Time passes in a flash. Not too long ago,I was in kindergarten, playing musical chairs and coloring my favorite Disney character. Life was immaculate. High school just seemed like yesterday. The memories of myself being bullied and tormented by people who couldn’t see eye to eye with me still remain fresh in my thoughts. Some of them had hurt me deeply, but I wish them the best. Life has to go on.

Now, I see myself working my ass of from Mondays to Fridays, waiting religiously for the weekends to come before I can grab my faithful dose of Hooegarden.
Many times I had reminisced on my past. I wish I could unwind the needles of the clock, take myself back into time – undo the wrongs I am responsible for. As I go into deep thoughts, I keep wondering what I would become today, had I not gone done the path I had. The road not taken seems like a better one for me but I try to remain optimistic about the future. Until today, I still ask myself. What if I had studied harder, what if I had done better?

After graduating from high school, I had to take up jobs to put myself through university. I begin to realize that just when you think it can’t get any worse, it can. And just when you think it can’t get any better, it can. That was when I embarked on an extremely unforgettable journey at Bacardi Martini.

Thankfully I had true angels by my side. To wipe away the pain when needed. In times of intense grief and sorrow they have held on to me, firmly like a rock and took it away, making it their own. When I cry, they cry along with me. And when my world just seems to come crashing down on me, they pick me up and put me back onto solid ground. I want to thank you guys from the inmost corners of my hear, for holding back the floods of tears and despair. Love you, always and forever.

Life has never been easy but today, I’m glad to say that good things don’t come without a struggle. My years in Bacardi had thought me that nothing that’s worthwhile is ever easy. One can only savor sweetness only if the bitter pill has been taken. If I hadn’t worked at Bacardi before, I guess I wouldn’t have my degree right now. I wouldn’t have the comfortable job I’m in at present. I would not have been able to buy the car I’m conveniently driving around now. To those who think its a job only for tramps and high school drop outs, I can firmly beg to differ.

The journey has indeed been an intricate one but the lessons learned and the experiences gained had made me the person that I am today. Tougher, stronger and more determined. The job has help me gained self esteem and confidence. I miss the good old days. To those who think poorly of me, I hope in time, your perception of me will change. Until I redeem myself, I pray silently in my heart that you will come to forgive me for the mistakes and accept me for who I am. For now, I wish you well.

For most of us, we regard St. Valentine’s day as a day to show our affections, a day to buy roses or expensive chocolates to our better half, a day to proclaim our love.

Valentine’s day is a day where florists capitalize by reaping  good profits out of the jacked up flower pricing. It’s also a time where restaurants make handsome income by promoting their so called “Valentine’s dinner set”.

But just as Christmas is about more then mere gifts, so too is Valentine’s day.

The true origin of this romantic celebration begun with the legendary St. Valentine during 270 AD.

St. Valentine was a holy priest who was arrested and imprisoned for marrying Christian couples and aiding Christians who were bring prosecuted during the reign of Claudius the Goth, more popularly known as Claudius the Third.

St. Valentine was brought to prison where he was viciously tortured and tormented  in efforts to make him renounce his Christina faith.

However, when St. Valentine instead tried to convert Claudius, he was brutally executed on the 14th of February 270 AD.

Legend has it that while awaiting his sad execution, couples who he had conducted marrige for beought him flowers and gifts as a symbol of respect and recognition. He was greatly admired for his strong faith in love and matrimony.

This is how and probably why we see presentation of gifts during Valentine’s today.

It is also said that, while imprisoned, he restored the sight of his jailer’s blind daughther and this miracle lead to eventual canonisation.

In the 496AD, Pope Gelasius marked Feb14 as a celebraion in honour of his martyrdom.

The beauty of this legend is simply the tale that true love transcends mere sentiment. It’s an exceedingly noble purpose that should inspire everyone to be equally vigilant and heroic in upholding and defending the very essence of this culture.

I’d like to think of St. Valentine as our model and inspiration for life and humanity.