Litratong Pinoy: Tamad (Lazy)

Sa trabaho ko, kailangan masipag ka at alisto, lalo na kung set-up ng bagong showroom. Madalas 2 hanggang 4 na araw bago matapos ang pag-aayos ng isang bagong showroom. Kaya naman kung minsan tatamarin ka na sa dami ng kailangan pang gawin at tapusin. (In my line of work, it is necessary that you are hardworking and alert, especially during set-ups of new showroom. Usually, set-up lasts from 2 to 4 days. That's why sometimes you get lazy already from the workload that is needed to be done and finish.)

Kung minsan nakakainis din kung may mga kasama kang hindi puspusan ang pagtratrabaho, mas madalas ang pagtetext ang inaasikaso, gaya nito: (Sometimes, it is annoying that some of your colleagues are not focus in their work. Most of the time they are texting or talking on the phone, like this one:)


Pero syempre, sa layo naman ng mga showroom, nakakapagod din ang magmaneho kaya kung minsan ang aking kawawang tsuper ay nagpa-power nap habang ako ay nag-aayos ng showroom: (But of course, since the showrooms are far, it is so tiring to drive going there back & forth so my poor driver had to take a power nap while I do my job:)


Mas masaya kung lahat ay masipag at hindi tamad. Alisto at hindi mabagal. Pero madalas, sa umpisa lang ang sipag, paglaon pagod na ang lahat kaya nakakatamad. (IT is much better if every one is exerting effort and not lazy. Alert and not slow. But most of the time, it is only in the beginning that everyone are alert and working hard, in the long run everyone gets tired and lazy.)


Kaya, pagpagod na ang lahat at tinatamad ng magtrabaho, ang pampalipas oras at pagod ay PICTURE TAKING! (So, when everyone is tired and too lazy to work, the past time is PICTURE TAKING!)

Litratong Pinoy

Gaya ng dati, huli na naman ako sa pagsumite ng mga larawan. Paumanhin po dahil ako po ay umuwi ng Pilipinas noong Abril 28 para sa aking taunang bakasyon, sayang nga at hindi naitaon sa EBaliwan. Kaya sa huwebes na ito, tatlo po ang aking lahok, para sa temang 1)Tulay, 2)Simula Pa Lamang at 3)Nang Matapos. Kaya heto na:

LP 55: Tulay
Maraming tulay dito sa Dhaka dahil napapalibutan ito ng ilog at mga estiro. Subalit ito ay mga luma na at simple lang ang istraktura. Karamihan ay gawa sa "bricks" at bakal. Nitong nakaraang Nobyembre 2008 ay binuksan ang isa sa pinakabagong tulay at sa aking pananaw ito ang pinakamagandang tulay dito sa Dhaka.


Pati sa mga lokal ay patok na patok din ito dahil madalas may mga nagkukuhanan ng litrato dito at ginagawa na ring tipanan sa umaga man o sa gabi. Sa gabi nga ay may nagbebenta pa ng tsaa at mani.
Hindi ko alam ang pangalan nito, basta gandang-ganda ako dito lalo na sa gabi. Ito na ang bagong rota ko sa pagpasok sa opisina at pauwi sa bahay dahil mas malapit at mas mabilis ang byahe ko kung ito ang rota ko. Iwas trapiko sa pangunahing daan.

LP 56: Simula Pa Lamang
Tapos na ang aking sampung araw na bakasyon sa Maynila kaya simula na naman ng pag-eempake ng mga pasalubong at mga pangunahing pangangailangan na wala sa aking patutunguhan.
Opo, mga pagkain at "toiletries" ang karaniwan at karamihan sa baon ko pabalik sa ibang bansa. :-)

Ito naman ay ang larawan ng aming "Kid's Section" bago umpisahan ang konstruksyon ng aming "Forest Setting".
Simula pa lamang ito ng isang magandang pagbabago ng aming malaking showroom.

LP 57: Nang Matapos

At nang matapos ang isa'T kalahating buwan ng konstruksyon sa "kid's Section", eto na siya...


ito ay opisyal na bubuksan sa akinse ng Mayo. Ang ganda di ba? May sound effects pa yan ng mga huni ng mga ibon at palaka at agos ng tubig mula sa munting talon patungo sa ilog.

Happy LP sa inyong lahat!

Simple Things Makes ME Happy

"85. GET A HOBBY. Hobbies are a steady source of interest, providing two essential ingredients in life: consistency and fun." - THE 100 SIMPLE SECRETS OF HAPPY PEOPLE

Hmmmm, I'm in the right track then of being happy :-). Living alone is not that tough, I'm contented living alone and life can never be a bore as long as the internet is working or my scrapping materials is with me or I have a good book to read. I enjoy browsing the net, blogging and bloghopping, and in the process meeting new friends and joining creative groups here and here

Happiness is ....
simple wonderful things that I received unexpectedly or happens spontaneously. Like, yesterday, I can say it was one of my happiest days here in Dhaka. Why? Because I had a very hard day at the office this past few days, I have to revised the lay-out and have to work late to finish it and run after the big bosses to get their approvals. This month is really hectic due to works and projects that are overlapping in the schedules. My hands are really full this time. So, yesterday was no ordinary day at the office, I went home so tired and feeling gloomy, but when I reached my apartment, the guard hand me over a small envelope. When I saw the sender's name, I was so happy that I want to jump. I'm not exaggerating, that is exactly what I felt that time.

I received my first ever letter after a year of working here in Dhaka and it's from someone I met in the blogosphere.I never expect it to reach me since one of my colleague told me before that the Postal service here is worst. And I am so glad that I received the mail in good condition.

The sticker that was included there cleared my mind too, perfect timing.

It is a small thing that was made full of love for sure. Thank you so much for giving me happiness :-)

Happy Days are Back

Yesterday, I stayed home coz I feel gloomy. There's two reasons, 1) a misunderstanding with someone and 2) feeling stagnant at work. I've been trying to display creatively all the stuff that arrived last 15th but the area still look "normal". I've been doing the same thing again and again, that it doesn't get me energize already. I am having inspiration overload too...so many ideas spinning around in my head, yet I can't focus on anything. Nothing is making sense and all I'm feeling is overwhelmed! Isn't it funny when some days the creativity flows like a river and on others, it's a like a dried up creek? And to top that, people who isn't contributing anything but keep on criticizing your work. If they think my work isn't good enough, then why they don't do it on their own if they think they can do it better!

But today, I'm back to my energetic self again. I'll be fully booked with projects again. Have to plan the lay-out again of new showrooms, decide the color schemes, set up another exhibit and visit the other showrooms. Yihiii! I have something "new" to do again aside from arranging and re-arranging showrooms. Time to flow the creative juices again. Wake up, wake up! Remove that creative barrier. I just hope no one will invade my turf :-) I remember, same time last year, we also open a new showroom. It was also a hectic month for me. But I guess this time, it will be a real hell and a tough one since I'm all alone with a bunch of girls. Who will I send in those places? Hmmmm! Hope we will make it good again this time.

And, I'm just so happy, I received the sweetest smile again. Keep on smiling for me, taba.

One Year

"We do not remember days, we remember moments, not whole days, weeks, months or years - that we will finally remember. Whatever happiness and joy is to be found in life will be found in moments. Each moment is sacred. And each holds a special place in time. In the end, it is these moments you will cherish and remember."

I survived!
November 24, 2007: the first time I arrived in this country, unsure of everything, with only one goal: to save for the future. It’s been a year, and so far, everything is fine both professional and personal life. I did survived and hope I will survive again. Good Job and Happy Anniversary to me and my department!!!

Let me walked back to the memory lane:

I have 2nd thoughts when I was at the airport already, waiting for boarding time. But all the time, I’m consoling myself that this is the best for me, financially and professionally. I have to do what I want to do and I’m being paid for it. And, I psyche myself not to get lost of my focus. My first time to work abroad and my first time to be away from my family, tough huh! I always have a silent prayer that God will continue to bless me and guide me, so with my family.


Arriving at Zia International Airport: So, this is their airport, I’m so glad my country’s airport isn’t the worst after all:-) everyone looks Bombay (kid’s general terms for citizens of this side of the world). And there are lots of people outside waiting for their relatives perhaps, same in the arrival station of Philippine airport. I feel lost:-) Gladly, there is someone who came to picked us up, Shantanu. Hmmm, what a long and curled eyelashes. Tall, tanned, deep eyes and high bridged nose. He is the first colleague I met.


The following day, I met the CEO and CHRO, who dropped by our apartment early morning. After lunch, we are toured around the main office. I will have my own office together with my staff once the construction of a new office is done. Wow! Feels like a big boss  then we have to go to Shewrapara Branch to sit in with the Saturday meeting with the CEO regarding category management. Hmmmm, this showroom is something I can overhaul. I met my colleagues but I don’t know why I can’t remember them at all now whose who. I only can recall this girl wearing a black saree and who will turn out as Bonny. The rest is hazy.

November 25th: My first official working day. WE are so early compared to the rest of the people.We are use to starting early in the Philippines. Since I don’t have yet a pc, I have to look around if there is someone in the office already that I can use the pc. Lo and behold, there is one loner. Walked in and asked hoping he can understand English: “can I borrow your pc and use the internet?” Maybe I shocked this loner, coz he suddenly stood up and cordially replied “yes ma’am”…. Wow! What a gentleman and he can speak English. And this loner guy is no other than Alvin. I was surprise to know his name because it’s an English name, which he explained that’s because he is a catholic. Oh! That’s good, I thought all my officemates will be Muslim. I met my staff also.

From the time I started with the company, we’ve been busy with showroom planograms, exhibits, photoshoot, showroom set-ups and opening of new showroom. The very first project was the DITF or Dhaka International Trade Fair 2008. IT was a great success, with lots of commendations and praises both from directors, colleagues and competitors. We are bench markers, we set the standard and we break our standard. DITF 2008 Pavilion
Kid's Fair Booth Photo ops after a whole day Photoshoot

Then CITF follows on February. I visited Chittagong for the first time.

Showrooms were changed. VM is seen all through out. Something new to this people, a new look and whole new concept. Somehow, it helps in boosting the sales.
There is also a new showroom: MIrpur Branch. My very first showroom. It’s not that much but I’m proud to finish the set up and open it on time. The ladies had their first taste of working late too. Something new for them and at the same time, new friendships were found.

I also got to experience the long preparation of a wedding, such as the preparation of the gifts to give, the mehdi and other stuffs. For this wedding, I got the chance to wear a saree thrice. First was on the akd, the holud and the wedding proper. I have lots to thank for this experience.


I tried tasting their food, the food that is not too spicy. I experienced their culture. Joined them in their Iftar during Ramadan. Had a very funny experience with the iftar inside Nandan grocery. Enjoyed the Eid-Il-Fitr with my staff and their family. I got to wear a salwarkameez on this holiday and received 3 sets from my colleagues and Bonny’s mom. And, I got to ride the rickshaw, the CNG and the cab, but please, don’t let me ride the public bus.

There was also the Team Building that was held in Cox’s Bazaar. What a very long travel, feels like going home to Ilocos, 10 hours bus ride plus the stop over, phew! The beach is nothing compared to Philippines’ white sand and blue water beaches, but the long uncut stretch of the beach is something that Bangladeshis are proud of. It's one of the nominees for the World's Top 10 Natural Wonders. The Team Building was full of fun and fond memories.

And, I celebrated my birthday for the first time without my families, in a foreign land with my foreign colleagues. It was fun and memorable, if not one of my memorable birthday. My first birthday ever without rain or typhoon before, on and after the date. Got the chance to blow my birthday cake in public and got tons of gifts too from my colleagues and staff.


I also got the chance to visit Kolkata. And now, the showroom there is complete and ready to operate. Another feather in the cap.

There are sad stories too, the untimely passing of my staff and the resignation of two close colleagues. But as they say, the show must go on. So, here I am, standing strong, the light of my department, the confidante and big sister figure to my staff that consists of 4 girls. Armed with the courage and faith, I keep going on with the work that I love and enjoy, I learned to accept the negative things that goes with it, and try to keep things in control and in stride. With a constant prayer, that the Good Lord will keep me safe in this foreign land and my families that are in different countries, and continue showering me with His blessings, and that I will be successful with this chosen career of mine.

Along the way, I lost friends but I met new friends too, both locals and fellow country men. These are the people that I consider family here, in this foreign land. It is them who help me cope up with homesickness, but my family is the strength that keeps me sane and keeps me going.

Dhaka Invasion

Re-posting an old post, dated January 2008:


@ the parliament building and grounds

It's almost two months now since I started working here at Dhaka, Bangladesh... Until now I still get questions like "why in dhaka?" and "where is that?". People, i think forgot their geography already or maybe because, well, dhaka is not that famous in OFW list of destinations (?)... Dhaka is in Bangladesh, and Bangladeh is in Asia... south east asia... beside India, at the mouth of Bay of Bengal.


with my Visual Merchandising Staff

I started learning their dialect and men, it's kinda hard especially when you try to construct a sentence already because the construction of a sentence is way different in english composition. LIke, when you say "not good", they say it "baloh (good) nai (not)"... and when you say "what do you want?", they just simply say "ki (what) lagbe (want)"... i do know how to count in bengali, ek, duy, tin, char, paach, choi, shat,aat,noy, dosh, egaro, baro... until 12 only :P


@ the new market place


The Prime Minister's Palace fence


just around the river bend

I've never been to much of places yet, just around dhaka - in gulshan, banani and dhanmondi. But everytime I go around, i try to remember the places. To help me with my life here in Dhaka, i bought an english - bengali dictionary and a travellers road map. The road map was very helpful since the places like restaurants, bookstores, shops are all listed in the map with the proper location. And I know how to go home already but I will never try to commute on my own...

WE have our own boa (servant), so now our apartment is spic and span which we really need since the area is very dusty. Fine dust that you need to clean your nostrils everyday :P MOre updates soon, and hopefully i can get a new camera since the camera i brought with me suddenly stopped working :(