Hi.

Hello. I have almost forgotten I had you.

A Useless Letter to Time

Dear Time,

I’ve been wanting to write to you as I have so many things I wanted to tell and ask you. Finally, now at 5am in the morning, I had you and the courage to sit down and write.

First of all, let me put this out already. You are so unfair. Why is it that you have to go so quickly? Ang dami-dami ko pang gagawin at gustong gawin but then I feel that I don’t have much of you. And the worst part of it is, no one knows how much we have of you.

I’d like to think that I still have you, a lot of you.

Ang dami ko pang gusto and I would need you!

I want to have my own family. I want my kids to enjoy a normal, happy family with their healthy grandparents. I want to see them grow up. I want to be part of their adventures and misadventures. I want to see them laugh, cry, jump, play, sleep, talk, eat. I want to be with them when they grow older and wiser. And I need you to do all these things. I need you.

I want to do so many things. I want to write, like this. I want to read. I haven’t been reading because, yeah, I feel I haven’t gotten much of you. I want to learn how to sew clothes, curtains and bedsheets. I want to cook and bake. I want to use our oven. I want to learn how to swim but too afraid to do. I want to travel more with Francis. We want to see all the 81 provinces of the country. And I need you to do all these things. I need you.

Sometimes too (or a lot of times), I just want to stay still and spend the rest of the day like that. May mga times that I just want to wallow in my sadness. Or I want to spend more of you being just angry, jealous, depressed. Why? Maybe I just want to feel it and hey it’s not really easy getting out of those emotions! But more than those negativities, I definitely would want to spend more of you laughing, laughing for no reason at all, smiling, caring, thanking, and loving. And I need you to do all these things. I need more of you.

Funny thing is, gusto kitang habulin. Gusto kong makipagkwentuhan, just like this. But you’re so fast. Ang bagal bagal ko ba naman at clumsy pa. How can I run after you? If only we can ask you to stay for a while and stay still just where you are. But that’s not the worst part though. Not only we can’t ask you to stay but we can’t ask you to turn back. Even take just a step back, you will never do. Not even the billionaires can ask you to do that. Parang ang daya diba? Why?

You know how this feels like? Me, talking to someone who is running. Parang nakakapagod yata if I would keep on doing that.

So, here’s what I’ve realized. I’ll just do what I have to do. You won’t listen anyway.

Yep, I’ll just keep on doing what I have been doing. I’ll maybe try and be a better human being. We’ll have our family, a happy one. I’ll still allow myself to wallow in my misery but will spend more of you just laughing and enjoying things. I’ll go and do things that I want, when I want it. I mean, mahirap naman na gawin ko ang mga bagay-bagay just because I’m just focused on the thought of you and your limitedness (is there such a word?). Where’s the fun it that?

Hindi ako masyado magmamadali gawin ang mga bagay bagay dahil lang gusto kitang habulin.

But come to think of it. Baka ako lang itong nag-iisip na tumatakbo ka.

Baka naman naglalakad ka lang, walking leisurely, taking it easy just like anyone else. Tapos eto ako gustong tumakbo at magmadali.

So whether I have more of you or less than what I have planned and imagined, I wouldn’t know. And since I won’t have a way to know that, I’ll be finishing this letter now because what’s the use? I’ve done too much whining already and said my piece and that’s about it.

It’s 6am. And I’ll go back to sleep again.

Cheers!
Anansa

PS. On the other hand, I feel blessed. Not everyone would have you, like I do now. I mean, it’s 6am and I’m going back to sleep. Who does that? So, thank you, Time. 🙂

Seen-Zoned

“Can I present Sun Life to you?”

Na-receive mo yang FB message na ‘yan from a friend na nalaman mong isang financial advisor na ng isang insurance company.  Nakikita mo kasi sa Facebook niya ang mga pictures na tungkol sa #brighterlife at mga kung ano-anong shared articles about financial ek ek.

‘Shucks, binebentahan ako ng insurance.  Hindi ko naman kailangan yan.  Ayoko naman magsabi na ayaw ko…” sabi mo sa sarili mo kaya ang automatic na reaction mo ay huwag na lang magreply.

Itong reaction na ito o ang tinatawag na “seen-zoned” ay isang very, very, very, very (at marami pang very) common na reaction na nakukuha naming bilang financial advisor.  Opo, kahit sa mga kakilala namin, nagiging seen-zoned kami.  Medyo awkward siya, actually, pero nakasanayan na namin.

Bakit ko ba sinusulat ito?  Hindi ito actually out of bitterness (although, masakit naman talaga sa damdamin para sa first-timers ang hindi replyan, lalo na yung alam mong nabasa na nung kausap mo ang message mo kasi bumaba na yung picture nila sa message mo, tapos nakatitig ka sa monitor or sa cellphone mo at hinihintay mo ang image na gumagalaw sa FB messenger na nagsasabi na yung kausap mo ay nagta-type but it doesn’t happen after minutes, days, weeks, months…ouch).  Hindi po ako bitter, uulitin ko.  I understand them, kasi noong unang panahon, ganoon din ako.  So, ito na siguro ang tinatawag nila na karma.

So, anyway, bakit nga ba hindi nagrereply ang mga tao kapag may inooffer o binebentahan sila ng kakilala nila either sa messenger, email o sms?  O bakit umiiwas tayo na kausapin ang mga taong may inooffer sa atin.

(Dahil ba nadala na tayo sa tanong na “open-minded ka ba?”)

Ito lang ay mga assumptions ko ha.  Maliban sa busy talaga sila at wala silang oras na balikan ka dahil mas maraming importanteng bagay silang naiisip (which is totally fine because it happens), I think ang iba ay hindi nagrereply o umiiwas dahil nahihiya silang magsabi ng “NO” at nag-assume agad sila na hindi nila kailangan at hindi sila bibili ng kung anuman na inooffer sa kanila.  Ganyang tayong mga Pinoy eh, mas iiwas na lang kaysa sa magsabi diretso ng hindi.  Ayaw natin ilagay ang sarili natin sa isang awkward na sitwasyon.

Pero para lang malinawan ang iba (dahil sabi ni Ely Buendia maraming namamatay sa maling akala), ano nga ba ang nangyayari sa isang meeting with a financial or insurance advisor?    Bebentahan ka ba right away?  Baka scam ito?  Baka pipilitin kang pumirma at magbayad… and the list goes on.  Sisimplehan ko lang para mas okay.

1.      No.  You are not obliged to buy right away just because you met with us.  You are not even obliged to buy, period.  – Who are we kidding here, syempre kaming advisors, at the back of our minds, we want you to get your insurance or investment from us.  We even pray deep in hearts na “Lord, sana maappreciate niya ang product at kumuha na siya.  St. Jude, patron saint of the impossible, pray for us.”  But we are professionals too, like you.  We respect that what we offer involves your hard-earned money and we understand that usually it takes a great deal to think about anything which involves that and your commitment.

So, after our presentation and you took time to review the proposals and you finally decide to go for it, yay for us!  But we also understand that for some, after doing some considerations, they still don’t find the value of insurance, they turn it down.  And this is also fine with us.  What’s important really is we are able to present you something which we believe would be helpful for you, your family and your future.  Nasa sa iyo na ‘yan if you’d go for it or not.

2.      Anything about finances is boring, hence the meeting will be boring. – I agree that anything which involves Math can be quite boring, that’s why I took communications in college.  But you have to trust us that what we will present to you will be very beneficial for you.  I don’t know if you would still find boring anything that is beneficial for you.

In my case, I always try to make it a point to relate these “boring” numbers into something relatable and easy to understand to the client.

3.      I am not interested with insurance.  I don’t need it hence I will decline this request. – There is a reason why your financial advisor friend requested you for a meeting.  Kaming mga financial advisor, before we approach you, tinitignan muna namin ang FB profile ninyo.  In short, we stalk you (joke lang, pero minsan we really do, but for a good cause).  Ang tawag dito ay profiling.  We check if our product will be beneficial for you.  Do you have a family?  Did you just have a new baby?  Are you single?  Ikakasal ka na ba?  Marami ka bang ari-arian?  Nagbreak ba kayo ng bf or gf mo? The answers to these questions, except for the last one, identify if our product and our services will be beneficial for you.  If we sent you a message requesting for your free time so that we can present Sun Life to you, then that just means that we find value for you in what we will be offering.

4.      Send mo na lang ang quotation sa email ko. – Maraming ganito.  Mahirap iwasan for us because that means you are interested and there is already an opportunity.  But trust us that you will appreciate the product better if we are able to meet in person.  Mas madaling mag-explain in person at mas madali mong maiintindihan kapag kaharap mo ang kausap mo.  Again, refer to number 1 if there is any hesitation.

5.      Naku, kukulitin ako nito after ng meeting, kaya wag na lang.  – This one I cannot guarantee for the others.  Pero i-define natin ang kulit.  Ito ba ay oras-oras, araw-araw na pagtext, weekly, monthly after ng meeting ninyo?  Depending on the outcome of the presentation and your reaction, your advisor might check on you every now and then, especially if you agreed to talk again on a later date.  However, if you are not ready to commit, then just say it.  Para lang nung nililigawan ka (for the girls), kapag ayaw mo, say it properly.  Pero kapag nagbigay ka ng blurry intentions, eh talagang babalik at babalikan ka ng manliligaw mo.  Same with us.

6.      Wala akong alam dyan sa insu-insurance na ‘yan, kaya wag na mag-meeting. – Precisely the reason why are requesting for your time, so that we can better explain what is insurance and how it can be beneficial for you in so many ways.  Normally during the meeting, your advisor will introduce the company, identify your needs based on your goals, do some math on your ideal coverage o yung tinatawag na financial needs analysis and then depends on your preferences, he/she presents you a proposal and then you talk about it.  Depende sa kwentuhan ninyo, it can go as quick as 30 mins to an hour.  Magiging boring ba?  Refer to number 2.

Financial advisors are salespeople and as such we are taught how to handle rejections.  However, it is wise to know first before you decide to go for a yes or a no.  Parang sa pagkain lang.  Mahirap na sabihing hindi masarap ang pagkain just by looking at it.  Tikman mo muna, then decide.  Ok ba siya o hindi.  Kung ok, eh di good.  Kung hindi, at least alam mong hindi talaga masarap.

At para naman sa mga advisors, tulad ko, here’s an unsolicited advice.  When you ask for a meeting, inform right away bakit.  Don’t just ask for a meet-up and kumustahan.  Go direct to the point.  Kapag nagmeet-up kayo at akala ng kaibigan mong kwentuhan lang tapos bigla kang magbubukas ka ng laptop, tignan mo ang reaction niya, kahiyaan na lang usually.

While it is really challenging to get a schedule for a meeting with that prospect, the best that you can do as a first step is tell him/her what you really intend to do.  It really pays to be clear and going straight to your point.

In my case, I ask “Can I present Sun Life to you?”

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ang Istorya ni Lola

 

I was assigned today in our branch for walk-in clients.  I got really excited to that thought that anytime today, I would have a sure client.  Studies indicate that walk-in clients or those who call to inquire are more than 50% sure to buy from you.  So yep, I am excited.

So, while I was waiting, to prepare for a client meeting anytime now, I was reading a few articles online on how to improve sales through the use of storytelling.  So there I was, writing down my thoughts on how to best tell the value of a life insurance with a powerful story.

“Meron pong walk-in…sunduin ko na lang. ”  Roseann tells me.

Kinabahan ako bigla.  I quickly fixed my things on the table and opened my Sun Life Money for Life Sales Tool.  I neatly arranged my paper, pen and prepared my presentation.

How do I open the discussion?  Storytelling daw.  So should I ask, ‘Mam/Sir, ano po ang dreams ninyo para sa mga anak ninyo?  Mam/Sir, paano po kapag bigla kayong kinuha ni Lord? Ano po mangyayari sa dreams nila?’  All these thoughts are running in my head.  I thought I have to organize my thoughts otherwise magiging sabog presentation ko.

“Ay good afternoon po…upo po kayo…” nakangiti kong sinabi sa mga kliyente.  Parehong babae, ang isa ay nasa 40s ang isa ay isang Lola na.

And quickly in mind, I thought, okay, I have to change my strat.  I didn’t think that they would appreciate what I had prepared to discuss, particularly about retirement.

And here’s the story of Lola.

“Pwede ko bang iinsure ang apo ko?  5 years old sya at gusto ko, kung mawindang man ako, kahit papano ay may maiiwan sa kanya…” Lola said.

Clearly, she understood insurance differently.

I then asked a few questions to probe.  Why would she want to insure her apo?  Nasaan ang magulang?  Insured na ba ang magulang?  Life insurance is primarily for breadwinners na kahit ano mang mangyari sa kanila ay matutuloy pa rin ang mga plano ng pamilya dahil may perang naiwan para sa kanila.

I explained a few things to them.  Lastly, I told Lola na maganda na mainsure muna ang anak nya (mother of her apo) bago ang apo.

In my ready-made presentation, I would’ve explained the brighter choices she can make today which includes creating a conscious spending plan, building an emergency fund, prepare for retirement, plan for estate, build a fund for loved ones and lastly saving for life’s milestones.

But I closed the Powerpoint presentation and continued talking to Lola.

Galing syang SSS to inquire about her pension.  If I heard it right from her, she will be receiving P1,500 per month as her pension.  It was not proper to react, I knew.

“Actually, hindi ko dapat sasabihin ito sa anak ko…” she explained about her inquiring and wanting to get a life insurance.  I didn’t ask further why.

I have to apologize to my manager that I didn’t go through the standard procedure of presentation. Standard presentation would be the official presentation tool and doing a financial needs analysis or what we call FNA.  That is to know what is the ideal insurance coverage and the ideal retirement fund and how to attain it.

Kinausap ko lang ng kinausap sila and I went straight to computing for the insurance.  We agreed that the insurance should be for her daughter, mother of her dear apo.

“Magkano po ang kumportable kayong itabi para sa insurance na ito?”  I asked.

“Hindi ba dapat ikaw ang magsabi kung magkano ang babayaran ko?” she asked me back.

I told her that would depend on their budget.  It should be the amount that they are comfortable to shell out every month so that they can keep their insurance.

“P500,” she said.

I computed and prepared a plan based on her given budget.  Turns out that the minimum that I can prepare based on the age of the proposed insured is around P600plus per month or P7k per year.

I went on to explain to them the benefits of the insurance, including its investment component.

“Maganda po talaga na mag-umpisa syang magpainsure habang bata pa dahil mas malaki ang pwedeng kitain ng inyong pera sa investment.”

The proposed insured is 25 years old.

Based on the proposal that I made taking in consideration the P600 per month allocation, by the time the insured would want to retire, at 65 maybe (I just assumed since the proposed insured was not there), she would have a fund value of a million pesos.  I further explained the other components, such as the kind of investment vehicle that I have proposed for their fund, which was Peso Balanced.  I hope I explained it well to them.

I tried my best to explain in simplest terms the kind of investment funds that we can participate in.  Buti na lang tumutungo si Lola at ang kasama niya, meaning naintindihan nila ang pagkaexplain ko.

In the past, I got used to explaining these concepts to normal young professionals, so my lines already sound scripted.  Iba kanina.  Kailangan simple at kailangan naintindihan nila, lalo na ni Lola.

I had to stop once in a while and ask them if they still understand me or if there is something that they do not get from my explanation.

Presenting to them, particularly to Lola was actually very easy.  Selling insurance is all about emotions and I didn’t have to encourage her as she was already sold to the value of what a life insurance can do to her loved ones.

“Matalino apo ko. Sayang ang kinabukasan nya.”  she said.

The proposal was okay for her.  But I told her I have to go and talk to her daughter to personally explain it.  She would appreciate it better if she would know what life insurance can do to her life, to their lives.

And so we agreed that it is better that I talk to her directly about it.  “Tama kausapin mo, baka matauhan,” she said.

I asked and wrote down their address.

It was in Payatas.

“Kailangan naming mahihirap ang ganyang insurance.  Maraming mga pamilya doon ang maraming mga anak.  Ang mga bata matatalino.  Sayang.  Sana malaman din nila iyan.” Lola told me as I was writing down their address.

It struck me.

In my mind, I was thinking of how to best sell life insurance through a story.  And there was Lola and her story.

Mahal nya ang apo niya.  Gusto niya pag nawala siya, may maiwan sa apo niya.  Gusto niya ang anak niya maging responsable.  At sa isip niya, ang life insurance ay makakatulong sa kanila kung may mangyari man.  In her own words, “kung mawindang man ako.”

Hinatid ko sila palabas.  Sabi ko sana naintindihan nila ang mga inexplain ko.  They left the office, probably hoping that her daughter would do something positive with this insurance proposal.

I forgot to say.  Her daughter, the mother of her apo, is currently jobless.  She is a single mother with a boyfriend who just sends money to them.

And here comes Lola who easily thought how to pay for the insurance.

“Benta ka lang ng palitaw, yung kita na bente pesos, ipunin mo, may pambayad ka na.”

When Lola left, I thought I have to write down my thoughts.  Overwhelming eh.

At the end of it all, gusto kong magpasalamat kay Lola.  Salamat sa pagmamahal niya sa apo niya.  Dahil doon, mas lalo kong naintindihan ang totoong halaga ng trabaho ko at ng produkto namin.

Her story?

Getting a life insurance is never about the money.

It’s about her love and pure hope of a better future for her 5-year old apo.

“Punta ka sa Payatas, marami kang matutulungan doon…”

 

PS.  I wrote this not for anything else but to share to my co-financial advisors what our jobs can do to help improve the lives of the people.  This is not intended to divulge personal information or merely share to just tell a story.

(photo isn’t mine.  borrowed from http://www.colorluna.com/grandmother-kissed-by-her-granddaughter-coloring-pages/)

 

To my Kikobelles

Birthday niya today and then again, I don’t have any present for him.

 

Last night, as we are about to go to sleep, I asked Kikobelles “What is your dream?” (when I was actually wanting to ask is what is his birthday wish)

“That I will not be bothered by such questions…” he replied.

I stopped for a moment to think about his answer.

Dalawa meaning nun (assumption ko lang).. first is he literally meant that he doesn’t want to be bothered by me asking him such kind of questions (the other questions like do you love me, do you miss me, what is it that you love about me — yep, I actually ask him those things :P).

Second meaning… that he doesn’t actually want to be anxious busy thinking of his dreams, not because he is unconcerned of it but probably because he is contented and happy.  So assumptionista ako, I know.  But I know Kiko, he is rarely vocal about what he wants, instead he works for it.  He doesn’t want to be bothered thinking and imagining of his dreams, because probably he knows that he is working towards it.

I imagine, daydream a lot while he works; He takes actions.

Para sa aking mahal na asawa, happy birthday.  You seldom talk about your dreams but I know you have grand plans for you, for us and that you’d rather work on it than talk about it.  I am here and will always be here to support you in your endeavors.  Malapit na ang graduation mo!  Malapit na rin tayong magpapapiyesta!!!  Like I have told you before, I have never pushed you to get your diploma, but still, you are determined to go for it.  Continue being a good example to your younger classmates by showing them that it takes hardwork and determination to go after what we want. I am proud of you.

I wish you good health (magpapayat na tayo…stop Coke!).  I wish you more patience for me 😛 I wish us more travels and that little one too!

Lastly, I wish that you still have and will never lose that peace you found with me. (ayiiii, kilig!)

Happy birthday! I love you, not only from the moon but from UDFj-39546284 and back.  😛

 

 

 

 

The Last Love Letter of a Mother to Her Family

Dear John,

I am sorry that I had to leave you and our family.  I know I had a good fight with my sickness.  I know our family fought for me.  And I couldn’t ask for more.  Dahil doon, maraming, maraming salamat.  But I know nakakapagod na rin, kaya siguro I had to rest.

Something deep inside me was telling me that I will be going very soon, and so here, I wrote you and our dear Anton my last love letter.

Remember those times, when we were still younger, I used to write you all sorts of letters, from my simple reminders for errands to long, emotional, seems-like-end-of-the-world letters.  And this, my love, is the last of it, so allow me to be your drama queen… your drama queen for the last time.

I actually don’t know what to write here.  And so I took some time to look over our photos.  It just seems like yesterday when we had our first date.  I can still remember how awkward we both looked like.  Ang baduy baduy natin! Haha!  We used to go out on our movie dates wearing matched shirts…hahaha! Sino bang nakaisip nun? And then of course years passed, there’s your proposal!  You had it all planned but it seemed that the heavens had a different idea in mind, bumagyo, bumaha, kaya ang garden proposal mo ay nauwi sa car proposal.

“Pakasal na tayo…” you softly told me and you handed the ring to me.

While you probably had another impressive script all rehearsed, that line, para sa akin ang pinakamatamis at pinakasincere.  You didn’t even ask me to marry you!  Like what you have told me before, you were confident that I’d say yes dahil alam mo at nararamdaman mo na masaya ako kasama ka, na masaya ako sa ating dalawa.

Oh, and the years went by so fast!  Until we are blessed with our dear Anton.  From our happy-go-lucky lifestyle, we suddenly had a better reason to be responsible humans.  Hindi na lang tayo lovers, naging mga magulang na tayo.

Remember the first months with him?  Those sleepless nights?  Naaalala mo yung conversation natin at 4am about our grand plans and dreams for him?  We had so many!  We said there will be no other choice but him going to either of your alma mater or mine.  Nagpustahan pa nga tayo kung saan niya pipiliin.  Sa Ateneo or sa La Salle.

Bigla lang ako nalungkot ngayon na hindi ko na aabutan ang moment na yun.

But wherever he chooses to go, I know he will still be guided.

He’s a teenager now and I know he’s going through a lot, especially these days.  I know you will be there for him.  Be strong for him.

I know it will be a big responsibility raising him alone.  I know he has his dreams and you do have yours.  I know you two would like to travel.  We planned on having our European trip.  Please still go with him, as planned, on his high school graduation.

Mahal na mahal ko kayo.  Mahal na mahal kita kaya kahit na wala na ako, sinigurado natin dalawa na makakatulong pa rin ako sa pagpapalaki sa kanya.

Ito na yun.  Ito na yung pinag-usapan natin so many years ago.  Nagtatawanan pa tayo tungkol sa death benefit ng insurance na kinuha natin.  Ang sabi natin dati, kung mauuna ka, I’ll use the proceeds to shop to death, para mas madali na kitang makakasama uli.

Hindi natin alam na ang mga joke natin dati ay ganito pala kasakit.  Naisip ko dati na napaka-unfair naman.  I am so young.  Bakit ako?  But I let God be God.  He has His reasons.

Things happened.  Ganito pala yun.  Sabi natin, magiging matalino tayong mga magulang.  Paghahandaan natin financially kung ano man ang manyayari sa atin in the future.  And there we were, indeed financially ready, and I am so grateful for that.  If only there is a policy made for emotional readiness.

I am so sorry, honey, for leaving you so soon.  I pleaded Him for longer years, even months.  While I was already ready to go, I know you and Anton are not.  Gusto ko ng mas mahaba pang panahon sana, para mayakap ko pa kayo habang kayo ay umiiyak, hanggang sa tumahan na at hanggang sa mabawasan na ang sakit.

But God had other plans.

As I go, please know that I am assured that you and Anton will live a very beautiful life.  You two will make more stories.  He will go to a good school.  You two will have great travels.   Hindi kayo magtitipid sa buhay.  Sinigurado natin yan dati pa.  Sinigurado ko yan noon pa.

So please dry your tears, my love.  There is so much to do.  There is so much to live for.  Kahit wala na ako, go live that life that we dreamt of.

Till our next time.

Mahal na mahal kita,

Katrina

PS. Sooner or later, you will need someone to take care of you. I asked Him to give you someone who can give the love that you deserve.  Alam kong hindi mo ako makakalimutan pero gusto ko na masaya ka, kaya kapag darating na ang panahon na ready ka na uli, go on and write your next love story.  I will be happy for you.

 

Dear Anton,

Anak, I am so sorry, Mom had to leave like this.  If only I have a choice, it will definitely not be like this.  Your Dad and I had great plans for you, for our family.  Great plans for us, which I wished included me.

You are a young man now.  While you never admitted having a girl, I know very soon, you will have your love of your life.  Just as I and your dad had when we were younger.

Anak, I know I don’t have to ask you to be a good boy when I’m already gone, because I know you are a good boy.  You are a good, smart, young man.

I only have one request to ask from you.  Please live your good life as we have wished for you.  Pinaghandaan namin ito dati pa.   I have ensured that that you will have the best in life.

Go to your chosen school.  Go have that European trip with Dad on your graduation.  Take care of him also.  Go and have fun, my dear Anton. Make your own great stories.

I am so sorry to cause this kind of heartache for you.  But dry your tears na, Anak.  I’ll be in a better, peaceful place.

Please know that I love you so much and I will continue loving you.

Mom

How could a Life Insurance save Clark and Leah from a heartache

I am an OTWOLISTA and a Sun Life Financial Advisor.

Usually, habang nanonood ako ng OTWOL during commercials, nag-fe-Facebook din ako talking to my friends, one by one, introducing them to Sun Life.

Most likely, if you are in my FB friends list, I might have already messaged you telling about the work that I do now. 😛

Anyway, hindi ito tungkol sa trabaho ko.  I can do that on the other posts.  Gusto ko lang ikwento o ientertain ang idea na a life insurance from Sun Life could have saved Clark and Leah from heartache.

Paano?

Yes, kung insured si Mang Sol at kung ang insurance nya ay may rider o benefit na Critical Illness (CIB), mas madali sana ang naging sitwasyon nila nung na-heart attack si Mang Sol.  (Disclaimer:  Pagpaumanhin nyo at babaliin ko ang istorya ng for the purposes of showing kung ano ang pwedeng magawa ng insurance, so sa example ko, kunwari ay minsan lang siya na-heart attack at hindi transplant ang requirement, kunwari lang naman 🙂 )

Kung may insurance si Mang Sol at ang insurance nya ay may CIB, hindi sana magiging mahirap ang paghahanap ng pera.  Kapag meron ka nito, ang insurance company ay magbibigay sa iyo ng corresponding amount para magamit mo sa pagpapagamot o kung anumang treatment na kailangan mo.

Kung sana insured si Mang Sol at may CIB siya, baka hindi kinailangan umalis ni Leah pa-Dubai.  O baka sige, mag-Dudubai siya dahil let’s assume na kailangan pa ng extra money, pero baka hindi na nya kinailangang pumunta ng US para magtrabaho at magbayad ng utang.

Kung nangyari yun…hindi sana nasaktan si Clark at sa malamang, napaaga ang wedding nila. 🙂  Happy Ending agad!

Look at Nanang’s husband, yung tatay ni Brent.  May insurance ang American husband niya ang nagamit nya ang perang iyon para makatayo uli.  So, ang naging problema na lang ni Nanang noon ay kung paano hihingi ng patawad sa mag-aama niya.  At least lesser problem.

Anyway, while I changed the circumstances in the original story of OTWOL, but in real life these things happen.  Sickness, Accidents and untimely death happen in any family.  What if it happens to the breadwinner?  Many of us unfortunately experience financial difficulty when we are not ready.  Malamang may kilala tayong officemate, kaibigan, kapitbahay o kaya naman tayo mismo naexperience na ang ganun, ang maapektuhan ng di inaasahan sa pamilya.  Ang kadalasan ay nababaon tayo sa utang.  Knock on wood, pero we all don’t want these bad things to happen in our lives.  While we can’t prepare emotionally, there is always a way to prepare financially.  One way is protecting yourself through a life insurance. (Chos! Okay ba sa segue!?)

Tandaan, pwede kang magbenefit sa iyong Life Insurance kahit hindi ka pa patay (assuming na ikaw ang insured).  Depende sa mga benefits na kinuha mo, hindi po kailangang hintayin na kunin ka na ni Papa Jesus para makuha ng pamilya mo ang benepisyo.  There are options.  Pwede mong gamitin ang kinitang pera ng iyong insurance (from the investment component) para sa ibang bagay, like travel, putting up a business, tuition fee ng anak etc.

Sa next posts ko na ikekwento ang mga options.

Anyway, tonight ang huling gabi ng OTWOL.  Ma-mimiss ko sila at ang good vibes na dinala ng istoryang ito.  Ang laking challenge ang naghihintay kina Kim at Xian haha!

(fade in Kyla…Just smile for me and let the day begin ..You are the sunshine that lights my heart within…)

PS.  Hindi pa rin ako over para kay Simon.  Sana may spin-off…

 

(Photo isn’t mine.)

 

An invitation to Simon para sa isang inuman

Dear Simon,

I thought of writing you a letter because I wanted to tell you and the others as well that I am here for you.  Hindi dahil kakampi mo ako pero dahil gusto kitang intindihin at damayan.

As you may probably know, everyone hated you being the third person involved in Leah and Clark’s life.    The two seemed to have the perfect relationship.  Leah and Clark is everyone’s #relationshipgoals, that is until you came in Leah’s life.

As Leah’s boss, I do admire you, a lot actually.  While no one would really want a suplado boss, but you were a good mentor, or make that a gwapo good mentor.   Tinuro mo na ang problema ay hindi dinadala sa trabaho and that there are ways to channel stress.  You taught Leah ways on how to improve herself.  Obviously, masunurin si Leah and look where she is now.  Leah must be very grateful to you.

Now, if only she could also fall in love with you.

If she did, imagine ang rebolusyon ng mga Otwolista!

Alam mo, naaawa ako sa yo.  Actually gusto kitang ayain uminom.  Para kasing wala kang karamay.  Wala kang kaibigan na masasabihan na ‘tangina, pare, mahal ko siya pero hindi nya ako kayang mahalin,’ (I don’t know if guys actually admit that to their friends like that, but you know what I meant.)  Parang ang sarap pag-usapan sa inuman ‘yang sitwasyon mo.  Mahal mo siya pero friendzoned ka.  Imagine for 2 years, walang Clark sa scene.  You and Leah were able to build a stronger partnership…but still not enough for her to love you.  2 years yun!  Way past Popoy’s 3-month rule.  Dapat naka-move on na si Leah.  Pero hindi eh…

Sa istorya, alam nating lahat na magkakatuluyan si Leah at si Clark.  Alam natin na sila ay may happy ending.  Gusto ko malaman, ano naman ang happy ending mo.  Sa totoong buhay naman, ang mundo ay puno ng kagaya mo.  Actually, mas marami ang katulad mo kaysa kina Clark at Leah.  Marami sa atin ang mga nagmamahal at naghihintay sa pagmamahal.

Hindi ko alam actually ang nararamdaman mo kaya hindi ko sasabihin na naiintindihan kita.  Maswerte ako dahil mahal ako ng mahal ko eh.  Hindi ko alam kung paano magmahal ng isang tao na hinihintay mong mahalin ka rin, na maramdaman niya rin ang nararamandam mo.  Hindi ko alam kung paano ang feeling na malamig ang panahon at gustong gusto mo sya yakapin pero hindi pwede.  Hindi ko alam kung paano ang feeling na gusto mong hawakan ang kamay nya habang naglalakad pero hindi pwede. Hindi ko alam paano kaya ang umaasa ka sa pag-ibig.  I don’t know how does it feel like to wait.  And I don’t know how it feels like to let go.

I know you will finally let go of Leah tonight.  Maliban sa ‘Kung mahal ka, babalikan ka…’, sabi rin nila, kung mahal mo talaga, let them go.  And you did.

 

At hindi ko alam ang pakiramdam, parang ang sakit sakit?  Gaano kasakit?

Kaya Simon, eto ang bote ng beer (mahaba-habang usapan kaya beer at hindi champagne).

Tara, inuman tayo.

Cheers to letting go… (fade in music Maybe by Neocolours)

Anansa

 

A brighter life

So…welcome to my new home! 😉

In the next few days, na sana wag akong tamarin, I’ll be writing more stuff.  As expected, most of it would be about my uneventful living and some, well, I’ll put more effort to put sense into it.

As you probably know, I am now a financial advisor of Sun Life.

Financial Advisor.  Wow. Big word!  Big words pala hehe…

Yes.  Thanks to my dear friend, Zaren, who invited me to take the opportunity.  So here, I took the plunge.

I think this might be the biggest risk, so far, that I have taken in my life.

Why risk?  Well, that’s because I have never looked at myself as a salesperson.  I have always stated that I am not made for Sales.  I am a Marketing person, not a sales person. While the two would most likely be the same in terms of the work being done and the objectives, but I don’t think I have the proper skills of a sales person.  Wala kasi akong charisma. Yan ang alam ko sa sarili ko.  Pero sabi ng iba, I underestimate myself. Naks.  Akalain mo, I underestimate myself! 😛

So here I am overcoming that underestimation.

My pen is ready.  As well as my calculator. 😛

Here’s to a brighter life ahead!

 

 

A letter to you…

I am not that close to Nanay, Francis’ mother.  That I have to admit.  I am not as close to her as Francis is to Mama.  Actually, we have not had a real long conversation.  We haven’t even gone to shopping together.  Unlike Francis, he’s gone Divi shopping with Mama.  It’s just sad to realize that the only time I spent alone with her was when I accompanied her to her eye doctor in St. Luke’s.

Am I a bad daughter-in-law?  I don’t know.

But that’s not what I intend to write about.  This is not about me being a daughter-in-law.

Last March, Francis and I have gone to Bicol for a short trip with his friends.  On our way home to Manila, riding in a bus at around 4am, Francis got a call from Nanay.  Funny, she was the one who called but she asked who it was.  Kiko had to tell her it’s him.  And that prompted us to go straight to Laguna to see her.  He knew something was wrong.

In the jeep, I could only hold Kiko’s hand.  I wanted to tell him everything’s going to be okay.  But I didn’t.  Still, being his usual detached person, he told me he is okay.

We got home and saw that she was doing okay.  Thank God, she remembered us.  I was already imagining she wouldn’t.

I didn’t know that was the start of something worse.

We all know Nanay was diagnosed with liver cirrhosis.  Just like cancer, there is no cure for it and it will only get worse.

It did.  A few weeks after that day, she was rushed to the hospital because she wouldn’t wake up.  When we got to the hospital, her condition was really bad.  The saddest part of it was she almost couldn’t properly recognize her family.

“Nay, sino ito?” Thea pointing at me.

Nanay looked at me as if thinking hard who I was.  She remembered after a brief moment, thank God.  However, a few days after, she couldn’t remember my name but funny how she said “Mayaman yan eh.”

Nanay stayed in the hospital for a week.  We had a rotating schedule for everyone who will look after her.  It was during those days that I came to realize I was wrong all these time thinking that Francis was the most impatient person in the universe.

I was so wrong.

Imagine changing Nanay’s diapers for at least 10 times a day.  Not to mention, changing her clothes, cleaning her and the beddings.  Imagine being awake for almost 24 hours because he had to look after Nanay who kept on begging for water every single minute.  I am not exaggerating.  She is not allowed to drink more than 1 liter a day.  We had to control her drinking to 15ml every 15 minutes.  Worse, imagine being patient with her because of her seemingly uncontrollable tantrums the whole time.

We thought we are about to see the end of it.  The doctor already asked us to go home and he referred us to a hospice doctor.  I didn’t know there is such kind of doctor.  Hospice doctors take care of those sick people who have 6 months or less to live, according to what I have read.  With that, we already knew what was going to happen.

We went home and Nanay’s condition has gotten even worse.  Due to liver cirhossis, she got hepatic encephalopathy which is a deterioration of her brain function.  It causes her to be confused, angry, forgetful, and even a change in personality.

That time, every member of their family was there for her.  She looked really tired already because she would shout “Tay! Nasaan na?  Pagod na ako!” every single time.  She’ll get up from the bed, shout and we will try to calm her and then again get up, shout.  It has become a cycle for how many days.  She would just keep quiet for a few minutes during her sleep but would later wake up and again shout different things.

We have prayed for her.  We asked for her to rest already.  I even asked her if she could see a light.  “Nay, may nakikita ka bang ilaw?  Sundan mo…’  Now that I am thinking about it, it seems funny.  Imagine me asking someone to go die when in reality, it wasn’t her time yet?  Probably Nanay thinks, “Loko ‘tong mga ‘to, gusto na ako mamatay.”

That was a couple of months ago.

Now, Nanay is doing much better.  She is staying with us.  Physically, she is doing really well.  She now eats properly and is able to go to the bathroom by herself.  Everything seems fine.

But for me, actually it is not really fine.

Nanay would still talk about weird things.  She believes she has pet snakes named Piccolo and Barnaby.  She believes that her pet snakes would protect her from her enemies.  She believes she has millions in the bank.  And every time she would tell Francis about these things, he would just agree and go ride with her imagination.  Sometimes, though, he would try and correct Nanay.  But still Nanay would insist these things exist.

I once asked Francis how he does it.

“Paano mo nakakayanan?”

He said if that’s the way it is, then so be it.  He believes that this is the best time to give back what she has given him as a mother.  “As long as kaya kong ibigay, ibibigay ko.”

And I think that’s the bravest thing I’ve ever heard from him.

Even if he couldn’t always have a proper conversation anymore with Nanay, he’s still happy to be the good son that he is.  Even if they just talk about Piccolo and her enemies, he is still happy to have a chat with Nanay.  Don’t get me wrong, though.  On good days, we can still talk properly with her about real things sometimes but it’s just that most of the time it’s about the non-existent things.

I don’t think I can ever be like him.  I don’t think I can endure talking about non-existent things with my loved ones, especially with Mama and Papa.  I don’t think I can take not having a real, long talks with them.  I don’t think I can take not talking about how good the food Papa cooked or to tell Mama how we don’t change our curtains monthly.  I don’t think I can take not talking about ghost stories or listening to their childhood stories even if it was already told time and again.  I don’t think I can take them not being Mama or Papa to me.

I know this is selfishness and probably immaturity.  But yes, I am a weak person and I cannot do what Francis does.

This letter is going too long already.  I just wanted to say a very simple thing.

You, the one reading this letter, are not allowed to be that sick because I won’t be able to handle it.  There is still so much to talk about and so much to experience.  I am still going to have a baby and we will all spoil him.  It would be incomplete if I will not be able to share these wonderful experiences with you.  We have yet to talk about so many things about motherhood, food, vacation, sports, ghost stories, computers, movies and above all, my clumsiness.

So please, take care of your health.    No one is allowed to get terminally ill.

But like I said, this is me being selfish.  Please do not worry, though.  If the time comes that you would need me to be strong for you, I will be.  I am raised by the best parents and am with the best partner, I’ll be strong for you.

But for now (and ever), stay healthy because I love you.

 Anansa