let it go...

“Life is like a box of chocolates, you’ll never know what you will get until you open it.” – Forest Gump

This is a very famous, inspiring line that up to now touches my life in every way. Whenever I am in doubt, I always thought of it. It works for me and who knows, it might work for you too. It taught me of how to face every challenge in life courageously with head held high.

At this very moment, I am facing the biggest trial of my life… to take an opportunity that I couldn’t resist.  At first I was having doubts with my decision but now I am determined. Whatever the reason why I want to leave is better left unsaid. I want to start a new life... start from scratch… I’ll LET IT GO certainly!

I am happy where I am, honestly! There may be times when I had my darkest and saddest part of my life and never would I regret it. For I have also regret meeting these wonderful people. But then I have to LET IT GO!

I have been grateful of all the things that I have learned and of all the people who have been so kind while I was working for the very first company who trusted me. This is the hardest part indeed, when we need to bid our goodbyes. But these goodbyes will surely lead into something so much better. I know that there will always be a space reserved in my heart for all of you, and hopefully I also have mine in yoursJ.  And still, I’ll LET IT GO.

I’ll cherish all the good memories and try to forget the bad ones. I wanted to leave with a smile seen not only on the outside but better yet in the inside. Mahirap kalimutan ang mga kalokohan, ang mga tawanan, there was never a dull moment. Surely I will miss it!  Sabi nga ni mareng Katy Perry, “comparisons are easily done once you’ve had a taste of perfection”. Para sa’ken, it’s the most perfect time of my life but I have to LET IT GO! Opportunity keeps knockin’ on my door and I can’t help but let them in. They might slip away in just a snap so before it burst like a bubble I might as well grab it. Oportunista pala! Hahaha!

Nothing left to say but THANK YOU! This may appear to be a little BADUY but I just want to extend the happiness and gratefulness I felt towards you guys. I guess that your part in my story is over and I have also played mine in yours, remarkably… with a big round of applause! Kahit ang tingin nyo sa’ken e puro problema ang dala ko, I enjoyed every single day of my life though. I’m sure mami-miss nyo ang iyaking bata na ‘to! Hehehe!

THANK YOU for everything…

To my mentor, mam gelmie, thank you for all the things you have taught me, kahit yung mga walang kinalaman sa trabaho. Hehehe! Sorry kung di ko na nasunod ang tinuro mo sa’king “two must go”. Hahaha!

To my ABAD SANTOS family, thank you for the warmest welcome I have received.

To my GILMORE WAREHOUSE family, thank you for trusting me as your “iyaking admin assistant”. Pasensya na at nagulo ng batang ‘to ang branch. Hehehe!

To my dearest friends… sir rey, salamat sa mga kwento mo every lunch time, yung ang pinaka-nami-miss ko sayo, you were the very first person to accommodate me. Hehehe!... at sa aking pare... a big ☺ for you!!! your still my "pare"! Hehehe! Basta you can always tell me everything, no secrets this time ok? Pag may problema ka, inom lang natin yan. Hehehe!

THANK YOU! THANK YOU! THANK YOU!

O diba parang speech na naman? Feeling valedictorian! Hahaha!

So I’m wishing myself the best of luck!

NEW ENVIRONMENT! NEW FRIENDS! NEW ADVENTURE!

The Walk-in Applicant

ngayon ko naintindihan

ang hirap ng buhay

ang lupit sa gitna ng nagtataasang building

ang bagsik ng naguungusang kompanya

kay hirap lalo't ika'y salat

ipinagdamot ang karangyaan

kapos sa kaalaman

at uhaw sa pagkakataon

ang init ay pilit iniibsan

ng pag-asang natatanaw

sa gayo'y hindi na lamang pawang

panghihinayang ang dadatnan

mailap man ang pagkakataon

ang pagsuko'y di naisip kaylanman

sapagka't sa tulong ng Maykapal

matapang na haharapin ang pagsubok kaylanman

(The spirit of Balagtas unveils in me whenever I am sad, frustrated etc. Hehehe!)

Don't let your struggles ruin your life, instead use it as an inspiration. Just like what I did, I've made this poem inspired by the hardships of job hunting. Hehehe! That should be the right attitude towards every trial that comes into our lives. But truthfully, there came a point where you wanted to give up right? ...a point where we almost forgot all the good things that happened in the past. And all of the things that's left in our minds and hearts are frustrations, hatred, self-pity and sometimes evil.

Like me, I graduated last March,2011... been looking for a job and still.... job less. I felt that I am such a failure that up to now I've been receiving rejections. Always been in a cycle of job hunting-exam-couple of interviews-tatawagan ka na lang procedure, it's tiring, very tiring!!!

Until, I've watched a story about this Lolo who walks all the way from Baclaran to Ortigas only to look for a job. Imagine, that's a long road!!! Weew! I kinda felt guilty whenever I think about him who is determined to get a job, doesn't care about the long road and not to mention the age. I'm 23 and he's... I think 75... now you do the math. Hehehe!

He maybe too old to do this, he should actually be in his retirement enjoying the benefits. But then here he is, eager to get a job and in spite of all the rejections, he still looks at it in a positive way. And here I am, surrounded with all the negativity! ...but not all the time... I know that something good is ahead of me. Just like what Katy Perry said, "maybe the reason why all the doors are closed so you could open one that leads you to the perfect road". It may not be my time for now but for sure when it comes, it's beyond my expectations.

That's it Lolo! You've inspired me! Thank you!

*In Loving Memory of Lolo*

Let's Do the Pantene Bounce TVC!!!

How lucky am I to be a part of the newest commercial for Pantene Bounce?! Yaaaaahooo!  Well, unfortunately, I am not that lucky due to some katangahan, I wasn’t able to come. I couldn’t imagine how excited I am to see myself in a commercial, to be featured in a magazine and websites (o diba? Feeling artista.. hehehe!).

But the very first agenda why I joined the promo is to get the prize, the consolation prize for online candidates. This is in need to fund my job hunting adventure. I didn’t have any idea that I will be given the chance to be one of those girls waving their hair and carrying those beautiful smiles on camera since I don’t have that what they call “artista factor”. Hehehe!

here's my special profile badge

The very first thing that comes into my mind is "ok, what's next?". Is this the start of a new path? Itatapon ko na ba ang mga resume' ko at titigilan ko na ang drama line na "parang walang Basya kung walang Popoy"? And then naisip ko, ga-tuldok lang naman ako sa commercial na yun kung sakali, dahil di naman ako ang model. Hahaha! But who knows baka isa ako sa mapili na mapunta sa unahan dahil find your height daw sabi ni direk. Hehehe!

You may be thinking ang kapal ng mukha ko sumali, but you know it’s soooo much worth it. At least I have proven na maganda din naman ako at ka-level ko si Ruby, ang bidang kontrabida.  Hehehe!

But please don't get me wrong guys, kakapalan ng mukha is not what I wanted to impart to you girls even you guys. The message is to take every chances that is coming your way, minsan lang talaga sila dadaan kung malalampasan ka nila siguradong hindi na sila babalik. I didn’t join the contest because I wanted to be in the business (you know, showbizness), it’s the experience that I’m after. It’s not every day that you’ll be chosen to do that rockin' commercial shoot.  You’ll get to meet different people from all walks of life. A volleyball player, a dubber, a veteran model and lots and lots of beautiful girls! O diba ang saya?! Beautiful girls♪ All over the♪… world??? Hehehe! Kasama na din ang cast and crew, the director, the make-up artist, the stylist hanggang sa mga PA. It’s an opportunity more than being in the limelight. Alam nyo naman ako, I have the heart for anything that has something to do with media. Kahit na sa news and magazine ang gusto pwede na rin ‘to, yun naman ang kailangan ng mga beginners e, for EXPERIENCE lang. And obviously, I won’t be able to write this blog post, right? Hehehe!

Male>Female???

Si Eba ay hinugot mula sa tadyang ni Adan. Does this mean that men are greater than female??? I actually heard someone said na ang babae ay ginawa para pagsilbihan ang mga lalaki. NO WAY!!! Lumpo ba sila o tamad lang talaga? Hehehe!

Marami rin naman sigurong situations na nag-dominate ang mga kalalakihan. Katulad ng pagkakaroon ng mas higit at mas magaling na presidente sa ating bansa. Ang mas maraming pinagbibidahang super hero movies at ang matapang na pagharap sa circumcision. Hahaha! Sige na, kayo na! But you know, behind every man's success is a woman.:)

Uhmm.. teka bakit ko nga ba sinasabi 'to? 'Coz I wanted to share with you my unforgettable experience...an eye-opener perhaps. 

And here it is...

During a job interview I wonder why "Tell me something about yourself" is not the very first question I encountered. All preparations for that question fell into pieces. Sayang ang mga malalalim na words na sinearch ko pa over google. Hehehe!

And the question is???... drum roll please!... "Why did you choose this course?"... Then I started thinking, bakit nga ba? From that time I felt like a missing jigsaw puzzle piece, naligaw at nahalo sa ibang pieces na hindi ko kauri. Hahaha! Naramdaman ko ang init ng spotlight na nanunuot sa aking balat. Then I started saying, "..because...uhmm..". At umepal na naman si HR, "I mean, no offense to you but this course is much fitted for males. Honestly, we prefer male for IT positions rather than female." This statement triggered me to feel for my fellow females, umiral ang aking pagiging feminism. And I said, "Mam, I strongly believe that the capability of a person can never be measured by his or her gender. Whatever it is that's in here(pointing to the head) can be greater than or equal to that of male." 

Clap! Clap! Clap! I've seen my audience clapping, standing and crying... "And the winner for Binibining Pilipinas Ms. Universe 2011 is.... Sham...sorry, sorry.. Ruby dela Cruz!!!"

Thank you! Thank you! It is such an honor to represent our country in Ms Universe 2011. I shall wear this crown proudly as I present to the Universe what true beauty means.

Hahaha! Ok, enough of the daydreaming. Back to the story...

Honestly, di ko nasabi yung mga yun dahil bigla nang nagsalita si HR, at sinabi nya...

HR: Uhmm... ok lang ba sayo kung sa ibang position kita ilagay?

Me: Sige po, ok lang po... (with a very disappointing voice)

HR: Pero titignan ko pa rin kung san kita pwedeng ilagay, yung kahit papano related sa course mo. 

Me: Ok po...(with a very disappointing voice na naman)

HR: We'll give you a call or text message ok. Thank you!

Me: Thank you po... (tinatamad voice)

From this experience I realized, no matter what I do or no matter what I say doesn't really matter at all. Ang baba pa rin ng pagtingin sa mga babae. Whatever happened to Princess Diana, to Mother Theresa, to Cory Aquino?! Tsk! Tsk! Lahat sila patay na! Hahaha! But they died with honor... and they left a mark thats needs to be painted all over the world. Women domination! I'm not saying that we should do what they have done but at least stand up with our heads facing up.

So let's make that Male=Female, alright?!:)

Congratulations Batch '11! Congrats BSCOE!

Maraming nagsasabing sa high school ang pinaka-memorable sa lahat ng graduation na mangyayari sa buhay mo. But I must say, college graduation ang hinding-hindi ko makakalimutan. I've had the best of friends, classmates, professors (weh??) and school (ows??). Hehehe! I never regret that I had to wait for two years. Ngayon ko lang na-realize na may purpose pala yun, to meet this wonderful people. Kaya kahit inaasar nyo ko guys, ok lang, kapalit naman nun ay ang walang humpay na tawanan at saya sa piling nyo. Naks!

Naaalala ko pa ang mga panahon na para tayong mga youtube babies aiming to be recognized. And today, we've had our infinite views. Cameras keep flashin'... necks were breakin'. Feeling celebrity tayo as we walk heading to the stage getting our diplomas. At ngayong hawak na natin ang limang taong pinaghirapan, ano na? Well, namnamin muna natin ang kagalakan at tsaka na pag-isipan ang susunod na hakbangin. (Ganito ba talaga pag naka-graduate na, ang lalim na magsalita. hehehe!)
Our journey is something that I would treasure for all my life. Mahirap makahanap ng mga kaklaseng magpapakoya sayo kapag may assignments at tuwing exams. Hehehe!
Each and everyone has touched my life in a very simple yet meaningful way. Di lang ako madalas mag-react pero naa-appreciate ko ang lahat. Mami-miss ko ang ating mga laugh trip, gala at never ending revisions. Hehehe!
Maraming maraming salamat sa inyong lahat! To my friends, Arrianne, Marvie, Psalm thank you para sa ating first year to fifth year and to never-ending year friendship. 
Sa mga palaka, Joyce, Agnes, Princes, Mae, Maricon, para sa walang hangganang tawanan. Walang awkward moments sa inyo froggies! Hehehe! 
Kay Mark, kahit naudlot ang aming pagiging mag-best friend... salamat sa hug! I would have appreciate it more kung may kiss pa! Joke lang Marvs! Hahaha! 
Kay Tin, Joan, Raffy, Brian, Paul, Line, salamat para sa mga times na kailangan ko kayo, lalo na sa lrt! Salamat sa tissue Line! Hahaha! 
Salamat Ianna na kahit sa sandaling panahon ay naging magkaibigan tayo. Sayang, kung naging close lang tayo ng mas maaga.... 
Kay Lola kanina na inayos ang dress ko at natuwa sa legs kong peke, with matching hipo pa! hahaha!

Sa mga naiwan, lalo na kay Chini at Erick, wag kayo mag-alala, God has a better plan for you kaya ganun.:)
Para kay Erwin na tumulong sakin at tiniis ang mga topak ko, maraming salamat!
Sa mga DOTA boys, sa BAKBALIKWA, sa LOVERS, sa 5 and up at sa lahat ng bumubo ng BSCOE Batch 2011, maraming maraming salamat! 
Sad to say, that we had our last remaining days in our dear Alma Mater:( Kung magkikita pa tayo... nobody knows, but I wish the best of luck for you guys. May we find our happiness, may we conquer our fears, may we overcome the obstacles and may we fulfill our dreams.
Good luck Engineers!:)
(o diba parang speech lang.. hahaha!)