The Joy of After Midlife

After Midlife's Challenge

My principal's retirement is fast approaching. Everyday, I count my days of being a department head at my present assignment may come to a stop for a new assignment in another school. Happy or sad? Can't help it. It is destined to happen after I passed the principalship exam in 2005 and appointed head teacher in 2007. Only three of us who passed the said exam became head teachers. The other two are already holding school head OIC assignment respectively. I should be next...

Hopeful? Pessimistic? It is bound to happen, whether i like it or not. I'm saddened that I have to be an office person from June to May, Monday to Friday. So much paper work. So many conferences to attend, meetings to preside, lessons to observe, etc., etc. No more vacations to faraway Sorsogon, Borongan? It will be so much pressure to be in the office everyday. It won't be that exciting except for travels due to official functions. Will that be adventure to the fullest? In my age, adventure seems a thing of the past. Although, I still would like to add more pictures of sceneries or natural landscapes: beaches, mountains, flowers, birds, butterflies.

I really would like to see the whole country. Beeing a school head will give me that opportunity. Communion with nature is always a priority whenever I visit a place. The fresh air that tells me "Thank God, you're still alive", is still the best reward I can have.

Journey After Midlife

Dante Alleghieri considers 35 as the midlife age in his Divine Comedy. I quite agree though at present I am aware that few relatives of friends pass away at 20's. Furthermore, with the new diseases like AIDS, cancer, diabetes, Filipinos can not reach the age of 70.

In all honesty, I may have not met my real biological father whom my mother identified as TAN PENG HONG, I am very grateful that he has passed on to me that real Chinese self discipline. It is very evident in me, for at 53 I still can wear Medium size RTW. My complexion is unlike the others, thanks again to the oriental blood.

Life at midlife is the admission that the end of the line can come any moment. I have fell flat in Coastal Road when the jeep I was in suddenly roared into motion. My fault, I did not tell the driver I was taking the coming bus. I could have been run over by the approaching jeep. Fortunately, the jeepney driver saw me so he did not start his engine.

I approach the end of the line day by day, preparing temporal provisions for the dignified "departure". I try to help people in need to the best of my ability, financially. I still manage to serve the church by being a choir member. I have managed to maintain my commitment and hope that my voice will stay crisp until I reach 60. I am proud that at this age I can still hit the right notes without sounding 50-ish. Jazz. samba. bossa are very cool. I do not feel tensed when hitting high notes.

I am contented with my life now. Many things did not turn out the way I expected them to be when I was younger or newly maried. I just have to accept reality. If I have made wrong decisions, I reap the fruits and pray for the salvation of my sould come judgment day.

Rotary Club of Imus East - Quo Vadis?

2002 - one of the dark years in my teaching career. My new principal treats me in such a way I didn't quite appreciate and vise versa. It was a dilemmna to get a replacement for the promoted one based on seniority or strong personality. The school was still an annex of the mother school, short of funds. Canteen is doing well but still very much in need.

Being an officer of the Pag-iribang Bicolnon cang Sto. Niño de Molino, Inc. (Association of Bicolanos in the Parish of Sto. Niño de Molino, Bacoor, Cavite, I came to know fellow Bicolanos who are Rotarians. I volunteered to be a coordinator of the club in our school. Many students reside in Queensrow, Greenvalley. My target members will not be a problem. Some of them are in the cream section.

The first year, we got a leader from IV-B, happened to be elected out of popularity not by competence. The succeeding leaders went well. We had many projects. Rotary supported us generously. One project which was implemented whole year round: Botica sa Eskwela. We were supplied with over-the-counter drugs for firs aid. The Amoxicillin was prohibited for young people without doctor's prescription. A lot expired.

2007 - the first female president was elected in Rotary Club of Imus-East. Nothing wrong with the gender. It's not an issue in Rotary. What's sad is the lack of fund or machinery to generate funding for the projects proven effective for years. It's 2008 now, more than half of the Rotary year has lapsed. So far, we only had three activities: Alay Lakad, District Assembly, On-the-spot poster/card making where we were fortunate to win the 2nd place with the expertise of multi-awarded Mikahil Roy Oclos. The School Botica is slowly dying. During the Club Christmas Party last December 30, I was informed that it will be revived. I wonder when.

It's still a bit immature to think of the next rotary year. I don't even expect that I could still be a part in the future: change of assignment maybe. I hope that Mr. Albis can revive the Rotary of Imus East. I hope and pray that he will support my project: to write Cavite legends. He owns a printing press. It's very appropriate timing. For now, the big question is: Quo vadis, Rotary Club of Imus East?

A Very Unusual Christmas

December 24 - While singing in a Catholic church wedding, Aunt Vilma texted me: "If you have time tomorrow come to Bubble's house or at my office at DepEd Pasig on the 26th so i will understand the circumstances in the omission of your name in the payroll." Going to Pasig was nearer but I have previous commitment on that day. I was accustomed being at Lamayan St., Sta. Ana during Christmas day until my mother's death in 2005. Going to Capitol Homes in Diliman was quite a trip. I have no choice but to give in to Mama Vilma's request.

I have asked Oniza to come with me. It happened that her mother and sister (Flory and Fatima) were around. They have consented to go along with me. Erik, my first son also gave in. When we arrived at Rome St., Papa Peping and Mama Tessie and family: 2 sons with their wives and daughter with husband with kid/s) were about to leave. Greetings, short they may be but full of warmth. I noticed a companion who made me want to cry: Who's he? He looks like Papa Maning! I told myself but i know it was impossible because it has been years when he has departed. He was looking at my direction, not looking directly but very obvious observing me intently. Have to say goodbye because my main purpose is also leaving in a short while because she has been called by the President.

Hurriedly, we did some picture-taking. At the dining table I cannot keep my silence anymore. I have to know who that companion was. Bubbles told me everyone and was accounted for. No one was with them with the description I gave. "Hala ka, si Papa Maning yon!" Birthday kasi nila (twin Salvador fondly called Papa Badong) ngayon.

That's it! While singing in the wedding, i thought of offering a mass for the twin for their birthday. I failed to drop by the parish office. The thought remained in me, can't have my peace. I have to keep my "promise". Finally, with the 12,000 pesos Erik deposited in my LBP account, i decided to pay our realty tax at the municipal hall of Bacoor. Upon seeing the church facade, I went directly to the parish office. AT LAST, I had offered mass for them in St. Michael Church. How I miss my uncles Maning and Badong. That's the only way I can tell them I love them so.

Thanks to Cousin & Husband

Desperate about my problem with Camella Homes, I was tempted to seek counsel from a private lawyer, a friend of a fellow teacher. I gave a copy of my letter complaint and the advise was to have a demand letter. I tested the water whether that attorney would do me a favor of such letter but the reply was that I talk to Camella people first. Well, my letter clearly stated that I have been waiting for a year for their the much-needed appropriate action. Last resor, contact my cousin whose husband is an attorney.

Bubbles was accomodating and receptive to the idea. She herself composed the demand letter and had it signed by her husband Bogs. I delivered the demand letter at Camella Homes Administrative Department. I waited for the response.

December 22, 3 days far from Christmas day, a team from Camella Homes visited our place and reassured us that the action will be done after Christmas. And so it is after Christmas because they came back January 3. Too late, another crisis has happened: my toilet is again clogged. The next day, no workers reported. I pleaded to speed up their work to remedy the crisis. It is now January 9, the feast of the Jesus Christ Nazarene, I am also carrying a cross until clogging will be cleared.

Prayer for New Year

Lord, 365 days can pass so fast. There are many things left undone. I have given priority to material and earthly matters. I feel sorry for my mistakes but I can not help repeating to the extent of making it a part of my everyday life.

I thank You for countless blessings, material and immaterial, you have showered me this past years. It is a divine proof that no matter imperfect this creature, your love still very much felt.

Imperfect as I am, I pray for my suffering friends and relatives from illness. I also pray for my friends with problems with their daughters. I pray that I can continue serving the parish of Sto. Niño de Molino. I also pray that the next parish priest will be with a heart for his flock. I pray that I can continue helping young people to know the right path for the sake of their future.

I am not asking so much Lord, I leave it to Your will.