OUR DAILY CENTS

“Every centavo counts” as economist would basically say. But rather I vividly remember these words coming from a very straightforward yet soft spoken and gentle reverend who was once a parish priest of one humble church back then. When it comes to the parish’s financial details, be it simple or complex, he’s one furiously I reckoned with on it. One centavo difference or unexplained deficit on your suppose thorough list of financial statement is a taboo. So just make reservations. Expect to be scolded. Believe me, when it comes to money expenditures, he’s too judicious. Most of the time, too inconsiderate and uncompromising but that is, if you fail to justify the missing single cent. He’s no economist or either an accountant. For two simple reasons:  First, “Honesty” is his ultimate policy. And, second “Transparency” is foremost obligatory. He isn’t acting stingy or cheeseparing either. That’s how he is… He’s learned it from his mother of how important a single centavo during his younger days. For money is earned with blood and sweet should a one single drop of cent is much of its worth. That’s a great learning coming from a humble man.

But in an ordinary days, recently these coins seem appear treated so very least than much of its face value. More likely you see them lying on streets and corners yet being snubbed, if not totally ignored. Few are still shiny which as good as glitzy new, but numerous are defaced by repeated trampling. Mostly, there are five and ten cents. Very few twenty-five centavo also but that, too, is often ignored and flouted for the same reason. Such a pity though that even street children and beggars along sidewalks just pass them by and wouldn’t even care to pick them up. I retrieved these poor coins whenever I see one or few lying along my way. Yes, even for the most traffic of people rushing along the isle and sidewalk, I too am dignified to stoop down, pick them up and handed it over under my pocket. Really, no one is picking these lowly centavos, except me (I guess). And, I put those found-coins on a small canister whenever I’m home. Such habit I came to develop for quite some time. My canister, at this point, is almost full with coins ranging from 1, 5 and 10 cents. Some are 25’s. Several are still shiny but mostly are battered and rusty. By estimation, I think it’s more than a hundred pieces already. That's by just picking them up from lowly streets. 

I wonder what people are thinking about these kind of deprived coins. To think, it is still considered money no matter how small the value…

Here’s for real: One time (back then), I ask my younger sibling to buy a pack of ice worth a peso. Then she went in the nearby store to buy one by bringing up these cents with her. When she came back, she brought nothing and the lady in the small “sari-sari” store told her that they won’t accept the money (which I gave) because it’s all centavos. It was a bit absurd. I asked the reason why but she had no idea nonetheless…

Curious, I went by in the same store to do the same except trying to buy other stuff out of it. Of course, I used those pitiable coins. True! I asked them why but a simple “not acceptable” was the only answer they could reason out.

To mention, even small vendors in streets and in parks won’t accept it. Even an old man we saw in a cashier’s refuse to accept his 20 cents change from the amount he paid on his groceries.  Centavo coins are no longer valuable anywhere in the community’s. It’s totally “useless”, completely unusable.

As I remembered, coins on their marred conditions lying on the street seem treated like a piece of trash. Thrown away in the garbage bin because of “no-value”, that is. How pity. You can’t even buy a piece of sweet tooth lollipop out of it and or a sugary menthol candy for you to enjoy with. I wonder if our little nephews, nieces, and godchildren toddlers would be happy to accept these monies as cash gifts. I wonder if young carolers during Christmas seasons would be delighted if some of these coins are given to them. I wonder if people in the church, the ones collecting the alms and offerings, would be pleased to account it. I wonder what could be the reaction of your co-church goer seatmates if they saw you giving some of these lowly centavos on coin and alms baskets during mass offering services. I wonder if our long fervent wishes will come true if you offer and throw these centavo coins on a magic “wishing-well”.

For some reason, I keep on retrieving unheeded coins on streets. Somewhere in my heart is telling me to pick them up whenever I crossed of it by chance. It’s not only more than that of a hobby and or more of that on mere fascination. It’s beyond something  giving respect to the coin itself. I still recognized its worth because the face value remained the same. Even in blighted conditions, a coin is a coin used for intended purposes. They need to be used to be useful.

Accordingly, these can be of used in payment for groceries in big stores. My mother keep used  of these for payments on water and electric bills. To think, the Government and the Central Bank continually produced centavo coins. In fact, they spend millions of money buying specific metals from other countries just for reproduction and public used for its continuous economic activities and functions. Yet, most people don’t seem to care. They just threw it away anywhere like a piece of dirt.

Whenever I see a centavo coin being snubbed, am reminded of the good reverend I once knew. But beyond from that learning, I have thoughts of a mere possibility that, at any moment of our lives come, we may be like such of these wretched coins lying on the lost dirty corners or filthy streets and we might be treated the same as worthless and rubbish. That people whom we thought we cared too much about might strode, ignore and reject us all the way. Because, that in our image, we maybe seem less of a value yet more of a burden to their account. At some point in our life, we may feel unworthy and undeserving. We may feel very small. But it does not mean we are less important. Like our daily cents, we may barely recognize and soon be out-of-circulation, but knowing the value isn't utterly lost. We are always part of something big and much greater. Hence, what we need to put on is to give a chance to be useful and worthy once more.

What about you? Would you care and dignified enough to pick them up?

A PAIN Worth a ''Piece-of-TEN''

When my mother retired as government employee, I helped packing-up some of her things at their office and returned all issued equipment to the supply’s section. Same goes for all the documents and record paraphernalia she brought in at our house…

In the middle of wadding, one familiar bag caught my attention… a violet bag she always brought with where all she puts some of her office documents and other battle gears and weapons (chuckles) like stapler, pencils and pens, scissors, correctional ink, key-chain, ruler, among others, I ask her if she’s still going to use some of those. So, she gave it to me then… I brought them in my room to have those (still) useful particulars.

…as I was sorting out with a numbed shoulders and weary eyes, I notice a small white envelope. Inside were nine (9) paychecks each addressed to eight different personnel (my mom’s co- office mates). When I saw the amount of each, I must say, it’s a bit odd and shocking. Though at one point, I couldn’t hold myself off but I almost cracked into laughter because each paycheck indicates really very small amounts. Though, all paychecks were dated year 1992 and 1993, it’s still quite too small considering they were all working in Government’s. However, what caught my attention was the stunning paycheck amounting 10.29 PhP

At first, I didn’t tell ‘Ma that I had those in me. Although should I asked her about the unclaimed paychecks. I just thought there was an interesting story behind that might enlightened my curiosity.

While at our family’s dinner, I intentionally opened the conversations first regarding her past experiences on her work and about her fellow office mates. Out of my inquisitiveness, I asked her how much salary should have had they get during the early 90’s. She said that, at that time, they were receiving salaries ranging from 9,000 to 18, 000, all depending on their respective ranks. Should have received it every 15 and 30-day, she explained… I told my mom that I had in me the unclaimed paychecks of her co-workers from her bag she gave. “They’re incredibly worth unreasonable”, I said… “Nothing new…” she responded.

I asked her how a government employee could received such an amount especially a 10-peso paycheck… “It was because of their big loans they had”. “In every payroll, their debts automatically keep on eating up their salaries.” “Practically, they weren’t receiving any… they’re working only just to get by their dues. And, it’s being like that for two to three years,” She explicated.  “They really have to sacrifice until they’re completely paid-off”, Mom added.

Then, I asked her of why on earth they had not claimed it knowing that it’s still worth a penny and it can still be en-cashed it in banks regardless of the amount? She enlightened me that it was pity because they were embarrassed if they’re going to claim them. They could be bullied or anything that could stomp their pride... She added that others would just tend to forget that they have salaries. It seems they don’t bother themselves receiving such unreasonable amounts. Few would just bravely say that “it’s yours madam, keep it as a souvenir …”

Though funny to hear but deeply it’s disappointing, to begin with. Painful but they have pride. I’m sure they’d never showed up what they truly felt about the difficult situations they were into.

‘My mother remembered that the smallest salary ever of her co-worker, whom had huge and multiple loans, was amounted 4.00php. If you really think about it, such a shame, pity and ridiculous it seem! I must say that the “blank cheques” itself was way more expensive than his salary.” To say, my mother knew this because she once worked as an assistant finance officer; responsible for recording and releasing all the employees’ salaries.

My mom shared sometimes she furtively handover a 50- pesos to those few personnel receiving twenty pesos and below. Although they have pride but mom still wanted to reach out the money through their hand. She wants to make sure that they can go home to their families (at least it’s for a one- kilogram of rice and or a “jeepney” or tricycle ride). It’s the least she could do. What they had received was just a sum that would not even sustain a single meal for the whole family.

Mother enlighten me that even though these people work so hard to support their needs, because of the little income, they really need to loan and or re-loan. It is in order for them to fulfill their daily financial obligation and immediate necessities of their family. Foods, school contributions, tuition fees, insurance, medical emergencies, electric bills, and other family’s requests were few of their worries. Hence, in order not to compromise their needs, they again borrow money to private lending individuals with whooping interests. It leaves them no choice. For family’s sake, they ate and swallowed their pride. It’s like biting an instant wagyu steak serve in a silver platter from a fancy restaurant and pay the high price later. This cycle continuously goes on and forth. Surely they got stuck in a vacuum of debts.

And back in my room -- while looking at this 10.29 PhP paycheck, the story and words of my mom kept on resonating in my head. Remembering what I did at the time I saw the paychecks and laugh so hard at it, I thought it was a bit rude. But this time, I felt a sting inside of me. As I reflect and asked: If I am to put myself in the situation of that employee, what would I feel if one day my salary is not worth receiving because it can’t even buy a kilogram of rice for my family?  What if one day, the only thing I can do when a 15-day or 30-day salary comes is to ask for the paper to sign, took a package and just fold the check within my hand, insert it in my pocket, leaved the office without a word. Then, come back tomorrow and work again for another 8-long hours in a day until week ends. After which, waiting for my 15th day salary and do the same…? And going home with empty pocket and bringing nothing like food for my family. And left no choice but to borrow some money yet again with compounded interests.  What pain could that be?

At that very moment, my thoughts emptied. I felt gloomy and sad. Like a hard pang of pain strikes inside me. Then I just remembered my loving mother whom single-handedly took all of the responsibilities for us, after my papa’s passing.

Looking back, I had been asking them to shed a lot of money. To some extent I need it and then partly because I deserved it.  I told myself that I can spend that money in a way I want it because it already belongs to me… For I know, I’m not really that cautious of what I spent the money for because the “happy-go-lucky guy” still with in me. And, I knew that I was spending a little more than what I really needed.

Just imagining “that man” working so hard and yet received nothing is a picture of a depressing reality. For sure, it’s a struggling life. Never thinking of the possibility that I might be in the same…

At one point maybe I become so selfish - that I wasted so many just for my crazy things and stuffs; that at some point I tried to be the person I want to fit in to a world I know I don’t belong to; that I tried to live a way of life that I was struggling to keep-up on. To think, I am at fault. I am to blame. It was me who chose to ask for too much just because I really thought that I deserved it. It was me who asked for more just because they should had to for my own sake and silly things.

Just imagining of that two-figured-amount, I feel affected by it not because I pity for that man who brings nothing for his family. I really feel more affected by it because of the possibility that, at certain point, my parents might have received the same amount just all because of me and of my stupid caprice; because I asked way too much for my own futile and wasted needs. And maybe my mother at one point felt low because after her hardships, she might only receive an amount of which it couldn’t even afford to buy 1-kg of rice for food for all of us.

Thinking all of it, I felt of that man’s pain. But I felt even more for the possibility of my parents if they had gone the same pain. I have never asked my mother but I prefer not to. But I wonder if they had experienced such situation in which either or both ‘ma and ‘pa received almost the same amount of a ten-peso. I wonder if I could have done anything to ease their burdens during those times.

Years had gone already my father passed away, and ‘ma is already retired from work and she deserves everything to have. But our mother remains the same, tireless of being a wonderful mother to us, my siblings. She’s strong, brave, principled and empowered. More than ever, She’s “Love.”

I love my family more than anything else. I care more about them more than my grandiose game.

For now, I have no permanent work. But I’ll earn my own money one day and promise to buy something more important than my lavished things desires. Something of that I can share with to anyone who deserves it. Something my family would be proud of because I did great by helping them.

I am not sure if situation alike such as of this still exist to someone, but I am hoping that no one should struggle from their job receiving a payment of as cheaper as the "blank-cheque" piece of paper itself.

Money should be spent wisely and effectively. Every centavo counts. For now, I’ll be contented of what I have, what we have, and what we can have. My caprice will have its time but I’ll forever keep the lesson of this “10-peso piece of paycheck” within my heart.

Island Escapade in El Nido

Island hopping is a must experience if you’re in El Nido. What else, it is the peak of anyone’s vacation when you speak of the famed island. I must say, the destination is swarmed and hovered with foreign travelers who seek pleasures and adventures. Or those who want to discharge themselves from stressful works, the island has been their perfect escape.  From the most lustrous hotels to cheapest inns, back-packers and vacationers were on-spot to enjoy the stay. Night parties along the beach’s never halts until everyone hyper brain is kick-washed by its drink’s spirits. Indeed, the illustrious place reaches to everyone’s ears and lures the eyes amongst around the world.  After all, El Nido is the number one island destination, the undisputed choice among the hoppers.

Boats for everyone rides...

After wedding night's party then, the couple treat the family and the guests for island escapade. Two full platoon factions in two motor boats, approximately, joined the adventure to hit and plunge the chosen spot. Everyone was ecstatic. Like an innocent waiting to see and experience the most beautiful island that every adventurers were talking about.    

Commando Island Beach

Our first stopped, the Commando island beach. The calm turquoise sea awaits to serve as the opening salvo of our arrival. The majestic scene is too much on our eyes can meet to take. I have never seen anything alike that's so inviting and enticing. "WoW!" Nothing beats our excitement on this moment.   

I wasted no time. It's fun to wade in the pristine water over the semi-caved huge rock.  

"always try the most daring to make fun"

Though this island has few to offer, besides picture taking, swinging on their installed hammock is the most fun. That indescribable feeling of joy like of a child's were nobody set limits of throwing yourself to levity for your long heart's desire. If ever you happen to hop this island, the hammock is a must. After all, it's unlimited free.

Irene's first try on the hammock and succeeded...
It's more fun the El Nido!

Our next dropped was at the big blue lagoon island but due to the little bit unfriendly weather and rains, our expectation failed us to explore it. Somehow, we immediately moved to the nearby small blue lagoon. Canoeing  is necessary to explore the secrets of the lagoon. Surrounded with massive rocks that hems the lagoon, the silence of the calm water adds mystique all over. The sound of the flying creatures  in upper holes and caves that echoes the cathedral heights of rock walls gives chill feeling effect to the nape and spine (LOL, Irene's got a little bit scared...)

Small Lagoon

    If you're first timer, never hesitate to try new things while exploring the unfamiliar places. That's what make adventure thrilling and exciting. Paddling a Canoe was our first attempt that we were forced to learn it right away for us not to be left behind by others who made the most fun out of it.  By the way, jelly fish was on season at that time. Nevertheless, there's no room for excuses... The course of learning to paddle in speedy and actual time was essential (chuckles).

     

the height of magnificence 

This natural massive rock never ceased to amaze me. It's like I was staring to an ancient cathedral-front architecture. Breathtaking, I must say. I have never seen anything like splendid as this towering rock. Truly a masterful handwork of mother nature that evokes beauty and authenticity.

View: Helicopter Island

Love Life. There's more in everything...

Be happy in every opportunity in Life. There' nothing to loose. 

El Nido's wharf

Travel while you can and experience its best life can offer 'til it last. 

El Nido has more hidden secrets waiting to be discovered and time is of essential to take you to that route of revelation. One day, I shall return...

WHEN "EL NIDO" INVITES

trailing the map

El Nido’s splendor is truly irresistible. The grandiose picturesque views of the islands from the shore is more majestic than fantasy. While the sunset nimble its rays to every bends, the pristine water seduces the eyes and the whisper of the crystal waves is so enticing that you are push and force to touch it with your body’s and feel the sensation how floating in heavens like. The colossal rocks that formed the island is enigmatic by nature. Its beauty pose an enchantment mystery waiting to be nakedly discovered its hidden mystical gems that only human eyes can feast. No wonder it’s the world’s most beautiful island in the marine atlas of Palawan. 

"the newly-wed bride and the invited"

I was tagged along with the good people of going to El Nido, Palawan within 3 days spun. Their friend, who happens to be our family friend, made an invites to witness for realizing her simple dream wedding. Who could resist when it’s in EL NIDO? Who could refuse the call of adventure to the best island wonder that can only be found in the Philippines?  El Nido is LOVE. If you want to experience that love, experience the paradise island.

the sun bade goodbye for the day to welcome the night's party...

"the many hues of panoramic view"

when the night has come so soon at the shore of the isle... cheers with many bottles of beers that awaits. 

The invited fire dancer performed at the wedding reception. It was a fierce, fiery and breath-taking performance from a fearless woman who never ceased to amaze the audience that were thrilled and  kept on sighing whenever the cracker-bits of fires blitzing the air. (While you might feel that you can do it, I advise you not to try this at home. You might regret the consequences of burns and blisters. The worst, you might burn yourself and or your house as well, hehehe...)

At Mactan International Airport bound to Palawan.
the unusual traveler ME in shorts (and in an ordinary 35-peso slippers)

I won't disclosed how much money I spent. But I have to admit that it's a bit expensive for a local traveler like me to spend a "vacay" in the island. Nevertheless, the fun was endless. And, it was always the memories-made that's worth to treasure of. Hence, It’s the bliss that count the most. I don’t know when will I go back in El Nido but surely it is “a must return” escape in my travel's list. 

Special mentions: Irene, Jana, Jon, Pinky, Rhea and Biong - Thank you!!!

Next blog post: EL Nido's Island Hopping escapades 😄😄😄😄😄😄

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