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WARNING: Intense Ranting!
Something I want to blame on the old administration but . . . Let me breathe fire…for the last time? LOL. No, seriously, I have to vent this out once and for all so I can freakin move on.
As you may already know, it has been (almost) a year since I started working as a writer for a publishing house. It's been a very productive season. Thank goodness. So anyway, if I'm not going to rant about my company, whattahell am I going to write about? Lo and behold, I’m going to “lightly” throw some things about my supposed first employer!
Hello Malacañang! How are you? I have been meaning to say this to you one way or another and I guess it's about time that I actually do it. I would just like to say,
SCREW YOU PSG!!! SCREW YOU!
There. I've said it. And no, I'm not satisfied.
So for those who don't know, PSG stands for Presidential Security guards Group. They are basically in charge of the security details at the palace. More on them here. Bah.
Why am I ranting about them? Are they my employers??? Nah, not really. Let me just refresh your memory a bit.
A couple of months after I graduated, I had the privilege of being considered as a (news) reporter for Radio-Television Malacañang , the official media partner of the Philippine government. I went through the first interview and the one-day-long assessment exam on June 1, 2009. The HR personnel assigned to look into new recruits and my supposed boss told me about the two to three-months waiting period before I get any feed back from them. They said the time was needed for the PSG to conduct their background check on me. I was probably too excited back then that’s why I did not bother to look for other options until the waiting period was over. I just waited patiently for the results. I nearly lost my mind. I was not used to being so idle at home. June 26, one of the PSGs called and gave an update. I was relieved knowing that I passed the exam and they’re finally pushing through with the background check.
On July 20, almost a month since the PSG guy called, the HR finally called and notified me regarding my first day as an RTVM trainee. PSYCH! I was totally overwhelmed! Me? A soon-to-be reporter??? A freakin dream come true! My family had no way of earning any income back then so I was glad I can finally pitch in and help with the expenses at home! They were excited for me! They know I really wanted this.
July 21 was my supposed first day at the work. Here we go.
I managed to be a little late for my orientation because I did not know the traffic situation going to Malacañang. I was annoyed by the fact that I’ve never been late for any important meetings…not even on barakada get-togethers! Anyway, nothing could ruin my day! I was so excited I could’ve hop-skipped my way from Mendiola to the Kalayaan Gate! My company ID was to be processed that day so I had to present another ID for the (PSG) guards stationed at the Palace entrance. No biggy; I just presented my old school ID since I’ve used it before to get inside. I was finally given a temporary ID and was on my merry way to the RTVM building.
My first day. Full of booboos. But like I said. I was too darn excited to care! Aaaaand that’s where I was totally wrong. In the middle of the orientation with my co-trainees, the HR got a call from one of the higher bosses or the Head PSG. I don’t know who but fffff . I noticed the sudden mood change of the HR personnel. She was worried or something. I saw her glance at me before resuming to her chirpy self, gaily telling our group about this and that of RTVM. So I thought I was just being paranoid. Wrong again! A few moments later, one of the head bosses came in the office and spoke with the HR personnel. She then subtly called my attention and led me outside. She told me there’s a situation about my ID and the Head PSG needed to talk to me. Confused and slightly pissed, I hurriedly went to the Kalayaan gate where a guard was apparently waiting for me. Though annoyed of the situation, I just asked kindly whattaeff was wrong. The guard didn’t exactly say what the matter was but he just mumbled something about my ID and it being taken by someone to their office. I thought someone took my ID by mistake and we were just to retrieve it. Strike three!?!
When the guard and I were at the PSG office, that’s when I fully realized that the “something” on my ID that the guard was talking about was my darn key chain. Well, it’s not just any other key chain. It was a small wooden key chain with the mark of the communists workers engraved on it.
Do you see now where this rant is leading? I was in deep shit.
That key chain has been attached to my school ID since I was in first or second year college. It was given to me by one of the political prisoners my class visited for an outreach project. The key chain reminded me of their fight for justice and equality. It reminded me that not all of those who are in jail are heartless criminals. Some are actually innocent and were just sent there because of certain abusive, powerful individuals. But I guess the PSG didn’t see nor understand that side of my story. I’ll say it again:
SCREW YOU PSG!
I explained to the head PSG I have no idea what to call that person so fff about the key chain and he seemed to be listening. Or I don’t know. He was just nodding his head. So I assumed the situation was settled. To clear my name of the things and stereotypes I knew were forming in his head, I told him straightforward:
I AM NOT A COMMUNIST.
The guy nodded again.
I really can’t remember what happened next but he sort of asked my purpose for entering the Palace. I was like PUTANGINA. ORIENTATION KO NGAYON. HOODLUM. I’M SUPPOSED TO BE SIGNING MY CONTRACT THIS VERY INSTANT!! , “It’s my first day on the job, Sir. I was already in the middle of my orientation when you called for me.”
“Ah, so first day mo pala ngayon…”, the head PSG said, still holding on to my key chain.
This is motherfreakin frustrating. At the end of the interrogation , he just told me to go home. He asked if I wanted the key chain. I just gave him the finger told him he could keep it if he wanted to.
I never, not once, looked away from the guy when he was talking to me. I never faltered with my speech. I was never ashamed. My conscience is clear. I am not a communist nor did I ever wanted to bring down his leader. So I ask this:
What was the use of the three-month investigation???
What was the use of running a background check on me for almost three months when you wouldn’t let me work just because you found an “incriminating” key chain attached to my school ID?? Didn’t you run a full investigation on me? That was the use of the three months you wasted, right? To see for yourselves that I am not a communist or that I am not part of any group that wished the doom of your government, right? If yes, then why the hell would you deny me - no, that’s not the right thing eh… Why would you humiliate me like that??
Yes. For your information, I was humiliated. It’s not only because I got kicked out of the Palace. It’s more on being humiliated because on that day, I felt that my family was really proud of me. You weren’t there to see my disappointed parents when I tried to explain to them why I was home early. You weren’t there when I had to endure days of feeling stupid and useless. Maybe it was really stupid of me for not checking my belongings for any "incriminating" materials. But I believe that the PSG guy was overacting. I know you're just doing your job. But I wanted to do my job too! How come instead of giving me a warning, you decided to fire me right then and there? My boss does have a say on this matter, right? Then how come he called me later that day and told me, "Dahil lang sa key chain pinaalis ka na?! ANG BABAW NAMANG DAHILAN 'YAN!"
Here’s what I have to say to you PSG…
Ayusin ninyo naman ang sistema ninyo.
Now that I have (fully?) ranted, whatever your name is Mr. Head PSG … I just want to say that I have forgiven you. But please! Do fix your system. Here’s to a new beginning!
What’s done is done. MOVING ON!
PS:
I might be burning bridges by posting this for everyone to see but...I just want to let you know that you need to fix your system.
Oh and would it be possible if you could just mail back my keychain? I do want it back. Thanks.