Happy Birthday Dad!

Today is my Dad's 60th birthday! Gosh he is now a senior lol. I really hope that God would continue to bless and protect him from harm. I wish that he is here with us now to celebrate his special day. I emailed him already to greet him because he is working abroad. He called last week to check up on us, he said he would probably have a work during his birthday. We bought "pansit palabok","puto" and a cake for his birthday.

He is a very kind Father to us. Eventhough he is not here most of the time he makes sure that during his vacation here he spends a lot of quality time with us. He loves to cook different dishes for us. He loves to buy electronic gadgets and different things around the house. He is a movie fanatic (but sometimes he sleeps during a movie haha) he already watched tons of movies in different genre. He loves to read and research about something in the net. He loves watching national geographic and discovery channel. He walks so fast, so if you are walking with him, you will be left behind (LOL).

Happy Birthday Daddy! I wish you good health and happiness in your life. Please remember that we are here when you need us. Even if you are far away with us, we truly love you. I'm just a phone call / email away :) I love you! Thank you for being a great DAD!

Till my next post! See yah!

Happy Anniversary Mom and Dad!

It was September 6, 1979, when this very sweet couple tied the knot. They are my Dad and my Mom. They were the envy of all because they were inseparable. After a year, my Mom gave birth to my Sister, she managed to still work and take care of her together with her sister. After 3 years, I came in the world, My Mom decided to quit her job so she can take care of us two.

My Dad decided to work abroad by the time I was 2. It was a very hard decision for them because they are far away with each other. It was through snail mail that they communicate. Every year he has a vacation here in the Philippines and during that 1 month long, they make the most out of it because it wasn't long enough before they will be far away again from each other. But even amidst of all these, I remember them still in love with each other. My Dad is still so sweet with my Mom that he treats her like a Queen. I don't remember a time when they had quarrel. Maybe they did but I sure didn't notice it.

Years has passed when my Mom was diagnosed with a cervical cancer. At first she did not utter a single word about it with us but my relatives finally said it to us. It was a very sad year for us that my Dad's brother made a phone call and told Mom's situation. Dad immediately came home here and he took care of my Mom in the hospital. Mom didn't like it at first because she said that he should be working there. Then came the time when the doctors said there was nothing more that they can do. We took her to our house and we all took care of her. During the last night with her we hardly did not sleep because her situation got worst. But my Sister and I went to the school that morning. It was 12 noon that she died, my Dad went outside to buy a medicine and it was my Aunt who noticed her last breath. But still, my Dad went all the way home when my cousin told him about it. It was minutes when he cried and finally said his last goodbye; It was the year 2003, 24 years of great marriage. Years had passed and we still reminisce our dear Mother and My Dad still misses her. Even if he was going abroad every year, we are still waiting for the time he will be here together with us stable in the Philippines and spend our times together as a family.

Happy Father's Day!

Today, we celebrate a special person in our Family, our Dad. Although my Dad is not here today because of his work abroad, I would like to dedicate this post for him. He is a good provider and everytime he has vacation here in the Philippines (mostly just a month) he makes sure that we bond together as a family. He truly was a good husband to my mother but because she already passed away because of illness, I know that he really miss her so much. I wanted to make him feel that he is truly love, that's why when he is here, I make sure that I serve his breakfast and talk to him and tell stories. I wanted to be more closer to him because I honestly am not close to him before because he started to work abroad when I was just 2 years old. I would only see him for just a month during summer. He always give advices and is strict on me regarding the social networking sites. He is not in favor of it because he said other people might get information of me and he is afraid that I might be in trouble. But then I rest assured him that I will be very careful on posting information about me on the net. It is not late for us to have our bonding together, eventually, he will retire from work and I will be the one who would take care of him. I wish him good health and guidance from up above. Eventhough he is miles away, I can feel and see that he loves me and my sister so much. He wouldn't sacrifice himself to give us a great life and education and since we both finished our studies already, it is time that we now take care of him. I love you and I miss you Daddy! Happy Father's Day!

Reconnecting the Family through Facebook

Sorry if I wasn't able to post lately, I have been busy with the group for our Family Clan that I created on Facebook. I just thought of making an exclusive group for our Family (Mother's side) who mostly have facebook account to share photos and events that happened through the years. I also made a Family Tree from a site that I found, it is called Family Echo a very good and free site where you can easily edit and make your Family Tree. You can also add up photos, contact information and additional information about your family members. Others can edit by signing up on their service so if they think there is something wrong with the info, it can be easily edited.

I also edited the video from my Aunt's cremation and thought that I would share it to those who were not able to witness it. Some of my cousins are living abroad now and I thought of sharing it with them. We have quite a bit large family. My Mother has 9 siblings (supposed to be 11 but the 2 died) I miss those times when every year we have family reunions. We even held games for the kids and for adults also. Now that the family are not complete (4 of the 9 siblings died including my Mother) it is a good thing to reconnect to the rest of the family. I am thankful for giving me a great family. Till my next post. See yah!

Goodbye Tita Cor

It was barely a month since my Grandfather died and now it is very saddening that an important person in our family has also passed away. She is Our Dear "Tita Cor" she is the sister of my mother and my Godmother who used to take care of us and our cousins when we were young. When my mother was working then, my sister was left with her and her husband until I was born that my Mother quit her job. She is very kind, sweet and generous, she was born with polio and complications on her heart and asthma. She earned a living with tailoring and had a son. But when my cousin's mother died she took care of one of my cousin and accepted her as one of her daughter. She also has taken good care of her grandsons and grand daughter that they call her "Mama".

We know that she is in good hands right now and would continue to watch over us. We thank God for giving us an Aunt who doesn't stop touching people's lives. We love her and will miss her.

Farewell Lolo

It's been a week since my Grandfather (Father of my Dad) died. We were busy during the 6 days of his wake. My dad went back for an emergency leave from Qatar as well as my 3 cousins (2 from Australia and one from Singapore) whom they are so close with my grandfather. He had a prostate cancer and eventually lead to other complications. He was bedridden for a couple of months and fought pain from the disease.

It was a great loss for all of us but somehow we know that he is in good hands right now and reunited again with our grandmother whom he truly loves. He served the parish for 50 years and as a lay minister for 28 yrs. He has brought up his children (my father being the eldest, and his 3 siblings) to be god-fearing persons and he has set a good example to all of us (grandchildren). He has bind us and loved us unconditionally without asking for anything in return.

Please help us pray for his soul in purgatory. "Tatay David" we will truly miss and love you.

My Mom

It's been 6 years since my Mom passed away because of the dreadful cervical cancer. I really missed her, she is my bestfriend , best Mom for me and my sister and best wife for my Father. Now that the all souls day is coming again, I remembered her again. We haven't visited yet her grave, we should have visited yesterday but it rained in the morning and then in the afternoon. Today, there are so many people there and decided not to go because we have my niece with us. My uncle and some of my cousins went there. Probably we'll visit sometime this week or the next week.

It was 29 years since she gave birth to my sister, and 26 ago when I was born, At first, she still worked in the office but when I came in the world, she decided to take care and be a full time Mom for us two. She is very kind, generous and patient. She is very soft spoken, that even if she is angry, you wouldn't know it. Because Dad is working abroad (Doha, Qatar) she is the one who took care of us. When we went to school, she always has time to be there when parents are needed. She would come to events, programs and our graduation. During our elementary days, we have our school service. During our college days, she would come with us and teach us how to commute. We have a van, but then my Dad is the only one who knows how to drive at that time. When summer comes, Dad comes for a 1 month vacation. That's the time that we got to be as one family again. But then as much as we wanted to be all together for the rest of our lives, we couldn't, our lives are just a gift from God, and he has plans. I know that our Mom is already happy with Him. She sacrificed many things for us and it's time that we give her the happiness she deserves. I love you Mom!

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)