We were supposed to go to Davao for a three-day summer vacation this month. But due to unexpected happenings at work, our flight had been cancelled. I can’t help but feel a little sad…Sigh. Davao is one of the places in the Philippines that I’ve always wanted to visit.

Ahhh, Samal Island! I’ll embrace your beauty some other time.

:exclamation: Disclaimer: I was supposed to post this entry two days after Typhoon Pepeng hit Northern Luzon, but was too busy to do so.

Everyone was rushing to go home while I, on the other hand, was rushing to go to work so I could finish the report I needed to submit before 7PM. It was only 4PM when I left the house.

The MRT station was jampacked with anxious passengersl ike I’d never seen it before. I received a forwarded text from a friend telling me that Typhoon Pepeng was expected to arrive at 9PM that night. People around me were talking about it too and I couldn’t help but feel nervous. The rain was pouring really hard outside.

It’s crazy how women tried to squeeze themselves in so they could enter the train as soon as the door opened. I was pushed too many times, but I patiently gave way and waited for my turn. I am 6 months pregnant and my tummy is really big. So you can just imagine how difficult it was for me to stand and wait for the train that would take me to work for more than two hours. Yes, you got that right. Two hours and 15 minutes to be exact. Then I stood all the way from Guadalupe to Quezon Avenue station for about 20 minutes or so.

By the time I arrived at work, it was already 8PM. And again, you can just imagine how exhausted I was. Unfortunately, I was too late for my report. But guess what? My friend did it for me. Thanks, Mae! I brought her donuts and gave her a big hug as soon as I saw her.

I checked Twitter updates about Typhoon Pepeng as soon as I was at my desk. Everyone seemed so frightened. Most of them were praying earnestly that the typhoon would change its course. I couldn’t help but feel scared since our house was submerged in flood up until my waistline just a week ago when Typhoon Ondoy hit Metro Manila with no mercy. We lost a few furniture and stuff, but it’s still nothing compared to others who had lost their homes and loved-ones.

I also posted my own prayer on Twitter, then I told myself that if the same thing would happen again I’d just leave everything up to God. That if it was His Will, then be it. What’s more important was the safety of everyone. Material things can be replaced easily as long as you work hard for it, but human lives cannot.

I watched the news next morning and found out that Pepeng had change its course. I was relieved because I didn’t think Metro Manila could take another blow that quickly. But I knew I couldn’t be happy knowing that my fellow countrymen in Northern Luzon was greatly affected. Seeing them suffer brought back sadness and fear that I once experienced during the Typhoon Ondoy.

It was heart-breaking, but I will never stop believing that every storm will end.

Napapagod na ako. :stubborn:
Nakakasawa na ang magpuyat, mag-OT, at mag-double-shift (minsan triple pa!) sa office kapag may hinahabol kaming deadline.
Dati ang akala ko, hindi lang ako marunong sa Time Management…
Pero hindi nga ba? Ah ewan…

Ngayong summer, kaliwa’t kanan ang team buildings…halos every week meron.

Most of the time ayoko sumama, pero minsan hindi ako makatanggi…
Kailangan kasing makisama…

Gusto ko ng maraming time sa anak ko lalo ngayon na nagsu-summer school sya…
Gusto ko ng maraming time sa pamilya ko…
Gusto kong dalawin ang Mama, Papa at mga kapatid ko sa Mandaluyong
Pero wala akong oras…
Minsan may oras nga, wala naman akong energy.

Mahal ko ang trabaho ko,
Gusto ko ang ginagawa ko
Pero minsan di ko parin maiwasan…
Sobrang nalulungkot talaga ako… :confused:

Tulad ngayon…
I need super powers…
Yung gaya ng kay Superman.
Saan ba nakakabili nun?

Minsan naisip ko, alin nga ba ang mas mahalaga?
Ang masarap na buhay dahil maraming pera?
O ang oras sa pamilya kahit sapat lang ang meron ka sa bulsa?
Nakakatakot ang mabuhay na sapat lang ang kinikita
Paano ko tutulungan ang mga magulang ko?
Paano makakapag-aral ang bunso kong kapatid sa kolehiyo?
Nakakaloka ‘yun di ba?

Pero minsan sa totoo lang, gusto ko ng sumuko… :stubborn:

:exclamation: Note: This post has been updated. (3-9-2009)

I was doing some ad hoc tasks in the office when I overheard two of my officemates talking about Francis Magalona’s death.

“What?! Francis M. is dead? When? How come? I thought he just had a bone marrow transplant?! Oh my god, he’s too young and has 8 children!” I was totally shocked that I couldn’t stop talking.

I was told that he passed away at 12 noon yesterday. So apparently, I was the last person in the office to know about this heart-breaking news. They said it was announced at 12 noon on Eat Bulaga. So being the internet-junkie that I am, I searched for a video footage online.

And silently, tears started falling from my eyes while I was watching this video. This is really sad! You might wanna see this too.

I grew up singing the man’s songs. His love for his country was undeniably overflowing. The lyrics of his songs have always reminded me that I should always be proud that I am a Filipino no matter what happens. Kaleidoscope World, The Man from Manila and Mga Kababayan Ko are his songs that truly inspire not just me, but the many Filipinos across the nation. And oh! Who would ever forget about the love songs Cold Summer Nights and Hangga’t Yakap? I love those songs too! :hearty:

Anyway, I came across his blog (Francis Magalona.Multiply.Com) today and quoted below was his last post dated Jan. 14, 2009. The way he battled against cancer was admirable beyond words. I was really touched!

Good evening people. I am getting prepared for my 4th Chemotherapy cycle, and I will be admitted tonight at The Medical City. I will be doing some tests tomorrow, wish me luck. Friday I begin my 4th cycle which is a Hi-Dose kind, as will be taking 6 grams of Cytarabin™ a day every other day for 3 days.

I will be at the 14th floor of the TMC, as usual. I brought alot reading materials (bible included!) and dvds to keep me company while I do my treatment. I will be doing my radiation treatment by February and my PBSCT (Peripheral Blood Stem Cell Transplant) will be done by March.

I look forward to the pain as I know my journey is on full speed ahead. I will not be bold to say that without asking a favor from you all. PLEASE PRAY for me as I undergo treatment. Your prayers, as always, have sustained me. And am sure the Lord will listen to all our prayers. To His will I submit myself.

God bless you, my friend.

PS: I will be needing blood donors for blood and platelets. Please go to the lower ground floor of The Medical City and donate blood in my name. For platelets Apheresis you may go have yourself screened at the Phil. Nat’l Red Cross at the Pier in Manila. I am type O positive. Thank you again.

May he rest in peace… :sigh: I’m quite sure that through his songs, his legacy will remain forever. See you again, Kiko! Thank you for sharing your wonderful music with us!

The Master Rapper of the Philippines is now at peace with his Master. :7:

He also put up another website entitled Francis M.’s Happy Battle. Click here.

Trivia:

Have I seen him in person?

I was starstruck. I think we all were.
That’s Francis M.