BOUNCE WITH ME

As I glance at the time, I see that I have 22 minutes left as an employee of Zimplizity. The kind folks here threw me a small "salu-salo" as a send-off. I had my bad times with this company, but the happy memories do outweigh the negative ones and I'm leaving behind some really great people.

Now, a new chapter awaits. I'm going home. I'm really psyched up for this and it just took me two years and two jobs to realize where I belong.

Now, I'm moving away from the cozy confines of Legaspi Village (and the nearby Makati Square - boo hoo!) and moving across Ayala.

Anyway, to the guys from Zimplizity who read this, thanks again and good luck. Remember, Ganns is coming...

Posted by Jay at 5:52 PM | Permalink | Comments

Ever since I handed in my resignation, I've noticed a trend in the songs that just pop out of my mouth during different times of the day. Predictably, they seem to center around the words "goodbye" and "last". Obviously, my latest career move has been hanging on my mind - a lot.

Just to fill you all in, I had an exit interview with Emiliano this past Tuesday. He took me out to lunch at this Japanese place in Greenbelt 3 and we discussed my leaving. He asked me for my thoughts about the company and some of the people I am leaving behind, and, as is my nature, I was completely and brutally honest. After I gave my two cents, he told me that similar news has been reaching him from other parties regarding the less-than-stellar performance of some high-ranking people in the office. I just hope that they take the feedback "professionally" (especially after hearing them say those exact words to me on some occassions).

Hopefully, they hire my friend Ganns so that they won't be left in a lurch. He's that damn good.

Met with Paschal, the French Managing Director of 141 last night. He told me it wasn't an interview and he just wanted to meet me before he left for a trip abroad. So far, I like what I've been seeing and I have a really good feeling about 141.

So, after today, I'll just have one day more here in Zimplizity. Been fun but it's time for me to come home.

Posted by Jay at 11:11 AM | Permalink | Comments

Lock your doors and hide your women.

Jay Tan is back in advertising.

As of 7:00 p.m. last night, I accepted an offer to join 141 Worldwide.

I like it. It's regional and the founder's motto is J-F-D-I: Just Fucking Do It!

Sound the bell. School's back in session.

The big boss of creatives there told me that they've been trying to fill this position for about 2-3 months but they couldn't find the right fit. He thinks that I'm a perfect fit.

I replied, "*Sob* I've never fit perfectly into anything before..."

Long hours. Late nights.

I love it.

Posted by Jay at 9:15 AM | Permalink | Comments

The bombing attacks that took place in London appear minscule compared to the ticking time bomb waiting to explode here in the Philippines. For months now, we have been treated to an endless barrage of scandals that have rocked the presidency of Gloria Arroyo.

The first salvo was the allegations that the President's husband and son were receiving payouts from the illegal gambling trade. This of course ran its course and Gloria was left standing but a little scathed.

A second round of explosive news was then lobbed at the administration and tapes started appearing everywhere that caught GMA chatting it up with an official of the Comelec. I was one of many who thought that the situation had been diffused. The opposition cried foul, alleging that she cheated in the last elections, padding her votes with the help of the electoral body.

This led to an inquiry by congress and the entire Philippines stood transfixed to every available TV or radio, listening to a tapeful of wiretapped conversations.

I was either playing NBA Live or watching a DVD.

I really just wasn't worried. With several people power revolutions under my belt, I could see that there wouldn't be a sequel to the EDSA saga. The players on the opposition side just didn't play the game right.

First of all, the best time for the people to take to the streets and scream righteous indignation would have been if the pro-Gloria congressmen tried to squelch the tape, similar to the senators who wouldn't open the envelope during the Estrada impeachment. The administration senators said, "Fine, let's hear the damn things. We have nothing to hide".

Scratch that idea.

Another golden opportunity arose when they played the tape. In olden times, offended Filipinos whould have walked out of their houses then and there and amassed at EDSA.

Nothing.

And whenever there was a mass demonstration, it couldn't be sustained. The organizers probably didn't have enough food or the crowd simply thought that what they were getting wasn't worth getting sick over from standing in the rain.

(On a side note, I really question the foresight of the anti-GMA factions. Planning rallies and the like during rainy season just doesn't cut it. As the commercial goes, "Sa panahon ngayon, bawal magkasakit.")

So, the past few days, I went to bed at night, comfortably thinking that the situation had been diffused. That the lesser evil lived to see another day. That spontaneous indignation beats organized efforts any day. My entire view came crashing down as I got back from lunch.

I saw several of GMA's former cabinet members (she called for their mass resignation) voicing support for her in these times of crisis. It was then that I found out that another group of cabinet members resigned and called for her to step down as well. Among their ranks were people like Butch Abad, Teresita Deles and even Dinky Soliman. If they were disillusioned, what hope do the rest of us have?

Now, the seconds are ticking away and the fuse is almost spent. Something might happen this weekend and unlike the days of yore, I will just play silent witness instead of taking to the streets. After all, in a battle between evils, it's better to stay on the side of good and stay out of the crossfire.

Hope our country is still standing on Monday.

Posted by Jay at 1:18 PM | Permalink | Comments

It's 9:47 on this Monday morning, and I'm feeling all the effects of my whirlwind trip to Iloilo this past weekend. A little sleepy, a little sluggish and a whole lot of feeling bloated. I wanted to take the day off today, but seeing that I was also out last Friday, I decided against it and crawled out of bed.

Man, the food was mind-blowing! And did I mention the food? Aligue rice! Grilled prawns in butter! Lechon Cebu! Fat crabs! This fish that melts in your mouth! My waistline! My God!

OhandthepartytocelebratemyGrandaunt's80thbirthdaywasfunandwell-attendedandIgottomeetso
manyofmyrelatives.

Oh, and I found out I have hot cousins. I've never had hot cousins before. (Cue soundtrack of Taboo).

Posted by Jay at 9:45 AM | Permalink | Comments