hulaton na lang daw sa 17 an irinuman 
Thursday, June 08, 2006
Tuesday, June 06, 2006
ASBAG
Edgar A. Basares Jr.
I am working in the transport industry being an HR Manager of a private bus company based in Dasmarinas, Cavite. Our units traverse the Navotas – Palapala (Dasmarinas) route from 4:00 am to 2:00 am seven days a week. Caviteños knew us well, residents of Dasmarinas in particular, from being the only transport group granted the Permit to operate along said route – to their convenience, and also because of the times they have to transfer when our buses are stuck in the middle of the road due to engine failure and other technical problems and the times they have to open the windows because of malfunctioning aircon system – to their irritation.
I am handling 278 employees 95% of which are males 82% are drivers and conductors. I live inside the garage, a one hectare property where I also hold office. All employees are covered with Personal Accident Insurance, drivers and conductors received one of the highest commission in the industry, along side these is a pabahay project, scholarship for their deserving kids, medical assistance which extends to the family members, bonuses and allowances for drivers and conductors.
Because I live inside the garage, on several occasions I have been roused from bed at 1:00 am to break a fight between employees carrying lead pipes and fan knives. Many a times, I have to rush an employee to a hospital either bleeding from a fight or suffering from impatso and attend to his needs. On one occasion again ran like hell to a hospital 14 kilometers away at 12 midnight because we had the misfortune of having a passenger who just came from caesarean delivery and was suffering from post CRS trauma, and I have to babysit her. All problems of our employees land on my desk, from their arrears with the availed housing loan, to damages incurred by a nearby bar where our employees have had a fight after a drinking spree, to demands for financial support from B2 while trying to pacify B1 at the other room.
In general, my job is to pick up their loose diapers and expect not even a word of thank or a note of appreciation.
And the prevailing norms and traits; employees swear as fast as they chew food, brags on their sexcapades as if only they knew how, they refuses to be controlled and resist all forms of authority and would often challenge you to a fight once you impose disciplinary actions. I have one applicant who threatened to kill me if I do not approve his application. I did not, and sent him home and the last I heard of is his scratching his head and trying to figure out what hit him while I continue to function in my duties and responsibilities.
We call it ASBAG. It is their lingo for ARROGANCE. They would bluff the hell out of you and if you stammer you’re dead. It emanates from the culture of the road they assimilate every day; on how they would bluff their way out from traffic violations, false promises of seats available to entice passengers to come in, and the swerving and crisscrossing on the street to get passengers ahead of other drivers. When they disembark they continue to carry in them such trait and values. It’s a way of life for them.
I am expected to create miracles yet I’m no saint and far from being one. At the end of each day I am dog tired yet could not sleep, mentally fatigued and exhausted but still alert for any eventuality whether inside the garage or on the road.
Of all my jobs before this is the least rewarding in terms of salary. The temptation to abandon ship and transfer remains a daily option. Yet I continue to hold on.
To me the dilemma is between financial rewards as fruits of my industry, dedication and initiative – which I can never have in this company inasmuch as I am not a kapuso neither am I a kapamilya, versus the joy and contentment of work brought about by the trust and confidence of my boss – which I may not have in another company.
My everyday routine is a challenge. You solve a problem today but it will resurrect again tomorrow maybe with a different face but it is the same dog. It is a vicious cycle exhausting and tiring. In general whenever we tend to move forward we also shoot our best foot ahead.
Yet the biggest challenge and what continues to motivate me in this job is how to make these people understand how the law operates. That it is not designed to restrain them but merely to regulate. And that the regulation is necessary for the common good. The challenge is a tall mountain to climb, but like all mountains it can be climbed. Reaching its summit is not my immediate goal rather an inch by inch improvement serves as my consolation. The problems would forever be there, in a never-ending cycle but looking around with the progress we made towards maturity gives me the strength to go on.
And oh by the way, if ever you meet me don’t call me manager, ‘ger would be just fine since there is no money.
Edgar A. Basares Jr.
I am working in the transport industry being an HR Manager of a private bus company based in Dasmarinas, Cavite. Our units traverse the Navotas – Palapala (Dasmarinas) route from 4:00 am to 2:00 am seven days a week. Caviteños knew us well, residents of Dasmarinas in particular, from being the only transport group granted the Permit to operate along said route – to their convenience, and also because of the times they have to transfer when our buses are stuck in the middle of the road due to engine failure and other technical problems and the times they have to open the windows because of malfunctioning aircon system – to their irritation.
I am handling 278 employees 95% of which are males 82% are drivers and conductors. I live inside the garage, a one hectare property where I also hold office. All employees are covered with Personal Accident Insurance, drivers and conductors received one of the highest commission in the industry, along side these is a pabahay project, scholarship for their deserving kids, medical assistance which extends to the family members, bonuses and allowances for drivers and conductors.
Because I live inside the garage, on several occasions I have been roused from bed at 1:00 am to break a fight between employees carrying lead pipes and fan knives. Many a times, I have to rush an employee to a hospital either bleeding from a fight or suffering from impatso and attend to his needs. On one occasion again ran like hell to a hospital 14 kilometers away at 12 midnight because we had the misfortune of having a passenger who just came from caesarean delivery and was suffering from post CRS trauma, and I have to babysit her. All problems of our employees land on my desk, from their arrears with the availed housing loan, to damages incurred by a nearby bar where our employees have had a fight after a drinking spree, to demands for financial support from B2 while trying to pacify B1 at the other room.
In general, my job is to pick up their loose diapers and expect not even a word of thank or a note of appreciation.
And the prevailing norms and traits; employees swear as fast as they chew food, brags on their sexcapades as if only they knew how, they refuses to be controlled and resist all forms of authority and would often challenge you to a fight once you impose disciplinary actions. I have one applicant who threatened to kill me if I do not approve his application. I did not, and sent him home and the last I heard of is his scratching his head and trying to figure out what hit him while I continue to function in my duties and responsibilities.
We call it ASBAG. It is their lingo for ARROGANCE. They would bluff the hell out of you and if you stammer you’re dead. It emanates from the culture of the road they assimilate every day; on how they would bluff their way out from traffic violations, false promises of seats available to entice passengers to come in, and the swerving and crisscrossing on the street to get passengers ahead of other drivers. When they disembark they continue to carry in them such trait and values. It’s a way of life for them.
I am expected to create miracles yet I’m no saint and far from being one. At the end of each day I am dog tired yet could not sleep, mentally fatigued and exhausted but still alert for any eventuality whether inside the garage or on the road.
Of all my jobs before this is the least rewarding in terms of salary. The temptation to abandon ship and transfer remains a daily option. Yet I continue to hold on.
To me the dilemma is between financial rewards as fruits of my industry, dedication and initiative – which I can never have in this company inasmuch as I am not a kapuso neither am I a kapamilya, versus the joy and contentment of work brought about by the trust and confidence of my boss – which I may not have in another company.
My everyday routine is a challenge. You solve a problem today but it will resurrect again tomorrow maybe with a different face but it is the same dog. It is a vicious cycle exhausting and tiring. In general whenever we tend to move forward we also shoot our best foot ahead.
Yet the biggest challenge and what continues to motivate me in this job is how to make these people understand how the law operates. That it is not designed to restrain them but merely to regulate. And that the regulation is necessary for the common good. The challenge is a tall mountain to climb, but like all mountains it can be climbed. Reaching its summit is not my immediate goal rather an inch by inch improvement serves as my consolation. The problems would forever be there, in a never-ending cycle but looking around with the progress we made towards maturity gives me the strength to go on.
And oh by the way, if ever you meet me don’t call me manager, ‘ger would be just fine since there is no money.
Sunday, June 04, 2006
Thursday, June 01, 2006
Happy Birthday Jet!
Celebrated my bday in beautiful White Beach Sandbar in Camiguin Island with lots of grilled fish, Soju (korean wine) and a bit of kimchi :-) Then had a blast going whitewater rafting
so much fun to swim here in the sandbar
and get drenched rafting along cagayan river
Thursday, May 25, 2006
Minutes of the Corporate Meeting held at Tyrone's Residence in Doña Maria Luisa Park on May 21, 2006
In attendance:
Tyrone S. Tan, Rinofel Q. Coronel, Junnel M Relativo, Jason L. Balbedina, Edgar A. Basares Jr., Henri Arnulfo E. Deri, Eric G. Gojar, Domingo M. Lee III, and Faustino E. Taclan Jr.
The meeting started around 11:00 pm, with Tan presiding. At the outset, Tan broached the idea of the class taking on outreach programs, programs aimed at helping the more needy sectors of our society and programs that would contribute in the progress of our nation, as a way of giving back to the society and, at the same time, doing our part in nation-building.
The idea caught on and everyone agreed to raise funds through business ventures not only to finance the outreach projects but also to generate income for the individual members of the class. In furtherance of this objective, the group agreed on the following:
1. Form a corporation that will go into big business ventures like real estate development.
2. For the corporate identity, the following names (chosen by way of votation) will be submitted to the SEC for approval:
a) Maelstrom Trading Corporation (7 votes),
b) Maelstrom Incorporated (6 votes),
c) Maelstrom 86 Trading Corporation (5 votes),
d) Maelstrom Ventures Incorporated (5 votes), and
e) OLPS ’86 Corporation (5 votes).
3. The Corporation will have:
INVESTORS (the members who will take care of the financial requirements) and
INDUSTRIAL PARTNERS (those who will compose the administrative staff).
A member may choose to be both.
4. Tan, Relativo, Taclan, Coronel, Balbedina, Lee, and Gojar compose the Board of Directors.
Tan was elected Chairman of the Board;
Relativo, Corporate Secretary; and
Taclan, Treasurer.
Since everyone was in the dark on what the other positions were in a corporation, it was agreed that Balbedina, Lee, Gojar, and Coronel, in this order, would fill up such positions, if any, after Relativo has read up on corporate positions.
5. Members of the class who didn’t make it to the Cebu reunion would be sent letter-offers to join the corporation for its first venture alone since the offer of membership to each member of the batch stands for a lifetime. In a general assembly slated for June 17, 2006 at the OLPS, the members will be asked to give their final answers in writing to the offer of membership. Each member who has not joined the corporation is given the leverage to join in the succeeding ventures.
6. The group pegged the paid-up capital at ___ million, with Tan pledging to take care of the balance if the individual share capitals do not add up to that amount.
Relativo has committed P___, 000.00;
Taclan, P___, 000.00;
Coronel, P___, 000.00;
Balbedina, P___, 000.00;
Lee, P___, 000.00;
Gojar, P___, 000.00; and
Tan, P___, 000.00.
Tan’s share capital will decrease as pledges from classmates who didn’t attend the Cebu reunion but who would like to be part of the endeavour start coming in.
Priority of investment is enjoyed by classmates who have not made it big in life (meaning, Erwin, Kit, and Nono will not only be asked to step aside in favour of a “poorer” classmate if there is a shortage of investor slots but also be discouraged from putting too much money should no one else decide to invest in the ventures.)
7. Profit-sharing will be based on share capital.
8. The Treasurer should open a bank account at UCPB Sorsogon immediately upon arrival from Cebu. The board of directors will each have to deposit the 10% of their pledged share capital within this week. The remainder has to be in on the first week of July. Failure to give the total amount would mean forfeiture of the 10 % in favour of the Corporation.
9. Balbedina’s been appointed manager, with Deri and Basares as members of his staff. Upon arrival in Sorsogon, they will immediately get down to work: having the corporation registered, getting the business permits, scouting for prime lots, setting up the office, writing the sales pitch, etc.
The meeting adjourned at 1:30 am the following day, May 22, 2006.
May 18, 2006
Standing beside the ticket booth in Pilar, Sorsogon, shortly after learning that the 4-pm last trip of the fastcraft going to Masbate had gone two hours ahead of schedule. Athletes coming from the recently-concluded Palarong Pambansa in Naga City had descended upon Pilar and taken most of the seats of the fastcraft.
Allen, Samar
Getting our luggage into the LTO Service Vehicles for the long haul from Allen to Ormoc City. We were very lucky to bump into Mr. Edgar Cabase, Assistant Regional Director of LTO, inside the ferry boat from Matnog. With his officemates, he was transporting from Manila 3 brand-new Adventure Vans to Cebu. We hitched a ride, an 8-hour very bumpy ride to Ormoc City.
Trip to Cebu from Ormoc
On the ship that left Ormoc at 12 midnight. We stayed up until around 2 pm at the bow of the ship and went back inside only to find that people lay asleep on our Economy beds. Fortunately, we were able to find vacant seats inside the Jetseaters Room and slept there.
May 20, 2006
Finally, we arrived in Cebu. Here we are at the corner of the road leading to Pier 4 where we disembarked.
Wednesday, May 24, 2006
Breaktime
This room had Collins, Rino, Tivo (in green shirt) and Eric while Yayes, Jason, Henri and I occupied the other room on the fourth floor coming down of Tyrone's house. Tyrone had the rooms ( and the CR betwen the two) constructed for the reunion.
at the Living Room
Lazing around at the Living Room, waiting for everyone to get dressed up for a visit to a stand-up comedy bar downtown. We had to abandon the idea and went instead to a place of quiet, the Mountainside.
Fear Factor
Tivo is holding on for dear life as Rino keeps on pulling at the hanging bridge, an attraction at the Mountainside (located on, well, the side of a mountain) where you get a panoramic view of Cebu.
Nightcap
The drink at the rooftop capped our first day, Rino's second. Sorry, can't show the frustration written on the face of Tivo for failing to get a "local talent." Maricris should get the award for the "defensive player of the year award"
On the rented boat still docked at the Boyla Resort, one of the many that dot the shoreline of Mactan Island, waiting for Tyrone to return with his SCUBA diving gear before we set sail. We had to cancel the scheduled two-day trip to Bohol in favor of Island Hopping to allow our tired bodies to recover from the punishing trip to Cebu.
At the Playground of the Subdivision
After dinner, the group took a walk, mostly downhill, around the subdivision and rested at the playground. (Before dinner, Tyrone, Collins, Tivo, Eric and Jason played a bruising basketball game. Collins was forced to retire (Jason subbed for him) after taking an elbow in the jaw from Junnel.)
The Theology Instructor from University of St. Agustin takes the floor
Collins giving a lecture on Interfaith Dialogue. An animated religious debate ensued that ended around 11 pm
Corporate Meeting
Tyrone presided over the organizational meeting of the Corporation. This was one time when the spirit of fun was a little suppressed and everyone turned serious.
May 22, 2006
Eric and Rino ready for their separate flights to Manila in the morning of May 22. The rest wouldn't leave until 6 pm.
The Singer
Jason discovered the joy in singing during our reunion. While the rest of the class would retire to bed for the much-needed rest during free time, he and I would take turns at the mike. He promised to set up his father's videoke upon his arrival in Casiguran and regularly sing his heart out.
Nagbabakal Pasalubong
A trip to Cebu would not be complete without buying Danggit. This is in Tabu-anMarket where the best dried fish from Cebu can be found. Maricris served as our Sherpa.
At Pier 5 in Cebu
Arrived at the Pier around 5:30 pm for the 6-pm boatride to Masbate. Henri was queuing at the ticket booth nearby.
Trip from Cebu to Masbate
Just gotten on board TransAsia. We got 3 aircon and 3 economy accommodations. Junel, Yayes and I enjoyed the comforts of our respective beds while Collins and Henri, who sneaked inside the airconditioned room in the middle of the night, slept on separate benches. Jason endured the heat and smoke upstairs, at the economy section.
by Yayes Basares
Where are you now? What are you doing? Have you heard the trumpet sound?
There is a call for you. It comes from the conviction of one man and is shared by many. Tyrone calls it payback. Having received so much in his life; a good wife, wonderful kids, a fleet of cars and a single engine cesna plane, a palatial house, he wants to give back to others what he has. And his invitation is being extended to you.
MAELSTROM is being organized as a corporation. Its aim in engaging in business alongside profit is to assist others members of the class foremost and charity work later.
The batch is oozing with talents both in the administrative and technical aspect in business and many have the capacity to finance projects. You are being called not only by Tyrone but by the whole batch as well (MAELSTROM VENTURES INC.) to participate, invest and or assist.
With the golden hands of Tyrone, Erwin and Nono in business, their combined expertise MAELSTROM VENTURES INC could go far, the dedication and commitment of the rest of the batch would surely make it a success.
Each and every one of you will receive a formal letter of invitation from Tivo who has been elected as Corporate Secretary. You will have to respond with your intention to join either as investor or industrial partner. Along side this, another group based in Sorsogon is working on the paper for the legal personality of the group while another group is already scouting for the location of our first project/venture in Sorsogon. An office is already prepared courtesy of another batchmate. Sorsogon shall serve as our launching pad inasmuch as it is where Maelstrom was born.
By June 2, 2006 Manila based Maelstrom shall meet with Tyrone. Rino shall coordinate with each of you. In the meeting Tyrone shall fully explain the project to all Maelstrom based in Manila.
By June 17, 2006 the first general meeting to finally kick off the project shall be held in Sorsogon.
We cannot forever spend our lives like kids on a seesaw there is always a time to make decisions. As Tyrone says it, we cannot spend the rest of our lives holding reunions and living the good life for a day or two and in the end faces a blank wall.
There is a call for you. It comes from the conviction of one man and is shared by many. Tyrone calls it payback. Having received so much in his life; a good wife, wonderful kids, a fleet of cars and a single engine cesna plane, a palatial house, he wants to give back to others what he has. And his invitation is being extended to you.
MAELSTROM is being organized as a corporation. Its aim in engaging in business alongside profit is to assist others members of the class foremost and charity work later.
The batch is oozing with talents both in the administrative and technical aspect in business and many have the capacity to finance projects. You are being called not only by Tyrone but by the whole batch as well (MAELSTROM VENTURES INC.) to participate, invest and or assist.
With the golden hands of Tyrone, Erwin and Nono in business, their combined expertise MAELSTROM VENTURES INC could go far, the dedication and commitment of the rest of the batch would surely make it a success.
Each and every one of you will receive a formal letter of invitation from Tivo who has been elected as Corporate Secretary. You will have to respond with your intention to join either as investor or industrial partner. Along side this, another group based in Sorsogon is working on the paper for the legal personality of the group while another group is already scouting for the location of our first project/venture in Sorsogon. An office is already prepared courtesy of another batchmate. Sorsogon shall serve as our launching pad inasmuch as it is where Maelstrom was born.
By June 2, 2006 Manila based Maelstrom shall meet with Tyrone. Rino shall coordinate with each of you. In the meeting Tyrone shall fully explain the project to all Maelstrom based in Manila.
By June 17, 2006 the first general meeting to finally kick off the project shall be held in Sorsogon.
We cannot forever spend our lives like kids on a seesaw there is always a time to make decisions. As Tyrone says it, we cannot spend the rest of our lives holding reunions and living the good life for a day or two and in the end faces a blank wall.
Tuesday, May 23, 2006
Monday, May 15, 2006
ORA STUDE ET LABORA (The pride of every SANO)
by Yayes Basares
During the wake of Nono’s mom, we were able to talk to Mayor Roque Sr. Glad to note the good mayor is still up and trim, vibrant and still as handsome as he was before. He asked us this question?
“So how does it feel being a sano? What if you did not come from OLPS and instead say came from a high profile reputable and distinguished school, would you still feel the same pride you have now of being a sano?”
ORA
Yes our voice were too low to reach the gates of heaven that when God prepared the list of who shall serve Him in the ministry we were thought to be absent, but we prayed. The rituals and doctrines practiced and professed continue to guide us. The daily meditation and weekly benediction taught us reverence, the monthly retreat made us value silence in communion with God, the daily rosary and mass built in us the walls of Troy that many sect tried in vain to penetrate, the confessions and counseling made us realize that the runner has to stumble sometimes necessary to redirect its focus for the long run, and the novena taught us devotion and loyalty.
Yes during the roll call we were absent, but never astray!
STUDE
We were prepared well. The mind honed razor sharp to conquer and did conquer; in arts, education, medicine, public service, law, business, music,….. Success came in varying levels. For some can be measured by well lit mansions, a fleet of cars, a fat bank account, for others none of these but with a feeling of contentment in the company of their own families and/or in the exercise of their professions.
We did not grow up merely as intellectuals, we grew up as educated men. For OLPS taught us not to let academics interfere with our education. Along side the wealth most earned came the values of civility, of compassion for others less fortunate, the selflessness in rendering service, the fair play in personal and business transactions, the fortitude to stand up in every failure.
LABORA
We learned to value work no matter how menial. Inside OLPS we scrub lavatories, polished and mop floors and cut grass. We learned to accept responsibility in a communal spirit. We realized we cannot simply drive down the roads and say to hell with the barbarians killing themselves on the country sides. Many of us today in exalted positions at one time or another perspired, cried and literally drag his body to work.
Yes, Mayor Roque Sr. sir, there is pride in being a SANO. And yes you are correct in saying that the fact that we are SANO tend to put limitations on our acts and ways to conform with the values of OLPS, like children thinking of how our acts and lives would affect family reputation, that we sometimes negate ourselves with the little luxuries and pleasures of life because we are SANO.
And yes mayor, Roque Jr is SANO. He may be more handsome than you now but be assured that such is an improvement of the father.
During the wake of Nono’s mom, we were able to talk to Mayor Roque Sr. Glad to note the good mayor is still up and trim, vibrant and still as handsome as he was before. He asked us this question?
“So how does it feel being a sano? What if you did not come from OLPS and instead say came from a high profile reputable and distinguished school, would you still feel the same pride you have now of being a sano?”
ORA
Yes our voice were too low to reach the gates of heaven that when God prepared the list of who shall serve Him in the ministry we were thought to be absent, but we prayed. The rituals and doctrines practiced and professed continue to guide us. The daily meditation and weekly benediction taught us reverence, the monthly retreat made us value silence in communion with God, the daily rosary and mass built in us the walls of Troy that many sect tried in vain to penetrate, the confessions and counseling made us realize that the runner has to stumble sometimes necessary to redirect its focus for the long run, and the novena taught us devotion and loyalty.
Yes during the roll call we were absent, but never astray!
STUDE
We were prepared well. The mind honed razor sharp to conquer and did conquer; in arts, education, medicine, public service, law, business, music,….. Success came in varying levels. For some can be measured by well lit mansions, a fleet of cars, a fat bank account, for others none of these but with a feeling of contentment in the company of their own families and/or in the exercise of their professions.
We did not grow up merely as intellectuals, we grew up as educated men. For OLPS taught us not to let academics interfere with our education. Along side the wealth most earned came the values of civility, of compassion for others less fortunate, the selflessness in rendering service, the fair play in personal and business transactions, the fortitude to stand up in every failure.
LABORA
We learned to value work no matter how menial. Inside OLPS we scrub lavatories, polished and mop floors and cut grass. We learned to accept responsibility in a communal spirit. We realized we cannot simply drive down the roads and say to hell with the barbarians killing themselves on the country sides. Many of us today in exalted positions at one time or another perspired, cried and literally drag his body to work.
Yes, Mayor Roque Sr. sir, there is pride in being a SANO. And yes you are correct in saying that the fact that we are SANO tend to put limitations on our acts and ways to conform with the values of OLPS, like children thinking of how our acts and lives would affect family reputation, that we sometimes negate ourselves with the little luxuries and pleasures of life because we are SANO.
And yes mayor, Roque Jr is SANO. He may be more handsome than you now but be assured that such is an improvement of the father.
Wednesday, May 10, 2006
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