I have been a SHIFTEE...

Yes, it's true I have been a shiftee, and I fear I might be again!

Sorry for the term, but I can't quite have a grasp of the exact word to describe my behavior of changing or shifting often when it comes to big decisions in life. It is my own vocabulary from shifting to what I am supposed to do.

It started when I was in high school. After finishing my freshman year in a State University, the premiere high school in our province, I shifted to a local BARANGAY high school with no valid reason at all.

When I went to College, I did the same. I was performing with flying colors in my IT course and even a consistent Dean's Lister while being an Editor-in-chief in the College publication. I was freshman then but already enjoying such privileges. But because of annoyance, I left the school to transfer in a University to pursue Engineering.

My being "shiftee" did not stop there. While on my sophomore years in Engineering, where I was able to pass all my subjects, I felt the need to shift again to other College, which prompted me to finish Public Administration degree.

I worked in Jollibee, but I did not like it at all, I then transferred to Greenwhich. But the environment was exactly the same. I seemed like a fool leaving a hefty and annoying job for a similarly hefty and annoying one.

I then, landed to a new environment in a company that is the market leader for noodles and biscuits categories here in the Philippines. I got in loved with it especially their humane and happy atmostphere.

About the thought of transferring? I did it 4 times. I worked first at Caraan Marketing a distributor of the noodles & biscuits company, but after a while, I found myself working at FCN Ormin (another distributor) until I came across with Grupo Marilen, Inc the local distributor in our Cagayan Valley Region.

For now, I've been working with GMI for almost 9 years. But have I ever shifted? Indeed, I always have that feeling. For years (that I am with GMI) I can not recall a year that I have not intended to leave. But the best exemplification of my being shiftee at GMI is my transer from my first work location in Isabela Area. I am now in Cagayan.

Will I ever shift or transfer again? Absolutely yes! I will shift to another career in its opportune time.

But what a heck? Why am I talking about shifting?

The truth is, this has something to do with my internet usage. I am always fond of writing despite my limitations and my being unskillful in journalism. I just want to express my thoughts and make things over the net. This prompted me to make blogs on many subjects such as administration, public service, translation services that I offer and etc... But finally, the SHIFTEE thing that is about to happen will be for a more significant cause.

Watch out! I will no longer write blogs since my new baby is being born. The beautiful and noble shiftee aspiration that I wanted to pursue is about to happen. I hope I will not get annoyed easily with it.

Watch out for it. Mind you, maybe you will also benefit when your simple wishes that might come true.

Watch out for my new site to replace all my blogsites. It is happening soon at http://www.IwishIhelp.com! The below article motivated me to do this shiftee thing again. This is taken at Inquirer.net:

MRT passengers pass the hat for cancer patient

MANILA, Philippines – When 54-year-old Cleofe Navarro boarded the Metro Rail Transit (MRT) carrying her granddaughter Ashley Ann Nepomuceno, there was a momentary silence among the passengers.

A couple of women stood up and gave away their seats. Navarro, cradling the six-year-old child, smiled shyly. “Pasensya na po kayo,” she said, seemingly embarrassed at her predicament.

In her arms was a child with limbs covered in bandages, head bleeding despite the gauze.

A visibly weak Nepomuceno wailed in pain while Navarro positioned her away from the sun.

Suddenly, a woman sitting across her handed over what seemed to be money. A couple of minutes later, one or two other good Samaritans did the same.

Another one offered her a wad of tissues to wipe away the blood.

“Salamat po sa tulong n’yo (Thank you for your help),” an overwhelmed Navarro said aloud. Meanwhile, Nepomuceno remained silent, perhaps feeling much better because of the cooler temperature.

It was at that point that this reporter started a conversation with Navarro.

Navarro said Nepomuceno was suffering from stage 1 bone marrow cancer and a rare skin disease called epidermolysis bullosa, which causes blisters to form on the skin.

They had just been to St. Luke’s Medical Center where Nepomuceno was supposed to undergo electron microscopy, a test that would have showed the doctor the status of her cancer.

Passengers chip-in

In a phone interview the next day, Navarro told INQUIRER.net that they rode the MRT on their way to the Philippine General Hospital (PGH) where Nepomuceno underwent physical therapy. The six-year-old child collapsed the last time she had chemotherapy and was trying to regain strength for the next one.

Her grandmother revealed that they were not able to avail of the electron microscopy because she only had P3,000 in her wallet. They needed P7,200 for the procedure, which was already a discounted price. St. Luke’s was not willing to accept a promissory note for the laboratory exam.

Navarro was able to raise P1,200 from those who gave them money at the MRT.

She said she really wanted to ask for help but was too embarrassed. Fortunately, the people were moved by Nepomuceno’s condition, prompting them to contribute.

Navarro said it was not the first time that it happened.

Six times a week, the 54-year-old grandmother would carry Nepomuceno from their home in Angeles, Pampanga to St. Luke’s in Quezon City and then the PGH.

She would often ride the MRT and there were days when people, without being asked, would hand over money to help in Nepomuceno’s medical bills.

Navarro was quite desperate that day because they needed the money for the electron microscopy and because Nepomuceno had started bleeding after complaining of feeling pain in her head. She said the wound was from a type of blood transfusion procedure.

Until now they have yet to raise the needed money for the said laboratory test.

Cash-strapped

Navarro said they already have a lot to thank for, especially since Nepomuceno’s six chemotherapy sessions, two of which are already finished, are covered by the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office.

In addition to meeting her favorite television host Vice Ganda last year, Nepomuceno was also featured in the show “Wish Ko Lang.” However, that was back in 2010 when she was not yet diagnosed with cancer.

Now, they have to raise at least P6,500 per week for skin medication.

While the bone marrow cancer can be cured after four more sessions of chemotherapy, epidermolysis bullosa is a lifetime illness.

Younger patients who suffer from it are called “butterfly children” because of their fragile condition. Among the most famous of these children is Johnny Kennedy who was the subject of the documentary “The Boy Whose Skin Fell Off.” Kennedy died in 2003 because of skin cancer caused by the said disease.

The whole Navarro family is working to fund Nepomuceno’s medication. Navarro said her two younger children have stopped studying to help. Her son now drives their tricycle while her middle child works as a sales lady. Her husband is a wood carver who earns P1,800 a week.

Nepomuceno’s parents, the mother being Navarro’s daughter, are currently unemployed after their contract at the Clark Freeport Zone, where they did laundry work, expired. They are waiting to be re-hired by their previous employer at a call center agent.

“’Pag kinulang, naglalaba, namamamlantsa (ako) sa mga kumareng mayayaman. Nakaka P1,000 din maghapon,” Navarro said.

(If our money is not enough, I also do the laundry and ironing for friends who are rich. I am able to earn P1,000 a day.)

A painful childhood

Unlike other children, Nepomuceno could not go outside and play. She does not have the strength to do so and should not be exposed to the sun.

But Navarro said Nepomuceno is at her best right now. She used to be in worse pain, suffering from the occasional nose bleed and severe blistering.

“Her skin looks beautiful now,” she said in Filipino.

Lately, however, the summer heat has been taking its toll on Nepomuceno, with their old air conditioning unit destroyed by typhoon Ondoy’s flood waters in 2009.

Sometimes, Navarro will have to rush Nepomuceno to a small town hotel in the middle of the night so the child could sleep in peace.

Another troubling possibility they are facing isNepomuceno’s skin disease resulting in blindness.

In the end, Navarro does not mind all the hardships and sacrifices that her family are going through.

“Gusto ko pong tumagal si Ashley (I want Ashley to live longer),” a sobbing Navarro said over the phone.

For those who want to help Nepomuceno, e-mail us at social.media@inquirer.net so we can connect you to the Navarro family.

English to Ilocano/Tagalog; Ilocano/Tagalog to English Translation Sevices

Friday, April 4, 2014

To a more Significant Internet Usage

MRT passengers pass the hat for cancer patient

Friday, September 9, 2011

My Resume