Ce n'est pas dire adieu Arnel

It’s very rare to find a good friend outside of your home country. Sometimes we have to go with the flow to appreciate things in life. We have to learn and understand every breath and adjust to the new environment, new people and new culture in order to survive.

But here’s Arnel Maramag De Leon who became one of my good friend who always been there to listen to my problems, my insanity, my hatred and my happiness. For accepting and understanding my mood swings (minsan lang), my foolishness and my misadventures.

I can still vividly remember my first day I joined in Daewoo E & C, I feel hesitant because most of you are ex-Daewoo and I feel out casted among the group (Liaison Office that time). But you were there who break my silence. You are such an amazing friend. And you gained my respect.

Time runs so fast, and now over this long period of time we spent and work together since 2010, you are now going to leave the four corners of UAE. It’s hard but we have to embrace it ‘coz I know that there’s a good opportunity awaits you.

But we assure you that we will miss our fond memories we had.

We will miss on how you cook and prepare food for us. You are one of the reason why I became bigger (I won’t deny that). That’s why; I guess it would be better for you to leave us so I have time to discipline myself and to lose my weight…lolz

No one will treat us again like a real parent. There’ll be no sermons and no wake-up call from your louder voice every morning. So, after 20^th of June will be different. We have to wake-up now once the clock alarms. Before, we are used to set our alarm clock at 5:30 or 6:00 but even it alarmed we just turned it off and sleep again(sayang pa kasi ang ilang minuto to take a nap) because we set our mind, someone will prepare our breakfast hohoohoo..But now, it’s different because it’s our turn to prepare our own breakfast. No one will cook anymore.. If there’s a BIG MAMA, you are our BIG YAYA…and we gonna miss how you prepare our breakfast and dinner.. L

I will miss your sobbing moment every time you are watching the telenovela. You are truly affected by the teleserye you are watching. It seems that you are one of the casts. When they cried (actors), you cried too. And when you cried, you almost die crying!… And we are affected because we are worried about you and thinking that something happens on you (kaya nakakainis…lol)… We are truly an actor of our own story. There are no scripts, no directors and no need cameras...J

But in some other way around, there’s an opposite reaction from your crying moment. Because when you laughed, you almost die laughing… and you always break our silence even our time of rest (tulog pa kasi kami hehheeh)

For sure, you will miss our big events every Thursday. The Khalifa City A is a truly remarkable place for us with Ka Albert, Ryan, Edmon, Samuel, Lomio, PJ and Ronn. Our jammin’ together with bottles of love (alcohol), our dance showdown, our escapade and our jogging after office hours or even early morning in order to lose our weight. The Khalifa City A Supermarket have played an important part of our daily lives. (Diyan tayo tumatakbo pag nagugutom tayo to escape sa nakakaumay na ulam sa Villa, Kapag walang pulutan every thursday at iyan ang end place ng jogging natin di’ba?)

After stressful week, it’s time for us to unwind and relax our stress mind over work. We always enjoy our bar hopping at Manila Bay, Howard Johnson, Arcadia, Blue Bay, Ratzky, The Buzz at Regency Hotel with our friends from site.

We will miss our sharing of foods together, even the lunch invitation of our bosses na hindi natin pinatawad..I will miss our coffee break with Kaycee at Barista, Papparoti Café, Tim Hortons, Starbucks, Costa Rica, Bloomsbury and many more…Our food trip at Ponderosa, Fridays, Fuddruckers, Oasis Chinese Restaurant, Figaro’s, REdstar, Shanghai Surprise…and of course our very own Philippine Restaurant (o ayan, free

advertisement) and many more...We always shared our secrets together, our hatred, our resentment over the stressful days, our funniest experience we had that day and even our plans for the future..




Our Christmas Party and New Years celebration with the Branch Office Team is one of the memorable moments we had..We belong in a small group but we always see to it that everyone will enjoy; our exchange gifts and our foods.. And of course our grilled party at Khalifa Villa..

There’s a lot of happenings and adventures that we will always remember. And for sure you will smile if you remember our funniest moment together …













We always tried to explore and experience something new and more adventures, (kahit buwis buhay ‘ika nga). Our Ferrari World adventure which I almost failed to enjoy the F1 Formula due to I closed my eyes and I am singing a worship songs while onboard in the world’s fastest roller coaster which accelerate up to 240 km/hr in less than five seconds (ang kulit lang e). And you? You closed your mouth because maybe something might happen unexpectedly (lolz). And even the Italy adventures that I hold your hands tightly because I’m afraid that I might fall (bangag lang). Our two times experience together at desert safari. We enjoyed the dune bashing, quad biking, sand boarding and the camel riding that I almost fall on the ground because of you…But we have so much fun and we enjoyed a lot.  Of course, we will not forget our swimming at Corniche beach with Francis, Gemma and Edmon.  And even our road trip in Dubai with Ms. Elvie and Mervin, Francis and Gemma.  And the Al Ain Adventure at Jebel Hafeet with Francis, Gemma, and Mohd Yousaf our good friend.

We will never forget our Thursday happenings with you. By this time, I’ll drink your share with Kaycee, Glenn and Dong. The problem, after the happenings I will go home alone. And no one will guide me anymore and assist me when I’m drunk and I feel groggy. No one will remind me again na “Jonnell, umayos ka na, lasing ka na.”

But we have to move-on and step ahead for a new beginning, a new journey and a new adventure with new people. And we have to thank you for the insights and support you shared. On a personal level, thank you for the special bond- the laughter, patience, and for sharing a great learning experience. We are looking forward to meet you again.

It’s normal to feel sad, especially if someone who becomes part of your journey and close to you will say goodbye. But I must be happy because it’s for your own good and you will pursue something better.  And I know, even you are far and a thousand miles away, . It’s very easy now for us to say “Hi” and “Hello”, “How life in Singapore?”… (The first message you will receive from me when I caught you online via skype..hohoohoh). Our world is dominated by the high-technology which is very vital for us to communicate…so don’t fail to update us.

We believe, in every story has an end, but in life every ending is just a beginning. So, we will not say goodbye, instead we will send you with our prayers to have a better life in your chosen career. As I said, don’t cry when you leave but smile to the success awaits you..

I know, we will see each other again…