The Emancipation of Jun-jun

I just learned recently
that Ayala and Anflocor, is developing a land area infront of
Redemptorist Church in Bajada, to be the next business haven of
Davao. I’m sure everyone’s excited to see an Ayala Mall in the
city. Probably by 2010, all roads will lead to this area, as it
becomes an astonishing landmark of the city. Flashback -1996. This
area used to be where we rent and operate a motor shop.

Oh yes! When that time
comes, when I get to see Ayala Mall in it’s towering pride, when
everything’s set , I’d probably still think that part of it is our
family’s history. Part of it is where my mom and my brother tried
their best to operate something and make it successful. Maybe, when
the mall opened, I would still think of the business (that my dad
financed), and which our family tried to run but unfortunately failed
to flourish.

Speaking of motorshops, we
also had a shop before in Bonifacio area which is a now a nursing
school. We also had an eatery in Ilustre area, which is a Persian
Restaurant at the moment.

Change indeed is the only
constant thing in this world, and I’m very happy to see all these
changes coming,  judging from all the developments, these places have
gone through – it’s all worth it.

The only change that I’d
probably have a problem accepting for now is the state of our
residential place before. We use to live in a compound, with my
Uncles, Aunts, and Cousins. For me, the place was perfect. I use to
think that our place is like a setting in a TV sitcom. We rented and
developed that land into a home. We built its foundation. We
propagated love (literally and figuratively). It is where I learned
the value of family, of friendship. It is where I learned the essence
of “Bayanihan”. It is where I spent my childhood.

Looking back, I could
still see the faces of my friends and of my cousins, as we run
through the street playing all day long. In my mind, I was in our
balcony at the second floor, recapturing the moment where I use to
take some fresh air, enjoy sights of green trees, of chirping birds
and seeing  the happy faces of our neighbors.

Present time - 2008. I
passed by the place again. Reality bites. What was left in that
place, I use to call home, is a huge empty warehouse standing still.

I just learned today that my good friend Rod, was automatically nominated to handle a team. He is now a Team Lea d and he got what he just wanted long time ago. I feel so proud and I have never doubted  - that he’ll get the post, the moment he decided to forget about QA and apply for the said position.

He is such a brilliant person and he deserve to be there. Well, there were three names mentioned who will make a giant leap in their careers come Monday, but I just think that one of them don’t really deserve the post. (But that’s another story though).

I hope I can be like Rod. He went through a slowly but surely route. He waited, worked his way up there. He did not earn that post because he made friends with this big person. He was not offered to a post just because of the relationships he created. More than anything else, he got his spot, because he worked his way up.

Looking within, evaluating my journey for the past few months. I am not sure though, if I really deserve my post. Agents call me "Sir Ely", but do I really live up to the title. Well I’m not saying that I am really that "huge" in our company, but hey!, they consider me an "Officer", therefore, I am a step higher than our agents.

Looking back in my personal history, I have won so many battles, because of well-thought strategies and well-orchestrated presentations. I can’t really say, that I’ve worked so hard to get where I am now. All I can remember was, I was just doing my thing - in fact  - most of the time, I’ve been to complacent and timid. I couldn’t remember a single time that I was so exhausted and so tired because I was pushing so hard to be on top.

Maybe that’s one of the reasons why, I cannot really feel the bittersweet feeling of getting a higher position, getting an increase or being recognized as somebody. I just can’t say that I have gone through what Rod has gone through nowadays….I’m so happy for him really…and it makes me feel so guilty!

Maybe, I have to really really work hard from now on, to really be worthy of what I have now.