Postscript To My First Real Job

In my previous post, you discovered that my first real job was at the Soft Drinks Division of San Miguel Corp in 1980. While working there as Market Analyst, I was juggling several informal side hustles.

Makati Sales Office had a total of 150 personnel including the contractual sales truck helpers. All men except our Manager’s Secretary, the Nurse, and me. 

The Secretary and I shared the same filing cabinet. On the first drawer was her files. On the second was her belts for sale. On the third were my files and at the fourth were my PANTS FOR SALE. The last drawer contained pure Cacao Tablea from Kablon Farms. 

Name it—Levi’s, Wrangler, Jordache, Gloria Vanderbilt, etc. I’ve got it. The men just told me their preferred brand and their sizes.  They also ordered for their wives, mistresses, sons and daughters. I then relayed the specifications to my Ate Alma (Nanay’s youngest sister) and she delivered my orders once a week. I paid her the full amount in cash while my buyers paid me in 2 installments—on the 15th and 30th. We called this arrangement 2 GIVES. My aunt charged me ₱100 per pair of pants. I sold them for ₱180 each. 

Every payday, I would give the Payroll Master the list of my customers’ names with the corresponding amount to be deducted from their payroll. He would set aside this in an envelope and hand the payment to me. This way, I didn’t have to run after anyone. No sweat.

We all received our allowances on the 5th day of the month. Some of the men were already struggling on the 3rd. They would ask me to buy their allowance for ₱100. Then on the 5th, the Payroll Master handed me their ₱130 allowance.

SMC provided us with free sack of rice every month. My room would be filled of sacks of rice during giving day. Some of the men sold me their sacks of rice for ₱85. Then after office hours, outsiders were allowed to buy sacks of rice from me. I would sell them for ₱130 per sack.

Kablon Farms was (it still is) being managed by my friend Jun Pantua. He supplied me with Pure Cacao Tablea and I sold them in our Office and to some restaurant owners.

Lastly, Tatay’s friend who was migrating to the US sold me his Dodge Coronet 440 for ₱5,000. When my uncle saw it, he instantly fell in love with it. According to him, that was the kind of car fancied by tourists from Saudi Arabia. Long, hard, stable and spacious. He offered to rent my car for ₱2,000 a month, net of all expenses. Without even thinking, I immediately said YES!

Is Your Mind In Remarkable Shape? (# 1)

According to Jordan Cooper, your mind is in remarkable shape if you are more than 65 and can still remember these 12 events in your life. What are these 12 events?

1. YOUR FIRST REAL JOB

“Not the lawn-mowing hustle. The first PAY-STUB job. If you can still name your Boss, the breakroom smell, the color of the timecard, and exactly how that first paycheck felt in your palm, your episodic memory is doing excellemt work. That level of detail means you didn’t just store the fact—you stored the SCENE. Ask yourself: do you remember what you bought with that first check? The more specific you get, the more impressive the circuitry.”

My first real job was at the Soft Drinks Division of San Miguel Corp. as Market Analyst. That was in 1980. My Boss was the enigmatic W.W. We did not have a regular breakroom but a cozy canteen which was always oozing with the aroma of the delicious food being offered for the day by our amiable concessionaire. Our timecard was pale yellow in color. Our paycheck was in brown envelope which included bills and coins.

When I first received my paycheck, I kissed it like it were my baby and tucked it in my heart while time stood still. Then I excitedly approached the dashing Route Salesman whose voice was sexier than Neil Diamond whenever he sang “September Morn”. He was responsible for the area around San Andres Market, famous for its vast selection of local and exotic fruits. I handed him my paycheck and requested him to buy the tastiest DURIAN he could possibly find. He would know because he was a native of Zamboanga. People there are inherently experts in classifying durian. And I wasn’t disappointed. The durians he selected were beyond heavenly that they completely blew my mind away!

For once my father and mother both agreed with me that the durians were indeed to die for.

To be continued . . .

A Whole New World With Nanay’s Alzheimer’s (Part 11-H)

Back when Slimmers World Philippines in Alabang offered an insanely promotional sale of ₱6,000 Lifetime Membership Fee, we rushed to its Branch. During that time, Nanay’s weight ballooned from 99 lbs to 114 lbs. Well, she transferred from Marbel, South Cotabato to Pampanga—the Food Capital of the Phils. Gaining weight was inevitable.

The Nutritionist assured Nanay that she will lose 6 lbs at the very least so she registered right away. Then looking at me, she offered a customized program that would make my stomach flatter. I refused. I honestly felt my stomach was flat enough. 

Nanay convinced me to register for a Lifetime Membership as well and she would pay for the both of us. I dunno why in the world did I turn her down. Maybe because I had so much confidence in myself that I can very well manage my weight. Even then, I should have said YES!

Up to this day, I still regret that decision. How did I not foresee that skinny me would gain 25 lbs in the future? I was in love with food. Crazy that I overlook that fact.

At her prime, Nanay religiously visited the gym for group aerobics and strengthening exercises and nutritional advice. She also availed of its facial services.

It is ironic that Nanay doesn’t need any of those now. She is at present 85 lbs without even trying. She barely eats and hardly moves. 

If only the Lifetime Gym Membership were transferable from mother to daughter!

Sigh . . .

A Whole New World With Nanay’s Alzheimer’s (Part 11-G)

It was December  of 1973. My very first time to go home since I transferred from Marbel to Manila. Will be spending my 2-week Christmas Break with my dear Tatay and Nanay. In my excitement to buy Christmas decors, food, and gifts, I realized too late that I already spent all my money! 

Before I could even think of a solution to my problem, my aunt/guardian told me she and my uncle will fetch me at my Dorm and bring me to the airport. Bless them! I didn’t have to worry about my transportation expense anymore. I already had the airline ticket so no need to worry. 

Or so I thought. 

The plane landed in Davao City. Nanay was supposed to be there waiting for me. We will ride the bus going to Dadiangas (now GenSan) then ride another bus going to Marbel. 

Guess what? There was no sign of Nanay among the people waiting in the Lobby. Instead, there was a number of fellow kabababayans (townmates) who were shrieking like they won the loterry upon seeing me. I had no idea why my presence made them so happy. It turned out that they were stranded in Davao City because they already spent all their money so they couldn’t leave the airport anymore. They were waiting for a fellow kababayan whom they can borrow money from. And they thought I had money to lend them so they were jumping with joy! 

You can just imagine how disappointed they were when they learned that we shared the same fate. Our only hope was my dear mother who was nowhere in sight.

So there we were, exhausted like refugees in an Evacuation Camp, wondering if we will ever be rescued. After waiting like eternity, Nanay suddenly appeared. Everybody at my left and right rushed to her and enveloped her. They were crying and laughing at the same time while having a group hug. They explained their predicament to Nanay and my mother generously distributed cash to each and everyone of them as if she was a representative from DSWD. They promised to pay her back in Marbel. 

After the commotion subsided, I told her I was dying of hunger so off we went to the first restaurant nearest the airport. There, I stuffed myself to my heart’s content. I was free to eat anything I want and I wasn’t the one paying heheheh…

When we finally arrived at the Bus Station, we were informed that the last trip already left. We had no choice but to stay overnight in a nearby hotel and return first thing in the morning. The following day, we received the shocking news that the last bus was ambushed at the outskirts of Davao City. We thought we were unlucky to miss the last trip but we were  actually the lucky ones!

I wondered how much money Nanay brought with her. She practically fed a small village in a manner of speaking and she still had money left! I shivered at the thought of what might have happened if she didn’t arrive to fetch me. But I was more scared thinking that we nearly lost our lives on our way home.

Nanay could no longer remember anyone from Marbel and anything that happened there. All she could remember was her being the Rural Health Midwife of Marbel.

I just hope those people whom she helped in their times of need did not forget her. And I wish they include Nanay in their prayers.

To be continued . . .

Lunch Break at 12 Midnight!

Eversince Gio accepted an online job based in the US, my schedule has been erratic. It took me weeks to get used to it but thank God I finally got the hang of it!

Gio works 9PM to 6AM with Lunch Break at 12 midnight. We would happily eat together and enjoy 1-2 episodes of The Golden Girls during his Lunch Break. Because of this, I stopped weighing myself everyday heheheh…

After dinner, I attend to Nanay’s bedtime rituals. When she gets to dreamland, I then turn my attention to Eia.  After our evening prayers, I get to sleep @10 PM then Gio wakes me up at 12 midnight.

I hit the sack again a little past 1 AM, setting the Alarm @5:30 AM to get ready for my run. But first, I join Gio for his breakfast. This is the time that he shares stories about what transpired during his 9PM - 6AM work. I don’t eat with him but just listen. He then sleeps after that and wakes up @ 2PM to have his daytime lunch. He teaches at his Piano Studio from 3PM to 9PM with Dinner Break at 7 PM.

Based on the length of Gio’s story telling in the morning, I make adjustments on what type of run I should go for. I need to adjust because I have to be back @7:30 AM to attend to Eia, then Nanay.

We requested Coach Emy to move our Yoga practice from Friday to Monday so Gio could still join us. He can wake up early on Monday because he is free from work Sunday night unless he went out on a date and slept late.

Sunday is still the perfect day for Long Run because I have a straight 6-hr sleep during Saturday night. Gio only works Monday to Friday for his US-based job.

Based on the above scenario, I should be doing the following:

Monday — YOGA

Tuesday — Speed Interval Workout or Tempo Run

Wednesday — Speed Interval Workout or Tempo Run

Thursday — Strengthening Exercise

Friday — Groceries or Marketing

Saturday — Hills Training

Sunday — Long Run

Ideally, an Easy Run follows a Long Run but I cannot do that anymore. At 67, I can no longer run and practice YOGA on the same day. If only I were 10 years younger!

A Whole New World With Nanay’s Alzheimer’s (Part 11-F)

It was 1971. My dear Tatay and Nanay asked me for my heart’s desire. They wished to reward me for being the Valedictorian in our school. I told them I wanted to see Guy and Pip (Nora Aunor and Tirso Cruz III) in the Parade of Stars during the Manila Film Festival. I thought I was asking for the moon but they just couldn’t say NO because it was gonna be in June, my birthmonth when I will be turning 13.

We positioned ourselves at the Ospital ng Maynila and waited for the incoming arrival of floats. I couldn’t remember the other stars who passed by because I was only interested in seeing Guy and Pip in the flesh. Then there it was, the float I was waiting for—right in front of me. I was screaming at the top of my voice while trying to reach the hands of my idols. We couldn’t get out of the flood of die-hard fans so we just walked beside the float until it reached Cinerama Theater along CM Recto Avenue (more than 5 kms away from Ospital ng Maynila).

We hurdled the long queue to buy tickets at the booth and luckily, we were able to sit at the middle row in the Orchestra area. It was like a Grand Picnic inside the theatre. We could hear the clinking sound of spoons and forks of the people eating in the dark while watching Guy and Pip heheheh . . .

It was a very rare occasion that both Tatay and Nanay accompanied me to watch a Nora Aunor film. I was ecstatic to say the least. However, I was sad not being able to rewatch it because Tatay insisted that we leave immediately after the first screening to fill our hungry stomachs. What a pity. Back then, we could have stayed inside the cinema from opening until closing without anyone forcing us to leave.

A lot of people surmised that Nanay named me after Nora Aunor. That’s not true at all because Ate Guy was only 5 yrs old when I was born. But Nanay was extremely elated that from poverty, Nora rose to fame as the Philippines’ first and only Superstar. Nanay kept reminding me that she did an awesome job naming me Nora. In 2022, Nora Aunor was conferred as National Artist for Film and Broadcast Arts. She was regarded as the most awarded Filipino actress in history.

In a way, I was relieved that Nanay could no longer remember Nora Aunor when the latter met her untimely demise last April 16, 2025. Thank God my mother was spared of the terrible anguish and pain I went through with my idol’s passing.

During tragedies like this, having Alzheimer’s Disease is a gift.

To be continued . . .

A Whole New World With Nanay’s Alzheimer’s (Part 11-E)

Nanay was born in Pampanga but her adventurous Tatang and Ima tried their luck in South Cotabato during the Magsaysay Admistration. Back then, Mindanao was dubbed the Land of Promise because of its fertile soil and rich natural resources. They were given free land to farm and initial support to economically settle in their new dwelling.

Tatay was born in Naic, Cavite but was assigned to South Cotabato where he was promoted as Operator-In-Charge for the Bureau of Telecommunications.

Nanay easily learned to speak Ilonggo, Cebuano and Ilocano. But Tatay remained loyal to his native tongue, seeking the help of an interpreter whenever he encountered someone who couldn’t communicate in Tagalog.

They met in Marbel (now Koronadal City, the Capital of South Cotabato) when Nanay was serving as a Rural Health Midwife. Call it fate or destiny or whatever but their respective offices were just beside each other.

We were always on our toes around Tatay because he was a strict disciplinarian. If we wanted to keep secrets from him, Nanay would talk to me in Kapampangan while I respond to her in Ilonggo. We did that to confuse Tatay when we didn’t want him to understand what we were saying.

One time, I was watching TV and the 2 actors happened to be talking in Kapampangan and Ilonggo. I almost fell on my chair laughing. I didn’t realize that listening to an exchange of conversation in Kapampangan and Ilonggo could be so hilarious!

Nanay is still fluent in Kapampangan but I am now struggling to catch the meaning of her words. I am still fluent in Ilonggo but Nanay seemed oblivious to it now.

Now here’s the clinch: Just recently, Nanay shifted to English!

To be continued . . .