100-Peso Happiness

I'm never a fan of sale nor 99-peso stores or of three (3) items for hundred pesos and other marketing gimmicks. I see them as deception guised making consumers believe they are getting their money's worth. But I frequent Divisoria just the same not because it's my main route going to school nor due to the fact I live just five minutes away from it -- I hate to admit it to the rest of the world but I am self-confessed cheapskate "smart" buyer (ehem!).

Just before Christmas, I bought two of my inaanak a Christmas gift. To be honest, I was not quite satisfied with what I bought but since I was on a tight budget, I had no choice. To think, the items I bought were relatively good.

Just how much is the purchasing power of a hundred peso nowadays?

... 15-peso short from the Php 115 electronic load to be able to call for 13 minutes and send 115 text messages (but there's always the 60 pesos e-load... this goes for smart prepaid subscribers, by the way)
... enough to buy me a 24/7 Sun Call and Text Unlimited which will last for seven (7) days -- that is, if Edwin Manabat and his Sun cohorts work on the resumption of their service in that area!!! (Php 100)
... I can still buy a venti-sized Guava juice at Starbucks and be able to chill there for the rest of the day and still have a 10-peso change. (Php 90)
... Bob Ong's Alamat ng Gubat book (hi Tong!add me sa Friendster!) Php 100 at National Bookstore (I should be credited for plugging his book -- hehehehehehehehehe)
... not enough for a domestic terminal fee, though which used to be just a 100 peso -- now it's 200, but still not a WiFi hotspot!

(i'm tired of enumerating already... will go direct to my point! whew!)

... and a hundred peso PLDT Touch card -- enough to make me call for 34 minutes (should you choose the Tagalog language).

It is my decision and I will stand by it no matter how difficult and heart-wrenching our situation is. Not that I'm complaining. I'm just stating it as a matter of fact, the-person-who-must-not-be-named... (is that you, Mrs. Voldemort?!)

For 34 minutes, I savor every moment. Treat it as if it's always my last call.

Honestly, I used to be a freak when it comes to money -- I spend it as if I'm one of the descendants of Richie Rich, here, there and everywhere but now, I am reformed (alien!!! raise the roof!!!).

I count my change now; no longer an obssessive-compulsive buyer; I rarely take cabs now unless necessary; I try to save and save and save so that for 34 minutes, I become a magician and make our distance disappear.

I have to content myself with what I have now. With that 34 minutes. If only I could reason with the top honchos of PLDT to extend our time and make it last long, even eating buriring for breakfast, lunch, snack, dinner and midnight snack I will do for them... I will also join Fear Factor should the need arises.

I'm not a masochist. I do not like to inflict pain to myself. I have very low treshold for pain. But, I give credit to Julia Fordham for stating the obvious, indeed, love moves in mysterious ways.

Love demands a leap of faith and so does a big leap from NCR to another distant region.

And even for 34 minutes worth a hundred pesos, indescribable joy sets in my heart.

Happiness comes in many forms... just now that in this life of mine I appreciated how much a hundred peso can make the happiest person out of me.

And should I win a million pesos in Game Ka Na Ba? -- of course I'll no longer buy another Touch card. Instead, a one-way ticket... and leave on a jetplane.

Enough of wishful thinking...

...Someday...

If there's one song I won't get tired of ever listening to is Nina's Someday. Composed and written by Nyoy Volante, it depicts of a person's hope that someday, there will a come a person who'll see through her and will treat her right -- quite the exact opposite of what she gets in the relationship she has right now.

As unfortunate as it can be, the only thing we can't do in any given relationship is to tell the person exactly how we want to be treated and loved. Worse, to even say, "love me" or better yet ask a heart to open its door when it has chosen otherwise.

As unlucky as an unrequited love is a one-sided relationship that sees not your worth and because of love, that oh so stupid love, you stay and hope, thinking the person will have a change of heart.

Despite the pathetic treatment, you still can't find the strength to leave him and move on -- not because we're plain suckers for agony and hurt but simply because you love the person and there's no rational explanation for that no matter how you try.

Someday
Nina

Someday you’ll gonna realize,
One day you’ll see this through my eyes.
But then I won't even be there,
I’ll be happy somewhere,
Even if I can't.

I know,
You don’t really see my worth.
You think you're the last guy on earth
We’ll I've got news for you,
I know I’m not that strong
But it won’t take long
Won’t take long...

Someday, someone's gonna love me.
The way, I wanted you to need me.
Someday, someone's gonna take your place.
One day I’ll forget about you,
You’ll see, I won't even miss you
Someday, someday...

But now,
I know you can tell,
I’m down and I’m not doing well
But one day these tears
They will all run dry
I won't have to cry
Sweet goodbye.

Coz someday, someone's gonna love me,
The way, I wanted you to need me.
Someday, someone's gonna take your place.
One day, I’ll forget about you,
You’ll see, I won’t even miss you,
Someday, I know someone's gonna be there...

Someday, someone's gonna love me,
The way, I wanted you to need me.
Someday, someone's gonna take your place.
One day, I’ll forget about you,
You’ll see, I won’t even miss you,
Someday, someday...

Kinda proves the universal truth that no matter who and what we are in life, we all experience the same kind of joy, pain and hurt and join each other's misery through a song that dreams of a love we all long to have... someday.