I posted the blog below “To All the Kids who were born in the 1950’s to 1980’s” so I could react to it. I thought this spam email that I got was worthy of my time reading and sharing with you all.
Here’s by own flashback… I was born in 1975 in the Philippines.
Knowing the sex of a baby while still in the mother’s womb was impossible at that time. My dad was hoping for a boy, but the nurse brought me to him in a pink blanket! Delightfully, my parents wished I never grow up…. But I did!
While growing up, the kids in my neighborhood were all my friends and playmates.
I could compete in the Chinese garter and Jackstone Olympics! I was that good!
We would go caroling in our neighbors every Christmas time!
Eating Pringles with Pepsi in the cellophane was the best treat!
I rode a wooden sled (we called it “kangga”) drawn by a carabao (Philippine Buffalo) in my grandfather’s farm with my cousins! That would always be the highlight of our summer vacation!
I also rode at the back of a goat with my grandfather holding me. (That made me teary-eyed for a second… I remember I had this photo…. somewhere.)
I’ve seen carabaos, horses and cows peeing and pooping, and pro-creating! These shameless beasts! Gross.
I bathe in the rain with my friends, out in the streets! And “drank” the rain water from the “alulod” or the gutter.
I bathe in the river, and “drank” the water from the river, too. During that time, people (and stray animals) do “everything” in the river! I mean, everything!
I ate cheese with rice. I still do.
I ate margarine with white sugar on my bread, and on my pancake. I still do. I ate Indian Mangoes with white sugar. I will still do.
I had my mom and dad, my grandparents, and nannies around me while growing up. We ate together and chatted over meals.
Our nannies did all the household chores for our family. I’d get in trouble if my grandfather saw me sweeping, washing dishes, doing laundry or cooking.
I remember I had to win the declamation contests 3 times before my dad would buy me my first karaoke machine. I sang my parents favorite standard music like Moon River, My Funny Valentine, My Way, All the Way, etc. rather than sing Madonna’s Borderline and Like A Virgin. Our most high-priced and high-tech “thing” was our Yamaha Organ that we all can play.
In high school when I was a varsity in volleyball, I would wrap a masking tape around my chest. Sports bra does NOT exist at the time. Training bras were useless! I remember I used minimizer bras until I was 27.
In high school, we asked our friends to write in our “slumbooks!” It’s like your bio-data on a perfumed stationery type notebook with personal questions like, What’s your ambition? I wrote “to be somebody someday” like everybody else. Duh, can I be more specific? What is Love? I wrote “Love is something beautiful between you and me, or me and “him.” Yuk. How corny! What is crush? I wrote “Crush is when someone’s looking at you with sparkles in their eyes and you are kilig (giggle!)….” Ha-ha-ha! That’s so cheesy! Are you engaged? I wrote YES. I remember getting in trouble with this. My poor grandmother… she freaked out when she read that I put YES on the “Are you engaged?” part. Gee, I was like 10 or 11 years old then and I don’t even know what that meant! Later, I learned.
Here’s my reality now that I’m grown up…. 2008, Domestic Diva in America.
No more nannies. I learned to do everything. I do the laundry. I cook. I clean. I drive.
My kids are 2 shih tzu puppies, boy and girl. We bought them from a breeder 100 miles away from us. If people asked me if I have kids, I said YES with big bright smile on my face! And I’ll pull out my cell phone and show them their pictures! My puppies are now full grown at 11 pounds each and will never grow bigger!
Kids in our neighborhood don’t do caroling. They only do “Trick or treating” on Halloween in their “Witch” and “zombie” costumes.
Families rarely talk because they have their TV on over dinner. Young girls learn everything from Paris Hilton on MTV and the internet and not from their parents. Their parents (single or divorced) can’t spend quality time with them. To make up for the lost time, they buy them laptops, cellphones, ipods, and all the gadgets you could ever think of. They have 400 to 1000 virtual friends from all over the world that they don’t even know. When you ask them what’s their ambition? They have no clue what that meant.
People here in America ate and drunk the “cleanest” water and food in the world. But yet, they have cancer and all these weird illnesses. In the Philippines, we have “flies and bugs” all over our house and over our greasy and fatty foods and we are fine. I drank rain water from the gutter, remember? Luckily, I’m still alive.
The bra-issue is over. I didn’t need Dr. Vicky Belo to do the magic. I found everything that lifts and fits at Victoria’s Secret. I can jump, spike and run without worrying.
I don’t see all my friends everyday. I chat with them on Yahoo messenger on my phone or on my laptop, or see them occasionally in parties. They are all in my Friendster account, or Facebook, and we would exchange messages once in a while. The last time I counted, I have 250+ in Friendster, and 150+ on Facebook, and it’s growing everyday. Do I really know all of them? Hell, no.
To go back to the slumbook questions: What’s my ambition? I still want to travel and see Europe. What is Love? Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails. What is Crush? Crush is what you do to the lemon if you want to make your own lemonade.
Showing posts with label The Promdi Series. Show all posts
Showing posts with label The Promdi Series. Show all posts
Wednesday, November 26, 2008
Wednesday, October 8, 2008
Princess Rumors
Princess Rumors
March 26th, 2008
I can’t believe that my client called me one time at work to ask me a very personal question… “If the rumor was true?” What rumor? “My entire team has been talking about you after you left.” Talking about me about what? ‘That you were a Philippine Princess and what are you doing working here in America?” Where did you hear that? “It was some rumor that’s going around and we wanted to know if it was true…”
This is my top client from San Antonio that I met with and entertained, calling me at work one day to confirm if I was a “Philippine Princess”??? I laughed out so loud (like boisterously evil-laugh-like) as I don’t know what to say….. What possible Philippine tribe could I be a Princess of?
Should I tell her the truth? How did she find out? Who told her? Who would have thought that? Did I wear my tiara in my presentation? Did she read my princess diaries instead of my proposals? For sure, I know I was wearing my power suit and killer stilettos in our meetings…. Did I get carried away and sung “A Whole New World”???
To everybody who knew me, you know this rumor is not true. My closest friends in Park City knew that I have moved on a long way since I got married here…. I can cook now, I can vacuum, I can do my laundry, and I can drive. In fact, I learned to paint all the rooms in my house!! So who’s the Princess now?
So to appease my client, I told her I am not a Princess…. But she was not satisfied. She asked me if I have some royal blood or from a royal family?
OK, this is getting really funny now. Is she on drugs or something? Or am I just hallucinating? I have to tell her something, so this is my story.
I am not a Princess. And I don’t have a royal blood and I didn’t come from some royalty or kingdom. But I was a former beauty queen. “Like Miss Philippines?” I said yes when I was 50 lbs lighter, and that was a long, long time ago… We just laughed it off and she was happy now. This conversation has lead to 15 more re-bookings of group meetings for me from her for 2008.
To my surprise, a couple of people in my office thought that, too, that I came from some royalty… ha-ha-ha!! Was I that prim and proper at work? Do I act like Julie Andrews?
One of my friends at work told me that I should have told this story instead (in case I get asked again)… “that I was a former Moriones Princess but I was dethroned from my kingdom when I eloped with my non-royalty lover, and now lived happily ever after in America.”
March 26th, 2008
I can’t believe that my client called me one time at work to ask me a very personal question… “If the rumor was true?” What rumor? “My entire team has been talking about you after you left.” Talking about me about what? ‘That you were a Philippine Princess and what are you doing working here in America?” Where did you hear that? “It was some rumor that’s going around and we wanted to know if it was true…”
This is my top client from San Antonio that I met with and entertained, calling me at work one day to confirm if I was a “Philippine Princess”??? I laughed out so loud (like boisterously evil-laugh-like) as I don’t know what to say….. What possible Philippine tribe could I be a Princess of?
Should I tell her the truth? How did she find out? Who told her? Who would have thought that? Did I wear my tiara in my presentation? Did she read my princess diaries instead of my proposals? For sure, I know I was wearing my power suit and killer stilettos in our meetings…. Did I get carried away and sung “A Whole New World”???
To everybody who knew me, you know this rumor is not true. My closest friends in Park City knew that I have moved on a long way since I got married here…. I can cook now, I can vacuum, I can do my laundry, and I can drive. In fact, I learned to paint all the rooms in my house!! So who’s the Princess now?
So to appease my client, I told her I am not a Princess…. But she was not satisfied. She asked me if I have some royal blood or from a royal family?
OK, this is getting really funny now. Is she on drugs or something? Or am I just hallucinating? I have to tell her something, so this is my story.
I am not a Princess. And I don’t have a royal blood and I didn’t come from some royalty or kingdom. But I was a former beauty queen. “Like Miss Philippines?” I said yes when I was 50 lbs lighter, and that was a long, long time ago… We just laughed it off and she was happy now. This conversation has lead to 15 more re-bookings of group meetings for me from her for 2008.
To my surprise, a couple of people in my office thought that, too, that I came from some royalty… ha-ha-ha!! Was I that prim and proper at work? Do I act like Julie Andrews?
One of my friends at work told me that I should have told this story instead (in case I get asked again)… “that I was a former Moriones Princess but I was dethroned from my kingdom when I eloped with my non-royalty lover, and now lived happily ever after in America.”
This is My Country Song
March 12th, 2008
If you think I’m a diva wannabe
In my fur collared jacket and Hollywood shades
My bling-bling belt and sky high heels
This is my country song for you…
If you think I only wear designer jeans
Carry expensive purses and drive fancy cars
Have high profile friends, you’re all wrong
This is my country song for you…
If you think I’m a lost redneck cowgirl
In my plaid shirt, cowboy hat and boots
I just love their style, but I don’t ride horses
This is my country song for you…
If you think I’m one hot career chic
A proud momma, or a domestic diva
Or crazy friend screaming at the karaoke
This is my country song for you…
It doesn’t really matter what you think of me
I just want to sing about my good old simple life
In my grandpa’s farm where I used to fly kites
That’s why I wrote my country song for you
March 12th, 2008
If you think I’m a diva wannabe
In my fur collared jacket and Hollywood shades
My bling-bling belt and sky high heels
This is my country song for you…
If you think I only wear designer jeans
Carry expensive purses and drive fancy cars
Have high profile friends, you’re all wrong
This is my country song for you…
If you think I’m a lost redneck cowgirl
In my plaid shirt, cowboy hat and boots
I just love their style, but I don’t ride horses
This is my country song for you…
If you think I’m one hot career chic
A proud momma, or a domestic diva
Or crazy friend screaming at the karaoke
This is my country song for you…
It doesn’t really matter what you think of me
I just want to sing about my good old simple life
In my grandpa’s farm where I used to fly kites
That’s why I wrote my country song for you
The All American Country Girl
The All American Country Girl
March 12th, 2008
Local News: Rascal Flatts and Kellie Pickler came to entertain thousands of their fans at Salt Lake City’s Energy Solutions Arena (Former Delta Center) on Friday, March 7th. These country stars rocked the house down with their live music. It was a fun concert!…
My over imagination took me one step further in this experience: I have just officially launched my American Country Singer dream career live on stage with Kellie Pickler and the Rascal Flatts. The spot lights were warm on my skin but I still got chills and butterflies in my stomach. I was the newest country music sensation when I sang Kellie Pickler’s (American Idol’s finalist in 2006) song “Small Town Girl” on my red high heels. She’s really tiny like half my size, but she’s got a voice twice bigger than me. Then I just became the first female band member of the Rascal Flatts. I played the guitar and I felt that I was the hottest girl rock star of my time. All the screaming girls of all ages at the front row want to grab ‘em and tore off their clothes, but I said, “Sorry, desperate housewives. I’m their only woman in this concert.”…
I was in my clients’ All-Star Suite, with dinner buffet, ice cream bar and beverage flowing all night. The concert stage was just right in front of me. I was sitting right next to 3 gorgeous blondes who also left their men at home watching CSI reruns. They thought I was J. Lo in my fur collared jacket and my curvy pants. I said, “Oh no, honey, I’m All American Country Rock Star!” I pulled up my pants and showed them my stiletto cowboy boots! We were instant BFFs even for just one night! We all sung along with Kellie and the Rascals as we all know the lyrics, it was the coolest thing that I will never forget and will never be able to do with my closest friends… We got carried away and cried a tear! We danced along and screamed like foolish crazy fans. (I can’t believe I yelled with them to the Rascals, “Take your shirts off!!”) I saw my self and my life and my dreams coming true on stage right before my very eyes. I can’t describe it… I run out of words to say, but their songs are still playing in my head…. God blessed the broken road that led me straight to you… ……
Background Check: My first encounter with country music was when my sister’s boss in the Philippines asked me to shop some country music CDs for him as he can’t find any in all of the music stores back home. I first listened to it all and just fell in love with it. They are all great songwriters, and they sing their undying love for their country, their old simple life, their family, their broken hearts and the broken roads that lead them to their dreams. They talk about real life and their passion for their music, just like a story. I loved the fiddling of the violins, the sound of guitars, the beat of the drums, the different voice, and the moral of the songs. I’m now fully converted. The rest is history. The ‘promdi” is now the All American Country Girl…
March 12th, 2008
Local News: Rascal Flatts and Kellie Pickler came to entertain thousands of their fans at Salt Lake City’s Energy Solutions Arena (Former Delta Center) on Friday, March 7th. These country stars rocked the house down with their live music. It was a fun concert!…
My over imagination took me one step further in this experience: I have just officially launched my American Country Singer dream career live on stage with Kellie Pickler and the Rascal Flatts. The spot lights were warm on my skin but I still got chills and butterflies in my stomach. I was the newest country music sensation when I sang Kellie Pickler’s (American Idol’s finalist in 2006) song “Small Town Girl” on my red high heels. She’s really tiny like half my size, but she’s got a voice twice bigger than me. Then I just became the first female band member of the Rascal Flatts. I played the guitar and I felt that I was the hottest girl rock star of my time. All the screaming girls of all ages at the front row want to grab ‘em and tore off their clothes, but I said, “Sorry, desperate housewives. I’m their only woman in this concert.”…
I was in my clients’ All-Star Suite, with dinner buffet, ice cream bar and beverage flowing all night. The concert stage was just right in front of me. I was sitting right next to 3 gorgeous blondes who also left their men at home watching CSI reruns. They thought I was J. Lo in my fur collared jacket and my curvy pants. I said, “Oh no, honey, I’m All American Country Rock Star!” I pulled up my pants and showed them my stiletto cowboy boots! We were instant BFFs even for just one night! We all sung along with Kellie and the Rascals as we all know the lyrics, it was the coolest thing that I will never forget and will never be able to do with my closest friends… We got carried away and cried a tear! We danced along and screamed like foolish crazy fans. (I can’t believe I yelled with them to the Rascals, “Take your shirts off!!”) I saw my self and my life and my dreams coming true on stage right before my very eyes. I can’t describe it… I run out of words to say, but their songs are still playing in my head…. God blessed the broken road that led me straight to you… ……
Background Check: My first encounter with country music was when my sister’s boss in the Philippines asked me to shop some country music CDs for him as he can’t find any in all of the music stores back home. I first listened to it all and just fell in love with it. They are all great songwriters, and they sing their undying love for their country, their old simple life, their family, their broken hearts and the broken roads that lead them to their dreams. They talk about real life and their passion for their music, just like a story. I loved the fiddling of the violins, the sound of guitars, the beat of the drums, the different voice, and the moral of the songs. I’m now fully converted. The rest is history. The ‘promdi” is now the All American Country Girl…
Part 2: The Controversial Writer Returns to the Buzz
Part 2: The Controversial Writer Returns to The Buzz
March 8th, 2008
Part 2 Interview with Boy Abunda at The Buzz:
BA: Let’s talk about your Promdi series. Why do you write a big deal about it?
CZ: The “Promdi in America, Lost in Transition” will be the last one in this series, unfortunately. Many would think that I’m exploiting myself and think that I have low self esteem in this series. But humility is my virtue that easily gets lost. I wrote these promdi stories to remind myself everyday that I am not perfect, that I’m born with factory defects. My true life is boring and insignificant that I don’t have sad stories about hardships and broken hearts, but I can tell that I have walked in the shoes of a baker, a baby sitter, house cleaner, a waitress here in America before I found the right path to my success.
BA: Will you share your success story to your readers?
CZ: No. My success story is written by my Creator, and not me. I have nothing to be proud of because I did nothing to earn any of it. I came to this world with nothing and will leave with nothing but this memoirs in my blog.
BA: Your readers are not English Majors as you are as a writer. They might take your writings literally, like you talking to your dogs. They might think you are crazy.
CZ: I like to show my sophistication and originality as a writer. My dogs’ part in my writings plays my alter ego. My readers are not idiots to think that dogs can actually talk or think like me, and I’m sorry if they do. My readers are educated enough to appreciate my wishful thinking and my blending of reality and fantasy. It catches their attention. It makes them wonder that I’m so out of this world.
BA: Take me to your ideal holiday or vacation.
CZ: In my mind, I am in French Riviera, one of the best beaches in France, reading a book about plastic surgery, having European pastries for breakfast and staying in some fancy Chateau Villa, going to art museums to look at Monet’s and Van Gogh’s, and having dinner in Paris with the perfect view of the Ifle Tower. But in my heart, I am having pan de sal with margarine and sugar, fresh coconut, banana fritters (turon), and halo-halo, and fried fish (pritong galungong, that is!). I am in our beach house in Gasan, scribbling on my notepad to describe the gentle sound of sea water slapping on my feet while I bury my toes in the warm sand, floating on the water on my tube (salbabida) as the waves take me farther from the shore, looking up at the blue skies and the islands around me, waving at the fisherman’s boat, and looking down on the clear water and wondered how peaceful it is down there and if I can be a part of that world ….
BA: Wow, you just took me there for a minute. What do you think when you write?
CZ: I pick a character of who I want to be. I think of the words that can take me to the place where I want to be, and take my readers with me. It is my best and cheapest escape from my high-pressured job, and stressful life. It’s a very high maintenance hobby.
BA: What else do we need to know about your style as a sophisticated writer?
CZ: I’m a best actress drama queen playing my dream roles in my own writings. Roles that I may not be able to play or become in reality… like I’m a Hollywood Diva, a Country Rock Star, American Idol, America’s Top Model, Wowowee Dancer, whatever I want to be, I can be in my literary cyber world. It’s very liberating…. Best example is being a celebrity here in this interview with you.
March 8th, 2008
Part 2 Interview with Boy Abunda at The Buzz:
BA: Let’s talk about your Promdi series. Why do you write a big deal about it?
CZ: The “Promdi in America, Lost in Transition” will be the last one in this series, unfortunately. Many would think that I’m exploiting myself and think that I have low self esteem in this series. But humility is my virtue that easily gets lost. I wrote these promdi stories to remind myself everyday that I am not perfect, that I’m born with factory defects. My true life is boring and insignificant that I don’t have sad stories about hardships and broken hearts, but I can tell that I have walked in the shoes of a baker, a baby sitter, house cleaner, a waitress here in America before I found the right path to my success.
BA: Will you share your success story to your readers?
CZ: No. My success story is written by my Creator, and not me. I have nothing to be proud of because I did nothing to earn any of it. I came to this world with nothing and will leave with nothing but this memoirs in my blog.
BA: Your readers are not English Majors as you are as a writer. They might take your writings literally, like you talking to your dogs. They might think you are crazy.
CZ: I like to show my sophistication and originality as a writer. My dogs’ part in my writings plays my alter ego. My readers are not idiots to think that dogs can actually talk or think like me, and I’m sorry if they do. My readers are educated enough to appreciate my wishful thinking and my blending of reality and fantasy. It catches their attention. It makes them wonder that I’m so out of this world.
BA: Take me to your ideal holiday or vacation.
CZ: In my mind, I am in French Riviera, one of the best beaches in France, reading a book about plastic surgery, having European pastries for breakfast and staying in some fancy Chateau Villa, going to art museums to look at Monet’s and Van Gogh’s, and having dinner in Paris with the perfect view of the Ifle Tower. But in my heart, I am having pan de sal with margarine and sugar, fresh coconut, banana fritters (turon), and halo-halo, and fried fish (pritong galungong, that is!). I am in our beach house in Gasan, scribbling on my notepad to describe the gentle sound of sea water slapping on my feet while I bury my toes in the warm sand, floating on the water on my tube (salbabida) as the waves take me farther from the shore, looking up at the blue skies and the islands around me, waving at the fisherman’s boat, and looking down on the clear water and wondered how peaceful it is down there and if I can be a part of that world ….
BA: Wow, you just took me there for a minute. What do you think when you write?
CZ: I pick a character of who I want to be. I think of the words that can take me to the place where I want to be, and take my readers with me. It is my best and cheapest escape from my high-pressured job, and stressful life. It’s a very high maintenance hobby.
BA: What else do we need to know about your style as a sophisticated writer?
CZ: I’m a best actress drama queen playing my dream roles in my own writings. Roles that I may not be able to play or become in reality… like I’m a Hollywood Diva, a Country Rock Star, American Idol, America’s Top Model, Wowowee Dancer, whatever I want to be, I can be in my literary cyber world. It’s very liberating…. Best example is being a celebrity here in this interview with you.
The Controversial Writer Returns to The Buzz
The Controversial Writer Returns to The Buzz
March 6th, 2008
(You probably smiled when you saw this title!)My last posted poem created another buzz among my curious readers. They were saddened, affected and wondered what is going on with me. So Boy Abunda invited me again to guest in their show for a live one-on-one interview, as few of my readers find it very critical for me explain further my latest post.
BA: Welcome again to The Buzz. Let’s talk about you new poem “My Lonely Road to Amazing Grace.” As your reader, I’m so used to your “happy” writings. As I read this one, it choked me and made me teary-eyed a little bit. Why write something so sad all of a sudden?
CZ: I’m really flattered that you got carried away by it. I wanted to explore all possibilities as a writer. I don’t want only be known as witty and funny in my writings, which could be boring in the long run. The experience of the “sad emotion” is the main inspiration of this poem.
BA: Is this based on a personal experience?
CZ: I’d say this poem is based on my spiritual experience that I kind of dramatized in my poetry.
BA: How did you write this poem and how much time do you spend in writing?
CZ: I only wrote this poem in 10 minutes or less while eating ice cream and watching American Idol. But just like an actress, I have to internalize the emotion and sink in to the character to be able to say the lines or write effectively. That process took a while. I spend one or two nights a week writing stuffs in between laundry loads, watching TV and playing with my puppies. It’s my passion and I love it when I have a chance to do it.
BA: It is actually pretty cool that you can write creatively. It’s different from other blogs that I’ve read before. What other forms of emotions will you be writing about?
CZ: I’d like to interpret in my writings the strongest of all human emotions like love, joy, fear, and sorrow. I’m currently composing a short horror fiction right now but my wild imagination is starting to scare me. It’s about a Shih Tzu afraid of its own poop. I’m also thinking of trying erotic poetry. Lily came up with that idea, and I think it’s not bad to try. She’s only 8 months old. I have no idea how she came up with the word “erotic.”
BA: Why Amazing Grace? After your “lonely road” trip, are you there yet?
CZ: “Amazing Grace” is my favorite Christian song that made so much impact on me. It makes me shiver just thinking about it and singing it on my mind. I’ve reached the Amazing Grace land long time ago. I’m living in it and cherishing every minute of it. It’s the lonely road that made it so meaningful to me. I believe that happiness is meaningless if there is no sadness. Just like love is worthless without sacrifice.
BA: You simply stunned me there for a minute. How do you define love?
CZ: Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never ends. (1 Cor. 13:7-8) It’s very powerful.
March 6th, 2008
(You probably smiled when you saw this title!)My last posted poem created another buzz among my curious readers. They were saddened, affected and wondered what is going on with me. So Boy Abunda invited me again to guest in their show for a live one-on-one interview, as few of my readers find it very critical for me explain further my latest post.
BA: Welcome again to The Buzz. Let’s talk about you new poem “My Lonely Road to Amazing Grace.” As your reader, I’m so used to your “happy” writings. As I read this one, it choked me and made me teary-eyed a little bit. Why write something so sad all of a sudden?
CZ: I’m really flattered that you got carried away by it. I wanted to explore all possibilities as a writer. I don’t want only be known as witty and funny in my writings, which could be boring in the long run. The experience of the “sad emotion” is the main inspiration of this poem.
BA: Is this based on a personal experience?
CZ: I’d say this poem is based on my spiritual experience that I kind of dramatized in my poetry.
BA: How did you write this poem and how much time do you spend in writing?
CZ: I only wrote this poem in 10 minutes or less while eating ice cream and watching American Idol. But just like an actress, I have to internalize the emotion and sink in to the character to be able to say the lines or write effectively. That process took a while. I spend one or two nights a week writing stuffs in between laundry loads, watching TV and playing with my puppies. It’s my passion and I love it when I have a chance to do it.
BA: It is actually pretty cool that you can write creatively. It’s different from other blogs that I’ve read before. What other forms of emotions will you be writing about?
CZ: I’d like to interpret in my writings the strongest of all human emotions like love, joy, fear, and sorrow. I’m currently composing a short horror fiction right now but my wild imagination is starting to scare me. It’s about a Shih Tzu afraid of its own poop. I’m also thinking of trying erotic poetry. Lily came up with that idea, and I think it’s not bad to try. She’s only 8 months old. I have no idea how she came up with the word “erotic.”
BA: Why Amazing Grace? After your “lonely road” trip, are you there yet?
CZ: “Amazing Grace” is my favorite Christian song that made so much impact on me. It makes me shiver just thinking about it and singing it on my mind. I’ve reached the Amazing Grace land long time ago. I’m living in it and cherishing every minute of it. It’s the lonely road that made it so meaningful to me. I believe that happiness is meaningless if there is no sadness. Just like love is worthless without sacrifice.
BA: You simply stunned me there for a minute. How do you define love?
CZ: Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never ends. (1 Cor. 13:7-8) It’s very powerful.
Promdi in America, Lost in Transition
Promdi in America, Lost in Transition
March 5th, 2008
People digging out their cars from deep snow in the middle of a frigid winter, brutal winds blowing against my cheeks, living with 16 strangers in a 3-bedroom condo, sleeping on a window loft, how could my new life in Park City, Utah be more humbling?While everybody was worried about their families they left behind in the Philippines, I was worried about surviving in a foreign country on my own. The thought of doing my own laundry and cooking terrified me. Mixing of hot & cold water in the shower stressed me. My dandruff, split-ends, chapped lips, cracked hands; my becoming stinky feet grieved me. Thanks to the inventor of the microwave, it became my instant life support.
On my first trip to Albertson’s Grocery, I was simply looking for something similar to our “Tasty Bread” and “Ques-o” cheese in the Philippines. Their bread aisle drove me crazy! I have never seen hundred kinds of breads in my life: white, wheat, multigrain, their honey versions, potato, rye, sour bread, baguette, French, bagel with different flavors, etc. The cheese section was even more insane: cheddar, mild and sharp, Swiss, American, ½, Philadelphia, Neuchatel, Pepper Jack, Monterey, string, Mexican mix, (but no Philippine cheese to my surprise!) not to mention the stinky cheeses, bleu, feta, brie, etc. Could life be any more complicated for me? I just want to eat, period.
While I learn more about the American culture through my first hand encounters, the Americans were learning more about me as I speak with my exotic accent. So I grew up with a nanny, I have never washed dishes in my life; I have never washed my own clothes and didn’t know how to iron, never cooked, never used the vacuum, and never had to drive. They were curious from what kingdom on Earth did I come from!
The daily news in the Philippines was about bank robberies, massacres, gang rapes, murders and homicides, bomb threats and political rallies. That was normal. The news in Park City is more exciting: Deer crossing Main Street caused traffic as tourists took pictures, ski patrol helicopter saved moose stocked in snow, major storm hits Park City as skiers flood the mountains and hotel rooms, leather belt or cell phone found in the parking lot, lost dog or dogs looking for love, yard sale and $3M home for sale.
I was working at a Front Desk in a hotel but like everybody else I needed a second job to survive and live decently. I cleaned a few houses, did baby sitting, bussed in the restaurants, and served in banquets. But the most humbling of all was when I worked in Albertson’s Bakery in the closing shift. I sprayed wash tons of baking pans, cleaned grease on all working tables, and used a push broom that was taller than me. I had horrible burns on my hands and arms from the oven while loading and unloading French breads. But the most fun part of this job was advertising my products on the store’s intercom, “Fresh French bread now available.” It was simple but it was a tongue twister for me. I just can’t say it right.
I’ve made good friends and few cash in Park City. I travelled around the country to visit my relatives from the west to the east coast. I became a Christian (Baptist) along the way. I’ve been challenged to look for a better job and better life, as I searched for my Mr. Right at the same time.
But God led me back to Utah to be blessed by His power in His creation of this place full of magnitude and beauty that I refused to see. Utah is indeed the most beautiful state that I’ve ever seen. This is where I learned to live life with humility, and learned the value of hard earned money. I carried this value with me when I returned back home to the Philippines. Little did I know, there’s a greater purpose that was unknown for me at that time, which God has yet to reveal.
March 5th, 2008
People digging out their cars from deep snow in the middle of a frigid winter, brutal winds blowing against my cheeks, living with 16 strangers in a 3-bedroom condo, sleeping on a window loft, how could my new life in Park City, Utah be more humbling?While everybody was worried about their families they left behind in the Philippines, I was worried about surviving in a foreign country on my own. The thought of doing my own laundry and cooking terrified me. Mixing of hot & cold water in the shower stressed me. My dandruff, split-ends, chapped lips, cracked hands; my becoming stinky feet grieved me. Thanks to the inventor of the microwave, it became my instant life support.
On my first trip to Albertson’s Grocery, I was simply looking for something similar to our “Tasty Bread” and “Ques-o” cheese in the Philippines. Their bread aisle drove me crazy! I have never seen hundred kinds of breads in my life: white, wheat, multigrain, their honey versions, potato, rye, sour bread, baguette, French, bagel with different flavors, etc. The cheese section was even more insane: cheddar, mild and sharp, Swiss, American, ½, Philadelphia, Neuchatel, Pepper Jack, Monterey, string, Mexican mix, (but no Philippine cheese to my surprise!) not to mention the stinky cheeses, bleu, feta, brie, etc. Could life be any more complicated for me? I just want to eat, period.
While I learn more about the American culture through my first hand encounters, the Americans were learning more about me as I speak with my exotic accent. So I grew up with a nanny, I have never washed dishes in my life; I have never washed my own clothes and didn’t know how to iron, never cooked, never used the vacuum, and never had to drive. They were curious from what kingdom on Earth did I come from!
The daily news in the Philippines was about bank robberies, massacres, gang rapes, murders and homicides, bomb threats and political rallies. That was normal. The news in Park City is more exciting: Deer crossing Main Street caused traffic as tourists took pictures, ski patrol helicopter saved moose stocked in snow, major storm hits Park City as skiers flood the mountains and hotel rooms, leather belt or cell phone found in the parking lot, lost dog or dogs looking for love, yard sale and $3M home for sale.
I was working at a Front Desk in a hotel but like everybody else I needed a second job to survive and live decently. I cleaned a few houses, did baby sitting, bussed in the restaurants, and served in banquets. But the most humbling of all was when I worked in Albertson’s Bakery in the closing shift. I sprayed wash tons of baking pans, cleaned grease on all working tables, and used a push broom that was taller than me. I had horrible burns on my hands and arms from the oven while loading and unloading French breads. But the most fun part of this job was advertising my products on the store’s intercom, “Fresh French bread now available.” It was simple but it was a tongue twister for me. I just can’t say it right.
I’ve made good friends and few cash in Park City. I travelled around the country to visit my relatives from the west to the east coast. I became a Christian (Baptist) along the way. I’ve been challenged to look for a better job and better life, as I searched for my Mr. Right at the same time.
But God led me back to Utah to be blessed by His power in His creation of this place full of magnitude and beauty that I refused to see. Utah is indeed the most beautiful state that I’ve ever seen. This is where I learned to live life with humility, and learned the value of hard earned money. I carried this value with me when I returned back home to the Philippines. Little did I know, there’s a greater purpose that was unknown for me at that time, which God has yet to reveal.
Literary Criticism: The Author and Her Blogs
Literary Criticism: The Author and Her Blogs
February 13th, 2008
The author of these blogs uses a contemporary expressionist literary art form through blogging. She attempts to portray the inner workings of her mind by effectively allowing her readers’ mental states to stimulate through her poetic presence in the cyber world, whether she wants to make us fall in love in her poetry or fall from our seat in her comedy. The author used her own comical character through her subordinated representation of her emotional and visionary experiences, and exhibited a profound disillusionment of her self and the world that she is in.
The author has successfully brought me into her own world, may it be purposely or accidentally. Her innocent sense of humor was evident through her stories from her childhood to her young adult life. She is absolutely a beautiful woman but in her writings she portrays contrasting images of her self as a transvestite, aswang, or kuba, etc. I am convinced that this is her way of showing her creative imagination while still exampling humility. Even her blog’s main title, “Legacy of my Foot Prints,” announces that she has remained grounded.
In her newest post, “The Buzz Interview,” She has created her own fantasy here of becoming a celebrity being interviewed and intrigued somehow by her own blogs. While reading it (and laughing) to my self, I have unconsciously engaged myself in this plain conversation and have related somehow to the characters of the interviewers. This was simple but effective way of her to communicate to her friends commenting on her blogs.
I may or may not personally know this author, I may be her close friend or just a Friendster passer-by who became her fanatic blog reader. I admired her for her boldness in exposing herself to criticism and ridicule. But technically, she’s got talent and she’s fearless to unleash the true artist in her through her writings. Her artistic passion, personal liberty, and self-expression through her blogs reveal that she could empower herself to become any character she wants to be. For example, she has mentioned in the interview that she’s like Booba and Volta in real life. So, is she really? Or did I just get carried away by her imagination?
February 13th, 2008
The author of these blogs uses a contemporary expressionist literary art form through blogging. She attempts to portray the inner workings of her mind by effectively allowing her readers’ mental states to stimulate through her poetic presence in the cyber world, whether she wants to make us fall in love in her poetry or fall from our seat in her comedy. The author used her own comical character through her subordinated representation of her emotional and visionary experiences, and exhibited a profound disillusionment of her self and the world that she is in.
The author has successfully brought me into her own world, may it be purposely or accidentally. Her innocent sense of humor was evident through her stories from her childhood to her young adult life. She is absolutely a beautiful woman but in her writings she portrays contrasting images of her self as a transvestite, aswang, or kuba, etc. I am convinced that this is her way of showing her creative imagination while still exampling humility. Even her blog’s main title, “Legacy of my Foot Prints,” announces that she has remained grounded.
In her newest post, “The Buzz Interview,” She has created her own fantasy here of becoming a celebrity being interviewed and intrigued somehow by her own blogs. While reading it (and laughing) to my self, I have unconsciously engaged myself in this plain conversation and have related somehow to the characters of the interviewers. This was simple but effective way of her to communicate to her friends commenting on her blogs.
I may or may not personally know this author, I may be her close friend or just a Friendster passer-by who became her fanatic blog reader. I admired her for her boldness in exposing herself to criticism and ridicule. But technically, she’s got talent and she’s fearless to unleash the true artist in her through her writings. Her artistic passion, personal liberty, and self-expression through her blogs reveal that she could empower herself to become any character she wants to be. For example, she has mentioned in the interview that she’s like Booba and Volta in real life. So, is she really? Or did I just get carried away by her imagination?
The Buzz Interview
The Buzz Interview
February 12th, 2008
My blogs became an overnight sensation among my friends and some passers by in Friendster. Many were entertained, some have related to my stories, and few were intrigued… So I was invited by Boy Abunda, Christie Fermin and Ruffa Gutierrez who read through it, too, and wanted to interview me about my blogs, peoples’ violent reactions, outrageous comments and messages that I’ve been receiving.
Boy: Czarina, welcome to The Buzz. The reason why we invited you here today in our show is because some of your blog fans have different reactions and comments about your writings. Hilig mo ba talaga itong magsulat?
CZ: I was English Major in college, and I always had the passion to write. I am also gifted with sense of humor. I recently found an opportunity blogging here in Friendster, simply to connect with my friends. At first, I thought it will be a good practice for me. But I didn’t expect at all that I could catch people’s attention.
Christie: Ang daming natatawa at meron ding nabubwisit sa mga blogs mo. Anong masasabi mo dito?
CZ: Ang masasabi ko lang po sa mga natutuwa ay salamat. Sa mga nabu-bwisit ay salamat din. It only means that my blogs are effective and it is stimulating their minds and emotions whether they know me personally or not, or whether they think that my writing is a talent, or whether they think na wala lang akong magawa.
Ruffa: I’m just curious about your promdi blogs. You have highlighted about your being promdi looking, and baduy. I don’t see that at all in your pictures now. You also have received comments from your old friends na parang gandang ganda sila sa’yo ngayon. Bakit parang shocked sila sa bagong hitsura mo ngayon? Pangit ka ba dati?
CZ: Actually isa akong “kuba” dati…. Medyo duling, mahaba ang baba at may bigote! I admit I did some extreme makeover over the years that I lived here in America. Since I can’t afford to pay plastic surgeons, I decided to submit myself to some medical students na kailangang mag-practice ng cosmetic surgery para libre. So yun, successfully, eto na ako ngayon.
Boy: I received a message from one of your blog fan to ask you kung ikaw daw yung na-rape at yung nag-drugs nung college?
CZ: Baka hindi ko blog yung nabasa nya, or baka sya yung naka drugs at hindi naintindihan ang kwento ko.… What I mentioned in my blog was maraming nire-rape noong panahon na nagka-college ako. Wala pong masamang nangyari sa akin noon.
Christie: Anong gusto mo pang ibahagi sa mga readers mo ngayong nakuha mo na ang attention nila? Paano kung may maka-discover sa’yo and may mag offer sa’yo na magsulat sa magazines or newspapers?
CZ: I have a lot of things in mind that I wanted to write about, mostly funny stories based on my own experiences with other people and general views in life hopefully to inspire, na pwede ding haluan ng konting drama and excitement that my readers can relate to. Actually, someone has already offered me a job to write in Tiktik Magazine, but I turned down the offer. Mahirap din kayang mag-imbento ng kwento doon, tsaka maliit lang ang sweldo. Kailangan ko ng malaking kita ngayon lalo na at mahal na ang dog food. Itong si Lily, kumekerengkeng na at gusto ng mag make up at nagpapabili na ng cellphone!
Ruffa: I love your dogs! They are so adorable and sweet! Si Venice and Lorin, for a long time now, they’ve been asking me “Mom, when are you going to get us a puppy?” They are so in love with Lily! Pwedeng akin na lang si Lily?
CZ: Ano ka, hilo? Bumili ka kaya ng sarili mong aso, ‘no?
Boy: Kung isasapilikula ang buhay mo, sino ang gusto mong gumanap ng character mo? At bakit?
CZ: Si Rufa Mae Quinto, or si Ai-ai De Las Alas, kasi may pagka-Booba at Volta po ako in real life.
Christie: Nakakatawa ka! Napaihi tuloy ako sa’yo! Pwede kang maging comedian sa mga comedy bars!
CZ: Nagawa ko na yan dati pa… kaya lang mas maraming sumikat na mga bading na mas sexy kesa sa’kin, kaya nalaos na lang ako…. Kaya nagba-blog na lang ako ngayon.
Ruffa: Thanks again for coming to our show. One last request na lang. Pwedeng akin na lang si Lily? I promise I will feed her the best food, give her the best cell phone and make up…. Sige na, yehey!!!
CZ: Bakit ba ang kulit mo? Sabi ng hindi pwede, eh?
Disclaimer: This is only a fiction. But I run out of English and not able to translate it. Sorry.
February 12th, 2008
My blogs became an overnight sensation among my friends and some passers by in Friendster. Many were entertained, some have related to my stories, and few were intrigued… So I was invited by Boy Abunda, Christie Fermin and Ruffa Gutierrez who read through it, too, and wanted to interview me about my blogs, peoples’ violent reactions, outrageous comments and messages that I’ve been receiving.
Boy: Czarina, welcome to The Buzz. The reason why we invited you here today in our show is because some of your blog fans have different reactions and comments about your writings. Hilig mo ba talaga itong magsulat?
CZ: I was English Major in college, and I always had the passion to write. I am also gifted with sense of humor. I recently found an opportunity blogging here in Friendster, simply to connect with my friends. At first, I thought it will be a good practice for me. But I didn’t expect at all that I could catch people’s attention.
Christie: Ang daming natatawa at meron ding nabubwisit sa mga blogs mo. Anong masasabi mo dito?
CZ: Ang masasabi ko lang po sa mga natutuwa ay salamat. Sa mga nabu-bwisit ay salamat din. It only means that my blogs are effective and it is stimulating their minds and emotions whether they know me personally or not, or whether they think that my writing is a talent, or whether they think na wala lang akong magawa.
Ruffa: I’m just curious about your promdi blogs. You have highlighted about your being promdi looking, and baduy. I don’t see that at all in your pictures now. You also have received comments from your old friends na parang gandang ganda sila sa’yo ngayon. Bakit parang shocked sila sa bagong hitsura mo ngayon? Pangit ka ba dati?
CZ: Actually isa akong “kuba” dati…. Medyo duling, mahaba ang baba at may bigote! I admit I did some extreme makeover over the years that I lived here in America. Since I can’t afford to pay plastic surgeons, I decided to submit myself to some medical students na kailangang mag-practice ng cosmetic surgery para libre. So yun, successfully, eto na ako ngayon.
Boy: I received a message from one of your blog fan to ask you kung ikaw daw yung na-rape at yung nag-drugs nung college?
CZ: Baka hindi ko blog yung nabasa nya, or baka sya yung naka drugs at hindi naintindihan ang kwento ko.… What I mentioned in my blog was maraming nire-rape noong panahon na nagka-college ako. Wala pong masamang nangyari sa akin noon.
Christie: Anong gusto mo pang ibahagi sa mga readers mo ngayong nakuha mo na ang attention nila? Paano kung may maka-discover sa’yo and may mag offer sa’yo na magsulat sa magazines or newspapers?
CZ: I have a lot of things in mind that I wanted to write about, mostly funny stories based on my own experiences with other people and general views in life hopefully to inspire, na pwede ding haluan ng konting drama and excitement that my readers can relate to. Actually, someone has already offered me a job to write in Tiktik Magazine, but I turned down the offer. Mahirap din kayang mag-imbento ng kwento doon, tsaka maliit lang ang sweldo. Kailangan ko ng malaking kita ngayon lalo na at mahal na ang dog food. Itong si Lily, kumekerengkeng na at gusto ng mag make up at nagpapabili na ng cellphone!
Ruffa: I love your dogs! They are so adorable and sweet! Si Venice and Lorin, for a long time now, they’ve been asking me “Mom, when are you going to get us a puppy?” They are so in love with Lily! Pwedeng akin na lang si Lily?
CZ: Ano ka, hilo? Bumili ka kaya ng sarili mong aso, ‘no?
Boy: Kung isasapilikula ang buhay mo, sino ang gusto mong gumanap ng character mo? At bakit?
CZ: Si Rufa Mae Quinto, or si Ai-ai De Las Alas, kasi may pagka-Booba at Volta po ako in real life.
Christie: Nakakatawa ka! Napaihi tuloy ako sa’yo! Pwede kang maging comedian sa mga comedy bars!
CZ: Nagawa ko na yan dati pa… kaya lang mas maraming sumikat na mga bading na mas sexy kesa sa’kin, kaya nalaos na lang ako…. Kaya nagba-blog na lang ako ngayon.
Ruffa: Thanks again for coming to our show. One last request na lang. Pwedeng akin na lang si Lily? I promise I will feed her the best food, give her the best cell phone and make up…. Sige na, yehey!!!
CZ: Bakit ba ang kulit mo? Sabi ng hindi pwede, eh?
Disclaimer: This is only a fiction. But I run out of English and not able to translate it. Sorry.
The Best Days of my Life at the Peninsula 1995-1999
The Best Days of my Life at the Peninsula 1995-1999
February 9th, 2008
My very first career venture after college was at the front office of the beautiful Peninsula Manila Hotel as a receptionist and cashier. I was only 20 years old then and coming from St. Scho, my new officemates perceived me as a super conservative “manang,” (old lady) as if I came out of a convent (later on, they found out they were wrong. Ha-ha-ha!!). I’ve been criticized by the way I walked like a tomboy in high heels and in our fuschia pink uniform. After duty, people made fun of my choice of outfits: my high waisted baggy faded jeans and floral printed long sleeved blouses, and my promdi hairdo full of hairpins and gigantic ribbons. Covering up my promdi accent with the Manilenea twang, it didn’t take me very long to develop lasting friendship with these people who made such impact in young life. I was genuinely kind to all and was immediately accepted as my jolly, happy, “kenkoy” (funny) and “vaklita” (gayish) self. I called everybody Tito and Tita, and gave some fun nicknames to few.
I can’t enumerate all my fun experiences I had gained in those years. To highlight some of my foolishness at the front desk: I had joked to a guest that the white mouse he saw in the hall way was his room attendant. I made a guest upset when I told him that cockroaches were very sacred in the Philippines and that he could be arrested by killing one in his room. I have scared away some guests who would ask to date me and told them weird stuffs like I was a transvestite, or a lesbian… or that I came from Siquijor from a family of blood-sucking aswangs… I have successfully turned them off.
My most treasured moments were hanging out with my Pen friends after work, whether it’s after 3pm or 11pm. We’d go to short trips to Antipolo or Tagaytay, or go to some beach resorts in Cavite or Batangas. Sometimes we’ll just hang out in Makati Ave, or Pasay Road, or Harbor View to have cocktails during happy hour. Through these years, I have learned to eat sisig, gambas and bopis. I was always present in all the wild birthday parties and pool parties. In fact, I’ve been thrown to the pool a couple of times. I also became good friends with Mr. Cuervo, and sipped Red Horse using a straw!! In some few occasions, I’ve had private conversations with the toilet bowl as if someone was down there and I swore not to intoxicate myself ever again.
I will always cherish our activities during the Pen’s anniversary parties. I danced hip hop with the Bell Boys, hosted the Mr. Pogi and Ms. Peninsula pageant, sang live in a band (Aaron, remember?), won in a group dance contest (who were with me in this?), and for the very first time, I lost in the Ms. Peninsula beauty pageant where I didn’t win any award!! How could that ever happen? I remember my mom almost protested!!
I also blossomed during this time at the Pen, both socially and romantically!! I became very comfortable communicating and expressing myself while dealing with people of different personalities and cultural backgrounds. Aside from having the best group of friends EVER and the best times of my life, I’ve had few crushes and dated some interesting ones. But who would have thought that I would meet here the man who was to become my husband? Ronald Trinidad (FO Supervisor and Cashier, indeed!!), he was my best friend and the kuya (elder brother) that I never had. I called him “Tito Ronald” and gave him a pet name “Titit.” (I still call him that until now. He-he-he!!!) I can never forget when I broke his heart at Tia Maria in Greenbelt!! (He swore he’ll bring me back to this place one day!!) I was clueless that we will be destined for each other… On April 20, 2002, in Park City, Utah, we vowed to be together forever.
To you all my good old Peninsula friends who are keeping in touch with me here in Friendster, I still do remember our MARCH 28, 2008 date!!!! Ten years ago in Munting Buhangin Beach Resort, we made a vow to meet again at the Peninsula’s Service Entrance on March 28, 2008 at 6pm…. Thanks for the reminders, Tony, Eric and Lally!! I won’t be there in my manang floral printed blouse (ha-ha-ha!!!), but I will be there in my bonggacious and gorgeolicious spirit cheering with you all… Can someone please order me some sizzling sisig and a Red Horse with a straw, please??
February 9th, 2008
My very first career venture after college was at the front office of the beautiful Peninsula Manila Hotel as a receptionist and cashier. I was only 20 years old then and coming from St. Scho, my new officemates perceived me as a super conservative “manang,” (old lady) as if I came out of a convent (later on, they found out they were wrong. Ha-ha-ha!!). I’ve been criticized by the way I walked like a tomboy in high heels and in our fuschia pink uniform. After duty, people made fun of my choice of outfits: my high waisted baggy faded jeans and floral printed long sleeved blouses, and my promdi hairdo full of hairpins and gigantic ribbons. Covering up my promdi accent with the Manilenea twang, it didn’t take me very long to develop lasting friendship with these people who made such impact in young life. I was genuinely kind to all and was immediately accepted as my jolly, happy, “kenkoy” (funny) and “vaklita” (gayish) self. I called everybody Tito and Tita, and gave some fun nicknames to few.
I can’t enumerate all my fun experiences I had gained in those years. To highlight some of my foolishness at the front desk: I had joked to a guest that the white mouse he saw in the hall way was his room attendant. I made a guest upset when I told him that cockroaches were very sacred in the Philippines and that he could be arrested by killing one in his room. I have scared away some guests who would ask to date me and told them weird stuffs like I was a transvestite, or a lesbian… or that I came from Siquijor from a family of blood-sucking aswangs… I have successfully turned them off.
My most treasured moments were hanging out with my Pen friends after work, whether it’s after 3pm or 11pm. We’d go to short trips to Antipolo or Tagaytay, or go to some beach resorts in Cavite or Batangas. Sometimes we’ll just hang out in Makati Ave, or Pasay Road, or Harbor View to have cocktails during happy hour. Through these years, I have learned to eat sisig, gambas and bopis. I was always present in all the wild birthday parties and pool parties. In fact, I’ve been thrown to the pool a couple of times. I also became good friends with Mr. Cuervo, and sipped Red Horse using a straw!! In some few occasions, I’ve had private conversations with the toilet bowl as if someone was down there and I swore not to intoxicate myself ever again.
I will always cherish our activities during the Pen’s anniversary parties. I danced hip hop with the Bell Boys, hosted the Mr. Pogi and Ms. Peninsula pageant, sang live in a band (Aaron, remember?), won in a group dance contest (who were with me in this?), and for the very first time, I lost in the Ms. Peninsula beauty pageant where I didn’t win any award!! How could that ever happen? I remember my mom almost protested!!
I also blossomed during this time at the Pen, both socially and romantically!! I became very comfortable communicating and expressing myself while dealing with people of different personalities and cultural backgrounds. Aside from having the best group of friends EVER and the best times of my life, I’ve had few crushes and dated some interesting ones. But who would have thought that I would meet here the man who was to become my husband? Ronald Trinidad (FO Supervisor and Cashier, indeed!!), he was my best friend and the kuya (elder brother) that I never had. I called him “Tito Ronald” and gave him a pet name “Titit.” (I still call him that until now. He-he-he!!!) I can never forget when I broke his heart at Tia Maria in Greenbelt!! (He swore he’ll bring me back to this place one day!!) I was clueless that we will be destined for each other… On April 20, 2002, in Park City, Utah, we vowed to be together forever.
To you all my good old Peninsula friends who are keeping in touch with me here in Friendster, I still do remember our MARCH 28, 2008 date!!!! Ten years ago in Munting Buhangin Beach Resort, we made a vow to meet again at the Peninsula’s Service Entrance on March 28, 2008 at 6pm…. Thanks for the reminders, Tony, Eric and Lally!! I won’t be there in my manang floral printed blouse (ha-ha-ha!!!), but I will be there in my bonggacious and gorgeolicious spirit cheering with you all… Can someone please order me some sizzling sisig and a Red Horse with a straw, please??
Haunted by my Childhood Nickname
Haunted by my Childhood Nickname
February 5th, 2008
Once upon a time, a cute baby girl was born at 9 ½ lbs, with curly hair, big dark eyes and humungous fat legs. She was loved by her family. She learned to talk and bubbled her first words. It was not mama, or papa or dada, but “budi… budi-budi!” She said it over and over. Her family was so proud of it and thought it was so funny and adorable, so they nicknamed her “Budi-Budi.” She liked playing bintol, tumbang lata, taguan, luksong tinik, sungkaan, jackstone and Chinese garter. She went to the tabing ilog to swim, caught some tipaklong and tutubi in the parang, took a bath in the rain, threw stones at the buyuko at their backyard, and drowned to death her neighbor’s chicks in the tub. She also liked listening to radio dramas like Simatar and Lovingly Yours, etc. while her yaya was making suyod all her kuto from her frizzy hair. And she grew up to become a fine lady and she lived happily ever after. End of story.
Well, it turned out that my life is not a fairy tale at all. “Budi-budi” was my stinky cute nickname until I was 10 years old. When I moved to ICC in Boac (1985-1988), I was Czarina Aileen Palomares to my classmates. I thought that sounded really good and hoped that people will just call me Czarina. But I moved back to my home town of Sta. Cruz and continued my high school at SCI, and I was back to being called “Budi” again.
Just like any kid, I was called many names growing up. I was known for my big round eyes, so I was called “Bulaga.” In ICC, they called me Owl or Full Moon. Some bullies have called me Aling Buding or Budang. I got in so many troubles because boys teased me with my nickname.
I thought I could get rid of my “promdi” nickname in college, but my friends heard my Tita Moonette (she was a Music Professor at St. Scho) called me “Budi” in school. Since then, my friends in college called me Boodie, or Boods!
I kept asking my self, why am I called “Budi” or “Boodie" when I have such a beautiful name “Czarina?” (FYI, Czarina is a Russian name for an Empress or Queen, or wife of the Czar.) Why didn’t my parents give me girly nicknames like my friends Twinkle, Misty, or Charry? Or royal names like Queenie or Princess? Or even door bell names like Ning-ning, Bing-bing or Ching-ching? Or I could be simply called Cza-Cza, Rina, Czar or Yna? My Park City, Utah friends have re-named me “Charing.” Well, at least that sounds like a door bell, or more like an old telephone ring.
Budi could pass for a name of an ugly pet dog. It could also be an ideal name for a big bellied, full bearded man who is a sweaty and smelly construction worker, with a beer on the left hand, and a cigarette on the right. Lastly, “Boodie or booty” here in America sounds like the slang word for "butt” or “ass.” Need I say more?
The truth is, I literally tried to kill my promdi nickname thousands of times and I’m not denying it now. Charry Red was right in her comments in my profile that “I had amnesia of my origin,” when I did not or won’t turn my back when she called me “Budi” in Greenbelt. Deep inside me, I was ashamed of my nickname.
I thought I have buried it but it keeps haunting me like an ugly mystery ghost of the past. But I guess, Budi or Boodie is still so alive and well to the memory of my hometown friends. My family and all of my relatives and cousins still call me that, whether I’m their Ate or Tita now. It looks like it won’t go away very soon. Did I remain a child in their mind? Didn’t they think that I finally grew up? Or do you all just think that it’s just stinkin’ cute?
Well, to appease you all, I finally realized that it doesn’t really matter what you all call me now. Boodie, or Charing, or Czarina. I’m still your old friend, and still the same small town girl promdi province.
February 5th, 2008
Once upon a time, a cute baby girl was born at 9 ½ lbs, with curly hair, big dark eyes and humungous fat legs. She was loved by her family. She learned to talk and bubbled her first words. It was not mama, or papa or dada, but “budi… budi-budi!” She said it over and over. Her family was so proud of it and thought it was so funny and adorable, so they nicknamed her “Budi-Budi.” She liked playing bintol, tumbang lata, taguan, luksong tinik, sungkaan, jackstone and Chinese garter. She went to the tabing ilog to swim, caught some tipaklong and tutubi in the parang, took a bath in the rain, threw stones at the buyuko at their backyard, and drowned to death her neighbor’s chicks in the tub. She also liked listening to radio dramas like Simatar and Lovingly Yours, etc. while her yaya was making suyod all her kuto from her frizzy hair. And she grew up to become a fine lady and she lived happily ever after. End of story.
Well, it turned out that my life is not a fairy tale at all. “Budi-budi” was my stinky cute nickname until I was 10 years old. When I moved to ICC in Boac (1985-1988), I was Czarina Aileen Palomares to my classmates. I thought that sounded really good and hoped that people will just call me Czarina. But I moved back to my home town of Sta. Cruz and continued my high school at SCI, and I was back to being called “Budi” again.
Just like any kid, I was called many names growing up. I was known for my big round eyes, so I was called “Bulaga.” In ICC, they called me Owl or Full Moon. Some bullies have called me Aling Buding or Budang. I got in so many troubles because boys teased me with my nickname.
I thought I could get rid of my “promdi” nickname in college, but my friends heard my Tita Moonette (she was a Music Professor at St. Scho) called me “Budi” in school. Since then, my friends in college called me Boodie, or Boods!
I kept asking my self, why am I called “Budi” or “Boodie" when I have such a beautiful name “Czarina?” (FYI, Czarina is a Russian name for an Empress or Queen, or wife of the Czar.) Why didn’t my parents give me girly nicknames like my friends Twinkle, Misty, or Charry? Or royal names like Queenie or Princess? Or even door bell names like Ning-ning, Bing-bing or Ching-ching? Or I could be simply called Cza-Cza, Rina, Czar or Yna? My Park City, Utah friends have re-named me “Charing.” Well, at least that sounds like a door bell, or more like an old telephone ring.
Budi could pass for a name of an ugly pet dog. It could also be an ideal name for a big bellied, full bearded man who is a sweaty and smelly construction worker, with a beer on the left hand, and a cigarette on the right. Lastly, “Boodie or booty” here in America sounds like the slang word for "butt” or “ass.” Need I say more?
The truth is, I literally tried to kill my promdi nickname thousands of times and I’m not denying it now. Charry Red was right in her comments in my profile that “I had amnesia of my origin,” when I did not or won’t turn my back when she called me “Budi” in Greenbelt. Deep inside me, I was ashamed of my nickname.
I thought I have buried it but it keeps haunting me like an ugly mystery ghost of the past. But I guess, Budi or Boodie is still so alive and well to the memory of my hometown friends. My family and all of my relatives and cousins still call me that, whether I’m their Ate or Tita now. It looks like it won’t go away very soon. Did I remain a child in their mind? Didn’t they think that I finally grew up? Or do you all just think that it’s just stinkin’ cute?
Well, to appease you all, I finally realized that it doesn’t really matter what you all call me now. Boodie, or Charing, or Czarina. I’m still your old friend, and still the same small town girl promdi province.
Memoirs of a Promdi Collegiala (1991-1995)
Memoirs of a Promdi Collegiala (1991-1995)
February 4th, 2008
How can I forget my very first year in St. Scholastica’s College? In June 1991, Mt. Pinatubo erupted and showered ashes all over Manila. Everyday in the tabloids and TV, there were news of college girls being kidnapped and gang raped, then found dead. When it was typhoon season, it will rain and flood in Leon Guinto and San Antonio, Makati where I lived. There were snatchers, hold-uppers, and sex perverts around the St. Scho block, and in the jeeps that I would take to and from school. There were young boys from Benilde and La Salle with St. Scho girls smoking cigarettes, and kissing and petting outside our campus. There were lesbians and gays doing the same thing. There were fumes and pollution in the busy streets full of cars, jeeps and busses. There were stinky garbage and manholes I have to watch out while walking and scary beggars following me on the side of the roads. IT WAS A TOTAL CULTURE SHOCK FOR ME. I knew right away that I will miss my simple life promdi province.
So I tried getting used to the “city” life eventually. As a promdi, going to the malls are the most fun experience for me. With my cousins or new found friends, we’d go to Rustan’s, Landmark and Greenbelt on weekends just to stroll around. I loved the smell of the air conditioning when I come inside. I liked looking at display windows. I liked riding the escalators and elevators. I couldn’t really afford to shop in the nice stores as I didn’t have enough money. In the mall, my favorite store was National Bookstore. I could hang out here and check out books the whole day. We’d go watch movies after window shopping. I liked Filipino drama a lot. I already made sure I have tissue with me as I expect to get carried away by sad scenes. After the movie, and if I have enough money, I’d go eat at McDonalds or Jolibee. Sometimes, all I could afford was a piece of Dunkin Donut. A few times, I’d go shopping in Divisoria or Baclaran with my Ate Donna. That was really fun. For P100 or $200, I’d have some really nice outfit and purse.
Here’s my ultimate promdi moment that I will never forget. I went shopping in SM Megamall & Robinson’s area by myself one Saturday afternoon. I was in a major crossing road at EDSA. There were lots of busses and jeeps, and pedestrians on all sides of the streets. I ended up at the wrong side and didn’t walk fast enough to the pedestrian lane, so I just crossed the highway and I almost got hit and run by these busses. I ended up in the middle lane holding on to a post and the railing and busses passed me right at my back. Looking down was another road full of cars and busses. If you are familiar in this crossing road, you knew that there was a “traffic announcer” hiding somewhere with a microphone who would yell at people to go or not to go in any side of the road. The “traffic announcer” was saying loudly, “Hoy Miss na nakapula, wag kang tatalon dyan! Wag kang magpapakamatay! Sayang ang ganda mo!” (Hey, Ms. Beautiful, don’t jump! Don’t kill your self. Don’t waste your life!) Little did I know, he was yelling at me in public and I didn’t know where this voice was coming from. People looked at me laughing until I could cross safely to the other side of the road. Well, that was NOT YET the most humiliating moment of my life. I crossed again to the next street and somehow I ended up in a No Jaywalking side of the road as I was following some people. Long story short, I was picked up by a policeman with a bunch of jaywalkers in tow in a police car and brought to their police station in Mandaluyong. Guess what? I was put in jail for an hour and had to sing “Bayang Magiliw” (Lupang Hinirang, our National Anthem) in front of people because I had no $200 to bail myself out. That was the most humiliating promdi moment of my life!!. Malay ko baga kung ano yaang Jay Walking na yan. Wala namang ganyan sa Marinduque. (I didn’t know what Jay walking means as we don’t have that in our province). I can’t believe at what just happened to me. I told this traffic and jail encounter story to my Tita Moonette while crying and laughing at the same time. She almost peed in her pants laughing. But she never believed this story.
After many more colorful good and bad experiences, I finally graduated college on time in March 1995. I didn’t get raped or kidnapped or killed. I didn’t get pregnant. I didn’t run away with a boyfriend, and didn’t have one at all. I didn’t do drugs. I didn’t drown in the flood. I didn’t get hit and run by cars and busses in the streets. I didn’t stay very long in jail. Yet nobody believed me on this experience. I’m just glad that I survived! And was proud that I was able to manage my life on my own in Manila. My mom and dad were the proudest parents in the world when I graduated. My dad finally gave me my full independence after graduation. He said I can do now whatever I wanted to do with my life.
February 4th, 2008
How can I forget my very first year in St. Scholastica’s College? In June 1991, Mt. Pinatubo erupted and showered ashes all over Manila. Everyday in the tabloids and TV, there were news of college girls being kidnapped and gang raped, then found dead. When it was typhoon season, it will rain and flood in Leon Guinto and San Antonio, Makati where I lived. There were snatchers, hold-uppers, and sex perverts around the St. Scho block, and in the jeeps that I would take to and from school. There were young boys from Benilde and La Salle with St. Scho girls smoking cigarettes, and kissing and petting outside our campus. There were lesbians and gays doing the same thing. There were fumes and pollution in the busy streets full of cars, jeeps and busses. There were stinky garbage and manholes I have to watch out while walking and scary beggars following me on the side of the roads. IT WAS A TOTAL CULTURE SHOCK FOR ME. I knew right away that I will miss my simple life promdi province.
So I tried getting used to the “city” life eventually. As a promdi, going to the malls are the most fun experience for me. With my cousins or new found friends, we’d go to Rustan’s, Landmark and Greenbelt on weekends just to stroll around. I loved the smell of the air conditioning when I come inside. I liked looking at display windows. I liked riding the escalators and elevators. I couldn’t really afford to shop in the nice stores as I didn’t have enough money. In the mall, my favorite store was National Bookstore. I could hang out here and check out books the whole day. We’d go watch movies after window shopping. I liked Filipino drama a lot. I already made sure I have tissue with me as I expect to get carried away by sad scenes. After the movie, and if I have enough money, I’d go eat at McDonalds or Jolibee. Sometimes, all I could afford was a piece of Dunkin Donut. A few times, I’d go shopping in Divisoria or Baclaran with my Ate Donna. That was really fun. For P100 or $200, I’d have some really nice outfit and purse.
Here’s my ultimate promdi moment that I will never forget. I went shopping in SM Megamall & Robinson’s area by myself one Saturday afternoon. I was in a major crossing road at EDSA. There were lots of busses and jeeps, and pedestrians on all sides of the streets. I ended up at the wrong side and didn’t walk fast enough to the pedestrian lane, so I just crossed the highway and I almost got hit and run by these busses. I ended up in the middle lane holding on to a post and the railing and busses passed me right at my back. Looking down was another road full of cars and busses. If you are familiar in this crossing road, you knew that there was a “traffic announcer” hiding somewhere with a microphone who would yell at people to go or not to go in any side of the road. The “traffic announcer” was saying loudly, “Hoy Miss na nakapula, wag kang tatalon dyan! Wag kang magpapakamatay! Sayang ang ganda mo!” (Hey, Ms. Beautiful, don’t jump! Don’t kill your self. Don’t waste your life!) Little did I know, he was yelling at me in public and I didn’t know where this voice was coming from. People looked at me laughing until I could cross safely to the other side of the road. Well, that was NOT YET the most humiliating moment of my life. I crossed again to the next street and somehow I ended up in a No Jaywalking side of the road as I was following some people. Long story short, I was picked up by a policeman with a bunch of jaywalkers in tow in a police car and brought to their police station in Mandaluyong. Guess what? I was put in jail for an hour and had to sing “Bayang Magiliw” (Lupang Hinirang, our National Anthem) in front of people because I had no $200 to bail myself out. That was the most humiliating promdi moment of my life!!. Malay ko baga kung ano yaang Jay Walking na yan. Wala namang ganyan sa Marinduque. (I didn’t know what Jay walking means as we don’t have that in our province). I can’t believe at what just happened to me. I told this traffic and jail encounter story to my Tita Moonette while crying and laughing at the same time. She almost peed in her pants laughing. But she never believed this story.
After many more colorful good and bad experiences, I finally graduated college on time in March 1995. I didn’t get raped or kidnapped or killed. I didn’t get pregnant. I didn’t run away with a boyfriend, and didn’t have one at all. I didn’t do drugs. I didn’t drown in the flood. I didn’t get hit and run by cars and busses in the streets. I didn’t stay very long in jail. Yet nobody believed me on this experience. I’m just glad that I survived! And was proud that I was able to manage my life on my own in Manila. My mom and dad were the proudest parents in the world when I graduated. My dad finally gave me my full independence after graduation. He said I can do now whatever I wanted to do with my life.
Confession of a Pure Promdi
Confession of a Pure Promdi
February 3rd, 2008
So my Friendster’s “About Me” says “I am a FABULOUS PINAY born with Stilettos.” That wasn’t really true if you knew me like my old friends and classmates in Sta. Cruz, Marinduque. In fact, I have humble beginnings like all of you. I was never fabulous or never born with stilettos (there was no such thing there!). I am writing this blog for one good reason: I want all my friends out there to really understand me from the very beginning. Why I am such the way I am… Guess what? I was a promdi, still a promdi and forever a promdi at heart, and very proud of it. (Promdi is from English words "From The" as from the phrase "From The Province").
Being raised in Sta. Cruz, Marinduque by two strict parents was not an accident at all for me. I can’t blame my parents at all. For them, I was the prettiest of all kids my age, and that I deserve all the comfort in life. I lived in a big house and had my own yaya to clean up after me. Anybody who knew me growing up may have thought that I was one lucky girl… popular, pampered, and had lots of admirers.
But it was not the case for me… I also had my own share of insecurities. I felt I had a lot of limitations socially. I can’t do this and I can’t do that. Living in a small community in our province, people talk about people all the time. So in that given situation, my parents became strict to me because they won’t allow me to be the talk of the town especially in a negative way. So I was prim and proper all the time whenever I was around people, whether at church, birthdays, weddings, funerals and town fiestas. I can’t have suitors or boyfriend. I can’t be seen in any provocative behavior in public. I can’t go to all parties. I have a 10PM curfew when they’d allow me to party a couple of times, or I can’t be home too late for any school activities. I can go on and on for all the things that I can’t do just because I can’t, or because my parents won’t let me.
My parents expected me only to bring honor in our family. I was never the valedictorian or the first honor in my class. In fact, I was compared to them a number of times by my father and it made me even more insecure deep inside. I thought I was never good enough. But that didn’t stop me in trying to please them and give honor to them in any way I can.
I was always part of any Sagala (Mayflower Festival) in Marinduque. You name it, I’ve been one since I was 5 years old, may it be in Sta. Cruz, Boac or Gasan. I was very artistic and competitive. I joined piano recitals, local theater arts presentations & variety shows, choir and dance competitions, a few quiz bees, declamation contests, and beauty pageants. Not to mention, I was a volleyball varsity player in high school. I was “Miss” of all occasions, from Ms. Rizal Day, Ms. SCI, to Ms. Sta Cruz, Ms. Copper Queen Jaycees, etc. I knew I had talent and I was privileged on my way to have a “life of a promdi princess.” My mom dressed me up, brushed up my hair and put on make up. People admired me whether I was on a float or just walking to school or church. Not many girls in my generation had all this kind of exposure and experience. In short, I made my parents somehow proud of me in my own little way. I may not have brought them medals of honor but I brought home some talent awards and somehow, I became the pride and joy of our family. On my 18th birthday, my parents gave me the most fabulous debut party that any girl would ever want.
I do have one thing that I didn’t become when I was growing up in Sta. Cruz. This is really funny and I wish people knew. I didn’t tell anyone about this even my mom, and I should have. I’ve always wanted to be a lead majorette of our school and town parades. I could see my self pulling that off really well. From wearing that mini bloomer skirt to those high thigh boots. When it was time for our school to pick the majorettes, I will always prepare myself. I made sure I was pretty and that my legs were flawless, and that I could lift up my knees up to my waist. All my friends have become one but me. I would ask myself, what was wrong with me or my legs?
So it was time to move on to Manila to pursue my college education. My parents wanted me to go to an exclusive for girls school, St. Scholastica’s College. No boys, no problem. They wanted me to concentrate in school and finish on time. At first, mixing up with all these Manilenias and other promdi intimidated me. I was not in my own comfort zone anymore. There were many girls now who are prettier and more talented than me. I was no longer the popular one that I used to be. I was very conservative and 101% manang na manang and promdi looking from head to toe. There were two kinds of groups that I could hang out with: pretty girls who were liberal and smoke cigarettes after school to hang out with their boyfriends from Benilde and La Salle, or simple girls who were fun but nerds who would hang out in our library. Should I become one of the pretty girls with cute boys in tow and forget my promdi-hood, or should I remain my manang self and be one of the nerds? It was not the hardest decision to make. My chosen friends from St. Scho, you know who you are because you are laughing now while reading this. You all made my exciting college life most fun and memorable. And I thank you that I didn’t have to change my ways at all because you have accepted me as a pure blooded promdi.
In my heart, I was just one normal girl promdi province. I walked to school or took the tricycle, or had jeep service when I was in ICC, or took the jeep when I was in St. Scho. I moved schools many times during my elementary and high school days. Main reason - I was not too friendly especially to some boys in my class. I was a tomboy, mean and suplada to some, and troublesome to others. If you were one of the boys that I had punched or so, I made sure we were good friends at the end of the school year. I had a rough time growing up, too, and just like every other promdi. After all these years, I still my have Marinduque accent. “Ano baga ari? Ngani, baya, mandin.” Actually, even my husband has caught my accent. He’d ask me, “Honey, nandini baga yung kwan ay?” I’d say, “Naryan laang mandin yun ay. Tingni baya maigi!!” (Sorry, that’s hard to translate in English.)
February 3rd, 2008
So my Friendster’s “About Me” says “I am a FABULOUS PINAY born with Stilettos.” That wasn’t really true if you knew me like my old friends and classmates in Sta. Cruz, Marinduque. In fact, I have humble beginnings like all of you. I was never fabulous or never born with stilettos (there was no such thing there!). I am writing this blog for one good reason: I want all my friends out there to really understand me from the very beginning. Why I am such the way I am… Guess what? I was a promdi, still a promdi and forever a promdi at heart, and very proud of it. (Promdi is from English words "From The" as from the phrase "From The Province").
Being raised in Sta. Cruz, Marinduque by two strict parents was not an accident at all for me. I can’t blame my parents at all. For them, I was the prettiest of all kids my age, and that I deserve all the comfort in life. I lived in a big house and had my own yaya to clean up after me. Anybody who knew me growing up may have thought that I was one lucky girl… popular, pampered, and had lots of admirers.
But it was not the case for me… I also had my own share of insecurities. I felt I had a lot of limitations socially. I can’t do this and I can’t do that. Living in a small community in our province, people talk about people all the time. So in that given situation, my parents became strict to me because they won’t allow me to be the talk of the town especially in a negative way. So I was prim and proper all the time whenever I was around people, whether at church, birthdays, weddings, funerals and town fiestas. I can’t have suitors or boyfriend. I can’t be seen in any provocative behavior in public. I can’t go to all parties. I have a 10PM curfew when they’d allow me to party a couple of times, or I can’t be home too late for any school activities. I can go on and on for all the things that I can’t do just because I can’t, or because my parents won’t let me.
My parents expected me only to bring honor in our family. I was never the valedictorian or the first honor in my class. In fact, I was compared to them a number of times by my father and it made me even more insecure deep inside. I thought I was never good enough. But that didn’t stop me in trying to please them and give honor to them in any way I can.
I was always part of any Sagala (Mayflower Festival) in Marinduque. You name it, I’ve been one since I was 5 years old, may it be in Sta. Cruz, Boac or Gasan. I was very artistic and competitive. I joined piano recitals, local theater arts presentations & variety shows, choir and dance competitions, a few quiz bees, declamation contests, and beauty pageants. Not to mention, I was a volleyball varsity player in high school. I was “Miss” of all occasions, from Ms. Rizal Day, Ms. SCI, to Ms. Sta Cruz, Ms. Copper Queen Jaycees, etc. I knew I had talent and I was privileged on my way to have a “life of a promdi princess.” My mom dressed me up, brushed up my hair and put on make up. People admired me whether I was on a float or just walking to school or church. Not many girls in my generation had all this kind of exposure and experience. In short, I made my parents somehow proud of me in my own little way. I may not have brought them medals of honor but I brought home some talent awards and somehow, I became the pride and joy of our family. On my 18th birthday, my parents gave me the most fabulous debut party that any girl would ever want.
I do have one thing that I didn’t become when I was growing up in Sta. Cruz. This is really funny and I wish people knew. I didn’t tell anyone about this even my mom, and I should have. I’ve always wanted to be a lead majorette of our school and town parades. I could see my self pulling that off really well. From wearing that mini bloomer skirt to those high thigh boots. When it was time for our school to pick the majorettes, I will always prepare myself. I made sure I was pretty and that my legs were flawless, and that I could lift up my knees up to my waist. All my friends have become one but me. I would ask myself, what was wrong with me or my legs?
So it was time to move on to Manila to pursue my college education. My parents wanted me to go to an exclusive for girls school, St. Scholastica’s College. No boys, no problem. They wanted me to concentrate in school and finish on time. At first, mixing up with all these Manilenias and other promdi intimidated me. I was not in my own comfort zone anymore. There were many girls now who are prettier and more talented than me. I was no longer the popular one that I used to be. I was very conservative and 101% manang na manang and promdi looking from head to toe. There were two kinds of groups that I could hang out with: pretty girls who were liberal and smoke cigarettes after school to hang out with their boyfriends from Benilde and La Salle, or simple girls who were fun but nerds who would hang out in our library. Should I become one of the pretty girls with cute boys in tow and forget my promdi-hood, or should I remain my manang self and be one of the nerds? It was not the hardest decision to make. My chosen friends from St. Scho, you know who you are because you are laughing now while reading this. You all made my exciting college life most fun and memorable. And I thank you that I didn’t have to change my ways at all because you have accepted me as a pure blooded promdi.
In my heart, I was just one normal girl promdi province. I walked to school or took the tricycle, or had jeep service when I was in ICC, or took the jeep when I was in St. Scho. I moved schools many times during my elementary and high school days. Main reason - I was not too friendly especially to some boys in my class. I was a tomboy, mean and suplada to some, and troublesome to others. If you were one of the boys that I had punched or so, I made sure we were good friends at the end of the school year. I had a rough time growing up, too, and just like every other promdi. After all these years, I still my have Marinduque accent. “Ano baga ari? Ngani, baya, mandin.” Actually, even my husband has caught my accent. He’d ask me, “Honey, nandini baga yung kwan ay?” I’d say, “Naryan laang mandin yun ay. Tingni baya maigi!!” (Sorry, that’s hard to translate in English.)
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