Little Surprise of the Day

So, I was regularly checking my Facebook account this morning when I came across a post made by James on my wall.

It said:
"Ang ganda naman ng girlfriend ko :) nagising [a]ko to post this...
wala pa kasi official music vid eh :) bago nila"

And the music video was "Say You Like Me" by We The Kings:

After watching and listening to the video, I was like --> (O.O)   and then --> =')
(If you get what these smileys mean).

My boyfriend does not usually post stuffs like this on my Wall. In fact, this is the first time (if I'm not mistaken) that he told me I'm beautiful in public. 

Whatever hit him hard in the head that night enough to wake him up and post this video, I'm surely grateful for it. It made my day. It made me smile. It made me really smile that I left the tab open from the time I watched the video until I sign out from work! (I didn't even mind the post having no punctuation marks [except for the ellipsis])

Oh, how I love little surprises and sweet nothings. <3

(I hope he really means what he said on the first line of his post) Haha.

To Take The Leap of Faith

“...be it unto me according to Thy word.” – Luke 1:38, King James Version

My most favourite line in Mary’s Annunciation story which eventually became my ultimate mantra whenever I meet crossroads in my life.

And perhaps the most difficult mantra I ever decided to have.

It’s like deciding to dive from a cliff not knowing what’s waiting below – sharp rocks, dangerous sea creatures, a deep trench. If you do dive, will you be able to swim back up alive? But you jump anyway.

It’s like starting your business using your own and only savings unsure if your business will thrive or if it goes bankrupt instead. But you invest and start it anyway.

It’s like betting your fragile heart to a person – a friend, a lover – not knowing for sure if they’ll be able to take care of it. But you grab the chance to love anyway.

It’s like surrendering to the uncertain and hoping that something good will come out of it.

It’s like putting your trust to the unknown, afraid but still willing to thrust.

It’s in between the fear and the decision to trust and surrender where I ask and find the grace which I call courage.

The courage to step out of my comfort zone.

The courage to say yes or no to an opportunity.

The courage to accept the consequences that lie ahead.

It’s not easy to utter that same phrase as what Mary did before the angel of the Lord. And so, I always still pray for the grace of courage.

It’s not easy to take that great leap of faith. And so, I still focus and reflect on my mantra: “...be it unto me according to Thy word."

My personal prayer for Mary: Mama Mary, thank you for being my greatest example of  courage and faith. You have accepted your mission despite the uncertainty that lay ahead. I pray that, through you, God may also grant me the same courage you had for each and every crossroad I will encounter. Amen.

A Tribute To Our Imperfect Friendship

Ours is not a perfect friendship, and I admit that it never will. How will it be? We never became whole again after our second year in high school.

I believe our barkada started out on our sixth grade in elementary when Janna wrote to me what seemed like a love letter from a suitor on a stationery asking me if I can be her best friend. When I read it I felt a bit weirded out. Janna was a new student in our school and I was not that kind of girl back then who loved to approach people and become perky. It was actually the first time a person popped me such question.

I said yes anyway after a day or two of wrestling with my own thoughts. Why don't I give it a try? She looks friendly anyway. Apparently (and I just knew this almost two weeks ago), she also wrote and asked the same question to two other girls, Roane and Tin.

Roane and Tin knew each other before our sixth grade. They were already classmates back in, I believe, fourth grade. I was in the morning class while they were attending the afternoon session. Although we did go to the same school, we just knew each other by face.

I don't really clearly remember how it went the first day we got together as a group. I don't even remember a feeling of awkwardness or timidity. What I do remember is how we clicked as a group -- and we sure were a very happy one!

We used to eat lunch together, laughed at and teased each other, shared secrets and made fun about other people, wrote letters to one another, and talked about anything under the sun -- the kinds of stuff a typical girl group (as far as what I have watched in movies [but not those mean girls kind]) would do. I won't go through the specifics since it will take me months if I tell everything about what we did and talked about back then.

Of course, we also had moments where we had miscommunications within the group. There was a time when three of us already had love interests and the other one felt left out. Eventually, we had things patched up and everything went fine again.

As we matured, we pretty much stayed the same. Our bond stayed like this up until our second year in high school when Roane and Tin moved back to the Philippines. Janna and I's bond continued until our third year when Janna eventually flew back to the Philippines, too.
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The four of us had communication for quite a time, but not at all constant.

Roane and I lived almost near each other in Metro Manila, but it was only seldom for us to meet, mainly because of our class schedules.

Tin studied in Baguio for a while. But had to stop because she had to go under medication for her stage 4 Lymphoma. When we heard about the news, we prayed hard for Tin's recovery. And, thank God she did. We just saw her struggle and recovery through pictures she posted in Facebook, and a little bit of text messaging. And that's all. We planned to visit her, but because of our schedules, we never had the chance.

With Janna, we had constant communication. Back when Friendster was still the fad -- up until the end of our second year in college (most probably around 2008). After that, we eventually lost track of each other.

So we had to live and move on.
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It was just only early last year, 2010, when Janna and I reconnected again. And, oh how time flies! She already had her first baby! Because of this news, we were sending messages to each other again, but this time, through Facebook, which has already taken the lead in social media. She was already residing in Ilocos Sur with her family, all happy and fulfilled. Roane and I were really happy for her.

When she had the chance to travel to Metro Manila, I really made it a MUST that we meet. So I immediately sent Roane a message to set up a date.

And so, we did! After 5 years for me and 6 for Roane, we finally saw Janna again in SM Megamall.

Nothing really changed that much. I was still a cry-baby. Janna has still a boisterous laugh, and Roane is still comedic.

Me, Janna, and Roane

On January of 2012, Janna will be married to the love of her life. We are uber excited for that day! We'll finally see Ja wearing her wedding dress. It was just like yesterday when we were crazing about our own prince charmings. :)
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Thank you for the long weekend that took place two weeks ago. If not for it, Roane and I would not have the chance to travel to Cuyapo, Nueva Ecija and finally visit Tin.


She had recovered from her Lymphona, though not yet diagnosed to be fully clear from cancer.

She hasn't changed much, too (well, aside from the fats she gained from eating so much! Haha.) I think eating became her habit.

When she was telling her recovery story to us, we were just happy that the girl in front of us was strong enough, both heart and soul, to battle for life. I'm personally thankful to still have the chance to see her again, alive and kicking, after 7 long years! If not also for the help of her loving family and supportive boyfriend, Martin. <3

Roan, Tin, and I

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We are yet to be complete again (hopefully around October, November, or December, we get to visit Tin). We can't wait for that day where we'll be kids again, laughing and teasing each other and talking about anything til the last of us snoozes. And we'll do all we can to make that day happen.
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Ours is not a perfect friendship, and I admit that it never will. But it will always be next to perfect, for we have and will still overcome time and distance. And in the end, I know that it will seem that we never left each other at all. :)
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Cheers and long live to the best (and only) girl group I ever had!

Warmth In Between

As I was heading to work, I saw this group of cats all cuddled up outside my Grandma's house. Perfectly reminded me on how it feels to be hugged by the best people I love.

 My ever supportive boyfriend

My ever loving family (I love the perfect craziness of my family!)

My wacky bunch of friends

And my super friends who, I know, will love me at my worst

It's the warmth in between that makes me feel at home.

A Hearty Happy Poem

Intrigued by the writing style of ee cummings, there came a point that I obsessed over researching on and reading his published poems.


As I was reading through his masterpieces, I found a piece that has fully captured my attention, and imagination for that matter.

“2 little whos”

2 little whos
(he and she)
under are this
wonderful tree

smiling stand
(all realms of where
and when beyond)
now and here

(far from a grown
-up i&you-
ful world of known)
who and who

(2 little ams
and over them this
aflame with dreams
incredible is)

- e e cummings


Reading this poem just makes me feel free to imagine, just like how it's constructed -- without punctuation marks. 


Reading it inspires me to hold on to the little innocent child in me who knows how to dream and be in awe of the simple things around her. 


It gives me a sense of both being ideal and real at the same time. Knowing that you have the ability to dream and at the same time, focus on what you are now.


It provides me the wonder of dreaming with someone and striving to reach our goal.


It's just romantic, isn't it? I can read it over and over and over again. It just makes me smile. :)

Just Pieces of Heaven

When boredom, stress, or both strike in the office, I run to my best ever pieces of heaven in the world. NOTHING BEATS CHOCOLATES. EVER. <3 <3 <3

Nutella Nutella Nutella Nutella Nutella FOREVER!

Hershey's Chocolates from Sir Harvey <3

Why do good men die and why do the bad men get away?

The dad of a good friend of mine was shot dead earlier today. He just finished his morning work in his radio station and momentarily dropped by a thrift store to buy sandals for his youngest daughter. It was when a shot was heard. The next thing the bystanders saw was his body already soaked in blood with a gunshot in his head. He was dead on the spot.

The local police managed to arrest the shooter on time and sent him to jail.

Today, another form of senseless killing was reported. But, this time, it hurts because it was the dad of a good friend of mine.

_________________

As far as I remember, I only encountered and interacted with Tito Gerry twice. The first was when his daughter, Mika, and I were still staying in our condo in Katipunan. I was on my third year and Mika was about to graduate. At that time, he was looking at Mika’s graduation pictures and he was either saying “Kamukha ko ang anak ko, oh!” or “Baket naman ganito itsura mo, Mika?”. I could tell at that time that he was a man of humor, but, by the way he stood, I could also tell that he can also command respect from the people around him. He was light to be with.

Tito Gerry came alive for me whenever Mika would tell stories about him. Usually, she would tell me how crazy her dad was, always telling jokes and making fun of her. She also mentioned that her dad had different jobs which are more or less unrelated with each other: veterinarian, community organizer, radio commentator, environmentalist, tourist guide. I bet Mika inherited Tito’s confidence and communications skills. It was pretty obvious.

The second time I met Tito Gerry was just last weekend, January 16, 2011. We went to where Mika’s community was, in Estero de Paco, Manila. Mika was working together with the River Warriors, volunteers who are fighting to make Pasig River alive again. It was 2 years after our first meeting. I hesitated at first if it was really Mika’s dad, but then she confirmed it was him.

His first story that day was when Mika, he and some friends went to a valley in Batangas, Banahaw, if I remember correctly. He was proudly sharing his experience of a simple life there, where you can just pick out some ferns, vegetables and fruits and eat them fresh; that houses there had no doors, showing that no one would try to steal your stuff; and how the water from the mountains looked crystal clear and tasted so great. I could see the enthusiasm in his eyes. I promised to myself, I need to go to this place someday in the future.

During the ride to Paco, Tito Gerry was just making jokes all the way, with some stories of the tourist spots in Palawan – and how he helped the residents there make use of Mother Nature to provide them with income. I could feel his passion for the people. It was in the way he told his stories – his eyes, his body language were in synch and shouts together with his feelings. Mika sounded like him when she’s really into what she’s doing.

When we were touring the banks of Estero de Paco, he was just a few steps ahead of me. I noticed how charismatic he was. He would almost greet everyone he encounters, commenting on their house, or on their food lunch, or how great they did in cleaning up the creek. The residents would nod smile back at him. Some even greeted them as “Mayor”.

During our processing session, he continued to rally the River Warriors. He congratulated them, as well as the other volunteers. He aided the discussion, provided some insights, suggested some solutions. He was all for the wellness of the residents.

But the best moment for me during that trip was when he texted Mika that he was very proud of her. I could feel his pride and his love for her. Mika is blessed with having a father like Tito Gerry.

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In this short reminiscing, I could not help but notice one resonating theme. Tito Gerry has a good soul, glowing from inside out. And I could not help feel this. It was just so strong – his passion and dedication to what he was doing for the Palawenos. I was just truly stunned and inspired by him.

And just after a week, the news came.

 A gunshot. A selfish act of managing a conflict.

I can’t blame the man ordered to do the fire. Maybe he had no choice. Maybe he needed money. But he should have still considered that the man he shot had a family too –maybe just like himself. That the man whom he decided to take life away from is a human too –maybe just like himself. He should have asked himself, would I want myself to be killed by someone, too?

And the mastermind. I’m not even sure if he still has a conscience, or even a soul for that matter. He selfishly, insanely played the role of God and decided with his narrow mind that he is all powerful to take away a life of a human being.

With all the unjust killings here left and right, I pray that Tito Gerry’s case won’t get closed without being resolved. It will just prove even more how the justice system rolls here in the Philippines– by money, money, and more money.

I hope the paragraph above isn’t the reason why good men die and why do the bad men get away.

To Tito Gerry, it was a blessing knowing you, even for a short period of time. Those two days will be cherished forever.

To Mika and her family, I pray for strength and courage for you. Mika, I’ll be here for you. If you need it, I’ll fight with you.

To God, we trust in You. With all our hearts lifted up, please, for the millionth time, make justice rule in our country. Justice for the people and not for the elite.

Your will be done (and I believe that Your will is for the best of everyone).