Kiel Villamin Online

Current Location: Office yes I should be working at this time!
Current Music: Feedback - Janet Jackson

Yesterday was one of the most productive days I had in a while. With the diversity of friends I had, its great to know different lives and how we are able to learn from those experiences through those witty conversations.

I started the day off after my training for this financial services company which is important with my line of work. After my training in Tower One, I was able to meet up with in Starbucks in that building. She was a friend whom I knew since High School through my family friend. She was a successful business development officer for a real estate company, and we manage to catch up with what’s happening with our common friends in our circle. She told me that it’s not a big deal for me that I was still single that it’s different from a guy’s perspective. We came up the same idea that it is not ideal to settle at this time of our lives.

The second friend that I was able to interact with was a former English online instructor who is about to pursue his medical degree in the United States. This was through yahoo messenger that I was able to burn time since I’m hitching a ride with my "kabarkada" after his work which was around 6. I almost had like four more hours to burn so I went to the nearest Netopia which was in the Ayala MRT station. There I chatted with her on her plans when she arrives there. Yes the occasional green jokes especially she is happily taken that there would a lot of temptations in med school ( i.e. Mcdreamy and Mcsteamy’s in Grey’s Anatomy) that could hinder the relationship with his current Caucasian boyfriend. Of course I mentioned to her with that before my visa expires, I hope to visit New York and have my Gossip girl moment haha!. Which means I’ll be Dan Humphrey and she would be Blair Waldorf hahaha. Some of her issues, well at least she knows that she is difficult to be in a relationship with, I told her that she has to figure before more people could get hurt. In time I also hope that she would make amends with my kabarkada and burn the bridges of the past.

 At around 5 pm, I finished my ym chat with her, I had to meet one of my high school friends from La Salle Greenhills in Mcdo Greenbelt. Heis working as a researcher for a prestigious business school in the country. We were both Lasallians who went college in Ateneo. He ended with an ME degree, worked for 2 years in a prominent commercial bank and now is planning for his business school in the US by fall of 2009. I consider him to be my twin brother. Yes, since high school we were always joked around baka magkapatid kami separated at birth. We talked about careers and the state of the nation during this tough times. I appreciated the fact that he browsed through my company to know the business on what we are doing. He even suggested a book to me to read that you should set goals at the moment and not look as well in the long run. Of course without the occasional news of our high school batch mates who some are dads already and some finding their niche despite not performing well in high school. I am glad to know that is not about book smarts but also you also need to be street smart as well. At least we ended are little catch up as he had to go home and I know there is more talk about when I bump into him again in Greenbelt.

 I always had that habit that when I’m in Makati for training that I go to RCBC Tower to hitch a ride with one of my closest "kabarkadas" (who is marketing guy for a prestigious gambling circuit) before going off to work. He has one of those personalities that stands out. Although we had our share of indifferences, we manage to part ways without any bad vibes. Yes, he is the number one hater of my favorite NBA ball club my beloved New York Knicks which span since senior year of college that resulted in making me lose a lot of money to him in his pursuit of a "gambling research foundation". He should give Quinito Henson and Bill Velasco a run for their money in terms of his knowledge for sports. I don’t know why he hasn’t guested in Hardball ( one of my favorite tv shows shown in ANC during weekdays ) to be the 4^th guy to give his constructive opinion on the some of the major sporting events that is happening around the world. Besides our daily roundup of our fantasy leagues which he is really hooked on, he also shares his piece of mind on what’s happening with our friends in our common social circles.(Yes! I know you are reading this blog at lumalaki na yung ulo mo so get back to work and get sponsors for your event hahaha). That tough guy who looks like Mark Herras (according to his girlfriend haha) or our good fugazi friend in the US army calls him "Paul Bearer on Steriods" is also the tough love doctor I never had. I remember two years ago of this month he was giving that somewhat military pep talk when I was rock bottom on pursuit of a girl who just lead me on. Yes he was the one who figured out all I need is just to be positive with what you are doing, and not to hold grudges. Yes even up to now, he has the time to analyze and provide ideas to revive mo dormant love life on the drive home. So rest assured the rides home with the BNO radio show on Magic 89.9 blasted on the radio of his car, those crazy conversations with this fella is something I look forward to when I get to hitch a ride with him.

I thought my day would be over with this people I manage to catch up with, but my co-workers are great. Even though, we had two hour meeting on how to measure the performance,( I felt like Human Resources employee on give the right rating for our performances) I felt it is so easy and relaxing to communicate with them without even paranoid of being gossiped about. The three of my co-workers headed from after their shift, as we were only two analysts on the graveyard shift. Since the food was crappy already in the cafeteria , we braved the noisy and a little dangerous streets of Mandaluyong to find the nearest mini stop to grab a bite. My fellow night shift buddy and I had a good conversation about movies over pizza karimans (which were not bad hot pockets). We talked about different genres from Bruce Lee, Sly Stallone, Arnold Schwarzenegger to scary, slasher movies. I remember what he said when I scared of the villain in Poltergeist 2, " isipin mo nalang siya si Mr. Burns sa The Simpsons hahahahaha that was laugh trip for me. Although there were miscommunications during work, but at the end of the shift we manage to iron out and improve ourselves into become better employees.

 As you may have read this was one of longest entries I had in a while. I can’t stop babbling about the people I met and made me who I am right now. It’s fun to know the diversity of the lives that they have created an impact on me. That is why I felt that there are so many reasons for me to cherish the moments I am living here on earth, that waking up and being able to interact with them on a mature or wacky disposition is a priceless memory from me that money cannot buy. This was an excellent quarter life birthday present for me on my first day being 25.

Current Location: Office yes I should be working at this time!
Current Mood: giddy
Current Music: Take it from Here - Justin Timberlake

As midnight struck, I ate my Jollibee Palabok which serves as my first meal of my 25th year. Physically I didn't feel any older. Although I expect  tougher  life changing decisions to occur this year.

Most of the working class are back to work by 8 am tomorrow morning at least I get to enjoy more vacation time since my work starts at 8 pm. Cheers to another year for me, I just wish for a healthier  family, a well balance career and social life. Ooooh don't forget a better record for my New York Knicks! hahahaha.
 

Current Location: At home still awake
Current Music: Chasing Pavements - Adele

Current Location: Mi Abuelo y Abuela's case en Valle
Current Music: Mrs. Officer - Lil Wayne

It has been three months since my lolo (or in our family we call him Daddy) passed away. There were moments that I felt I was still in a state of denial and anger that why did he leave us that soon. Until to this day, when I pass by the Loyola Guadalupe Chapels going home from work, there is that slight trauma of that area were we had to pay our last respects to our "Daddy". When he left us, it was a huge change of lifestyle in our household. The house in Valle Verde, wherein I grew up most of my college life, seemed gloomy. I felt that the house was too big for us already that my Lola/Mommy Atring was always in the province so that the loneliness and the sadness would not be as painful as she is near the remains of our Daddy and of course most of their friends/relatives are there. Although the changes were not mostly negative somehow his passing was a catalyst for me to strive even harder. Even in his last few days, he had this personal stand in life to give big fight. I know it sounds so Atenean like but his 81 years of existence was constant challenge and battle that lead him to a countless defeats and victories that made live a full life.

As a student and colleague, I admired his determination and hard work that he was an excellent example of the rags to riches story. As a poor boy growing up in Cavinti, Laguna, he was a diligent student from grade school to high school to the point of skipping some levels. Even in med-school in the University of Santo Tomas, he was a consistent achiever being fluent in Spanish that lead him to his first employment as a practitioner in the Santiago hospital somewhere in Manila. His almost fifty years of being a doctor of the masses, gave him excellent opportunities working for prominent companies such as San Miguel, Philippine Airlines, Makati Medical Center, Ortigas and Company and other various hospitals. He gave up the American dream after obtaining his post graduate studies in Harvard to serve his people here in the Philippines during the 1960’s. Even up to his retirement and last few days, he would still accept pro-bono consultations with his fellow Cavinti citizens to prove that he never lost his passion as a physician. No wonder he had lots of friends in his profession no matter how low or even as high as Andres Soriano III( former CEO of San Miguel Corp who treated my lolo like a father to him during his San Miguel days) his unconditional stands out above the rest.

As a son, husband and father, he loved my lola/mommy Atring so much even though I witnessed countless of them arguing and scolding one another well that’s just part of any marriage. Their fifty three years of being together is the event in my life I witnessed very much that the respect and unconditional love for one another was there. I remember as well that he was a caring son that he visits my late great grandmother Ruby in Dimasalang to check on her health and make sure she takes her medicines and maintains her condition. Being a father to my mom was one of the greatest stories that my mom told me. She had a Romeo and Juliet type of a story with my lolo that thankfully did not end in a tragedy. My mom was a daddy’s girl that my lolo really protected and took care of my mom that lead to her having a really great life despite their indifferences.

 As a grandfather, he was an excellent disciplinarian. He was firm but fair to us but not as strict as during the time of my mom when she was a teenager. He was actually quite the observer. He may not spill a lot of words but once he got pissed, prepare to keep quiet and be ashamed. I remembered my college days where I used to go out a lot, and went home on the wee hours of the morning like 3 AM onwards. He was cool about it for sometime, but to the point his tolerance level somehow gave up. He was just a concerned lolo that he doesn’t want me to face any kind of danger. Even though he assumed I did some "herbal stuff " sessions which I don’t, he was just like a 2^nd parent who cares for the safety of their grandchildren. I respect him for that even though I got the scolding of my life.

Of course, his four grandchildren were totally spoiled with him. During my childhood he introduced us to different kinds of cuisine. He was the type who has a healthy appetite. Restaurants such as Steak Town, Kimpura, Saisaki, Fisherman’s Market and San Francisco Steakhouse( these two I think are defunct restos right now) were our staple weekend treats or if ever us grandchildren achieved well in school. Even during the holidays he loves to treat us to new clothes in Rustan’s. I take note from my sister’s eulogy that she felt daddy/lolo was like his boyfriend that he patiently waited for her to try the clothes she wanted and he would pay for it. It was also my privilege that I was able to travel to the US for the first time courtesy of my lolo. My first two trips to the US were courtesy of my lolo. I can remember as well that his last trip to the States was in 1995 with me, my lola/mommy, my mom ,and my sister to Florida, New York and California. We even toured the whole Epcot Center Amusement Park, and he was impressed by my navigational skills.
I would also miss our meal conversations at home. He would love to talk about politics, the simple life then and the constant lambingan/joke time moments with my lola. Those conversations I can observe how eloquent he would speak that somehow we were able to inherit. I remember another moment were he had to treat some balikbayans from Delaware in Heat Shangrila -Edsa. So I was having a conversation with them in slang, and little did I know I was being observed by my grandparents. He was telling my mother that I speak very eloquently and without any hesitation.

The moments I had with my lolo were really priceless. I am glad that I was able to stay in their household during my Ateneo college years( 2001-2005). He thought me a lot of lessons in life on not step on anyone’s foot, be humble with your accomplishments and to always look back on where you came from. Of course to have that certain loyalty and believing in the products that you promote and endorse. I remember he forbids consumption of any Pepsi or Selecta products while he was still working with San Miguel and he even still patronizes Ginebra and San Miguel during PBA games now that’s hardcore loyalty. He is the reason as well why I am such a thrifty person that it’s fine that you can enjoy what you earn , but always set aside some assets that you may never know that you desperately need.

There was a reason why I have to leave my job last June and was having difficulty job-hunting so that I can spend time with him until he joined our creator last September. Even in his last days like I mentioned in early in this tribute, he wanted to put up a good fight. He opted for that bypass surgery rather than be paranoid of being a ticking time bomb. Surgery was successful, but the complications of his diabetes due to the dialysis for the past three years deteriorated his health. At least during the last moments of his life, I was there and I did not have any regrets even if I was unemployed during that time.

It just sucks that he may not be physically be there when my sister graduates from UP by March of next year and right now as I am happily employed. Even more moments that he could still be witnessing like my potentially pursuing my MBA’s or even our own marriages that he could at least see his great grandchildren or even see his youngest grandson grow up is not as aware of his lolo’s impact on his life due to his young age. I felt that Daddy Tuding’s mission here on earth has been accomplished and he would not suffer any longer. It is just that this is the first Christmas that we won’t be spending with him especially during our annual clan reunion. Daddy I know you’re reading this in your kick ass mac from heaven while gorging in your favorite tuna sashimi complete with your Steak ala Pobre, you know that we love you and we miss you a lot, until we see each other again.

Current Location: my office killing idle time
Current Mood: missing mi abuelo very much
Current Music: I love you more today than yesterday - Pat Upton