
Me: “Ha? So paano ba yung kalakaran nito? Tatawag kayo? Mag-e-email?”
CC Agent: “Ah sir tatawagan na lang po namin kayo o mag eemail after icheck ng technical namin kung ano problema. Checheck nila dito tapos baka po pupunta sila dyan sa inyo.”

(Sa puntong ito suko na ako kaya hindi na ako nagtanong pa o kaya dinagdagan ang mga sinabi ko)

Me: “Ah, ok sige.”
CC Agent: “Is there anything else?”
Me: “Wala na.”
CC Agent: “Sige, sir.”

(Binaba ko na agad ang telepono.)

Hhhaaaaayyyyy!!

Photo by fusionbposervice.blogetery.com

Competition is everywhere. Whether in sports, entertainment, or work, laging may kasamang competition. Hindi siguro natin maiiwasan ang magkaroon ng ganyan. Lalo na kung ang isa ay hayok sa ganyang scenario. Where that individual acts that there’s no tomorrow and everything he [or she] does must be on his [or her] advantage. Dahil siguro parang mamatay na siya kung lilipas ang isang araw na hindi niya maramdaman sa sarili niya na nangunguna siya sa lahat ng bagay.

Is competition good or bad? Well, I say both. That’s the two edge of the blade.

The first edge brings fruitful results. This brings to what you can call a win-win situation. Where each individual gains. Where each party felt good in the end. Neither felt down nor felt minuscule on their abilities or skills. This should be the ideal edge an individual should aim. Unless that individual is too damn proud and despicably self-centered and opted the other side of the blade.

The other edge breeds crap, individualism, egoistic kind of individual. A kind of individual where everyone should listen to what he [or she] says. Where everything that comes out from him [or her] is gold. Where he [or she] feels the need to get to the top in any way possible – even it means to put someone else down to being a piece of crap.

Wala naman talaga masama makipag-compete eh. Just make sure na isinasaalang-alang mo din ang tingin o nararamdaman ng iba. Na alam mong hindi sa lahat ng panahon tama ka. Na hindi lahat ng ginagawa mo ay ang nararapat gawin. Na hindi lang ikaw ang tao sa mundo. Na hindi ka Presidente na lahat ng sasabihin mo ay tama at naayon na dapat sundin ng nakararami. Na may ibang tao din na may opinion. Na hindi sa lahat ng larangan magaling ka. Na hindi lahat ng ideya ay nadiskubre mo at lahat ng ginawa o ginagawa mo ay galing sa sarili mong kukote.

Each and everyone is different. Yes, I know. But does that mean that we have to compete with each and everyone just to have a place in this freakin’ society? Do we need to let everyone know na saksakan ka ng galing? Na sukdulan ka ng kaalaman? Is it hard for you not to compete? Is it hard to accept that there are some things that you don’t know and you need others to help you? Is it impossible to accept that someone else’s idea is much better that what you have taught? Is it that hard to give or share ideas [or what you know] to someone else and don’t think of your advantage for a while?

I am not saying I am exempted to everything I am saying here. I am very open din naman kung sasabihin mo sa akin kung isa sa mga iyan ay ginawa o ginagawa ko o kaya naman hindi ko nagagawa. That I am willing to look back my actions and correct it if necessary. Wala naman kasi akong pakialam sa pakikipagpataasan eh. The important thing is, I am doing what I am suppose to do and be good at it with or without the approval of someone else. I am willing and not afraid to share what I know and be blunt to tell you what I don’t know.

Why don’t we get along and just have the good edge of the blade? Why don’t we set aside how we look good in the eyes of someone else and rather concentrate how can we be excellent in what we do. Why don’t we compete in a way that we all benefit from it? Besides, we are in the same environment and want the same goal are we not?

There are two kinds of people: Those who do the work and those who take the credit. Try to be in the first group because there is less competition there. -Indira Gandhi

Since I was little, every birthday namin, my Father sees to it na may handa kami. Kahit konti basta may handa. Konting pansit, tinapay, isang litrong coke, cake, at ice cream. Tama na iyan para sa akin. But as years passed by, sometimes it gets you. You will feel the “is-there-anything-different” feeling because you used to experience this in a long time. So, I guess something different would not hurt.

I am not saying kailangan engrande ang handaan. Kailangan magarbo. Kailangan madami ipapakain o papakainin. It’s just that, I want something new. Something different. Gusto ko naman bago. I don’t know what is it. Sus, kelangan ko pa bang isipin ‘to? Ako na nga nagbi-birthday kelangan ko pang mag-isip? Hindi ba dapat relax lang? Hehe.

Since child, I haven’t received a single gift that I liked. Don’t get me wrong. I do get some gifts every birthday I had pero mabibilang lang sa daliri ang nagreregalo sa akin. How many? Two. First, my wife and second, my mother.

Again, I am not saying na dapat may regalo ako but it would be nice to have one. Naahh. I’m just kidding. Okay lang na wala. Hehe. Like Erwin once said, “That’s just a nice to have feature….”

On to the wishes. I just have simple wishes. First, I wish for good health for me and my family especially to my kids. Second, success to every endeavors I wish to achieve for me to be able to more provide for my family. Lalo na ngayon, nagsisilakihan na ang mga anak ko. My eldest will go to school soon and I have to prepare for that. And most of all, I pray for many blessings for my family.

To all who greeted me (including facebook, friendster, and other social sites, hehe), thank you for remembering my birthday!

Hmmm…next birthday, ano kaya gagawin ko?

Photo by Christopher Verdier

We can never hinder change. And most definitely we cannot prevent it. We live in this world where change is constant. Where change makes change.

Sometimes change suck. The only thing you can do is to accept,  move on and influence to make the outcome favor your way.

Without accepting the fact that everything changes, we cannot find perfect composure.  But unfortunately, although it is true, it is difficult for us to accept it.  Because we cannot accept the truth of transience, we suffer.  ~Shunryu Suzuki

Photo by David Reece

On a little side note of trivia, did you know that there is what we call the study of names? It is called “Onomastics” from the greek word “Onoma” which means name. According to behindthenames.com, onomastics is a field of study which touches on linguistics, history, anthropology, pyschology, sociology, philology and much more. Astig! May bago akong nalaman.

Anyway, your name tells who you are. Some say that your name can affect your attitude, your way of thinking, and even how you deal things in your life – whether positively or negatively. Yup, there is such a thing. I just don’t know if this is true. Lol!

Why am I discussing this anyway? Well, when I searched my name in Google, it showed many result! Having a name that is unique, I am surprised that now there so many that have the same name as I have. I still can remember about 3 or 5 years ago, when you search my name, there will only be 2 person that will show up. Me and this dude from the 80′s (I think) who died many years ago. Now, when you do a search, darn, there are too many who shares my name. There’s this musician, a dude from California, a thin dude, and there’s even a girl that has my name as well.

For the past few months, I am trying to have a battle of names in the Google search arena. When searching my name, I came on the top 10 result. I own the 5th, 6th, and 7th slot. Now, try to search my name. I now own the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th. Whooohoo! The musician dude still holds the top rank (Darn those bandurias!). The battle is on. Bwahaha!

So, what are the advantages having a unique name such as I have anyway? Well, here are some that I could think of:

1. You don’t have to worry anything when you get your NBI clearance. You won’t worry of running away because you can be mistaken of being a murderer.
2. You can easily get legal document.
3. Chicks dig unique names. (You can start conversation with your name. “Hey, do you know where I got my name from?”)
4. You can be popular or someone being a hero or something (because there’s no one else but you).
5. You can get free meals. (Naahh! I am just making this up but still I am hoping for someone to buy lunch for me because of my name.)

Well, I don’t mind having other people have the name that I have. I just wish there are some ways you can do to really own your name alone. No one else can use it. Hmm… can you patent your name? If there’s such a thing as this, I’m probably rich by now.

I remember someone I know told me, “Ha?! May anak ka na? Ang bilis ah!“. Or, “Ayos ah, mukhang nadale ka agad ah“. Or, “Hindi namin ineexpect, ikaw pala mauuna sa batch natin…“. Another said, “(I’ll be safe) I learned from you…”. The last seems there something implied with his statement but I didn’t care.

It is true, I am a young father. I am only 26 and I am already married and have 2 kids.

To be honest, my life changed when I got married. Who wouldn’t? But I chose to marry my wife. Heck, I asked God for her. You see, when Gie and I were still in the gf/bf stage, we got into this big fight that led to a break-up. What is the reason? Well, that’s probably for another story. Anyway, knowing myself to be someone who’ll give all when it comes to love, I went to church after the breakup and prayed. I was so broken hearted that I stood on my knees and asked that I don’t want someone else and that I want to be with her for the rest of my life.

God probably heard me and viola, she got pregnant and we got married. I know it was wrong to get her pregnant first before we got married and for the fact that it was a great mistake as far as our religion is concern but shit happens. We’re still humans but it was a choice I made and I will choose it again without a doubt.

It was said that what we did (we) will surely feel God’s anger. I guess we did felt that and it was a pain to ask His forgiveness. We experienced a lot of troubles which one might say that it is just normal to feel for a new couple to experience those troubles but it really felt it was different. So far, we feel everything is alright now. It feels lighter than before. So, I guess all was forgiven.

Saying all of these doesn’t mean I am now a saint and must be followed. I am still human. One who isn’t perfect. One who still makes mistakes. But here’s what I know. I can be a great father and I can learn from my mistakes.

I have been married for three (3) years now. And so far, everything is fine. Of course we are having some problems at times but who doesn’t? As far as I am concerned, I am happy being a father. It is hard to be a dad however seeing my children grow and being greeted by them every after work is a treasure. Enough to make me strong everyday and continue to reach my goals as well as my family’s future in life.

Now you know where I’m coming from.

“Be Who You Are and Say What You Feel Because Those Who Mind Don’t Matter and Those Who Matter Don’t Mind.” – Dr. Seuss

There are a lot of things that you should consider. Their attitude, their opinion, their perception towards things and of course their “skin”.

Yes, skin. Balat. I think there are different kinds of skin and sometimes it does come in different forms. May magaspang o kaya naman may punong puno ng puzzle. Kung minsan may makinis. Na sa sobrang kinis kahit lamok madudulas. Pero meron din namang makapal. ‘Yun bang sa ubod ng kapal kahit sandamukal na karayom hindi bumabaon (baka nga kahit pako ayaw pa rin eh). Na kahit na anong sabihin mo walang epekto. Kahit siguro sunugin mo hindi niya mararamdaman.

On the other instance, there are those who sometimes we call, “onion-skin”. ‘Yun bang tipong sa sobrang ‘nipis ng balat eh kahit anong sabihin mo ang alam niya siya iyon kahit na alam mong hindi siya ‘yung tinutukoy mo. O kaya naman wala ka talagang intensyon na masaktan siya. Parang masyado lang siyang sensitive. (Tingnan mo si Ruffa. Nagwalk-out. Haha!)

Sa tingin mo, anong skin meron ka?

Photo by Urijamjari

I’ve never been this silent before. Except during the days where I feel so sleepy even a gallon of coffee couldn’t help keep my eyes open.

I don’t know. Maybe I just wanted to change and give being silent a try. Besides, baka kapag nag-ingay ako may matamaan na naman at mag-ala Ruffa. Haha!

Malay natin magustuhan kong maging tahimik. However, one thing is for sure…

…today is a boring day!

Photo by allisonkilla

I still can remember how I am always being scolded by my Dad because, all day, all I do is sit in front of the TV and play games. Lots and lots of games. Where I even miss to eat and do some of my chores. Where I always look forward to go home when I am in school because I wanted to reach level 99 and get my weapons upgraded to be able to give 9999 damage.

After watching the video below, I came to realize that it’s a good thing that I didn’t became addicted to video games. That you have a real life that needed your attention the most. That there’s much more than being a warrior, an orc, an elf or a mage.

How about you? Are you a video game addict?

Click here to view the embedded video.

To get the big picture to what I will be saying, let’s say the first path is AA. The second is BB. The thing is, you cannot get both. You really need to choose one. There will definitely be something that you need to sacrifice if you choose AA over BB and vice versa.

Mahirap mamili. Sobra. Hindi ko alam kung yung pipiliin ko eh beneficial sa akin o hindi. Sa ngayon ang tinatahak mo talaga ay si AA. AA is what you have set as your path in order for you to reach your goal. Then dumating ka sa punto na makikita mo si BB. Alin na ngayon ang dadaanan mo? Tuloy ka pa rin sa AA o sa BB ka na dadaan?

They say opportunity knocks only once. This is true. But think of it. Is it the only opportunity that will knock?

To help me decide which one will I take, I laid out the advantages and disadvantages in choosing AA over BB. It turned out BB has more disadvantages. But still I am not sure on this. What if in the end I regret not choosing BB? What if choosing AA left me with so many ‘what ifs’?

Someone I asked for an opinion told me that choosing BB can make me shine. That I can be recognized and be visible. And I still can do whatever I am doing in AA (if I am to choose BB). But the catch is, you’re not going to be full time on it because you’ll be expected to perform whatever entails your new role in BB is asking.

Another said, know what makes you happy. That I should follow what my heart desires. This is hard. Because I know whatever I choose makes me happy even in small amount. Yun lang may isa sa kanila talagang magiging masaya ka at na-eenjoy mo ang ginagawa mo.

After considering all inputs and a night of so much thinking, I stepped back and got my head cleared to realize that one thing is sure. I am still happy with what I have right now. That I am still contented with what I have thus I still don’t feel the need to go to the next stage. I don’t want to change whatever momentum I have now. And I see this change to be something that will hinder or slow me down to the goal I wanted to reach.

So…my answer would probably be…I decline.

Photo by RyanBSchultz