Life’s Lessons

It’s Wednesday again. Time flies so fast. Ace was off to work so I start my own thing in here. Yesterday, Ace was on half-day leave so he could transact business at Social Security System (SSS) and Home Mutual Development Fund (HDMF). I tag along – for a change. I seldom go out during weekdays so it’s a chance for me to see the busy streets of the city. We arrived at SSS building at exactly 3PM. The guard instructed him to get a priority number and so he lined up at information counter. After more than 10 minutes of waiting, he was given #229. While waiting for Ace to get his priority number, I joined the people sitting on the benches in front of six counters but only one is serving the clients. All other counters are closed. The employees must be taking their afternoon snack by then but hey, only one left to serve their customers? More or less 60 people are waiting to be entertained that time. I shouldn’t be shocked because SSS people, like all other government offices, are very lax — not even customer service oriented. It is their privilege to take a break but should consider the people waiting for their service. Why don’t they take a break on rotation and not just leave their stations during break time regardless of the number of people waiting in line? The guy sitting next to me is already uneasy until asked me what is my priority number. Ace, who’s sitting beside me answered him. The guy gave us his priority number so we won’t wait that long. He cannot wait for his turn because he just went out of his work during break time to verify if his employer really paid his remittances. Ten more persons to go and it’s his turn already but he need to go as he is already late so we gladly accepted his priority number and passed on that simple act of kindness to the guy sitting next to Ace. Ace’ finished his transaction at exactly 4PM. It was raining so hard so we waited for it to stop. When it was only drizzling, we took a jeepney to Victoria Plaza and walked to Pryce Tower where HDMF (Pag-Ibig) holds its offices. On the way to Pryce Tower, the wind is blowing so hard that he jokingly said “buti nalang ako ang nagahawak ng payong. Kung ikaw pa yun, napalid ka na sa Victoria” (good thing that I was the one holding the umbrella. If its you, probably the wind will take you to Victoria). The wind is really blowing hard that our umbrella turned on the other side that Ace could hardly pull it.LoL. It’s our first time to experience such embarrassing scene. The people who have seen that must be laughing to us. After a couple of minutes, we finally made it to Pryce Tower with Ace saying “matibay pala payong natin, d nasira” (our umbrella is durable. It wasn’t broken). 

At Pag-Ibig, Ace was entertained immediately. Their waiting chairs are all vacant so it’s Ace turn immediately after entering the office. Ace will request for merging of his data from his previous employer (Del Monte Fresh Produce, Phils., Inc.) to the current (Unifrutti Services, Inc.) so that his remittances from the previous employer will be reflected in his current file. With Pag-Ibig, you have to go through manual request of merging not like SSS that automatically reflects the records from the current and previous employers. Ace was told he has no remittances from Del Monte. How come? He has worked for almost two years. It’s also impossible that Del Monte is not paying their remittances. The Pag-Ibig employee checked on all DM’s masterlist and found Ace’ name spelled wrongly that’s why she cannot locate the records by typing Ace’ full name. Hmm…DM’s HR personnel in-charge of Benefits Administration did not double checked the entries in their masterlist submitted to Pag-Ibig? Most probably! To merge his records, he was required to get a certification from DM that CHRITOPHER ACE J. NIERVA (based on DM’s masterlist) is the same person as CHRISTOPHER ACE J. NIERVA. 

After that Pag-Ibig transaction, we went to Victoroa Plaza for Ace to withdraw some moolah. But before he could withdraw, we find ourselves inside Greenwich because we are already hungry. I had my favorite Lasagna Supreme while he had Beefy Baked Macaroni. We’re not in the mood to take pictures because we’re really hungry. So you just imagine the food.LoL. The shopper in me is not in the mood too so we just killed the time walking at the lobby after Ace got his money. One of the plans for that day is to have his hair cut at Mang Domeng’s but it is still raining outside so I suggested he’ll have it done at Rocky’s Barber instead. I insisted but he refused. Here we go again. Everytime Ace plans to have a haircut, it will take him days before it will be done. After a while, he decided we’d go home. We were greeted by hundreds of commuters outside the mall. It’s impossible for us to get a ride immediately so I told Ace we should go to Mang Domeng’s so he could have his hair cut instead of wasting time waiting for a ride. At last he gave in so we’re going to cross the pedestrian overpass but I saw a green mango vendor so I asked Ace to buy one. Then he changed his mind again…we’ll buy and go home. I told him I’ll eat it at Mang Domeng’s while waiting for him so he agreed. It took us a while to get a ride and he was already planning to go home while we were still waiting for a jeepney until finally, an empty jeepney plying the route that will pass by the barbershop stopped in front of us and we’re able to ride at last!

Ace was immediately attended by a barber and had a full body massage after. That’s why he wanted to have his haircut at Mang Domeng because they are offering a free haircut if you have a massage. Actually, Mang Domeng’s has been Ace’ comfort zone for a haircut since they moved here in Davao. The place is a plain barbershop before. But this year, the management has changed and the set-up also changed. The place was renovated and air conditioned. They already include different kind of massage in their services for a very reasonable price. For only PhP199 ( US $4.06), one can have a free haircut and a full body massage. We actually tried it months ago and it was so relaxing. I only had foot massage then and twas such a great experience that I wanted to try the bady massage. Only, Ace is not amenable with the idea of a body massage for me in that place because there’s no dividers nor even drapes in between beds for privacy. Though lights are dim, it’s not yet a good idea that I have a massage with other guys in the room. So, while Ace was having a relaxing time, I kept myself busy reading the travel magazines. Oh well, I have eaten the green mango while Ace is having a hair cut then I wish I got two. I am really a green mango eater! I want it dipped in a shrimp paste but I am not at home so I contented myself with the salt. 

It was half-way past 8PM when Ace finished his massage and I am hungry again! Glad that my appetite is back and I am eating again. I am craving for an Isaw (chicken intestine) and the nearest place where we could get some is in front of the former Malativas where we used to eat BBQ and isaw years back. While on the way, I was hoping that there’s still isaw so I could satisfy my craving. We got a handful sticks and chorizo (Ace’ fave) and brought home. The ride back home is too long as we only took a jeepney but it was such a worthy trip because I had a great full meal with my isaw when we got here. It’s too late to have dinner already but we still ate so much and we’re so full. 

That was a great day! I’m glad that I am eating again.  

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