My Officemates' Kindness

Friends and family know that I'm not good at asking for money for personal gain. I have difficulty accepting money even if I'm terribly broke; I'd take gifts in kind instead. I just find it really difficult to get somebody else's hard earned cash (I am totally Against any form of Corruption,grrr).

I can easily ask/tease family (my sisters palagi) and friends to treat me to a movie or to merienda or to a restaurant, but I'd never really seriously ask for their money. I can easily ask for donations for my 2 favorite organizations (JVP and APC) and can talk about them for hours, but don't ask me to talk about myself and sell myself so you'd give money for me - I'll be out of words because I'd be too embarrassed.

So when I emailed my officemates about asking them to participate to the Kindness Revolution, helping me in raising the 20k I need for my trip to London, I started with the line - "kakapalan ko lang po ang mukha ko." And I guess my email of "pagmamakaawa" worked because yesterday my great and kind officemates poured their donations for me.

(Picture on the left) That's Bag-i for Kindness Revolution. She got 3 100Php/cards. I know I have guy friends there who are secretly interested in her already -  if you are as intelligent and pretty as bag-i, send me a personal message and we'll see if I can set you up. hehehe


What's more touching is that not one of them asked me to do anymore good deed, except for different prayers for them, saying - "Wag na, You've Been Good naman na To us!" (kakatouch naman yan kahit medyo BOLA lang alam ko!hehehe) Some of them teased me to write a proposal, etc, but I knew they weren't really serious.

Since they weren't asking for anything in return, I figure an entry would be nice way to thank them. To announce to the world how fortunate I am to have great officemates and friends.(I'll email them to visit this site soon) Many Thanks to:

Asia Forest Network (AFN) "Officemates"
Ate Weng and Bag-i - Thank you so much! AFN and Bohol are so lucky to have you. I promise to keep your request in my prayers bag-i. Ate Weng, Lake Sebu was so much fun because you were there with me.

ESSC and APC Officemates
Gaya ni Ate Weng, I want to put it in record that I too started with ESSC first. My JVP area placement was ESSC-MBY afterall. ESSC/APC, even with the spin off, they'll always be one and the same in my heart.

Ate Dallay - Salamat! Salamat! Especially for the many lunch breaks we shared. Thank you for reminding me that sandwich and chips are so unhealthy for a meal, but I'll most probably have that for lunch pa din.hehehe

Sylvia - Thank you! Even if I wasn't able to say it a lot, you know how miserable I was whenever you're not in the office. Having you beside me was such great comfort. You are a friend and a mother - one of the coolest moms I know. I shall think of you in our stopover in HK

Kuya Andres - You are one great big brother! Thanks! Thank you for always welcoming me back in Malaybalay. Even when I was still just an ex-volunteer visiting, you've always made me feel like I have a home and a family in Bukidnon. I love your kids and I look forward to watching them grow! :)

Little Kuya Andres (hehehe) - this is MIGUEL, Kuya Andres' eldest son.

Iris - Mare! Thank you! I told you in the letter that you are one of my beautiful blessings of 2007 and I mean it. And hey you - guy friends there who find her pretty and would want to get to know her more, send me a private message also.  :) But you better not break her heart or I'll break your arms and legs!

Kuya Popoy - What I can say?! You remain to be one of the best persons I know. You are definitely one of my favorite people - my Favorite and the Best First Area Supervisor ever! I'm so fortunate to be watching Elai grow into a smart young lady. Thank you so much for helping me keep my sanity in the last 8 months. You are my guru of "unconditional love and work for Bendum."

Kuya Popoy and Iris :)

Tsang Chona! :)

Ate Chona - my "real" and technically Only officemate among all these people. You are my partner in crime and thank you for proving that despite the many times we argue at work, we can remain great friends. You are an ate, a "girl"friend and a tsang in one. I know you miss me already (hehehe), I shall miss you too... Hang in there, Hope to see you in Bendum in December for Kaamulan?!? :)  - - - And Guys! Please do not be intimidated by Ate Chona's beauty and brilliance, send me a private message and I'll see if you passed my standards for her. (hehehe, parang binebenta ko lahat ng officemates ko).

I also send my warmest thanks to Margaux, Mila, Ninia(miss ko na kagagahan mo), Victoria, Kuya Bai (sobrang salamat!)  Ate Cherrie, Pam, Ate Mai-Mai, Ms. Emily,Ate Maricris, Bro.Gabe and Bros for all being part of my ESSC-APC stint. :)

To all the volunteer teachers of APC - Kuya Tata, Ate Maura, Nay Cecil, Ikong, Zarmin, Ate Cheche, Mercy, and Jus - it was a tough year without a principal, but graduation is almost here. :)  Jus - sige na bunso ka na by one month, I wish that you truly find your heart's desire, and wish you don't break any heart/s along the way (hehe). wag masyadong mamilosopo at makulit - pakabait!. To the people in the ESSC MBY Office - Kuya Seth, Aubrey, Ate Joy, Jonathan, Rhandy, Aye, Kuya Norwin, Mang Domeng, Hussein, and Koko - Thank you very much for sharing your office, time, resources and all else with us at APC. Malaybalay is a second home because of all of you. 

Pedro - (I'm not sure he'd be able to read this) For the many lessons that he has taught me regarding the forest, the work for the IPs and regarding life in general. I meant all the words I said in my letter to you.

I've been so blessed to have a great bunch of officemates/friends. Nasesenti ako realizing, I'm really going to miss them. So if you have great officemates yourselves, make sure you do make them feel how blessed you are and thankful you are that you are working with them.