My daughter told me I am not mabarkada daw. She said it would be nice to have barkada. That’s true. I’ve observed that many women’s closest friends are those they met in school, usually from elementary, high school, or college. They are more comfortable with people they’ve met when they had no inhibitions yet, wala pang ere, no hang-ups, no titles yet. They met and became good friends while they were young.
When I am in restaurants or in public places, I always see a group of middle aged women screaming when they see their friends or when they arrive in their meeting places. Ako, when I meet a friend, I say hi or hello, how are you, it’s nice to see you, it’s been a long while…. but I don’t scream or giggle. I am so aloof, subdued and boring.
My situation is a little tricky. I spent my elementary and high school days in Binangonan. Most of my classmates then are either still living in Binangonan or abroad. I don’t live in Binangonan. Those still there have different backgrounds and we don’t jibe. Their interests and conversation topics are different. Their day to day concerns are also different. They would probably get bored with me.
There are a few who are living in Manila. At my age now, parang I want to make friends with everyone. But some women, who have achieved some degree of success are very competitive naman kaya siguro they don’t respond to my hand of friendship.
I attended our batch Christmas party in Binangonan yesterday afternoon. I’ve long accepted that I cannot blend with my batchmates completely. Our conversations are limited to hi, o ano, kumusta. If it goes far beyond that, I begin to feel awkward. Samples of their way of greeting me:
1. Male #1——— “O ano, tumaba ka yata? Nabuntis ka ba?”
2. Female #1——– “Annie, ang ganda-ganda mo sa Facebook”
3. Male #2———- “..Nie, mukhang nagkakaedad na tayo, nakikita na ang pileges, bahagya lang naman, ganyan talaga ang tumatanda. Bahagya lang naman, kita na ang pileges mo. Tanggapin na natin na tayo ay nagkakaedad na”.
(Inulit-ulit pa)
4. Female #2———“Ayokong tumabi kay Annie, nasasapawan ang beauty ko”.
5. Female #3——— “Annie, kumusta, hindi ka nagbabago hano? Nagme-mens ka pa ba?”
(My God)
6. Male # 3———–” Kumusta, lalong gumaganda si batchmate, papasko ko?”
(Hidden agenda)
7. Female #4———-“Ay bakit hindi ka yata nagbabago, medyo tumaba ka lang”.
(Maganda sana, mataba lang)
8. Male # 4———- “Salamat sa papasko. Ipasok mo naman yung anak ko trabaho”.
A———– “Anong natapos”.
Male #4——“Yung nga ang problema, nagluko at nag drugs, hindi nakatapos. Nakapagtrabaho na yun sa may Pasig, kaya lang napagbintangan na nagnakaw”.
(Susmaryosep)
Sobrang natawa ako sa nagmemens Ka pa ba at sa magnanakaw na anak!! I love it. 🙂
Ms. Annie, You are not mabarkada because of your strict upbringing from your overprotective and conservative parents, when you were young, who want only a good future for you. So, you never learned barkada skill, and did not specialize on it. The word “barkada” has a bad connotation during our times. That’s why parents don’t want us to join barkada who are usually out of the house and found on the streets. Parents are afraid that you might learn some vices like drinking, smoking and gambling and you might end up being pregnant and not be able to finish your college. As of now your barkada is your husband and your two kids, very traditional– and you’re happy, that’s enough.
Hahaha! Ms Annie i think you should think of making a book version of your blog. Sa readers/followers mo palang kikita ka na. Happy Holidays to you and your family. Many thanks for making my 2014 funny and memorable. Looking forward to reading your blog in 2015.
Kapag wala akong ginagawa sa house ‘Oh My Buhay’ lagi ang binbasa ko. It’s really a nice blog, I think every one could relate to it like me. HAHAH! Can’t wait to read your up coming blog in 2015 Ms. Annie. Keeep writing po and gusto ko mag pa picture sa’yo soon!!!!