My Name Is Fernand Yim: April 2010

From the History of the First Novel to Me Writing Today

Did you know that the first novel was accidentally written by an Englishman Samuel Richardson in 1740? He was commissioned to write a collection of love letters in a form of a book. He thought it would be a lot more entertaining if each poem would be woven or connected with all other poems while sharing a common moral value. This beautiful idea resulted to Pamela, the very first novel.

We all know Jose Rizal’s novels inspired Philippine Revolution against Spanish Government resulting to Philippine Independence in 1898. But did you know that it was Pedro Alejandro Paterno who wrote the very first Filipino novel, entitled Ninay, at the latter part of Spanish era? Yes, he did.

Wondering where did I get these fats? I mean, facts? Err, what was that? Anyway, I was rereading old books and textbooks in our house recently when I stumbled upon an old textbook published twenty-six years ago! That was a wow! That book is as old, I think young is a better word? Rephrase. That book is as young as I am. There, I like it better, laughs! There I got the information. Very interesting, right? I like old books, and textbooks. They seem to be more credible and entertaining. No offense to current textbook makers.

The reason I am writing all about this here is because yesterday I accompanied my brother Jojo to have his fourth book entitled Band-Aid printed in my former favorite computer café near Letran. As we waited for the whole book to finish printing, Jojo had to go to meet his best friend Jeson in Calamba. So I was left with the Band-Aid. Err.

That gave me a chance to read the foreword, if that was a foreword. It is because Jojo is trying to create his own style in writing which includes the other details in making a book. Right now, his books are for all people he knows like his classmates and friends. I hope that his books would get published so that many more people would know my not-so-little brother’s stories.

After printing, I got the raw version of the book on my hands. It felt good. It felt like I was holding my brother’s son, my nephew. It felt so good and I am proud that my brothers and sisters are sharing the same passion as I do. We all have different voices when we extend ourselves into our writing souls.

Christina is the best when it comes to writing novels and love stories. She is the type of a writer who can write anything under the sun. Her prowess in writing is very impressive. Truth is that she was the very first person who inspired me into writing. Whenever I cannot write the idea into an article, she can always do it with no sweat! Sadly, she stopped writing when she had her own family. I just hope that she would write again soon.

Nicalyn was the editor in chief of The Barangazette in her senior year in high school. She also writes literature. But she writes better in technical writing. She writes scripts and reports, you know what I mean? She is more inclined with informing people of facts and results of her research papers. That is why she took Information Education as her major in Development Communication in University of the Philippines. Her goals are not limited to making her own movies and documentary shows on TV. Very teacher-ish!

Jojo, like what I said already, has his own style. After reading his foreword in Band-Aid, he reminded me of Bob Ong, my brothers’ favorite. He writes with deep sincerity. It is like what you read is what you get, you know what I mean? It is like that. And yet, he can be surprising, too. There are ideas coming from him that are really interesting.

Calvin is growing like a genius. When he was like six, he was already reading encyclopedias. He was only in second grade when he finished reading Florante at Laura, Noli Me Tangere, and El Filibusterismo with perfect comprehension. He used to steal our books to read more. He writes poems and short stories. I enjoyed a lot reading his haikus. I know there is so much more about Calvin’s writing soul. Recently he is into writing songs. My brother is secretly romantic.

My other two brothers Alex and Ron, they are showing interest in writing, too. They make their own comics. They also write poems and short stories. I am excited to see what kind of writers they will become as they grow up.

Minerva Yim also writes romantic novels. There was a time before when I was visiting them, she let me read one of her master pieces and she indeed was hopelessly romantic!

I don’t know much about my Yim siblings but they all do show signs of potential writers. I hope they all continue writing.

Well, there you go, or there I go? Anyway, I need to read more to get more ideas. I need to write up something for Reporting Fernand Yim and Welcome Back, Fernand Yim!

Visit me more next time!

PHOTOS BY: Nicalyn P. Agor

Didn’t Know UTI Is Forever!

Last Friday night, Convergys called me in regards to my medical result. According to the lady I was talking to, there were some minor things they needed to talk with me about in person. So the next day I went there. I was nervous and I thought I knew what it was all about. And I was so right about it. It was, again, about my UTI or Urinary Tract Infection. First time I discovered that I had it was when I was in college applying for a summer job. Someone told me before that once you have it, it is forever. That was a wow. So, that’s true? That UTI is forever? Give me that megaphone and I would like to scream ‘err’.

I feel fine with my body. Sigh, okay, I can forgive the missing muscles around my tummy because of fats, err, it still hurts when I say that word, fats, laughs! Anyway like what I was saying, I am feeling okay. I don’t have problem with taking medication for seven days and having my urine submitted for lab test. I just don’t feel comfortable retaking the blood test. I don’t get the point there. It was like the female doctor who looked like a male doctor to me was thinking twice when telling me about the blood test. It was as if she was not sure if I really needed to do it again. You know the feeling of facing your phobia twice in the same game level? Just thinking of the needle injecting deep into my delicate nerve, err! I survived the first session but the part two? Come on, give me a break! Okay, I am sorry I am over-reacting, laughs! But hey, I am serious.

And to make this article a little more useful, I did a little research about Urinary Tract Infection. Here is what I found.

UTI or Urinary Tract Infection is an infection in the urinary tract. I think that is obvious. But what is urinary tract? It is the system in our body which works like the cleaning team that gets wastes from our blood and takes these wastes out of the body when we pee. The body cleaners include the kidneys, renal pelvises, ureters, bladder, and urethra.

It is caused by bacteria. Usually, our body removes the bacteria. However, some people, like me, seem to be prone to infection. Doctors usually prescribe an antibiotic which can kill the bacteria causing the infection.

It usually takes 3 days of therapy to treat UTI. But for more serious cases like mostly in men, it takes up to 7 days or longer depending on the type of bacteria found. It is because bacteria can hide in prostate tissue.

Healthy people don’t have recurring cases especially in women. Sad news is that we men frequently get recurring infections. In the case of recurring UTI, it is advisable that you talk about this with your doctor for special treatment plans.

So it is true that UTI is forever? Not really if we can do the following to avoid future UTI.

1. The first thing I was advised to do by my doctors is to drink lots of water.

2. Gracia also advised me to drink cranberry juice (or Vitamin C will also do) because it will increase the acid in our urine so that the bacteria can’t grow easily. It also makes our bladder wall slippery so bacteria can’t loiter around there.

3. Pee when you feel the urge to pee because the longer your urine stays in the bladder, it gives the bacteria the chance of growing. So before they grow, flush them out!

4. For sexually active people, it is advisable to pee right after doing the deed so that you can flush the possible new visiting bacteria away.

5. Cotton underwear and loose-fitting clothes are more helpful preventing UTI because these help in proper ventilation of you-know-what.

So there. I hope you find this little research of mine helpful. Truth is, I learned a lot from doing this little research project. One more thing, though. Please pee in the right places.

Happy peeing! (What was that?)

Source: http://kidney.niddk.nih.gov/kudiseases/pubs/uti_ez/

There Is No Goodbye with Hachicko

I am excited for our Aspin dog Buffy to give birth to a new set of puppies! I will keep one of the puppies. I got a name already―Hachicko.

It is weird that everywhere now I go, everyone is talking about Hachicko. If not, I hear people talking about dogs and goodbyes.

I remember the words of the Fox in the book Little Prince. The Fox said that when we have tamed someone and become their friends, we become responsible for that person.

I got a new friend who had introduced me to Hachicko. I haven’t seen yet the movie. It was originally in Japanese but I think there was a Hollywood remake. According to my new friend Spike, Hachicko is a story of a very loyal and loving dog named Hachicko. Every afternoon Hachicko waited for his master in a subway station in Japan. Until one fateful day, Hachicko’s master died, I think in an accident. I don’t know yet the whole story. But it is like Hachicko waited for his master to return in nine long years until Hachicko died.

I felt sad after knowing the story. I don’t know. I think I have a special heart for goodbyes. I just realized that all of us are like Hachicko. We all are waiting for something, or someone, we don’t know when it will come. It is very frustrating and we feel the hope dies everyday. But we still wait. We tell ourselves that we are tired of waiting that today is the last day. Then tomorrow comes and we are still waiting.

In waiting, even if we don’t want to, we are accepting the whole package. The pain and hope it brings to us every morning we wake up. The silent tears of agony as it runs by your cheeks. The frustration swells up everyday for not knowing when the wait will be over. Questions that seem to have no answers. This is the very same feeling I felt when I was writing Waiting For The Wind To Change.

Now I have written a short poem in which each line starts with every letter in the name Hachicko. Enjoy reading.

There Is No Goodbye with Hachicko

How can I let you go?

And forget all about you?

Can I keep a part of you?

Have it in me until I see you?

If you wish to really go,

Can you do it tomorrow?

Keep us one more night before you go

Or else, I have to wait for you.

The Future and the Past

Last Saturday I started with my requirements. I went to Intellicare in South Station to have my medical done. That was the hardest part. Laughs!

On Monday night I went to Sykes to begin my clearance with them. Not everyone was happy to see me. I am not sure if they are so transparent that they couldn’t hide their true feelings on their faces. Or perhaps they just wanted to make sure I know that I am no longer wanted, laughs!

I so love Ms. Shee. I wouldn’t grow tired saying she is the best. She hugged me so tight that I couldn’t breathe for almost a minute! She kissed me on my face. It was wonderful to know someone really cares about you from your former work. I also had a couple more hugs from Trish and Elve Jane. Dian was there, too. The mother-to-be Lalaine was also there. Austin was funny and I appreciate his warm greetings. I also appreciate Alex and Alfred. I was hoping to see Mine, Cherie, Jaypee, Jeric, and Lohan but I didn’t have a chance.

All in all, my visit in Sykes was fine.

What else to say? I just hope that everything will be fine soon. I know one day will come that we will just laugh at what happened in the team. For now, I respect all the opinions, words-behind-my-back, cold treatment, and whatever it is they all have for me.

Another chapter of my life is about to begin. In fact, it is here already. I am excited. I know this is for good. The wedding (please!) will be next year.

Just Like in Telenovelas

Prior to Holy Week, Comy was so consistent on sending messages and everyday my excitement was swelling up to depression, laughs! You know what I’m saying. The more I wait for something which has no finite date, only boils up anticipation to the level of becoming so impatient.

But I guess all things in the universe, in a way or another, all fall into the same channels. That all waitings have two endings―death and manifestation. I don’t plan to elaborate these two here. But when the day had come―finally―Comy didn’t make it to be with us that day. That was okay and not okay at the same time.

When Gracia and I were waiting for Jerlie and Arnel in Walter Mart―where else? I was feeling something weird inside. I didn’t know that Gracia was also feeling that way. In fact, we were feeling that no-name emotion days before we met. It was not really an intuition but it felt like that. We were thinking, not really thinking but getting someone into our heads even if we didn’t want it.

To cut it short, we watched the Clash of the Titans. After the movie, Arnel, his girlfriend, and I were waiting for Gracia and Jerlie who were in the comfort room, outside the movie house. Then someone from the past came out of the room with her boyfriend. At first, I didn’t recognize her. I was thinking she just looked like her. But as she got closer, it was actually her! I was swept instantly by mix of emotions. I was frozen down to my feet on the floor. I couldn’t move. It was as if I saw a ghost that my whole body was too stiff to effort a small move.

When Gracia and Jerlie went out, that was the very same thing happened to Gracia. She was with her in the comfort room. In fact, we had watched the movie all together in the same room! Now that explained the uneasiness I was feeling beforehand while I was on my seat in the cinema.

But it was all over. I think she saw us, or me, already basing on the reaction registering on her face. I don’t know. I was trying to detail it out but it feels like I always am going back to the nameless box in my head which is filled with nameless feelings and other things. You know, when you can’t say it, or…you can’t just find the words.

Arnel and his girlfriend took the other way for the girlfriend is from Biñan. Gracia and I with Jerlie went to Turbina. There was already a bus going to Lucena when we got there. We requested for the bus steward to wait a couple of minutes more until Jerlie got a bus or a jeepney to Malvar. When Jerlie did, Gracia and I excitedly boarded into the bus because we rarely get the Bus of Convenience all the time, you know what I mean.

On our seats, we couldn’t still believe it. We were trying to talk about something else. It was easy to find comfort when my arms are around Gracia. Silently, I was wishing I could just stay there with her. It felt good and that relaxed me. I was successful forgetting what happened as my mind traveled to fantasyland.

When we reached San Pablo City, Gracia nudged me to the opposite seat. What a surprise that the person from the past was there sitting inches away from me, her boyfriend standing! They moved from the back seats to the front for they were the first to get off the bus. Gracia’s residence is like fifteen more minutes away from that area of San Pablo City.

We had a short conversation. She, the one from the past, was friendly and civil. I thought she was fine and nice. When they were really gone, I was speechless and couldn’t believe it. First, we watched in the same movie house. Then, of all the buses in the world that night, we were practically on the same bus! That was super! Just like in TV shows.

Something in the past seems in need of final fixing. I just realized that there are so many broken things in the past that I need to face before I could really say that I am ready for the Big Thing. I was part of the fault. And for that I am responsible for my past. It wouldn’t just die by itself like a water-deprived plant. I need to do something about it and may the powerful hands of God help me do it.

After that encounter, Gracia and I were back in The Lake. Once again, I found my solace in her presence and comfort. She is full of wisdom and I so appreciate her love and her big, big understanding heart. She was a relief to my crying soul. God never runs out of ways and miracles of showing me His love and comfort.

This week, I am back on my feet. And I am very excited to start again. This time, I will be more careful. Especially now I am a husband to a wonderful wife as we wait for Graciella and Zephaniah.

The LORD is my healer and joy.

A Month of a Rollercoaster Ride

It has been a month now of the therapy and it is still on going. I am so much thankful of the previous week. There had been so many blessings and I felt a lot more inspired lately. I wouldn’t get into details about them. But I got the list.

1. My two bothers in high school, Calvin and Alex, received second honors and other recognitions.

2. My brother Ron had graduated in elementary, congratulations!

3. This coming April 25, my sister Nicalyn is graduating as cum laude in the University of the Philippines.

4. Mama attended the Easter Sunday service in our church, Victory Christian Fellowship in Calamba (in exchange of me attending in Pentecostal Church where my best friend Jeff and his family go to church. Err.)

5. I had a date with Gracia last Saturday along with, Jerlie, Arnel, and Arnel’s girlfriend.

6. I had written articles for Team Call Center.

7. I godfathered to Aeolus last Sunday.

Things in process…

1. Therapy is still on going. (Did I just say that?)

2. I am still writing.

3. I am learning to sing a lot better. (A talent rediscovered and now in progress, laughs!)

4. Waking up my old muscles, laughs!

5. My etcetera.

I would also like to thank the following people and organizations who had been the blessings to me and to my family.

To Outreach Asia Foundation and all its sponsors and officials for supporting my sister Nicalyn all the way.

To the faculty and staff of the College of Development Communication of University of the Philippines for everything.

To all the members, staff, and friends of Victory Christian Fellowship in Alabang and in Calamba.

To eightmiles and my other friends.

To Mine, Cherie, Jaypee, Lohan, Jeric, and the rest of Batch 68 in Sykes.

To my Sykes family, don’t want to say names para safe, laughs!

To my friend Jeremy Marfori.

To Ramon and Jae Em.

And to my one and only, Gracia.

My heart and soul are forever thankful to You, my King. Here I am, use me for Your glory.

In Victory

It has been a month now and it was not easy to deal with the therapy. It was a struggling no one knew about. And finally, I am so thankful that it is now over. Once again, I had an encounter with a powerful God who loves me unconditionally.

I was getting emotional almost everyday as I dealt with it. It broke my heart many times when I kept coming back to square one. I thought there was no hope. I thought I better give up. Until Wednesday this week, everything changed. Again, I failed Him and it was consuming everything in me. I thought I was losing my head. I thought I would die. I cried like I never did before. I locked myself up in my room and played the Ultimate Worship CD from Hillsongs. I turned up the volume. I sang at the top of my lungs. I was alternately crying and singing. It was as if tiring up my physical body as well as my soul.

I wouldn't deny it anymore. The old spirit had returned with a team and they were consuming me. I could feel them. Everyday it was a battle in me against them. It was a soul-draining process that was torturing me.

But God never gave up on me. I never experienced this from Victory Weekend. I was calling on the LORD with all my soul and He heard me! I was sweating like oceans. My tears were like rivers. I was throwing up liquids I didn't know where they were coming from. I was saying words I didn't understand. I felt like someone inside a milling tube. The Holy Spirit was so powerful that to some point I felt like it was talking to me, telling me not to give up, that He was in control.

And it was a glorious victory! I feel so free that I could now spread my wings and fly. The next day I was asking God if I should get up and apply in Convergys. I was seeing visions of me applying that day three times in my sleep early in the morning. So I got up and did it. And you know what? I got a job.

I can't find the words to thank Him. But He understands me. I know He is using me with great power and unfathomable guidance. He is truly mighty to save.

Before I went home, I attended the Worship Night in our main church. It was beautiful. It was like everyone was talking to me. They were telling me things as if they knew what happened to me. In their eyes there was happiness, they were congratulating me. I never felt so blessed like this. I am happy.