Archive for August, 2009

Of the many songs sang during the final mass for the late President Cory Aquino, Lea Salonga’s rendition of “Bayan Ko” was the perfectly delivered piece of all. It was so full of emotions that it gives me goose bumps every time I listen to it.

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qHa-gfPbZ8M&hl=en&fs=1&]

Ang bayan kong Pilipinas,
Lupain ng gintó’t bulaklák.
Pag-ibig ang sa kanyáng palad
Nag-alay ng gandá’t dilág.
At sa kanyáng yumi at gandá,
Dayuhan ay nahalina.
Bayan ko, binihag ka,
Nasadlák sa dusa.

Koro:
Ibon mang may layang lumipád,
kulungín mo at umíiyák!
Bayan pa kayáng sakdál dilág,
Ang ‘dî magnasang makáalpás!
Pilipinas kong minumutyâ,
Pugad ng luhà ko’t dálitâ,
Aking adhikâ,
Makita kang sakdál laya!

Bayan Ko (My Country) was written as a protest song during the American occupation of the Philippines, it is often sung in protest rallies and demonstrations throughout Philippine history, notably during the funeral of Sen. Benigno Aquino, Jr. and the ensuing People Power Revolution where Freddie Aguilar led the crowd to sing the song’s chorus.^[1] It has also been re-arranged and recorded by different composers and singers, notably by Lucio San Pedro (National Artist for music) and Freddie Aguilar. – Wikipedia

I was barely 6 when the first Edsa People Power happened and I wasn’t even aware of what was happening then. Coming from a family of Marcos loyalists, we felt defeated and that was enough reason for me not to like her (I refuse to use the word “hate”). I didn’t even like yellow then because it reminds me of her.

During grade school I closed my eyes to Tita Cory’s achievements and was blinded by the thought that economics was bad because of her and that was it! At the back of my mind I blamed her for the crazy things that were happening then and even thought that the Filipinos were not yet ready for freedom because the word “freedom” entails great responsibility, which unfortunately the Filipinos lack. Much crimes happened during her term and sadly yes, I blamed it to Tita Cory.

It went on for years and for me then, President Aquino was just used by her allies to their own advantage. “Nagpagamit” was my word then. The Presidency was not for her, the responsibility was too overwhelming for an inexperienced housewife like her. So I was really thankful that she ended her term in 1992.

Years later….

Thanks to Kris Aquino for showing me the real Tita Cory. I am guilty of following Krissy’s life and there I saw a different Tita Cory. I admired her for being a mom to Kris and for being constantly there at times when she needed her the most. She was a mother not just to her kids but to the entire nation as well. She became a reliable confidante to her friends and hope to her people as well. But most of all, I salute her for facing her problems with prayers.

Thank you Tita Cory for loving and praying for your people and thank you for simply being a mom to your nation.

Here are my Top 10 Entre Droppers last month:

Thanks so much guys!

Before quitting my previous job I required myself to really know what I want, was it corporate success or a dream of being with my child? or would I want to be called a successful person or a fulfilled one because my child is successful?

I chose the second “a dream of being with my child” and “a fulfilled one because my child is successful” of course. That’s all I really want and I focused my mind in getting it. Prayers helped me and God gave me an ideal job that does not require me to leave home.

I’ve just read a good book I found in a book sale yesterday, the title is “The Mom Economy” by Elizabeth Wilcox. The book has a lot of info and insights from fellow working moms and has a guide on how you can find a family friendly work that would suit you.

1. Ascertain Your Needs. This step will help you identify your financial, parenting, professional and personal needs so that you can find a work arrangement that accommodates them.
2. Identify Your Strengths. This step aims to give you leverage by helping you acquire an understanding of your skills, knowledge areas, and network. You may have acquired them through paid work, volunteering, motherhood, and/or at birth. Regardless, they are your strengths.
3. Understand the Work Arrangements. This step helps you understand which work arrangements will best meet your needs. It looks at the benefits and demands of full-time, part-time, and self-employed work and the options within those arrangements, such as working from home or keeping flexible hours.
4. Get Family-Friendly Work. This step is the culmination of the preceding three steps. It teaches you how to identify the type of job that meets your needs and takes advantage of your strengths. It then helps you assess the company culture, negotiate the terms, and maintain a career that best meets your needs.

You see, it’s just knowing what you want and what you need and if the one you want to have is not provided by your current company, look for another company! Too much comfort kills

Right now, I work full-time with flexi-hours. I do SEO stuff everyday but at the comforts of my own home and just like Hannah Montana, I am enjoying the best of both worlds.

Thanks God it’s Sunday!

My full time online job is eating much of my online time these days BUT I am not complaining. I’d rather have this job than spend precious time playing Yoville on Facebook. Not that I am against it or anything but I need to earn, that’s all. I just can’t waste my time playing. Ace-ing Yoville or any other game is not on my list of priorities

Now that I have mentioned priorities, all along I thought I was alone on this journey of WAHMhood because most of the stay at home moms that I encounter online became SAHMs because their husbands can afford to let them stay at home. My case is different, I became a SAHM because I want to be with my kid and I have to be a WAHM because there’s a need to. I’d get envious when I see them post updates that “they’re bored and has nothing else to do”, oh how I wish I’d have that luxury! but I just can’t lie down and wait for my allowance – it’s not how my life should be. My priority now is to be with my kid but earn at the same time and again, I am not complaining.

One friend asked me about my dreams and I was like “what dreams? a lifelong dream of climbing the corporate ladder?” Oh, I’ve been there! I was there early so I retired early, too! LOL But really, yes I was already there when I realized that it isn’t the life for me. I was a sucker for knowledge so I can’t be confined in corporate box bounded by corporate morals and rules. I just can’t stand it. And oh, not to mention corporate politics, it really sucks. I’ve had enough of it.

Now my goal is just be with my child, now that she STILL needs me. And by the time that she’s already in school and we’ll have lesser time together, then I’ll re-assess my goals.