When did you feel your heart burning with passion for what you truly want to do with your life?
I was around 3 or 4 when I vividly imagined what I’d be doing when I grow up. Ate Neneng (our boarder who was closest to me) asked why I was always drawing clothes on any piece of paper I could find. I excitedly blurted out that in the future, I would be dressing thousands of women! When I was old enough to manually sew, I started collecting fabric scraps from my favorite dressmaker and made different outfits for my dolls. I was grateful to my artist friend Freddie who made miniature hangers for their clothes. I would occasionally play having a fashion show for my exclusive designs with him as audience but one time, I was lucky to have Tatay and Nanay watch my presentation.
After high school graduation, I told Tatay my desire to pursue Fashion Designing. As expected from my authoritarian father, he heartlessly disapproved. To prevent the outbreak of World War 3, I chose to be the obedient daughter.
Then came the miracle. Nanay unexpectedly met one of Jean Goulbourn’s Fashion Boutique subcontractors in her Europe tour and they easily hit it off. As soon as they went back to Manila, she became my mentor! Heeding her advice, I enrolled in various Fashion Schools and studied the nitty-gritty of the clothing business. When both of us believed that I was ready for the long haul, she entrusted me with my first Contract.
Tatay almost fainted when he saw 4 sewing machines inside the garage of our small house. He was fuming mad. Afraid that I might send my dear father to his early grave, I moved out of Philamlife Village and settled along Alabang-Zapote Road. I transferred to a bigger space the following year and every year thereafter to accommodate our increasing number of workers.
Who would have thought that after battling all obstacles to finish BS Statistics and MS Industrial Economics, I would still chase my childhood dream? If I didn’t make this life-changing decision, I wouldn’t have met my Prince Charming.
We were in our third relocation site when my Knight in Shining Armour gallantly appeared to save me from my technical woes. He was the Industrial Sewing Machine mechanic recommended by my friend Cherry. We easily became comfortable with each other but after 1 year, he worked overseas and we were separated for 3 years. Surprisingly, we ended up saying “I do” at the altar 5 years after our first surreal encounter. Cherry played cupid between us and she succeeded!
I was 25 when I vowed to remain single for the rest of my life and even attempted to enter the convent but God worked in very mysterious ways to fulfill His divine plan for me. He chose me to be the mother of my 2 precious jewels Gio and Eia. This was my calling and I wholeheartedly embraced it.
However, I still choose to remain single for the rest of my life (unless my soulmate finds me hahahah . . . ). So help me God.
(Thanks for dropping by my blog! Feel free to send your comments or reactions via Messenger or email to ndelr62@gmail.com. Stay safe everyone!)
