mariev.cjb.net

Received an anonymous text message a few days ago, and it read:

"Pued po b akong humingi ng 2long sa inyo? I'm marie, 21yo freshgrad po from Bacolod City. Ggawin ko po ang lahat ngkpalit na gusto nio, ma2lungan nyo lng po akong mkpunta sa mynila. My job hiring na po kc sna ako jan sa san mig- ortigas, syang po kc kung madissolve lng... Im willing to take the risks ng kpalit na hhngin nio. Un nlng tlga pgasa ko na mkluwas kgd pra mhbol deadline ko po. My pic and supporting docs po ako sa www.mariev.cjb.net"

Since I was using Globe (office phone kasi) I've been getting spam (Chinatrust loans, discount offers, etc) and scammers ("hon... naubusan ako ng load, dito mo padala sa number na ito..), I just let this one go. However, I received another message this afternoon..:

"Name: Marie Velasco
Age: 21
Birthdate: Feb. 15, 1987
Height: 5'7"
Complexion: Fair
Vital Stats: 35-25-36
Hair: Long and Straight
Other: Joined some provincial pageants for allowance.
Course: BS Information Management (Computer & Accountancy)
School: DOST Scholar in University of St. La Salle - Bacolod
Parents: Anna & Mario Velasco (both deceased)
Picture: www.mariev.cjb.net"

Wha the F?! Pati ba naman vital stats? Ang kulit nito ah. Texted back.."Why are you texting me?". Her answer:

"Ahm..Marie Velasco po name ko, 21 yo, from Mandalagan, Bacolod City. Graduate po ng BS Information Management (DOST Scholarship). Living alone sa isang boarding haus po d2 sa Purok Sambag. 5'7" and hardworking province girl po. May pic po ako sa www.mariev.cjb.net. Nagtetext lng po ako ng random numbers starting with 09178 and really hoping na may makita lng ako kht maliit na 2long para makaluwas ng mynila. Wala po akong idea kung babae po o lalaki tinitext ko...But im really willing to give any favorable exchange in your part para sa tulong na makapunta sa mynila... Un lng po sana.. - marie"

I was in the middle of a luncheon celebration in Antipolo with mama when I got this message. I answered back to her. If I'm not mistaken, there are call centers now in Bacolod (?) sayang lang kung pupunta siya dito and sa San Mig ang work niya. Told her I admire her courage and determination BUT what she is doing is very dangerous, and wished her luck. Got her response when we got home--

"Hindi naman po ako mapapahamak, my 22luyan naman po ako pansamantala sa novaliches, sa 1 malaung kamag anak. Tapos my trbho na rn naman po akong papasukan..Sana bigyan nio po ako ng chance na magkaroon ng career.. Naghhnayang lng ako sa lumilipas na araw na dapat, sumisweldo nko at nagtratrbho.."

And another one at around 4pm...

"Gud day po, si marie po to, ung humihingi ng 2long makapunta ng maynila.. M22lungan nio po b ako? Gagawin ko po ung kapalit na hhngin nio, para lang makapunta npo ako ng mynila..Parang awa nio na po.."

This girl is desperate. If only I had the means to help her out. I just hope na may makita nga siyang tutulong with all sincerity and not take advantage of her...

Sun-Fun-Tan at Camayan Resort

It's fun-sun-tan at the Camayan Beach Resort in Subic for our team's nth team building activity yesterday after shift. Left the office at around 8:15am and arrived noontime. Subic on a Saturday was like a ghost town. The only vehicles noticeable are those en route to the beaches. It was soo tempting to visit Zoobic, since we passed by their signboard, as well as Ocean Adventure, just near Camayan.
The resort is clean and the water, cool and clear. The sand is fine with a few pebbles and shells. We started off firing the grill to cook our baon-- liempo and barbque. Food can be brought in but make sure to bring enough ice for your drinks. Charcoal grills are for rent and they have uling also. We stayed until around 6pm before we headed of to Duty Free. The picture below was taken using my beloved SE W810i -- a panoramic view from the cottage we rented:-)