Silver Age

Last year, on my 24th birthday, I was the image of pure depression and melancholy. I celebrated my birthday with just a bottle of Generoso, and Purefoods luncheon meat as my pulutan. That year, I had a misunderstanding with my mom which lasted more than 3 months…

This year, me and my mom were in good terms. I was actually not in good terms with my dad. He happens to celebrate his birthday before mine and I managed to give him problems late February.

I was so psyched that I will celebrate alone and that what happened last year may also happen this year. I did not make any plans at all as they may go to waste. I even abandoned the idea of watching Eraserheads Reunion concert that I planned to attend late last year.

March 5, my father’s birthday was the start of my long leave from work. I took a 5-working day leave to carefully think whether I’m still on the right track, or am I slowly drifting from my plans. It was at this day when I re-read my journal entries and wrote all the things that I’d like to accomplish this year until before I reach 26.

March 6… It was Rakrakan 9.5, a gathering of rakista.com members, and the day before I reach 25. I went late in the evening and bought 2 buckets of Red Horse Beer and sisig for my clan mates. After our orders were brought to our table, my clan mates sang the birthday song which I’ll answer with: bukas pa ang birthday ko (It’s not yet my birthday!) which made other rcom members look at our direction.

I was also meeting up with Ellaine Janica, my high school friend who happens to be born on the same month and date that I was. When EJ arrived at Dayo, we stayed only for some more minutes then we headed to Timog or Morato to celebrate our birthday.

We first went to Gusi Bar but since it was already past 12am, the bar’s already closed. Then, we took a cab and went to Pier 1 instead. Upstairs, inside the air-conditioned room, EJ and I ordered some blue margarita and nachos. We updated each other with the current happenings in our lives. We also talked about our plans for the future. That night, I went home in their house somewhere in Project 4.

March 7, about past 10am, I arrived home. Waiting for me were the ingredients for spaghetti and pancit that I will be cooking for my birthday. Instead of greeting me Happy Birthday, my mom asked me where I spent the night. Of course, I did not answer anymore, we might just end up arguing again. So instead of taking some nap first, I immediately started cooking.

I did not invited any office mates or friends because I originally thought that this year will be a repeat of my birthday last year. However, I did invited Motoki, my friend since college, to come to our house. I even assured him that it’s just food, there’ll be no drinking. But, Uncle Tam called home past 7pm, saying that Ayi and a friend will be coming so I better prepare some drinks.

So late in the evening, I cooked again and even asked my Aunt Vilma to buy Andok’s lechon manok for pulutan. In less than an hour, my uncle arrived, followed by Motoki. My uncle suggested buying some drinks so I asked Motoki to accompany me in the nearest 7-11 store. Soon after, Ayi and his friend arrived. After eating, Motoki and I drove to 7-11 and bought Antonov Vodka and The Bar, an orange-flavored vodka. We even bought 2 packs of Marlboro lights and some chips.

I drank Vodka with Motoki, Ate Vhec (my cousin), Uncle Tam, Ayi, and Monty. Apparently, other that me, it was only Motoki who drinks Vodka. The rest of them, it was their first time to drink that. I was laughing at their reactions as they took their first shots of Antonov. After drinking half the bottle of Antonov, I suggested of trying The Bar Orange Vodka since it tastes better than the first. I was telling them to drink The Bar without any chaser because it tastes sweet. Their reactions after sipping their first try made me laugh real hard. Ha ha…

My birthday this year was a happy one. I’m already on the 25th year, the silver age. I don’t know which particular age would be my last. As early as now, I’m psyching myself that 50 will be my oldest age. So I better do all I want to do and accomplish what I want to achieve. After all, 25 years isn’t that long, right?

Loans and Harassment

Well, here's my recent experience regarding Collecting Agencies/Office of Loan or Credit Card Companies:

Wednesday, Feb. 25:
A "Makati police officer" called our office, saying that they're on their way to arrest me because of some cases and he gave me a number to call, and look for an Atty. Antonio Villanueva.
Upon calling that number, I was told that I was charged with breach of contract among other cases, such as violation of RA 8484. They were asking me to pay 27K immediately to settle.
After that call, I proceeded with my work and after lunch, I was informed by my superior, assistant manager, that there was another call, apparently from "Pasig police", asking for landmarks of our office.
I called my mom and my aunt.. and my friend regarding my dilemma.. Last, I called again the lawyer, Atty. Villanueva and was asked to settle at least 5K to temporarily hold the arrest.
Because of that, I was forced to take a half day leave, come up with at least 5K for initial payment..

After paying, I was advised by my friend not to believe said cases. That I am being harassed so as to pay the amount in full.
I was even advised by her lawyer friend and her brother, to get the details of my supposed cases so as to know legal actions that I can do.

Thursday, Feb. 26:
I called Atty. Villanueva about my cases and he said they were "highly confidential" and that it should not be discussed via phone. I said since I was the one involved, I have the right to know, right?
What happened was, he advised me that if I really want to know my case, I should get a lawyer and we should discuss this in court. After that, I again asked some my friend regarding the non-compliance of Atty. Villanueva to advise my supposed cases.
Along with the advise from lawyers I've asked, I immediately called again Atty. Villanueva and told him that I should know my charges and that I've already asked some lawyers about it. The said lawyer shouted at me and said that I should forget settling only 27K and we talk about it at court..
Final advise by my friend: Check with RTC and MTC if there's really a case filed against you.

Friday, Feb. 27:
I called RTC and MTC to verify whether there's really a case against me and if there are, I'd inquire about those cases. It turned out, there's really no case filed against me and that I was just being harassed by that collecting office.

-*-

I've already settled part of that loan.. And will be paying the remaining this coming March.
Imagine the sleepless nights and the emotional struggle I have to go through because of that Collection Office.

It was good that I know some lawyers and I get to read blogs at http://failuretopaycreditcard.blogspot.com coz they helped me weigh things out.

I wouldn't want to deal with Citibank and CitiFinancial again.. I called their hotline number to ask for consideration regarding my dilemma but they kept on forwarding me to the collection office. They were even rude at doing so.
I was surprised that last Feb. 27, they talked to me courteously when I showed up at their office. I talked to the same guy I talked with via phone. It seems like a 180degree turn coz they've been rude to me the day before and now, they were treating me like every word I said matters.

All these events lead to me being absent at work for more than a day.. Plus, my dad had disowned me.
Now, it makes me think.. Does that 40K loan enough for me to be harassed, be absent at work, and be disowned by my own father?

Certainly not.