Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! 2009

December 31, 2009

As we come to the end of the year. I try to look back at the year that is just hours to passing. And try to reflect on the things that I have learned from the past 365 (err, 364) days.

I’ve learned that...

If you perceive somebody as weak, it’s just that. A perception. For all you know, it’s you who are weak for even entertaining the thought.
If you think you are wise and mature. It may be just that. A thought. Hehehehehehe. So dig deeper before you brag about it.
It’s easy to learn forex. It’s hard to keep your account alive. Nor your confidence And that there are a lot of strategies. Just limited funds. Hehehehehe.
That life doesn’t end with a failure. It ends when you die. Literally.
That sometimes people do stupid things. To take the pain away. Making them stupid? Well I’d say human. Hehehehe.
That it’s not what you have that matters. But how much. Hehehehe. Most importantly, who you have. And how much is your networth. Combined. Wahahahaha!.
That money can’t buy love. But something for a loved one.
That no matter what happens, or how bad it seems today, life has to go on. Because you have no other option. Do you?
I’ve learned that if you haven’t done what needs to be done today. There is tomorrow. Well, hopefully. Hehehehe. So better do it today.
I’ve learned that you don’t need to spend much cash in order to be beautiful or handsome. Just find somebody who finds you one. Hehehehe. Or better yet, go to a public hospital. Nyahahahaha.
That opportunities don’t come knocking once. But a lot of times. But what counts is letting it in.
That you don’t look for happiness. It finds you. Instead, focus on your family and friends. And the things that matters most. As in focus. Hehehehe.
That I still don’t know what success really means.
It’s not important that the people you love and care, would love and care you back. Aba’y problema na nila yun.
That life is a series of complications. No matter how hard you keep it simple, troubles will find you. So be strong.
When you learn something from a mistake. It’s not a mistake. But an experience. So don’t regret.
That a fall is painful. Very.
That you will forget what you said, or did. But not what you felt.
That time is not gold. It is diamond.
That things are easier said than done. At least they are said. Hehehehehe.
Same goes with values. Hehehehehe.

Happy New Year!

and belated Merry Christmas!

Gusto kong Matuto ng.....

June 29, 2009

Pede bang lagyan ng prologue ang sagot? Hehehehe

As cliché as it may sound, it’s as true as it can get. Money can’t buy happiness. Not that I have a lot of money and yet I’m unhappy. Or that I’m unhappy with a lot of money. (I’m not that unstable. Hehehehe.) Neither am I unhappy because I have no money. Not because like the other statement that preceded it, is not logical, but simply because it’s not just the case.) I can say I have some money from working my ass hard for several years. And yet when I look back at all those years, I am just surprised to recognize that they’ve been worthless in some ways. Not that the wisdom gained nor the time spent with your loved ones are meaningless or that hardwork just so you can save enough for the rainy days or that being so frugal to yourself are of no value. It is just that, sometimes we get absorbed in working so hard that we put off matters that we wish to do for ourselves. Things that could've made us, happier if not at least, happy. That, you see, it should not come as a blow (and yet ironically it does) when one day, when we think we have found the time for ourselves, to do the things we wanted, we realize, “uhm, matanda na tayo”, hehehehe. (And oh, not that the last statement is true for me, nyahahahaha).

They say that you can never be too late for the things you want to do, but in reality you can. Because accept it or not, age has its limitations.

Kaya tama yan. Pagaralan ang gustong pagaralan. Habang maraming pang oras. Hehehehe Life is shorter than we think.

And by the way. Gusto kong matuto ng.....maraming bagay. Lahat ng nilista nyo. Hehehehe. Siguro ang idadagdag ko na lang, ang maging naughty. Sa taong mahal ko. Hehehehe. Wala po akong iniisip na madumi.

Ladies vs Gentlemen: Bakit May Humor Gap?

April 23, 2009


Hmmmm…bakit parang may humor gap?

Because there really is.

Now, that is one of the difference between men and women. What he finds amusing and funny in general, she may find cheap, cocky, an attack to the female kind (What?!, Hehehe). What she on the other hand find laughable and entertaining, he may find sarcarstic, cynic and feminist. And do not wonder. You see for what matters for him is a sense of humor, and for her, humor na may sense. If you know what I mean. Hehehe.

Men will laugh at almost anything, because it really is – at least for them (no offense, Hehehehe). Usually at those with sexual connotations/suggestions, and aggression towards the same sex (to put down their “competitors” as humor by men is used to attract the opposite sex – which would explain why they say, men can laugh women into bed, literally). Hehehe.

Women on the other hand are not like this. They don’t share the same goal (to appeal to men), much more expect the same reward (to be laid to bed by the opposite sex). If men would laugh at almost anything, women on the other hand, are swift to locate the unfunny (and thus more “selective, particular, picky”), slower to get the joke and more pleased when they do. Really, girls, no offense, hehehehe.

The humor gap between the genders has been explained by a study of 10 men and 10 women asked to rate 70 black and white cartoons on the “funniness scale” in Standford School of Medicine. It has been seen that:

“Men and women share much of the same humor-response system; both use to a similar degree the part of the brain responsible for semantic knowledge and juxtaposition and the part involved in language processing. But they also found that some brain regions were activated more in women. These included the left prefrontal cortex, suggesting a greater emphasis onlanguage and executive processing in women, and the nucleus accumbens … which is part of the mesolimbic reward center. ”

Which in simple terms, translate to “difference”. Hehehehe.

Now, there are always exceptions to the rule. For, individuals to find something humorous, do not depend on hormones, gender or instinct alone, but on a lot more variables like culture, maturity, education and intelligence.

Which would explain why there are women who could laugh men into bed. And why there are men who are witty. Hehehehe.

Again, no offense. Peace.

Corruption in the Philippines: Bayaran na naman ng Tax

April 15, 2009

Nais ko lang ibahagi ang sumusunod. Nainspire lang isulat. Hehehe. Kahit walang moral lesson. Medyo huli na nga lang. Kasi last day na ng bayaran.
Posted on: Apr 15, 2009, 12:07 PM

---

Bayaran ng naman ng tax.

Sakay ako ng bus. Tulog. E ikaw kaya magising ng maagang maaga. Para magbayad ng tax. Sino kaya ang di pipilling matulog na lang. Ng mahimbing. Yung tipong di na magigising. Hehehe. Sa banyo. Habang naglalakad. Ah, sa bus na lang. At oo, alam kong tulog ako. E nagising ako e. Hehehehe. Ng ratsada ng isang matandang lalakeng nakaupo sa bandang unahan ko. Abay akala ko nanaginip ako e. Ng matandang lalake, namputsa naman?!!!! Bakit ba di na lang ng dalaga. O kaya binata. Hehehehe. Wag lang ng syientonwebe anyos! E yun daw edad nya e. Hehehehe. Nung una di ko alam kung saan ako nagising. Sa edad, sa boses o sa amoy ng matanda. Hehehe. Ngunit nung mahimasmasan. Sigurado ako. Llitany nya ang gumising ng kanina lang ay nagpapahinga kong diwa:

“Wala ng pagasa ang Pilipinas! Matindi na ang korapsyon dito. Ang pulitika ginagawang negosyo.”

Muntik na akong magpara. Nagalinlangan. Magbayad ng buwis? O bumili ng tiket. Papuntang America. Maluwag naman ang tourist visa. At mag-TNT na lang. Abay pareho lang atang sugal. Ang pamamalagi dito at ang pagtatago sa ibang bansa. Tiyak mas malaki pa maiipon ko. Hhmmmmm........ Sayang. At tulog nga ako kanina. Madami na syang sinabi e. Alam ko. Kasi nga narinig ko sa panaginip. Ewan ko ba naman at di ko maala ngayong gising na ako. Nangyari na ito e. Tuwing mananaginip ako ng numero sa lotto. Nyahahahaha. Sabi pa nya:

“Talamak na nga. Buti na lang taga-amerika ako. Kahit sino pa paupuin mo dyan, e kung yung nakapaligid naman e corrupt din, e ganun din. “

Hmmmmmmmmm.....(iba ibig sabihin niyan, hehehehe). Me biglang sumaglit sa isip ko. Intermission.

“E abugado ako. Sabi nga sa yo kanina, dami ko na nakita. Halehalimbawa. Sa branch ___ ng supreme court. Stenographer. Nakakatanggap ng bonus na 100T”

Sabay singit ng kasama niya:

“Baka me makarinig sa yo”

Sabay tingin sa akin? Ano ba? Pagdudahan ba ako? Sa gandang lalake kong ito? O babae? Sabagay tama siya. Narinig ko nga. E ano ngayon? Hehehe. Nahulaan atang isusulat ko ito. E gusto ko e.

“E wala ako pakialam.” (E ako din. Sabi ko sa sarili ko.)

“79 years na naman ako. Handa na akong mamatay.”

Hmmmmmmmmm....Napaisip na naman ako. Ng ibang bagay. Hehehehe. Na masarap. Nyahahahaha. Gutom na ako e. Di ko tuloy masyadong narining ang iba niyang ratsada.

“Dati iniisip ko. Yungmayayaman bakit nasali pa sa pulitika. Me pera na, hahanap pa ng sakit ng ulo?”

Ah, alam ko sagot diyan. Power.

“Si ________, di bilyonaryo, kundi multibilyonaryo. Pero ano? Namulitika pa rin. E minsan sumabay ako ke councillor __________. Wala namang emergency. E matrapik. Sabi niya, patabihin mo nga konti. Nagwangwang. Biglang nahawi. Ambilis tuloy naming. Narealize ko, ah, power.”

Kitam?

“Mantakin mo, councillor pa lang yan. Isipin mo na lang kung ano ang kayang gawin ng presidente. E kaya nga si _________, sumali pa, e para proteksyonan ang negosyo.”

Malas. City hall na. Kelangang magdesisyon. Bilis. Ah, bababa na lang ako. Tapos. Kung sakaling magbago isip. Sa pagbabayad, e sasakay na lang ulit. Pauwi. Nyahahaha! Ngunit, datapwat, subalit, naisip ko bigla. Ang aking pending application. Kelangan ang record, malinis. Pansamantala, hehehe. At isa pa, paano ako makakapagreklamo sa sistemang bulok, kung ako’y papakabulok? Nagmamalinis? Medyo lang.

So ayun, luminya ako. At kasunod ng aking pagninilay nilay. Sa kung anong oras na naman. Makakauwi. Sa pagkahaba habang pila. Naramdaman ko ang lungkot. Habang pinipilit kong imaginin ngunit di ko lubos na maisip sa kung kaninong bulsa na naman mapupunta ang perang pinaghirapan. Sa kung ano na namang maiskandalong proyekto ilalagak, sa magkanong komisyon? Sila lang nakakaalam.

Sa kung kaninong sakripisyo?

Ahhhh....

Bayaran na naman ng tax.

Do you think you can be wealthy?

March 20, 2009

We put so much importance in money (not because we are in Pinoymoneytalk) but because it has been made an intermediary of trade. Something that we regard with value because in the first place it has to have worth, otherwise how can we use it as medium for our exchanges? It is NOT the pursuit of money that made Celso delos Angeles or Madoff or our corrupt officials for that matter, evil men. But HOW they accrued the money, the MANNER by which they were able to procure such wealth that made them wicked human beings. Afterall I don’t think you can say the same thing for Oprah?

Personally, I don’t see anything wrong with wanting to have more or most (but with wanting to have less – e sakit ata yan, hehehe). But again, with how you are planning to amass such wealth that determines if it is greed or not. Though it is true that we need only air, water, food, and shelter to exist, they are not the ONLY things man needed to survive not to mention PREVAIL. And It is the pursuit of money or should I say what we can do with it (besides, can you still tell the difference) that makes man, ironically - CREATE, INVENT, and INNOVATE.

E sandali nga, e di kung di mayaman e ano ngayon? Hehehehe. It will not be the end of the world (but perhaps "my" world)

As for the question, who wouldn’t want, wish, pray and hope, (least think) they could be wealthy? The question is WHEN and HOW? (Next week, pag nanalo ako sa lotto)

Seriously though, it is easier said than done.

At last some Good News in the Philippines

March 14, 2009

quote from an irritated depositor of the late legacy bank

"at last some good news pewwwwwww i never thought id be glad to read this .IN the Philippines, a one-meter rise in sea level, for example, is projected to affect 64 out of 81 provinces, according to Greenpeace Southeast Asia. Higher sea level would cover at least 703 of 1,610 towns and inundate almost 700 million square meters of land wowwwwwww somethink to look forward to while watching the news in uk see the philippines go under the water. so god will have justice on this country. wahay burn more coal run mor cars on petrol lets get them ice packs melting faster the better ."

in response, i said:

Hehehe, I know and understand where this is coming from. But ironically, you see, even if the whole country goes under water, our officials who manage to get away with their corruption, or the crooks who scammed your money, won’t go down with it (except for the small time snatchers, or some big-time catch – pray they don’t get pardoned first).

Having taken someone else’s money or should I say the people’s money, they would have put it out of sight, hidden it – under a different name? Unless you are Erap - who by the way, was awed (who made the whole country in total disbelief in return) after he was convicted despite such brilliant strategy as signing in a differentname (with witnesses a foot away) while he was President of the Philippines?

Of course, it takes not so much of an intellect (or more ? – clearly it varies from person to person) that if you were to rob some huge amount of money (say some 3B) you would have to conceal it by smuggling it (in a suitcase – another brilliant idea) to some far away soil (like the US and Europe)?

And oh, going in and out, or staying for that matter (which by the way is their long term plan after retiring from corruption or scamming), is not a problem after having gotten a dual citizenship not only for themselves but for their whole family (who are living there already by the way). Such that if it is revenge to sink some land (to drown the villains along) which countries do you think should go first?

Clearly, global warming is not such a good idea to get justice. Hehehe. The innocents will surely get drowned first. As I’ve been saying again and again. As if life can never be full of ironies.

Besides I don’t know how to swim.

Is it called Financial Freedom or Greed?

March 13, 2009

Me difference pala? Hehehe.

In psychiatry, a psychological disturbance becomes a disorder, when it impairs the functioning of the individual, be it in the activities of daily living (like eating, bathing, etc), or in the more complex functioning as decision making. I guess we can use this tool to tell when financial freedom becomes already greed. But in this case, the individual we are pertaining to is not only the one who is in pursuit of it, but the people who might get affected in the pursuit as well.

For me there is nothing to discern. For one, they belong at the opposite ends of the spectrum. Financial freedom is something that is good, while the other is bad (absolutely and not relatively). The former is an end. While the latter is more of a means to achieving an end.

However the parallelism exists between the two because one is a matter of perspective while the other is not. Because of our individuality, the definition of financial freedom is viewed at many context, such that its pursuit may resemble that of greed. But when it does, it is not financial freedom anymore, but, greed, actually.

Financial Freedom means different things to different people. It entails a spectrum of definition from having nothing at all,no possessions, staying under the government’s mercy, commuting and not having the burden of owning a car, for example at one end. For some it simply means being debt free, having a decent salary, having enough money for retirement or earning (a lot) from passive income. And at the other, being extremely wealthy – being able to buy anything, wanted or needed, having the money to take lavish vacation, the power to buy expensive cars and jewelries. You see, the latterdefinition is the one responsible for the ambiguity.

Being greed as an excessive desire to acquire or possess more than what one needs or deserves, especially with respect to material wealth, and since that clearly what one needs is but a matter of opinion, it then confounds us as to what makes greed andfinancial freedom different from one another? It is the denial of the same goods (food, power or wealth for this matter) to others that completes the meaning of greed and that which makes it distinct fromfinancial freedom.

Thus when money is pursued to have the power to buy dignity or life for example, now that one is greed. But when it is used to buy a diamond, well that one is a matter of opinion. Hehehe

BIR

February 16, 2009

Below is a BIR story emailed by a friend. Enjoy!
_______________________________________________________________

HOPE BIR WILL COME UP WITH A STANDARD PROCEDURE FOR THESE WORKERS WHO ARE WILLING TO PAY TAXES TO THE GOVERNMENT... (well, sa mga willing lang naman. hehehehe. )

ONLY IN THE PHILIPPINES.

Dear Joey,

Kumusta sir. Naalala mo pa si Mjolnir? Yung anak kong gustong pumasok sa McCann? May nakakatawang storing nangyari sa kanya. Nang nangailangan si Jol ng TIN ay ginawa siyang pingpong ball ng BIR. So isinulat niya yung BIR experience niya tapos nilagay niya sa internet. Biglang kumalat. Last time I heard ay nasa L.A. na.

Anyway after 3 days sa internet ay nabasa ni BIR Commisioner Parayno yung story. Pinadalhan kaagad si Jol ng TIN card via mail. Ang bilis.

Ang maganda pa nito ay nag-email kay Jol yesterday si Bart Guingona. Gusto raw nilang gawing play. Tuwang tuwa si Jol. Sabi ko nga ay ang agang dumating ng 15 minutes of fame niya.

Anyway here's his original story:


ADVENTURES SA KAWATANAN NG RENTAS INTERNAS
ni Jol Ong

Okay. So natanggap na ako nung November sa NCCA bilang researcher. Contract employee lang. 3 months. May Yearbook project kasi sila at kailangan ng extrang tao.

Okay lang ang bayad, kaso may 10% withholding tax, at siyempre, dapat may Tax Identification Number (TIN) ako. Sotinanong ko yung boss ko- "Sir, di po ba yung employer ang maglalakad ng TIN ng employee?"

Sagot ni bosing- "Di ka kasi regular employee kaya ikaw ang maglakad ng TIN mo."

Assurance nung assistant ni bosing- "Okay lang yan, one-time hassle lang yan."

Ala ako problema. Sige, ako maglalakad ng TIN ko. Tutal, ano ba ang > worst case scenario? Mahabang pila? Red Tape? Naknamsiomai, sanay naman ako sa UP e-kuhaan ng classcards, pila sa registration, pila sa graduation, etc. Ako rin naman ang naglalakad ng registration ng beetle ko, at sa pagrerenew ko ng lisensya, so okay lang.

Sabi ni bosing, dun daw ako mag-apply ng TIN sa BIR Main, sa may QC, para mas konti ang pila! . May BIR din naman sa labas ng Intramuros, walking distance para sa mga sanay maglakad, pero mas konti raw ang tao sa Main.

So, sige, nagpaalam ako, isang araw mag-aabsent ako para lakarin yun. Dun ako sa Main, dahil malapit lang sa amin, tapos plano ko, dadaanan ko yung ilang research materials sa UP. Solve!

Pagdating ko sa BIR Main, nagulat nga ako dahil wala ngang katao-tao. Ni wala akong nakitang pila, maliban lang dun sa pila sa harap, dahil tsinecheck nung sekyu yung bag ng mga tao. Nung pagpasok ko, wala pala silang TIN forms. Wow. Naubusan ng TIN Forms ang BIR Main. Hanep.

Tinanong ako nung lalaki sa desk kung para saan yung TIN application ko; sabi ko, para sa work. Tinanong kung saan ako nagtatrabaho; sabi ko sa Intramuros.

"Dun ka mag-apply sa Intramuros." sabi nung lalaki.

"Di po ba puwede talaga rito?"

"Hinde, kasi sa Intramuros ka e, sila ang may hawak sa 'yo."

Okay lang, although medyo naburat ako sa efficiency nila. Ibig kong sabihin, wow, Main BIR sila tapos una, naubusan sila ng TIN Forms, pangalawa, ewan, ang laki-laki ng saklaw nilang lugar, ang laki-laki ng mga building nila, tapos hindi nila ako ma-accomodate.

Taragis, e malamang sa kanila rin naman mauuwi yung records ko kung sa BIR Davao o BIR Batanes ako mag-apply, dahil tutal, Main sila e, di ba? So ala na akong magawa, ala rin silang TIN Forms, so useless din kung magprotesta pa ako dun. So pumunta na lang akong peyups ( U.P.) for official business, for the first time. Hehehe!

Pagpasok ko sa work, sinubukan kong lakarin yung TIN application ko sa BIR sa labas ng Intramuros, yung malapit sa port area. Pag-akyat ko sa taas, hinanapan ako ng certificate of employment, at barangay clearance. At dahil walang nagsabi sa akin na kailangan ko nun, lalo na yung lalaki sa BIR Main, wala akong bitbit na requirements.

Pagbalik ko sa opisina, inexplain ko sa bosing namin yung problema. Nakatingin sa akin yung bosing ko na parang nawe-weirdohan din at di maintindihan yung paghihigpit ng BIR. Lintek, sabi nga nung isang workmate ko, the fact na nag-apply na ako for TIN, dinedeclare ko na sa gobyerno na puwede na nilang kupitan, err, kaltasan ang maliit kong suweldo. Ako na nga ang magbibigay ng pera sa kanila, ako pa ang hinihigpitan. Tanginang gobyerno yan, kahit kailan talaga pahirap sa mga tao.

Anyway, pag-aaralan pa raw nila kung mabibigyan nila ako ng certificate of employment. Yung barangay clearance, ako na ang maglalakad. Plano kong bumalik ulit sa BIR Main. Hindi ko na lang sasabihin na sa Maynila ako nagtatrabaho. Yung ninang ko na may business, binigyan ako ng TIN Forms. Form 1901, take note. Para sa mga regular employees. May pipirmahan sa likod ang employer ko. After nito, dumiretso ako sa barangay hall namin para sa clearance. Hiningan ako ng CV para sa file. Medyo naiirita na ako sa puntong ito. Isipin mo naman kung gaano ka-hassle ang buong prosesong ito, para saan? Para gawin ko ang aking role bilang mabuting mamamayan sa pagbabayad ng tamang buwis. Anyway, tinanong ako nung babae sa barangay hall kung may TIN daw ako. Napapalo ako sa noo ko.

Whoooooo!!! I LOVE THIS COUNTRY!!!!!

Okay! So may clearance na ako!

Humingi na ako ng certificate of employment sa bosing ko, at pinapapirmahan ko na siya sa likod ng Form 1901 ko. Kaso sabi niya, hindi raw puwede kasi wala ako sa roster of employees ng NCCA. Project employee lang ako e. So tinanong ko kung puwede ibalik yung mga kaltas sa akin, tutal ala naman akong TIN e, at ayaw akong bigyan ng BIR, kaya pu**ngina sila, di ko bibigay pera ko sa gobyerno! Ang problema, hindi raw puwede yun. Tuloy-tuloy ang kaltas sa suweldo ko. Kapag hindi raw kasi kinaltasan, sila raw ang malilintikan kapag nag-check ng expenses ang NCCA, makikitang hindi binawasan ang suweldo ko. So tinawag ngayon yung isang accountant ng NCCA para tulungan kami sa aming munting problema. Hindi rin maintindihan nung accountant kung bakit hinihigpitan ako ng BIR. Putsa, ako na nga ang magbibigay ng pera sa gobyerno, may gana pa silang magpakipot. Sabi nung
accountant, yung kinaltas sa akin, mapupunta pa rin sa gobyerno, may TIN man ako o wala, at hindi sa bulsa ng kung sinoman sa NCCA.

Well, dadaan muna sa gobyerno, sa BIR, bago mauwi sa bulsa ng isang congressman, pero technically, alang problema dahil pagkahaba-haba man ng prusisyon, sa simbahan pa rin ni satanas ang tuloy. Ang difference bale, kapag may TIN ako, dinedeclare ko lang na sa akin galing yung kakaning-ibon na baryang portion ng pang-tip ni Mr. Congressman sa pokpok niya sa Pegasus. Otherwise, mula kay Mr. Anonymous yung pang-tip niya.

Advise sa akin, sabihin ko na lang na freelance writer ako. Tutal, may kaltas din naman daw kapag nag-freelance ka sa mga diyaryo. Tapos i-assert ko raw na ako na ang nagbibigay ng pera sa kanilang mga letse sila kaya dapat bigyan pa nila ako ng libreng chocolait at biskwet out of gratitude mga hayop silang mga impakto sila.

Okay. So bumalik ulit ako sa BIR Main. As usual, ang pila lang ay yung sa harap, kung saan nagtse-check yung sekyu ng bomba sa mga bag ng mga tao. Anyway, babae na yung nasa desk ngayon. Pinakita ko na yung barangay clearance ko, at yung accomplished Form 1901 ko. Nung tinanong sa akin kung saan ako nagwowork, inexplain ko na freelance writer ako kaya wala akong regular employer, kaya walang nakapirma sa likod. Okay?

Okay... Hinde. sabi nung babae, since hindi ako regular employee, ibang form dapat ang finill-up-an ko. At bigla siyang naglabas ng Form 1902 at binigay sa akin. Whew, kinabahan ako dun a. Yung Form 1902, sabi niya, ay para sa mga "mixed-income individuals, " para sa mga taong hindi regular ang kita- professionals, businessmen, at sabi niya, freelance writers.

Okay! Fill-up dito, fill-up dun, okay lang!!! Magkakaroon na ako sa wakas! Inaabot ko na sa babae yung Form 1902! Eto na...

"Ummm, okay na? Ngayon, punta kayo sa West Ave. Branch namin."

Nanlaki ang mata ko. Wow, nasira agad ang aking moment of triumph.

"Err! , hindi po ba puwede rito sa Main?"

"Hinde, kasi sa Project 6 ka nakatira. West Ave. Branch namin ang may hawak sa inyo."

Naramdaman ko, parang umiikot-ikot ang paligid ko. Parang gumagaan ang ulo ko, nanglalambot at naghihina ang tuhod ko. Bigla kong naramdaman ang isang matinding pangangailangan na i-head butt ang kausap kong babae sa desk. Sa halip na isang head butt, nagtanong na lang ako.

"Puwede po bang ibang tao na lang ang maglakad nito para sa akin?"

"Oo, gawa ka ng authorization letter..."

Ah! Para akong nabunutan ng tinik sa dibdib! Papalakad ko na lang ito sa nanay ko. hehehe. Paglabas ko, marami pa ring tsinecheckan ng bomba sa bag sa harap. Ngayon alam ko na kung bakit. Ako rin gusto ko rin silang bombahin.

Hindi ko pa rin mawari, nung araw na yun, kung ano pa talaga ang purpose ng BIR Main. Nakangsiomai, dun sa maliliit na branches nila, siksikan ang mga tao, milya-milya ang pila. Sa Main, ang lawak-lawak, pero di sila nag-a-accomodate ng applications!

Sa kasamaang palad, hindi ako nakapagsulat ng authorization letter, at masyadong busy ang nanay ko para ilakad ang TIN ko. Anyway, sabi niya sa akin, may kaklase yung tita ko sa BIR West Ave. Kapag nagipit ako, hanapin ko na lang yun. Okey. Sige. Isa pa, may Form 1902 na ako, barangay certificate, at yung excuse ng aking pagiging freelancer. Pila lang siguro ang problema, pero okay na. Putsa, dapat okay na.

At nakarating din ako, isang araw, sa BIR West Ave. Sa second floor sila nag-oopisina sa isang building. Masikip yung elevator dahil sa dami ng tao. Narating ko na rin yung desk para sa TIN. Nung chineck nung babae dun yung papeles ko, hinanap nila yung pirma ng employer.

"Ay. Wala po. Freelance Writer po ako e." Napatingin sa akin yung babae, tinitigan ako sa mata na wari'y tinitimbang ang mga salitang aking nasambit...

"Ano yung Freelance Writer?"

Napapalo ako ulit sa noo.

"Ma'am, freelancer po ako. wala po akong regular na sahod. Binabayaran ako per article na sinusulat ko. Hindi po ako regular employee kaya wala akong certificate of employment."

Nung makitang Form 1902 ang dala ko, sinabihan pa akong maling form ang bitbit ko, kaya inexplain ko pa na nanggaling na ako sa BIR Main na Form 1901 ang dala ko dati pero sabi dun, mali raw ang 1901 para sa akin kaya binigyan ako ng 1902 dahil freelance writer ako, at inirefer ako sa branch nila. Nakatitig sa akin yung babae, ninamnam ang bawat salitang sinambit ko...

"Ano yung Freelance Writer?"

Okay! Kulang ka ba sa iodized salt?

Ipinaliwanag ko ulit kung ano ang freelance writer, at nakatingin pa rin siya sa akin na tila nambubullshit lang ako.

"Punta ka na lang sa Officer of the Day."

"Umm. Saan po yun?"

"Sa Seventh Floor."

1...2...3... 4...5...6. ..7...8.. .9...10.. .ayan...kumakalm a na ko.

NAK-KANANGTOKWA! !!! ANG DAMING TAONG NAKAPILA SA ELEVATOR!!!

$#@*^%$% #!!!!!!!!

Alang choice, tumakbo ako paakyat sa hagdanan mula 2nd patungong 7th floor. Hingal na hingal ako nang lapitan ko ang Officer of the Day.

"Ma'am, pinaakyat po ako mula sa second floor..."

At ipinaliwanag ko yung nangyari, mula yung pagpunta ko sa BIR Main, hanggang sa pagpunta ko sa ibaba kanina.

"Umm... at anong gusto mong gawin ko?"

Gumuho muli ang mundo ko, pero buti na lang may upuan sa likod ko. Ipinaliwanag ko ulit.

"Oo nga. Sa second floor ang application ng TIN. Bakit ka pinaakyat sa akin?"

Halos nagmamaka-awa na ako. "Ma'am, ala po ba talaga kayong magagawa?"

At inilahad ko ulit yung masasayang adventures ko sa BIR Main, sa BIR Port Area, sa BIR Main, at sa BIR nila. Awa ng diyos, may kinuhang chart yung ale, hinanap yung kategorya ko. Nung makuha yung code, sinulat niya sa isang espasyo sa 1902 ko, sabay tatak.

"Ayan. Okay na yan."

Napangiti ako. Sincere!!! Halos mapaihi na ako sa tuwa. Matatapos na!!! Kaso, putsa, ang daming taong naghihintay sa elevator. Walang choice, takbo ulit ako sa hagdanan pababa. Pagdating dun, lalaki na yung nakaupo sa desk. Pinakita ko ulit yung mga papeles ko.

"Saan ang Certificate of Employment mo?"

Nammannnnn!! !! Ano ba'to? Twilight Zone? Napasok ba ako sa isang loop?

"Bosing, hindi po ako regular employee e. Freelance writer po ako."

"Ano yun?"

NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO OOOOOOOOOOO! !!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!

At ipinaliwanag ko ulit kung ano ang freelance writer, at ikinuwento ko yung episode kanina, at yung episode sa BIR Main, etc.

"Ito kasing Form na ito, itong 1902, para sa mga may negosyo ito e."

"E yan po ang binigay ng BIR Main sa akin, dahil hindi regular ang sahod ko!"

"May mayor's permit ka ba?"

Pikon na pikon na ako nun kaya hindi ako natawa, pero, talaga, grabe, comedy ito, men. Wow.

"Hindi ko po kailangan ng mayor's permit! Writer lang po ako!"

Ineksamin ulit nung lalaki yung papeles ko.

"Ummm, propesyunal ka ba?"

"Opo."

"Anong propesyon mo?"

"Writer po."

"May lisesnsya ka ba?"

Sa isip ko- "HU-WAAAAAAATTTTTT! !!?"

Kung kumain ako ng bulalo kanina, malamang na-stroke na ako ngayon.

"HINDI NYO PO KAILANGAN NG LISENSYA PARA MAGING WRITER!!!" Sabay follow-up ko ng "ANO BA KAYO? AKO NA MAGBABAYAD NG TAX SA INYO, PINAPAHIRAPAN NYO PA AKO!!!"

Deadma si lalaki. Nakatingin pa rin sa papeles ko, iniisip kung ano gagawin. Kung pinapunta pa niya ako ulit sa Officer of the Day, i-he-head butt ko na'to talaga. Buti na lang-

"O sige, irereceive ko ang forms mo, pero ang alam ko dapat may kasamang papeles pa ito e. Pumila ka na lang dun..."

*haaaaaaaaaaaaayyyy yyyyyyy.. .....*

Kaso, sobrang haba ng pila, at sa takbo ng mga pangayayari ngayon, ayoko nang maghintay ng isa't kalahating oras para lang mag-replay ng kuwentong kung ano ang freelance writer, at kung bakit hindi ako regular employee.

Lumabas ako, pumunta ako sa corridor. Pikon na pikon.

Tinawagan ko nanay ko, tinanong ko yung pangalan ng kaibigan dati ng tita ko sa high school na nagtatrabaho ngayon dun. Okay, nakuha ko na yung pangalan. Balik ako dun, tinanong ko yung sekyu kung saan ang opisina nung babae.

"Sa seventh floor po."

Hindeeeeee!! !!!

Pero sige, para lang magkaroon ng bunga ang paghihirap ko ngayong araw na ito- may exodus ng tao sa harap ng elevator, kaya ayun, inipon ko ang natitira kong lakas at hininga, at aking tinakbo muli ang second to seventh floor sa hagdanan.

Pagdating sa taas, halos bumagsak sa lupa ang baga ko. Nagtanong-tanong ako ulit kung saan ang opisina nung bes-pren ng tita ko, hanggang sa mapunta na ako sa gitna ng opisina nila.

Sa wakas- "Ay! Diyan yung opisina nun, pasok ka diyan."

Yehey!!!

"Ha? Ay! On-leave siya ngayon. Babalik siya sa January 2."

NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO OOOOOOOOOOO! !!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!

Hindi pa rin nauubos ang mga tao sa elevator, hindi ko maalala kung paano ko tinakbo pababa ang first floor. Pikon na pikon ako, grabe. Pag-uwi, nakaubos yata ako ng isang pitsel ng gulaman. Hinintay kong humupa ang tila-nuclear holocaust ng galit sa loob ng dibdib ko.

Punyetang gobyerno ito!!! Letse!!! Hindi mahuli-huli yung mga tax evaders, hindi mabigyan-bigyan ng TIN yung mga nagmamagandang loob na magbayad ng buwis!!! t*ngina, no wonder may lumolobo tayong mga deficit!!! Syet!!! Ano nangyari sa iodized salt campaign ni Ramos!!!

Nung gabi, tinawagan ko si TJ, yung kasama ko sa trabaho, at kinuwento ko lahat. Lagi ko kasing kinukuwento ang bawat installment ng aking BIR adventures, at tulad ng isang epiko, grabe ang climax nung hapon na yun. Syet. Hayop sa climax. Tinatawanan ko na lang, pero nung hapon na yun kaya ko sigurong mangagat ng leeg.

Tawa rin nang tawa si TJ, at ngayon, kuwento niya, tawa rin nang tawa yung mga pinagkuwentuhan niya. Pati yung mga tao sa tambayan namin, nung kinuwento ko, di rin makahinga sa katatawa.

Langya, baka maging urban legend pa ang buhay ko, in which case, sana puwede kong i-video lahat, at lalagyan ko ng sumpa- ala "The Ring", tapos papadalhan ko ng kopya yung mga tao sa BIR.

Naisip-isip ko na lang ngayon, paano nga kung kailangan mo ng lisensya para magsulat. Isang physical manifestation ng concept ng poetic license? haha! Kung sa driver's license, may mga restrictions tulad ng:

"Vehicle up to 4500 KGS GVW" o kaya "Automatic clutch above 4500 KGS GVW", etc. paano kaya yung sa "Poetic License" o "Writing License?"

I. Restrictions

1. Haiku and short essays only

2. Essays up to 500 words and Free verse up to 5 stanzas.

3. Essays above 500 words and Free verse above 5 stanzas

4. Critical Essays, Short Fiction, Poetry, etc.

Pero nag-digress na naman ako. Isang hapon, pagkatapos nung BIR episode, dumaan ako sa tambayan namin sa UP. Nung makita ako ng mga kasama ko- "Jol! Pumayat ka a! Grabe!" hehehe.

Naalala ko yung jogging-jogging ko sa building, at yung stress, at napangiti ako. Isang mapait at matamis na ngiti. At kinuwento ko kung bakit.

ps: hanggang ngayon, wala pa akong TIN. Kuwento ni TJ, si Santi Bose raw, namatay nang walang TIN,. . . . . nakakatakot!

Random Thoughts

Feb 13, 2009

I can’t sleep. Funny, but this is one of those few times that I experience having such an ordeal. I’m a person who is the total envy of insomniacs, not to mention normal people. No trouble at all when it comes to that part of daily living. Just put something flat on my back, and I am dead to the world. In fact if sleep could kill (which it could, if you were a chronic alcoholic, or just plain too unlucky, he, he, he) I would have been gone a long time.

However, as much as I would like to, I know that even if I try to count sheep (which by the way would always work for me during restless times-which again I would hardly have any-in both having restless times and counting 10), I would still lay awake staring blanky at darkness not figuratively (this time) but literally because the lights are already off, hehehe. I am very well aware of the cause, but not very willing to share it even in writing, even to people I don’t know and don’t know me back (or should I say, don’t care at all). I have a pride you know, and I intend to keep it in one piece (as much as possible). Let’s just say, I am wondering, and considering of hurting somebody, back. I have a pride you know. Not sure though if it is still intact, on second thought.

And so I decided that instead of wallowing in my own misery, to get up, and do something productive (like earning money, online and offline, in this most unholy hour of the day, oh yes, it is very possible). But I contained myself and settled on something decent and respectable (like watching something biblical). No, (I am not that pretentious), but rather translate my thoughts into words, which at first I thought was not possible. Given that my situation is not inspiration but desperation.

After several minutes, of mulling over emptiness, i came up with randomness, which surprisingly the one which lulled me into sleep. But before I finally submit into unconsciousness, I pondered on one last conscious thought – to confront the person responsible. And deal with an emotion I have so tried to deny and renounce but have so far failed (well at least so far, which by the way, could not take me that far, hehehe, so might as well concede?). Not a chance. Now, that one, not sure If I deliberated on in my wakefulness or in my dreams. Now this, maybe just a product of my imagination. Oh how I wish..... Hehehehe.

Mutual Funds

Now, I'm not a professional investor (yet) nor a successful one (yet). But I know some things about it (at least theoretically) that may help you in your dilemma. I always compare investing to a card game. Part luck, part diskarte. But again, you are fortunate as you have one of the aces of the game-which is TIME.

You are young, and because of that you can attempt to make risks. Because even if you lose money-which is unavoidable (but as much as possible must be prevented)-you can still earn it through your job, other ventures or still through investments-because any investment, in time, will profit.

Again we know that in investment, no pain no gain, and that the riskier the investment, the higher the return. Now, stocks, stock mutual funds (aka, equities), balanced fund (mixed equitiy and bond), bond and money market differ in risk and yield, the first one carrying the greatest risk and profit, and the last one, much like putting your money into time deposit.

For a young investor like you, financial growth is the name of the game. Because again, you can gamble to be aggressive, most financial gurus would agree that stocks and stock mutual fund (aka equity) are the ones more appropriate. However between buying individual stocks or stock mutual fund, the latter is better as playing stocks requires experience. Stock mutual fund, on the other hand, is handled by a fund manager, who pools money from different individuals , then use that into buying different stocks. In effect, this is much safer because it is handled by an experienced person.

Compared to bonds and money market, stock mutual fund will give you a higher yield as this is stock investment. In fact, in terms of revenue and capital preservation, it can even be better than buying individual stocks. Because in a stock mutual fund, there is already diversification (the money is into a variety of stock products that give different yields)-one which you may not be able to do with just your money to invest. The risk of losing money is lesser as lost of one stock may be offset by the gain of another.

So, take your pick.

Why Savers are Losers Literally?

Jan 16, 2009


Well, there’s always a goal for starting a thread. I’m sure, learning is one of them. So let’s always be nice. Hehehe.

Given the title though and the many reactions here, it makes me wonder, is this just to promote some products, say BDOs UITFS, create a controversy, call all PMTers to a “get-together” or to simply define the terms. Which by the way, are pretty much being achieved, here, most singlehandedly by the one who started it, kinda impressive i may say, and no offense, hehehe.

Except for the logic and the definition of terms.

To be honest, like many others probably here, i find the title a little bit offensive, really. Hehehe. Not because I am a LOSER (yes, I am pretty much convinced that I’m not) but because I am a SAVER too, and an investor, but with the present economic crunch, more of the former and not YET a GAINER. But ironically, right now, I am LOSING my money NOT in SAVING, but rather in INVESTING. So if you come to think of it, though I know what the thread is trying to get across (that saving can’t beat inflation), the LOGIC behind the statement (that savers are losers) FALTERS (because losing is also possible ininvesting). If I have to agree on it, it has to be figuratively and not literally. Hehehe.

There are only 2 sets of terms here that need defining. Saving vs Investing, Losing vs Gaining. With saving and investing , though 2 different concepts, are both IMPORTANT means in amassing wealth. You need both to achieve your financial goal.

Saving by definition is putting your money in savings accounts, TDs, or money markets for the protection and preservation of money from loss, which gains interest but not enough to beat inflation in the long term.

Investing on the other hand, is committing your money in risky vehicles such as stocks and mutual funds, which may lose in the short term but gain in the long term due to an overall upward pattern.

We INVEST to cover our future needs. We SAVE to address our short-term necessities, at the same time PROTECTING your investment capital given that your money in the bank is always intact and accessible for emergencies, unlike your investments.

As you can see, sir FutureGizmo is right, there is no debate here. Because we realize in the end, it’s not really saving or investing that will make you a loser or a gainer, but rather its your decisions, and money management that will make you one, LITERALLY.

Bakit Single Ka Pa?

January 02, 2009

O eto na serious contribution ko on this thread. hehehe.

The need to belong is one of the basic human needs. Just like air, food and sex. And yes, sex doesn’t go with love and security (at least according to Maslow, hehe). And yes, it belongs to the same level as the physiological needs. And, no, I’m not liberated. All I’m saying (with that statement) is if you want just sex...you don’t have to be married. Wahahahah! And no, I'm not very comfortable discussing that which follows.

Seriously though, our search for human affiliation stems not from social pressure but from human nature which is rather instinctual. Afterall it is the same desire for intimacy (and not just sex, since as humans, we associate procreation with love, otherwise the pregnancy gets aborted, hehe, hypocrisy aside) that brings new members of the species. It is the same yearning for closeness and bonding that results to a family and community structures as these new members get to be nurtured and supported.

However, we must also understand that the need for love and belongingness is satisfied not only by having a romantic relationship with the opposite sex, (or the same sex depending on your preference) or marital commitment with them. But also from friendship, social activities, religious affiliations, familial attachments, and yes ... even animal connections, not to mention extramarital affairs, hehe. And okay, even from cyberforums like PMT. And not with yourself (it’s a different thing, hehe, - narcissism na yan or I don’t know). Man tries to overcome feelings of loneliness and alienation. This would explain why there are single people who are as fulfilled as those who are wed. And not because they are simply rationalizing.

So you see, the goal of entering into a romantic relationship is to seek if this means would fulfil our need to belong. But of course you don’t declare that literally or aloud. Baka hiwalayan ka nun. Rather it is the unspoken sentiment. If you regard it as the only way to such an end thus it should and must work, then it will result to disappointment and yes, bitterness.

Understanding the hype that society puts in romantic love as part of marketing and a way to sell literally everything from condoms to movies, though, “being single” becomes a social and psychological issue. But actually it’s only a legal status. Afterall we can’t declare being “married” to our friends, or to our dogs and definitely not to our mistresses (or should I say “your”), can we?

Lastly:
As to the issue of marriage depending on your upbringing and the kind of society that you’re in, it then becomes an act that concurs with ones values, social norms and customs, not to mention legal issues. And that which needs to be respected, if you want the respect back.