A Tribute to my Friends & "Enemies" (Part 3)

1. Amvic 

She was like my younger sister in Kindergarten. I would joyfully ride in their car in going home and supposedly drop me off in our house but oftentimes, we would beg her yaya, Nanay Ising, to just proceed to their place. Their home was my 2nd home because I would normally have lunch there and play with her and her siblings for the rest of the day. Her family owned two movie houses in Marbel, South Cotabato and I had the privilege to own a lifetime pass—my face!

 2. Leny

 

 My dearest friend since Grade I who flew all the way from Cebu to stand as my Maid of Honor in my fantasy wedding. I didn't feel the loneliness of being an only child for she occasionally slept in the house when we were in the elementary grades.

 3. Bobie (Myrna)

 My ever faithful companion in watching Nora Aunor movies.  One time, she fetched me around 8AM to watch a movie of our idol. I asked her to eat breakfast with me but she was in a hurry to go, explaining to me that there would be lots of cinema goers because it was a Saturday, a "market day" in Marbel, South Cotabato. We rushed to Galaxy Theatre, pushed our way through the crowd to buy her ticket. Suddenly, she held my hand and told me "Nors, nahihilo ako".  She collapsed on the floor, followed by the coins on her hand.  We brought her to the adjacent establishment and like a good Samaritan, the waitress of Venus Restaurant gave her a free glass of milk. I found out that she missed breakfast in order to fetch me early! I urged her to go home but she insisted that we stay. We did stay and went home before dusk, after two screening of the 2 movies (it was always double program in the province). 

4. Genevieve

One of my barkada since elementary.  How I exude my joy and happiness was greatly influenced by her.  Gen’s laughter was loud, powerful, and infectious.  She's also the most graceful dancer in school.

5. My First Love 

Every morning when I wake up, I would drag my heavy legs to get out of bed and prepare for school.  I would shiver at the thought of being bullied again by my faithful aggressor, Buboy.  But when BT transferred to our school in Grade 3, I found the passion to wake up early and look forward to the joy of being with him the whole day (though he probably wasn’t even aware of it).  We were fatefully separated from each other when I went to Manila after 2nd year high school but we did not lose communication. We constantly wrote each other thru snail mail. During my senior year in college, he sent me a telegram requesting me to meet him at Pier 14.  I was excited to see my First Love again, thinking that he would stay long in Manila.  But our encounter was very brief, prompting me to realize that we were really not meant for each other.  It was time for me to give up my teenage dream that I would only get married to him hahahah  .  .  .

6.  My First Heart-Breaker 

In Grade 4, NL cared for me in a very special way.  I was overwhelmed by his thoughtful gestures that I was totally smitten by him.  I was lovestruck.  So I couldn’t understand why he suddenly pushed me away, telling me that we could not be together.  I vividly remember crying behind the curtain of our Health Corner while reading his “breakup” letter in Grade 4 hahahah  .  .  .

 7.  JOMMS

I admired and envied this petite, soft spoken, poised, fair skinned pretty group of girls in the intermediate grades composed of Jocelyn, Ofelia, Marichu, Mimi, and Salvacion that I gave them the acronym JOMMS.  If I were a boy, I would have fallen in love with any one of them.   They were a refreshing sight to behold in the midst of the rowdy group of bullies who often traumatized my day.  They were cute and lady-like, so unlike me!  Jocelyn was the silent type.  Ofelia, cheerful and bubbly.  I would gasp whenever Marichu walked into the room with her regal demeanor.  Mimi was pretty cool and smart.  Sallie was innocently simple, the cutest of them all with her braided pony tail hair.

8. Katsot (Leoncio)

My partner in our dance group from Grade 1 to 6. Although I knew he wanted to dance with his crush Lina, he didn't complain that he became my partner for-all-time. He was a true gentleman, very unlike Leandrino and his notorious gang EG and RR.

9.  Buboy (Leandrino)

From Grade 1 to Grade 6, my rival Leandrino was faithful to his supreme vow to bully me every single day.  I dunno why he had to pick me as the subject of his aggression.  He insulted me with degrading statements, contradicted me about anything and everything under the planet.  He even cheered his buddies when they harmed me physically.  I begged my mother to enroll me in Karate so I could defend myself like Wang Yu and Meng Fei but she enrolled me in Ballet class instead.  Anyway, I thank Buboy for exposing me early to the harsh realities of life—that you cannot please everybody all the time.  And you should never allow people to treat you badly.  You should only allow people to treat you the way you like to be treated.  You should never think low of yourself just because other people criticize you.  You are what you are—inside.  It takes courage and strength to face the world’s trials and disappointments but you just have to do it.  You cannot solve your problem by running from it.  You have to face it head-on.  You cannot have everything you want in life but you can still choose to be happy.

10.  Bro. R. R.

Our Grade 5 Catechism Teacher—the first person who intentionally humiliated me in public.  He overheard me saying something awful to one of the bullies not knowing that I was just defending myself.  Unfortunately, he misunderstood it as an insult against him.  He reprimanded me in front of my classmates just as our teacher was about to enter the room.  She instructed me to apologize and I did, although in my heart I believed I wasn’t at fault.  I could still remember his facial expression while I was talking to him. He was looking at me with contempt and disbelief.  That day, I learned that no matter how hard you try, you cannot please everybody all the time.  That although people will judge you for what you did, God will know what’s in your heart.  There’s no need to explain your side because a real friend will always understand whether you’re right or wrong while an enemy will never believe you even though you’re right.

11.  C and L 

Before our graduation rites, C and L requested me to have a picture with them at a photo studio.  I had no qualms going with them because these two were behaved and good students.  After our picture taking, they invited me to have snacks at a nearby restaurant.  I was sipping my bottle of 8-oz Coke when they blurted out that both of them like me.  I was schocked by their courageous act of confession and told myself “Wow!  These two are the bravest.”  I was completely stunned but managed to tell them that I loved someone although up to this time, this person never revealed his true feelings for me.  They told me it was obvious I loved BT but they just wanted me to know how they felt and asked if we could still be friends.  I would have wanted us to stay as friends but we got separated after Grade 6.  They entered Notre Dame Boys High Sch. Dept and I went to KNCHS (Koronadal National Comprehensive High Sch).  Thank you, C and L for the attention you freely gave me.  Thank you for letting me feel I was someone special.  

12.  The MODERATE Gang of KNCHS

Here's how the group came to be: the M from Myrna, the O from nO ra, the D from neliDa, the E from genEvieve, the R from maRna, the A from vAngie, the T from faiTh, the E from nEnita.  Although the group disintegrated after 2 years (I migrated to Manila, Bobie went to Davao, Vangie transferred to Notre Dame), high school was so much fun, hilarious and memorable because of the MODERATE Gang.  We were a bunch of girls who just loved to play games and eat comfort food!

13.  Ate Neneng

When I was 3-6, Ate Neneng was one of our bed spacers in our ladies' dormitory.  We celebrate our birthday together because I was born June 6, and she—June 7.  We were so close then, and we became closer when, by God's miracle, she married my uncle Felix.  Because of her, I was admitted to UE High School although I was a transferee from the province.  Ate Neneng became my ever thoughtful guardian from Junior High up to 2nd year College.  She took good care of me as if I were her own child. I go home to their apartment during week ends where I would be pampered with my favorite food prepared by my Imang Bayang (her mother-in-law).  She would also invite my room mates and treat them as her own family. 

14.  The Six Sexy Chicks of Room Six

Life as a transferee from the province was frightening but Neneng, Ding then Ning, Ninfa, Menchu and Leah made it easier for me.  I wasn't even homesick because of their love and guidance.  Although I was only 15 then and all of them were already college students, they treated me with utmost respect.  I wouldn't have easily adjusted to city life if not for the support of my caring room mates in Holy Spirit Dorm and Cenee our close dorm mate and her boyfriend Catchel.

15.  Belen and Delia

My two closest friends in UE High Sch. While most of my classmates were making fun of me because of my Ilonggo accent, these two extraordinary girls accepted me for what I was. I enjoyed every single minute that I was with them.  It was an endearing friendship of 3 unique individuals coming from Malvar Batangas, Botolan Zambales, and Marbel South Cotabato. I miss these two soooo much! I wish and pray that God will make a way for us to be together again.

16.  D Big Taym Clan of Kalayaan

It was culture shock for me, coming from the bustling life in C.M. Recto to the sleepy town of Diliman, Quezon City.  Not once did I feel homesick when I was still staying in CM Recto but when I transferred to Diliman, Quezon City, I felt the loneliness and emptiness I never felt before.  My friends in Kalayaan Dorm (Zeny, Cristy, Elsa, Rosabel, Marichu, Art, Nilo, Ador, Erle & Arnel) saved me from melancholia and severe nostalgia. 

 17.  After 3 years of surviving dorm food, I told Nanay it's about time that she put an end to my misery.  I wanted to eat home-cooked meals for a change.  I joined the de Jesus siblings of Marbel (Ate Baby, Kuya Ato, Bert & Jojo) in an apartment along Tomas Morato, just 15 minutes away from the university.  Jojo's best friend Peter also stayed with us.  It was a completely different life for me—something I never experienced before but truly exciting.  My room mates and me had so much fun playing pingpong, watching movies together, playing cards, and chasing JD Transit to go to UP.

18.  In 1977, my family and I were reunited in Las Pinas City. Travel time and school load were nerve wrecking but thanks to my Stat barkada (Ador, Cristy, Agnes, Majel, Mel, Michelle & Luz), I was able to keep my sanity and managed to defend my undergraduate thesis.

19.  Nilo

My bestest friend in college who stood by me through thick and thin.  Next to Nanay, he is probably the most patient man I've ever met.  I eventually fell madly in love with him but later discovered that we're not destined for each other.  He was gifted with all the qualities that a woman seeks for in a man but God had a different plan for both of us.  Nevertheless—thank you, Nilo, for the six colorful years that you patiently spent with me. With that, I think I have to pause here and reminisce for a while. Watch out for Part IV!

Unlike Mother, Very Unlike Daughter

Mother's Day passed and I missed to write a post about my dearest Nanay. It's because when I started this blog last May 14, 2007, it was already a day after Mother's Day. And during that time, my mind was preoccupied with my 50th birthday fantasy of running the 5k marathon (I just hope this fantasy will someday be a reality).

Anyway, my mother is so easy to describe--she is simply sooooh unlike me. Let me just give you a random list of traits that she possess which until now, blows my mind away:

1. Patience: There is no other person on planet Earth who is as patient as my mother. To cite one example, she was able to bear her driver's shortcomings and idiosyncrasies for 28 years now. Every morning, she would stand outside the garage waiting for her driver instead of him waiting for her. After a conference and it's time to go home, her driver is nowhere to be found. He's out there malling or whatever. She'll wait for him for ages before he finally shows up and fetch her. Had I been his employer, he wouldn't have lasted a week!

2. Positive Attitude: Nanay would often tell me--"When you look at a person, focus on his positive traits rather than the negative." She is the only person I know who could still find a positive comment on an obviously negative situation. When Mt. Pinatubo erupted and destroyed some towns in Pampanga and Zambales, that was the time when Nanay's Agency became the Top Provincial Agency of Philamlife. Nanay wasn't discouraged but instead led her agency to becoming no. 1. If there would be a Norman Vincent Peale Award, my mother will definitely be the recipient.

3. Perseverance: "Kulitan, anak, ang buhay"--she always tell me. Nanay will not stop until she motivates her agents to attain their maximum productivity. If her initial plan fails, she moves to Plan B, and so on and so forth. She constantly thinks, reads, and implement new ways and means to improve the agency's performance. I have tried to apply her principles when I was still in the garments business but because we're so different from each other, it took a lot of brainwashing on my part to adapt and finally change.

4. Temperance: My mother believes that anything in excess is bad for the body. Take everything in moderation. Among her favorite motto is "I don't eat when I'm not hungry". She often tells me "you live in order to eat. I eat in order to live." When it comes to food, I can't believe I have a mother like her--exactly my opposite. She is the only person I know who loses appetite when she sees a buffet table. She still craves for saluyot or alogbati in front of kare-kare, crispy pata,etc. Unlike me whose belly has an unlimited capacity for expansion, my mother maintains her normal intake of food at all times. She only eats to fulfill her subsistence level, no more no less.

5. Readiness: Year after year, I vow to enroll in ballroom dancing so I could enjoy the Fellowship Night prior to the Annual Recognition Program of Philamlife. And year after year, I point at my mother whenever the DI approach me and ask me to dance. Then people would tell me "Daig ka pa ng Nanay mo. Game na game." I dunno how she does it but she can dance with the DI any dance step under the sun. She never had any formal training and yet she dances like a PRO. She'll tell me "Susundan mo lang naman ang DI, anak. Mahirap talagang makasunod ang matigas ang ulong katulad mo. Tingnan mo ako, palibhasa masunurin kaya madali lang para sa akin." In any affair or occasion, if somebody asks her to talk, act, dance or sing, she doesn't hesitate to comply. She's the epitome of a true Girl Scout: Always Ready.

6. Kindness: Nanay can reprimand anybody without hurting the person's feelings. She does it with gentleness and compassion. One doesn't even notice that he's being reprimanded but in the end, he will realize his mistake and follow my mother's advice. Her principle "Pwede mo namang pagalitan ang isang tao na hindi sinisigawan" is exactly the opposite of what my father is. My father is used to shouting at people even though he's not actually angry. Ganon lang daw talaga ang mga Kabitenyo. And I, being their offspring, like to think that I'm somewhere in the middle.

7. Talkativeness: I have never met a man or woman who can talk straight non stop without interruption for 24 hours like my mother. One time, we went to a wake in Pampanga. We arrived there before lunch. Nanay started talking to the people there. Night time came and she's still talking. I slept on her lap but every now and then, I can hear her talking to someone. Finally, I rose at the sound of the cock, suggesting it was already morning. Nanay was still talking. Then it was time for the last rites intended for the dead. That's the time Nanay stopped talking. I even teased her "buti hindi bumangon ang patay at sinabing tumahimik na kayo para makatulog siya!"

8. Sense of Humor: Nanay doesn't ran out of funny thing to say even in desperate situations. When she asked the father of my children to sign the Deed of Sale of the Revo so that the ownership of the car will be transferred to her, he told her "Ang hirap talaga ng mahirap" while moving his head from left to right. Nanay answered him: "Kaya nga mahirap ang tawag sa mahirap, kasi mahirap--hindi madali o maalwan."

9. Generosity: In Philamlife, my mother is known as "Ina ng Awa" or "Mother of Perpetual Help" because of her unselfish love for her flock. I may be the only biological daughter that she has, but she's got lots and lots of "children" in the Agency whom she assists, nurtures, and inspires. And her generosity is not only confined within her Agency. Anywhere she goes, she extends her help to anyone in need.

10. Health Consciousness: At her age of 73, Nanay has managed to maintain her 112 lb. weight and 36-28-36 figure (unlike mine which goes up and down like the Stock Market). She walks and/or does aerobic exercise everyday to keep fit. She used to play and win tournament games in golf, tennis, and bowling. She also played volleyball in her younger days. When I look at her medical exam results, I tease her "Wala namang kabuhay-buhay tong test results mo. Normal lahat!" Her only problem is vertigo which she experience not so very often. When colleagues ask her what her secret is, she would tell them "mahirap kasing imaintain ang production, kaya figure ko na lang ang minemaintain ko. At least, meron akong namaintain kaysa wala!" But her favorite saying is: People lose their health while acquiring wealth. And when they are old and rich, they lose their wealth to regain their health.

11. Financial Expertise: My mother rose from a rural health midwife of Marbel, South Cotabato to the "Most Financially Solvent Manager" of Philamlife. When somebody ask for monetary help she would say "mas mabuti na anak ang inuutangan kaysa tayo ang mangungutang. Sa dami ng tinulungan ko, hindi naman tayo naghirap. Bagkus, lalo pang lumaki ang blessings ni Lord." And I can only agree with her. I believe the Holy Spirit helps her manage her finances because she has the heart of gold. Whenever she talks about financial management, she would ask the audience who among them could do what she did to her only daughter: Since high school, my money for the whole semester is already deposited in my bank account. I would just withdraw money every week for my obligations and expenses. Everybody in the audience won't do that to their children becoz they're sure that the money will be spent right away. Then I will tell my dear mother: "Magaling kasing magbudget ang anak nyo, kaya nagawa nyo yon." She'll have her ready answer: "Magaling kang magbudget kasi magaling ang nag train sa yo (that's her of course!)"

12. Let me just give you a list of some other things which clearly shows how different my mother is to me:

a) When it comes to love, I am the hopeful and hopeless romantic: She's certainly not. She doesn't even consent to going on a date with your boyfriend.

b) I enjoy shopping: she doesn't. When she goes with me, she'll just sit on one spot and wait for me till I finish shopping.

c) I'm a movie addict: She couldn't care less even if she doesn't enter the theatre for 20 years!

d) She doesn't want to learn how to use the computer. So I guess she won't be able to read my blog unless I print this and show it to her.

e) She's very athletic: I wasn't before, but I'm now trying very hard to be one.

f) She doesn't have favorites: I've got lots and lots!

g) Unlike me, she doesn't indulge in simple pleasures like soaking in a bath tub, watching the sunset, strolling in the mall, chatting with an online friend, drinking Coke while munching a green mango with sweet & spicy bagoong. She'd rather read a book or watch EWTN.

h) I am the fashion designer but I don't dress up. I don't sacrifice comfort for fashion. Year after year, fellow Philamlifers await in anticipation what could be my mother's attire in the National Recognition Program. People would approach me and tell me "Buti pumapayag ang nanay mo na magsuot ng ganyan." I would answer them: Masunuring ina po ang nanay ko. Lately however, she already got tired of being unique and the center of attraction. She specifically asked for a simpler gown.

i) My mother is blessed with a green thumb, so unlike me. In our small lot in Pampanga, she was able to grow fruit bearing avocado, langka and hybrid guavas at the back of the house.

j) Nanay is the all-time holder of the "Early Bird" award. If the seminar/convention starts at 8AM, you can bet that she'll be there at 7AM, even earlier than the organizers of the affair.

Before I end, allow me to just rattle off our few similarities so one might not think that I am but an adopted child: We both have a personal relationship with the Lord; we are both fearless and strong in character; we are both so easy to please; we both have happy dispositions in life; and we do love each other very very much.

Last 15 Minutes

My mother used to tell me--"Anak, para kang basketball player. Last 10 minutes ka lagi." She'll tell me this whenever she sees me rushing a delivery (I was in the garments business before) or when she sees me adding beads and sequins on her gown an hour before the start of the Philamlife Recognition Program.

Well, some things just don't change.

Last Saturday, June 16, 2007, as I was getting ready for my daughter's Parents Orientation in school, I suddenly remembered that I should have bought Miggy's special monay and Baguio raisin bread for my father's small group prayer meeting that afternoon. I looked at my watch and found out it was already 1:45PM, exactly 15 minutes before the Orientation. In a flash, I drove to Miggy's Bakeshop in BF Resort and went back, put on a light make-up, fixed my hair, picked the right accessories and wore them while I was walking to the car. And pronto! I arrived at the venue exactly 2PM. I wasn't late after all coz the meeting started at 2:30PM (which by Filipino standard is still early because of our 1-hr. delay Filipino tradition).

I smiled to myself and thought of Nanay. "Hindi na ako ngayon last 10 minutes. 15 minutes na. At least, may pagbabago."

Fast Forward to SM MOA: Philamlife celebrated its 60th anniversary with lots of activities from 10AM to 9PM. I was still fortunate to catch the concert which started at 7PM. The Philippine Idols and the Company traced the music hits from the 50's to the present. It was nostalgic, at the same time hilarious. Then the much-awaited Apo Hiking Society took the center stage. People clamored "More . . . !!!!" from them that the concert ended 9:30PM. By that time, my daughter and I had to go to the rest room which was full as expected.

Then I realized that I still have to look for a Father's Day Card where I could place my monetary gift. I looked at my watch and read 9:45PM. Oh, no. Not again! Last 15 minutes . . .

We (Eia, Keendie and I) ran to National Book Store which was located at the farthest end from the Music Hall. Eia "read" books in the children's area while I bumped elbows (literally) with the other customers who, like me, were also "basketball players"--still searching for a father's day card before closing time. When I finally chose my card, I looked for the nearest cashier and saw a long queue of payers. I decided to look for the additional school supplies that my son needed while shaking my head in disgust "Why are these items not included in the list of sch. supplies given to me on enrollment day? I should have bought all of them in 1 trip, instead of making 2 trips to the bookstore. Don't they (the teachers) realize that the parents have so many things to do aside from making trips to the bookstore for their children's supplies?"

The following day, Father's day, I woke up early to give tatay my gift. I hugged and kissed him and repeatedly told him "Thank you, Itay. I love you. Mahal na mahal ko po kayo. Happy Father's Day." in between sobs. When I say repeatedly, I meant over and over and over . . . again! Tatay and I embraced each other for eternity and I thought I saw a tear or two on his cheeks. For the first time in my life, I knew Tatay has finally accepted the fate of his only daughter. I could no longer feel the pain in his heart, only gladness and joy. And for the second time, I heard him say "I love you" (please refer to my previous post "My Permanent 'Boyfriend'".

Let me share with you what I wrote in the card:

My dearest Tatay,

Last June 6, I received the best birthday gift ever--
When you hugged me and kissed me and told me "I love you. Happy birthday."
Thank you for finally giving me what I've been longing for in my whole life!

Whereas the father's day card reads:

Whatever brings you joy, whatever makes you happy . . .
Whatever good things you want most in life . . .
May these be yours.
Happy Father's Day!

Then I signed:

I love you, Tatay,
norberta-nora

My Permanent 'Boyfriend'

As I have mentioned in my first post, I am an only child. But that didn't earn me the title of "favorite daughter". How could that be, when in fact there is no other choice but me? Well, I do believe my parents really love me, but my father was a disciplinarian to the bone. There are rules and regulations in the house which I am obliged to follow. Note that I am using present tense here. It's because first and foremost, I am still the only daughter of my parents. My role as mother (and father) to my two children come only second while my role as "mother" to my father comes almost simultaneously with the second (or is it the first???) I get confused just thinking about it. I am often teased that I have 3 children. My eldest is 82 followed by 9 and 7.

Anyway, let me just describe my father. Father's Day is almost here and it is but fitting and proper to devote one particular post for him. I am blessed with a prayerful father. He goes to mass everyday and is still very active as Extra Minister of the Holy Eucharist at his age of 82. He meets with his small group in the Charismatic Renewal every Saturday. He religiously spends 1 hour every Wednesday inside the Perpetual Adoration Chapel. He is the prayer warrior of the family. No question about that.

My father and I were inseparable partners during my younger years in Marbel, South Cotabato. He took me to his tennis games (I learned the value of money at an early age because I labored as "pulot girl" whenever I'm in the tennis court), bowling and billiard matches. Wherever he was, I was always with him. On some occasions that he should be accompanying my mother, he chose not to go with her because he didn't want me to be left in the house without one parent.

 

Since my mother was practically always out of town, I was left under the 'military rule' of my father. I learned to live independently because of him. I had to do things on my own like run errands, do the marketing, prepare and cook meals, do my homework, study for the exam, clean my room (and the whole house when our helpers suddenly get married), sort my closet, wash and iron my clothes, water our plants, mow our lawn, harvest our bananas and exchange them for detergents at Baes Store, take care of our dogs, cats, bats, turtle, pig, etc.

At the height of the civil war in Cotabato, my parents decided to enroll me in Manila for my own safety. I was barely 15 when I lived away from my parents but since I was properly trained by my father, I didn't give my room mates at Holy Spirit Dorm any head ache (I hope!) It was during this time that I experienced the first real tragedy of my life. My idol, Bruce Lee, unexpectedly died on July 20, 1973 because of drug overdose. I was severely devastated. My father knew what I was going through. To show his sympathy, he sent me a social telegram saying: "My deepest condolences with the death of your idol, Bruce Lee. Please be strong. Love, Tatay.” I couldn't believe my father would do such a loving gesture. I was totally shocked and ecstatic at the same time. From then on, my room mates referred to him as my permanent 'boyfriend'.

I know my father loves me very much but he has never been expressive about it. I always tell him I love him but the only answer I would get is "Mhm . . .". He would be as hard as an acacia tree whenever I hug him and it's as if I kissed a blank wall when I kiss him. After 49 years, I have come to realize that my father is not that demonstrative kind of guy. He doesn't verbalize his loving feelings and he's not at all affectionate. I just have to accept that or I'll be miserable for the rest of my life. 

When I have finally learned to accept that my father would never change until the day he dies, God gave me a miracle on my 49th birthday. Last June 6, the whole family attended the 6AM mass. After the mass, my father approached me, hugged and kissed me, saying "I love you. Happy birthday." I hugged and kissed him back and told him "Thank you, Itay. I love you." What I felt after that incident is indescribable. I felt like I was a young child receiving a toy that I longed for a long, long time. Or I've seen a dearest friend whom I have terribly missed. I was so happy I felt like eating at Dad's Ultimate Buffet (we actually ate dinner there that day. We couldn't have lunch together because my mother was only available to be with us after 6PM. Although my father did not go out with us anymore, I was too happy to be sad. I knew he was already tired and needed to sleep early.) 

 To all the fathers reading this blog: Hug your children. Kiss your children. Tell them you love them. Be faithful to their mother. Advanced HAPPY FATHER'S DAY!

12 Birthday Wishes

Let me share with you the "12 Birthday Wishes" for my 49th birthday sent by a person who, like my dearest mother, has touched many lives with her compassion, generosity and love--Ate Zeny Antonio:

1. Sunrise after the darkest of nights (reminds me of my son's favorite song "Better Days")
2. Friends who bring out the best in you
3. A love that makes you smile
4. Belief that anything is possible
5. Courage to finally do what you've been putting off
6. Time for yourself
7. Promises that are not broken
8. An answered prayer
9. A heart that forgives
10. A birthday feeling all-year-round
11. A soul that heals
12. A life with no regrets

To all of you who visited/called/e-mailed/ texted to greet me today, thank you very much. Oh, and thanks to my friends who sent me cards and gifts. For those who forgot, I forgive you. Have a nice life, everyone!

Endings are Beginnings

Today, June 5, 2007, we said goodbye to our tennis coach. It's the last day of our summer training and I'm glad my son and I spent our vacation sweating it out on the tennis court. Of course, there was the usual grumbling "I am sooh tired I don't even feel I'm on vacation" from my favorite son. But it was all worth it. Now, there's an additional activity my son and I could enjoy playing beside board games and bowling.

Tomorrow is the official start of my 365-day training for my 5k run next year. I still have to convince my friends to run with me or I'll be left with the option to just join a 5k run organized by an institution or group.

Maybe I should make a tentative list whom I dream to run with me? Here it is:

1. Vins and Rica
2. Gay (please try to come next year), Ana, Claire and Agnes
3. Tess (please try to come next year), Pia, Trix and Lo-an
4. Grace (please try to come next year)
5. Mimi
6. Malou and Nika
7. Menchu
8. Elsa
9. Genevieve and Kring
10. Amvic
11. Myrna (please try to come next yr)
12. Leny (pls try to come next yr)
13. Agnes, Manay Linda, Cindy, Hanzel and Karen
14. Majel
15. Mel
16. Luz
17. Michelle (pls try to come next yr)
18. Cristy (pls try to come next yr) and Rosette
19. Zeny (Abad), Zabrina and Zorina
20. Angie and Charo
21. Ellen B.
22. Dorene (pls try to come next yr) and Issa
23. Bembet
24. Titin N.
25. Ann C. and Tintin
26. Malou C.
27. Rosel & Sarah
28. Atty. Joy
29. Atty. Nori
30. Beng A., Tita Cors & Marlyn
31. Olivette
32. Jan, Jen, and Ann
33. Elsie
34. Nancy
35. Emily, Jane, Len, Maricel, Marlith
36. Shirley
37. Joji A. & Tracy
38. Cecille & walking buddies
39. Lally (pls come nxt yr)
40. Marichu (pls come nxt yr)
41. Ate Alma & Babes (pls come next yr)
42. Rowena & Rosario (pls come next yr)
43. Marj, Cookie & Agnes
44. Cherry, Zeny and Abbie
45. Emmie, Flor and Keendie
46. Minerva and Paula Mae
47. Valerie & Vanessa
48. Marilen
49. Gigi
50. Del, Ansel & Philamlife Pampanga-A. del Rosario Agency
51. Atty. Candice B.
52. Ghie
53. Diane and Teachers Clarisse, Genesis, Jeng, Maan, Maya & Michelle
54. T. Mac, T. Kate, Mitch & Communicare
55. Adette, Eva & DSAPI
56. T. Ellaine, T. Faith & IMAI
57. T. Joji & Camp Discovery
58. Sis Mila & Emiko
59. Leah, Vi & Amy
60. Lorna, Nice & Perfect Rhythm
61. Teresita
62. Annie, Nona & Sonia
63. Sis Ayo, Sis Liza, Sis Merle & HOLD
64. Ate Ella, Femi & Madel (hope to see you next year!)
65. Lai