Colors

A reminder for all of us...

Once upon a time the colors of the world started to quarrel. All claimed that they were the best. The most important. The most useful. The favorite.

Green said: "Clearly I am the most important. I am the sign of life and of hope. I was chosen for grass, trees and leaves."

Blue interrupted: "You only think about the earth, but consider the sky and the sea. It is the water that is the basis of life and drawn up by the clouds from the deep sea.

Yellow chuckled: "You are all so serious. I bring laughter, gaiety, and warmth into the world. The sun is yellow, the moon is yellow, the stars are yellow."

Orange started next to blow her trumpet: "I am the color of health and strength. I may be scarce, but I am precious for I serve the needs of human life. I carry the most important vitamins."

Red could stand it no longer he shouted out: "I am the ruler of all of you. I am blood - life's blood! I am the color of danger and of bravery. I am willing to fight for a cause. I bring fire into the blood."

Purple rose up to his full height: "I am the color of royalty and power. Kings, chiefs, and bishops have always chosen me for I am the sign of authority and wisdom. People do not question me!"

Suddenly there was a startling flash of bright lightening thunder rolled and boomed. Rain started to pour down relentlessly. The colors crouched down in fear, drawing close to one another for comfort. In the midst of the clamor, rain began to speak: "You foolish colors, fighting amongst yourselves, each trying to dominate the rest. Don't you know that you were each made for a special purpose, unique and different? Join hands with one another and come to me." They did so.

The rain continued: "From now on, when it rains, each of you will stretch across the sky in a great bow of color as a reminder that you can all live in peace. The Rainbow is a sign of hope for tomorrow and it's Biblical message is "God keeps His promises."


Whenever a good rain washes the world, and a Rainbow appears in the sky, let us remember to appreciate one another.

Guidelines for Life

A few guidelines to live by...

1. Take into account that great love and great achievements involve great risk.
2. When you lose, don't lose the lesson.
3. Follow the three R's: - Respect for self - Respect for others and - Responsibility for all your actions.
4. Remember that not getting what you want is sometimes a wonderful stroke of luck.
5. Remember that silence is sometimes the best answer.
6. Don't let a little dispute injure a great friendship.
7. When you realize you've made a mistake, take immediate steps to correct it.
8. Spend some time alone every day.
9. Open your arms to change, but don't let go of your values.
10. Learn the rules so you know how to break them properly.

Each one of us needs to create some personal guidelines to live by, which is based on our values and our goals. So now is as good a time as ever to start doing so. And each day we must review the list, so hopefully we will find that the more we review, the more we will follow, and the happier we will become.

Presidential Dinner

It was almost three years ago when we last had a big get together. For this year, even though we can’t outnumber the count of attendees, it was still a fun night.

Available members of EconBlock3-A and the Big Family met for dinner at President Tea House behind SM Mall of Asia. The restaurant is in Bldg. F; and in the same row as Hooters and collectively known as San Miguel by The Bay.

We enjoyed the food. The servings were generous and reasonably priced. Peter Allan, the man behind PTH, was the one who selected the specialities and we dined like presidents.

Who were the presidents who graced our dinner? Let’s enumerate the magic seven.


Nhore is currently in the country for a month’s vacation. She’s radiant-looking that night and everybody commented that her hair colour suits her better as well as her added poundage looks good on her. She came with her youngest sister and we were kidding that they looked like twins. Nhore’s husband was not able to join us since he went home to his province in Cagayan De Oro.

Joseph perfectly fits as a dignified lawyer in his paisley designed polo yet he’s still the same old Joseph that I remember. He was teasing me that I might not be able to attend dinner since I was a no show in 2007’s dinner. Sorry! I was able to make it although a little bit late since I came from a far location. He was with his wife that night but the wife was with a friend and decided to shop during our dinner.

Jojo, on the other hand, is also missing a fiancée. The most sought after guy in our block and family is getting married on October and I can’t help it but laugh when Bing commented something about the coming event. Jojo is very jolly as always and never fails to brighten the mood of any person. He still works as a consultant and currently busy with the pre-wedding preps. Hey, don’t forget to invite us on your big day!

Peter or Allan as some people call him is now managing four PTH branches. Aside from the branch where we had dinner, he still visits the Binondo, Glorietta 4 and ATC branches almost every day. Talk about wellness in restaurant-managing! He mentioned that business is doing well (good for you Peter!) and he doesn’t have a competitor within the restaurant row (even better!). Kudos and more power to you and PTH!

Then came ME! Enough about myself – though for this date, I came late as mentioned earlier.

That night, we have two new recruits. The last time I saw them was way back in 1994 but good thing for the World Wide Web, we were able to touch base and it was like college days once again.


Gigi or Geraldine is now a mom of two cute kids and soon to be a new mom again in four months. She works for CHED and still sports the long locks that I used to remember during our freshmen days. It was nice that she was able to join us even if she came all the way from Quezon City and heavy with the third child. Bayani!

Bing, our teacher turned nurse is now sporting a new look too. She used to wear her hair short, just above the shoulders. Now, it is traded with a long flowing hair, as if she’s a shampoo commercial model. Naks naman! She works as a fulltime nurse in one of the hospitals in Manila and currently thinking of going back to her first love, teaching high school kids.

Oops, before I forget, Bing is single, so are Peter and Ralline Jean. I just thought to mention that!

As we were finishing our dinner, we started calling other blockmates and family members. We were able to talk to Kuya Menard and Ate Jane. Menard’s still doing work with PAO in Ilocos and Jane’s in Dubai. We also learned that Jane is visiting Manila for two weeks and we might have another round of get-together by the middle of April. I just can’t wait!

We tried calling Reyna, Au, Vicky, Pocs, Rhodz, Alovel, Cynch, and Oli but all we got were unanswered calls. Maybe they are already sleeping or watching telenovelas seriously! Anyway, we missed their company and wishing the next round they’ll be able to join us.

It was fun that we updated ourselves on what we know of the rest of the group. We feasted on gossip and facts. If only they knew that those who are not present in gatherings are the usual topic for discussion, maybe they would have attended. Kidding aside, we all wished that we could all go back to where our friendship started and bond just like old times.


As Friday night, breaks into midnight, we started to say our goodbyes. We promised to continue with an open communication among ourselves and to recruit more blockmates on the next gathering.

Going home, even though I know I will suffer in class the next day because of the lack of sleep, I was really happy seeing them once again. It was nice reminiscing what we did during those college years, the laughter we shared, heartaches, lost loves, admirations, winnings and losses, all in all it was a night to remember.

UPCB’s EconBlock 3-A and The Big Family will live forever in our hearts. Until the next round of gatherings and chitchat, we wait. For now, let us cherish the wonderful moments.