One of the questions our landlady asked us when we checked out our place was, “Are you sure you guys can cohabit peacefully?” We responded with a strong “yes.” Perhaps she was afraid eight people living under the same roof would eventually turn on each other. Perhaps she believes in the saying, “Familiarity breeds contempt.”
Well, I’ve been “cohabiting” with these guys for almost half a year now, and we have had a peaceful situation so far, perhaps because we sometimes don’t see each other, even though we share the same house and all. Don’t be surprised. I’m talking about a houseful of auditors. Expect some of us to be home at odd hours and some of us not to be home at all. That is when we get assigned out of town or decide to sleep at the client’s or our own office.
Anyway, I wanted to talk about my new family in Makati.
Nald
When the landlady asked who would stand as the head of our family, it was a unanimous decision. Nald, our batch valedictorian, was the obvious “tatay” of our group. He was, after all, the spear header of this idea to “live in.” Nald is actually the first in our batch to work in Manila. For a while we thought he would be the only one, too, until we couldn’t find decent jobs in our hometown and braved the big city to follow in his footsteps. We were so proud of this guy when he became the first Atenean to be part of SGV’s TSRS group. He was even the topnotcher of one of their training sessions and got awarded a plaque and all. We bow to you, Tay! Ever generous and yet still manages to save. How on earth does he manage it? That’s John Nash for you. Simply amazing.
Chu
If not for this guy, three of us girls wouldn’t be here. It was his invitation to join KPMG that made me resign from my previous job and convince my two friends to fly to Manila a week later. A stand-up comedian sans the effort, an achiever, and a certified insomniac who sleeps on the couch and whose alarm clock wakes the entire house without even causing him to so much as stir. Always out on mysterious trips; perhaps half of them are spent in movie houses.
Regie
“Milo everyday!” is probably his childhood favourite commercial. He has that or boiled egg salad every chance he gets. He loves to go jogging (not that he needs it) and play mentally-stimulating games on his laptop. Obviously a braniac, huh? He can whip up a mean dalandan juice that’s so great-tasting, you’ll ask him to marry you (I know I did). He is also a big fan of Korean movies. In fairness, they are pretty good, especially when it comes to twists.
Junjun
Our very own celebrity and handyman rolled into one. The first in the block to appear on national television (during Bb. Pilipanas 2005, when he was one of the SGV representatives). Stardom truly runs in his veins, as he is the first cousin of the singer of “Basta’t Sabihin Mo Lang.” He is also pretty handy around the house and can install doorknobs and repair broken things in a jiffy. The only person who does not care when his cellphone beeps or rings, even when he gets 50 missed calls (I am not exaggerating!) quite regularly. Mahirap talagang maging heartthrob, huh?
Maya
My “triplet” coz she and me and this other friend of ours used to have the same size as college freshmen. Maya is like a “nanay.” Our treasurer who manages our money and the house. Always keeps the it spic and span. Wife material, huh? The only non-auditor in the house. Has admirable discipline. We were amazed when we first came to Manila and saw her, for she had lost a LOT of weight. Says she’s kikay because she loves to primp and wear girly stuff. Has a keen business acumen, so we won’t be surprised if she puts up a sari-sari store or tiangge outside our apartment one of these days.
Gay Bacs
Our little child. Actually the oldest female in the group, but is still childlike, in a positive way. Has a speaking countenance; everyone knows what she feels just by looking at her face. Lanlan queen. Bagoong, peanut butter, even iodized salt she’d eat puro-puro! Greatest fear: expiration date. Official tagatilok sa balay. Has earphones as ear extensions, loves to sing along with the latest hits being played over the airwaves while she’s doing laundry, washing dishes, working, eating, even sleeping!
Zenie
The princess of Basilan who wanted to experience the life of a normal citizen and decided to run away from her kingdom and become an auditor of KPMG. So beware of her temper lest you want your head on a silver platter! Kidding aside, Zenie, like her favourite character Bugs Bunny, is a born comic, that’s why she’s really fun to be with. Loves movies and falls in love with each leading man.She gets topak every once in a while which will land you in Don Henrico’s or in Lovapalooza, but for sure you won’t regret it.