Third Star: Chances - "No Regrets"

December 25, 2013. Christmas Day.

I still remember it vividly. A group activity in our Group Dynamics class in college. We were asked to share whatever regrets we had, and to tell how we're dealing with it.

When it was the turn of my old bud, Chad, to share his, he said, "I've got none. I have no regrets."

I was surprised by his answer. Everyone, at some point, must have taken a bad decision which made a critical impact to his/her life. Everyone makes mistakes. I thought, there's no way for this guy to not have any single memory of having f*cked up.

When asked why he thought he doesn't have one, he said these words: "I make most out of everything. I am not afraid to make mistakes, because it's all part of it. I am not afraid to try, because you'll never know unless you give it a chance. I don't want to think of the "what ifs"; I take decisions based on how I feel and what I think at that moment. What is done is done, and I'm here now because of everything that I went through." 

You see, this guy led a unique life. He had to transfer from one country to another due to the demands of his family's situation. As such, he had to constantly adapt to everything. There's no given certainty that he's going to stay at one place, so he did all his best to make most out of everything that he encountered.

Uncertainty can be a rather difficult thing to deal with for some people, me included.

Last year, I was told that there are stones in my gallbladder. It can be fatal if not treated, but I made the necessary procedures to at least lessen the chances of it killing me. Earlier this year, Dad lost his job, unfortunately on short notice. Once again, we were not prepared for it, given the fact that Dad is in incredibly good standing with the company. About two months ago, I've contracted Dengue, a rather dangerous disease that could have gotten me, if only I didn't notice the rashes in my skin. And finally, just a few days ago, I was told that my Mom developed mioma and that she would need surgery soon. 

Of course, I don't want to just ponder on the bad things. I recently got transferred to the job I really like to be in, and I've met a wonderful person in Kakat. I never expected all these things to happen; everything seemed to have no assurance.

But there's one thing I am sure of. I, too, don't want to have any regrets.

It's one of the reasons why I do all that I can to live my life to the fullest. It’s one of the reasons why I love with all my heart. We are not sure if we will be given another chance to show our loved ones how much we care for them. I don’t want to waste any time. I don’t want to have any regrets.

Everyday, we are given the chance to feel what we want to feel, to pursue what we want to pursue, and to be whoever we want to be. No one said it would be easy - there is a chance you'll make mistakes and there's a chance you'll get hurt. But these things should never stop us from continuing with our lives. If anything, they should serve as lessons to empower us and reminders of what it is that we truly value.

As for now, I'm taking all the chances I can have to make a special someone happy. I'm doing all I can to support my family. I'm dedicating a considerable amount of effort in my job, so I'll be successful one day. All these, for living a life with no regrets.

Quite a dramatic post, I should admit. But then again, it's good to keep things in check. Think about all that you've read for a minute. Perhaps you'll find a way to live your life too, without having to regret anything.

Stay classy, planet Earth!

- Billy

Second Star: Aspirations - "Good Things Happen To Those Who Wait"

December 25, 2013. Christmas Day.

After more than 400 days of patiently waiting, I’m finally in the Human Resources. Even though I was assigned at such a hectic period in the company’s timeline, I’m glad that I’m finally starting my dream career.

I really wanted to land a job in the Human Resources. No, not Human Resources outsourcing operation work...actual HR work. I want to experience recruiting and interviewing people, doing performance evaluations, managing 201 files, assessing compensation and benefits schemes, checking employment morale...everything! I wanted it so bad that I almost took an offer with a salary that's WAY lower than what I'm earning now. 

Different facets of HR. I'd like to specialize in organization development or performance management, personally.

I may have stayed at our company for, like one and a half years as a human resources interviewer, but the truth is, I've got an ulterior motive all along. I thought that if I wait too long, perhaps there would be an opportunity for me to get into the company's HR. Given the circumstances last year, my chances were fairly bleak - even the HR at that time admitted that there were times when they don't have much to do. I never lost hope though, and stayed with that in mind; the company's pay isn't that bad after all, and while waiting for that gem of a chance, I can just save up for cool stuff.

For some, one year is already a long time to wait for something uncertain. You see, my current job doesn't really contribute that much in terms of HR related experience (it does, but only to an extent). I could have just stayed for just six months and then leave for the real thing. But the thing is, almost everything about the company is good, from pay (which I already mentioned a lot of times), culture and atmosphere, benefits (Maxicare is a great help, especially for my parents) and, of course, the people. While I've never been to a lot of companies before (it's my first job after all), I've encountered some unreasonably toxic supervisors that'll sure to make your work life a living hell. Thankfully, such people don't exist in our company (or at least, I've never encountered one). Plus, I've already made some good friends within the organization. Kakat, in fact, is one of my coworkers there. These reasons were enough for me to be convinced that if ever I'll be an HR practitioner, this company is where I would like to work for.

Some gifts, however, come with challenges. The reason why the company opened an HR post was because they are in dire need of assistance for the upcoming mass hiring. The company's CEO revealed that we need to double the number of employees that we're going to have as we move to our McKinley location. Currently, we're around 300, so the goal is for us to reach 600. Recruiting that many people is already a challenge on its own, but in addition to that, we also have to deal with backfills (replacements for people who are going to resign soon). My career's current state is a big leap from what I used to have just a few months ago - from just reaching prod goals, I'm now directly assisting the company to address it's corporate needs for manpower. 

My operations work for that company was merely a stepping stone. Now that I'm transferred to the HR, I can now feel that I'm on my path to developing an actual career. It's too early for me to say that HR is my dream career (I'm still open for other options, such as Education and even business), but what's important for me right now is to get as much experience as I can, as early as I can. 

So yeah, you're probably thinking why I'm sharing boring work-related stuff in this blog, while I can just write something funny, sweet, or anything fun. What I wanted you to know, dear reader, is that aspirations is just as important as happy memories. Life won't revolve around love alone; one must also be mindful of the role he had to play for himself and for the world he lives in. At around age 26, I'd like to see myself in a senior role. Before I turn 30, I'm already eligible for a managerial position. My ability to be a good provider when that time comes rests largely upon my career. 

One important lesson that I learned for this experience is that good things happen for those who wait. Ok, lemme rephrase on that...good things happen to those who wait, while making the most out of the time. Being impulsive and being an opportunist are two different things; decisions in life are just a matter of right timing. For me though, I'm glad I've waited for this opportunity to come. All that wait was really worth it.

December has been a good month for me, but in terms of career and relationships. I'm thankful for all the awesome things that have happened this season. I'm ready to take on 2014. 

That's it for now.

Stay classy, planet Earth!

- Billy

First Star: Willpower - "Billy's Quezon City Adventure"

December 25, 2013.

An uncharted territory. An unpredictable destination. A time limit, set. A challenging adventure. As the dreamer sets his sights on a city in the north, what experiences await him? Will a given promise change his life forever?

Hell yeah.

Upon knowing that my dear blog partner (Hello, Kakat!) will be having her vacation for 3 weeks, I immediately had to think of ways to still spend time with her. Of course, I just couldn't say "Hey, let's hang out here, or there." every single day - she is, after all, having a break from all the hustle and bustle of the city streets and the sometimes-getting-a-little-tedious work that she had to do everyday. Good thing it's Christmas season, and there's bound to have a Simbang Gabi on a nearby chapel. That's the kind of date that we decided to have.

It was then that I realized that I signed up for just a series of evening masses. I get to leave the office at around 5pm, and you know what that means. Rush hour - people running about, getting buses, taxis and trains. Heavy traffic on the way. Mass starts at around 8pm, and I wondered if I'll ever make it.

The thing is, I get to experience every single mode of transportation to Quezon City. For the fun (or heck) of it, let me share my "notes" regarding these means to get to my partner's place on time and be able to make it to the Mass.

MRT. Stands for Man Rage Train.

Metro Rail Transit

Accessibility: ****

Comfort: **

Travel Speed: *****

Cost: *

This is no doubt the fastest and most convenient way to travel to the North. The only issues that one has to deal with are the long lines and the difficulty of getting into the train. At around 5pm, expect the train to be jam-packed with all the people rushing to get home. Good thing Kakat taught me the convenience of having a stored value ticket (saved me time to fall in line) and taking a south-bound train for a round trip.

Not for the faint of heart and legs.

City Buses (Malanday-bound)

Accessibility: ***

Comfort: *

Travel Speed: *

Cost: ***

I'm not even kidding about the ratings. Freakin traffic along EDSA (especially from Guadalupe to Ortigas and then at Cubao), plus, you get to stand the whole time. Securing a seat is entirely luck-based, but I guess that's the same in every mode of transportation bar taxis. Also, it stops all the time to get passengers, even though it's already full. Lastly, tickets here are more expensive than MRT's. Only take this when you've got plenty of time, you've got no other choice, or if, for some reason, you want to stand for a long time.

"Boss, kontrata. 300, Tandang Sora."

Taxi / Cab (whatever you want to call it)

Accessibility: *

Comfort: *****

Travel Speed: ****

Cost: *****
Sometimes, you gotta make your money work for you. There are times when going to the MRT station would be a hassle, and there's no way in hell you're gonna take the bus because of the heavy traffic. In these times, consider getting a cab. It's a little tricky though, since most cabs won't take you as a customer if your destination is as far as, say, Tandang Sora. A little negotiation would be needed. Plus, hunting available taxis is already a challenge on its own. This, however, can take you as far as your actual destination, unlike MRT or bus where you have to stop at Trinoma first.

Hari ng kalsada

Jeepney

Accessibility: *****

Comfort: ****

Travel Speed: ***

Cost: *

The jeepney ride wraps up the travel to home base. To need to ride one to get to my partner's village, either from Trinoma or from Tandang Sora market. Depending on what jeepney you rode with, you're either going for just one ride (directly from Trinoma to the market) or three rides (Trinoma to Visayas Ave, then Visayas to Tandang Sora Market, and lastly, from the market to the village). It's just a matter of preference on which jeepneys to choose, but you definitely don't want to ride the direct one if you're in a rush, since it has an uber long waiting line during rush hour.

And yeah, not only did I get to learn the most efficient ways to travel, I also get to master the routes. Of course, I won't tell you much about it - I don't want you guys going to Kakat's place uninvited. :D

A friend of mine asked me, "Why do you have to go through all the trouble for this?"

I've got plenty of reasons.

One, I want to spend time with Kakat in a way that she won't ever have to leave her village. I want her to feel that she does not have to go through all the trouble of commuting just for us to meet. I value the time she chose as her vacation, and I don't want her to get weary.

Two, The idea of a "church date" is something that has interested me. I knew it wouldn't be just a date - it would be a time for us to reflect, pray, and keep our faith in check. I want the two of us to be guided by God, and one of the better ways to ask for it is to attend a Mass. A date where we can be with God? Sign me up for that.

Three. It's likely that I'll be visiting her home whenever we would go out. I can't afford to lose my way every time, and that's why I took the opportunity to master my way around.

Four. I also want to meet her family. I'd like them to know that my intentions for their daughter is good, and that I'll be worthy enough for their trust. It's not something I could work out in just 9 days though, but I sure hope I had a good start.

Six. I wanted to put myself into a test. A test of willpower. For some, distance and time are obstacles - many guys would be put off with the idea of travelling several miles for two or more hours just to see someone for less than an hour (not counting the time it'll take to go home, which, in my case, is double the time I had to spend going from Makati to Quezon City). The test gave me the opportunity to be mindful of my surroundings, be strategic in choosing the means to get to where I want to go, and the patience to endure all the difficulties of travel. I can confidently say that I passed this test - I grew to be a more conscientious traveler with a heckload of forethought and patience.

Seven. Kakat, herself. I believe she's worth all the effort, and I want her to feel special in that regard. I'm willing to go through even the most challenging of labyrinths just for a chance to make her smile and brighten up her day.

After nine nights of doing this adventure, I can say that Cavite isn't that too far from Quezon City anymore. This adventure not only gave me the opportunity to experience traveling the busy North, it also allowed me to grow as a better person in terms of determination and will.

I already told Kakat that we're going to do this again next year. I don't mind taking on this adventure again. :)

I hope you learned something from this post. I'd like to know what you think. :)

Stay Classy, Planet Earth!

- Billy

The Nine Stars of Christmas - An Introduction

December 25, 2013. Christmas Day.

Here in the Philippines, we have a particular tradition every Christmas season called "Simbang Gabi." It's a series of nine masses (for nine night/early mornings) celebrated as part of the preparation for Jesus's birth. Legend has it that whoever completes these masses will have his/her wishes granted. For some, they were just a tradition, or a means for a certain prayer to be heard, but for me...

They were the most beautiful nine nights of my life.

This Christmas season, I’d like to dedicate my next nine posts to the nine important lessons that I learned – nine realizations that changed the way I see myself, the people that I love, and the world and reality we live in. Nine thoughts that have occupied these memorable nights that I shared with someone dear to me.

To get you hooked, let me give you some teasers...

An unchartered territory. An unpredictable destination. A time limit, set. A challenging adventure. As the dreamer sets his sights on a city in the north, what experiences await him? Will this promise change his life forever?

After more than 400 days of patiently waiting, I’m finally in the Human Resources. Even though I was assigned at such a hectic period in the company’s timeline, I’m glad that I’m finally starting my dream career.

It’s one of the reasons why I love with all my heart. We are not sure if we will be given another chance to show our loved ones how much we love them. I don’t want to waste any time. I don’t want to have any regrets.

Sacrifice is such a powerful deed. A person offers an important part of himself for the sake of someone. Unfortunately, not all people understand its true value. It’s often taken for granted.

What’s the best thing about birthdays? You get to have an extraordinary chance to make someone feel how special he/she is.

It’s an all-encompassing journey. We’re not just walking a single straight road. We’re walking in different directions, taking paths of all lengths and curves, discovering new avenues, traversing different worlds.

It’s not just a hobby. It’s a link to my childhood – a time when everything was carefree and simple. It’s my own respite, and once in a while, even for a short time, I’d like to feel like a kid again.

Looking back, I guess 2012 isn't a bad year after all.

I’m entrusting my wish to you.

Excited? Stay tuned for this season’s write-ups!

Stay Classy, Planet Earth!

- Billy