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29 on 29

January 29th, 2013 | Posted by J in News/Events/Occasions - (5 Comments)
birthday

Today, on the 29th of January 2013, I turned 29. Twenty-nine! Seriously, where did all my years go? I vividly remember turning 21 like it was just yesterday, and now I’m in my “late twenties” slash “almost 30″? Srsly?!

I took a leave from work and just spent this day at home. Some friends took an hour or two from their day to spend it with me. Other than that, I just wasted hours working from home (I know! Lame.), reading a book (The Fault in Our Stars by John Green), liking and replying to greetings, and watching The Impossible.

The Impossible is a film based on a true story of a family that were victims of the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami. It’s intense, heartwarming and heartbreaking at the same time. I cried every several minutes! You HAVE to see it. (Sorry, I had to insert this into my birthday post, cos watching it is one of the highlights of my day. May surge of emotion pa din. Haha)

I want to post pictures of the lovely people who took some time to celebrate my 29th birthday in their own little ways. Thank you, my dear friends and loved ones, for your thoughtfulness. This is for you if you happen to cross this blog.

Our small group celebrated the Jan&Feb birthday celebrants last Friday (Jan 25). It was a non-stop singing and laughing time at the Beat Karaoke in Fort. And we had a nice time talking about anything over coffee after. Isn’t this just the prettiest group of (God-fearing!) ladies you’ve ever seen? Queue up, boys!

Yesterday at the office (Jan 28), my teammates surprised me with our traditional birthday cupcakes from Sophie’s Mom. I should have had a hint already that the “urgent meeting” was for me, but I really did think there was something urgent we needed to discuss since we’re usually swamped with work. So it really was a genuine gulat reaction when they suddenly sang happy birthday and gave me the cupcakes. Good job, teammates!

When my former colleagues, Romz and Mei, learned I was just at home today (via our Daily Skype Chat) they asked if we can have lunch together and I said yes! A spontaneous “birthday plan”, why not? My daughter from another life path, Gem, was also with us. It was just a nice time of catching up and laughing out loud with these crazy friends of mine again!

Photo Booth photos of me, my nephew Uno, and my brother last Sunday (Jan 27). I spent my birthday weekend with them, my sister-in-law, and Mama. Don’t you just wanna bite Uno’s nag-uumapaw na chubby cheeks? I can’t stop pinching them!!

Finally, just before the day ended, I received a bouquet of flowers, gifts, and I love yous from my 7-year admirer. LOL :)

So that’s my short and quick 29th birthday story.

29! Wow. Just wow.

Remembering Papa on All Saints’ Day

November 1st, 2012 | Posted by J in Lovesss | News/Events/Occasions - (1 Comments)
Greenhills Memorial Park

November 1st used to be one of my favorite holidays – no, really! When I was younger, we considered All Saints’ Day a day of reunion not just with relatives, but also with friends, because it was a time when the Fil-Chi community in Bacolod would gather in one place to eat, drink, and talk. It was always a day I looked forward to when my brothers, cousins, classmates and I would run around and play in the cemetery. Fun times! :)

Greenhills Memorial Park, a private Chinese cemetery in Bacolod, is where the remains of my uncles, grandmother, grandfather, and great grandfather lie. And added just three years ago, my dad’s. When Papa was still alive, he specifically told his siblings that he wanted to be buried in Greenhills with his late brothers and parents. His sisters in the US made sure he got his last wish. Though no longer residing in Bacolod, our family didn’t oppose to this decision because we find Greenhills very close to our hearts also, and there is no better “resting place” for Papa than in his own hometown.

Since we moved to Manila about 7 years ago, I’ve missed out on a lot of fun reunions in Greenhills. I’m sure it’s not enough but I try to compensate my absence by making sure my Dad’s grave is always squeaky clean… thanks to Tiyo’y Virgilio, the sepulturero, whom I have contracted to do the cleaning. He is always all-(no teeth)-smiles when I come home to settle my payment. Hehe!

Last Friday (Oct 26), our family was in Greenhills Memorial Park to visit Papa’s grave, with the exception of my brother Jec and his wife because their firstborn is about to come out into this world any day now (Yahooo! A brand new nephew!). We brought flowers to the cemetery, took some snapshots, and walked around a bit. I’m glad to see Papa’s grave was white and tidy — shoulder pat for Tiyo’y Virgilio!

I had mixed emotions when we were there: 1) I was happy that we were able to make time out of our busy lives to be together in the place where Papa was buried; and 2) I was sad that Papa can’t be with us. Oh how he would have enjoyed our vacation in Bacolod last week if he was still alive!

My heart melt when I took these photos of my brother Jem and my nephew Leeland – Papa’s first grandchild. This is what makes me sad the most, when I think about the things that my dad didn’t live to see, specifically his grandchildren and my wedding day (whenever that may be!). I have peace in my heart that he is happy where he is now but there are just times that I can’t help feeling sad and remorseful. And if there’s something I could have done then to ultimately avoid the days he got sick and passed away, I really really would. But such is life, we have to accept it and move on. From dust we came, and to dust we shall return.

To Leeland, my future nephews and nieces, and my own future children: I wish you could have known your Lolo Jun. He would have been a cheerful Lolo who spoils you with food and plays with you with a huge smile on his face. I’m sure he would tell you his funny jokes (he’s got lots of them!) and you would love his infectious laugh. He would have been happy to babysit you and bring you to nice kid-friendly places like he did for us when we were younger. He would have been your #1 fan who cheers you on, rejoices with you in your accomplishments, and proudly shares stories about you to his friends. He would have loved you like he loved us, his children, and never ever leave your side. He would have made a great Lolo… I’m sorry you didn’t get to meet him, but I promise to tell you lots of good stories about him when you grow up. Let’s all make Lolo Jun proud.

Oh hello there, tears. #EmoPostNaNaman

For The Love of Cory Aquino

August 5th, 2009 | Posted by J in News/Events/Occasions - (3 Comments)

Like most “90′s babies” (those born in the 80′s but don’t remember much of what happened during the said decade), I have pictures of me doing the “Laban” sign. I think I have 3, but this is the only one my mom could find. See I’ve always been pro-Cory! Lol.

"Laban" for Cory Aquino
June 1986: That’s me sitting on Papa’s lap, and those goofy ones up there are my brothers and cousins.

Obviously, at the age of 2, I didn’t know what that symbol stood for and what the grownups back then were fighting for. Not until I was old enough. I’ve always been interested to hear, watch, and read about our would-have-been-president Ninoy Aquino‘s life and political career. My impression of Ninoy is that he was a great man. Because of his untimely death, the Filipino people will never know what they’re missing. And now that his wife, President Cory Aquino, has passed away, I’ve learned to appreciate the Aquino couple’s love and sacrifice for our nation even more. They are undeniably the most admirable husband and wife in the history of the Philippines.

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Today I was able to witness the funeral cortege of President Cory Aquino. Yes, I am one of the millions of people saddened by her death. I honestly don’t get why there are haters out there who only have negative things to say about how BIG the funeral of our “Ina ng Demokrasya” is. These people must have been living under a rock, totally oblivious and stone-hearted. President Cory may not be the best president this country has ever had achievement-wise, but she’s undoubtedly the most honest, selfless and sympathetic. She has the biggest heart of them all. And we can’t stress it enough, she gave us back our freedom.

This has been a sad last few days for Filipinos everywhere. Our symbol of hope may have gone ahead of us, but her legacy lives on. Like they say, “Sana hindi ka namin mabigo..”