My Firsts...

Let me begin this one by saying I am not good in recalling my firsts. And honestly, this one’s the most thought-provoking topic so far. As a kid, I do not have vivid memories of my have-beens, and the fact that I am now an adult does not really help. But since Migs is quite dear and so I am obliged to come up with a piece. After all, I was the one who asked my colleagues to choose a topic for me to write.

In my pursuit of being an extra-popular blogger, here I am going back to the time when I was still a kid whose primary source of enjoyment was our backyard… when my and my to younger siblings’ afternoon naps are a must… and when my mom’s spanking was the simplest (?) punishment I get when I escape through our windowpane.

Drum rolls please… and so I start…

The first poem I was able to memorize was my Lolo’s composition, “Ako si Banturete”. I wouldn’t dare write the poem’s lines (just four making it a stanza), they were really obscene. I remember and was told I was reciting the poem when I was one year old, and mind you, in front of a big crowd. I was told I have a poem piece yearly, always written by my departed Lola Doneng since I’m always enjoined by my Mom, Aunts and Uncles in the programs during the Barrio Fiesta.

My first day in school was when I was a “saling ket-ket” in my Aunt’s Grade One Class. I basically was the youngest but modesty aside, I belong to the top performers. But since I was not mature and ready for schooling yet, I was not able to finish the school year. And so I was stucked reading my eldest sister’s high school Language book during the afternoons when I really hated sleeping beside my Mom, Jay-Ar and Avegail. But oh my, how I enjoyed reading the short stories intended for fifteen-year old teen-agers!

And so after a year, I went back to school as a first grader. Then, I already know how to read and write, how to differentiate shapes, and how to identify colors of the rainbow. I lead the class in reciting the afternoon poems and chants, in reading our Abakada module (can you still remember this book?) and in solving our simple Math equations of additions and subtractions. I also top the class when it comes to dictation and of course, to the ever present, writing your name back-to-back on my First Grade writing paper with blue, red, blue lines. And with my schooling, I’m no longer forced to take my afternoon nap. Thanks God!

The first time I joined a competition was when I was a Third Grader. If I can still remember it was a Slogan-Making contest and I won the First Place, besting some other Grades Four, Five and Six contenders. But Mom was so furious because I was not able to receive any prize, just the sounding claps of my classmates and the parents of the other contestants. Then, I was not really thinking it was a competition… it was merely fun and enjoyment for me… I also learned playing the lyre instrument when I was a Grade Three and yes, that’s the first and the only musical instrument I learned to play. And that early, a promising lyrist was born…

Oh ayan na… my first crush was when I was a Fifth Grader… do I need to elaborate??? I’m hearing a commotion…

It was during a district-wide activity when I met Joanne (she’s from a different school). I was actually seated beside her and I think there was some sort of an election for a district-wide organization. I was nominated Vice President and it was Joanne who gave my name to the person in-charge of the election. Unluckily, I did not win. When the time came that we are to vote for the Muse, I nominated Joanne. Luckily, she won. And that was the start of our friendship… Mind you, even up to now Joanne and I still keep in touch. She’s now happily married and has a kid.

I first delivered a speech when I graduated Salutatorian during Elementary. It was a back-to-back three yellow paper speech prepared by my Grade Six Adviser and mind you, I was able to learn the piece by heart it in a week’s time. True enough, during our Graduation Rites, I delivered the speech in a very polished manner, outshining even the speech of the Class Valedictorian… (Well, even if she or her Mom wouldn’t admit it, I am really more intelligent than her! Yabang!!! Bitter!!!) J

My first day in my High School was actually, a mixed-emotion. I was happy I’d be in a new environment since I was fed-up with the competition that I had with our Class Valedictorian but was also frustrated that she was in the same school as mine… and worst, we belonged to the same section. But that was when I was able to assert myself more… it was then that it became so obvious I’m better than her. After one year, she transferred to a different school; that was of course after she committed countless absences in all our classes.

Joanne, by the way, was also on the same school.

My first high school crush (now this isn’t Joanne anymore) was the very first person I have learned to care so much (and perhaps the only person I could give the same kind of affection). For the purpose of privacy and to preserve the anonymity, I won’t mention name on this blog.

The person is a dear friend of mine. We usually take our lunch together… we became close when we were first year high schoolers mainly because a seatmate of mine was so fond of creating a wrangle between us (there lies the irony!). We became closer each day that we’re together… we did our assignments in the school library… and we go homes together, even if we have separate ways…

But sadly, we both had to grow… we had our different peer groups… and slowly, the closeness faded away… that was when I recognized my feelings towards the person… but sadly, it was not reciprocated… Perhaps because, we became totally different individuals who have seen the other sides of adolescence outside each other’s proximities… Perhaps because we simply do not deserve each other (as a common friend always tells me)… Perhaps because what we have is pure friendship… nothing less, nothing more… I wouldn’t say that was my first heartache as up to now I know I still have a friend, but of course, like any other normal human being, I was saddened by the changes of events…

But if there’s one thing I must say to this one great love that I had, I am still here… and God knows you’re the only person I will forever hold close to my heart…

I had my competitive spirit when I entered my college years. Competition here and there… school activities here and there… my college life was basically the year when I first realized my competencies… and it was when I first built my plan of being a successful HR professional… my dream of helping Dad and Mom and our family… my dream of being the best that I could be.

My first job was with a manufacturing firm where I worked as an HR Clerk. There, I handled Benefits and Compensation and Recruitment. It was such a wearing but a learning experience, being able to put into practice what I’ve learned from my professors.

My first Makati-based work was with a recruitment firm that caters to international clients. I worked there for a year before transferring to Accenture.

What other firsts are you interested to know???

Hmmm… I am hearing chants again…

My first heartache was with the person who inspired me to write the first blog, “The Art of Letting Go”… I wouldn’t drop a name again, only a very limited two friends know the person…

My simplest reason is that the person is in my Friendster account. What we shared was really precious to me and wouldn’t want to spoil the good memories… yes, we had our good times together… but we had our bad times as well…

We cackled about everything that’s weird… we wandered around the dark streets of Filinvest Alabang after a movie’s last full show… we devoured and were always delighted with pastas and pizzas, be it in Don Henrico’s or in Pizza Hut (Calamba, Los Baños or anywhere)… we sauntered the long alleys of Megamall with me hurting my feet… we enjoyed our facial treatment together in SM Sta. Rosa… we enjoyed our coffees in Starbucks Alabang Town Center…

We found Toni Gonzaga’s and Sam Milby’s first movie so so corny but enjoying… we cried in the movie, The Pursuit of Happyness and was moved by Will Smith’s performance of a doting dad… we were both fascinated on latest gadgets and I was influenced to buy my digital camera and my N95 cellphone because of this… we both appreciate the beauty of pictures, and life in general…

We loved doing groceries together

… we became each other’s source of inspiration… we weaved dreams that are so colorful… and we treasured each other so much, accepting whole-heartedly each other’s flaws and each other’s good attitudes…

So what went wrong???

Simply put, it’s not meant to be… and yes, I wept… I was devastated… I became jaded… I lost myself…

Have I been a better person because of the experience? Definitely yes! I am now better equipped on gauging who among those around me now are real and true… and yes, I have learned to appreciate the fact that I am gullible yet smart enough to know where’s the finish line…

Have I lost hope on loving? Definitely not!!! Somehow, somewhere, a better person is coming my way… And I know that I’ll be the best companion that person would have…

These are my firsts, Migs… and to the topic that you gave, let me give my first kudos… you’re the first person who goaded my long resting mind… and you’re the first person who helped me realize that I am healed… May you be blessed!!!