Are office romances really kept secret?

I was chatting with some lady friends today about someone we knew who was having a “secret” relationship with a colleague. Secret meaning they think nobody knows when in fact, the whole office does. Secret meaning no one should know when in fact everybody does… everybody except the guy’s “official” girlfriend.

The story reminded me of another couple from years back. In fact, it reminded me of several other couples I know who have, at one time or another, indulged in this kind of a hookup. The type which we call office romance. Sometimes they are healthy and welcome, at times they are deceptive and most other times they border on the illicit or immoral.

Whatever form they may appear in your workplace, the one thing it is not is under wraps. No matter how discreet a couple struggles to be, the romance is never secret. The couple themselves may feel that they share the private joke, most of the time the joke is on them.

So what is it about office romances that make it so hard to conceal?

Is it because the workplace promotes an environment of gossip and a wild imagination?

Is it because employees in the workplace are so stressed out that they crave and welcome the exciting tales of sneaking couples, kissing on the stairwell, late night desk meet ups such that they are twice as observant of such behavior?

Is it because all couples who get into office romances are so into each other that they forget to be discreet?

Is it just human nature to wonder whether your colleagues are all sleeping with one another?

Its just funny to watch how people carry blank faces, acting out the pretense of nonchalance when the eyes so obviously blush with excitement.

Or is it funny because several years back, one of those couples could have been me? Wink!

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Blogging for me has become a way to express my thoughts and feelings on a subject or topic that interests or irks me. I feel I have always been passionate about my beliefs and lived my life not compromising them.

However, I pale compared to my other siblings. They are truly talented individuals who elevate their passion to the next level. And more importantly, their passion takes them to places and encounters I only vaguely hear about and I don’t allow myself to touch. It doesn’t mean though that I am not proud of them. In fact, I am very much proud.

One of my sisters has directed several short films and documentaries. Twice, her films were chosen as finalists in the Cinemalaya Independent Film Festival. The other day, I received an SMS from her for an invite to a film festival in Robinson’s Galleria. Unfortunately, I just got back from my trip to Subic and have opted to take the chance to rest. To make up for missing their opening night, I am promoting the festival here.

Kontra agos: A Resistance Film Festival

celebrates films that go against the current, whether it be of popular cinema, politics or conventional ideas of love, sex and gender.
from http://www.kontra-agos.blogspot.com/

My sister’s film: UNCONVENTIONAL WARFARE (documentary co-directed with Herbert Docena)

This documentary contextualizes the issue of US military presence in the country within the long and bitter history of conflict in the south. Countering the reductionist frame set by the narrative of the “global war against terror,” it examines the historical conditions that led to the emergence of the Moro separatist movement and the subsequent rise of the Abu Sayyaf. It dissects the government’s contradictory attempts to downplay its threat while at the same time justifying escalating military operations in the region.

Against this backdrop, the documentary then probes allegations of US military involvement in the war.

You still have 3 days to catch the festival. See the schedule below.

Watch the Kontra agos trailer (by my sister too!)

Other events of the Kontra agos Film Festival:
Panel Discussion on Human Rights and Artistic Freedom in Philippine Cinema (Free admission)
Photo Exhibit at the lobby courtesy of Free Jonas Burgos Movement.
For more information or inquiries about the festival, pls. email kontra_agos@yahoo.com

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I am not one to jump up and down to join the latest craze especially when its a new game show or reality show. There are times though when the latest catches my fancy. I guess its because it tickled my dancing bones. Why? That is another post altogether.

To all the other people who want to admit that they were hooked by this tune, here is a video of the dance number that made it more famous. This is the Streetboys (all male dance group) shaking to the remix of “Papaya” in Game Ka na Ba? tv show.

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Finally! This blog has gone up the ratified.org list from close to #200 to #98! I actually did some enhancements so that this blog will reflect the most accurate data that is considered in the ratified rank computation and this is the result.

I did the same for our other 2 blogs and I am happy to see them jump rank almost 30 to 40 places higher. Isn’t that great?

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I actually wrote this piece the other day at my room at the Legenda Hotel Subic. However, I wasn’t able to complete it as I was limited by a short and very expensive wifi access. So I am posting my experience just now.

We are here to attend a management seminar facilitated by our company. The seminar was great. There were a lot of lessons I took away with me to ponder on and apply in my work when I get back to Manila.

I could not say the same for the hotel. Given that I did not expect five star quality, there were still several areas where the hotel could do to improve on.

The Legenda’s front entrance is elegant. It is comparable to five star hotels that are located in the heart of Metro Manila. I actually found it impressive (of course that’s only me). The lobby provided the same ambience - elegant and luxurious. I was not looking for a Shangri-La or even a  Marriott or a Best Western so this sat fine with me.

I was given a deluxe room. It had a queen size bed, a TV and a tub. I felt I got one of the good rooms as my other colleagues were given just the standard accommodation (one with twin beds). The layout is actually akin to the rooms over at the Manila Peninsula.

That is where my fascination ends. There was no complimentary water, in fact the mini bar was EMPTY. We all know how outrageously priced the mini bar items are but I was hungry and thirsty from my bus ride and I guess I wanted at the least, to be given a choice.

The other thing is that it took a while before they were able to provide me with the TV remote. They mentioned it should have been in my room somewhere but nobody could find it.

The worst though is not the mini bar or the remote. It was that there were no towels in the bathroom! I called housekeeping and was reassured that towels will be provided. I went to dinner and back and still no towels. It was only after I returned from strolling around Subic that I saw them in the bathroom.

We had dinner at the Le Cafe. I could not say if the food served to us was generally what the restaurant had or if it was something they reserved for corporate functions. My thought was for a big client such as our company, they could have at least provided dishes that were tolerable.

Some observations on the dinner served that night: rice tasted and felt old (a.k.a bahaw), the veggies were overcooked to tastelessness and so was the rest of the main course, plus the fruits looked and tasted like the life was sucked out of them. It was so bad that several people went out to the nearby Jollibee.

Tonight’s dinner was at the Museum Chinese Restaurant. The condition of the food was consistent with what we have had in all other meals so it was not surprising. Although they did serve more variety. There was even sushi, maki and tuna sashimi. They must have used the “old rice” in the maki as it tasted so much like it. The tuna sashimi looked like it was pulled right out of the fish instead of precisely cut. The pieces looked like raw pork instead of tuna. Eeew. About the only thing I appreciated was the open bar. It gave me a chance to socialize with my longtime friend Baileys.

Despite the conditions we had to put up with, it wasn’t all bad. The staff, from the doorman to the bellboy to the servers in the restaurants were all very friendly, accommodating and courteous. It was hard to stay irritated with the bad food if all the faces you met were all welcoming and smiling. The closest term I could think of to describe the feeling is warm and homey. And being miles from home, it was something that I appreciated.

Oh! And can I just say that their bathrooms are immaculate! If there is one thing five star at that hotel, it would be the public restrooms. In most cases, that would be enough.

Overall, the hotel was ok. I will not be singing high praises but I could suggest this to a friend or two or even stay here again the next time I visit Subic.

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