Tic Tac ഡി' Clock

On Top of the Clock Tower

Jeffrey Nepomuceno’s Autobiography

“I am who I am.”

In a solemn night of the fourth of July, when the year of the dragon was celebrated, the stillness of the night was ravaged by a newborn’s cry. Said to be, that child will make the world a better place to live. And the child was I, Jeffrey Nepomuceno.
He was blessed by two loving parents, Enrico and Josefina, to whom God entrusted me. He lived his adolescence years with his parents, other brothers, and his sister happily. And soon after he found out that “tomorrow will not be fair to him.”
As he wake up on his seventeenth year in life, he already knew how hard life is. The journey of a man, once a child who broke the silence of the night, is now beginning, and realizing all the “realities” and the “uncertainties” in his “rounded world” called LIFE.

“Life for me is everything I do not know but something I could discover.”

Life is everything to me: in every single minute to the years I have conquered; in each strand of my hair to the nails in my fingers; from the air I breathe to the water I drink and for the earth that gave life to me. This is my life… and I owe it to everything.
Life is a matter of choice. In my seventeen years stay in the cozy earth we are in, I always do consider the right things, specifically the “must things” in life. In every action or word I do or say, I always take time to consider things that are “must” choices in life.
I only have few cherished friends in my very own anthology but they are truly dramatic and interesting novels inside my treasured book. I am very thankful of having them in my life. “Life without them is a life chained in misery.”
I love LOVE and I love life. Everybody who knows me always tell people that I am a hopeless romantic. I feel incomplete amidst all the triumphs and success I have attained. Why should I feel this? Somebody dared to ask me between love and life, what would I choose? And then I whispered, “I must choose love.” Why? Love is the main ingredient that spices up life. Life without love is just like a hard-boiled egg… plain and dull.
I live my life in simplicity yet extravagantly blessed by God. Life, for me, is as simple as a native hut, built in simplicity, furnished with diamonds, and roofed by gold.

“I wish one day I could be one.”

Being an internationally renowned chef is the ultimate dream I have in mind, that’സ why ten years from now, I guess I will be leaving the Philippines to have my experience sharpened and to test my skills for my future career. And some more years will pass, I am seeing myself working as an apprentice in a restaurant in Venice, Italy. Of course, I will take advantage of that opportunity to live and work there for another twenty to twenty-five years, and eventually be a citizen of that country. After I earn the amount of $19, 000, 000, 000, I would probably try to make another life comfortable. First of all, I want to spend that money to give my family their own house and lot and a “living” they never expected they would have. I will first build my mothers house one in Tagaytay and another one in Antipolo. I will buy a ranch in Laguna for my father’s passion of breeding fighting roosters. I will give my sister her own travel agency and try to buy her own resort in Boracay or in Davao, a small plane and her own car. For my brethren, I want them to have grandeur and a very big mansion for them to share.

I think by that time I already have my own family—a very loving and caring wife with our two children, Maria Concepcion and John Tidus Gregor. I don’t want to live without them so I will go back in the Philippines and try to have my own restaurant, “Aussi Grammaire Fantaisie.”

I am a mama’s boy, so I think I will be having my rest house also in Tagaytay but our residence will reside somewhere in Makati or in EDSA. I want to have all I want in life… so many in my list I cannot name even one. But one thing is for sure; I will try all my best to have all of those. And if I feel I am already satisfied and happy, then I can say… “I am now SUCCESSFUL!”

Everybody has his or her own exceptional dreams. Aside from being internationally renowned chef, I am always daydreaming about taking a catwalk on the ramp or pausing for a billboard for a famous clothing line… in short, I want to be a model. But I think my “façade” will not satisfy the CEO of BENCH and the rest of the Sung Yin Corporation. I have passion yet not enough, and how I wish I could do something to improve it. I really want to be one of those who are gazed by many, one of those who are followed by few, and one of those who is “suffering” all the blessings of the fashion and modeling industry. I wish one day I could be one.

“The best things in life are free… in fact, you could find them at your backyard.”

I am a loner yet satisfied in every second I am with myself as my companion. Aside from the mere fact that I am a loner, I do really appreciate simple things and the silence of things around me.
I always love to hear how the trees tell stories with the rhythm from the wind and how the stream travels the world, or how splendor the rainfall and the dawn of the sun are? Why should the ants fall in line as they work everyday, or why should my pulse beat ninety times a minute?
I am easily pleased but it’s not obvious. Many say that I am “Mr. Masungit” and “G. Suplado,” but did they even wondered how I appreciate the things or the words such as hellos and take cares. But truly, I am a serious person, “life is already a game” and we shouldn’t make play anymore.

“Do not do unto others, you do not want others to do unto you.”

According to Confucius, “Without humanity a man cannot long endure adversity, nor can he long enjoy prosperity. The humane rest in humanity; the wise find it beneficial and only the humane man can love men and can hate men.” Yes, I admit it… I am a rulebook. But being one of those who sticks to their philosophy are those who were able to acquire discipline to themselves, and I as one of them is proud to say that because of these philosophies I am using as my guidelines, I learned how to be humane, to respect other as I respect myself, and to have a sense of well-being. I always go back to the things that taught special lessons to me and I have realized that life is really simple if you’ll treat it as what it is but life could be that unusual if you are going to foresee things that are really never there.

“Being unique isn’t being different… it’s a matter of being above from all.”

What makes me unique from all other peers of my age? Well, I think it’s all because of what I believe… my philosophy in life. I think that I am the line that divides goodness and foolishness. Setting the world as perfect as I could is a hard thing to do, and to do that requires too many skills or experiences to be gained, but there is something that I could do… I can start changing the world to a better place by sharing those things I have; yet I cannot give all the world needs because I cannot share what I do not have. When time comes and my vision of a better world isn’t finish, I guess I failed to complete my mission. But one thing is for sure; at least I’ve tried to do something for the betterment of the human race.

“Now, as I go on to my journey, I stop for a while to rest and to view my footsteps from the scene I was yesterday and the obstacles I have conquered from the top of the clock tower.”

Who I Am???

If, anyone dared ask, "Who am I?"
What will I say, will I lie"
So, let me now have the chance and try,
To describe the person called I...
The stillness of the night,
He broke with a cry.
A tiny, young lad,
Born on the fourth of July.
He grew up to be,
His mother's pride,
His family's affection,
he accepted without contradiction.
Call Jeffrey, Jeff, or Brangien,
Surely, won't change, the guy eitherway.
He is sincere, loving, and true,
To everyone he meets, whether old or new.
'Coz in his heart, he truly values,
Not money, nor penny
But his loved ones indeed,
Bring along the friends, and foes too.
Yes, you may dislike him sometimes,
'Coz he speaks his own mind
But, to hate him never,
You see, he's too nice not to care.
People say, "the pen is mightier than a sword"
Words Rizal had lived and fought.
But, Jeffrey's magickal sword,
Is really his magnificent spoon and fork.
To be the best Chef, he could ever be,
Is a dream he dreamt since he was three.
And his sweet delicacies, and his other specialties,
Will surely please the palate of fair, young ladies.
Though, he still has to make his mark,
His friends don't doubt, he'll be on top.
'Coz big things are meant for this chap,
A friend you can trust, even with you life.

A Dream I Want To Come True

"Why am I working???" Well, to gain more experience and skills and of course, to earn money. And... hehehe to make one of my dreams come true... Hehehe I want to travel to South Korea.Everytime I tell someone about this dream, they always question me back by "Why in Korea?" Hmmm... why is it that I would like to visit Korea? Reasons... hmmm... First, I'm fantasized by so many Korean Series. OMG!, I really love marathon-watching Korean series but I'm so sorry for the industry but I could only afford to watch from a "pinaratang DVD" but let's see if I could afford one day to buy the original ones. Second, I am interested with their culture... Korean seems to be liberal and artistic, they value mostly their ethics, and above all, most of them areGod-fearing and they believe that two persons could meet again in their next life. Third, I like the food and the scenery. There are so many reasons why Korea but I cross my finger that if ever this would come true, I hope that I won't regret on pursuing this dream. And to do that, I should be saving all up my money... I've heard that it's not so easy to enter South Korea these days... But anyways... AJA to my trip Korea!!! Hehehe... looking for SPONSORS out there!!!

Good Samaritans

"It has been a month now, and I survived to live alone on a room for rent."
Well, it's not that hard since I have met so many good people along my way. And I really can't believe it myself, it is truly amazing that there are still good Samaritans in Makati City. Before, I am so afraid to walk in Makati's CBD specially in-front of call centers... i don't know why, every time I passes by, I just keep on thinking why are some people (Call Center Agents) act strangely and is the culture now is like that, or it is only me who thinks that way... still it's the new era and I'm always considering the reasons why do people are like that. But, I am really relieved knowing that there are still people who cares even knowing you on a short-span of time. And that is my Gaudi Greenbelt family.
I never thought such an embarrassing thing would happen in my life ever. And this one let me decide to depend on my own... but it is true that no one is an island. There will be a time that you'll need a helping hand, in my case and attitude, a man who treasure his pride and dignity, who could ever believe that there are people who are willing enough to extend some help.
Now, I am always gazing up some way on how to pay these Samaritans... or shall I say "to return the good deed" by also helping each one of them out of one of their miseries in life... Well, for now... I am truly grateful of having not just only a company but more of a family... Kamsahamnida Gaudi Greenbelt...

My everyday living is really tiring. I wake up as early as 6 o'clock in the morning to eat breakfast or do some other things and then take a bath, that would probably take half an hour and then I'll dress-up and polish and then I will go to work. While on the road, I keep myself busy by watching T.V. on my BOKIA fone, or listening to my Korean Songs mostly by Rain, Se7en, Big Bang, Shinhwa, and Younha, or if the traffic is really jammed... well, I start to browse and read my "How to Speak Korean". Then after struggling for more than an hour sitting inside the FX I then reached Makati. I get down the FX and find my trails to Greenbelt 3 where I currently work as a Chef.
Pass by 11, I change to my uniforms, then sanitize, then prepare my workstation. 11:30 A.M. is my duty. First thing on the list is doing the mise en place for the Hot Section. I oftenly cook soffrito for our paella, chop some white onions, and grind some garlic. Just to keep myself from being bored, I will then snap some more haricot verts, fill up the tomato sauce, and boil some eggs. Hmmm... but all that I do just takes few minutes not for few hours. But I am thankful for a day if ever my Sous Chef ask me to do the pre-cooking of some dishes specially when pan-searing the chicken for Paella Valenciana and Pollo Al Ajilo where I wait for the skin to crispen and "I shall attack!" Hehehe and I get the pleasure of the chicken skin! After doing the mise en place, that might be the start of either a very busy service or a very calm lunch. What ever takes place, I am ready. In-between 1:30 P.M. and 2:00 P.M. the kitchen staff partakes on the prepared employees' meal inside the kitchen, and that would be my favorite time.Then the lunch service ends at 2:30 P.M. And because we are working on a Spanish Restaurant, "SIESTA TIME!" comes next. After cleaning up the kitchen, I wash up, rest for a while, then have a two hours sleep.My alarm clock would tickle me around 4:30 P.M. I should get up or I'll be late for my next duty. We have a "Happy Hour" every weekdays, a buy one-get one on drinks plus our Spanish canapes. While waiting for the clock to hit six in the evening, I will ask the reservations manager how many covers do we have for tonight... then I'll prepare again if ever the mise en place to be enough to take over the orders. Then, if its a lucky night, the ordering machine starts to print. I will now cook paellas and more until I sweat and feel really really tired. Hehehe but I am still looking on the brighter side... the more tiring it gets means I am preparing more orders and that equals to a bigger service charge... hehehe of course! Around 9:20 P.M., I will now start to clean my station little by little. Then when it hits 10 o'clock... tada... I will now go home!
That would be the whole day for me... it is routinely tiring but I am always thinking it is a must to have it than to stay at home jobless. Well... by midnight I am now at home thinking about the day's happenings. But wait there's more... I have an addition to my daily chores... I will now post my first ever blog... Hehehe that's it... I'll sleep now... Meow-meow... Good night.

Buntong-Hininga, Awit ng Buhay

Alapaap sa puso'y minsanan kung maglaho,
Ang agos ng buhay bumabalong ang pagtutop,
Hibla ng hininga'y sadyang di matanto,
Ang pagbuntong-hininga'y di lubusang maarok.
O bakit ba buhay, bakit ka nagkakaganyan?
Aking kapalaran iyong pinag-iiba-iba.
Panahon ang siyang sa aki'y mapagbigay...
Bakit ang tadhana'y sa'ki'y tumamlay?
Talampas ng ligalig ang aking narating,
Sa kanlungan ng paglaki... dagok... mapaniil na hilahil,
Ang ulap sa langit ko'y batang iyakin,
Ang lupa sa daigdig ko'y matandang sumpungin.
O bakit ba ang minsa'y hindi rin dumarating?
akit ang sandali'y tumatagal... lumalalim?
Ang buntong-hininga ko'y minsan at sandali,
Buntong-hininga ko'y isang bata't isang sumpungin.
ikot ng mundo ay ikot rin ng buhay,
Ang lakad ng tao'y usad ng pag-unlad,
Ang tinig ng isa'y himig ang handog,
Ngunit bakit ang buntong-hininga ko'y sama ng loob?
Ang luha ay tubig, ang galit ay apoy,
Ang pag-asa ay hangin, ang sigalot ay bato,
Tunay nga na ang buhay... patuloy kung bumalong,
Habang sa pagbuntong-hininga'y nagpapatuloy.

I'm so nervous...

Hi to everyone... I am Brangien and this is my first time ever to make my own blog, but actually this is the republication of this blog. I am so nervous about what will happen and how will the public respond to my writtings. Well, all opinions and suggestion from you guys are welcome but please don't be harsh and give me a little consideration even at least for a few weeks. I will try my best to come out with something good. I just hope that you could connect with me and understand what ever feelings would be on each postings. Thank you.