After Graduation – Amy O

Family

Our family, Melvin, my hubby , daughters Nika , Kristie and Kyrie (twins) and our five rabbits-Norbit, Mochi, Goku, Marshmallow,Chopstick-

After Graduation

The summer after our graduation, i taught Math at PMMA (Philippine Merchant Marine Academy) in Fort Bonifacio while waiting for school year to open at my high school Alma Mater, Makati High School. Both of these schools are very close to where I Ilive. Kasama ko sa PMMA sina Hedi and Myrna. Then, iniwan ko na sila Hedi and Myrna sa PMMA.

I got lucky at natanggap agad ako sa Makati High. Marami ang nagalit kasi maraming naunang appplicants sa akin ang nakapila sa Makati High. At that ime, Makati High School teachers were one of the highest paid, if not the highest paid high school teachers nationwide. Mataas ang allowance at suweldong bigay nang mayor sa Makati noon. Kaya marami ang nag aagawan ng item sa Makati high. Yeah, tama si Emil. It is whom you know, not what you know noon. Buti na lang at alumni ako ng Makati High and the principal at that time was the same principal when I was a high school student there. Pati mga co teachers ko were envious of me. Sipsip daw ako kay sir. I couldn’t help it kasi ever since, I was a teacher’s and principal pet noong high school pa. I even pushed back some of the opportunities being given to me at that time kasi talagang malakas ang politics sa school. Ang nasa isip ko lang ay magturo at matapos ko ang compulsary 4 years teaching para hindi ako magbayad sa scholarship natin. Mahirap lang kami and I cannot afford to pay NSDB back.

During my 4 year stint sa Makati High, naging co-teachers ko rin ang ibang NSDB alumni- sina Rey Cabungcal and another BSPT who was also a baranggay dancer sa PNC and Salve Franco and Doris capistrano of Batch C. While teaching, I was also preparing myself for life abroad because my parents migrated to US. I enrolled in some computer classes sa NCC, Camp Aguinaldo and AIM (Asian Institute of Management) in Makati. Then itong teacher ko sa AIM e natuwa ata sa akin.He asked me to join BIZCOMP as a trainor. I became a trainor there teaching their software programs to employees of Ford Motor in Bicutan and Citibank in Makati. Also at that time, my exboyfriend, Melvin (now my hubby) ay naging OFW sa Jubail, Saudi Arabia.

In 1985, I took an indefinite leave from teaching and I migrated to San Diego, CA . In December of 1987, I went back to the Philippines to marry my high school classmate and friend, Melvin. He continued working in Jubail until I was able to petition him in 1992. My eldest Nika was already 2 years old then when she first saw her Dad. That same year, he joined the Navy. Akala nga niya nakaiwas na siya sa Middle east but he was deployed there several times- Kuwait, Iraq, Afghanistan. So in all those years, long distance relationship kami ng husband ko. Buti na lang, nandito ang aking extended family. Despite our situation, We are still blessed with 3 kids, Nika is now 19 years old and my twins, Kristie and Kyrie are 12 years old. But right now, we are lucky because Melvin is here stationed in San Diego for the last 2 years. Sana hindi na siya ma-deploy ulit. As for myself, I am in the mortgage and real estate business since 1987.

There is a mortgage meltdown ngayon sa US. it is difficult pero God will always provide. I am only working part time eve since my twins were born. Wala kasing mag aalaga. My family is an active member of The Black Nazarene Prayer Group here in San Diego. Every Friday, we visit a devotee’s home . A Black Nazarene image is transferred from home to home. Parang Block Rosary. During Christmas season, we do caroling to raise funds. Kahit nagangatog sa lamig, sige nangangaroling kami from house to house. Funds raised are used for the Black Nazarene Fiesta on the first Sunday of January. We also help Bantay Banta, Immaculate Heart of Mary sisters sa Cebu and we also help seminarians. Kasi konti na lang ang mga Pari natin.

So there you go, Sis Magda. Not as exciting life as yours, but very fulfilling just the same….