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).