I abandoned my original 30th birthday plan

The number 27 is significant to me simply because it is the date of my birth. I kind of have an obsession with it, I even made sure that my main cellphone number bears my birthdate.

Three years ago, I was pretty much looking forward to having my birthday celebrated. Turning twenty-seven on March 27. However, the year was 2020. We all know clearly how that went.

Manila and the entire Philippines were placed under Enhanced Community Quarantine (the dreaded acronym ECQ) due to the pandemic. While at home, there's not much I can do, I was helplessly watching the time passed, scrolling through the greetings, cordially responding to those who wished me well. The most boring birthday ever.

For most of my life, I used to let my birthday pass like it's just a normal day. The few exceptions are in 1999, 2004 and 2010 when my birthday fell on the school's commencement exercises; in 2012 when my college batch mates in China took all effort to surprise me with gifts and many dedications written on sticky notes (see the articles from my old blog: Parts One, Two and Three); and in 2022 when I got to spend the entire day with a friend, lucky for me it was a Sunday.

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Mainly because of financial constraints, I was literally limited to celebrating the day with simplest terms for many years. Then when I started working, I can't remember any instance of me really enjoying this special occasion. Work leave? At that time, I can't afford to have it because one, I didn't want my co-teachers to think I'll be absent just because it's my birthday; two, I would certainly be bombarded with backlogs the next day.

So, I put expectations into making my thirtieth birthday memorable, where I can finally celebrate my life with my family and friends.

But...

All changed with the recent passing of my father.

Moreover, I had a period of unemployment for two months last year.

In those times of idleness, I can't help but think, overthink if you will - was the past thirty years really worth celebrating?

I looked back at my past and my current situation, nothing much has changed, so I thought. I was persevering so hard all these years, and to my sight, I am still persisting, pressing on into making our lives better. I believed I was born to absorb many kinds of hardships and only a handful of peeple seemed to recognize. I was so pessimistic I started to blame my father, I began to question God. What have I done to deserve all these?

Now frustrated about my life, I started drawing out my "thirtieth birthday plan."

I planned to seclude myself for at least a day. I planned to leave the house and go to a faraway place to enjoy my solitude. After all, it is only I who can understand myself fully. I am used to withdrawing myself from peeple; I am used to being a misfit. So, to honor my introvert nature, I was inclined to celebrate my birthday alone. I would not worry about filing a leave because I would certainly tell my superior beforehand.

I planned to shut down all my social media accounts, even my cell number will not be contactable. As if I was back in the 90s, no gadgets, no modern distractions, nothing. I thought to myself, it would be better for me to pretend even for just a day, on my birthday, that I have no friends, I have no family. It would be a day for me to console and make peace with myself, without the intervention of anybody.

I planned to use that precious time for self-searching. Since leaving the academe, my dreams as a teacher were practically invalidated. On the good side, for the first time in my life, I became a free agent, I can do any job that is lawfully permitted. However, with my teaching career now becoming a history, I was left with a vacuum on the aspect of professional growth. Now that I am free to do what I wish, what can I do in the next thirty years? I was asking myself, "Seriously, Joe, what now?" Perhaps, with me being in a different place, encountering new peeple, seeing how they go with their daily lives, I can get some idea how to live mine.

I was also preparing to extend this soul-searching if necessary. If it will take me more time, beyond my birthday, to seek my purpose in life, I would gladly do it.

But... (another "but")

God surprised me in the last few months approaching my thirtieth birthday.

I got a very lucrative client service job at Makati where I can still utilize my Chinese language skills. I need not to worry about shifting schedules and holiday work. Moreover, the working environment there is strong, the support of my teammates and everyone in the company is felt across the board. In Filipino lexicon, walang laglagan (not one is left behind).

I got reconciled with God after deciding to get active at my current home church, which is Christ's Commission Fellowship (CCF). I joined a cell group and got involved in the music team at several CCF Gateway's worship services as a bass guitarist.

Last but definitely not the least, I found the one who I want to be with for the rest of my life. The beautiful lady who was recommended to me (yes, she was a "reto") back in December is now my girlfriend. My one and only, her name is Sunshine.

Dating on a lake.

This phrase is cliché, but Shine did turn my whole world upside down. I told her once, because of her, I was able to leave my past behind. It is only because of her entering my life I am willing to restart, not with a view of glass half-empty, but with a view of an overflowing one. I feel you would want to know more but I shall save it in my next blog posts.

Because of these wonderful things that had happened, I decided to not push through with my birthday plan of loneliness and solitude.

Just last Saturday, I went to my girlfriend's hometown of Angono to have a dual celebration: to commemorate, in advance, my thirtieth birthday with her family (Shine even made her homey and delicious version of red velvet cake!), and also to celebrate our first monthsarry together as a legit couple.

With our cell group. Credits to our leader.

Then yesterday Sunday, my cell group leader and my other brethren in the group came to Binondo to celebrate with me. It's practically their first time and had little idea what's in here but my leader drove all the way from the east section of the metropolis, bringing the rest of the group to Manila for this occasion.

So today is my actual thirtieth birthday. I am at work at the moment, posting this particular blog post during the one-hour break. I don't know what is still to come, but I know I need not to be alone to celebrate. Thank you, God.

Happy 30th birthday to me.

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MINI BLOG PLUG.

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