Sa Ngalan Ng Pamilya (Paninindigan - Reputasyon - Dangal)

So this is what has been keeping me busy. I'm part of a play.

It's a family drama that focuses on the life of the Ibarra family. A family with a dominating father who has too much control over his children, a wife who blindly follows her husband, and children who yearn to be free from their father's tyrant rule.

Presented by the San Lorenzo Ruiz Parish Gospel Choir in partnership with the Parish Youth Ministry.

Dates: April 14 and 16, 2014

Price: 100php

Venue: San Lorenzo Ruiz Parish Formation Center, Tierra Verde 1, Tandang Sora, QC

The Boss and I

My boss and I have a simple but also somewhat-complex relationship. I drive him crazy, he drives me crazy, but it works for the both of us. I bitch about him asking me to write stuff, he complains about how I never show up for work on time. Simple stuff. But every now and then, there are moments when we sit and talk, like good old friends, and I seek for his advice.

"Are you nervous?" he asked.

"Nervous, excited, impatient, I don't really know."

We were discussing something about work. Because it's something that's confidential, I can't really go into much detail.

"I don't know what to do or what to feel," I said.

He talked me through the whole thing and gave me advice on what to do. You see, dear readers, I am now in a phase where I am ready to step up and do more in the company so I've been trying to work on that. But at the same time, a part of me was scared shitless because my job now has become my comfort zone. I've been doing this gig for 3 years. It's a no-brainer for me now.

"You don't wanna stay here forever. You spend what, 2 hours editing articles, and the rest of the day smoking or on Facebook or those side projects we ask you to do. I don't complain because you do what you are told and you deliver what is expected of you but you don't wanna check the typo errors of our writers forever. You have the potential to do more and the company could benefit from that," he told me.

He echoed what I was feeling for some time now.

"Go to the interview and impress whoever you need to impress. I'm sure you'll do well when you get the job. Go in there, kick ass, show them that you deserve that job and maybe show up for work on time," he added with a chuckle.

My boss and I may not always see eye to eye and there are times when we argue over small things but I am glad that I have a boss who I can run to for advice whenever I need it and he would know exactly what to say to me. How lucky am I, right?

The Harshness Of Me

I was with one of my friends who also happens to be one of my choir mates. Nasa labas kami ng simbahan at tumatambay. We were discussing the choir and how the people are performing within the group.

I've been part of show choirs in the past so for me, a choir should be able to stand without an instrumentalist. But for the choir I am in right now, since it is a church choir, if the instrumentalist isn't available, it's like all hell just broke loose.

They rely too much on the accompaniment which goes to show that they are not confident enough that their own voices would be able to give justice to the song. The funny thing is, we use sheet music and SATB arrangements so singing acapella shouldn't be an issue. But that's rather here nor there at this point.

"Sana magkaroon ng acapella choir dito no? That would be awesome!" he suddenly said.

"Actually, we've been planning to form a quartet for a while now," I answered.

"Acapella?" he asked.

"Of course. I want to have a quartet with really good members so that we wont have to rely on an instrumentalist. Everything will be acapella."

"Sino sino kayo?"

I told him the names of my companions.

"We already have a Soprano, Alto and I'll be the Bass. The problem is finding a good Tenor. One that will pass my standards," I said.

"Why not me? I'm a Tenor," he suggested.

"Please don't take this the wrong way. We're friends and I like you and all but you don't pass my standards," I replied without skipping a beat.

I think I hurt his feelings with what I said. Not sure.

See, that's the problem with me. I am candid. Too candid, if I'm being honest, so sometimes I don't notice if I'm saying things that are offensive because I forget that not everyone is a cold-hearted bitch like me.

Some people have actually feelings or something to that effect.

"Here's the deal," I said, "Your voice is too nasal-ly and there are notes you can't reach using a natural tenor range and when you do, it sounds too thin. So take it as you will but for a quartet that requires all 4 voices, you will not be an option for me. But if I were to form a group that would sing at gigs/bars, trust me, you'll be one of the first few I'll ask since you sing RnB pretty well."

I think that was a good save. Was it? This is why I try to avoid human contact. I am forced to have a conscience or something that resembles one.

And I wonder why people say I can be very mean.

Oh well.