Remembering A King : A Tribute to a Filipino Icon

July 10, 2012 in the evening, I was already in the office. This is the first time I went in since I got absent last Thursday. I was sick over the weekend. An office buddy of mine told me something I couldn't believe. "Dolphy is dead". I know death comes to all of us, but I never expected him to go. At least not yet because of the news that he is recovering and he is responding well to the treatment. As I'm writing this, I still I can't believe he is gone.

I grew up watching his films. I enjoy his films more than I do FPJ's. Don't get me wrong, I still idolize the Action King in terms of sheer body count as I do Chuck Norris, but I look up to Dolphy especially on his dispositions in dealing with troubles in life. I learned that a teaspoon of humor can get you through even the roughest days. When I'm in a pinch and I'm about to panic,I tell myself a joke and laugh my ass off so I can be in my normal mode again.

Men like these who seek fulfillment by watching people smile and laugh and happy should be set as role models. Unlike people in politics who are overly serious w/ cutthroat dispositions who only have 1 thing governing their psychology: greed. Even if he was famous, He never ventured into politics to take advantage of it.

I grew up watching his films and sitcoms. I was a fan of John en Marsha, Home Along da Riles, the RVQ Films he had, even the ones in black and white. He was an all-around entertainer. He can tap dance, he acts well, he does serious scenes well, his films stress on Filipino values like respect for elders and unconditional love among other things. I watched him influence the people he worked with. I saw how his "kids" in his sitcoms became mature and take on different responsibilities as parents, leaders in the media industry and even in politics. (And yes folks, this includes Claudine even after the Tulfo Incident, she is a great mom after all.. hehehehehe).

I can go on and on ranting about how I idolize this man. This single man who brings multiple funny memories of childhood. I cried, I laughed and laughed till I cried on his films. If there was a Val Halla for comedians, He will be there with rest of his crew. Panchito, Palito, Balut, Pugak, Tugak, Chichay, Ike Lozada and all the great comedians of our time. You will be missed, as an entertainer, indirect mentor and source of strength. Yet your legacy will remain, as long as there lives those that witnessed your greatness, that shared the laughter you cracked a joke for. We shall tell our children and our children's children of your tenacity, and all out love for comedy.

P.S. IDOL KO SI PIDOL.

When the Mind Falls, the Body Soon Follows

The last week was a disaster. I attended work 2 days out of 5. And now, another absence. I don't really understand what's going on here. I feel like I'm a jinx. I attract the most unfortunate of events.

I try to be strong for my girl who is in a dire situation right now. Her dad has the right side of his body paralyzed. The blood clot on the left side of his brain w/c caused this has already been dissolved but seeing your old man like that  is a daunting task. you would wish to be in his place and take the hit for him. With this, they always have my prayers.

My girl has gone home to Butuan to be with her dad. Though I had to let her go, I even encouraged her to go, it ain't easy getting left behind. counting the days that gone by. With each day my longing grows. I thought she'd be back by now but it seems I would still have to wait a week or two.

At work, it's a dog eat dog atmosphere. There are only a few of us who don't really give a fuck what happens around but enough is enough. I have bled for these motherfuckers and what do I get? Nothin. When I "discover" something I could do to boost my stats legally, these shitheads  complain. when I do the assigned task to me and my stats hit rock bottom, not a single soul notices.

So here I am, lettin' it all out on a blog I haven't touched for a while. I was off from work again today. damn chest pains are killing me.

I do hope one day, I can read about success, of love of joy...coz today, this is just too damn dark.

The sickness, laziness, tired cocktail

Come to think of it, I have been working harder than I have ever in my career with my present employer. I have worked well out of my comfort zone, well out of my pay grade even. When I snooped around and asked if ever we would get "just" compensation for our efforts, the first reply was a big yes, a few Q&A's later, it is all a blur. Good for the "boss" that he got promoted, he himself told me I must do the task he gave me coz he should be doing it but don't know how to. (Aint that great?). Well he still got roughly 3 months to prove he is a man of his word. I have been consistently on top of my game, but I am payed less than my counterparts. I am not asking for a bonus, I am asking for just compensation. what's the use of hiring people and giving them better pay just looking at their resumes and seeing they have been long in that company? Length of service is not a LONE testament of skill. it is a criteria for loyalty and that is good if you are running a battalion of soldiers. But for a workforce? What good would it do? you're just cultivating an environment for mediocrity, laziness, incompetence and pure stupidity. Forgive my rudeness, but I am not being rude. This is blunt honesty.

I have bled crimson and blue for you, time for you guys to do your part.