My Blog

…when you start worrying over the reckless ways of a 13-year old nephew the same way your parents worried about you when you were pretty reckless yourself at this kid’s age.

…when you start forgetting names and things that took place during your childhood and teen years, or worse, even mixing them up.

…when people who call you sir are now addressing you with a "po" and "opo" all the time.

…when for the very first time, you’ve just been asked to be a "ninong sa kasal" instead of being a "ninong sa binyag."

…when the greys of your hair now extend to your moustache and other bodily hair–don’t ask.

…when you find the need to take several vitamin supplements to keep you feeling like a teenager all day.

…and finally, when your body can no longer do what your mind tells it to–at least not all the time.

What else can I say? Getting old does have a way of catching up to everyone. I recently bumped into a grade school classmate and the next thing I knew, I already signed up with a mailing list that was set up for their upcoming high school reunion. And even though I didn’t spend my high school in that same school where I finished elementary, I found myself helping out these guys since most of them, the loyalty awardees are old acquiantances. I also found myself catching up on old times with some of the guys. I was made to feel so welcome, it felt like I didn’t left school at all.

Of course, the other side of the coin made me feel like the 41-year old that I really am. But for some strange reason it doesn’t really bother me. Feels good to renew my acquaintances from the distant past. More than anything else, I’m just glad most of those guys, who were always like brothers to me, still remember.

You saw my profile but am probably wondering who I really am. Well, for what it’s really worth, here’s a revised version of what I said about myself in one of the online communities that I signed up with.

I have a regular job as a Chief Credit Investigator in one of the country’s biggest banks. Since I do a lot of field work, I’m not tied down to the office and I’m not really required to report and stay there from 8 to 5. But like sales and medical representatives, I do have a monthly quota to meet. In my case, it’s the number of accounts accomplished.

Having said that, my work situation also gives me plenty of time to pursue extra income sidelines so whenever I can squeeze it in between regular C.I. duties, I also dabble in freelance journalism for various publications covering topics such as lifestyle, entertainment (I started out as a music critic for Jingle magazine) and for the last six years, information technology. Lately, I’ve also been writing stuff about other things, namely travel, weddings and shoes, shoes and more shoes. I also do occasional writing and editorial jobs for ad and PR agencies, graphics houses and other entities who need help with the written word.

I’ve been with my bank for more than 10 years (going 18, actually) so what does all that loyalty mean? In terms of pay, not much really. I’ve had and from time to time, am still getting offers for jobs with bigger pay from other companies.

But staying in one company also has its advantages. It becomes your second home and eventually, your comfort zone. Your co-workers also become your second family. As long as you’re meeting your quota, the bosses don’t mind the sidelines (Hey, I’m not the only one in my company who has one) and because you’re way past the proving-yourself-point and has in fact already paid your dues, they do cut you a lot of slack.