My Little Brother Dennis

Four years ago, my youngest brother and I had a little misunderstanding when he decided to quit the Marine Academy where he (out of the tens of thousands who tried) was successfully admitted as a scholar. Back then, it was really hard for me to accept that he reluctantly let go of what I thought was a great opportunity for him to make his life far better than most.

Apparently, now, we have no way of knowing what could have been had he endured the pains of staying in the academy. Then again, I must say I really am very thankful that things went as they did. Looking back at those years, I realized a lot of reasons to thank God that He did not allow my beloved brother to be away from my parents and have very limited vacation days to spend with the family. Without him, our happy times wouldn't have been as happy; we might not have been able to weather our storms as greatly as we did.

The whole realization hit me big. I guess my only excuse for feeling as bad as I did then is that I am only human... I make mistakes. I should have known better, though. God has wonderful plans for each of His children.

"Sorry, but these are the only accessible photos I have of Dennis. With him in both pictures is my little boy."

My brother Pampam (as we call him) sure made our whole family proud again. A few days ago, he graduated with a degree in Computer Science, a last minute choice he made after setting the academy aside. He bested a couple of hundred other students and brought home the "Programmer of the Year" award. I truly believe that it's an excellent choice he made for himself as i've personally witnessed how he never gave up despite his very limited resources. Somehow, I feel that our misunderstanding a few years back served him well. Perhaps, he took it as a challenge to do well in school.

Job quest has officially started for him. We are very happy to see how he is so persistently trying to get himself employed in a good company. We pray hard that he continues to make good choices in life. With God's grace I am certain that he would do great in his chosen career.

Kudos to DFA!

It was back in 2002 when I went to the Department of Foreign Affairs on official business for the first time. Five years later, I came back to renew my passport and was pleased to see that a government unit can make a notable improvement. Of course, things can be so much better than they already are. Nonetheless, it feels good to note that at least one of the many government agencies that most of us, taxpayers frequent tries to step up.

Somehow the experience made me ease up a little on the thought that government offices here in the Philippines are hopelessly sloppy, thus, unworthy of the funds received from taxpayers.

Some significant observations:

Then and now,

• As early as 4:00 AM, people would be lined up in front of the 1st gate at the side entrance waiting for application forms to be given out. The lucky ones who already have the forms printed out from the web http://www.dfa.gov.ph/consular/passportapplicationform.pdf, photocopied from friends or received from the previous day’s visit to DFA would be lined up at the 2nd gate for step 1 (initial screening of requirements).
  
  Not much people flood gate 1 and those who are in attendance aren’t there for the forms, but to have their bags and requirements inspected before getting in.
  
  
• The 1st gate, being open to all would have applicants, fixers, vendors, beggars, pick-pockets, parked vehicles, stray dogs and oblivious security guards next to each other.
  
  Candy wrappers, pieces of paper, misplaced belongings and other sorts of trash would be scattered. It’s a perfect eyesore to add to the stressful environment.
  
  Only those with official business are allowed to enter. Not even friends or relatives of applicants, unless otherwise necessary.
  
  The place is acceptably clean.
  
  
• DFA employees would act as if they are unapproachable gods and goddesses who do passport applicants a great deal of favor of processing their papers, when as a matter of fact, these people are the ones who put food on their tables – taxpayers, they are.
  
  Staff would engage themselves into “small talks” while their clients wait in almost endless lines.
  
  Most of the employees appeared genuinely helpful. They seem mindful enough of their own businesses and are conscious of the fact that a great number of taxpayers are waiting to be served.
  
  
• People who personally process their applications would have no other choice but to come back or send a representative on a DFA specified date and time to claim their passports.
  
  Delivery option via a reputable courier group is available for a fee making it so much easier for those who wish to avail of such service.

Again, things can be a lot better than they already are. Nonetheless, I say KUDOS to DFA!

Gone Astray

Why??? How??? These questions I asked myself after realizing that I inadvertently misplaced our car key.

Ridiculous, yes it is! I can’t begin to imagine what really happened. All I remember is that I parked the car, took the key from the keyhole, phoned my partner, took my bag, got out of the car, pressed the auto-lock button then securely closed the door. Roughly 3 to 4 meters away from my parking space, I thought of keeping the car key inside my pocket for security – and the brain draining search began.

Call it misfortune, stupidity, heedlessness! Whatever it is, I take responsibility for what happened. Apparently though, our car key is irrecoverably gone for good. I’m sorry, baby.