Technology and the future of Accountancy

Technology has a big impact in accountancy in general and we can see and feel the effects now.

The accounting principles and standards will remain but its application and helpful tools in the real-world setting will be different with what we are used to. Businesses today are employing accountants that are also skilled or at least familiar with accounting information systems and/or enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems such as SAP, Oracle, JD Edwards and others. The introduction of information technology simplified the accounting processes and procedures. 

For example, companies nowadays are using procurement, material management, inventory and sales & distribution modules in their systems. The said modules have the ability to process the transactions and have it connected and integrated in a one common system available to entitled users (database management concept).

On the reporting side, those systems enabled fast and efficient closing of books by providing a customized reporting template including financial statements and management reports, and it aided timely decision-making via dashboards for executive management’s use. 

Clearly, the days of big and bulky journals and worksheets will be totally gone soon and it will be replaced by a paperless accounting system. And it will be tantamount to a lesser bookkeeper workforce but a high demand in computer-skilled accountants. So as accountants, all must be at pace with the upcoming changes.  Yes, accountants must know the IT aspects of their work!

It is also true for auditors.  In audit, possessing skills and experience in technology is considered an edge or advantage. It makes an auditor more competitive and recent.  This is also the observation of a fellow blogger and BusinessWeek’s regular contributor Joel Font, “Gone are the days when auditors could rely on a static set of skills and practices to succeed in their careers. And, gone are the days when most auditors, internal and external, had the good fortune of having job security to the point where they could, over a period of many years, fine tune company specific “routines” that allowed them to remain in their company’s insular (and sometimes provincial) cultures, where bad habits and bad practices went unnoticed and unchecked for decades. As a result of Globalization and market realities, survival for most auditors now depends on their abilities to re-educate themselves quickly and in gaining a strong foundation in the internationally accepted frameworks promoted by organizations like IIA, ISACA, ISO, IRCA and the AICPA…” (more on http://auditjournal.wordpress.com/2009/10/14/auditing-career-how-to-focus-on-high-value-skills/).

However, not all enterprises can afford the very expensive investment in their IT systems. This is the main reason why companies, particularly Philippine companies, opt to adopt a “hybrid” system (I termed it as hybrid because it is partly manual and partly automated) to save costs.  The said hesitations became so popular with IT consulting firms so they find ways to make their expensive products affordable to their target clients.  Just this few months ago, CFO’s around the globe became keen on the so called “Cloud Computing” (Trivia: Google has also availed cloud computing just this month). Cloud computing is like having a “server-less system”. Server-less meaning, no more big chunks of server maintenance expenditures and other server-related expenses in the company’s budget. CFO’s bought this idea in order to prevent cost and maximize savings for their employers. I will be discussing Cloud Computing on my next article.

In this era where information is considered a gem, each of us must be equipped enough to handle the forthcoming developments. The static and “boxed” approach is becoming slowly a thing of the past. We need to embrace the inevitable – that we are getting wired and interconnected.

To summarize, the accountancy profession will be greatly impacted by the future of technology.  If you are still asking “how?”, just think how much Facebook and Twitter instantly became parts of your everyday life.

Let’s talk about risk

Calendar year 2010 is about to close in just a few days and we are about to welcome a new corporate year in 2011. As organizations across the globe set their goals and objectives on the coming year, one little devil can never be set aside. That is risk.

When we hear or read the word “risk”, usual connotation is “unfavorable” or “negative” outcome.  Common reactions ranges from a shrug, to worry and to panic! Why do we react in such manners? Simply because risk is something that we really need to address whether we like it or not.

Defined as the “likelihood of a potential threat materializing and causing an adverse effect in the organization”, risk has many forms. It is something that can affect our processes, people, structure, relationships, and ultimately our goals and objectives as individuals and as an organization. From the definition, it is easy to identify risk. Just think of a threat that may materialize and may negatively impact our processes, people, achievement of objectives/KRAs and you are actually in the process of risk identification.

If you are in finance, typically identified risks are in the areas of investments, tax strategies, liquidity, cash flow, credit and collection and financial planning. If you are from the Information Technology (IT), common risks that need to be addressed, among others, are access rights, system integrity, technology infrastructure, system development, and business continuity. At the top level, strategic risks such as those affecting capital investment decisions, reorganization, divestitures, mergers and acquisitions, and strategic planning are commonly identified.

Having identified those top level and divisional level risks, the next questions now are “how do we address risks?” and “am I responsible for addressing those risks?”. We’ll going to answer that on the next two paragraphs.

The types of risks mentioned above are further broken down into business unit level and process level risks. Process level risks are the lowest level of risk hierarchy and usually are the subject of evaluations such as audit. Process level risks are straightforward and can be addressed plainly by “plugging the leaks” in the systems or process and reinforcement of control actions.

The responsibility for identifying, highlighting and covering risks rest not with our auditors. Risk is everyone’s responsibility.  Gone are the days when we point our fingers at the auditors for the failure to uncover numerous and significant risks across the organization. In the first place, auditors shall not assume risk ownership in every process because doing so would be equivalent to assuming management responsibility and that is a clear impairment of independence issue.

On the other hand addressing process level risks does not fully solve the risk equation. Organizations are being manned by a management team often referred to as the Management and the Board of Directors. This is where the risk consciousness and control compliance must be seriously taken. Why? Because no matter how good your process-level controls are, if your “tone from the top” does not sound good or worse, cannot be heard, it's actually non-sense and automatically deficient.  This is where the Entity-Level Control Concept which almost all control model (e.g. COSO, CoCo, ISO and others) advocates. And these standards are evolving in response to its commitment to address newly emerging risks in the business.

One tax author during my college years said that aside from change, there are other two things that are permanent in this world: death and taxes. He’s grossly wrong. Because as we witness the 2008 financial mess, we were fully convinced that aside from change, there are actually three with risk being the third one.

We all face risks everyday. Risk is inherent in every endeavor. The only state where there is no risk is the state of perfection. Again, nobody and nothing is perfect. This is the inevitable reality we face everyday.

So if we want a fruitful and progressive year 2011, risk should be present at every corporate and individual scorecard.

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to all!

IASB and FASB Address new accounting rules on Revenue and Leases Accounting

The International Accounting Standards Board (IASB) and Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) will commence revising the proposals on Revenue and Lease Accounting after receiving comments from the public on how to converge and redesign the two standards.

Feedbacks came from the technology and construction sectors. Some companies also are concerned about whether the “percentage of completion” method would disappear under the new standard. For leases, most of the concerns points on how the standard addresses lease terms that tend to create uncertainty about the ultimate life or cost of the lease – especially options to renew a lease, contingent rentals, and residual value guarantees.

Companies can expect significant changes next year as the two boards set June 2011 to finalize the two standards.  The two proposals will impact the current standards on revenue recognition (Topic 605 and IAS 11 & 18) and lease accounting (Topic 840 and IAS 17). 

Impact on the US GAAP and IFRS

Revenue Recognition

The Exposure Draft states that “…However, the proposed guidance would differ from current practice in the following  ways:

a.   Recognition of revenue only from the transfer of goods or services - Contracts for the development of an asset (for example, constructing, manufacturing, and customized software) would result in continuous revenue recognition only if the customer controls the asset as it is developed.

b.   Identification of separate performance obligations – an entity would be required to divide a contract into separate performance obligations for goods or services that are distinct. As a result of those requirements, an entity might separate contract into units of accounting that differ from those identified in current practice.

c.    Licensing and right to use – an entity would be required to evaluate whether a license to use the entity’s intellectual property (for less than the property’s economic life) is granted on an exclusive or nonexclusive basis, an entity would be required to recognize revenue over the term of the license. That pattern of revenue recognition might differ from current practice.

d.   Effect of credit risk – in contrast to some existing standards and practices, the effect of a customer’s credit risk (that is, collectability) would affect how much revenue an entity recognizes rather than whether an entity recognizes revenue.

e.   Use of estimates – in determining the transaction price (for example, estimating variable consideration) and allocating the transaction price on the basis of standalone selling prices, an entity would be required to use estimates more extensively than in applying existing standards.

f.    Accounting for costs – the proposed guidance specifies which contract costs an entity would recognize as expenses when incurred and which costs would be capitalized because they give rise to an asset. Applying that cost guidance might change how an entity would account for some costs.

g.   Disclosure – the proposed guidance specifies disclosures to help users of financial statements understand the amount, timing, and uncertainty of revenue and cash flows arising from contracts with customers. An entity would be required to disclose more information about its contracts with customers than is currently required, including more disaggregated information about recognized revenue and more information about its performance obligations remaining at the end of the reporting period.

Leases

The proposals in this exposure draft would, in confirmed, result in significant changes to the accounting requirements for both lessees and lessors.

Changes to lessee accounting

US GAAP and IFRSs classify leases into two categories: capital leases and operating leases. Lessees would be most affected if they have a significant portfolio of assets held under operating leases, especially those with leases of property. At present, US GAAP and IFRSs account for the lease payments arising from operating leases by recognizing them in the period in which they occur. The proposals would require lessees to recognize the assets and liabilities arising from those leases.

Although the proposed changes may be less fundamental for leases currently classified as capital assets, they would result in significant changes in the measurement of the assets and liabilities arising from those leases because of the way this exposure draft proposes to account for options and contingent rentals. In addition, the pattern of income and expense recognition in the income statement would change significantly.

Changes to lessor accounting

The proposed approach to lessor accounting would differ significantly from existing US GAAP and IFRSs. Depending on the extent to which a lessor retains exposure to risks or benefits associated with the underlying asset, a lessor would apply either a performance obligation approach or a derecognition approach. There would be no separate proposed approach for leveraged leases.

If a lessor retains exposure to significant risks or benefits associated with the underlying asset, the lessor would continue to recognize the underlying asset and in addition recognize a right to receive lease payments and a lease liability. The lessor would be viewed as satisfying the lease liability continuously over the lease term, and therefore would recognize lease income continuously over the lease term.

If a lessor does not retain exposure to significant risks or benefits associated with the underlying asset, the lease would be accounted for in away similar to the current accounting for capital leases. That pattern of income recognition is similar to the pattern of revenue recognition currently required for manufacturer/dealer lessors. However, there would be significant changes in the measurement of the right to receive lease payments, the recognition of lease income and the recognition and measurement of residual assets. For such leases, the lessor would satisfy the lease liability at the date of commencement of the lease by delivering the right-of-use asset to the lessee and, thus, would recognize lease income representing the sale of the right to use the underlying asset."

Click link to download the FASB drafts

Revenue Recognition http://www.fasb.org/cs/ContentServer?c=Document_C&pagename=FASB%2FDocument_C%2FDocumentPage&cid=1176156954886

Leases http://www.fasb.org/cs/ContentServer?c=Document_C&pagename=FASB%2FDocument_C%2FDocumentPage&cid=1176157191432

Three reasons why some CPA candidates fail the board exams

The recently held Philippine CPA Board Exams posted the highest passing rate so far (as of this writing) in the history of the Philippine CPA Licensure examinations. Passing rate is roughly 48%!!!

Some observers attributed this surge in passing rate to the increasing demand for accountants in the Philippines's booming economy and the upsurge in demand for Filipino CPA talent all over the globe. So the PRC-BOA we're seemed to "heed" on this call by lowering the passing cap.

Much of the highlight moments were given to the topnotchers and passers. Now in this blog entry, I want to focus on those who have not yet made it.

In my opinion and observation, many candidates fail the CPA exams because of three things:

1.) Lack of early preparation. The preparation for the CPA Board exams should start at our first day in college. They have been given 4 to 5 years of undergrad preparation but they prefer to spend much of their time playing around.  Thus, they don't have the solid foundation of the concepts. They depend too much on their professors. They limit themselves into what they know about a subject and put into oblivion those subjects or topics that they don't really know. Accounting is essentially a self-study course and requires patience and hardwork.

2.) Failure to focus.  Most of the students/reviewees tend to focus more on extra-curricular activities and they forgot to prioritize their studies. Well, Im not saying that you should not engage into extracurricular activities. I myself was a very active student. I just observed that college studs put more focus on extracurriculars because they love doing those activities. When you asked them they will tell you that their academics is still the priority. It's just a priority in mind and not in appearance. Action speaks louder than words. So focus, focus and focus. Manifest your focus to your goal.

3.) Attitude. This is really where the problem is. Most students feel so miserable when they flunked an exam, laughed at when reciting wrong answers and the so-called, inferiority complex. A positive attitude is tantamount to attaining success. Apply the law of attraction. Think, feel and act like a CPA and you will surely become one.

Can you share your insights regardint this subject matter?

Please feel free to post your comments.

What makes pinoyCPA.com special?

Thanks to RM and rgirl for this wonderful AVP

I so love my PinoyCPA family
Viva cuentados y cuentadas!

-the underdog

Who are required to file Annual Income Tax Returns?

I received a message from a finance officer of a multinational company regarding a question as to what companies are required to file Annual Income Tax Returns.  Let me share below the basic answer to that question. I think this is timely given that we are about to close our books for 2010 and file our taxes on or before April 15.

In accordance with Sec. 232-A of the Tax Code, "All corporations, companies, partnerships or persons required by law to pay internal revenue taxes shall keep a journal and a ledger or their equivalents: Provided, however, That those whose quarterly sales, earnings, receipts, or output do not exceed Fifty thousand pesos (P50,000) shall keep and use simplified set of bookkeeping records duly authorized by the Secretary of Finance where in all transactions and results of operations are shown and from which all taxes due the Government may readily and accurately be ascertained and determined any time of the year: Provided, further, That corporations, companies, partnerships or persons whose gross quarterly sales, earnings, receipts or output exceed One hundred fifty thousand pesos (P150,000) shall have their books of accounts audited and examined yearly by independent Certified Public Accountants and their income tax returns accompanied with a duly accomplished Account Information Form (AIF) which shall contain, among others, information lifted from certified balance sheets, profit and loss statements, schedules listing income-producing properties and the corresponding income therefrom and other relevant statements. "

The above provision pertains to the necessity of audit by an independent CPA on the financial statements of the company that will accompany the Annual Income Tax Return to be filed. The independent CPA will sign on the opinion on the audit report and not on the Annual Income Tax as this is management's responsibility. Normally, the ITR is signed by the Company's President/CEO/CFO and the Finance Manager/Treasurer.

However, in the Philippine setting, the auditor, in addition to the audit of the FS assists the client in the computation of tax payable and proposes adjustments.  He will just attach an "Auditor's Report on the Financial Statements for Filing with the Bureau of Internal Revenue" which attests that there is no relationship by consanguinity or affinity of the auditor to any stockholder of the Company and that the amounts on the schedule of taxes and licenses and valid.

Blangko

Blangko!

Yan ang itsura ng MS Word document na sinusulatan ko nito ngayon. Unti-unti kong sinusubukang  takpan ang blangkong page na ito ng mga salitang tulad ng nababasa mo ngayon. Kapag blangko ang nakikita mo, ano ang naiisip mo? Boring ba? Gulat ka ba? Naguguluhan? O nasisilaw ka sa kaputian ng pahina na tumatambad sayo?

Kung tatanungin mo ako, ang isasagot ko sayo ay, “I feel empty”.

‘Lapit na ng pasko ‘pre! Ano bang balak mo? Bibili ka ba ng bagong sapatos, damit, Christmas tree, hamon, keso de bola? Makikipag siksikan ka rin ba sa Divisoria? O kuntento ka na sa Rustan’s ka na lang maglalamyerda? Oo nga pala, may Christmas bonus ka na! Libre naman jan pre!

Libre mo naman ako ng  isang starburaks dyava cheap, pampatanggal lang ng amats ko pre. Nung isang Linggo pa raw akong mukhang lasing sabi  nung barker sa Cubao. Takte kasi yang cartoon pic mania na yan sa FB. Naalala ko tuloy na mukha palang cartoons yung isang teacher ko. Naalala mo ba si Taguro sa Streetfighter? Yung kalaban ni Eugene? Oo yun nga! Tanga wala sa streetfighter yun! Nasa Ghost Fighter kaya un. Bobo mo talaga ‘dre! Paturo ka nga kay Kuya Jobert! Aligaga ka rin eh.

Peace Yo!

Sensya na dude medyo di kasi ako OK ngayon eh. Tanungin mo ko kung bakit. Sabihin mo “Bakit?” Game… 1…2…3….. Eh hindi mo naman sinasabi eh. Game na kasi. 1…2…3… $%#^&*&@

Yan! Dyan ka magaling. Kaya ka iniwan ng GF mo di ka raw kasi marunong manghula. Putek! Alam mo ba na kapag sinabi ng babae na “Ok lang” ibig sabihin nun “Oo. Gusto ko yan”. At kapag sinabi niyang “Bahala ka na nga!” ibig sabihin nun “Sundin mo ang gusto ko”.  Tsk tsk… Kelangan mo talaga ng psychic powers! Bili ka pare marami na nagkalat na ganun. Samahan kita. Bili tayo Quiapo balita ko meron daw outlet dun si Hayden Kho.

Nga pala, may nanalo na ng Php 740M sa lotto. Lucky Pick pa nga pre eh. Swerte ng nanalong yun. Pasalamat siya hindi ako nakataya nung araw na un kundi may kahati siya. Kung sakaling nanalo ako, pre unang una kong bibilihin lam mo kung ano? Bibili ako ng common sense at ipamimigay ko sa lahat ng Pilipino lalo na kay Glenn. Takte na yan! Hanggang ngayon sumasakit ang bangs ko araw-araw at umaabot na hanggang eyebrows.  Nakakatakot baka lumala ito at maging Bangs Cancer.

I wonder why common sense is so uncommon nowadays. Sabi ni manong drayber, dahil daw yan sa hindi nanalo ulit si Erap. Dahil kundi raw sana na-impeach si Erap at kung nanalo sana nung nakaraang eleksyon, maunlad na sana ang Pilipinas at… at… (sorry ‘pre di na nakapagsalita si manong. Di ako nakapagpigil eh. Nilunod ko ng diesel kanina habang nagpapakarga kami sa Shell).

Anyways, nakakatuwa isipin na naimbento ang Facebook. Dahil sa Facebook, nagkikita ang mga matagal nang nagkalayo. Mga dating mag-classmates, kababata, kapitbahay, ka-text, ka-sex, kabit, kakosa, kaaway, kalaro ng Chinese garter, ten twenty, shagidi shagidi shapopo, pitik-bulag, pitikan etits, pik pak boom, boom taya taya, at plak shomelin bom bom chenelyn! (Bet ni watashi wititit ma-translate lalu ng mga mudak bekimon itey).

Bakit ba hindi ako makatulog nang hindi ko nabubuksan ang FB ko?  At kapag nabuksan ko naman, naiinis lang ako kasi puro games at walang katuturang apps ang nakikita ko. Tapos may mag aadd saken na di ko naman kilala. Tapos kapag hindi mo binigay ang number mo, ikaw pa ang isnabero. Tapos makikita mo ung dati mong kaibigan na kausap ka lagi, ka-PM, ka-YM, na bigla na lang tumaas ang tingin sa sarili mula noong naging cover girl ng FHM! Hindi na ako bumili ng FHM mula noon. Bakit ka bibili pa eh ang dami namang nagkalat sa internet!

Wait lang… (higop muna ng kape… kagat ng cheese muffin… nguya-nguya…lunok) Yan ok na ko. Go!

Kainis tong mga bebot na to sa Forever 21. Di man lang ako pinapansin! Tong koreanang nasa kanan ko naman sarap batukan eh parang may kung anong nakabara sa lalamunan at hindi mabigkas nang tama ang mga pangalan ng mga coffee variants habang umoorder.  Kung taga North Korea lang ako malamang pinaulanan ko na ito ng missiles eh! Sakit sa bangs!

(inom muna ulit… lapit na maubos ang kape ko…)

Teka, nasa page 2 na pala ako hahaha! Hindi na blangko ang pahinang ito. Wuhooo!!! Ibig sabihin nadagdagan ng ilang kilobytes ang word file na ito at nagsayang ako ng mahigit Php 200 para sa kape at muffin. Para makatambay lang dito sa coffee shop na ito.

Para makapag sulat ng isang walang kakwentan-kwentang blog entry na ito na ngayon ay binabasa ng mga taong maaaring walang alam kung mamaya ay buhay pa ba ako… =(

Are we secure?

Taking proactive steps when it comes to security issues to ensure day-to-day safety is the best approach in managing security risks in the workplace.  Just like our own homes, we all want our office to be safe and secure.  But we tend to be more lax when it comes to securing our workplace. Maybe because most of us assume that it’s someone else’s responsibility.  Again, risk management is everyone’s responsibility.

Below are the 5 basic tips I want to share with you on how can we start securing our workplaces.

Keep track of personnel.  Visitors and guests should be properly registered and should be provided with visitor’s pass. If you happen to see unfamiliar persons such as visitors walking through your office, try to determine who they are visiting by asking them if they need assistance.

Secure your access keys.  Do not share access cards or keys with anyone. Every employee has his own access card. Do not let anyone into the office with your access card after office hours.

Keep the door closed. Doors, especially those leading to restricted areas, must be closed at all times in order to prevent unauthorized persons from entering the premises.  If you happen to find a door open after office hours, close it.

Keep an eye on your valuables.  Secure all your valuables. Protect the confidentiality of the files you are processing or  storing. Make it out of sight and locked.  Utilize your drawers and file cabinets, if possible.

The relationship of Control Risk and Detection Risk

(A fellow forumer/member at PinoyCPA.com PMed me about the relationship of control risk and detection risk and I wanna share it with you guys. Below is my response to her. I hope this will help)

There is an inverse relationship between control risk and detection risk. How? Let me state an example.

Audi is the auditor of Timang Corp. for the period ended December 31, 2010. He prepared the audit program that will guide him in his audit of the said Company. He judged that the audit objectives can be effectively and efficiently be achieved by following the control approach instead of the substantive approach. Control Approach is the audit approach that evaluates the controls over significant accounts in the financial statements being audited. This is usually done by the auditor if he judged, based on his planning and preliminary assessment, that the controls can be relied upon.

Now, his metholody of pursuing an audit with a control approach will definitely involve control risk assessment. Control risk is the risk that internal controls may fail thereby causing a material misstatement in the financial statements. Control Risk is usually classified as low, moderate and high. Control risk is the risk which the auditor cannot control. It is under the control and jurisdiction of the entity. So how do the auditor tackle this issue? What can he do? He can modify the nature, timing and extent of other testing procedures which has an effect in the detection risk.

Detection risk is the risk that a misstatement in the financial statements cannot be detected by the auditor. So if the Detection Risk is high, it means that the auditor is willing to accept higher probabilities that he cannot detect the said misstatements. Why is he willing to do that? Well, it's because he found out that the controls are effective (meaning, control risk is low). Thus, if the Detection Risk is high, control risk is low.

Now, what if the control risk is High? Then, the auditor now assumes a greater responsibility to detect the misstatements that were not captured by the controls (kasi nga control risk is High. meaning, the controls are not operating effectively). By doing so, Detection Risk by the auditor is minimized.

Parang ganito lang yan. Halimbawa meron kang manliligaw. Meron ka ring dalawang bestfriends. Si bestfriend A ay kilala mong mabusisi at may good taste sa mga bagay-bagay (so it means, katiwa-tiwala siya so meron siyang "low" na control risk). Si Bestfriend B naman ay yung tipo ng kaibigan na kunsintidor at hindi very particular sayo (meron siyang "high" na control risk). Kinunsulta mo sila tungkol sa manliligaw mo. sabi ni A, di raw ok sa kanya si manliligaw. pero ok naman siya kay B. So sino ang pniniwalaan mo? most likely si A diba? kasi mas may tiwala ka sa kanya (low controls risk ika nga). so di ka kampante ka kaya di ka willing ka mag-assume ng risk na sagutin si manliligaw (mataas ang detection risk mo kasi careful ka).

Now kung pinakinggan mo si B (na may "high" control risk), medyo alangan ka kasi nga di maganda ang judgment niya sa mga bagay-bagay base sa pagkakakilala mo sa kanya. so willing kang mag-evaluate further (which means mababa ang detection risk na willing kang i-accept).

gets na ba?

So you got your license, what’s next?

Today another batch of newly-passed Certified Public Accountants (CPA) is about to take their oath.  The number is the biggest, so far, in the history of the notorious board exams.  A lot of them might be asking what will happen next?  Let me give my insights.

Life after the board exams is the most difficult part. This is the stage where you are about to take full responsibility for your future. It’s a continuous make or break decision-making process beginning from what first job you want to have up to the point of your retirement.

This is where the multitude of aspirations begin – career, money, family, social standing and relationships.

Most of the newly-passed CPAs tend to jump into Big 4 audit firms. A big number wants to have a career-start by joining commerce and industry by joining multinational companies. Some pursue further studies such as law. Some are confused on what career path to take.  Be it noted that there are no good and bad decisions. Failure to make a decision is what actually constitutes a “bad decision”.

My suggestions are the following:

Know yourself. Know what you really want out of your life and plan it meticulously. Usually, it will take you around 5 years before you really know what you really want. You will be experiencing quarter-life crisis so be prepared. Being a CPA does not guarantee automatic success. It’ll only equip you to move towards that goal.

Have a good mentor. You can find them in the workplace, in social clubs, professional organizations, sites like PCPA and even on the least expected places. Mentors will be just there as your guide to places you want to go and be the person you want to be.

Network, network and network. We are a service-oriented profession. We deal with people and their businesses. Increasing our network means increasing our exposures and opportunities.

Be clean and honest. There’s no substitute for integrity. If you notice, the “lagay” and “padrino” system starts to weaken as changes and initiatives are being introduced. We are moving towards a socially responsible economy and a public partnership system. The scandals, crises and fiascos of past were the sources of the lessons learned.

Keep updated with the latest in your industry and specialization. Our skills and knowledge base must be intact and updated. The name of the game in today’s competition is “information”. Whoever has the latest and accurate information possesses the key to growth.

Last but not the least, help our country. Our knowledge, skills, and our licenses wouldn’t be possible if not for our motherland, the Philippines. As CPAs, we are the finance managers of this country. The economic progress depends on our decisions and actions. If we will succeed together as individuals, our country also succeeds.

Welcome to the real world, colleagues!

Enron's last man standing pleads 'Guilty'

Rex Shelby, a former Enron Broadband Services executive, pleaded guilty to one count of insider trading. According to Shelby’s lawyer, Ed Tomko, “[t]his ends Enron, because Rex was the very last Enron defendant standing from prosecutions that resulted from the company’s bankruptcy.”

Bloomberg reports that prosecutors agreed to drop the remaining conspiracy, securities fraud and other insider trading charges against Shelby in exchange for his plea. Shelby may serve up to six months in a halfway house, plus six months’ house arrest. He also agreed to forfeit about $2.5 million.

In 2003, Shelby and six other ex-Enron Broadband executives were charged with misleading investors about Enron Broadband’s prospects. Bloomberg reports that prosecutors alleged that while the defendants told analysts and investors that the division might be worth as much as $40 billion, in fact it was struggling and never made money.

However, although two of the indicted pleaded guilty before trial, none of the remaining five were convicted at the subsequent trial. Faced with the prospect of retrials, Bloomberg reports that

•Shelby pleaded guilty to one count yesterday.

•Former CEO Joseph Hirko pleaded guilty to a reduced charge in late 2008

•Strategy chief F. Scott Yeager won a ruling from the U.S. Supreme Court that he could not be retried because of his partial acquittal at the first trial.

•Senior accountant Michael Krautz was retried and acquitted in 2006.

•Finance chief Kevin Howard was retried in 2006 and convicted, but his conviction was later overturned. Howard ultimately pleaded guilty to reduced charges in June 2009 to avoid a third trial.

(Source: Compliance Week)

My Life Begins Now

People say life begins at 40. Honestly, I don’t know what they mean by that and I guess it will take time for me to understand. I am 15 years away from it anyway. I just hope that when I reach that age, I have accomplished most of the things I want to accomplish and have secured the dreams and ambitions I am currently struggling for.

But what do I really struggle for? What do I want to accomplish? Who is the person I want to become? All these things must be answered right now. As I define this silver age, which is by the way my self-imposed deadline for quarter-life crisis, am I really heading towards the right path?

I believe I am not the only yuppie who asks this question to himself. There are many of us who have been experiencing or about to experience the confusing tides of life and career decision-making. In this busy world where Facebook, Twitter and Google suddenly become parts of our daily lives, it’s difficult to clear-out our minds for a self-recollection and deeper introspection. We are all jaded by the things around us.

It’s about time to make time for ourselves. Procrastinating something life-changing is delaying our fate and purpose.

First of all, I never dreamed of becoming an accountant or anything business-like. My interest ranges from history, to science, to literature, to music, to geography, to law and to politics. I am always fascinated by the things and facts from the past, people who made names in the past, the who’s who of the present, the power of the written word, the magic of music to the heart and soul, the beauty of the earth, the thick volumes of law books and legal briefs, and the wilderness of our government. I don’t like math and anything dealing with numbers and logic. So I find it really weird - how did I come to be in this direction?

During college, while some of my classmates dreamt of becoming a CPA-Lawyer, I dreamt of becoming a writer doing auditing and consulting works on the side. I want my degree to be demoted to a hobby while promoting my hobby (writing) to a higher level. Waking up every morning relaxed, sipping a cup of coffee while reading or writing at the terrace of my dream country house is what I call “life”. I wanted my ideas, principles, goals and objectives work for me rather than I working for other people’s ideas, principles, goals and objectives. I don’t exactly want to be the boss. I want to be that tiny little voice behind every rational boss’s directives.

Ironically, it’s far different from the life I have now. I start each day in a rush. My life is a made up of “quickies” - Quick shower, quick breakfast, quick lunch or even worse a working lunch, quick nap (if I can afford one) and quick sleeps. The only activity that’s quite lengthy is having project update meetings (thanks to my Boss and to the principle that audit planning is a continuous process).

One might say I should be proud of those quickies because it means I have a job worth devoting time and effort. Partly true. Because aside from gaining some pounds on my journey towards “stardom”, I began to lose contacts and unknowingly lose some friends and acquaintances along the way. I missed numerous barkada get-aways, birthday parties, weddings, reunion meetings and more and more get together events. Since then, the number of invites I receive diminished. They might be thinking “Why waste one peso to text Jay and invite him for an upcoming event which he’ll surely decline due to his busy schedule?” or “He cannot make it anyway so why bother?”. It’s really regretful and embarrassing. Had I have given the power and freedom of my “life”, all those things wouldn’t have happened.

I searched for green pastures to feed my mouth and provide shelter to my family. In short, I need to live, survive and satisfy our family’s needs. Survival necessitates some sacrifices because we can never serve two masters at the same time. But little did we know that too much dependency on our “masters” makes our life complex and unhappy. That unhappiness turns into monstrous craving for more wealth, fame and power. And more wealth, fame and power. The insatiability blurs our vision.

Of course, I always wanted to be rich. We all want to afford the best things money can buy. It’s now just a question of how rich you do want to become, which leads to another question of the ways and means of achieving it. Bill Gates made it through Microsoft, Warren Buffett made it happen through investments and Michael Jordan managed to pull it through by slam dunks.

So, how can a son of a bitch like this author carve his own piece of wealth and success?

By doing what I love to do and loving what I do.

If you ask what Bill Gates, Warren Buffett and Michael Jordan and all other self-made men have in common, they’ll probably tell you that they just do what they love to do. Doing what we love to do eliminates the need to worry about work at all. Through loving what we do, we exude a self-secure, positive, hardworking, and generally successful person without even knowing it. People will start to notice and admire you. They will patronize your product which in turn will boost your profit. And through continuous repetition, will make you rich than ever! It’s constant. It’s like inertia – it shall continue to move unless an opposite and stopping force interrupts.

Getting rich is an anticipated outcome of the process called “poverty”. Without poverty, one cannot define affluence. Now, I can understand why I was born neither a Rockefeller nor a Vanderbilt.

What do I love to do? My answer is “I love to do these things I am doing right now. Right this very moment. I have just discovered that my life must be spent on something I am created for and which aligns to my purpose. God has given me an amazing brain power and wonderful talents that I should utilize and improve to the full extent. I must use these things to excel and give meaning to my existence.”

Is it wrong to aim for the top posts? Is it a burden on someone if I want to be a President and CEO of a company giving directions, caring for my people and serving the public at large? Would you laugh if I tell you that I want to be the billionaire next door? Of course not, because those ambitions were too common.

Too common that most of them just let go of their grand dream to pursue another dream and begin their lives anew. They decided to give up chasing their dreams and create a lesser and easier goals. And before they knew it, it’s too late. Life has no U-turns. It’s a one-way ticket.

So, their lives begin at 40. My life begins now.

First day high and low

Today is my first day of work... again.

This is my third job at the age of 24. They say it's but normal for my age to jump from one job to another in search for a company that will be suited for me. The question is when will I realize that I need to stay in a company or not. I really don't know the answer. Anyone?

I woke up today at exactly 4:45 am. I showered and dressed up like a gunner. Had a coffee and pancit canton for breakfast. I left around 5:50am and arrived at the shuttle terminal by 6:00am. From there, I took the shuttle that will transport me directly to the ortigas business center at Mandaluyong. I arrived too early aroung 6:30am. I'm an hour earlier. The sun began to rise and the sun rays touched my asian skin. As I walked along sheridan street, I can't help but to admire the beauty of that morning - sun shining brightly, the sky is wide and clear and the cool breeze of the morning air. It's supposed to be a good start.

Having arrived an hour earlier, I wandered around the plant. I checked the canteen, the recreational area, the parking lots and lastly the chapel. It was where I stayed the longest time during that morning. I thanked God for the marvelous morning I witnessed outside. I thanked Him for giving me this job. I asked for His guidance and presence in every second of my life.

Office hours start at exactly 7:30am. I left the chapel around 7:15 and stayed on the reception area of the HR department where I am tasked to submit some important documents as pre-employment requirements. As soon as my HR contact emerged from the room, I quickly handed to her the remaining requirements. I thanked her and left quickly. I went directly to the risk management department where my small space on early is located. The office is an all-boys office. The place is small yet big for the five of us.

Everything went so smooth during the late morning and early afternoon. Later on the afternoon, I was given instructions by my immediate superior and told that if I could render overtime. "bibo kid" as I am, I said "yes" without any second thoughts. I understand the gravity of the project we are dealing with. but later on as I am working on it, I really can't figure out what to do. I stared at my computer screen for about an hour until I realized that it's useless and inefficient if I will stay longer in the office. So I packed my things up and left.

Now, I have mixed emotions. I feel so high because finally I got the job I wanted. At the same time I feel troubled because I was not able to accomplish my first assigned work.

I guess it's but normal for new employees. I am a new employee and this is my first day.... again.

Nasaan ang upuan ko?

Yan ang tanong ko agad kanina pagdating ko sa office. Pasado alas nuwebe na ako nakarating dahil sa sobrang trapik sa C5 (dun madalas dumadaan yung shuttle na sinasakyan ko mula masinag) at pagdating ko sa area ko sa 5^th floor ng KPMG Center namputza! Wala na naman ang upuan ko. Bad trip na nga sa trapik bad trip pa rin pagdating sa office. Thirty minutes akong naghanap ng upuan, pumunta na ako sa 6^th floor at sa 4^th floor pero wala talaga. Hello! Ang dami kong deadline today! Sa sobrang inis ko, bigla akong nag-sick leave at heto ako ngayon sa isang computer cafe. Eh ano pa bang aasahan ko, maraming tao sa office ngayon – slack season na…”raw”.

Kung slack season na, bakit sobrang busy pa rin ako? Imagine ang haba haba pa rin ng “To do list” ko! Samantalang yung iba, pa-friendster friendster at meebo na lang. Hay naku! Siguro nga, swertehan lang din ang career sa audit. Kung swerte ka sa mga clients mo at sa mga boss mo, malamang magtatagal ka at baka maging managing partner or CEO ka pa ng firm na yan after 10 – 15 years. Pero kung katulad kita na sobrang pasaway ang mga kliyente at mga boss, malamang nag-iisip ka na rin mag-resign ngayon.

Speaking of audit, maraming maraming salamat sa mga tumulong saken para matapos lahat ng year-end statutory accounts ko. Sa mga naging staff ko, co-seniors (lalo na kina betsy, leo, abie, fredo, Vivian at macris), mga matitinong managers at mga partners (specifically to my idol, JTV) – maraming salamat po sa inyong lahat.

Pati sa mga bwisit kong mga kliyente na hindi nagpatulog sa akin for almost three consecutive weeks, MARAMING SALAMAT SA PAGBIBIGAY NG STRESS, HIGH BLOOD AT CHOLESTEROL! Dalawa lang ang pakiusap ko as inyo – pwede ba bilis-bilisan nyo naman ang pagbibigay ng mga audit requirements, hindi yung April 13 na may adjustment pa rin kayo. Wag na rin kayo mag-window dress sa pamamagitan ng sangkatutak at last minute na CAJE ha!. Isa pa, sa tinatgal tagal ninyo sa posisyon nyo jan sa mga kumpanya ninyo dapat alam nyo na kung paano mag tax computation at gumawa ng FS. Bakit ko sinasabi ito? Simple lang, di kasi naming responsibilidad yan. Auditor po kami at hindi FS at ITR preparer.

At sa manager kong sobrang nagpahirap saken at halos ituring akong incompetent, eto ang gusto kong sabihin sayo “Respect begets respect. Period!”.

Although nanghihinayang ako kasi I love my work as auditor. I constantly learn, I’m abreast with the latest pronouncements and issues at higit sa lahat, kakaibang feeling kapag natapos successfully yung audit engagement mo at natulungan mo ang mga kumpanyang hawak mo sa mga statutory requirements nila, mga issues at deficiencies ng accounting and internal control system nila. Kapag nagsalita ka, nakikinig sila and they take your recommendation with the highest value.

Sabi nga ng “mine” ko, the job fits me and I fit to the job. I agree naman. Siguro di lang ako fit sa sistema at sa company as a whole. Lipat ng firm? Well, pinag-iisipan ko rin yan. Pero I’m sure, ganun din ang sistema. May konting modifications lang dahil sa organizational setting.

Pero di pa rin nagfe-fade ang dream ko na maging Partner. At naniniwala pa rin ako na matutupad ko pa rin yun.

Di ko talaga akalaing magagawa ko ang ginawa ko ngayong araw na ito. I believe this is a clear manifestation of what I really feel now. I’m sick and tired of getting up every morning to report to work that slowly kills me, pays me a meager salary, and continuously robs my quality time with my family.

Sa tingin ko, dapat nakong maghanap ng ibang upuan.

Similarities x Differences = Teamwork

(This speech was delivered by the author as the guest speaker in the induction of the 51st batch of inductees of JPIA-PSBAQC held at Marikina City last January 17, 2009)

Let me begin by telling you that as I see all of you gathering in this kind of event, I can’t help but to fondly reminisce the memories of happiness and hardships my batch, the 41st batch, have gone through as we also got inducted formally as members of JPIA-PSBAQC more than five years ago. If only I could turn back the time, I would really love to do it again. I miss that inexplicable feeling of euphoria and triumph as tears flooded our face. Finally, after that lengthy and soul-crunching application process, we made it!

Those are my days. And tonight is your night. Tonight is a major turning point of your life - a new beginning and a new phase. You will be finally given that insurmountable mark of excellence. The mark represented by four letters – J.P.I.A.

Tomorrow you will be called “JPIAns” and starting Monday, your favorite place on earth will be that small room between rooms 319 and 318 on the third floor of PSBA-QC. The same room where I was frequently reminded of the meaning of cleanliness and order, particularly every 2nd week of December which I call the “post-cultural night phenomenon” as the JPIA office is just an inch away from being a bodega of cultural night’s costumes and props.

I know that to be a JPIAn is not easy. We have this “most-criticized-application process”. People around the campus questions the way we “endorse” our applicants. Honestly, I find it very difficult to explain our application process to others. Siguro, talagang tayo lang ang nakakaintidi nun. So my usual reply to them is the famous line “For those who believe, no explanation is necessary. For those who do not, none will suffice”. Yet, other organizations envy us for being the most-favored by professors and other school employees. Other school organizations are jealous of our status as having the brightest and talented students in PSBA. There is a long litany of awards and recognitions that comes after our name that others are helplessly trying to surpass. But all to no avail. Pasensya na po. JPIAn eh! 

In fact, JPIA-PSBAQC is known for producing top-caliber individuals, academically, non-academically and professionally speaking. I have seen lots and lots of our alumni who are now “big wigs” in their respective domains in public practice, commerce and industry, education, government, business and arts, locally and abroad. Some are already millionaires, big-time businessmen, some are CEO’s, CFO’s, VP’s, top-caliber managers, educators, auditors, controllers, consultants, politicians and of course, highly-paid accountants. I met some of them. They’re stories are very inspiring. They told me of the same path they trod as they juggle their lives along the corridors of PSBAQC. We talked about countless memories of the ups and downs of the JPIAn way of life. I felt the connection as I talked with them. A connection of a bond. A bond made of treasured memories and experiences as JPIAns.

And we are in unison in saying that JPIA is a big factor to our success today and in the years to come.

As you enter this new phase of your life, you will be entering a world of action and adventure. Parang pelikula ang pagiging JPIAn. May action, drama, comedy, suspense lalo na kapag medyo ultimatum ka na , may horror dahil may mga oras na mukha na tayong mga zombie sa sobrang pagod at puyat, meron ding sci-fi ang hirap intindihin lalo na kapag walking PFRS ang kausap mo, at meron ding romance dahil sa mga kaliwa’t kanang magsing-irog sa paligid mo. Pero minsan, meron ding mga hiwalayang Hayden Kho at Vicky Belo. But kidding aside, you will be encountering more hardships along the way. The road to success is a very rocky road. You must be equipped enough so as to prevent falling down and commit wounds. And in the unfortunate moment that you fall down and got wounded, stand up and don’t stop your fight. Focus. Keep your eyes focused at that end of the tunnel. Follow the light. A brand new day always comes next to the twilight.

Years ago, I was on the same footing as you, 51st batch. I was a shy type then. My classmates called me on sorts of names such as “weirdo” , “nerdy”, “genius”, “pandak”, and many more. I was aloof at that time. I had this inferiority complex because I come from a poor background. I have a world of my own and I don’t mingle with others. Yes, they said I am very smart but I don’t have a life. It was the wind of fate that former JPIA adviser, Professor Al Berbano became one of my mentors as early as my first year in college. Together with Dean Addatu and Professor Anton Altamira, they urged me to jump into JPIA. I was hesitant at that time because I had this notion that I don’t need any school organization as I can do things on my own. Moreover, I don’t want to be labeled as mayabang, as what others usually call a JPIAn. But as time goes by, and as I get along with my batchmates, I realized I was wrong. If not for the genuine friendship and camaraderie my batchmates had shown, I would have quitted so early. We will all agree, that our batchmates are our kapatid. Without them, JPIAn life is not worth living, right? So my advice is to love your batch. Be hand-in-hand in facing the challenges. Celebrate successes together. This will make you stand and last JPIA. From that moment on, I learned to love JPIA up to the point that I am willing to face another World War for her!

JPIAn life is a mixture of academics and non-academics. As a former memcom member and member of the Board of Directors, I know that your standing is being evaluated based on your performance in academics and non-academics at the end of each semester. Dapat di ka lang concerned sa grades mo, dapat concerned ka rin sa attendance mo sa mga activities. Diyan masusukat ang professionalism mo balang-araw. But of course, prioritize your academics because that is the reason why you are in the school in the first place, but then again, without compromising your duties as a member of the most elite organization in PSBA-QC. Don’t be a user. Make sure that you really deserve to wear that batch shirt or any JPIA shirt inside and outside the school if you know you are not doing your vowed duties. Remember your oath. Remember your beginnings.

Here in JPIA, you will be learning those things that are essential to your life which are not and cannot be taught inside the classroom and cannot be found in any book. You will be imbibed with a degree in the highest form of education - the education of the heart. This is the most precious gem I gained from joining JPIA. And I want all of you to experience it too.

I would like to emphasize one thing. While it is said that a PSBAQC-JPIAn is the best of all JPIAns all throughout the archipelago, the recognition, however, does not come without a cost. Attached to that recognition is an embedded responsibility on a host contract of untiring love and commitment to the organization that must be separately measured so that its fair value will be properly taken into account and disclosed. Pardon me for sounding like a lecturer on financial instruments. But I would like to point to something. Being a JPIAn is like being a derivative. Your value depends on the underlying. The underlying is consists of three component - similarities, differences and teamwork. The latter being the result of merging the first two. If I will put it into an equation it will be: Similarities times Differences is equal to Teamwork. Teamwork is the name of the game in JPIA. But how can there be success out of teamwork? My answer is another formula. You have to multiply Teamwork by Passion. Therefore, Teamwork multiplied by Passion is equal to Success.

For as long as its members had this undying commitment and burning passion towards excellence, I firmly believe that JPIA’s legacy will continue to shine in the years to come. We, the alumni of this organization is very much happy to see that the seeds of our labor in the past have grown much into a very formidable tree of triumph.

Inductees, yesterday you are known as 51st batch of applicants/inductees but tonight, you will be called generally as JPIAns. Tonight, you will be singing your batch song but starting tomorrow, you will be singing the song I wrote, “I am a JPIAn” or more popularly known as the JPIA-PSBAQC hymn. You will all be part of a very dynamic organization whose life depends on you and your cooperation and teamwork. Forget all the conflicts and other misgivings in the past. Welcome each and everyone with a warm hug and a smile.

Thank you very much and good evening.

Congratulations Graduates!

Hi guys! I just want congratulate you all for successfully obtaining your college diploma.

I know some of you are still in the state of euphoria. Some are filled with anxiety about what comes next (especially those who will be taking the board exams). It’s but normal. Everybody experiences that. But as a matter of advice, i like to share with you some things i have learned about the real world after college.

1. What you learned in school is actually just 5% of what your job will require. The remaining 95% was not taught in schools and you have to learn it by yourself. That 95% pertains to persistence, motivation, sacrifice, hardwork and consistency.

2. Job-hunting is plain and simple yet very hard to undergo. Don’t look for a "job". Look for a "career". A job is just for money while a career is for life.

3. The workplace is dominated by conventional and traditional bosses (CEOs, CFOs, COOs etc.) who oftentimes suggest, through their actions, that you should fall in line first for the next 20 years before you have a chance to talk directly to them. Lucky are you who will find very inspiring, innovating and open-minded bosses.

4. Theories/concepts that were taught while you were college will remain theories. The workplace imposes you to be more "practical" rather than a "theorist". For example, assuming you are an auditor like me, you discovered an uncorrected 100 million pesos error in prior years and you proposed an entry to recognize such in the beginning balance of Retained Earnings of the current year. Eventhough, the engagement partner may would like to correct such error this year, your client will absolutely not allow that because it might affect their stock price. In the end, you will be "practical" by choosing to simply let go of it than to let go of a AAA client which feeds you millions of pesos each year. There goes a saying that "how can you bite that hand which feeds you…".

5. There are only two types of workers in the workplace - the bitch and the saint. Which one are you? decide carefully as that might affect your promotion.

6. Love what you do and do what you love to do. Before plunging into a job offer, think of this question, "Will I really love this work for the rest of my life?". The greatest men in world are those who chose the work they love. For them, their work is not just a paycheck every 15th and 30th of the month but the love of their life (next to their wives, of course. Am I right Mr. Bill Gates?).

7. The language of today’s workplace is teamwork. So if you are a loner who prefers to prepare his thesis/fesibility study alone like me way back in college, forget about your "own world" and join the friday night madness with your co-workers

8. Last but not the least, apply the virtue of Patience. If you want to get to the top of the ladder, don’t jump from the ground in order to be at least three steps up higher than the rest because the ladder will surely fall and it will badly hurt you and the other climbers. Remember that the fastest way to riches is the get rich slowly. Climb up the ladder slowly and carefully and be mindful of others who are also climbing with you.

My definition of success is simple. Success is getting whatever you want in life without violating the rights of others.

Welcome to the real world.

Nang makilala ni Adan si Eba

(paalala: matagal ko na ginawa itong article na ‘to. repost lang sa blog. =)

garden of eden…yun yung lugar na sobrang
> ganda.paradise na ginawa ni God para sa
> tao.pero syempre hindi mawawala doon si Adan
> at si Eba.sige na nga, dagdag mo na yung
> serpent na nag-attract kay eba na kainin yung
> ipinagbabawal na bunga mula sa punong
> ipinagbabawal din.
> pero wala sa creation of man ang topic ko
> ngayon.la lang kasi akong maisip na intro…at
yun
> lang ang pinakamalapit e.anong gusto kong
> palabasin?anong gusto kong tumbukin at
ipasok
> sa side pocket ng billiard table?
>
> simple lang…
> ang katangahan at kahinaan ni Adan.
>
> it’s generally accepted na ituring ang male
gender
> as the stronger gender.kami ang haligi ng
> tahanan,provider ng pamilya,breadwinner,prime
> minister,laging nakaupo sa kabisera ng dining
> table,gentleman,peacekeeper,diplomat ng
> pamilya,karaniwang nagiging lider ng anumang
> samahan, ng government, at kung anu-ano pang
> nakikita mong ginagawa ng kalalakihan
> ngaun.nakakapagod!lalo na yung iba naming
> duties like taga-araro, taga-sisid,tagayugyog ng
> kama, at mangangapa ng kung anu-anong
bagay
> na maaaring makapa sa gitna ng dilim(ito yung
> mga duties na thrilling!hehe!).
> back to the topic(baka kung saang branch ng
> sogo pa tayo mapunta kapag tinuloy ko yung
nasa
> itaas).alam ba natin na ang mga lalaki rin ang
> pinakamahinang nilalang ng Diyos sa
> mundo.katunayan,merong guys na isang round
pa
> lang e hinang-hina na(tangnang utak talaga ito o!
> daming alam!).
> seryoso na ito. ahhmmm….makikita nating
> madalas ang mga lalaki na tulad ko na kasama
> lagi sina red horse,colt 45,ginebra,gilbey’s,at
> kung anu-ano pang may high spirit na hard
> drinks.this is the only channel they know na
> mailalabas ang sama ng loob.pati na rin sama
ng
> labas.at sama ng loob at labas.another
> instance,tuwing may problem sa trabaho or sa
> family kasi sobrang apektado ang kundisyon
> nila.sila kasi ang nag-iisip ng mga dapat gawin
> dahil sila nga ang inaasahan sa mga bagay na
> ganun.di lang minsan halata kasi magaling din
> kami magtago(lalo na ng mga mistresses!).
>
> napakaraming bagay pa ang
makapagpapatunay
> na ang lahi nga ni Adan ang pinakamalakas at
> siya ring pinakamahina.noon pa,proven na
> ito.remember si Adan na nagpauto kay Eba na
> napaniwala agad na masarap ang "mansanas"
> niya.yun tuloy naparusahan siya.
> i guess,sa lahat ng kalakasan at kahinaan ni
> Adan,wala nang hihigit pa sakalakasan at
> kahinaang dulot ng lahi ni Eba.Guys, let’s admit
> the fact na ang mga babae ang ating ultimate
> success in life.every man’s success in life is a
> woman.kung wala sila,walang ligaya.hindi
> nakakapagod.walang thrill.
> And let’s admit also the fact na sila rin ang
> pinakakahinaan natin as manifested by Adam to
> Eve.kung lalaki ka, siguro habang binabasa mo
> ito napaptango ka.kung babae ka
naman,habang
> binabasa mo itong part na ito e…humahaba ang
> hair mo!totoo naman kasi e.
>
> kung gusto mo pa ng pruweba,alamin mo na
lang
> ang kwento ni samson and delilah,ni marcos at
> imelda,ni rica peralejo at bernard palanca,ni
Rizal
> at Leonor Rivera,Segunda Katigbak,Josephine
> Bracken,Seiko Usui,Nelly Bousted etc.
(tangnang
> Rizal ito ang hilig talaga sa keps!)
>
> kung di ka pa convinced,hanapin mo na lang
ako…
> o di kaya e ang kuwento ng buhay ko kasama si
> Aida,si Lorna at si Fe!

Mukha at Salamin

Meron akong mukha

Meron akong salamin.

Meron akong mukha sa salamin.

Mukha ng salamin ay meron ako

Ngunit salamin ng mukha at wala ako.

Kung kaya’t paano ko isasalamin ang mukha

Kung di ko mamukhaan ang salamin.

Pahiram ng salamin

Pahiram ng mukha

Pahiram ng sasalamining mukha.

Salaming para sa mukha ay wala ako

Subalit mukhang para sa salamin ay meron ako.

Kung kaya’t paano ko ipamumukha sa salamin

Kund di ko maisasalamin ang mukha.

Meron akong mukha

Pahiram ng salamin.

Meron akong salamin

Pahiram ng mukha

Pero paano pa ako mananalamin

At mamumukhaan,

Kung basag na ang salamin

Wala na akong mukha?

Monchit

Umaga pa lang, bihis na bihis na si Monchit. Alas-otso kasi ang alis niya papunta sa bago niyang tirahan. Excited na nga siya kung anong klase ng mga tao ang makaksalamuha niya doon. Katulad ba sila ni Mang Berto na gabi-gabi ay kalaro niya ng baraha? O ni Aling Tess na maaga pa sa tilaok ng manok kung magkalat ng tsismis sa kapitbahay?

“Alam mo ba, si Monchit pala’y ikakasal na! Oo, nag-abroad lang daw yung babae para makaipon daw sila ng malaki”, isa sa mga tismis ni Aling Tess na nakarating kay Monchit.

“Ikakasal na kami. Darating na siya. Mahal ako nun kaya magpapakasal sa akin”.

“Ang tagal ana nun Monchit ha! Apat na taon na kayong di nagkikita,“ puna ni Aling Tess.

“Apat na taon? Hindi ah! Parang nung isang linggo nga lang siya umalis eh”, si Monchit.

“Bilis talaga ako sayo bata! Ganyan ang nagmamahal. Patient“, tinapik ni Mang Berto si Monchit.

“Kasi nga ikakasal na kami. Darating na siya. Mahal ako nun kaya magpapakasal sa akin”, may ningning sa mga mata ni Monchit. Kapag nabubuksan ang bagay na ito’y umaaliwalas ang kanyang mukha at walang tigil na niyang ikukuwento ang lahat ng mga nangyari sa kanila ng iniibig niyang si Dina. Sinisimulan niya ang kuwento sa kung paano sila nagkakilala. Pareho silang Nurse. Ipinakilala sa kanya ni Dr. Cuevas si Dina noong gabi ng Valentine’s Day Party nila sa ospital. Mula noo’y naging magkaibigan sila. Magkasama kung kumain sa canteen, tulungan sa pag-aasikaso sa mga pasyente, sabay umuwi, nagtatawagan sa telepono, nagsasabihan ng mga problema sa isa’t isa at makasundung-magkasundo sa lahat ng bagay. Na hindi nagtagal, nauwi sa matamis na pagtitinginan at pagmamahalan. Ngunit batid ni Dina na maraming hadlang sa kanilang relasyon. Una, magkaiba sila ng relihiyon na sinasagot naman lagi ni Monchit, “ Handa akong magpa-convert para sayo Dina”. Pangalawa, ayaw ng mama’t papa ni Monchit sa pamilya ni Dina. “Ako ang sasama sayo Dina at ako ang mamahalin mo. Tayong dalawa ang magsasama hindi kayo”. Pangatlo, ipinagkasundo na si Monchit sa anak ng pinagkakautangan ng papa niya. “Ikaw lang ang mahal ko Dina. Hindi nila magagawang paghiwalaying tayong dalawa dahil ikaw ang buhay ko”. At panghuli, nakatakda na ang pag-alis ni Dina bilang Nurse sa Canada na tatagal ng apat na taon.” Maghihintay ako Dina. Pagbalik mo, magpapakasal na tayo. Mag-iipon akong mabuti para sa kasal natin…sa kinabukasan natin. Hihintayin kita. Kasi mahal kita. Naiintindihan kita kasi iniibig kita!”.

Tanging isang retrato na lamang ni Dina ang naiwan sa kanya. Mula nang umalis ang kanyang minamahal ay naputol na ang kanilang komunikasyon. Ilang beses na siyang sumulat. Subalit walang dumarating na sagot mula sa minamahal sa Canada.

“Siguro, busy lang talaga siya“

“Baka na-delay lang lahat”

“Naligaw lang siguro yung kartero”

“Bumagsak siguro yung eroplanong nagdadala ng sulat“.

“Baka walang bolpen! Hahaha!“

Inisip na niya ang lahat ng maaaring maging kadahilanan upang pagtakpan ang kawalan nila ng komunikasyon. Lahat-lahat. Wala na halos itira. Gumuhit na siya sa tubig, nagtali ng buhangin, at nag-piano sa gitara. Lahat na ng posibilidad at imposibilidad.

Pero wala pa rin.

“Mahal ako nun. Ikakasal na kami. Darating na siya. Mahal ako nun kaya magpapakasal sa akin“, may tamis sa tinig ni Monchit, habang walang nagawa sila aling Tess at Mang Berto kundi ang tumango na lamang.

“Tara na Monchit! Nandyan na ang van. Kunin mo na yung mga gamit mo”, bungad ng lalaking nakaputing pantalon at polo. Inalalayan naman nina Aling Tess at Mang Berto ang binatang itinuring na nilang anak mula nang malaman nila ang kuwento nito. Sandaling napatigil si Mang Berto at Aling Tess nang napadaan sila sa kuwarto ng mama’t papa ni Monchit. Matagal nang ulila si Monchit. Tanging mga kasangkapan na lamang ng mga magulang niya ang naiwan sa kuwarto na ito. Nakabukas nang bahagya ang pinto kung kaya’t aninag ang nasa loob.

Nagulat sila sa nakita. Nagkalat na mga sulat! Mahigit isang daan ang mga iyon sa tantiya ni Mang Berto. Sa harap ng tokador ay may isang sulat na wari’y binasa ng tubig at pinatuyo ng maraming panahon. Dahan-dahan nilang nilapitan, kinuha at binuklat ang sulat.

“Monchit, patawarin mo ako. Hindi ko sinasadya, marahil sa mga oras na ito’y sakdal-impiyerno ang galit mo sa akin. Monchit, wala akong nagawa. Isang taon na ang anak namin ni Dr. Cuevas. Patawarin mo ako Monchit. Patawarin mo sana ako. Tao rin lang ako na nangungulila. Paalam…-Dina”

Napaluha si Aling Tess sa nabasa. Tila istatwa naman si Mang Berto sa pagkakatayo. Iyon marahil ang dahilan. Iyon marahil ang dahilan kung bakit ililipat na si Monchit sa Psychiatric Ward ng ospital na dati niyang pinapasukan. Sa ospital kung saan siya ay dating manggagamot…Sa ospital na ngayon sa kanya’y manggagamot. Nilapitan nila si Monchit na nakangiti pa ring naghihintay sa pag-andar ng van na sinasakyan niya.

“OK ka lang ba Monchit?“, may panghihinayang sa tinig ni Mang Berto.

“Ikakasal na kami! Darating na siya! Mahal ako nun kaya magpapakasal sa akin”, di pa rin napapawi ang aliwalas ng kanyang mukha at ningning ng kanyang mga mata na tila nagsisimula nang lumuha sa kabila ng kagalakan.

Umusad na ang van. Naiwan ang dalawang taong nalulungkot sa pagtanaw sa papalayong sasakyan habang tangan ang isang sulat na binasa’t pinatuyo ng pag-ibig at pagkahibang.

(This article is published on the literary section of “Prime Journal”, JPIA-PSBAQC’s official publication last Aug. 2004).