Power of Social networking. (A funny yet a real experience)

by: Christian Duran

October 27, 2010, I was going home to Siquijor to spend my Halloween with my family. I woke up early at around 5:00 am. Traveling time from Iloilo to Siquijor is approximately 10 hours. A grueling, exhausting, and boring travel unless you have the luxury to have an attractive seatmate ( wink, wink) whom you can talk with along the way.. added points if your seatmate is attractive. ;-) In my case, I was traveling alone since my brother went home ahead of me and my cousins were still taking care of their unfinished enrollment business.


I just came back to Iloilo from a field trip in Manila for our MBA Operations Management subject. I was carrying two bags. On one I put my business clothes and other formal shirts. I put my soiled clothes on the other bag and a basketball as my younger brother begged me to do so so that we can play 1 on 1 basketball back home. I did not complain though it added the burden of me carrying extra stuffs because I badly needed exercise. I'm getting fat nowadays and seldom do I have the chance to exercise due to my busy schedule.


So off I go.. not expecting that the best is yet to come.


I boarded Weesam Express from Iloilo going to Bacolod. It is about 45 minutes travel. I arrived at the port at around 6:25 am. and the first trip is around 6:30. I seemed to be lucky today. (That's what I thought.)


Back to my bags.. The bags I was carrying were from Pfizer where I had a training a year ago and the other one where I put my soiled clothes and the basketball is from the travel agency which ushered our class during the field trip. It has the label "Maynilad Tours" (hmmm, this appears like free a publicity ;-))


I left my bags near the doorway along with the bags of the other passengers since it was somewhat inconvenient to put the bags in my lap while I was seating.


I have this sea sickness which I really dont like and I have this practice to force myself into sleeping everytime I'm travel via sea so that I won't feely dizzy.


Okay.. so I'm in Bacolod now. I waited for several passengers to leave the vessel so that it would be convenient on my part to carry my baggage. I first lifted my "Pfizer" bag and was about to lift my other bag when I noticed that it seemed like someone moved it. I found it far accross the other side of the vessel. Quite strange I thought but I did not mind.


So, I boarded Ceres bus going to Dumaguete. this would be a 6-7 hour travel depending on the mood of the driver or let us say mood swing as what I would like to call it. If the driver is looking for adrenaline rush, our bus will fly once in a while. (you got the point. You know what I mean. :-) )


Alright. There's this pretty girl I noticed. she was alone yet I didn't have the courage to sit beside her. It will be obvious. The bus wasn't full yet and there were a lot of vacant seats.. too bad. I decided to sat behind her in order to be close.


It seemed like there's something wrong though. I'm not at ease. I noticed that my bag seemed to lose it's bulk (I'm referring to the travel agency's bag) and it seemed like it looks old. I opened the bag, and lo and behold! the first thing that I saw were bunch of siopaos. This isn't my bag!I panicked.


I initially blamed it to the bag. Who would expect that there's someone who has the same bag. I just got it yesterday and I was not expecting that someone would also carry the very same bag at the very same day at very same time. "Is this destiny?", I thought.


I checked for other stuffs and found photo albums as well as a stethoscope. I checked if there's a name written on the album but there was none,. Luckily there's a sticker at the side of the Bag which says, "Bryan Joseph Lim. University of San Agustin. BSN." I honestly thought that it would be good enough if the owner of the bag is a girl. well, it's okay. At least now, I have a lead.


I called my mother and I reported the incident. I was upset. My mom calm as she was told me not to panic and instructed me to call Weesam's office. I told her that it wouldn't do much help since their list of passengers did not include phone numbers. Besides I am already an hour away from Bacolod's port. It's exhausting to go back with unsure result. Nonetheless she told me that she will instruct Rachel, one my cousins to go to Weesam's office to seek help. Okay, okay I said.


Then I realized I had my USB on that bag where I saved my report. i was planning to finish that report at home. too bad.


I texted one my dormates who is also studying in San Agustin,Kenneth and asked for the number of another dormate, Dave who is a nursing student. the number was forwarde and I asked Dave if he knows someone by the name of Bryan Joseph Lim. I thought that there's a good possibility that Dave might have known Bryan since they are both from San agustin, they have the same course and they is the Red Cross president in school so he has a wide array of contacts. But I also know that there are hundreds of nursing students in San Agustin. I told Dave about what happened. I received a sad reply. Dave doesn't know Bryan. "it's okay, by the way thanks.", I texted.


Then I came up with this brilliant idea. I thought of facebook and even friendster. I texted my ever reliable friend Mr. Arwin Earl Ocreto.


Now, Mr Arwin Earl is working in Makati. He's big time. They have internet access in their office. He has his own computer station to do his work.


I instructed Arwin to try to search for "Bryan Joseph Lim" on facebook or even in friendster and try to look for a contact number. My good friend did what I told him to do and found Bryan's page in facebook but no contact number was saved on the information.


Hmmm, think, think, think. so, I told Arwin to leave a short message and explained to Bryan that I have his bag and possibilty is he's carrying my bag. I also instructed my good friend to leave my contact number for Bryan to reach me. All was followed. Arwin is the best.


After approximately 10 minutes, I received a call from a stranger. However I don't have the luxury to clearly hear what he was saying because of poor reception since I was on the move. But I catch his name. He said it was Bryan. The call was cut. I immediately texted mom to call Bryan's number.


I specifically told mom that it was somewhat Bryan's fault since he took my bag first. His bag was on the other side of the vessel but he grabbed my bag and his bag has a sticker on it with his name. he did not manage to check whether he was carrying the right bag. I guess he was in such a hurry. We have this mentality to blame our mistakes to others. But I also admit that I have some lapses. I should have put a name also on my bag or better yet carried it on my seat.


Okay.. so mom explained everything to Bryan and Bryan texted me back. We agreed to meet as soon as I return to Iloilo and exchange bags. (seems like a ransom or exchange gift scenario. hehe)



Then Bryan told me that I can eat those siopaos he had on his bag because it would be such a waste if they will just be spoiled. I didn't hesitate. I am doing him a favor afterall. Who would want to have ants inside his bag right and bad odor coming from spoiled food? (hehehe)


so everything was solved..


Moral of the story: Bring siopao when you travel. ;-)


Kidding aside, the said experience made realized the power of Social Networking sites to connect to people we would like to get in touch with.. :-)

They were not expecting It. ;-)

by: Christian Duran

I haven't updated my blog for some time now. I am so busy nowadays. I have my work during night (I worked in a call center presently) and then during the day I prefer to sleep since i'm to tired in doing anything. Worst, every saturday I also have a class for my masteral. Yeah, i'm taking up Masteral (Masters in Business Administration). It's just that I want to have a clear destination. After I finish my MBA, i'm aiming to teach in college. I want to be a professor. I want to have a profession. It's tough to work and study at the same time. By this, I somewhat consider myself as a working student.


Considering that i have worked at night, my mind is floating everytime I attend class. I immediately go to class after 10 hours of work and my class is good for 6 hours. I am not a superhuman so i feel the toll of it.


Here's a weird experience that I considered awkward but fun. hehe. I forgot the date on when it happened but it was on the month of July I guess. we have our Graduate School orientation and acquaintance program. Part of which are the traditional introduction of graduate school officers, discussions on the history of graduate school, lectures on what to expect in the graduate program, rules, regulations, etc.


Now, all the Graduate School departments were there, (Doctoral, Masters in Nursing, MBA, etc) and like any other program, there was always this part called "talent portion". I don't want to blame anyone but it so happened that we were only informed about it an hour before the program starts. All other groups had their week long presentation to show a decent performance. in our case, we were pushing on someone to present for the group. Discussions and suggestions were made but in the end, being one of the youngest if not the youngest among the group or perhaps of all the graduate school (i'm 21 yrs old), I found myself as the representative of our group. (MBA)


So, the program started, lectures were done and lunch time came. after lunch, groups had their presentation. The doctoral class enjoyed their ball room presentation. The Masters in Nursing Class had their well prepared and well executed "eenie-meenie-miny-moe lover", so on and so forth.


Now, when the MC called the MBA class, majority of my classmates already went home and few of us were left. initially we planned that I will dance in the beginning part and they will be in the latter part to perform with me but turns out that what was planned will not be demonstrated. Some of my classmates requested to allow us not to perform because we haven't prepared. But I told them that it's okay for me even if I will just be the one to represent the group.


So there I was in front with my mind floating since I haven't slept. I felt drowsy and seemed to be drunk but I was game for anything. I haven't really practiced anything and I dont even know what music will be played. I just requested the song "Shots" since it's an upbeat song to have me pumping. the song was played and I grooved with it freestyle. I had my breakdancing moves displayed on stage. I haven't danced for that long and I admit my moves are limited but I know some stunts. After 2 mins i guess I ended my performance.


It was fun though. :-). looking at the faces of the audience, (doctorate class, dean, nuns, and so may respected personalities in school), they did not expect such performance. better yet, they were not ready for that. haha.. they were in awe. after i performed, the MC made clear about it that it that it was a surprising number. hahaha


After the program, the dean went to me and praised me with my performance. (I gained a fan) haha.. When I went home, I instantly got knocked down and did not wake up until the next day. hahaha. it was a fun day and one of the many awkward moments that I can add to my list. ;-)

Heartfelt lines

1. "I promise with all my heart that come what may, in my own little way, I'll make you smile each and every single day." - Christian Duran


2. "If time is gold, I'm willing to spend all my gold to be with you." - Christian Duran


3. "I love the way her eyes cheerfully glisten and how she gracefully sways her hand when she says “hi” and oh, her smile is just a breath taking sight, leaving me stunned with a deep sigh." - Christian Duran


4. "Seeing you from a distance, feeling your presence, knowing that you are there is more than enough for me to be happy. How much more if I see your smile?" - Christian Duran


5. "I was a part of Robin and his friends(Teen Titans).. been with Captain Nemo and his team (The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen). And I've realized the depressing truth that wherever I go, no matter what things I do, you're just too good for me. I can't reach you no matter how hard I try.. and even if join Superman and the Justice League, the sad reality won't change.. you're still out of my league." - Christian Duran


6. "I'm the type of guy who cries over love stories. A guy who's afraid of injection and thinks of running away from it. But I tell you what.. I may be weak and lame but for whatever reason that you need someone, you can always call my name."- Christian Duran


7. "You know what sucks? It's the idea that you're trying your best to avoid someone hoping that she would somehow miss you when you know the fact that she doesn't even recognized that you're gone and doesn't care at all." - Christian Duran


8. "I wish that I could have the chance to be with you even for just a moment and have the sweetest sound that I long to hear... the sound of your laughter." - Christian Duran


9. "If I could add something in this lonely night, I would put twinkling snowflakes in the sky to dance with shooting stars and brighten your lovely eyes" - Christian Duran


10. "I want to fly like the wind and take you with me in my journey towards the glistening moon. While the world is calmly sleeping, we will be playing with the stars. I want to fly like the wind and make this dream come true. Nothing else would then matter but me and you." - Christian Duran


11. "Do you know the similarities between a leech and vying for your attention? They both feel uncomfortable and they both suck." - Christian Duran


12. "Whenever I look in the sky, I realize that we are still in one roof no matter how far we are from each other." - Christian Duran


13. "Cupid may be closing his eyes or using a blindfold every time he shoots those arrows for him not to see people's faces but listen to their hearts for him to find and hit the perfect match." - Christian Duran


14. Kung madali kang mawalan ng gana at basta na lang sumuko ang tawag sa’yo ay “quitter.” Pero pa’no naman kung di ka nawawalan ng pag-asa at handing maghintay? Tama ba kung ang itawag sa’yo ay “waiter”? - Christian Duran


15. "I want to stroll and relax.. to feel the cool wind touching my soul.. and under the cozy shade of a tree, I’ll watch the lovely sunset.. but it will be much nicer if you’re with me watching this heart-warming sight for me to see your heart-melting smile." - Christian Duran


16. "I want to enjoy a long quite sleep at night thinking of sweet dreams and happy thoughts But it will be much nicer if you’re at my side as I close my eyes and I can smell your hair as I hug you tight" - Christian Duran


17. "I want to wake up in the morning full of life as the warm sun greets me with a smile. But it will much nicer if I wake up and see your face to be greeted by your warm sweet embrace" - Christian Duran


18. They say jokes are half meant.. with that in mind, how I wish that the idea of you and me together will be a joke.. it would be much better.. at least it would be half meant.. compared to what it is right now.. totally not meant to be.." - Christian Duran


19. "Women are men's kryptonite." - Christian Duran


20. "Let me be a janitor.. give me a broom an the first thiing that I would do is to sweep you off your feet. " - Christian Duran


21. Love is like a chewing gum. Sobrang tamis sa umpisa.. nguya ka nang nguya.. pa-bubble2x pa.. ngunit later on, mapapagod rin ang 'yong dila.. sweetness will be gone and maba-badtrip ka matapos pumutok ang bubble sa'yong mukha and you'll decide na ito'y iluwa.." - Christian Duran


22. "Tuwing tine-text kita ng "hi", ang gusto ko sanang sabihin ay "miss kita". Pag tine-text kita ng "anong ginagawa mo?", gusto ko sanang sabihin na, "puede ba kitang yayaing lumabas?" at pag nagtext ako ng "ingat ka", ang gusto ko sanang sabihin ay "mahal kita." Pasensya ka na, wala pa akong lakas ng loob para masabi sa'yo ang mga ito." - Christian Duran


23. I will never be the best man for you and I won't even try. I mean, why would I, when I can be the groom." - Christian Duran


24. "Some men will say that if ever they see a woman cry, they will wipe the tears away. Well, I don't belong to them. What I will do rather is to make her smile and laugh so that the tears of sorrow becomes tears of joy" - Christian Duran


25. "I don't want to be the man of your dreams. I would rather prefer to be the man of your realities. " - Christian Duran


26. It's sad to fall for a tantalizer. Whatever I do, I will never have you. No matter how hard I try, things always end with a sigh. My emotion's for real.. but you're surreal. - Mystery


27. "I'm not really thinking of you.. it's just that you're the only person inside my heart.. leaving me no choice." - Christian Duran


28. If I can save Metro City, can I be the hero of your reality? -Mystery (inspired by Megamind)


29. "Infatuation oftentimes receives infinite misinterpretations. We call it just like that when the truth is, it's premature love. Yes, premature but the thing is, it' still love. The reason why it doesn't fully blossom into mature love is because we are so damn trapped with the the idea that it's only infatuation. Only infatuation, nothing more nothing less leaving it's potential to self extinction" - Christian Duran


30. "People are like yo-yos. Better not push them away too hard for the string might be detached and they might never come back." - Christian Duran


31. You're like chess.. You're not only giving me a hard time analyzing you. You're also giving me "chess pain." - Christian Duran


32. "It's okay if you lie.. as long as you lie next to me." - Christian Duran


33. "Even if I'll become the richest man on Earth, there will always be one thing I can never afford. I can never afford losing you." - Christian Duran


34. If there's one thing that will never be extinct here on Earth, then that would be LOVE for even the word EVOLution has LOVE on it." - Christian Duran


35. "Don't dwell on failures, keep things light but always put a good fight." - Christian Duran


36. "Love is strange and we are all strangers." - Christian Duran


37. "Be calm; that's one ingredient for you to be what you want to become." - Christian Duran


38. "My dream is not impossible but highly improbable. Will it come true? No one can tell. I've always been dreaming that you'll dream of me as well." - Christian Duran


39. "More than plans being fulfilled, it's the thought of reaching out that should be given enough yield. Random act of kindness, so it is.. touching the hearts of people much like getting what you've wished." - Christian Duran


40. "Doing the things you love becomes even more lovelier if you're doing it for the one you love." - Christian Duran


41. '"It's time that I shrug off all the rust and feel the rush." - Mystery


42. ‎"You got to move and you got to act. In short, you should make it happen. That's why it's called happiness." - Christian Duran


43. In life, you need to make choices. You shouldn't limit yourself and remain stagnant. Take risks. You literally need to hop; In short, be "hoppy" to become happy." -Christian Duran


44. "It's okay even if you don't know how to find the sum, product, or quotient as long as know how to make a difference." - Christian Duran


45. "I will name my son "Sir"so that whatever profession he takes and whomever he speaks, people will always address him properly." - Christian Duran

46. "Those short-lived moments when you meet a total stranger who made your heart beats faster but left you hopeless forever." - Christian Duran

‎47. "What's the brightest thing your eyes have ever set upon? Many people would say, it's the sun. But for me, it's your smile 'cause even during rainy days, it stays; and the magical glow of your smile makes everything all worthwhile." - Christian Duran


‎48. "Your tears should be his kryptonite. If it doesn't make him weak, then he's not your superman." - Christian Duran


49. "When I was a kid, I used to count the stars to fall asleep. But now, thinking of you alone is enough because of the countless reasons why I am blessed to have you." - Christian Duran


50. "Finding someone to love and loves you in return uplifts your spirit to wake up each day and face reality that is way better than your dreams." - Christian Duran


51. "It's okay to be happy with what you have accomplished but there's a thin line between being proud and pushing oneself too hard to associate to a certain class. Stay mum and catch others by surprise when they spontaneously discovered what you have achieved. Don't brag too much especially if others who have been there and have undergone much more don't even say a word and didn't let their achievements get in their heads." - Christian Duran


52. "People sometimes lost their identity when they tried so hard to fit in. They carry a different persona just to show that they belong and jive with the people around them. At the end of the day, being true to one's self is the easiest way around; no pretensions needed for real friends don't look at one's status but the value of the person." - Christian Duran