The Month That Was

Last year, the Brooklyn Nets struggled during the first part of the season. Kevin Garnett, the team’s outspoken All-Star, had this to say about that: “November was a shitty year for us.”

To some extent, I can say the same thing about April.

No, it wasn’t that bad. But April wasn’t good to me either. Many things didn’t go my way and it seemed that I was caught in quicksand.

I’m not elaborating on this since this isn’t the best time to expound. But I’m also grateful for the blessings, however meager, I’ve received for April.

Among these blessings, the best is the gift of hope. Despite the past month, I feel that things are looking up, that perhaps things aren’t as bad as they seem to be. That alone is a cause for celebration.

Putting Off Law School

I shared already to several people my impromptu interview with Sir Romy Salva, one of BPI’s branch managers who’s set to retire next year.

I visited his branch in NCCC Mall of Davao to inquire about something and asked him what he planned to do after retirement. Despite the question, I thought I knew what he wanted to do like spending more time with his grandkid or starting a new business with his retirement money.

That’s why I was surprised when he said he wanted to pursue law. He then shared to me that he was, in fact, a member of the Tau Mu fraternity, back when he was still studying law.

Unfortunately, he had to stop because of financial constraints (he had a family to feed) but he didn’t shut the door to that dream. Perhaps, there’s that ‘unfinished business’ factor again that kept him thinking about law school and, come retirement, he’ll finally have a second chance at it.

The reason why I’m sharing this is because I’m going through the same dilemma. Pastor Ace, a classmate, had cautioned me last semester against taking a breather from law school since doing so might affect my momentum. I’m afraid he’s right.

Right now, the reasons stopping me from enrolling for the next semester are financial and work-related constraints.

Ironically, after getting a generous salary bump this year, I found out I don’t have the budget to go to law school. Another obligation cropped up and it would be selfish of me to not help out.

Second, my new work entails that I be ready to travel at a moment’s notice. That runs contrary to the demands of law school, chief of which is that I should attend daily classes.

Do I feel the loss? Of course. But I also know that law school is always there. I am witness, of course, to people who, despite being in their forties or fifties, are still studying law. To them, the desire to become a lawyer didn’t have to feature an expiration date.

I’m not sure when I can come back but I definitely will.

Besides, it wouldn’t seem right to deprive the world of another good lawyer.

Pinoy-style Massage

Okay. Perhaps, we're not that unique. Perhaps, other countries or cities feature this spectacle. I'm talking about rows and rows of chairs being manned by masseurs and occupied by their clients.

I've already talked about this in an earlier post but today was the first time I actually tried the experience.

I was visiting downtown after having a haircut when I came upon Rizal Park. I remembered that I was suffering from a headache earlier this morning and decided that a head massage wouldn't hurt.

One of the masseurs noticed me approaching and signaled me to sit down on one of the reclining chairs. I had a head massage which probably lasted around twenty minutes and I had a foot massage as well (just for kicks) which lasted another fifteen minutes or so.

The session, which lasted almost an hour, cost me Php 120.00 (Php 40.00 for the head/shoulder/upper chest massage, Php 60.00 for the calf/foot massage, and Php 20.00 for the unnecessary tip). It was, in Tagalog, "sulit". I felt relaxed, rejuvenated, and fresh.

Of course, the cheap price does come with some cost-cutting measures. First, one has to overcome the "icky" factor: the towels used to remove the massage oil from my foot and calves were, well, used; the masseur had used it for other clients ahead of me. Second, I don't see any masseur wash his or her hands prior to the session. Third, the massage session is open-air: no air-conditioner and definitely no scented candles. Fourth, the ambiance can be disturbing to sensitive people (in my case earlier, I had to listen to Muslim evangelists on the park's stage throw dirt at Roman Catholicism to promote Islam).

But still, for me, it's an experience worth having and, maybe, I'll be back again having another massage.

Washing Of The Feet

Last night, I played a minor role in a Lenten ritual. I was chosen to play an apostle in the washing of the feet.

The story starts like this. I dropped by the Jacinto campus of Ateneo de Davao University after I received a text message from Rommel (a brother in Lingkod ng Panginoon) that the Jesuits were hearing confessions. As I passed by the mini-auditorium/chapel, a college girl approached me to ask for my autograph. 

However, that fantasy was short-lived because she asked instead if I was willing to be part of the twelve apostles for that day's mass. She also mentioned the washing of the feet. At first, I declined for a number of reasons: my feet smell from too much walking, I haven't had a pedicure in awhile, and I don't think I've cut my toenails recently. After a few minutes or so, she finally convinced me because, first, she was cute, and, second, she was acting desperate ( she'd later say I was only the fifth volunteer and she had less than an hour to look for the remaining seven guys).

So I was given a sash and heard an inside joke from among the other volunteers asking who among us was Judas. 

When it was time for the ritual, we were seated in one line in front of the congregation and the priest began washing our feet. When it was my turn, I observed that he only washed the right foot. After which, he kissed the foot after drying it with a towel. Whoa.

I pretty much imagined then what the priest could have been thinking afterwards. He just kissed the feet of twelve guys! Even Jesus Christ, according to the gospel, wasn't that hardcore. But then again, if he was trying to drive home the point of it all, he nailed it with that gesture.

Earlier today, my mother shared a story told by a priest about his experience in a barangay. For this Lenten ritual, each household would bring a palangana or a big washing plastic bowl. During the washing, each father then would wash his children's feet and his wife's. It was a gesture that pretty much hammered home the responsibility the father should possess as the head of the family. 

Overall, it was a strange yet, ironically, humbling experience. I'm humbled because it forced me to think again of the many misconceptions of leadership I've unconsciously adopted through the years. 

In the midst of the many gurus, articles, and ideas surrounding leadership, it's quite a reality check for me to compare what I know to what the gospel says about being a servant-leader.

Now, if only the priest had washed the other foot...

Paradigm Shift

I hope that, a few years from now, I can look back at this moment, smile, and say we made it.

Right now, everything is tinted just a bit too dark.