Glamour, Is Still In Me

Redd Nuñez

This is the time of my life that I can firmly say: Only Change Remains Constant. I feel sad that this is how it’s been for two months now. For 20 years, I have never come out of Iloilo (school trips aside). During those years, I have stayed with my family. But what saddens me the most is to recollect the last four years of my life. My life in UP Miag-ao and Hall 1- The Best Place in the Planet!

Miag-ao is such a nice place. I did not like all of the people there but loved some for they had made my life easy (labanderas, tricycle drivers etc…). I miss the church, lovely isn’t it?! I miss the banwa, where you can find the “batchoy-an”, “fisball-an” and “halo-halo-han” (is there such word? Ahahaha!), which I believe indulging yourself with these are great luxuries. I miss swimming in the infamous OWL. I’ll be missing the glutonic fiesta foods. I miss the buildings even though a few only exist there.

Now, I’m in the business capital of the country. And note, Ayala Avenue! Super, isn’t it?! But it’s not as beautiful as it may seem. Everything here is expensive and eating at Mcdo or KFC is never a luxury. If you wish to find cheap foods, you’ll settle it for 35 pesos (1 small cup of rice, 1 not so-delicious viand, no beverage and add 3 pesos for a styro). Compared to Lola’s Inn, you’ll think that you had been a gluton for that price.

What I love here is the avenue’s underpass. It’s like a subway in New York. I get to walk going to work. No fare and no Traffic! Moreover, seeing people in corporate attires are usual but it you would wear such in Miag-ao, you’ll be the talk of the town. Ahahaha!

Work is the reason why I am here. I believe that this will give me a good future. Actually it’s not work but training. I go on training from Mondays to Fridays and rest on weekends, which I don’t get to enjoy most of the time. It’s like college, UP, but way beyond, way beyond worst. I need to pass two national exams (1 for IT and 1 for Nihongo), which I believe passing the first one is impossible right now. Here, 1 book is covered 1 week the most while back in college, 1 book for 1 subject. The assignments are overflowing. Super! You would wish we had a 48-hour day. Back there, I would say life is unfair if my class starts at 8 am and ends at 4pm. Here, I start 8 am and end at 7 pm the least. Regrets. None. But if only I have studied hard and smart during college for there are many to learn. Sometimes, I feel insecure when I’m with my co-trainees from other UP campuses, La Salle and Achineo(Ateneo)! Of course, I get to handle such things. There’s no turning back that’s why I push myself.

For the finale, Hall 1, the place I miss the most. I miss the “pok-poker” nights, the tv-series and movie marathons, the “kulitans” with first years and upperclassmen. I miss the “lafore” nights during birthdays. I miss the “girl” moments. I miss the TV babaran (with never ending side comments). I miss the chismisan, 5 hours for that and only an hour for school work (this happens most of the time). I miss everything! Mostly, I miss being called Mama Redd. I wish I could fly so that I can go round trip from here to Miami. Of course, I can’t.

I have found a new family here, at work. But 3 months from now we will be deployed to different developments. See? Nothing is constant. Everything changes. But then, I am happy with what my life have been. It keeps getting better. Thanks to those who have always believed in me.

But then, only two things remained, I am still the same person and I am still GLAMOROUS! Ahahaha!

To those who are privileged to stay in once Ujin and I called “Glamour House”, you will be experiencing the best. Not because the institution is there but because of the people inside. Make the most of it! To the council of Huaya’s, Good luck! I sooooo miss you all! Super! To the newbies, you all are in good hands. The dorm isn’t perfect but it gave me the best 4 years of my life.

Gambatte!