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*