Sabado. Natuloy din ang matagal ng planong mag-shopping with Agnes. Sobrang dami ko kasing pera e, gusto kong magwaldas. Ahehehe! Nangarap na naman. Kailangan ko kasing bumili ng dress para sa kasal ni Sariray, lector ako. Juice ko, umaga pa lang laos na ang byuti ko. Bah naman e hindi na pala nagbababa sa Ayala ung mga provincial buses, naglakad tuloy kami. Anyway, ayun, SM tapos Glorietta tapos Landmark. Salamat at nakakita din ng okey na medyo mura. Tapos gumala-gala na lang kami, nag-Bo’s Coffee. Pamatay oras habang naghihintay kay Irvin na pinaayos si Naysen. Nung nagkita kami, kanya-kanya ng kwento, kawawa din si Irvin.
Haaay. Pag-uwi, plakda na.
Sunday. Da usual pa din. Sa bahay lang. Masaya dahil in fairness, hindi na tinotoyo si Fader :D
Sunday, October 25, 2009
the weekend that was oct 10-11: overdue
the weekend that was oct 3-4: overdue
Bakasyon muna bago sumabak sa isang panibagong week ng closing! Whew!
Sabado. Nakikiramdam kami sa magiging epekto ni Pepeng, luckily, hindi naman masyadong nagparamdam. Pumunta kami sa binyag ni Enzo, baby ni Ate Ianne na pinsan ni Irvin. Ninong at ninang si Irvin at ako, at si Kuya Bong at Ate Sette. Grabe, kinabahan akong magdala ng baby noh! (Wala pa yata akong maternal instinct :P) Sa Creekside ang reception. Kodakan lang at siyempre kainan!
Uwi na sa amin after. Wala si Nanay, natulog sa Cavite City kaya sumunod si Tatay. Kami na lang ni Irvin ang tumao sa bahay.
Linggo. Da usual lng. Tinawagan namin ni Tatay si Ate dahil sira ang computer ko at humihingi ng kapalit. (Hear! Hear!)
Tuesday, October 20, 2009
ninoy's letters part 2
Got this from an email: another heartbreaking love letter of Ninoy to one of her daughters...
~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~
August 26, 1973
Fort Bonifacio
11:10 a.m.
Miss Aurora Corazon C. Aquino
PERSONAL
My dearest Double Mommie:
I have just heard Mass with Senator Jose W. Diokno and I received my communion in preparation for tomorrow’s big show. Last night I wrote Noy-noy and explained to him the crucial and vital decision I made yesterday after a lengthy conference with my lawyers.
During the Mass, while Pepe was reading the prayer of the faithful, the last paragraph struck me: “For all our fellow men, who suffer: may they know that if a grain of wheat dies, it yields a rich harvest.’ Let us pray to the Lord.”
As soon as I got back to my room, I looked up the complete quotation from your Bible, which Mommie sent me sometime ago and in the gospel according to John, I found the following:
“Truly, truly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit. He who loves his life loses it, and he who hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life.”
What does this mean? Is it an invitation to suicide? I think it simply means that there is much more than earthly comfort, joy and carnal pleasure in this world. The message of Jesus, as I understand it, is that we must be ready to sacrifice for our fellow men at all time, and if need be, even offer our lives for them. Unless we are willing to suffer with, and share our love with our neighbors, then we are like the grain that does not fall into the ground… and will always remain only a grain of wheat. But if we pick up our cross, and in the spirit of self-sacrifice and self-abnegation suffer for our neighbors, then like the grain that falls into the earth and dies, we will grow and bear much fruit.
In a way this is the rationale behind my decision. I have no doubt I will be convicted to a long prison term. I am prepared to spend the rest of my natural life behind bars because I will not defend myself and will accept the “tyrant’s revenge.” This is my act of protest against the deprivation of our people of their freedom and liberties and this is my act of defiance against dictatorship. I have deliberately chosen a life of loneliness, separated from you my loved ones and turned my back on the gaiety and comfort of life in this world in the hope that by so doing, I might awaken some latent forces that will cause a chain reaction and that will eventually lead to an explosion of human atoms wanting to be free.
I have watched and observed you very carefully and all these years and of all my children, you are the most sensitive, the most emotional and therefore the most artistically inclined. You have a keen eye for details and you are possessed with a sharp analytical mind and intellect. Unfortunately, you have not used your talents to the maximum and have been content to coast along, a trait I hope you will correct in time.
You will recall I have often told you of your responsibility, at least to me, because you carry the name of the two greatest women in my life, your grandmother and your mother. Hence, you are my double mommie. I have always planned to discuss many things with you and Ate because you are now young ladies but unfortunately we never had the time during those days when I pursued public office.
Now that I have all the time for you, we are limited only to two one-hour visits a week. Isn’t this ironical? At any rate, I decided to put down briefly in writing some of the things I really wanted to tell you.
1. Never sell yourself short. You are pretty, talented and gifted. Believe this and make the best of your assets. As in the parable of the talents, one day you will be made to account God on how you used your gifts. Do not be like the man who merely hid his talent and never allowed it to multiply. Be like the one who invested his talent wisely and watched it increase tenfold.
2. Be more tolerant to your brother and sisters. Most especially to the two younger ones. I hope you will take time to be charitable to our baby doll, Krissy. She loves to hear stories, please accommodate her for me. Do not provoke Viel, our little princess, especially now that her protector is in jail.
3. You are sometimes rather high-strung and spirited. Properly restrained, these tendencies can well be the source of your inner drive and motivations. But there are times when your spirit turns to unreasonable rebelliousness and intransigence, especially with your superiors. Learn to give and take because life is a continuous compromise. We cannot always have our own way all the time. And the world is made up of all kinds of people. Some are wonderful and sweet, others are simply downright boring and sour. Learn to live with all kinds of people as God sends His rain to all men, to both the just and the unjust.
4. Listen to Mommie’s advice. She has your welfare at heart. She brought you in the world in agony and pain, risking her very life. Spent the better part of her youthful years trying to bring you up healthy and strong. She sacrificed her own comfort and curbed many of her desires to give you the best. The least you can do for her now is to love her with all your heart and mind. Search the whole world, you will never find a more sincere friend than your mother.
5. Learn not only to like but love Noy-noy. When I wan your age, I continuously fought with my sisters. I had daily battles with your Auntie Maur. Yet look at her today. Now that I am helpless, your Auntie Maur is showing such concern and love which I will never repay. It will be the same with you and Noy. I have not doubt Noy will be your “refuge and staff” in the not too distant future.
6. Please do this great favor for me. I want you to serve Lolo Pepe and Lola Ma in their declining years. They have lavished paternal love and understanding on your mommie and I through all these years. They went our of their way to get us started in life starting with the purchase of Magao through all my political battles. I had hopes of serving them in the twilight of their years, but this privilege is now denied me. I hope you will make up for your daddy’s inability to repay them for their many kindnesses. Love and serve them well!
7. I do not know what career you will eventually pursue. I wish you would finish your college education before thinking of marriage because the world is getting more and more partial to college graduates. The present trend is for both spouses to work and earn to meet the rising cost of living. If you have a career of your own, you will not only be an asset to your family but can always fall back on vital reserves in case of any unforeseen tragedy or reverses. One of my greatest regrets is not to be able to bequeath you with a modest inheritance to get you fully started in life. I squandered your legacies in the numerous political battles I was engaged in. And it is too late now for tears and lament!
Finally, please pray for your daddy, who loves you very much and whose sufferings will be greatly eased if your will grown up into a real fine lady whom everybody will be proud of. Your success will be the most soothing balm for my tortured heart.
I thought of writing you this letter on the eve of my trial to fill the vacuum of my loneliness. Alone with no one to talk to on a fine Sunday morning, I retreated into my little corner of make-believe and imagined that you sat in front of my table discussing with me some vagrant thoughts.
Never ever forget you are my double mommie and therefore my love for you is doubled.
Lovingly,
Dad
Wednesday, October 14, 2009
Friday, October 9, 2009
our new baby
No, I am not giving birth :) Baby Nayks is coming to me on October 17. Giddy!
And thank you, Friendship Mhay!
Wednesday, October 7, 2009
ondoy
Another late post. This was seating in my Drafts for over a week!
Shockingly devastating. That is what summarizes my thoughts about the recent typhoon Ondoy.
It took just one day of nonstop downpour to flood almost the whole of Metro Manila. There is lack of food, clothing, medicine and water. Some places still experience total blackout. Others are still submerged in flood water. There are a number of fathers, mothers, siblings and children who are still missing. Houses, lives and dreams were corrupted.
But here we are, Pinoys, still moving on.
The Storm
I have my share of “being stranded” story when typhoon Milenyo hit Manila in September 28, 2006. Luckily, I was home when Ondoy (international name: Ketsana) displayed its fury. Ondoy made its landfall on the eastern part of north Luzon which brought strong winds and tremendous rain in the area. Somewhere, I read that Ondoy broke records in terms of rainfall (even that of Hurricane Katrina). Flood in some areas reached up to 20 feet nearly drowning a large part of Marikina, Pasig and Rizal. Landslides occured. Dams released water. Rivers overflowed. Roads became impassable. A large part of Luzon was placed under the “state of calamity”. To date, death toll here in the Philippines related to typhoon Ondoy rose to 240 (41 in Vietnam and 9 in Cambodia).
The Celebrities
We hear stories of survival of many celebrities. Among them are Cristine Reyes, Gladys Reyes and kids, and Carmina Villaroel and her family. But what touched me most is when I saw photos of Gerald Anderson with his brother and Jericho Rosales in his surfboard. Of course, there are other gallant stories like those of the couple Judy Ann Santos and Ryan Agoncillo and Cesar Montano, but my favorite is that of Gerald and Jericho. Gerald Anderson, together with his brother Kenneth, braved the flood waters to check if his neighbors were okay. Jericho Rosales did a heroic act when he saved a boy, an elderly woman and a dog. Also, two thumbs up to Angel Locsin who used her Hummer just to help rescue Ondoy’s victims.
I had goose bumps when I heard about their stories. I mean, that really is heroism. Doing a selfless act without bragging about it.
Bayanihan
Both ABS-CBN and GMA launched telethons to accept donations, in cash or in kind. Many local celebrities helped in the distribution of relief goods. Hollywood celebrities and other prominent figures published announcements to help the victims of Ondoy. Kris Aquino knocked on the doors of the management of the products she endorse to spill some donations and asked other celebrities to do the same. Most private companies and schools made their own effort to help. Truly, the bayanihan spirit lies in every Pinoy’s heart.
And thanks to Facebook and Twitter!
Moving On
I remembered watching K Brosas, one of the celebrity victims of the typhoon, in SNN. In her interview, she was asked what lesson she learned and she said: Palaging iisipin na may bukas pa… At pagkatapos ng May Bukas Pa, Lovers in Paris. (Something to that effect.) I laughed so hard.
Cameras roll and Pinoys, with half of their body immersed in flood or mud, will give a big smile and an excited wave.
We do have a way of coping with disasters. Very strange. Very Pinoy.
Notes: Ondoy photos here. Also, Bianca Gonzales’ blog compiles a comprehensive list of how and where to donate to Ondoy’s victims.
Saturday, October 3, 2009
the weekend that was sep 25-27
Friday. Feeling weekend na ako. Hindi dahil long holiday kung hindi dahil wala kami sa office, yehey! Tamang-tama, change of scene.
We had a team activity at the Batangas Refinery in San Pascual, Batangas City. Hindi R&R activity, intelektwal ito - knowledge sharing sessions. Nagkaroon din kami ng plant tour kaso gabi na noon at umuulan pa ng ubod lakas kaya ayun, hindi din nakapag-picturetaking. Sayang! Minsan lang ako makakita ng malalaking tangke ng krudo at gasoline, hindi pa ako nakapagpa-picture. Anyway, kumain kami sa isang Dampa-style restaurant kung saan siksi, liglig at umaapaw ang pagkain. Nagpaalam na din kami sa mga officemates naming uuwi. Me and some of my teammates opt to stay sa housing facility ng Chevron called Banaba.
Malapit lang ang Banaba sa Refinery, parang isang subdivision…na nakakatakot. Hehehe! Joke lang! Nakakatakot lang kasi gabi na kami nagpunta and since hindi naman lahat ng bahay may nakatira, medyo madilim and naligaw pa kami. Joy and I are supposed to stay in two separate bachelor’s quarters na medyo nakahiwalay pa sa house ng teammates namin. So we checked na lang muna ‘yung house and we found out na pwede pa kaming ia-accommodate (anlaki kaya nu’ng house). Yehey! Actually, kahit sa sofa set lang ako matulog basta may kasama lang ako sa house J Nakanood pa kami ng Florinda, SNN, Bandila, at SOCO (marathon ito!). Picturetaking!
Saturday. 6:15 ako nagising, wala na si Joy sa tabi ko dahil nauna na sila ni Ruffy. Malakas ang ulan at hangin. Hindi makakapag-swimming sa clubhouse. Masyado pang maaga kaya nagbasa muna ako ng isang Bob Ong book. Naligo, nag-ayos. As scheduled, umalis na kami ng 9 AM. Kinausap na ng teammate kong si Sheila na sa Tagaytay-Dasma dumaan dahil tatlo kaming taga-Cavite na bababa doon. Ayos lang naman ang biyahe kahit sobrang lakas ng ulan kaso pagdating sa Lemery, biglang napahinto ‘yung van sa harap namin, tapos nag-U-turn. Uh-oh. Baha, bonggang-bonggang baha. Kailangan din naming mag-U-turn dahil sa sobrang lakas ng current, alanganin kung mag-take kami ni risk. And siyempre, safety first. Malayo din ang inikutan, madaming baha sa daan pero dire-diretso na. 12 NN ng dumating kami sa SM Dasma. Bumaba na din ‘yung mga kasama namin para kumain at mag-CR. Kawawa din sila, mahaba pa ang byahe nila.
Kumain muna kami ni Irvin, gutom na ko dahil hindi naman kami nag-breakfast. Nag-ikot-ikot bago umuwi.
Tumawag agad ako sa amin pagdating. Sobrang worried sila Nanay at Tatay. Nu’ng nanood ako ng news saka ko lang naintindihan. Grabe na pala ang nangyayari sa Metro Manila, to the point na mag-iisip ka kung Metro Manila nga ba ‘yung tinitingnan mo sa TV. Worried din kami kasi that time, nasa Marikina si Ate Sette. Nasa news ang TV most of the time. Ang masasabi ko lang: devastating.
Nakatulog ako ng 7-9 PM and then woke up and watched TV again. Grabe talaga, nakakalungkot.
Sunday. As usual, Sunday morning habit muna before anything else. Then news. Then umuwi sa amin. Lagi lang kami nakatutok sa TV for updates. So happy na marami ng nagko-conduct ng charity works.
May God bless us all!
the weekend that was sep 19-20: overdue
Last night, I went home having a real bad case of sore throat. So bad I was not able to talk for a few hours and that is soooo difficult for me. Luckily, Nanay is in her kwento mode so I just listened to her.
Saturday. Still has slight fever. My brother-in-law called and told us that we are going to Enchanted Kingdom tomorrow. I just spent the whole day lying in the bed, reading and watching TV. Bad news: my desktop crashed. Waaah!
Sunday. I am already missing my 3.5 year old-desktop, I have no other means to chat with my sister and see my pamangkins. Sigh.
Oh well, yeah, Enchanted Kingdom. We left home at around 3 PM, so yes, that is already late. We only have few pictures and few rides (The Grand Carousel, Flying Fiesta, Wheel of Fate - my first, Rialto, Flying Fiesta - again). We missed the fireworks because we are already inside the Rialto theater then. So sad that I was not able to have my Roller Skater and Rio Grande Rapids moments. Plus, I was looking forward to conquering my fear of Space Shuttle but unfortunately, the ride was closed. Till next time! (I will post the pictures in another post.)
Before going home, we dined at RSM restaurant at Tagaytay. Yum yum!
