Of Butterflies and Daisies

My mother has been a cancer survivor for 10 years, and through the years,

I have learned and realized that

CANCER IS JUST A WORD, NOT A SENTENCE..

I am Sonny Alquizola, and I AM STANDING UP AGAINST CANCER.

Join me and 100+ performers as we unite to fight against cancer.

Remembering Martin Richard

As we hear the news of the Boston bombing suspect finally arrested this morning (and the other suspect killed yesterday), we remember the victims of the cowardly act of terrorism, most especially Martin Richard, a cute 8-year old boy who made this poster in school last year. Martin was able to give his dad a hug when the father crossed the finished line, before the explosion happened. So heartbreaking!

The Return

One day more, another day, another destiny..

Today was my first day at my new office. It's kind of a dream come true, in the sense that it is really my dream to go back to the academe. It is not a state university, but it is perhaps one of the best private schools in the country, or even internationally since it is an international school - a British School.

I enjoyed my first day, and I am looking forward to staying here for a very, very long time. My tasks are quite challenging now since I will be working on them alone, but I am looking forward to a lot of things once the school year will start in July because I know I will be able to do more things with a team of talented students.

Crossing my fingers, closing my eyes and leaping..

Wish me luck!

Chasing my Dreams

Today is the start of hopefully a new life for me. I am grateful to the BPO industry for the 7 rollercoaster years, but I've had enough. I haven't been really lucky with that industry, and after 7 years, I'm finally saying goodbye to it..for now? Haha. If I can help it, I'd want to say goodbye to it forever.

When I left the call center industry a a few weeks ago, people have been asking me about my plans and where I'm going. I told them I finally have the courage to pursue my dreams. Some of my dreams, at least.

Now after almost a month, I'm finally starting a new path. Only time can tell if I will be living a dream with with this new thing, but I'm braver now to pursue this. It still won't be easy, but at least it's something I know I want.

I can do this! :)

Journey to Anatevka

And just like that, the lights are off, the curtains are closed.

It was an amazing couple of months for me, and I hope that in my own little way, I was able to share my knowledge and my heart to everyone involved with our production of 'Fiddler on the Roof'.

I will never forget everyone, most especially my cast who I worked closely with. I had so much fun working with them, and it came at a time when I was missing my CTC family so bad since a lot of them are involved with different productions. This is the closest group to CTC, in terms of attitude and disposition.

It was also the first time in my life that people called me 'Direct' or 'Director', which I'm not used to. Haha! It always has been Kuya or Tatay.

The journey to Anatevka was just amazing, and if I write any longer than this, I would not be able to control my tears anymore so I'll leave it at this. 

Coin Purse Curse

I don't normally lose my things since I am so OC, but there is one thing that I always lose: my coin purse.

I can no longer count how many times I've lost my coin purse. And I don't just use any coin purse, I'm also kinda choosy with coin purses that are soft and made of leather, so they're a little pricey than the usual purses.

Tonight before my shift, I lost my latest coin purse again. I bought it last December, and it was one of the best I've had since it was the softest. Hay. What makes it more painful is that just before I left the house, I opened my piggy bank that contains all 10 peso coins, and got around Php 400, that will supposedly help me get through the next few days since I just used my training allowance to pay for all the monthly payables at home.

*sigh*

My motto for the next two weeks will be 'Poverty is the Best Diet'.

What I Would Say To My 20-Year Old Self

I just stumbled upon the idea while going around online. It's a simple title, but it struck me because it has been 12 years since I was 20 years old, and so much has happened since then.

I know I've done a lot of stupid decisions in the past, but I don't think I would like to take them back even if given the chance. I am who I am today because of what happened yesterday, and yester.. uhm.. years?

If I can say something to my 20-year old self, it's this..

Hey, next year you'll be graduating from college. It's not yet too late to work harder starting now so you'll have better grades when you graduate. I know that you've always said that grades are really not important when you apply for a job, but I tell you, sometimes they are. You won't lose anything if you just work harder, and you'll have a lot to gain.

Also, just a tip, since you will be working in a state college, do your best to behave. So many eyes will be on you as the youngest member of the community so do not give them reasons to talk about you because as you know, when gossip will spread, it will be blown out of proportion and you definitely wouldn't want that. You've always been mature for your age, so I know you understand this.

Lastly, just enjoy your life and appreciate everything that comes your way. After all, you will not be passing this way again.

Worth the Wait!

I only had one day off this week, and I spent most of it watching my most awaited Les Mis movie. Verdict? I loved it, and I'm loving it. Heck, it could've been the worst movie ever and I'll still love it. Hey, it IS Les Mis, what's there to not love?

I'm lucky though that it is not the worst movie ever. It's even nominated for 8 Academy Awards, which I'm so excited about. Kinda disappointing that Tom Hooper was snubbed, to think that he did an amazing job with the movie. I mean, I'm a Les Mis freak for more than half of my life, and I've performed in Les Mis for many years, but the movie experience was just amazing. Tom Hooper deserves at least a nomination. He made the musical more epic with this amazing movie.

I am tempted to write a review about it, but I will not. I waited for almost 2 decades and I finally saw it. I enjoyed it, I loved it! It was not perfect but it was real, it was epic.. Wait. I'm starting to sound like I'm writing a review. Haha. Yeah, I'll stop now.

The movie was worth the wait.

Definitely worth it.

Alone

At the office,

I feel so alone even if there are a lot of people around me.

Pay Difference

I remember my first job as a guidance counselor and college professor. The pay was relatively smaller than the pay I'm receiving in the BPO industry, but somehow I was able to have extra to buy things for myself. Ever since I started working in the call center industry, I've been struggling. Well, there were times though in the academe that I just had skyflakes and coffee for lunch, but that was a rarity.

If given the chance to go back to the academe, given that I will be receiving less again, would I survive? I think I will. And besides, the stress in the call center industry is slowly killing me so if ever, I'd be double dead. Haha.

Missing the Academe

I am so tired already of working in a contact center. Yes, I've been with the BPO industry for 7 years already and I think this is more than enough. I've always believed that this job is for the younger generation, especially those without any other responsibilities.

I so miss those times that I am always available for my family's activities. Whenever my daughter has a presentation in school, or my sister has an event, I was always there. Until I started working in the BPO industry, that is. Yes, there were times when I was able to be with them, but that has been so rare in the past 7 years.

I don't regret leaving my first job as an educator and the assistant of the university president because working in the corporate world has taught me a lot that I couldn't have learned if I just stayed put. I miss the academe now, and it's not easy going back. It's kinda sad that even with my credentials, it's difficult for me to go back to the academe because there'll always be 'favorites' and 'backers' whether it's a private or state university.

I will always be an educator. Even now that I'm not working in a school. That's something in me that no one will be able to take away. I'm just praying that for this new year, I would have the opportunity to be a professor again, and not just an educator.

A Father First

My 2012 was a blur. Yes, it was a banner year for CTC and for me as a thespian and director, but other than that, it was a blur. I really was not able to achieve anything else and for that, I'm kinda disappointed. I'm also disappointed that in the 365 days that I was given, I was not able to give much of it to my family. I almost took my family for granted, and that is unacceptable. I was so hyped up with performing, and for what? My family is and will always be the most important thing for me, and I was not able to show them that in 2012.

I don't really make resolutions for the new year, and I will not be making one soon, but what I made when the new year started was a promise. A promise to myself that for this year that just started, I will make my family my priority, even if it means not being that active in theatre and music. My daughter is growing up so fast, I may not be able to know her anymore if I keep on prioritizing other things.

For 2013, I will be a father first. Everything else will be secondary.