Manila Through the Eyes of an Igorot
Upon dropping off the bus along Ayala Avenue and saw the
tall buildings and brick-carpeted sidewalk, I was like a child wandering
through the Disney World with a lollipop in one hand.
The signage in front of every building, the cabs coming
in different hood accents, the security guards ready to kill with their guns, and the
static air welcomed me to a new world that I have been longing to explore.
Now is my second month of stay in Makati, a known city
for its tall buildings inhabited by the working class. Coming from Quezon City, I was certain I was already approaching Makati City because of the change of scenery- from the typical dirty surroundings to a clean, less populated street.
The first thing that
fascinated me was the water garden of Manila Peninsula, then the underpass
which was totally a paradise to an Igorot because of the wonderful posters
and art paintings on the wall.
However, starting anew is not as easy as eating pizza. Having paid New Media Services a quick goodbye, I
started working for Salarium, an IT startup offering Payroll software for HR and
accounting functions.
I had to train myself to speak in straight Filipino when
dealing with people since Ilocano and Kankanaey are not the lingua franca in the area.
I had
to look for a place to stay in since coming from Cubao, Quezon City would cost
me four hours a day for travel time, which is totally physically stressing and
therefore unwise. With the help of a batch mate who first came to Makati to work, we found a building offering bedspace to working folks.
After two months, it seems I am starting to catch up although
the depression that everything I allowed to spoil my happy spirit still haunts my every single moment
affecting how I deal with everything here.
In the evening when the buildings turn
their lights on against the orange clouds in the background, I could not close
my eyes to staring at the scenery because it is more than perfect. I no longer feel the drive to go back home and count how many pine trees grows on the mountain.
Every day, I walk to work for half an hour. I see frowing bankers wearing uniform, exciting chief executives magnificent with their business
attire, and tired fellows in casual dress. One time, I came to work wearing slippers
because a typhoon has just approached the city, and I thank God no one cared how
dumb I looked.
Tough as it may seem but I am trying to relax myself and
get away from fear, worries and tears I have invested in myself. Thanks God
my workmates, roommates, old friends, Facebook friends, blogger friends, and
those that I deal with from time to time understand where I am coming from.
As of now, I want to explore the neighborhood. I am
already done with Solaire Resort, Divisoria Market, 12 Monkeys, Edsa
Shangri-la, and A Venue Mall.
Yesterday, I had a simple meet up with four
wonderful bloggers to share the news about our software. I am no fan of
Starbucks but I learned to deal with the fact that people go there for
socialization.
While waiting, I noticed a couple sitting next to me was conversing in Baguio Ilocano. Afterwards, they were speaking in Kankanaey. I really wanted to get their attention but my skin just cannot stomach doing such.
My friend Xavier Arobo told me to
enjoy the freedom. Another friend Vienna Urbiztondo once reminded me never to
be afraid to ask and to commit mistakes because no one knows me here. Let us do this!
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