Takaw... Wherever you are..

It's been nine years since he left me... But it still feels like it was just yesterday.

He was one of the most amazing people I know. We call each other "Takaw". It was him who first called me like that. We were both band members; I was the band leader and he was the ever talented member who knew how to play all kinds of instruments (from saxophone to trombone to trumpet to clarinet) except for the strings. I would always lead the band members to the table during fiestas, and he would always follow me. After all of the people had their food, Erwin and I would be seen at the table still getting our share. And that's how it all started. Pareho kaming matakaw. He would comb my hair in school programs during high school (when I was not the emcee or part of the organizing committee). He didn't mind if a lot of people would see him do that. He was one vain person, keeping face powder inside his shirt pocket and always combing his well trimmed hair. We were seat mates during English class, and one day, I heard him sing this line : "I do cherish you, for the rest of my life, you don't have to think twice..." He was just the sweetest.

Just last night, I heard Toni Braxton's and Babyface's "How Could An Angel Break My Heart"
and I began to miss him again. That was the last song I heard him sing. I miss doing crazy stuffs with him. During high school, he asked me and Arvie to accompany him to his girl's house to ask for her parents to allow him to court her. Isn't that sweet (and brave)? Bottom line, that girl became his first and only girlfriend. And I was the proudest (I'm not sure if there is such a word) best buddy at that time.

Three days before he left, I gave him a simple note, thanking Him for everything he did for me. I didn't know why I did that. I just felt the urge of letting him know how much I appreciate and admire him for being one of the coolest guys I knew. In that note, I wrote that we would be sitting beside each other on graduation day. I told him that even if we would go to different universities, we would set aside some of our time so we could still do crazy stuffs together. I promised him that I would always be wherever he needs me when he needs me. And three days after, I realized why I had to write that note.

Takaw, I know that you are happy with our Great Lord. I want you to know that I still think of you every time, wishing that we had spent a few more moments together. No one can ever replace such a beautiful soul. No one can ever replace you in my heart. You will always be with me. I will always have you.

I miss you...

To Mama and to all the mothers...

I was watching America's Got Talent and happened to watch Neil E. Boyd. He sang this very beautiful song for mothers. As usual, i was crying and missed my Mama, even if I was just talking to her over the phone two hours ago. I hope you all like this song..

MAMA
Il Divo

Mama thank you for who I am
Thank you for all the things I'm not
Forgive me for the words unsaid
And for the times
I forgot
Mama remember all my life
You showed me love,you sacrificed
Think of those young and early days
How I've changed
Along the way (along the way)
Bridge:
And I know you believed
And I know you had dreams
And I'm sorry it took all this time to see
That I am where I am because of your truth
And I miss you , I miss you
Mama forgive the times you cried
Forgive me for not making right
All of the storms I may have caused
And I've been wrong
Dry your eyes (dry your eyes)
Bridge : Cause I know you ....
Mama I hope this makes you smile
I hope you're happy with my life
At peace with every choice I made
How I've changed
Along the way (along the way)
Cause I know you believed in all of my dreams
And I owe it all to you ,mama

Ilang taon ka na ba, Anna?

I just love Charlie Green! I am a fan of his music, and even if it makes me really old fashioned, I don't care. I love him and the likes of Michael Buble, Jose Mari Chan, The Beatles, Engelbert Humperdinck, The Platters, and a lot more of wonderful singers from their times. I find their music really relaxing, and I play their songs especially when I feel stressed. If only I can meet all of them... hehehe! (Kaya ka tinatawag na manang e...tsk!)

She's living a material world like a virgin!

Just last Saturday, I was able to watch my 10 year-old sister's dance performance with her group during a school program. Her group danced to the tune of Madonna's "Material Girl" and "Like a Virgin". It was actually my first time to watch her dance like that. Para ngang ako ung nanay nya nung mga oras na un. Our mother was just sitting while I was standing busy taking videos! hehehe! Parang gusto ko pa maluha kasi, hindi na masyadong mahiyain si Bunso! It's really a good thing that she now develops her self confidence. Sana magtuloy tuloy pa un. =)

Joy to the World! (of banking and BPI)

This was taken more than a year ago during Joy's graduation. Kasama namin ung kuya naming lahat (kuya naming lahat????), ang aking ultimate bestfriend na si Arvie! Yeah bro! Currently, Joy is celebrating her 1st anniversary in BPI! Congrats Margo (that's how her officemates call her)! Hope you are enjoying your work there. =)

Ako Yun!

The pink arrow is pointing to no other than ME! Can you imagine? I look like I was the youngest Yaya in town when I am placed beside my sisters 15 years ago! Ampuputi naman kasi nila, tapos, ako, parang kakagaling ko lang sa buong araw na pagbababad sa dagat! They looked like barbie dolls, specially Cathy, and me, the dark skinned and uglier version of Barbie! We posed beside our Lolo after Valerie's school activity (basta ang alam ko, muse sya dun kaya sya naka-gown, hehe!)We were still four during that time, so si Valerie pa ung bunso. =)

Sino ang mas matanda?

Meet My SGV Kapamilya!

Mga katoto, malugod kong ipinapakilala sa inyo ang mga nilalang na araw-araw kong nakakasalamuha at nakakadaupang palad sa mundo ng mga dyos at dyosa, ang aking mga SGV kapamilya. =)

Halos dalawa at kalahating taon na tayong magkakasama mga kapatid! Mabuhay tayong lahat!

Don't Ask God Why

When we seem not to understand why we are in a particular situation or why we are feeling something we don’t want to feel, we often ask, “God, why?” I have been like that in the past few weeks, thinking and asking why I have this job, why I feel sad, and why I feel like I’ve been put in an unexpected situation when I can be in another. But I guess God is really great that He used the circumstances and the people around me in answering my worthless question.

I felt it two weeks ago. For the very first time in my life, I was envious of others’ achievements and even envied people who are working on their dream job. They seem to be really happy. Does this mean that I am not happy? No. I’m happy with my job. I am a full time auditor, working in the country’s largest auditing firm on weekdays and a part time college instructor on weekends. I am happy. I would like to believe I am. But my inner voice tells me that there are some other things that would really bring me pure joy; things that will make me alive the whole day and will make me excited to wake up when I am about to sleep.

There are a lot of people who I believe would want to have what I have right now. Some also wanted to achieve what I have achieved. And yet, this feeling stroke me like lightning.

I thought of these for a while. Then I prayed. I believe that if something bothers you, praying is the best way to calm us. And God answered me right away.

Last night, for no reason at all, I thought of how I did in the board exam. I remembered how I reviewed and how I become a CPA. And then it hit me; there were a lot of people in my batch who would want to pass like I did, but they didn’t. There were a lot who were reviewing really hard when I was in my room sleeping, but still, they did not make it. And I realized that God has a purpose. I may not know what it is until now, but I should not be asking Him what it is and why.

These brought the smile back to my face. I believe that there are a lot of things that I still don’t understand. I just have to live with the NOW. I should incorporate the gifts that He gave me with the responsibilities I have. Everything has its reason. It is me who will make me happy, my attitude in particular. Thanking Him for the things that I already have and praying to receive much more blessings which, I know He will give me, is the first step to making me the happiest person. With the help of my family and closest friends, I will not be feeling what I felt again.

And I should stop asking God why. I just have to thank Him for everything, be it good or not so good. I just have to trust Him.

Wonderfully Bohol!

Stepping for the first time on places outside of Luzon, I now know why foreigners keep on coming back to the Philippines. And indeed, Cebu and Bohol are just two places that every man, foreigner or Filipino, should visit. Words and pictures will never be enough to express how beautiful these two places are!

Happy Birthday, Bro!

Happy birthday, Arvie!

We were classmates in elementary and in high school, and even if we studied in different universities in college (he went to UP Diliman and I in DLSU Dasma), he remained to be the best bestfriend one can ever have. Cheers to the ultimate heartthrob of Nasugbu West Central School! (tanggapin mo na Bro, nung elementary ka lang naging heartthrob, nung naglaon, hindi na.. hehe!)

Happy Mothers' Day, Mama!

Happy Mothers' Day, Mama! We love you so much!

Congratulations, Le!

Our Valerie just graduated! She is the fourth in the family and we are so proud! Our mom now has:
1. CPA
2. RN
3. Cum Laude
4. Aktibista!!! (just joking!)

24.24.24

24.

I consider this day the happiest time of the year next to Christmas and New Year. It is that very day when I feel that a lot of people love me; my friends kept on texting me and my phone seemed not to stop beeping! I received around 200 messages today! (I counted them, I swear!) This is also the moment when I get to have the privilege of thanking the people who have surrounded me for the year that passed. Surrounded, meaning everybody who has touched my life, who has done good things to me, and even those who think that I’m insignificant on earth. And I already did that earlier. I’ve given thank you notes to my dearest friends in the office (by putting the notes in their pigeon holes and I don’t even know when they would be able to read them), prayed for everyone I don’t know and doesn’t know me, texted my closest friends, and said thank you to the very first set of blessings that God has given me – my family.

I had lunch with my closest SGV friend Joie, whom I consider as my little sister, too (even though at times she seems to be thinking much older than I do). We had Shakey’s platter of pizza, spaghetti, Mojo’s, chicken and garlic bread – the ever famous Bunch of Lunch! I’m really comfortable wasting my time with her, not just because we’re both Batangueñas, but because I really love wasting my time with her! We first went to Greenbelt chapel so I could thank Him for the meaningful years that I had and for giving me another exciting year to look forward to.

After lunch, I asked Joie, “Joie, ikot muna tayo” because I still didn’t want to go back to the office. And then, wallahhh! She made a 360 degree - turn in place!!! I couldn’t help but laugh till I cry. It was really crazy, but I found joy in it. And after the “ikot”, we went back to work. Work. And work. And work. (Smaller than molecule??? Why not???!!! Hahahaha! I even posted that as my Sametime shout out, corny, but it made me giggle! Hahaha!)

At 6pm, I called Shobe. And I almost cried when she answered the phone by singing, “Happy birthday to you, happy birthday to you, happy birthday, happy birthday… happy birthday to you!” Then she sang once again, “happy birthday to you, you belong to the zoo, with the monkey and the donkey… the gorilla is YOU!” hahahahaha! That alone made my day. We talked for like an hour and then she gave the phone to Mama. And as always, Mama greeted me as if I was just beside her. I wanted to hug her that minute and I really wanted to cry then.

My favorite cousin Dexter (I call him Dinhya) called to greet me! I was actually surprised because he calls me like only once in a blue and green moon…hehehe! It added happiness to my already happy day, even if he teased me for still not having a boyfriend for exactly two years and seven months now.

As with my sisters… well, they were all still awake when I went home at around 11pm (it was Ms. Ela’s gift to me, to go home before my special day ends, hehehe!) I knocked at the door thrice and Valerie (whom we normally call Le and abnormally call Balentong) opened the door saying “Happy birthday Achie!” Then I had a short but joyful talk with my sisters. Not just happy ha, but really joyful.

Gifts. Hmm… well, I received two wraps (balabal as we call it; a black balabal from Joie and red balabal from my college best friend Jep), blush on and hair band from Joie, and a little Angel Gabriel from Darvy. They were all really wonderful. I wanted to use the two wraps all at the same time! Hehehe!

Overall, I can say that this is just like my other birthdays… really happy! The only difference is that today, I’m really wiser, more careful, and OLDER! I look forward to the happy and the not-so-happy days that will come. They are all blessings and I believe that despite of the not-so-happy days, still there is that “happy” word in it. Cheers!

Hello 2009, Good bye Teenie Valerie!

It's official. Valerie now says good bye to being a teenager. Happy 20th birthday Le!