My life in Manila for 10years..

When I was young, it was my dream to live in Manila, to see big buildings and malls. To easily travel to its nearest sights like Tagaytay, Baguio and so on. Being so curious what and how it feels to live in there. During Christmas season,  Manila is one of the best place to visit. Lively, busy streets.

2010 when I decided to stay in Manila with my older brother and try my luck to find a better job. Manila offers manila rate and some company offer high salary unlike in provinces. Gladly, I was employed in a company that handled famous malls in the Philippines. Working in a mall, you are required to work during weekends. My day off that time is Wednesday because a lot of people come during weekends. I've stayed in that company for almost 4 years. Found new friends that have communication until now. After my resignation, I return to my province and have my vacation for 5 months thinking that I will find a better job but then I come back to Manila again. My friend who's my co -work in my previous job told me that their company are hiring, another company that handles real estate with commercial malls. I tried to apply and got the job, again I am assigned in a mall collecting payments for tenant's utilities. That time our rest day is Sunday and by Saturday we are allowed to work for half day only. Everyday I am travelling for 2-3 hours (Valenzuela - Eastwood and Vice versa).

Being one of the commuters in Metro Manila feels like a soldier, Lol! They've said "ang ayos mo sumakay, bababa ka na para kang ilinaban sa giyera". Everyday I woke up by 4am and got home by 10pm sometimes 11pm if there's a heavy traffic. That's my everyday routine, tough right? I've experienced running over a jeepney, sat on the center due to a lot of passengers just to reach my destination. Also, when riding a bus I need to hug my bag so tight to avoid snatchers at makipagbalyahan sa mga kapwa pasahero. I even experience being at the door of the bus even standing all the way for there's no vacant seat (leg cramps is real). I also experienced sleeping and passed the drop off area, It's really hard to be a commuter. But after a year, I decided to rent as bed spacer at the back of Eastwood so that no hussle for everyday commuting. For a month I pay 2,500php including electricity and water. My roommates are call center employees sometimes I'm on a deep sleep and they are going to work. When it comes to food, I bought in tapsilogan, karinderya or turo-turo.

Living while working for a couple of years gives me privileged  to party, to eat in a cozy restaurant, to travel and be free to go where I want. By the salary I am earning I'm able to help my family also my needs and wants.

Living in Manila is hard especially when you don't have your own house, car or enough money. By the time I've got married we rented a studio type that cost 6,000/month but just a couple of months we transfer into a apartment with 1bedroom that cost 7,000/month. And when I got pregnant the expenses got bigger that's why I decided to gave birth in our province. My husband decided to resigned from his work and apply for a job in the province due to our expenses getting bigger and the transportation is so hussle for him. We are living in the same province and city that's why it is not a hindrance to both of us.

After my 5 years in one company in Eastwood, I decided to go back to province and settle for good. Letting go my career and choose my family first. 💙

But then, all my experiences are some of my happy moments that I will be forever cherish and remembered. One day I can tell them my story that life is never been easy if you want to be independent in life. Be brave, be strong and most importantly to enjoy life!