Postscript to #2: The Day I Learned to Drive

In my previous post, you learned that I was only 10 when I received my first driving lesson from my dear father in my hometown Marbel, South Cotabato. Through the succeeding years, Tatay would bring me to vast vacant lots where I could hone my driving skills.

Fast forward when it was crucial for me to use a delivery van in Metro Manila for my garments subcontracting business. Nanay would only allow me to drive if I formally enrolled in a Driving School. For her, Tatay was a reckless driver. She did not trust him to have taught me the right way to drive. She believed that the only way to learn proper driving was from a reputable Driving School. To further convince me, she hinted that she would shoulder the Tuition Fee if I did enroll.

Just to ease my mother’s mind (plus the fact that she was the one paying heheheh…), I enrolled in a 5-day Driving Course complete with 5 weekend classroom teaching of Trouble Shooting. 

Before we started our first lesson, my arrogant instructor warned me that every time the engine accidentally stops due to my negligence, I would pay him a bottle of Coke. I asked him if there was ever a student who escaped this punishment and he boastfully replied none so far.

And so it began. With Angela Bofill’s song “Break it to me gently” vibrating in the air, I maneuvered the Driving School’s car with the glaring caption “STUDENT DRIVER” plastered on its front, sides and back. I followed my teacher’s instruction to signal right or left whenever we turned. On our first day, we just circled around the block of Manuela Commercial Complex, the mall right outside our Village. We reached 1 hour without any mishap. Hence, no Coke for him.

On our second day, we explored the very narrow street of CAA. The road was slippery, muddy and filled with humongous potholes. There we encountered all possible forms of transportation you can only find in the Philippines. Pedestrian lanes were non-existent. People crossed the street from anywhere to everywhere anytime without any qualms whatsoever. I bet he was waiting for me to break down but I maintained my composure. Again, no Coke for him.

On our third day, we drove to Alabang. There, we practiced ascending/descending hills and entering/exiting different parking space locations. He intentionally asked me to stop while backing up a slope, expecting that it would rattle me but I did not flinch. For 3 consecutive days, I did not owe him any Coke.

On our fourth day, we entered the EXPRESSWAY. That was the time to drive really fast or the other motorists would throw matchsticks at you if you were moving like a turtle. I remember catching a glimpse of him gripping tightly on the upper bar as if his life depended on it. He probably thought it would be the end of him. He must be totally relieved when we finally returned to the Driving School in 1 piece. That’s when he announced that I no longer need to report the next day. He rationalized that I already finished the 5-day Course in 4 days. He also commented that he couldn’t fathom why I bothered to enroll in the first place.

My, my, my. And I was even planning to treat him for lunch with Coke on our fifth day! Oh well, some things were just not meant to be.

Is Your Mind in Remarkable Shape? (#2)

According to Jordan Cooper: “If you’re over 65 and can still  remember these 12 life events, your mind is in remarkable shape.” 

We tackled #1 in previous post. We are now in #2: THE DAY YOU LEARNED TO DRIVE

“Parallel parking on a hill. White knuckles. The instructor with the peppermint breath. Vivid recall here blends motor memory with context: the route you took, the song on the radio, the one instruction you still hear when you back up (“turn the wheel toward the curb”). If those details snap into place when asked, it’s a quiet sign your brain tags emotional learning and keeps it accessible.”

I will never forget my first driving lesson.  I was only 10 then.

Tatay and I were waiting for Nanay in the car for our Sunday Mass. Out of the blue, Tatay instructed me to sit in front and watch him turn on the ignition. Then we switched places. When I successfully turned on the ignition, he showed me how to  manually back up. Our house was located at the farthest end of a 750-sq m. lot so our perimeter gate was about 400 m from our garage. While some people are finding it hard to back up, it became my forte for obvious reason.

The radio was not on because Tatay was giving me a lecture on basic driving course. Besides, even if the radio was on, it would be inaudible because of Tatay’s loud voice which became even louder when I almost hit our still closed gate and he shouted “BRAKE!”.  Thank God I did not panic and hit the brake in the nick of time.

I survived my first driving lesson. 57 years ago!

To be continued . . .

Postscript To #1: 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: “If you’re over 65 and can still remember these 12 life events, your mind is in remarkable shape.” 

What are these 12 life events? Let us look at #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 kababayans (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!