Newsie #17 : 17 December 1999

ALL AT THE SAME TIME

A month and a half with the present job at ABS-CBN, Interactive. Funny, I am actually having fun. My week is like what? Let me recall how it was...

On the first week, it's honeymoon time and everything's all rosy. God has heeded my prayers and gave what I asked for during my earlier NEWSIES---a wish that goes something like walking around malls and writing as a job.

Second week, it's not that fun after all---I get tired feet, I rent my own computer, I don't have SSS, I can't pay my Home Credit anymore (I'll be forever on credit with it because I no longer have any money left to pay for it), if not for PowerDance I won't be doing this type of reasoning, I have 10% deduction from my salary because of VAT. Most of all, I have to keep on reminding myself it's me who needs to change if I keep on saying all these.

Third to fifth week, ain't that bad at all---just got my salary that's a part of it why I was in such a good mood---best part, I get to act a lot. I've been a bride asking for wedding reception rates in almost all of Metro Manila's Five Star Hotels. I've had a brother who is autistic, I've got a father who's fond of golf, all were not true but they believed me anyway. I've been around Ermita, Manila's best antique shops and marvelled on some of the treasures they've been selling. You get to meet the cute dealers from Quezon Avenue (unfortunately their degree of cuteness depends on the lighting of the room, it's better to meet them in partial darkness, i.e. under a raised car which needs oil changing).

Sixth week, an offer from the National Commission for Culture and Arts (NCCA). Looks like their HRD actually dug up my c.v./resumé from their archives---I passed it last July 1999 pa! Anyway, I went there just for curiosity's sake.

Nothing can rock me now... I do love my job.

Then, they offer me around PhP10,900 plus a 20% increase for each month if I do well for that month and then a 13th month pay after the year 2000 and my contract is over (try comparing that to my present salary: PhP8,000 minus 10% so what's left is 7,200 and totally no benefits at all). Then, they say that part of my work is monitoring their cultural events from all-over the Philippines. No wonder I've been so grouchy for the past week---I don't want to leave my "now" job vs. it would be practical to be in the other job. And the HRD person who was processing our papers was very friendly with me and even offered to type my resignation letter for me.

But, I like this job---week 7 (today), NCCA did not call me yesterday, no interview for today. I am here at the ABS-CBN office at 3:50 A.M. typing out this letter on their computer, using their internet server. I am still an idiot when it comes to computers---I hope that'll change after a few more years when I do get a computer of my own. All-day I was at home, doing the laundry, cleaning the toilet and watching TV all at the same time. Or I could be making phone calls to some of our contacts if their brochures are ready or just to check the prices of their items.

I was trying to compare it with the picture of myself going to the office before 9:30 A.M. and trying to catch the time before they mark me late then staying in the office for the entire day with a phone and an e-mail as my means for communication with the outside world---a scene from PBSP and "could be" with NCCA. And I die... of boredom all over again.

Now I know why I don't get up early from my bed---lack of enthusiasm, a colored TV with cable and a computer with internet. I think I'm in heaven right now---typing, e-mailing, and watching TV all at the same time.