Emancipation
As I enjoy the view of Manila Bay with my journal and pen, she came. She was wearing a white and orange zigzag-striped top, denim pants, and green flat shoes with a dog design on the left and a cat design on the right. (Just how cute is that!)
“You look happier and healthier. You’re blooming,” I tell her. It amazes me how distance from unhealthy relationships can make us blossom into being better and more beautiful versions of ourselves.
‘Freedom zone’
Ms. Marge used to be my journalism professor in college and was, for a year, the moderator of our university publication. She is among the few major influencers in my life back then, and I just know that I have to thank her and that I would not want her out of my life.
“It’s good to see you,” she says. “I’m no longer your professor now, and you’re no longer my student. We’re equals.”
She left the university the same year I graduated. She had some personal issues to overcome, and she thought it was the right time for her to leave her comfort zone and move on with her life. She now seeks to find her “freedom zone”.
“You know, there will always be politics in the workplace, Che. And it’s not just in the media, it’s in every institution.”
She had always told the class about this before, and I would always listen, trying to keep everything in mind, and nod as if to agree albeit only with vicarious experience. This time, though, I have my fair share of firsthand encounters to speak of.
While I was in my previous job, I devoted almost all my time working for _________ people and stories, undermining the greater importance of my relationships with the self, my God, and my friends and family.
It is a no-brainer that I had to leave, eventually. When a job makes you compromise your values and what you value, it is never worth the trouble.
In pursuit of prestige and wealth, people have become “godless” for most of the time, thinking only of themselves for themselves. Ms. Marge and I both agreed that true intelligence can never be measured by educational background and mere accomplishments, and character is never seen simply in one’s name and reputation.
At the end of the day, what matters is how you love.
We talked for hours, and I am glad to see my former professor more fully alive that day than she has ever been in any of our academic meetings.
We were to part ways but I asked to join her in her meet-up with Doc Redor the same afternoon.
The ‘unconventional’
It was only on that day when I found out Ms. Marge and Doc Redor are close friends. Doc Redor used to be my former program chairperson though she stayed for about only a year in the university. As a lecturer, she thinks out of the box and, while I like her teaching strategy where students were treated as independent learners, not everyone appreciated her and her unconventional ways. Most found her methods weird because she thinks differently.
The three of us met and Doc Redor has been so kind to tour us around the campus where she now chairs the communication program.
I am at awe at how these women discuss the stifling banes of the present education system. They were after policy-making of an alternative teaching method that incorporates spirituality in lessons, not taking everything too academically and theoretically.
No wonder I have liked this women since the first day I met them.
Treated like a princess
At times, we stop talking about ideals and then shift the focus to my lovelife. I find it funny how they would give me advice this early in regards to what I should look for in a man and how I should act when in a relationship. Well, I would like to believe I am not that superficial in terms of romantic relationships and I tend to think long-term, but, who knows, unsolicited advice may come handy one day. ;)
“Men want to be dominant. They want to earn more than you do, to know more than you do. And as a woman, let them. Otherwise, they become emasculated and their spirit weakens. That’s how you show a man you love him. Let him take responsibility. Take care of him as if he is your first child,” says Doc Redor.
Ms. Marge adds, “He should help you be the person God wants you to become, and vice versa. Find a man who has a good heart. Find a man who treats you like a princess.”
Who am I to argue with their practical wisdom?
‘Open minds’
We had dinner at AdvoCafe in Malate, Manila with Doc Redor’s husband, Sir Jun. AdvoCafe offers organic products made by indigenous people in the Philippines. The place is lovely and cozy, and I would definitely recommend one to visit it if one is after a long catching-up chat with an estranged friend.
We kept discussing the convergence of ideas among different fields of study. They were encouraging Ms. Marge to take on the doctorate program in the Asian Social Institute (ASI). I believe she should.
Everything that day turned out to be meaningfully interconnected for Ms. Marge. Even Sir Jun’s shirt says, “A mind once opened never closes.” The universe has possibly conspired to make her see that this is the path to take to be free from the confinement of a conservative and traditional values system. This is too early to say but I am really happy that Ms. Marge is finally liberating herself from unmerited stress.
We went to Hotel Miramar shortly afterwards supposedly to watch some lounge performance. There were no scheduled performers that night though and the stage was open to everyone. We were blessed that a group of musical friends were in the place to entertain us the whole night; they used to be called Lady Valerie and her Orchestra years ago. Heck, we even danced!
This is one of those days I would never want to forget. •
“You look happier and healthier. You’re blooming,” I tell her. It amazes me how distance from unhealthy relationships can make us blossom into being better and more beautiful versions of ourselves.
‘Freedom zone’
Ms. Marge used to be my journalism professor in college and was, for a year, the moderator of our university publication. She is among the few major influencers in my life back then, and I just know that I have to thank her and that I would not want her out of my life.
“It’s good to see you,” she says. “I’m no longer your professor now, and you’re no longer my student. We’re equals.”
She left the university the same year I graduated. She had some personal issues to overcome, and she thought it was the right time for her to leave her comfort zone and move on with her life. She now seeks to find her “freedom zone”.
“You know, there will always be politics in the workplace, Che. And it’s not just in the media, it’s in every institution.”
She had always told the class about this before, and I would always listen, trying to keep everything in mind, and nod as if to agree albeit only with vicarious experience. This time, though, I have my fair share of firsthand encounters to speak of.
While I was in my previous job, I devoted almost all my time working for _________ people and stories, undermining the greater importance of my relationships with the self, my God, and my friends and family.
It is a no-brainer that I had to leave, eventually. When a job makes you compromise your values and what you value, it is never worth the trouble.
In pursuit of prestige and wealth, people have become “godless” for most of the time, thinking only of themselves for themselves. Ms. Marge and I both agreed that true intelligence can never be measured by educational background and mere accomplishments, and character is never seen simply in one’s name and reputation.
At the end of the day, what matters is how you love.
We talked for hours, and I am glad to see my former professor more fully alive that day than she has ever been in any of our academic meetings.
We were to part ways but I asked to join her in her meet-up with Doc Redor the same afternoon.
The ‘unconventional’
It was only on that day when I found out Ms. Marge and Doc Redor are close friends. Doc Redor used to be my former program chairperson though she stayed for about only a year in the university. As a lecturer, she thinks out of the box and, while I like her teaching strategy where students were treated as independent learners, not everyone appreciated her and her unconventional ways. Most found her methods weird because she thinks differently.
The three of us met and Doc Redor has been so kind to tour us around the campus where she now chairs the communication program.
I am at awe at how these women discuss the stifling banes of the present education system. They were after policy-making of an alternative teaching method that incorporates spirituality in lessons, not taking everything too academically and theoretically.
No wonder I have liked this women since the first day I met them.
Treated like a princess
At times, we stop talking about ideals and then shift the focus to my lovelife. I find it funny how they would give me advice this early in regards to what I should look for in a man and how I should act when in a relationship. Well, I would like to believe I am not that superficial in terms of romantic relationships and I tend to think long-term, but, who knows, unsolicited advice may come handy one day. ;)
“Men want to be dominant. They want to earn more than you do, to know more than you do. And as a woman, let them. Otherwise, they become emasculated and their spirit weakens. That’s how you show a man you love him. Let him take responsibility. Take care of him as if he is your first child,” says Doc Redor.
Ms. Marge adds, “He should help you be the person God wants you to become, and vice versa. Find a man who has a good heart. Find a man who treats you like a princess.”
Who am I to argue with their practical wisdom?
‘Open minds’
We had dinner at AdvoCafe in Malate, Manila with Doc Redor’s husband, Sir Jun. AdvoCafe offers organic products made by indigenous people in the Philippines. The place is lovely and cozy, and I would definitely recommend one to visit it if one is after a long catching-up chat with an estranged friend.
We kept discussing the convergence of ideas among different fields of study. They were encouraging Ms. Marge to take on the doctorate program in the Asian Social Institute (ASI). I believe she should.
Everything that day turned out to be meaningfully interconnected for Ms. Marge. Even Sir Jun’s shirt says, “A mind once opened never closes.” The universe has possibly conspired to make her see that this is the path to take to be free from the confinement of a conservative and traditional values system. This is too early to say but I am really happy that Ms. Marge is finally liberating herself from unmerited stress.
We went to Hotel Miramar shortly afterwards supposedly to watch some lounge performance. There were no scheduled performers that night though and the stage was open to everyone. We were blessed that a group of musical friends were in the place to entertain us the whole night; they used to be called Lady Valerie and her Orchestra years ago. Heck, we even danced!
This is one of those days I would never want to forget. •