Someone Old, Someone New

Last week as I had shouted out in my FB account that it was all about friends and the bonds that we establish with them - both old and new. Friends who make you a priority in their lives.

I've always consider myself a social butterfly. I get along with anyone easily. Since high school, though I have my personal set of friends I usually hang out with different people from different cliques as long as we can strike up a conversation that's engaging. This has continued on till college, medical school, postgraduate internship and even now as I am already practicing a general physician.

I've had realized a long way back that I am indeed blessed to have found some friends that are worth keeping. And last week solidified that fact and I am very grateful to have met new ones who are as cool, awesome and insightful as my lifelong friends.

These relationships, no matter how cheesy it sounds, does make life more colorful. Friends who become family through the rituals that are regularly actualized. Friends who are part of the thread that make up the quilt that is life. What's even more amazing is how we become part of a certain friend's milestone - engagements, weddings, baptisms, children's parties, board examinations and employment successes, pregnancies and whole lot more. Significant others of our friends become our friends too, the group widens and the circle of life continues through weekend gatherings, board game sessions, trivia nights, epic drunken sessions, brunches and dinners, a trip to the movies or even just a simple regular phone call every night. Sooner than we know it we have become old and but still young at heart.

Last week so far is the first happy week for 2012. And that's because of friends who made me feel that I am part of another family, (their families) not bounded by blood but by interest and values but surprisingly as strong as those bounded by blood. Cliche it may seem but brothers and sisters from another mother. Next to family, if you can get by with a little help from your friends then you are on your way to contentment and peace that money can't buy. Cheers to more milestones and life affirming experiences!

Why Sinulog 2012 Still Rocked!

Last Sunday was Sinulog, the grandest festival here in the Philippines. If I could describe it in three words, I'd say wild, fun and crazy in a heartbeat.

This Sinulog, most of my friends whom I've spent the past two or three Sinulogs getting drunk with are either working or on duty, made other plans with other people or simply not living or based in Cebu anymore. But I was determined to spend Sinulog on the streets and not at home. Since I am not working on that weekend I might as well go out and join in the revelry. A Sinulog alone in the streets is still way better than a Sinulog spent sulking at home.

Without any plans or arrangements with anyone, I woke up early despite sleeping at 3 am earlier after a concert. Armed with excitement and a drawstring bag with the following contents: an extra shirt, a Murakami book, a towel, my camera and my Panama hat, I've programmed my mind that I will have a good time, no matter what.

And it was GREAT! I met up with two French girls, who were also first timers to witness the festivities. Celine, whom I have met three months before, texted me the night before that she would love to come with me while watching the parade. I told her, yes we can, if we manage to meet, knowing that the networks will be clogged up with messages and late replies. But somehow we did.

She introduced me to her friend Gaille, and the three of us spent the whole day watching the parade the whole day. Thanks to their friend Eva's passes, we were allowed to enter beyond the ropes that served as crowd control barricades and we got to see the dancers, floats, higantes and celebrities up close and personal. Then in the afternoon it was too hot to stand near the Fuente circle we then transferred to General Maxilom avenue cor. F. Ramos St. and continued to watch the parade still up close and personal, take pictures and just dance along to the beat of the drums to the ever familiar sound of the Sinulog beat. Gaille's feet even got battered and muddy as people were trying to make their way across or try to catch a glimpse of the parade. I even told her, Foot Stomping: Its more fun in the Philippines! After the parade we had dinner, Gaille went home to shower and Celine and I marched to Abellana to watch the grand finale cultural presentation show and fireworks. The theme for the closing dance was Cebu and the world. And they did a splendid job in blending the choreography, singing, visuals and culture. It made me so proud to be 100% Cebuano that I can't help but got teary eyed for a while. After we walked back to Jones Avenue and witnessed Club Ultima's fireworks showcase.

According to news reports around 3 - 4 million in estimates attended the Sinulog Mardi Gras that's a million people more than the usual crowd in the Rio de Janeiro and New Orleans festival. Oh yes, Sinulog ain't called the grand daddy of Philippine festivals for nothing!

Overall it was an awesome, memorable and traditional Sinulog. Traditional in the sense that this is the first time in ten years that I did not even load my system with alcohol. So Sinulog 2012 will be labeled as "The Year in Which I Never Got to Drink a Single Ounce of the Dope".

Sinulog 2012 in a nutshell: People Pushing, Rope Pulling, Shoving and Screaming, Foot Stomping, Crazy Crowd, Extremely Close and Incredibly Loud, Colorful Costumes, Famous People, Old Friends, New Faces, Familiar People, Two French Girls, One Lucky Pass and Zero Alcohol For Me! Till next year! Even my French guests both agreed with me! They both say its crazy!

The First Two Weeks

The first two weeks of 2012 was a blur. Its hard to explain why. I was very preoccupied on a lot of things - work, requirements, employment issues and spill over drama from the previous year. But the funny thing there wasn't something new to write about. After all the holiday celebrations I resumed my routine but worked extra hours during the first week and will be working extra long hours for the last two weeks. Oh wait there has been a major change that I kind of knew was coming. Here's what transpired during the first days of the year.

I finally signed a contract with a new agency (since the previous shithole agency was not renewed) as a regular employee. So now I will be paying taxes and all those things that the regular work force pay. And I will be having my very first ATM card soon. I know, I know these things might not be a big deal for others but for me it is. I consider it a milestone. Since my employment prospects have become dimmer now, I am sticking around as a general practitioner. Maybe I will be giving it say, six months and from there I will be making my next move. And yes I am seriously considering of leaving Cebu if by that time I am still waiting in the dark. I'll just go where the wind blows. Right now it is too early to tell. Honestly I wanted to stop working and glorify being a bum. I kinda miss it. But then I've realized though it is tiring, its still a lot of fun to have some income. If only I can find a way to be a bum and earn some cash. And that my friends, I have realized that I have become "mukhang pera". And I will shamelessly admit that its the only thing that motivates me to work - not the craft, not the service and not helping people BS. Rotten right? Maybe but I am saving up for my future so I think the means justify the end.

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The weather has been bipolar lately. It rains early in the morning on the way to work, the sun comes up around noon and then rains again in the night time. Hence very conducive for sleeping - that's why its very hard to get up in the morning. So I have been staying at home a lot. Usually after dinner I'd just watch a movie, read a book while listening to music or just get a 10 to 12 hour sleep. I conclude sleep is still the cheapest way to relax and unwind.

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I have strengthen my love for folk rock indie music. I've been listening to Mumford and Sons but now I have discovered a new band that fuses millennial philosophy and folk music. The band is called Fleet Foxes. Heck even the name is interesting and makes you want to check them out. What amazes me is how they write about common twentysomethings issues like looking for your purpose in life and if the job you have suits you or having a life lived as meaningful as your parents and just looking for the right and appropriate time to settle down or switch gears. Yup they are authentic folk rockers with a modern message. I am transported to a cabin in the woods ala Walden while listening to their album "Helplessness Blues".

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I finished reading Chuck Palahnuik's "Survivor". It is the first book I read this year. It was dark, funny and its one of his best works. I picked up "Tell All" last year and I was extremely disappointed with it. His latest works has not been as savagely written compared to his earlier works. The satirical content of the book blended cohesively - celebrity hype, religion, pop culture and even psychiatry added a nice touch to the concept.

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So yeah pretty much I have started the new year with low key and laid back activities. Here are other things that happened. Just some random mumblings.

1.) I tried to do daily bible reflection and readings but so far I didn't do it as diligently as much but I am trying to.

2.) My alcohol tolerance is improving a notch but sadly vodka is my nemesis.

3.) Having life long old friends are nice but in some situations new friends are the ones who knock some sense into you. With the new perspective and mantras they bring into your life, it is just surprising of how they can comfort you despite of the short time you have known them. I mean being friends with someone practically your whole life does not mean you necessarily agree with everything. Sometimes a time out is needed to make the relationship continue and in time, yes you time, will heal all wounds.

4.) My ten year high school reunion was a blast! I had the bestest, most awesome time ever reconnecting with the people who I share the best four years of my life with. An epic era. It has been two weeks but I still can't help smiling or laugh thinking about the event. I will be doing a post on it soon. Once I get the pictures and organize my thoughts.

5.) And yes Sinulog weekend is here! The best time to visit Cebu and the grandest festival in the country. There's so much to do! Tonight I will be going out to dinner with friends, get drunk and then go to a rock concert. Tomorrow I still have no concrete plans nor made arrangements with anyone to accompany me but for sure I will be walking in the streets and just go with the flow. Que sera sera!