DISKARTE

DISKARTE

By Rhodegette Joyce Aldave Idul

Introduction

This book is a motivational/inspirational  book based from the true story of my life. Diskarte is a bisaya term that means - finding ways to any problems or situation. This book contains 10 chapters and each chapter contains story and my realization to the situation. I found my life living in an extraordinary life that I think the God of Universe bring me in this life to share how world is an amazing place if you just know how you wanted it to live.

My name is Rhodegette Joyce Aldave Idul, 25 years old from Purok 4A Poblacion Monkayo Compostela Valley Province, 08805, Mindanao Philippines. I am currently traveling and working at the same time. I do not think we have a big difference but to know me more you can read on of my writings. I do not feel special of climbing the stairs and live the life I wanted of where I am right now but I feel that I want to share what I do know that maybe inspire you in this so called amazing world.

It is indeed true that when you woke up in the morning it is your choice if you want to be positive or negative to start your day. Also, it is your choice to which of those you feed on each in every day. I believe that everything is possible and to prove you this on, keep reading on I will share you some of my experiences- You may say it is too good to be true when you read my story but I will promise that all I wrote are no add ons to keep you interested about me, again this book is a motivational book based on my story that somehow will make you inspire.

My purpose of writing this book is to inspire and give hope to those who have dreams and hopeful to live a wonderful life in their time being.

I encourage you to keep a pause every after chapter and reflect what you have read and think if you also be in the same situation. In doing so, you and me are somehow connected.

I will be always your friend,

Jet

Chapter 1

My Mom asked me to check our goat

I am the middle child among 5 siblings of my beloved mother and father. They said middle child usually the not the good one but I do not think it is true, I think I turn out fine. One day my mom asked me to check our goat near in the creek. I went straight in the middle of noon day. It was hot and I was little. When I saw the goat, she looks thirsty in her black eyes and beautifully covered her body in black and white perfectly skin of her, so I went back home get some water and let her drink. Right after some other time whilst I was looking at her drinking the water and side bit eating the grass, my curious mind asked me a question. Why goat eat grass? I get grass and I eat, “Oh, poor you goat! It doesn’t taste better, you should try to eat pork and rice, it is better”. When I looked and taking to this goat, it seems this goat doesn’t care about me and so I ran back home and asked that question to my mother. “Ma!!!!!!!!!! Why the goat eat grass? Grass doesn’t taste good!”. My mom replied, “Ha? How did you know that grass doesn’t taste good?”.  I replied, “I tried it!, I pulled some grass and eat with her!”. My mom looked at me with a disappointed face and shake her head. Getting no answer annoys me since I was little so I told her, “Ma, it is not dirty, if goat can eat it, why I cannot? I am also animal. And you do not answer me yet, Why do goats only eat grass and not pork and rice?. Then my mom looked at me and explain the herbivore, carnivore and omnivore lesson.

I was I think 5 years old back then when this happened. I think I never went to school as I remember. That was my first lesson in my life that I cannot forget, there is no wrong at all to asked questions. If I never asked that question I will only know goat is part of herbivore when I will be 9 years old in my grade school days when this lesson can be discussed.

To know something, you must know what you want to know and if you know what you want to know- Diskarte.

Chapter 2

My mom is indeed a teacher

Back then I am in my grade school days, we have homework. Who loves homework? Maybe you do but for me not really. I love going home and only think school on the next day. I am in my little chair and table and open my notebook with homework. Oh no! this is a lot of work. Science, English, name it. I have homework in all my subjects. My mom is a general teacher which you think and I think I am lucky enough to save my home work but when I ask her , “Ma!!! What is the english of this? It is my homework”. My mom replied, “ I never buy dictionary if there is no use, look that word there and you will know”. You know when I heard it, I stomp my feet quietly, hated my mom that day and my eyes are going to fall some tears feeling so unlucky to have a mom who is a teacher.

After I finished my English homework, it is my science homework. This time I am thinking, Oh maybe this time my mom will help me because it is Science and she even told me about herbivore before. So I asked her again and she replied, “There is an encyclopedia in the book shelves, I never bought that encyclopedia for no use”.

Through those situation I never asked my mom any help at all. I learned to be resourceful in all ways. If I have questions, I get the facts by my own, I do my own research. Yes I hated my mom that time but my mom is indeed a teacher because she taught me to be independent, to not always rely answers by others. She taught me how to live proper in real life. If she help me all the time I may cannot live without her now, and she will probably get tired answering questions to all my questions that is everywhere under the sun.

It takes me 25 years to be thankful to the day I hated my mom and because I am grateful to her nowI cannot be more thankful enough to have a great mother and great teacher at the same time. How lucky I am.

You can be lazy and copy your assignment to your classmates if you are early on the next day for class or you can also check all those book in your home or library to find the answers what you are looking for or internet now which is one touch away, either or it is called Diskarte.

Chapter 3  

I want that banana

A summer afternoon in our vacation house in another town, I saw a banana tree in front of our main door with fruit. I looked at it, imagine a fried banana with sugar, we call it maruya or pritong saging. I looked at it many times. When I saw my father approaching me, I prepare myself to be cute so he won’t get upset. By the way my father is a quiet person. He is big quiet person who works almost everyday even in special occasions. He is a Marine Engineer but because my mom doesn't want him to go back to the ship because it is far for our family, so he became part of the electric company in our town from driver to foreman. I remember my dad bring that electric big truck in front of our house with wires and logs and one time he let me be inside of that big look like bin to stand for electrician when they fixed some wires higher. My dad is amazing, I think I get that manly work from him.

Given to what I just shared above, my dad doesn’t talk jokes at all, he is busy most of the time in his work. And because I knew him that way, I am shy to ask him to do something for me. I even prepare my throat so I will sound cute and in my mind I am preparing what words I want say so he cannot say no to my request. “Pa, can you see that Banana? I think it is prepared to get, I want it, Can you get it for me? “. After I said that I then blink my eyes twice hoping the yes answer and thinking he will go get a big knife and get it for me. My papa looked at me and said, “ If you want it, Diskarte!” then he left. Whatever you feel now, that is how I feel back then. My heart and hopes are completely broken into pieces and slowly falling on the ground, slowly by slowly.After my slowmo drama in my mind I feel that angered inside of me. I was mad because of course I never get the result that I wanted. The result of my father will say yes and get that banana for me. And because I wanted that banana I first get a knife with my small arms, short height body and when I get in front of the banana, you could imagine I cannot reach it and because I wanted it and even I get the chair and climbed on it and still not working, I then smashed the tree before the root and pushing on the other way so the tree won’t fall towards me. The tree falls and I have the banana.

That day reminded me so much until today, that was the day the “DISKARTE” word was born. When I was in Myanmar I wrote a postcard each of my family and to the postcard for my dad I wrote how I was thankful to him that day when I wanted the banana and he said- Diskarte. When I visit him after my trip, he told me he received the postcard and he never thought that I can still remember that day that I wanted the banana and he said, Diskarte.

If you want it, Diskarte! - Papa Rolly

Chapter 4

Because I was late…

When I was in high school, I have to take care of my little brother and sister especially to prepare breakfast for everybody as at that time I am responsible because my big sister and big brother is in another town for their university. I remember back then I always try my best to not be late because I have to pay to our classroom treasurer of being late.

To give you a little background of my high school situation. English is a must, if you do not speak English and if you pronounce the word wrongly, expect a bully from your classmates until they get tired of it, lucky you if they get tired. I belong to special class which back then it means smart people. Our classroom is separated to all buildings of other section. We have our own community where each year has one classroom for special class except the 3^rd year as 3^rd year has two rooms, special class and the second class. If you belong to special class everyone is expected you are smart and you are model of the rest students in your level in whole campus. I was there for the entire 4 years. Also, there is an entrance examination to get into this class and your final grade always matter to be part of this class. Students who are in this class are expected to speak English and good at everything.

I will tell you honestly, my classmates are so good! I never even tried to be in top 10. Most of the time I will be from top 11 onwards. My classmates are very competitive when every time I reached our classroom in an early morning, my classmate will greeted me with a question like, what is the chemical formula of Gold? And if you do not know the answer, that person will shout and announce that I did not know the answer. When I observe to all my classmates, it seems very natural and no one get hurts for that way, so it is kinda just study so my name will not be announced that I am stupid to be in this class. Also, it is somewhat a pressured on my part as my mom graduated in this school with the highest honor as well as my big brother as Valedictorian.

Quick story, One of my classmate announces that we should make an essay and she pronounce it wrong as”ESAI”, and the entire class tease her and even until now, no one forgets.

Given all the situation to the class I am in, it is part to list students who are not punctual and in order to be really discipline, you have to pay. It cost 5 pesos per late. Late means you never attend the flag ceremony like you are not in the line. Flag ceremony is 7 am so you have to be at least before that. My home is 15 minutes walk towards to my room. We are used to walk and lucky if my father sends us by car but usually my dad only sends my mom in her school as my mom school is impossible to walk due to its distance like 20 minutes drive.

These days, I always try to get up early and prepare breakfast and make on time but there are many days that I feel so lazy and clumsy that ending me to be late. By the way I cannot pay 5 pesos because my parents never gave us money, my parents gave us crackers or bread and juice for snack, money is impossible. My parents train us to choose the food they know that healthy for us and make sure we never use money in junk food. One day, I was late and I know I will be late and because I do not have 5 pesos, with my ironed uniformed long checked skirt, white blouse with necktie and a shoulder bag- I climbed the gate that is not visible to the flag ceremony line. It is like 5 meters high, when I looked back I saw my uncle driving his motorbike, I wish he never saw me. But then even if he saw me, I do not care what I do care is none of my classmates will saw that I over the bakod , that is how we say it or in proper English, climbing over the fence.

This time I may used Diskarte in a wrong way but it can be a wrong way if you never know my reason. My reason, I do not have 5 pesos.

There is a fuel to have Diskarte- Reason. Reason should be strong enough to fuel your Diskarte that even you are tired and you think you want to give up, you won’t because of your reason.

Chapter 5

My Phone has telly

Right after my high school graduation, my parents handed me a phone as a present. I was very happy back then when I have it in my hand. My parents knew that my smile is so big when I received it. I cannot remember the brand nor the unit but it is a square with stick to write and draw and it is with telly.

After we had a meal together as a celebration I finished my high school years, I then go to my room and explore my phone. I found telly in my phone and I think it is really cool! Imagine a big telly in our living room, all the channels or show their is inside of my phone. I am really amazed how my phone is so cool to let me think how technology can go beyond.

One not super late afternoon, a noontime show called Wowowee. It is a show of giving presents in a way of guessing which box has money that can make you an instant millionaire. Who doesn’t want to be a millionaire right? I think we watch telly because we like it that somehow it can happen to us, this is just my opinion. When I watched this show in my phone the signal is not that good and because I want to fix it, I collect some cigarette silver paper that can adapt easily signal because that is what my neighbor do and then I climbed over in our roof to put the last point of the silver I connect in a high above to get a better signal.

I ripped my shorts, a friend of my brother looked and wonder what I was doing and when they saw me again I went on the roof they are all worried and told me that I shouldn’t because I am young and I am a girl. I looked at them with my eyes then I looked back to my hands with a silver paper and stay focus.

When Diskarte is already in my system, I learned that focus comes next without any doubt.

Chapter 6

I got perfect score in my quiz

When you are an Engineering student, perfect score is heaven, 3.5 is heaven. 3.5 means you just passed, just right as below 3.5 means failure. I remember there was a gathering and someone asked me what will be the course I am taking in my University and I answered, engineering. Everyone is looking at me as they knew I am not good in Math like part of Math quizzers, so I told them - Why not? That is the reason I want to study because I am not good at it. I know how to speak English already and I do not want to be a teacher, I think Engineering is cool. A person of the gathering replied, “but you know you should choose what you really want to become like what you want to be not just because you just want to learn because whatever you choose that will be your career”. I replied,”So when you are 15 years old before, you know already what you wanted in your life? Is the purpose of studying is to learn or no? I think it is interesting to learn Math and the proper basic that leads what are those formula and numbers helps in or daily life more than knowing how to add and subtract, or no?. Then, I smiled and left. I left because I think I overstep the law of subsidiary. Law of subsidiary means whatever the adults told you, just say yes or agree like you cannot questioned their opinion.

One afternoon my electrical subject had a quiz and I got a perfect score. I was indeed happy but when my teacher asked me to explain in front of my classmates, I cannot remember how I did it and when I do explain right after I realized it was not Diskarte I did to make a perfect score, I did not know what it is until I found the meaning of miracle and so that’s it.

There are some circumstances that is beyond in our thought, Diskarte comes when you wanted a thing badly but there are natural things that you do not need Diskarte because they are meant to happen for you.

Chapter 7

My friend introduced me to business

I do believe that my fiend who introduced me in to business was not my choice to happen. I t was indeed part of my journey. When my friend introduced me to business I was into it and even doing it for more than a year. I indeed learned a lot how money works and how people changed when money comes. To not go any further, I saw myself being so mature to understand life and I found when money is running out of my hands then I found ways to have them again. I met different kinds of people from different parts of the Philippines and found some ways how people choose which kind of Diskarte they apply in their business to win- to create a sustainable profit. I salute all business people who undergone the process, without short cuts and with hardships to attain where they are. It is true that in business you will learn a lot and you will even hardly understand what patience means and the meaning of - there is always a time for everything.

I attended a lot of training until I was good at it and found myself want to be more until I found myself to stop and decided to change another way of life. I was 17 years old for my first bankruptcy in my life. The time that I was thankful of my age to save me to the verdict and for the possibility to be sentence my life in Jail. The story was like this, since I was good in this company selling consumable products like soap, toothpaste, coffee- I decided to have a stock from the manufacturer and deliver it to big centers like shopping center, pharmacy and any stores that I can consigned my products. I did talk to big bosses for my business. When I was in the moment of peak I found an investor to make my business bigger. I hired employees and I am all around of the big island of Mindanao to run my business. Until one day my employee who supposedly deposit the money to the bank, the time to share the profit- took the money and run. In my understanding, my employees more than 4 plan it well and just ran the money. I was devastated, My business just collapsed just that day and I no longer trust people in terms of money since then. I feel being betrayed after I trusted them and just one day they make all my hopes and dreams for everyone.

That day, I decided to give up and put my Diskarte to the heavens above. I decided to quit my engineering course, moved to another island, to the capital of the Philippines and start a life, fresh and new.

Sometimes we have no reason to continue Diskarte because we feel that is the end and an another exciting life out there must be waiting, this time I learned to let go Diskarte and having Faith.

Chapter 8

My father was in critical condition and ran in the hospital

A gloomy afternoon I received a message that my father was run in the hospital and in critical condition. I am an engineering student back then who drop my class and ran to the hospital. The scene was so fast that all I remember that my mom came and cried and I asked her, “Ma, relax! Your tears will not help to this situation, hold up yourself and let’s pray”. I hugged my mom and we went to the chapel kneel down and pray. We hate surely hate to see our mom crying, who doesn’t. So in my prayers, I bargain my dreams to save my father. My prayer goes like this, “ Father God, I do not want to be an engineer anymore, from now on - you rule my life and I follow you, just save my father”. Since then I yield and open my life to all possibilities, I of course wish things but before I began to take actions, I always asked in prayer His will.

The reason my dad was ran in the hospital because he had a hypertension. While he was in the field to fix some electricity, he felt down from the post and the first diagnosis was heat stroke until it was discovered that Doctor needs to open his head as there is a blood clotting happened inside his head. The doctor approached to me and my mom while we were praying and asking my mother if what is her decision in the situation. I heard my mom said, “just save my husband please! If opening the head can help the situation please do so, we can find money!”.

Remember,I did pray that I bargain my wants in life just to save my father. From that on, I stop asking money from my parents and decided to make my own money- I feel that in that way I am out of their responsibility and so I have to be responsible of my life. I was 17 years old back then. I can remember how many times I cried and feel tired but I never gave up to find Diskarte as what my father told me back then. My father is okay now, his skull is now replaced with titanium, he was forcely retired due to the situation as he is half paralyzed before, today he is able to walk but not like before.

Chapter 9

I plan to end my life

When my business failed that was after when my father had an accident. I have no choice but to drop my engineering course and full time “tambay”. We call tambay for those people who have no work and not even a student or in other way we call it to those passive in life. I was tambay physically but my mind is full of thoughts.

One night after I cannot find all my employees who ran the money, I went to church. I always go to church before to start my day and after I end the day. For me it was God only that I have to have hope in this life. I went there pray, tired from crying so I decided to take a nap. I think I did sleep 2 hours until I decided to go home because of so many mosquitoes.

I opened my phone and I received a message of my father that he got a message that my business went bankrupt. I replied him to not worry about it because it is my business. I then followed my message wishing him well and I took a tuktuk on my way to our residential home.

To give you an idea, my parents owns two homes. One home is where we grew up and until now my parents and siblings are there and the other home is the vacation home. In my engineering days I stay in this vacation home because that is the town where I can take my engineering course.

The driver of the tuktuk seems so positive and giving me hope while inside of me is full of anger and hate of people who betrayed in me. I loose hope and I think ending my life is the best solution to end this. It was a week full of negativeness and anger that brought me to decision to hang myself.

When I opened the door, my big sister open the door while I put the key to open. I am surprised because she visits me unannounced. She then looked so happy and hug me to welcome. I am sure I look shit at that time. I am out of tears but I look tired and so negative inside. My emotions change totally when I saw her. I always project to my family that I am strong. They used to share their problems to me and advice them but this time, she caught me in a wrong time- time of me being so down.

We have two rooms in that vacation house. I have a rope in my bag and I told her I am tired so I will go to bed at that time. I closed the door and locked it. Then I wrote my suicidal letter. I prepare the rope and I silently cried while writing the letter. Then, my sister knocked the door, I was a bit upset because I don’t want to be disturbed. I replied her that I am tired. She then followed an answer, “ Jean is here! Your Friend Jean is here! She needs you! She is crying!”. I then wipe my tears, hide my suicidal letter, took the prepared ropes and hide, opened the door and I said, “ Hey, what happened? Are you okay? “. I gave her a hug and she cried immensely. She told me she is pregnant. She told me all the story and she get a test and it was confirmed. She doesn’t know what to do. And guess what? I advise her about life that somehow what I said is also for me.

This is what I told her, “ Jean, life is unpredictable. Things happen to the time we never expect to happen. We think we are unable to continue life for circumstances like this. Look! People betrayed and ran my money. My business is completely down. But this circumstances we have might be not the same but this are meant to happen to us to make us stronger. Let’s learn this situation so it won’t happen anymore. And I am sure having a baby unexpectedly is a shocking change to accept but I am sure that baby is meant for you because God knows you will be a great mother. Many couples who cannot have baby wish to be pregnant but they cannot have. Right at this moment, breathe! It’s gonna be fine and remember what I told you before? .Jean replied, “Diskarte”.

Jean now is still with the same guy and they have 3 kids already, they get married too They have  lovely home and comfortable life. I was right, she is a great mother and wife! She surely save me for my suicidal plan, she was an angel brought to me. Since then I told myself that I will not do it anymore.

Chapter 10

I decided to fly from a far and start new life without anyone who knows me….

I start to get back to my business but I feel more to go somewhere and start something new. Dea a friend of mine invited me in her farm place. I visited her and I told her my feelings and plan. Wow I miss you Dea! We unfortunately loose contact and until now I do not know where she is. She replied me after I told her my plans, “ You know jet? Do it! You are my idol and you know how I admired you! You are a warrior! There is no way you cannot do it!”. I replied her, “but dea, how? I am totally out of cash now like how?. She then replied, “ Diskarte!”. Then she give me a winked and in the next morning she was with me to my plan. She helped me to beg money in the street. This is our line, “Hi, we are student and it is a competition to raised money and we really want to win!”. In an hour we make 100 dollars. Another friend of mine who knows my plan, gave me her ticket to Manila as she cannot make it and I went to a place to have a fake ID, my face her name to take this flight.

I never say goodbye to anyone. Only Genia and Dea knows my plan so I grab my shoulder bag with 2 knickers, one jeans, one short, one bra and two t-shirts. A friend of Dea called me who is also going to Manila, “ Hey jet! Dea told me you are going to Manila with fake ID and small money, are you sure?”. I then replied, “come what may, let the adventure begins!”.

I then, took a flight, never cried, and full of hope!

Hoping a greener pasture and looking forward where my Diskarte and faith of God will take me.