MATULUNGING ANAK

(Ang joke na ito ay inimbento ko lang. Hindi tunay na nangyari o hindi true-to-life.) 

Sa isang malayong probinsiya (hindi sa amin sa Nueva Ecija, huh!) noong hindi pa uso ang cell phone, nakatanggap ng sulat mula sa isang postman si Aling Elsa habang nagwawalis sa harapan ng bahay nila. Kaagad naman siyang nilapitan ni Aling Myrna na noo’y nagwawalis din sa tapat ng bahay nila. 

MYRNA: Uy, Elsa! Mukhang may sulat ka na naman sa anak mong nasa Maynila, a! 

ELSA: Oo nga, Myrna. Siguro ibabalita sa akin yung bago niyang hinuhulugang appliances.

MYRNA: Ang dami na niyang nabili para sa ‘yo, a! TV set… cassette… VCD… washing machine... electric fan... Kulang na nga lang yata sa inyo e... electric chair!

ELSA: At kaya pala matagal na siyang hindi nakakauwi at hindi nakapagpapadala ng pera dahil may bago raw siyang hinuhulugan. 

MYRNA: Ano naman daw ngayon? 

ELSA: Ano nga ba yun? Tila… SLOT MACHINE daw yata! 

MYRNA: Naku, ang suwerte mo, Elsa! Nakakainggit ka! Kaya pala mahigit nang isang taon siyang hindi nakapagpapadala ng pera sa iyo! 

SEEING WITH THE EYES OF FAITH

Gaudz sees with eyes of faith

Have you ever encountered a life situation that is somewhat mysterious? An experience raising a question that seems to have no answer?

Have you ever found yourself in a situation where you pinned  your hope only on your Faith in God? 

A VERY TRYING TIME 

Last April 2022, I brought my younger brother to the Dr. Paulino J. Garcia Memorial Research and Medical Center (PJG) in Cabanatuan City for medical attention. He had many health issues. 

He had high blood sugar. He was anemic. His hemoglobin was low. He had urinary tract infection (UTI). His blood pressure was 90/60. 

Due to the above condition, he collapsed a number of times hitting his head on the ground.

What alarmed me most was his not being able to move his body, could not eat and had to be personally attended to in every activity he had to do. 

Laboratory tests were done and results of the CT scan showed there was bleeding in his brain and needed to be operated. 

The Hospital has very strict policy on visitors and persons attending to the needs of patients.  Only one person is allowed for every patient leaving my brother only to the care of his 17-year old daughter while I stayed at the waiting area outside of the hospital compound provided for visitors. 

I was very much worried then and prayed almost nonstop. I remember during the time the operation was being performed on him by the neurosurgeon, I said the rosary as I walked along all four streets surrounding the vast PJG compound. That was past midnight when I could not sleep a wink due to anxiety. 

After the operation, his daughter was asked to stay at the waiting area where I was staying as my brother would be placed at the ICU for three days leaving me even more anxious. 

I brought my novena booklet with me and made a novena to the Sacred Heart for nine consecutive hours. I solemnly prayed that my brother’s operation be successful and to bless and guide the neurosurgeon and other medical personnel attending to my brother. 

Dr. Paulino J. Garcia Memorial Research and Medical Center

WANING ENERGY 

Staying at the waiting area thinking about a loved one placed at the ICU could drain one emotionally as well as physically. But I had to take care of myself, too. As my physical energy was waning and needed replenishment, I went out of the waiting area to have my lunch. 

I found a canteen on Quimson Street in the vicinity of PJG. I ordered my favorite sinigang na bangus and a ripe banana for my dessert. 

When I was done eating and about to pay for what I had ordered, the cashier told me that it had already been paid by the guy who had just left the canteen. 

Greatly astounded, I asked her who that guy was. She said she didn’t know and that she thought he was my companion. 

Lest it later turn out to be some kind of a prank, I insisted on paying. But her two food servers confirmed my order had, indeed, already been paid by that guy they thought was a friend of mine. 

I told them I am not from Cabanatuan and have no known friend in that city. I insisted on paying but they refused to accept my money since my order had already been paid and that that would be alright with them. 

Trying to further convince me, the ladies rationalized that I might have had done similar good thing in the past and that I was then rewarded for my generosity by someone I didn’t know. 

Being a religious person and likewise believing in what they reasoned out, I was convinced. So, I just asked the ladies if they knew the guy and if they had any idea where I could find him so I could at least thank him.  They told me they didn’t know him but that he’s probably in his mid-20s and that he oftentimes takes his lunch at their canteen. They further stated that he works at a computer store beside a tailoring shop just before the highway as they pointed to that direction. 

ACTS OF GENEROSITY 

As the ladies’ words were still ringing in my ears, I tried to reach back. What act of kindness had I done in the past that deserves a reward such as this? 

I am basically a good person and have  remained good despite some cruel people's distorted opinion of myself. There are countless instances that can attest to that. 

Upon request, I tutored many students in our neighborhood and helped many schoolmates of all year levels make their school assignments. When I was already working, I helped many find jobs and lent money to those who needed same not even asking them to pay me back. Not only did I help them find jobs but even offered my place where they could temporarily stay while in a place far away from their homes. 

HOSPITAL RELEASE 

After the very successful operation (Thank God! And thanks to Dr. Charlene Mercado, the Neurosurgeon--we love you, Doc!) and having been confined in the hospital for nearly a month, my brother finally got out of the hospital but scheduled to come back the following month for the follow up checkup and removal of the staples on his scalp. 

We had zero billing. Many thanks to former Congresswoman Josie Manuel-Joson who fortunately called me on my phone the moment we stepped on the hospital ground not knowing we were there. That helped ease the burden of my stress-laden heart. 

Ma’am Josie is a good friend of mine and a former classmate (our valedictorian) in grade school, and whose staff helped facilitate in the processing of my brother’s Philhealth. Many commented that had the operation been done at a private hospital, it would have cost us million pesos. What’s more, the thought of having someone I can turn to on a trying moment like this helped diminish my anxiety. 

FOLLOW UP CHECKUP 

As scheduled, on May 31, we went back to the PJG for my brother’s follow up checkup. There were many patients on the hallway waiting for their respective doctors. 

As we waited for the neurosurgeon, and as if to provide the necessary segue to the mystery I was trying to solve, I happened to sit beside a young guy who likewise was there for the same purpose as mine. To beat boredom, I talked with him. I asked him who the patient he was with. He said it was his aunt whom he accompanied for medical checkup. He said they are from Cabanatuan. 

He asked me from where we are to which I replied from Gapan. 

When he mentioned that he works at a computer store beside a tailoring shop on Quimson Street, I asked him if he’s familiar with the canteen on Quimson Street near the hospital. He said yes and that he oftentimes takes his lunch there. 

I took that opportunity to narrate to him my story and asked him if he has a co-worker who is in his mid-20s and who mistakenly paid for my meal. He said he’s 20 years old but wasn’t the one I was referring to. But he confirmed his co-employees usually take their lunch in the said canteen. He further said that there was only one employee in their store who matches the age of the mystery guy and that he must be 23 years old. 

I requested him to ask that guy if he was the one who paid for my lunch so I could thank him. And I left my number to him. 

A couple of days later, in a phone conversation with him, he told me that he asked his co-employee if he was the right person I was talking about but that his co-employee said he could no longer remember the incident. 

WHAT’S IN A NAME? 

Darniel Piad. That was what the young guy said was the name of the only person working in their computer shop matching the age of the person who paid for my meal. 

The last name sounds familiar. Suddenly, an incident of long ago went to a replay in my head. 

During my teens, as I was taking a bath in the river, I rescued a young lady from drowning. That act of heroism saved someone’s life. The young lady’s name was Nilda Piad. And I was able to document that incident. Please click this link:  AN UNTOLD STORY OF HEROISM. 

Darniel Piad. He has the same surname as Nilda's. And all the letters of Nilda’s first name could be found in the former’s first name. 

It may seem illogical and absurd, but I tried to connect that incident of long ago to what the ladies in the canteen told me—that I “might have had done some acts of goodness in the past and now rewarded for that”. 

Paying for the less-than-a-hundred-peso meal I ordered may be but a trifling thing. But the experience was so full of meaning to me for not only did it replenish my waning physical energy then but, more importantly, it nourished my spirit. 

But, so as to spare myself from having some kind of intrusive thoughts and thinking too much about an incident that raised questions providing no answer, I meditated on the words our Theology teacher had taught and imparted with us. 

She said, there are times that we have to see things with the eyes of faith. Or words to that effect. And that we have to reflect and ask ourselves what it is that the Lord wants to convey to us; what He is telling us by way of incidents coming our way. 

Yes, for things that offer no explanation, we just have to see them with the eyes of faith. God works in mysterious ways! 

There are biblical passages that will complement what our teacher had taught us. 

Matthew 25:35-36 states, “…I was hungry and you fed me. I was thirsty and you gave me drink. I was a stranger and you welcomed me into your house. I was naked and you clothed me. I was sick and you visited me. I was in prison and you went to see me.” 

In Matthew 25:40, the Lord also said, “…Truly, I say to you: whenever you did this to one of the least, to my brothers, you did this to me.”  

We do not see God. But we feel Him. 

We feel Him in life situations and occurrences that inspire us... inspire us to do good. 

We “see” Him in life situations and occurrences that further strengthen our faith. We see Him through the eyes of Faith. 

PATUNG-PATONG NA LETRA (MALABO ANG MATA)

Siguro mid-80s noon. Matindi ang nerbiyos ko. Kapag matindi ang nerbiyos ko, ang labo ng paningin ko. 

Nagpunta ako sa Dispensary ng Base Employees’ Labor Union (Federation of Filipino Civilian Employees Association in the U.S. Bases) pero hindi dahil sa nerbiyos o dahil sa malabong paningin. I forgot kung dahil saan. Anyway, kaibigan ko’ng mga nurses doon. Lalo na si Linda who was then with her husband, Jun, na kaibigan ko rin. 

As I was reading something, I stretched my right arm kasi hindi ko mabasa ‘pag malapitan ang binabasa ko. 

“Ummmm!!” (Binatukan ako ni Linda, Duty Nurse.) “Ito ‘ka mo ang arti-arte! Magbabasa lang, pakalayu-layo pa ng binabasa!” 

“Hindi… kasi… blurred ‘pag malapit. Hindi ko mabasa. ‘Yung mga letra… patung-patong.” 

Tapos, napatingin ako sa kanilang mag-asawa. “Kayo nga rin, e… ang tingin ko sa inyong dalawa… magkapatong din, e!” 

“Ummmmm!!” (Napatawa pero lalo akong pinagbabatukan.)

SOME LESSONS FROM CORY'S LIFE AND DEATH

(NOTE:  This article was first published on this blog on August 8, 2009.) 

They say that "life is a journey to death". That makes Death the final destination of our earthly existence. And that Death is a sure thing to come--sooner or later. 

Since it has an ending, we can liken life to a course or study. After the course completion, a student is rated by his teacher or instructor. 

Likewise, Life, being compared to a course, must have some kind of rating, too, in the form of judgment or how people will regard the person who died. As the grade or rate a student gets for his studies will be based on his class performance, so will the judgment given upon someone's death be a reflection of how well he or she lived his or her life; of how he or she had affected the lives of others. 

We know that people have individual differences. They may be categorized into the ordinary and the extraordinary. Ordinary people go for things that are common and do things that many--the great majority--usually do. Extraordinary people, on the other hand, do things that are unusual or less popular. Ordinary people, therefore, outnumber their extraordinary counterpart. 

We live in a material world and our observation on ordinary people will tell us that they desire material possessions. They go for worldly things like fame, power, and fortune. 

Exceptional or extraordinary people, on the other hand, contemplate more on "what to be" rather than "what to possess". They go for things that last… things that are pleasing to God. 

I watched the necrological services for former President Cory on TV. Many delivered their eulogies praising Cory for what she did when she was still alive. 

A eulogy, according to the dictionary, is a high praise; a commendatory oration or writing especially in honor of one deceased. 

Cory came from a wealthy family. She was vested with powers when she took over the presidency. She was popular in her native land. She was famous all over the world. 

Fortune. Power. Fame. These are what ordinary people aspire for and busy themselves with. Cory had them all. But nowhere in the eloquent eulogies during the necrological services for her were they given importance if ever they were mentioned. 

What were mentioned and given emphasis, though, were her godly attributes: her selflessness, love for country, humility, patience, simplicity, honesty and integrity, her being prayerful, her devotion to the Blessed Mother, her obedience to the Will of God, and like intangible characteristics no one will ever seem to be interested in. 

Yes, her obedience to the Will of God. 

Bishop Socrates Villegas at the Requiem Mass at the Manila Cathedral said, "God has called you back home." And in his homily, Fr. Arevalo said, "What a great gift God has given to our people, in giving Cory to us..." 

Yes, Cory is of God and was sent by the Father for a mission. Now that it is accomplished, she has to go back to God. 

Cory, indeed, was never alone. Hindi siya nag-iisa. She was, in fact, in good company. For didn’t the Son of God undergo the same trials and painful ordeal that Cory underwent? 

Cory is now gone. We saw the end of her journey and how she was judged for living her life. What honor could be higher than what was given her—a prolonged standing ovation and an outpouring of love and affection from a grateful people whose lost freedom she restored—that very same race that her martyred husband said was worth dying for. 

Cory's death has given us a hint on what really matters in life. How shall we respond to the example she had shown us? 

OUT OF ORDER

May isa akong electric fan na sira. Naikuwento ko kay Zening, kasamahan ko sa trabaho, and she advised me na dalhin ko raw sa electric fan repair shop near her residence. Which I did. Nang magkita kaming muli… 

Goddy: Hoy, Zening, dinala ko na dun sa ini-refer mong electric fan repair shop ‘yung electric fan ko. Ang mahal ng singil! 

Zening: Naku! Ang dami na namang puti ng buhok mo. Gusto mo kulayan natin? 

Goddy: ‘Di ko na sana ipari-repair kaya lang… kalat lang sa bahay kaya ipina-repair ko na rin. 

Zening: Mayroon akong pangkulay, gusto mo kulayan natin, ha! 

Goddy: Bibili na lang sana ako ng bago, kaya lang mas makatitipid pa rin ako kung ipari-repair ko na lang. Kasi, halos kalahati lang ang magagastos ko ‘pag ipina-repair ko kaysa bumili ako ng bago. 

Zening: Sige na, kulayan na natin! Coffee black ang kulay. 

Goddy: Wala nga akong pantubos e! Dapat nung Sabado ko pa ‘yun nakuha. 

Zening: Ikaw kasi, ang tigas ng ulo mo! Sabi ko na sa ‘yo bumili ka na lang ng bago. Aba’y presyo na ng isang bagong electric fan ang ibabayad mo dun sa ipina-repair mo! 

Goddy: Hindi ba nakaka-allergic ‘yang pangkulay mo? 

Zening: Gusto mo itanong mo pa kay Lolit, mayroon kang mabibiling bagong electric fan sa halagang 300 pesos lang. 

Goddy: Dala mo ba ‘yung pangkulay na sinasabi mo? 

Zening: Hindi ba, Lolit, may tig-300 pesos na bagong electric fan ngayon kahit sa Ocampo’s ano? 

THREE STORES, PART 2

(Karugtong ito ng nauna kong entry also titled Three Stores.)

Store No. 4

Sa Lumang Palengke sa 23^rd St. sa West Bajac-Bajac, Olongapo, kung saan palagian akong namamalengke, I approached a fruit and vegetable stall where local oranges (dalanghita) were being sold.

Sabi ko sa lalaking teenager na nagtitinda, “Boy, pagbilhan mo ako ng isang kilong dalanghita.”

Habang tinitimbang ng batang lalaki ang binibili kong dalanghita, I asked him, “Matamis ba ito?”

The boy replied, “Ay, opo, matamis po iyan!”

Tapos, sabi ko, “Kahapon kasi, nakabili ako roon sa gawing unahan ng market, ang sabi matamis daw.  Pero, maasim naman pala.”

“Ay, maasim po?”

Sagot ko, “Gusto ko nga ‘yong maasim kasi may ubo at sipon ako.”

“Ay, ito po (as he handed to me the local oranges), maasim po ito!”

Store No. 5

Several months ago, doon pa rin sa Lumang Palengke, habang dumaraan ako sa isang fruit stall, pahiyaw na iniaalok ng tindera ang paninda niyang ripe mangoes.

“Ay Ale, Mama, manggang Zambales!  Manggang Zambales, Mama, Ale!  Libre tikim... ng sili!  Libre tikim... ng sili!

Store No. 6 

Just this morning, doon pa rin sa favorite kong market, huminto ako sa isang grocery to buy a bar of soap.  Gamit ko sa paghugas ng pinggan.  Ayaw ko kasi ng liquid soap.

“Pagbilhan ng isang baretang sabon.  Iyong  ‘Champion with Kalamansi’ ha,” sabi ko sa sales clerk.

But the sales clerk came with the brand I asked but with a different scent.

I told the sales clerk, “Ay, ayaw ko niyan.  Iyong may kalamansi ang gusto ko!”  I asserted myself.

“Bakit po, parehas namang sabon ang mga iyan, bakit iyong kalamansi ang gusto ninyo?”

“May sipon kasi ako at ubo,” sagot ko. 

THREE STORES

STORE NO. 1 

This one’s true story. Mainit ang panahon at uhaw na uhaw ako. Huminto ako sa isang tindahan para mamili ng softdrink na malamig.

Goddy: Pagbilhan nga po ng Coke.

Tindera: Ay, wala pong Coke! 

Goddy: E, Pepsi po? 

Tindera: Ay, wala pong Pepsi! 

Goddy: E, Royal na lang pala. 

Tindera: Naku! Wala rin pong Royal! 

Goddy: E, Sprite? 

Tindera: Wala rin po! 

Goddy: Ano pa’ng wala kayo???

STORE NO. 2

Ito nama’y hindi talaga nangyari. Naisipan ko lang gawin para may counterpart naman ang naunang istorya.

Goddy: Pagbilhan nga po.

Tindera: Ano po iyon? 

Goddy: Mayroon po ba kayong Coke? 

Tindera: Meron po. 

Goddy: E, Pepsi, meron kayo? 

Tindera: Meron din po. 

Goddy: How about Royal? 

Tindera: Meron din po! 

Goddy: E, Sprite? 

Tindera: Meron din po! 

Goddy: E, 7 Up? 

Tindera: Naku, wala po kaming 7 Up! 

Goddy: Iyon… iyon… pagbilhan po ng 7 Up! 

STORE NO. 3 

This one’s another true story. Namili ako noon sa Lumang Palengke sa 23^rd Street sa Olongapo. Nang pauwi na ako, napuna kong hindi pala ako nakabili ng patis. So, kung alin ang una kong nadaanang tindahan, doon ako huminto at namili. 

Goddy: Pagbilhan nga ng patis. 

Tindera: Aba, Mama, botika po ito! 

Goddy: Ha! Naku, sorry ha! ‘Di ko napuna e. 

AN OCCURRENCE BEYOND MAN'S COMPREHENSION

In the latter part of the 90s, during my designation as Alternate Evidence Custodian of an intelligence and investigation office, I reported for work on a day which was supposed to be my day off. We had a TV set in the Evidence Room and, to do away with loneliness, I turned that TV set on. 

The program on TV then was a prayer rally by a religious organization led by its preacher or leader. The way the religious leader preached seemed improper to me as he appeared to be boasting. Unimpressed by what he was saying, I said to myself in the local dialect, “Teka nga, mapatay nga itong TV!” (I’ll turn this TV set off!) To my surprise, as though the preacher heard me and as though he was just inside the room, he pointed his right index finger to me then said, “Sige, kung gusto mo, patayin mo pa itong TV!” (Go ahead, if you want, turn this TV set off!) 

Though a bit afraid, I turned it off. I couldn’t figure out how that incident happened. Perhaps, it was just pure coincidence. Since I found it real difficult to comprehend, I just resigned to the fact that there are occurrences in this world that are beyond man’s comprehension.

HINDI NA NASANAY

Noong second semester nang muli kong pag-e-enrol sa college, nagkaroon ako ng isang lady classmate who, I’d say, was very fond of me.  Let’s just refer to her as “Lady”. 

Sa subject o mga subjects na magkaklase kami, lagi siyang tumatabi sa akin.  Minsan, before the class started, as she sat beside me...

Lady:  Uy, Kuya Gau (she called me Kuya Gau), congrats!  Nasa dean’s list ka! 

Goddy:  Ano ‘yong dean’s list? 

Lady:  Dean’s list… ‘yong dean’s list…  Hindi mo alam ‘yong dean’s list? 

Goddy:  Hindi.  Tanga ako e! 

Lady:  ‘Yong dean’s list… ‘yong dean’s list…  A, basta!  Tingnan mo sa bulletin board! 

Sa totoo lang, hindi ko naman talaga alam.  First time kong narinig iyon.  But she didn’t explain any further.  So, the following day, nang maparaan ako sa tapat ng bulletin board,.. 

Goddy:  A, ito pala’ng ibig sabihin ng dean’s list (nasabi ko sa aking sarili). 

Lumipas ang isang buwan.  Before the class started, dumating na naman siya and upon sitting beside me… 

Lady:  Uy, Kuya Gau!  Congrats!  Academic scholar ka! 

Kinindatan ko siya, sabay ngiti. 

Noong sumunod na semester, two weeks after classes have started, heto na naman si Lady. 

Lady:  Uy, Kuya Gau!  Congrats uli.  Academic scholar ka na naman! 

I smiled at her. 

Tapos, nang sumunod na semester, heto na naman po kami. 

Lady:  Uy, Kuya Gau!  Congrats!  Academic scholar ka na naman! 

How am I supposed to respond but to smile at her, ‘di ba? 

Then, the following semester, heto na naman. 

Lady:  Uy, Kuya Gau!  Congrats!  Academic scholar ka na naman! 

Goddy:  (In a louder tone of voice than usual)  Ito ‘ka mo, nakakainis!  Hindi na nasanay! 

(Hehehe!  Nakakainis ba?  Huwag n’yo naman akong i-block.  Nagsisiste lang po!) 

A WEIRD EXPERIENCE WHILE TAKING AN EXAM

Last October 19, 1997, I took the Career Service Professional Exam given by the Civil Service Commission in San Fernando, Pampanga. Kailangan ko kasi ito to fully qualify for the position I was considered in. 

Bago ako kumuha ng exam, ilang araw nang hindi maganda ang pakiramdam ko. Hindi lang masama ang pakiramdam ko, in fact, para bang sinapian ako ng unclean spirit. Para akong tino-torture mentally. Masakit ang tiyan ko and I had fears. 

Despite all these discomforts, however, I continued to take the examination as it had already been scheduled. 

The exam venue was an elementary school. Habang nag-e-exam ako, hindi ako makapag-concentrate. Disorganized talaga ako! Ang gulu-gulo ng isip ko. Nakaka-distract ang sakit ng tiyan ko and I was always thinking of the rest room. If I remember it rightly, nag-excuse pa ako to go to the rest room. 

Tapos, hindi ko maunawaan yung mga questions. There was one (I forgot if it was in English or in Filipino) that ran like this: Si Pedro ay mataas kay Juan. Si Juan ay mataas kay Ganito. Si Ganito ay mataas kay Ganyan… (I forgot the whole question). Nakaubos yata ako ng almost one hour doon lang sa particular question na iyon, hindi ko pa rin na-get ang thought. So, I finally decided to just leave it. Hindi ko kayang sagutin. Mauubos ang oras e! 

Tapos, basta ko na lang narinig na sinabi nung watcher, “Ten more minutes!” E, hindi pa ako nangangalahati. And, believe it or not, wala yata akong sinagutang Math problems dahil parang wala akong capability noong araw na iyon na mag-compute. English lamang at mga general info questions ang sinagutan ko. So, dahil magta-time na (10 minutes na lang daw), nilagyan ko na lang ng shades ang lahat ng boxes for my answers hanggang dulo ng answer sheet. 

Then the bell rang. Sumigaw ang watcher, “Pencils up!” 

Kasa-submit ko lang ng answer sheet ko nang tanungin ako ng katabi ko. 

“Nasagutan mo bang lahat?” aniya. 

“Oo, sinagutan ko hanggang item 120,” sabi ko sa kaniya. 

“Haaa!” namangha niyang nasabi. “E, 1 to 80 lang ang exam a!” 

“Haaa!” sabi ko rin, sabay takbo pabalik sa isa pang watcher kung kangino ko ipinasa ang papel ko. 

“Ma’am, puede pong mahiram ang answer sheet ko. May buburahin lang po ako sandali.” 

Ibinigay naman sa akin. At totoo nga, 1 to 80 lang ang test! Tapos, isinauli ko na sa watcher ang answer sheet ko. 

“Bakit, ano’ng binura mo?” tanong nung watcher. 

“Nalagyan ko po ng shades hanggang 120 e 1 to 80 lang po pala ang test.” 

Tawa nang tawa yung watcher habang tinitingnan ang answer sheet ko. (Although 1 to 80 ang questions, yung provided separate answer sheet ay 1 to 120 items.) 

Of course, dahil hindi naman lahat ng question ay pinag-isipan, hindi ako umaasang naipasa ko iyon. Alam kong most likely ay bagsak ako sa exam. 

After a month, coming from Nueva Ecija and going to Olongapo, dumaan ako ng San Fernando to get the result of my exam. Although I was thinking I might have failed in the exam, I prayed that I was able to pass it. The passing grade was 80%. 

And, thank God, I got 84.34%! 

MAY SAYAD

(NOTE:  The following did not actually happen. Joke only.)

Sa Main Gate ng dating U.S. Facility sa Subic, na ngayo’y SBMA, as the day’s grind begins, maraming tao ang sumasagsag sa pagpasok sa trabaho. Sa bungad ng Main Gate bridge, naglipana ang mga tindera ng samut-samot na merchandise na lalo pang nagpapasikip sa pedestrian traffic. 

Si Sassy ay isa sa mga employees ng SBMA na every working day ay sumasagsag sa pagpasok sa trabaho. Minsan, dahil sa pagmamadali niya, nalimutan niyang bitbitin ang baon niyang pagkain for lunch. So, napilitan siyang huminto upang mamili ng pang-lunch niya. 

Ibubuka pa lamang ni Sassy ang bibig niya upang sabihin kung ano’ng bibilhin niya nang biglang iniabot ng isang lalaki ang paper bill niya at bumili ng sigarilyo. Una itong napagbilhan ng tindera na ikinagalit ni Sassy. 

Nanggagalaiti sa galit na sinigawan ni Sassy ang tindera ng ganito: “Bakit siya ang inuna mo e, nauna ako sa kanya?!!" 

Nagitla ang medyo-intimidated na tindera na sumagot ng ganito, “E… e, kasi po iniabot na niya sa akin ang pera niya e…” 

“Bakit, siya lang ba ang may pera? May pera rin ako, a! Mas malaki pa nga ang pera ko kaysa sa kanya!” 

“Hindi po… e, kasi po…” Nag-isip ng maidadahilan ang tindera hanggang nakaisip ito ng, “E kasi po, nagmamadali siya. Late na kasi siya e.” 

“At bakit, siya lang ba ang nagmamadali? Siya lang ba ang male-late? Mas malaki na nga ang late ko kaysa sa kanya a!” 

Mabilis na umisip ng strategy ang tindera para matapos na ang diskusyon. At nagliwanag ang mukha niya sa naisip niya. 

“Ay naku, huwag n’yo hong papansinin ang mamang iyon. Kasi ho, may sayad iyon e!” 

“At bakit?! Siya lang ba ang may sayad?!! Mas malaki pa nga ang sayad ko kaysa sa kanya 'no!”

"YOU BROKE MY HEART"

The song “Sinaktan Mo Ang Puso Ko” (you broke my heart) by Michael V had a strange effect on me. During the time I was experiencing things that to me were very unusual, whenever I heard that song, I felt as though it was meant for me and directed towards me. I felt as though I was being accused of hurting someone else’s feeling. 

In the workplace, when I heard a male co-employee sing that song quite a bit loud, I felt uncomfortable. When I heard that song on the radio, I wanted to cover my ears. I seemed to have persecution complex. Or was I really getting paranoid then? 

Also, during that time, I had a very close friend from Laguna whose youngest daughter was my godchild. As my days were stressful and there were problems in all areas of my life, I always ran to my friend for moral support. He was my refuge and when I found things to be so unbearable, I would see him. 

In one of my visits to his place in Laguna, my two-year-old godchild (perhaps younger), who was so very fond of me gestured to me to carry her as she stretched her little arms. We were about to go to the public market then to buy some foodstuffs. 

While I carried her in my arms and as we walked our way to the market, my godchild pointed to the distant mountain before us and as though giving me a riddle, asked me, “Ano ang tawag mo sa bundok na…” (what do you call the mountain that…) but I could not recall her complete statement. If I was not mistaken, that mountain she pointed to was Mount Banahaw. 

I wondered why such a toddler could talk to or communicate with me that way as though she was already a grown-up girl. 

What amazed me even more was when the baby came closer to my face, then her little mouth, barely an inch away from my ears, whispered, “Gaudencio… Gaudencio…” (my real first name). 

Flabbergasted, and a bit scared, I looked at her and asked her, “Sino’ng nagturo sa iyo niyan?” (who taught you that?) Gazing at me fixedly, she then seriously asked me, “Hindi ba Gaudencio ang pangalan mo?” (isn’t your name Gaudencio?) She then sang as though she meant it for me, “Sinaktan mo ang puso ko…” (you broke my heart…) 

A few minutes later, she fell asleep with her head resting on my left shoulder. 

I LEFT MY FACE IN SAN FRANCISCO

(NOTE:  This is a repost.)

Goddy beside Mang Ben (partly hidden) at Wimpy's Olongapo

Just this morning, I met Mang Ben, yung mabait naming Criminal Investigator at kasama ko sa trabaho noon sa U.S. Facility.

Mang Ben:  Goddy, dumating si Bernie noong May.  Nag-get together kami sa Wimpy's sa Maysaysay.  Bakit hindi ka pumunta?

Goddy:  Sa Wimpy's?  Sa Magsaysay?  Nandun ako a!  Magkatabi tayo sa upuan.

Mang Ben:  A... oo nga pala.

Goddy:  Nagpe-Facebook ka ba?  

Mang Ben:  Oo naman!  Doon nga ako pinadalhan ng birthday greeting ng mga anak at apo ko noong nasa Amerika ako.  

Goddy:  Tingnan mo fb account niya.  Nag-post siya ng mga pictures.

Mang Ben:  Kaya lang, hindi ako nakakapag-Facebook ngayon.  Naiwanan ko'ng Facebook ko sa Amerika. 

THE CHINESE FAN AND THE LOTTO

The Chinese Fan 

I began experiencing strange things after graduating from college. That was in the late 90s, just before the approach of the new millennium. 

I was on board a Victory Liner bus bound for Manila. I was seated all alone at the back. A male passenger who was seated three empty seats away and in front of me lifted a tabloid as he read it. The banner headline on the tabloid’s back page read, “ABOT KAMAY ANG GINTO” (gold is within a hand’s reach). 

I seemed to be under a spell. I felt as though I was hypnotized. I was following what the banner headline suggested. 

I looked around and tried to find out whatever it was that was within the reach of my hand. I found a Chinese fan on a vacant seat some five feet away from where I was seated. I picked the fan up and tried to spread its blades wide open. There on one of its inner blades were written five (5) numbers like 17, 24, etc. (I could not remember the three other numbers). And the last character was a symbol—that symbol of infinity that we learned in our Modern Mathematics subject in my freshman year in the high school. 

After reading what was written on that Chinese fan’s inner blade, I lifted my head, looked around, and as the bus reached the junction area in San Fernando, Pampanga, it made a stop right in front of a lotto outlet where a signboard in bold letters read: PLAY LOTTO HERE. 

As I was very nervous then, I threw the Chinese fan outside of the Victory Liner bus’ window. 

A few years had passed after that incident and, one afternoon, as I exited the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority’s Main Gate, I went to the lotto outlet just after the Main Gate Pedestrian Lane. As I approached the betting window to make my bet, I found on the window pane a Chinese fan similar to the one I mentioned above. And I remember that incident. I smiled as I picked up that Chinese fan that was probably inadvertently left by a female bettor. That Chinese fan is still in my possession up to this date. 

No, I did not win in that draw. 

PARANORMAL PHENOMENA

There are occurrences in our lives that are inexplicable and very difficult to comprehend. They not only make us wonder why but they even seem to (or really) debunk some scientific theories that we learned in school. 

I have my share of the inexplicable. I did not know if I was possessed then or there was a problem with my nervous system. Or both. I turned to Religion for an answer but I was very much confused and afraid. In fact, for quite some time, my faith in God was shaken. 

I sought professional help but the psychiatrist just prescribed a number of tranquilizers which I used not for a day nor week nor month but for years. And before I knew it, I was heavily dependent on them. In fact, I couldn't do without them. 

I experienced sleepless nights and there was even a time when I was wide awake for days. I was psychosomatic, I thought I was sick. I thought I was losing my head... I thought it was the end of me. 

In my next blog posts, I will share with you some of my  supernatural experiences. However weird, I hope you'll enjoy reading them.