For the Love of God

Our 2008 started with a big bang. My son Gio was requested to be the second reader during the New Year's mass and he did it with utmost eloquence. He was again asked to serve yesterday but this time, as a psalmist. Our parish priest wanted the psalmists in all the masses to be children in celebration of the Feast of the Sto. Nino. The whole family (Tatay, Nanay, Eia, Ate Ella, Romy and T. Jenny) was all there with me to support my son in his first attempt as psalmist.

He practiced twice during the week, being a first-timer. I thought I wouldn't be nervous anymore because singing in public is no longer new for Gio. He already sang successfully in SM, in various parties and reunions.

When my son stepped up the pulpit and began to sing, I felt my whole body froze and my heart stopped beating. But every time he looked at me (I was seated on the first row), I managed to smile at him and nod my head, signalling him that he's doing great. I held my breath until he finished singing the last word. When it was finally over I couldn't stop murmuring "thank you, thank you Lord!"

Then it was offertory. My daughter Eia, with her Coke Light in Can filled with 25 centavo coins for the Pondong Pinoy, proudly led the line towards the altar. She handed her offering to the priest, stepped aside and patiently waited for everybody to offer their gifts and receive the priest's blessing. After that she gracefully walked back to our seat then gave me a big hug and kiss. I couldn't stop myself from crying while trying to follow the offertory song "Let's Exalt His Name Together". I felt so blessed for having two wonderful children who, in their ages 10 and 8, are already expressing their faithful love for God.

Australian Open Vs. Disney on Ice

When I learned last year that Disney on Ice would be coming to perform at the Big Dome, I was very excited for my two children (and my dear Nanay who was hooked on shows on ice). But when I learned that it's scheduled on Jan. 18-27, my heart sank. Australian Open is from Jan. 14 to 28! I immediately consulted my 2008 calendar to see which Saturday we could pick. Saturday is our only choice because Sunday is in conflict with Gio's schedule as reader or psalmist in our parish. We could go Jan. 19 or 26. I chose Jan. 19 because Jan. 26 could already be the Semi-Final Match of the Australian Open. I couldn't possibly miss that!

The Australian Open started last Jan. 14 as scheduled. My idol Roger Federer waltzed through the first 2 rounds without a sweat. I knew, then, that he would be facing his opponent for the third round on exactly Jan. 19, the day of our Disney on Ice tickets. I tried to console myself but I still drove to Araneta Coliseum with a heavy heart and a pestering headache.

As if to add to my frustration, the checker prevented me to bring in my Coleman (with my Coke in can and ice), advising me that there are soft drinks and water for sale inside. Great. That is just great, I said to myself. I would be watching without my first love. While seated inside and waiting for the show to start, we just ordered water to push the butter-flavored popcorn and large pizza down our throats. Will someone please tell me why Taco Bell and Pizza Hut are Pepsi exclusives?

I was talking with Nanay for 30 minutes but my mind was preoccupied with thoughts of Federer being defeated by his opponent. I wanted to call home and ask Tatay what was happening. I had this strange feeling that something was not right so I prayed silently to God that he'll take care of my idol.

When it was announced that the show will start in 3 minutes, I was surprisingly excited and forgot all about my anxieties and worries. The whole show was breath-taking! Glancing at Gio and Eia, I was finally happy that I made the right choice.

It was almost 9 PM when we got home. I immediately opened the TV but it wasn't Federer anymore. I couldn't wait to know the result of Federer's 3rd round so I opened my computer and I got the shock of my life. I couldn't believe my idol fought a turbulent match and won after 5 sets in 4 1/2 hours, with an unlikely score of 6-7, 7-6, 5-7, 6-1 and finally, 10-8!

I was soooh disappointed to have missed this match but then again, I thought of my children's happy faces while watching Disney on Ice. I took a deep breath and smiled to myself. No regrets. The joy that Disney on Ice gave my two children was simply irreplaceable.

I'm Back!!!

I apologize for my long absence. So many tasks to do, so many errands to run, so many people to take care of (not that I'm complaining), etc. , etc.

I hope you enjoyed the holidays of the Christmas season. Actually, it came to me as a surprise. It seems to me that I just slept through the night and when I woke up, it suddenly hit me that it was Christmas eve already. So unlike me to have acted this way. I used to send Christmas cards in November to ensure that they arrive before New Year, not on Valentine's Day. But recently, everything was not quite right. I failed to send any of my Christmas cards! I'm so sorry. Since you are my friends--I'm sure you understand.

2007 is a memorable year for me. After 5 years of praying, my Petition for Marriage Annulment was finally granted. After almost one year of preparing for the surprised Golden Anniversary celebration of my dear Tatay and Nanay, it was a huge success with minimal irritations. After 15 years of a loving relationship, I said goodbye to someone whom I thought was my true friend. But after 36 years of being hurt, I finally made peace with an "enemy". Isn't life truly wonderful?

Tribute to my Friends and “Enemies” (Part 9)

 ALL-GIRLS GROUP FROM MARBEL

Whenever Elsa, Genevieve, Malou, Mimi and I meet somewhere (usually at SugarHouse Megamall), time is so short to catch up with each other’s freshest news. Although we want to meet as often as we can, it seldoms happens. But when somebody from Marbel comes to Manila, we always gather and have an instant mini-reunion. Our last meeting was June 14,2007 when our friend Marichu was in town.

THO LIDASAN

If there’s one person whom I owe my life with (literally), he is the loving husband of my friend Elsa. When I gave birth by caesarian section to my eldest son, I desperately needed blood transfusion of 1,500 cc. I was immediately given 500 cc from the Blood Bank but my obstetrician insisted fresh blood for the succeeding 1000 cc. Waves of friends and relatives came to visit me at Manila Doctors Hospital but none of them was type “O”. Except for Tho.

Tho patiently went through the tedious screening process which lasted for 6 long hours. He finished all the tests and requirements without any complaint. And Elsa, together with their well-behaved sons Junji and Seiji silently waited after everything was completed.

This is one family worth emulating. Despite the fact that Tho and Elsa don’t share the same Faith (I stood as secondary sponsor in both their Catholic wedding and Muslim Matrimonial Rites), their love for each other withstood the brutal tests of time. They were able to overcome all obstacles and stayed together as one solid family. I salute you, Tho and Elsa!

Tribute to my Friends and “Enemies” (Part 8)

 MY CONTRACTORS

I’m thankful to my contractors who believed and trusted me. I may not remember all of them but from 1988 to 2002, please forgive me if I failed to include you in this list:

Tita Sylvia, Olive and Bea for Goulbourn, George Salud for Kirei, Elite Garments & Fashion Apparel for 22BC, Ensembles, Krizia, MARIKO for Sari-Sari and Dalagita, Rana’s Manufacturing for Georgetown, Marj for her company/school uniform projects, Lourdes Ong, Gap, Jordache, Ann Taylor, Macy’s, Sew-Fine Apparel, Supreme Garments, and Julia’s Collection.

MY LOYAL WORKFORCE

When I was still single, I only maintained a workforce of around 10 to 13. We were like one big happy family. But when my EX took over, he transferred to a 3–storey building and employed 40-45 workers. I still see some of my original staff and sewers from time to time. I wish them well. 

MY LOYAL MADE-TO-ORDER CUSTOMERS

How I miss talking with my customers! One of them was Mimi, when she took her Residency at Perpetual Help Hospital. Mimi visited me whenever she had the time and we would just chat and laugh our cares away.

Tribute to my Friends & “Enemies” (Part 7)

 TITA SYLVIA

My mentor for my garments business, she encouraged me to learn everything first before taking the giant leap. I took her advice and studied fashion designing, pattern making, tailoring, RTW sewing, boutique management. She presented to me what to expect in the future. She told me I will be faced with 3 major problems in the workplace: 1) unscheduled absenteeism, 2) procurement of vale because of so-called family emergency, and 3) unavoidable intrigues among the workforce. She patiently oriented me how to deal with these challenges based from her years of experience.

ANGIE AND CHARO

My two “partners in crime” in the school where I took Fashion Designing, Pattern Making, Dressmaking and Tailoring. We would watch movies and eat at Harrizon Plaza whenever we have time. We have become very close friends after that.

CHERRY AND ZENY

We were three’s company when I was still a rookie in the garments subcontracting business. Problems always tormented us but we went through them in a breeze because of the support we extended to each other.

A Tribute to my Friends & “Enemies”(Part 6)

 TATAY CALOY AND NANAY CEL

I can never thank enough these two wonderful people who lovingly accepted me in their home whenever I visit my friend Tess in Cebu. They were simply generous, kind, and thoughtful. The first time I went there, I arrived very late at night coz I took the last flight from Manila, having a spur of the moment urge to escape the hustle and the bustle of writing my thesis. I wasn’t even seated yet when Tatay offered me an ice-cold beer and ordered pizza delivery. I had so much fun in Cebu that it became my home away from home everytime I wanted to disappear from the phase of the earth. Tatay Caloy and Nanay Cely showered me with so much affection making me feel like one of their daughters (Tess was their only daughter).

I remembered one time when we were about to watch a David Carradine movie, I saw Nanay putting assorted foodstuff inside a native basket. I commented “Nay, parang picnic ang punta natin—hindi sinehan”. She was laughing while explaining to me that Tatay will just sleep inside the theatre if he’s not munching on something so we had to bring the basket full of goodies. It’s interesting to note that Tatay still slept halfway through the movie hahahah . . .

Well, I have inherited Nanay’s family ritual up to this day but I replaced the native basket with a really large bag. Whenever my kids and I watch movies, we would bring 2 packs of ACT II popcorn, 4 packs of Lay’s sour & cream potato chips with dip, juice for them in a cooler bag and diet Coke for me in my Coleman filled with ice.