Begginings

Everything that happens in this world happens at the time God chooses. 

"There is an appointed time for everything, and a time for every affair under the heavens.

A time to be born and a time to die."

(Ecclesiastes 3: 1-2)

Yes, it was the summer of 1978 when this young man named Danny first set eyes on this newly hired lady named Raquel in one of the biggest advertising firms in Makati. It just started from his and hellos the blossomed into a romance. Soon they became good friends sharing happy times together. They were inseparable even though they work in different departments. Oftentimes their officemates would tease them, "Sa umpisa lang yan", because of their sweetness, their friendship. The mother of my Dad didn't even know about my Dad's girlfriend until he had mumps, and the manager of the company became curious about his absence that he asked my Mom to go with him to see what's my Dad's condition. When they reached the house and when the mother of my Dad asked who was the girl and my Mom said that she was the girlfriend of Danny, that was the only time my Lola and Lolo or the Mother and the Father of my Dad had known about their relationship.

Then on September 6, 1979, they were married in a simple and quiet ceremony at San Isidro church in Pasay City. Only close friends and relatives were there to witness the affair. A reception followed at the Aberdeen Court in Makati. Although only special people attended this very special affair it was still a success. They were there to witness the union of a perfect couple which are the envy of their officemates, friends.

They were the envy of their friends because they were a perfect couple. After 3 months Raquel started feeling something individual when she consulted her doctor she was told that she was pregnant. Of  course both were very happy and excited to hear that. news. In the morning of April 10, 1980, Raquel was brought to St. Mary's hospital in Sta. Cruz, Manila because of labor pains. It was 11:00 in the morning when a beautiful and healthy baby girl was born. She was the apple of everybody's eyes because she was the only baby in both family sides. She is my sister Ruth.

In the middle of 1982, Raquel conceived again. In the morning of February 26, 1983, I was out in the world. I was named Ria. They said that when I was born I have no hair, unlike my sister who has thick, very black hair. When I was a kid, I was playing toy guns. My sister always takes care of me. In fact, my Mom would  like the two of us to wear identical clothing because we were inseparable. When I was about 2 years old, my Father worked abroad to earn more money (It was his first trip to Doha, Qatar) and my Mother is also working in the office so we were under the care of our Tita Cor and Tito Paeng. But my sister started to go to school when she was 5 years old, so I am alone with my Tita's and Tito's. My Mother stopped working when I was 3 years old. She said that she needs to stop because my Tita Cor was getting weaker and it was difficult for her to take care of me and my sister because she has polio.

1987, The year I started going to school in St. Peter Preparatory school in Quezon City. I was 4 years old then. On the first day I was very excited but a little nervous. But as days go on, I found it interesting and fun. It was a very happy experience especially when I got the second highest award when I graduated. My parents were very proud of me.

The following year, I was enrolled in Kinder-A in Siena College, Q.C. Because I already knew was school was, I was eager to come to class but my adviser, Mrs. Roque was quite strict and unapprochable unlike my prep teacher so I developed my shyness in the classroom. She is always angry with us especially with my classmate who is very naughty but I forgot his name. After that I became quiet in class. When years came, I still developed my shyness but I don't know why I am very shy. Maybe because of my teacher in Kinder A. This was a bad effect for me.

When I was grade 3, I gain many friends. My friends are Mary France, Jennifer, Jacquelyn, Noriyo, Donna, Michelle, Rio, Karen and many more. But my best friend is Mary France. She is always there for me whenever I have problems and if she needed my help I also help her. I enjoy the company of my friends. We are always happy as if we have no problems at all. I cannot forget my friends especially Mary France because she is in the other school now and also Noriyo who was now in Japan. But my other friends are still there like Jacquelyn, Jennifer and Gelanie. But after grade 6, Galanie transfered to another school. When I was first year high school, together with Jennifer and Jacquelyn we met Cecile, Michelle and Haidee and we became good friends.

They are always there when I have problems and we  were like sisters. We often go out and enjoy but sometimes there were misunderstandings so we have to talk about it. I think I am blessed with my family and my friends because they are very kind to me and very loving. And I thank God for giving me a perfect family and good friends.

I also hope that this may continue. Because I know that there will come a time for sadness and triumphs but I know it is part of our lives.

Sometimes I wonder why I am very lucky now. Other people have broken families, goes to a bad barkada and something like that. I have a very loving parents and sister and also good friends that I can't receive more blessings. But I also look up for my future. It I will be a successful businesswoman or something else and I am very afraid of that because what if something went wrong with my life? I hope that God will give me and my family more blessing but working hard for what I want and I'm looking forward to that.

 (This was written year 1998 when I was 2nd year high school)