Work: To Love or Not To Love?

Since I am at work and can’t think of anything to write about, I will write about work. It’s been 9 long years since I started working. I was still in college then when I was commissioned by our film org to be one of 3 film reviewers for ClicktheCity.com for their website and SMS-blast of reviews of upcoming films. It was a very good opportunity then as I was still a student and I was able to have extra cash to use for my education, plus, I love what I was doing – writing and having free tickets to the latest movies! Not bad for my first source of bacon, er, paycheck.

I should tell you that I was the eldest among my four brothers and being the breadwinner is “gracefully” placed on my shoulders ever since I went to school. I was like groomed to be the family’s breadwinner. And the pressure progressed even more when I attended the University of the Philippines. I think my family has cradled this grand fantasy that if I graduated from the university, the best opportunities will just be handed to me like royalty. This is why I never, should never, ever lose a job no matter what. Just so they will not lose faith to my alma mater, at least.

MinneHAHA friends

And so, right after or even during college, I had to get a job, which I managed to find, thanks to the call-center-wagon. It was a glorified job that set an unrealistic starting salary to my parents. Fortunately, I was able to endure it for 3 years just because it paid the bills, helped me finish college and sent me off to Boracay and Palawan.

After a series of unfortunate events (i.e. psychosomatic sickness & antisocial behavior), I finally let go of the job and settled for a project-based research job which ran for 2 months only but it was a really good stint. It paid well, I was good at it and most of all, I owned my time. It was really great however short-lived it was.

Petster: one of the projects I had with PCCI

Shortly after, I was referred by my friend to the Philippine Canine Club Inc. where her dad was one of the Directors. The pay was relatively small and the immediate boss sucked (big time!) but that job and department was mine (creative, publications & marketing). But the greatest part of this stint was that it brought me to my soulmate, Ze Boyfriend! I only lasted less than a year though as that immediate boss brought forth hell to prevent me from taking over the club. Did I mention, I was also favorite of the Directors?

After that one monster-boss, I was transferred to another. But this time in a more challenging and posh setting – I became a Marketing Specialist in Generali Pilipinas in Makati. The pay was good, the work was good the only problem was that the boss was… indescribable! But I endured it for a while because I got to travel and live in a condo, how cool was that? (eyes rolling)

The last job I had before I went to work here in Abu Dhabi was a stint as Associate Editor in PCSO’s bi-monthly publication, Bwenas Ka (Lucky You). Lucky me indeed, again, I was doing what I loved to do (write and research) and the pay was good and I could do work from home!

Still, the income wasn’t enough as 3 of my brothers were all in college then so I decided to come here since Ze Boyfriend was here already in Abu Dhabi. I tried my luck here and fortunately, even amidst all the so-called OFW hardships and sacrifices, I was able to get by.

But of course one could not prevent me from wondering, what if I pursued a job in line with my college course (film and audiovisual communication) or writing? What if I delved into business or the film industry? Would I be happier? Richer? Or more miserable?

18th floor staff and some site people

I guess it’s too late to turn back now as I am about to turn 30 next year. And I am already here at an established company (very far from what I took up in college – engineering consultancy) with nothing to do at the moment but blog about my previous jobs and what-could-have-beens. When in fact, I should be grateful that I actually have a job that sent my brothers to school, pays the house for my parents and that actually allows me to do what I love doing, write, travel, take photos, eat and read – and hopefully, in the near future, will also allow me to put up a business of my own.

Indeed, it’s a matter of perspective really. It’s up to us on what we choose to see, a half-full or half-empty glass. And with all the fruits of this hard labor, I must say that all the sacrifices and hard work and exhaustion are worth it. As I said, it’s all a matter of perspective, seeing the grace in little things and in things that don’t go our way. Based on experience, there will always be a saving grace to every hardship that we encounter.

A man's work is nothing but this slow trek to rediscover, through the detours of art, those two or three great and simple images in whose presence his heart first opened. 

Albert Camus