On greetings with texting

Another long vacation like these two, Christmas and New Year, and we would have a mental atrophy without using our mind to think of what idea to write for the following day.

But I busied myself, reading text messages of greeting and sending mine. To all those whose names are in my cellphone directory I sent a greeting. And answering my greeting was an interesting study. I think I have about a hundred names in my directory.

I noted, something like 80 percent of the texts I received were not original, just forwarded. Some even with beautiful graphics. There were those I received five with the same messages, same words, same period, even the same wrong spelling and grammar.

* * *

So, I chose to be different, I wrote, “My message is very simple but heartfelt. Happy New Year!” Only one responded acknowledging the innovativeness, fellow newspaperman Pert Toga. He answered, “I like the simplicity but heartfelt greeting.” He detests long texts too, I believe.

We must learn how to be brief now. Starting last Tuesday, text messages are now a little costlier because of the value added tax.

But while I criticize those who just forward the greeting, I also did it. I received three messages, all the same in Spanish, from Silay City Mayor Oti Montelibano, Bert Lim, and Rudy Parreño.

They tried to impress me they know Spanish. Earlier I got a response in Spanish from a Spanish citizen herself Ms Gilda Puey Locsin. I forwarded it to them to show that I could also answer them in Spanish. Oti even sent me a greeting in Italian.

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Earlier also I received a greeting in Chinese from my friendly ghost Crispin Chua, a relative of my other good friend James Chua with whom I exchanged Christmas and New Year greetings.

“Sin ni kway lok (Happy New Year) Ping Yu (my friend.)

I sent it to Albert Lim, trying to impress him I also know Chinese. My God, he sent me back a text, all in Chinese characters. I didn't know if it was greeting or cursing me. I sent him back the bad words in Chinese I learned as a small boy during the War taught me by my Chinese playmates.. “piao singe.”… I asked Albert if that was correct. He said, the expletive was correct.

You know in learning a new language, it is the bad words that we first try to know, just to be sure whether something bad is said right in our face.

* * *

With these two Chinese greetings, I forwarded them to Montelibano and Parreño to impress on them it is not only Spanish I know but also Chinese. Up to this writing, I haven't heard from them.

But they should not be afraid I cursed them in Chinese. Our friendly Ghost, architect Crispin Chua, also known as a top fire fighter of Amity and a hard working mediator, texted me the translation, which says, “At the beginning of the New Year I just wish you good fortune with you one after another with colorful life, more wealth, no worries, have a perfect life. Accept my wonderful greetings.”

Meanwhile, from my Ghostly Friend, I got this text, “The Bacolodiat Festival celebrating the Chinese New Year is scheduled on February 7 to 10.

He added, “If you have old photos of the Capitol, Shopping Center, or old Chinese stores, schools, musical plays, or other Chinese memorabilia, kindly send them to Amity Volunteer Office, Hilado St. or call Amity Office 4322161 or Cell Phone 09189023567.

“These will be displayed at the Exhibit to revive old memories of these Chinese landmarks,” Crispin Chua said.

* * *

There is fire and you want to reach the Amity Fire Brigade fast, here is what Crispin Chua told me and asked me to pass it on.

Here's how to report a fire with your cellphone,: Type, REPORT (space) BCD (space) LOCATION. Then send it to 09186888888.”

Example, REPORT hilado st. Then send to 09186888888.

We need more people joining the Amity Fire Brigade. Contact Crispin Chua at the cell phone stated above.

I have been impressed by the efficiency of the Amity Fire Brigade and its Emergency Group.

When my late wife suffered a heart attack in her clinic at Plaza Mart, I was called up at my office at Planters Motors at Lacson Street . I rushed to Plaza Mart and I arrived together with Amity Volunteer Brigade.

* * *

I got a call from Ding Puentevella, retired executive here of the Bank of Philippine Islands who also had a bad experience with the inefficiency of Cebu Pacific Airline. His lawyer is working on it, he said.

* * *

Note: I am happy Modi Sa-onoy accepted to be the chairman of the Council of Past Presidents of the Negros Press Club.

I held it since 1982. I am happy this time Modi was willing to take over.

The Negros Press Club building was built during his presidency of NPC.*

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