Toast

(free writing)

*this is my wish for 2 good friends who are about to tie the knot*

again, congratulations to the both of you! i am so glad i am here now, making this wish for you.

flashback to 2 years ago... things were very different.

it was in December 2008 when they were introduced... Henry's Grill in Teacher's Village. then next in Trellis Resto also in Teacher's Village.

it was in Trellis that i felt that there was sumthin sumthin between them. she was fidgety and he was more than friendly. hmmm...

when he left, i remember her saying... "How nice it would be to hug someone". i thought... yun na yun!

then he became more visible in our gimicks and activities, after having been almost unreachable for 2 years!

he started giving out home-made yoghurts...

we are suddenly invited to a lot of dinners and coffees and shoots...

they suddenly both had suncellular phones...

we were like watching a telenovela unfold right before our eyes... over pasta and adobo... over wine and cheese... over beer and sisig.

she used to tell me that she is afraid to jump (into the relationship). she cannot simply follow her mentor's advice to "Lundagin mo, baby". she said that she's afraid to jump, because there might be no one to catch her when she falls.

you should not be afraid now. you can jump as high as you can, with eyes closed or with eyes wide open. you don't have to look for someone to catch you. because now, you both have each other, to hold hands, while going for the jump.

so for you both...

May you experience passion beyond your wildest imagination.

May you continue to find love for each other in places that astound you.

May you go barefoot more than you wear shoes.

May you laugh harder than you cry.

May you discover more happy corners together.

May you never, ever stop dreaming... loving.. jumping.

congratulations again!

jump!... lagto!... lumpat!... lundag!

Taguan

Olly olly oxen free...




11:30pm
Friday
10 December 2010
Human Rights Day
Dharamshala, India

bato

para sa iyo, Nonoy...

bato ka nang bato... baka tamaan ako...

bughaw

and i ask you...

what do you do when you got the blues?

la dolce far niente

note:
this is a letter sent to my Dyosas (a group of empowered, wonderful, phenomenal women)



la dolce far niente.

i haven't done this for the longest time.

i saw Eat Pray Love last night. i realized that i've taken for granted life's simples pleasures for too long -- just lying on my bed, listening to soothing music, eating lazily and slowly, people watching, engaging in talks about life and existence.

i'm like a stone on a constant roll. i think it's time to gather some moss.

if i'm not working hard, i'm usually partying hard.

now i'm ready... for lafang, luhod, landi (Girard's version of Eat Pray Love).

it's a sunday today.

i'm on the daybed, listening to Up Dharma Down, sipping white coffee from Penang, reading the lifestyle section of the Bangkok Post, checking ONLY my personal mails and social networking sites.

i can say that i've found my balance -- between working and playing. now, i'm ready to lose that balance. Ds, i guess it's time to cross over, to gather some moss, to toss up your heart, and just see where it lands. (well, i guess Mai and Imee will be doing this soon).

happy sunday, Ds! enjoy la dolce far niente :)


31 October 2010
Sunday
Lad Prao Soi 1

Of loving and flying

Seen from a friend's Facebook status:

Love, is a lot like airports. Its characterized by arrivals and departures. But for the most part, its about waiting. What matters is what we do in between.
- Ramille Andag

Photo:
Suvarnabhumi Airport
Bangkok

Never Bored

I wonder how some people can get bored with their lives.

I never get bored.

In fact, I feel that there's so many things that I want to do (read books, watch movies, sketch, read photography articles), but can't... because there's simply not enough time.

With work, frequent travels, Thai language class, social networking sites (Facebook and Twitter), maintenance of Kiddie Toes Montessori School's website, meeting and talking to friends... my life is sooo full!

I always find myself needing more hours in a day, that I had to make a daily schedule (and yes, that's the OC in me). In fact, my friends tease me for having this hourly schedule and alarm... they say I need to schedule even when I breathe. I just find a great deal of satisfaction when at the end of the day, I see that I've crossed out almost all of the things in my "To Do List".

So what's the point in this ranting? I will never understand how people can get bored in their lives. There's just too many things to discover, too many places to see, and too many experiences to try.

Simply put... there's not enough time.


8:40pm
20 October 2010
Wednesday
Lad Prao Soi 1
Fairyland

Tamad

Tamad... Lazy...

That's what I have been for the past months. The last piece I wrote was my necrological speech for Daddy. That was 9 months ago! What's wrong with me?

I can't say that I have nothing to talk about, because since then, I've got my passport stamped 18 times.

I can't say that I haven't met new friends because I've met more than 20 new friends since then.

I can't say that I haven't experienced new unforgettable things. On the contrary, I've visited my family and friends in Seattle...met US Senator Nancy Pelosi... experienced the pain of Indonesian Kerokan... partied in a gay pub... got fondled by a gay guy... tasted fried flowers... walked with the Red Shirt rallyists... had a picture with one of the Red Shirt leaders... enrolled in Thai language class... went to a male show in Silom... experienced 2 weeks of curfew in Bkk... spent my bday in a really expensive bar overlooking Bkk and wearing a really nice dress... met a Cambodian cab driver in DC who lived in Palawan as a refugee... visited the Killing Fields... and so much more!

My life is so full.

Maybe it's so full that I don't know how to put all these experiences into writing.

So I will need to muster enough inspiration to write... write... and write some more. But in the meantime, I invite you visit my Facebook site and my Flickr site.



5:55pm
10 October 2010
Sunday
Lad Prao Soi 1

Notes for Daddy

I was able to get into Daddy's yahoo and facebook account. I kept browsing his inbox hoping to find something, anything which will remind me of him when he was still alive.

And I found these two messages from his younger sisters:

FROM EVA
Subject: Manong Emmong

I was shocked when we heard the sad news, I told Myrna, and Nora right away and they were speechless. Our favorite brother is gone...forever but you will always be in our hearts.You talked to each one of us on New Year's Eve, that's was a long talked, the first time you did, your voice seemed very strong and well, yun pala yun na ang last na pag-uusap natin.You were Inang's favorite of all the 7 siblings because you were so sickly when you were young but we did not get jealous, instead we spoiled you and gave you all the love. Imagine growing up with 4 sisters! That was fun di ba? You were always nice and kind to us very soft spoken, funny and you always help us in our math homeworks, because you're the best in math.I remember when u came to visit us here in Los Angeles, Nora and Myrna were so excited. We showed you around and everyday we were very hospitable enough to show you all the nice places here. We knew you were very tired but very happy because at least you were with your three younger sisters again. That was a short visit and memorable. Manong Guilly, wherever you are, we love you so much and still the favorite brother. You will be missed.

Your ading,
Eva


FROM MYRNA
Subject: for you

"For my brother EMMONG, you were a very good person inside and out, loved by a lot of peaple. you will be missed by the whole family I want to say i love you, and i know that you are now in the good hands of GOD our creator. missing you,

from your sister
myrna

My new favorite quote

Watch your thoughts, for they become words.
Watch your words, for they become actions.
Watch your actions, for they become habits.
Watch your habits, for they become character.
Watch your character, for it becomes your destiny

(Mao Zedong)


Cable-landia
14 Sept

Muse

here i am...

still looking for my muse...

i think i saw him...

but am i his?



7:45pm
08 September, 2010
Wednesday
My shoebox , Sunny Villas

Home

I.
Want.
To.
Go.
Home.
Now!



10:20pm
22 Aug
Sunday
Ladprao Soi 1

photo source: internet

Tired

I'm beyond tired.

I'm exhausted, fatigued, weary, sleepy...

I want to sleep... to hibernate



5:10pm
15 Aug 2010
Sunday
Lad Prao Soi 1

Juicy

Times like these, i need a Juicy...

In the meantime

What do you do...

While you're in the meantime?

When you are in between?

While you are in transit?

What do you do?



12:10am
28 July 2010
Wednesday
Chiang Mai

Call

Call me when you get this...

How does it feel being in these arms?
what's it really like to be loved?
i've been alone now, how long?
have you ever loved the way that i have?
and i have often wondered who,
who could love you the way i do?

now i just want you to know, how i'm touched deep in my soul just being with you.
and i need you more each day.
baby, if you're still awake,
call me when you get this.

i've got all this poetry now i didn't know then.
i kept inside. guess i had never seen anything beautiful
till i first saw you asleep at night.
and i have often wondered who,
who could love you the way i do?

now i just want you to know,
how i'm touched deep in my soul
just being with you.
and i need you more each day.
baby, if you're still awake,
call me when you get this.

i just wanted to know what it was like, what's it really like to be loved?
these little volcanoes came as a surprise to me.
i never thought i could be this way.
and i have been cautious and i've tried to keep to myself, but who could love you the way i do?

now i just want you to know, how i'm touched deep in my soul.
just being with you.
so much more each day,
baby, if you're still awake,
call me when you get this

Rain

I ask...
Is there a pot of gold?

But more importantly...
Will there ever be a rainbow?


10:15pm
13 July 2010
Tuesday
In transit to Cable-landia

Hope

Today, i am hopeful.

Today, something tugged my heart.

Today, a song gave me goosebumps.

Today, i shed a tear while singing.

Today, i vowed to be more vigilant.

Today, my hatred for injustice became greater.

Today, i committed to do my part.

Today, i felt how it is to be a Filipino.

Today feels like a new day.



8:35pm
30 June 2010
Wednesday
My Shoebox, Gotham

THE GREATEST ADVICE

By Rick Warren, the Purpose Driven Life



Don’t date because you are desperate.

Don’t marry because you are miserable.

Don’t have kids because you think your genes are superior.

Don’t philander because you think you are irresistible.

Don’t associate with people you can’t trust.

Don’t cheat. Don’t lie. Don’t pretend.

Don’t dictate because you are smarter.

Don’t demand because you are stronger.

Don’t sleep around because you think you are old enough & know better.

Don’t sell yourself, your family, or your ideals.

Don’t stagnate!

Don’t regress.

Don’t live in the past. Time can’t bring anything or anyone back.

Don’t put your life on hold for possibly Mr. Right.

Don’t throw your life away on absolutely Mr. Wrong because your
biological clock is ticking.

Learn a new skill.

Find a new friend.

Start a new career.

Sometimes, there is no race to be won, only a price to be paid for some of life’s more hasty decisions.

To make yourself happy, pursue your passions & be the best of what you can be.

Simplify your life. Take away the clutter.

Get rid of destructive elements: abusive friends, nasty habits, and dangerous liaisons.

Don’t abandon your responsibilities but don’t overdose on duty.

Don’t live life recklessly without thought and feeling for your family.

Be true to yourself.

Don’t commit when you are not ready.

Don’t keep others waiting needlessly.

Go on that trip. Don’t postpone it.

Say those words. Don’t let the moment pass.

Do what you have to, even at society’s scorn.

Write poetry.

Love Deeply.

Walk barefoot.

Dance with wild abandon.

Cry at the movies.

Take care of yourself. Don’t wait for someone to take care of you.

You light up your life.

You drive yourself to your destination.

No one completes you – except YOU.

It isn’t true that life does not get easier with age.

It only gets more challenging.

Don’t be afraid. Don’t lose your capacity to love.

Pursue your passions.

Live your dreams.

Don’t lose faith in God.

Don’t grow old. Just grow YOU!

When you give someone your time, you are giving them a portion of your life that you’ll never get back.

Your time is your life. That is why the greatest gift you can give to someone is your time.

Relationships take time and effort, and the best way to spell love is T-I-M-E because the essence of love is not what we think or do or provide for others, but how much we give of ourselves


23 June 2010
Cable-landia

Happiness

I found a definition of happiness which i really liked...

"Happiness is love, laughter, friendship, purpose and a dance..."

(S. Booth -- Bones)

photo credit: internet

Just for Today

Just for today I will try to live through this day only, and not tackle all my problems at once.

Just for today I will be happy. This assumes to be true what Abraham Lincoln said, that "Most folks are as happy as they make up their minds to be."

Just for today I will adjust myself to what is, and not try to adjust everything to my own desires, I will take my "luck" as it comes, and fit myself to it.

Just for today I will try to strengthen my mind. I will study. I will learn something useful. I will not be a mental loafer. I will read something that requires effort, thought and concentration.

Just for today I won't find fault with anything, nor try to improve or regulate anybody but myself.

Just for today I will have a quiet half hour all by myself, and relax.

Just for today I will be unafraid. Especially I will not be afraid to enjoy what is beautiful, and to believe that as I give to the world, so the world will give to me.

Author Unknown

Forever 21

"I'm not 36... i'm just 21 with 15 years of experience"



22 May 2010
Saturday
Skybar @ Lebua
fantabulous Bangkok

Pula

"Land of smiles... no smiles today"


20 May 2010
Thursday
Lad Prao, Soi 1
Bangkok

One

My 6-word entry for the day:
"Give me one reason to stay"


*this is inspired by this song*

GIVE ME ONE REASON TO STAY HERE
By Tracy Chapman
Watch: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y2kEx5BLoC4

Give me one reason to stay here - and I'll turn right back around
Give me one reason to stay here - and I'll turn right back around
Said I don't want leave you lonely
You got to make me change my mind

Baby I got your number and I know that you got mine
But you know that I called you, I called too many times
You can call me baby, you can call me anytime
But you got to call me

Give me one reason to stay here - and I'll turn right back around
Give me one reason to stay here - and I'll turn right back around
Said I don't want leave you lonely
You got to make me change my mind

I don't want no one to squeeze me - they might take away my life
I don't want no one to squeeze me - they might take away my life
I just want someone to hold me and rock me through the night

This youthful heart can love you yes and give you what you need
I said this youthful heart can love you and give you what you need
But I'm too old to go chasing you around
Wasting my precious energy

Give me one reason to stay here - and I'll turn right back around
Give me one reason to stay here - and I'll turn right back around
Said, I don't want leave you lonely
You got to make me change my mind

Baby just give me one reason - Give me just one reason why
Baby just give me one reason - Give me just one reason why I should stay
Said I told you that I loved you
And there ain't no more to say

More lyrics: http://www.lyricsfreak.com/t/tracy+chapman/#share

Batavia

My Friday afternoon:

Meeting with NGOs...
Hot humid day...
Christian Bautista on the radio...

So what’s the difference?

Meeting with NGOs... In Bahasa Indonesia
Hot humid day... With the smell of Kretek
Christian Bautista on the radio... On Indonesian airwaves



07 May 2010
Friday
Jakarta

Sleepless

I am definitely sleepless in Seattle


2:30am
01 May
Saturday
Kent, Washington

heron

A carabao you will never be.

*this is for you, diva*

DC

DC trip: all work, no play.

Friday night... chinese take out... sigh...


11:00pm
16 April 2010
Friday
Arlington County, Virginia

Transit

6 word entry:

My life is always in transit.


9:10 pm
10 April, 2010
Saturday
Bangkok

Easter

Lazy morning at Frangipani...
Lunch with a friend at a Khmer resto...
Shopping at the Russian Market...
Authentic Khmer massage...
Chips and feel-good movie at the hotel...
A surprise in Facebook :)

Priceless!


09:35pm
04 April 2010
Sunday
Frangipani Villas
Phnom Penh

In Transit Notes: Shoes

Overheard from 2 female airport ground crew:

Woman 1: Bago ang shoes ko

Woman 2: Wow, oo nga no? Ang dami mo nang shoes, tama na!

W1: Oo parang yung madaming sapatos... si Imee ba yun?

W2: Si Imelda.

What the?!... And these 2 are not even that young! (mid 20s maybe). A proof that people are either apathetic or very very forgetful.

*salamat, for lending your feet, Hamsy*


8:10am
29 March 2010
Monday
NAIA Terminal 2

Neruda

my 6 word blog:


"Tonight, I write the saddest line"






Photo from:
www.designyourway.net

Enough!

"Just say no... before he kills"

Catharsis 4: Agua

Note:
This is not a political piece (although my political biases would show). This is the sentiment of a daughter who has recently lost a father. This is how I felt one night during my father’s wake services.

There are a lot of people tonight, maybe double the number from last night.

Maybe because of the tears blurring my vision, or the lack of sleep, or weariness from so many days of crying and thinking… I couldn’t make out the people’s faces.

I see lips moving… I hear consoling words… I feel hugs and pats on the back… but somehow, it feels like a dream.

I look at my mother, and see that she is silently crying. I remember the doctor’s advise to keep her hydrated. So I tell my cousins to bring water.

And they brought her water. A bottle of mineral water. My cousins said it was a gift, a donation. 2 boxes of bottled water.

But my mother refuses to drink. She even refuses to take the bottle of water. She said, “Ayoko nyan”. Confusion sets it. I look at her and I look at the bottle of water. Now, I completely understand.

Catharsis 3: How are you?

“How are you?”

That’s the question I usually get nowadays. And I honestly don’t know how to answer that. I don’t know what kind of answer is expected – “I am sad”?… “I am fine”?… “No comment?”

I know that my dear friends do not really expect an answer, and that they just want to show their sympathy, empathy and love. But that question really made me think… how am I doing now?

The truth is… I am not depressed… but I am not happy either. I won’t say that I was devastated with my father’s passing. But I feel this deep sense of sadness every time I remember him. This longing makes me cry at night, especially when I’m alone. It makes me cry when I read a consoling letter from friends, even from those who didn’t even know him. It makes me cry now, that I am writing about him.

I told a good friend that maybe I am not devastated because I didn’t have a lot issues about my father. We had a fairly normal and happy relationship – no frustrations, no regrets, no drama. There were not much thunder and lightning. It was mostly easy, peaceful and calm. There were a lot of fond memories with my father. And my 3-page eulogy for him did not do justice to how he was as a father.

I know that he has lived a very full life. And for 35 years of that life, he was a very good father to me. I couldn’t, and shouldn’t, ask for more. He has provided so many things, experiences and opportunities, that I am fine when he had to leave. What breaks my heart is the fact that my nieces could have seen more of their lolo. And that my own child/ren could have played with their lolo, and watched their lolo perform magic. I feel deep sadness everytime I am reminded that my mommy would now spend her days without daddy. I feel sad for those who did not know him and how special he was.

I am fine most of the time. He has brought me up to be someone strong enough to weather these kinds of situations. So there is really nothing to be sad about, except for the fact that I miss him sometimes. But as a friend said, it is the good kind of missing someone. He didn’t go because he wanted to leave us. It’s just that it was his time to go.

So when faced with the same question again, I will just say, “Ok lang”. And maybe add, “I cry, but my life goes on”.

(Eppie, when I read this piece again, I realized that I talked about him in the past tense. I guess that means that it has sunk it.)

Catharsis 2: Love Story

I believe that my father and mother has one of the best love stories around. Just to give you a glimpse of their love for each other, please read below the transcript of daddy's one of many love letters to mommy. The picture above is the scanned copy of the actual love letter. Mommy kept it in her files after all these years.

Belated happy valentine's day!

==================================================

TRANSCRIPT OF GUILLY’S LOVE LETTER TO NORIE

La Salette of Aurora
Aurora Isabela
April 6, 1972

Minutes of the Norie-Emong Meeting

The meeting was held in the residence of Norie on April 5, 1972 at about 5:30pm. The agendum is “to be or not to be”. The meeting was chaired by Emong.

The chairman asked Norie whether she had read the love letter already. Norie answered, “Yes”, and even quoted the last but pertinent paragraph of the letter. The Chairman asked for further remarks but she said “No comment”. The body then proceeded to the division of the house but she couldn’t cast her vote. Because of this, the chairman got nervous. He doesn’t know what to do next. Yun pala ay kinakabahan din si Norie. Di din nya malaman ang kanyang gagawin. The air was somewhat tensed and filled with excitement. At last, the chairman asked her, “Di mo ba ako mahal?” She retorted, “Ano ba sa palagay mo?” The chairman answered that she loves him. At ganon nga palang talaga. So the two had arrived at a consensus that they are sweethearts. After a while, the two lovers were tongue-tied. All they can do is to exchange glances and smiles.

The meeting was adjourned at about 6:20pm but before they departed, the next meeting was fixed at 7:30pm of the same night.


Approved by:

(Sgd.) Guillermo M. Mercado
President Romeo

(Sgd.) Normita E. Pasion
Secretary Juliet

Copy furnished:
1. Emong
2. Norie

Catharsis 1: Strength

“first, my prayers and condolences... i won't say that i know how it feels how to lose a father. and i know that i cannot do anything to make things easier.but i would like to thank you for sharing your thoughts. i hope that i can be as brave as you are. your piece really touched me. i couldn't stop crying. hugs to you.”

This was my private message to a friend when their family lost their father in mid January. I admired her for her strength – writing how she felt during their time of crisis. I saw a certain kind of fortitude that I wanted to have when the time comes. Never have I thought that only after less than 2 weeks, I would be in their shoes. Thank you for your courage in putting your feelings in paper.

It was somehow easier for me since I was away. The distance has kept me in a bubble, free from the worries back home. I never saw him in the hospital, I never saw him weak, I never saw him close his eyes for the last time, I never saw the medical staff attempt to revive him. My last memory of daddy is that he was still alive, albeit a bit weak, when I kissed him and told him that I was leaving for Manila.

I could not imagine how mommy and sister felt during that critical time. I never dared to ask. I don’t want to know… for now.

Another friend who also lost his father last year, told me about how difficult it was for him to see his father slowly succumbing to his illness. He told me how, being at his bedside, it pained him to see his father look at him, knowing that he has a few moments to live. I know it’s difficult for you to relieve that moment, but I thank you for sharing the pain that you felt. It somehow eased mine.

A lot of friends have shared their own struggles of how it is like to lose someone dear to you. Thank you for making me realize that I, too, will feel better soon.

I would like to thank you…
… for being with me at the airport during the darkest moment in my life
… for being the first faces I saw when I got back to the Philippines
… for taking care of things and informing friends of my father’s passing
… for being with me on the way home
… for sharing your stories and painful moments, remembering your own parent’s demise
… for being there. Thank you for showing up. Your presence was a pleasant surprise
… for giving your support, not just to me, but to my mother, my sister and the whole family
… for the messages, calls, hugs, squeeze in the hands
… for the flowers, food, cards and financial support
… for telling me what to do after this. Your words of advice are very valuable
… for making me laugh
… for sharing your stories about daddy
… for your affirmation that daddy is indeed special
… for your friendship
… for your strength… you inspire me


11:00am
08 February, 2010
Monday
Onboard SilkAir flight
from Phnom Penh to Singapore

Guillermo M. Mercado

I would like to take this opportunity to introduce our daddy, Guillermo M. Mercado to everyone. You might have known him as an insurance agent, a teacher and an active member of various civic and religious organizations, but I am sure that there are so many things you don’t know about him.

As you all know, he is a very quiet and soft-spoken man – will not brag nor sing his own praises. So please allow me to speak lengthily about him, so you will know how special he really is.

Daddy is known as Emong to his parents, siblings, relatives and childhood friends. He is the 5th of 8 children. She was born in Malasin, San Jose, Nueva Ecija. In May of 2009, while we were going home to Isabela from Manila, he suddenly suggested to go around San Jose to look for their old house. I remember him telling us where he used to live and where his old school was, and reminisce about his childhood.

I also remember him always telling my sister and I when we were small, a very old story of how he nearly wasn’t able to go up the stage for his elementary graduation. He didn’t have shoes, and had to borrow a pair from a classmate. I also remember him telling us that he used to walk from their house going to school. He, together with his siblings, had a very simple life. They had nothing most of the time, so he knew how it is to make both ends meet.

He is Guillermo to his classmates and friends. Our mommy always told us about this story, how daddy was a math wiz. He was known in their college as the one who was good in math.

He is Guilly to his colleagues. He met his best friend and wife at La Salette of Aurora where they were both teaching high school. He was teaching Theology then. When he saw our mother, he knew that she was the one for him. So he wrote her love letters which mommy still kept until now. (You can see a sample of his letters, posted on the glass door in front). He was Romeo, and mommy was his Juliet.

Guilly was a well-rounded young man. He played the guitar and the harmonica. He attempted to draw and make sketches. He also liked playing table tennis. He is a musician and an artist. But please don’t ask him to sing. It is a constant family joke that he, like my sister, are tone deaf and sintonado.

He is Darleng to his wife and best friend. They did not call each other Darling. They called each other Darleng. They were inseparable. It was not only their friends and colleagues who noticed this, but also our relatives and even my and Divine’s friends. He is Batman to Robin, and Robin to Batman.

Mommy always used to tell us… “Your daddy is one in a million”. That means that there are only 92 daddies in the Philippines who are as great as you, Daddy. And now, this elite group is down to 91.

He is Kuyang to mommy’s relatives. He treated mommy’s relatives, not as in-laws, but as his own. He unselfishly shared what our family had to relatives, without expecting anything in return.

He is daddy to me and Divine/Mayette and to our cousins, Bullet, Boss and Sir. He and mommy only had 2 children, because they wanted us to have the best. They were struggling financially when we were still young, so they felt that 2 children were enough. I knew this because he always told us. He worked before with the National Statistics Office. I remember going to his office in Aurora, Isabela, and seeing pop-ed comics about family planning.

Daddy was a very good provider – dedicated, focused and very innovative. When we were small, he had a vegetable garden in our backyard. He always told us that as long as we have vegetables in the garden, we will never grow hungry. We had kamote, pechay, papaya trees, calamansi, kamias, chico, coconut, Chinese tea and others.

He also had a beautiful flower garden in front of our house. He had roses and daisies, and planted Bermuda grass. I remember that we used to help him weed out the lawn so we can sit down in the afternoon on a bed of lush Bermuda greens.

He taught us how to recycle – bottles, plastic bags, furniture, clothes, almost everything. In our household, we make maximize everything before throwing it away. He made a compost pit in our backyard, and used the old compost as fertilizers for his plants. He is a handyman and an environmentalist.

Not many of you will know, but our daddy is also a magician. He had so many magic tricks with the pingpong ball, with ropes and with cards. I remember that my sister and I used to assist our Daddy Magician during his performances in front of our cousins and friends.

He is also into photography. My sister and I are very lucky because we became his most favorite subjects. So we had albums of baby pictures. I remember that he used to have a Dark Room to process all his photos. Unfortunately, he had to sell his equipments to give way for more important expenses.

My sister and I were very happy when Daddy purchased our very first family transportation – a motorcycle. I think that was back in 1982. He bought the motorcycle when in fact, he doesn’t know how to ride a bike. So he taught himself how to ride a motorcycle. That is how determined he was.

Being an educator himself, he sent us to good schools, even if it meant sacrificing the luxuries that couples usually have – vacations and travels. He also knew the value of having good books for his children. He had a part time job selling Grolier books. This also gave him opportunities to buy expensive books on discount. So my sister and I had so many books, that some our friends and classmates regularly visit the house just to read. He knows how to motivate us and refused to spoon-feed us. Every time we ask him what the meaning of a word is, he tells us to look it up into our very big and old dictionary.

My father is a very good salesperson. He sold almost everything – from books, personal effects, car insurance, life insurance, to health insurance. I remember a good friend telling me, “Ang hirap magbenta sa bahay nyo. Bibili nga ang daddy mo. Pero pag labas ko ng bahay nyo, may naibenta din sya sa akin. Kulang pa ang tubo ko para pambayad.” That’s how good he was. I think it’s because he really believes in what he is selling. And he is doing that not just to make profit, but to help.

Very slowly, daddy and mommy ‘s hardwork paid off. Friends and relatives noticed that slowly, our finances were getting better and our lives were getting more comfortable. But even if he can already afford to buy expensive shoes, designer shirts and perfumes, he preferred the simple things in life. He still wore white shirt from Caritas, his company. He wore only a couple of comfortable diabetic-friendly shoes. He only wore clothes and perfumes which are gifts from us.

He is Lolo to Summer, Red, Marcus and Bossing. He was very patient with the kids, never getting tired of answering their why’s and explaining very difficult questions like, “Why is the moon following us?”. When he was still driving, he brings his apo’s to school and picks them up after. He taught them how to recycle used bond paper into sketch and notepads. He taught them how to organize their things and how not to make a mess.

I am so happy to see people tonight. Friends he made for the past years – from Aurora, from the Knights of Columbus, from Kabalikat, from insurance companies, from Marriage Encounter, from BCBP, from Caritas. I know that Daddy touched your lives somehow.

I hope that tonight, you have known him better. He is a Salesperson, Romeo to his Juliet, an Educator, Math wiz, Magician, Musician, Artist, Green thumb, Photographer, an Environmentalist, and so much more.

He is Guillermo, Emong, Guilly, My Darleng, Kuyang, Daddy, Lolo…

We will surely miss you, Daddy. But I know that you have lived a full life. So our tears are not for you. Our tears are for us, because we will miss you. We love you so much!

Malikhaing Pagsulat

*a free-writing exercise in Filipino*

Nung nasa Unibersidad pa ako, kinailangan kong kumuha ng isang subject sa Filipino. Elective lang naman, pero required kasi, so kailangan sumunod.

Malikhaing Pagsulat... yan ang kinuha kong elective. Ok naman daw ang subject na ito. Basta ang kabilin-bilinan sa akin, huwag mo kunin si Jun Cruz Reyes na teacher.

Sino na nga ba si Jun Cruz Reyes? Parang napaka-familiar ng pangalan nya. Hmmm... ah oo! Sya ang sumulat ng isang essay na binasa namin nung high school. Actually nagustuhan ko ang essay nya -- easy reading at witty. Nakalimutan ko ang title, pero alam ko... sinabi nya na kung si Jesus Christ daw ay pumasok sa kolehiyo, malamang napagalitan at nasita sya dahil sa kanyang long hair. Witty, di ba?

Anyways, balik sa Malikhaing Pagsulat. Samakatuwid, pumila ako at nagpa-enroll sa subject na ito. Habang nakapila, nagdadasal na wag sana si Jun Cruz Reyes ang maging teacher.

Unang araw ng klase. Pumasok ang teacher sa room -- maliit, maitim, payat, medyo dugyot, kung titignang mabuti. Unang salita... "Class, ako si..."... at isinulat ang pangalan sa blackboard...

J...U...N...

POTA!!! Si Jun Cruz Reyes! Talaga naman pag sinwerte ka! Sa lahat ng UP Professors sa Filipino, bakit sya pa?!

So yun nga, ang kinatatakutang si Jun Cruz Reyes ang teacher ko. Wala na akong magagawa. Pinaghirapan kong pilahan ito (hindi pa computerized ang registration nung araw), at mahirap nang mag-ChangeMat (change matriculation).

I vowed to myself na gagalingan ko, para hindi ako mapahiya sa klase. Kilala itong si Jun na mahilig mang-okray ng mga estudyante.

Sa awa ng Diyos, hindi naman nya ako na-okray... ng masyado. May mga pahaging paminsan, pero kumpara sa mga salitang binitiwan nya tungkol sa mga classmates ko, ok na ako dun.

Sabi nya sa classmate kong half-chinese... "Chinese ka kasi... kaya ka hindi makasunod"

Sabi nya sa isang star player ng Volleyball Varsity Team... "Puro bola kasi inaatupag mo"

Sabi nya sa klase in general... "Gusto nyo magyosi? Lumabas kayo ng classroom. Teacher lang pwede magyosi." (habang humihitit sa kanyang yosi)

Ang tanong... bakit ako nagsusulat tungkol kay Jun Cruz Reyes? Dahil nagkaroon ako ng urge na sumulat sa tagalog. Mahirap at challenging ang Malikhaing Pagsulat... pero susubukan. Kaya, abangan!


3:05pm
17 January 2010
Ladprao Song 1

Empake

6 word blog...

bye Gotham, till we meet again!



6:05pm
10 January 2010

* this is my first blog entry for 2010, and i settled for the 6-word blog. tsk tsk... have to do better next time *

2010

Scars remind us where we've been...

... but it doesn't have to dictate where we're going.

Here's to new chapters, great adventures, exciting trails, fresh start, happy beginnings! :)