People of My 2010

Reading Bianca's blog inspired me to write my own influential people of the year. 2010 is a year of blessings and learnings........

Doray and Mulong

The two most important people in my life and my first loves, hehe, they brought so much inspirations to me. Showed me that two totally different individuals can raise a beautiful family full of love and care. And as a daugther I am always grateful for such a great blessing.....its something that I can say luck is at my side when he gave them to me to be my parents.

Sissy

Yes my sister is my total opposite but the person I shared the most similarities.....hehe, ang gulo ko, but yes total opposite when it comes to attitude but so similar when it comes to passions....travels, photography, food and helping out (volunteering). She showed me that you can still be glam and sexy in any body you are in. Why go after being so skinny when you can be beautiful and happy in your own skin.

Ate Miya

She was born 10 years after me, with her inspiring words and dedication to God's works, she well deserve being my Ate Miya. She is a worder to me, how can a 17 years old girl have same dedication as her to Our Lord......her words that keep me looking at my own life...."Ate wag kang magreklamo na ikaw naman magbibigay message sa church, you are blessed to have that oppurtunity, what if God will discipline you, that if a time comes you want to give a message and you are not given the same oppurtunity as now," wow as the Ate Mai of seven cousins, I can't say a word but, "oo nga."

Browie

My angel, lucky charm and stress reliever. He was born out of our hearts, our love for the 6 mos. old baby boy, on my 24th birthday during lunch time. Our most awaited baby brother, he is my reminder, that as Ate to the 3 of us, I should be the one thinking about this...(Mama paglaki ko ako na mag-alaga sayo ha, Mama paglaki ko hindi na si Papa magfarm ako na, Mag-pilot ako tapos libre ko kaya punta tayo HK ni Papa, Ate Mai and Ate Che) these are just some of my little bro's statement that struck me a lot being the big sister.

Jing
A woman of beauty, inside and out. Meeting her seems knowing someone for a long time. Can't remember the exact time i can say I became friends with her, except that right away she is someone I can share my deepest secret with, my adviser and prayer partner. Her strength is deeply admired, the courage to stand as friend despite the pain.

Red
Speaking of someone coming at the right time, yes he came at the right time. He became an instrument that made my moving on easy. Someone who boost me in reaching my dreams. A person who is never insecure of who he is, just to be my driver, bodyguard and laundry getter (such a term). Knowing him made me see that, yes, there is such a so-called platonic love. That we are capable of caring and loving someone without falling romantically in-love with them.

Jet
Yes I can write about him because I have seen the reason why what we have has to end. Endings can sometimes be happy or sad, in this case it was SAD at first. Sad to see a relationship fall that you once have nurtured and protected. Then, it was HAPPY. Happy that we end it without losing who we are. Now I see it as a great learning, never to rush things....and that we can love and let go without hatred or anger with the other person.

(to be continued) 

First hours of 2011

In the first hours of 2011, I spend it with my family and our fave bonding...FOOD, FOOD, FOOD....

To everyone, we must be thankful that we get to spend this special time with our love ones.......HAPPY 2011

Blog written by Maya for our Lolo indo

a letter to Lolo

Lolo Indo,

No words can express how much you are sorely missed. It’s been 10 years since you left us. Last night, I cried myself to sleep for the lame reason that I cannot remember the last time I saw you. Maybe I just really miss you.

Maybe, you’ll ask why it took me 10 years to gather my thoughts and write to you. Well, I guess I was just caught up with this thing called life. I was taught to move on and I think that’s what I did. But to tell you the truth, I miss you and I wrote this letter as an account of the memories that my brain cells recalled.

You are my defender. You were the one that I run to when I’m being punished by mommy when I do something wrong. You are the one who make “salo” when I’m being hit as a price for being hard headed. You were also the one whom I ask for help when mama Be won’t let me go out of the house, again as a punishment for my naughty deeds. But as a protective grandfather you also didn’t tolerate my kakulitan at katigasan ng ulo. Remember the time when you ran after me with walis ting-ting in your hands because I answered back when you reprimanded me?

You are my teacher. You were the one who taught me what to do when gamo-gamo will swarm at the fluorescent light and Thus, annoying the people who are watching the TV. You were the one who taught me to make toys out of bottle caps and threads. As our teacher, you were also the one we run to when we want to try or do something. Just like the time when Ate Aysel and I insist that you rub to two bamboo sticks to produce a fire, like the one we saw in sineskwela. You didn’t produce a fire that day, but you never stopped until there is smoke to prove to us that you can indeed produce a fire by friction. For me, you proved something more that day. You proved that you will do anything for us, your apos.

You are my partner in crime. When I was younger, I enjoy being with you. Riding in your kariton,bicycle and even at your back. I always cherish the time when I’ll go with you and Lola to the farm and the times when I’ll go with you on your sari-sari store trips. I can still remember the time when we bought tomato sauce instead of tomato paste and the time when Mama Nettescolded us for buying PAPA ketchup instead of the much preferred Del Monte ketchup. You are my partner in pagbabayo. You will pound the peanuts and it’s my duty to transfer the powdered peanuts in a bowl. You are also my prank partner. Remember the time when Lola will get annoyed with us because we keep on tickling her ears when she’s taking her siesta? Oh how I enjoyed doing that!

You are my playmate. I miss playing with you Lolo. You always make the most of the simple things around you just to entertain your apos. You do magic tricks like the disappearing one peso coin, you do shadow plays when it’s brownout and tell us stories from your life. I love playing hide and seek with you kasi ok lang sayo na ikaw palagi taya.

You are also my doctor. Ikaw ang taga hilot ko pag may “kibit”, “ubo” at “pilay”. You are our go to guy if we feel sick. Maybe that’s the reason why it hurts us so much to see you in pain. My heart ached when I saw you came home from the farm one time with a deep wound in your feet wrapped in coconut leaves (your improvised bandage) and the time when Mama Nette ask me to watch over you when you got stitched after hitting your head on the door frame. But what hurts us the most is when cancer took out the best of you.

To enumerate all you are to us would take me a lifetime to write. Undeniably, you have not only touched our lives but also those of the people around you. Kung nakita mo lang yung mganaka-park na sasakyan nung huling gabi ng burol mo Lo. It shows that people came to pay respect because you are respected and somehow you have made an impact in their lives. We, your family may have moved on and go on with our lives. But all that we are today, we credit it to you for none of us will become what we are today not unless a Lolo Pedro existed.

I’m so excited to meet you again Lo! I have tons of stories to tell you and I miss you so much. Prepare your harmonica, for together we will sing the song “Ang Carbao ko nga mahinay”.

Love,
Your granddaughter, Mays

P.S. I have your platinum ring with me.

An Answered Prayer

His mighty power works in me.....after  six months, my only prayer is for Him to guide me in my journey. In the past weeks I would say I only pray for one thing, for Him not to let me feel the pain I felt 6 mos. ago, I would say that was the biggest heartache I ever have.

And i want it to be the last, the next time I fall I want it to last. I admit that in weeks past, one person seems to bother me, and yes i prayed for him.

My prayers have been answered, the answer is so clear and God indeed does not want me to go through another hell of brokeness.

Signs i asked when he came, it all deceived me to a YES he is the one, but signs are not enough when you don't trully pray for it. And when I did, he showed me an answer that up to this very day challenge me, maybe he came into my life for me to help him, if I can be of help, I'll willingly do it.

Moving on......moving out

Nothing negative for me this time, finally moved out of my old pad, haha, it only takes 1 big decision to have the change we want.....

Before moving out, i keep saying that i wanted a bigger and better place, but there are always lots of "what ifs," until I made up my mind, to take the risk and action to do what i want, get what i want....and yes last November 1 finally tranferred my stuffs to my new apartment...and I'm loving it.

VIOLA got a place where i can really buy things for the house.....I've got a long list, kaya I need to save, save and save..... 

YBL Buddies in Cagayan de Oro - Bukidnon

YBL (Yellow Bus Line), the only means of transportation during our highschool life. YBL Buddies; Chytzy Galvez from Carpenter Hills, Juvy Demonteverde from Bo. 8 and me from Crossing Rubber.

The 3 of us have developed a certain bond that despite separation and distance, we remain friends, with a simple smile or a look in the eyes we knew what it means right away.

After High School Graduation Chyts took-up BS Biology in MSU GenSan, Juv took-up BS Psychology in NDMU and I took BS Management in UP Visayas. We have our new set of friends then, but still the friendship is there keeping us together.

10 years have past, Chyts works in Dubai as front desk officer for a British company, Juvy became a Guidance Councilor in our alma Mater, part-time teacher in NDMU and took up Nursing, while I work for the PLGU of Sarangani, take -up LLB in MSU Gensan and started my own fashion boutique. We might be have our own life now, but we share the same passion......traveling.....we want to travel the world.....

And  we have to start it now, CDO-Bukidnon Trip......its an 8-hrs trip from Tacurong...we meet up at YBL Terminal, 6 AM sharp as planned, but of course may late pa rin.......CHYTZY GALVEZ late naman, hehe, we're lucky enough that when we get to Tacurong Terminal there's still an Aircon Bus to Cagayan.

Its the start of our 8 hours ride to CDO, first stop Kabacan, and Juvy got pissed off of the vendor, sinong di maiinis nito;"O palit na mo kay ang sa likod namalit na tanan, kamu nlng wala" to passengers in front, "O palit na mo kay ang sa atbang namalit na tanan." Haha hows that for a marketing strat.....for another stop, to sanitize at Old Damulog, first barangay in Bukidnon. after 15 minutes we stop for lunch in Old Damulog, then sleep again for hours until we reach the Golden City of Friendship, Cagayan de Oro City, 3 friends in the city of friendship, ngayn ko lang naisip to.....

While in CDO we stayed with Chyts' friend , Aubrey Ucat or "Brey,"......thanks for taking care of us, MAMA, Brey, Aloha, Pia and the rest of Ucat family... we arrived in CDO around 4:30 PM, rest for about an hour, went to SM to meet up with a highschool classmate and friend, Jennifer "Totoy" Gaturian, soon to be bride....after shopping for a few things we went for videoke at Green Box, rest by 12:00 MM

CDO - Bukidnon Adventure

White water rafting at CDO

w/ Jennifer at SM CDO

Meet up with the rafting group "Bugsay" at CDO's Divisoria infront of Dunkin Donut, and all 4 of us is wearing the same violet tee with statement "Wish you were Beer," we did it for our friend Chikay, River Rafting for 3 hours, starting point, Brgy. Mambuaya, CDO......wow its a real adrenaline pumping experience for us....had lunch, here we go to Bukidnon, Dahilayan Adventure Park......and dinner later at Max's CDO with Ucat Family....

another 8 hours ride back home......yehey this travel is to celebrate friendship....no longer fixing a broken heart....Thanks Papa Jesus for an answered prayer......

5 MONTHS AFTER........

I have for M.E., a business i opened with my high school friend Eden. for M.E. stands for MYRA & EDEN. A store made for you, it has a classy interiors that made you feel like you're at home choosing a dress or accessory that you want to wear.

I have "Red", a good friend who willingly gives his services for free, my bodyguard/secretary/driver, it's like having 3 in 1 coffee. My confidence booster, that i can do everything that i want to achieve. And my number "fan," who never fails to appreciate every achievements that i have. A person who is confident enough of who he is and is never afraid to live behind his position or his being an official just to be my "confidante" and friend. He can listens to my life dramas and make me smile after all the challenges. And I'll never forget, how he regularly gets and delivers my laundry. I'll forever cherish all the efforts you have made to your "BOSS" "SIR". I'm his "BOSS" and he's my "SIR".

I travelled, last May I spent 2 nights and 1 day in Davao with my sister and cousin, we went to David's Statue while eating "kwek-kwek" and buko juice, stayed at Ponce Suites in its unconventional interiors, breakfast at Dimsum, walked in Davao "Chinatown", lunch at Dencio's Hilltop, zip line at Excelerator and dinner at Yellow Cab Damusa Gateway and desserts later at Ice Giants. Last June, I went for a 2 days and 1 night trip with my cousin Miya in Lake Sebu, explore the Municipal Plaza of Lake Sebu and went up the Catholic Church, stayed in Punta Isla Lake Resort, visited T'boli Museum and take a long winding walk to Mountain View Resort, ate "Binuntis na Manok" for dinner, breakfast of bread & butter, zip line in Lake Sebu's highest zip line, trekked the 5 falls of the 7 falls, visited "Dalay Dulang"-the only living dream weaver, and lunch at Basilio's Marbel. last July, went for a 4-days vacay with Mama, Lola and Ma Be in Cebu; lunch at Gerry's Grill, checked - in at Holiday Plaza Hotel, dinner at Ocean Garden, explored Fort San Pedro, Magellan's Cross, Sto. Nino Basilica, Sto. Nino Museum, Lapu-Lapu Shrine, lunch at Sutokil, bought pasalubong at Alegre Guitars,dinner at Abuhan Dos, shopped at Ayala Center, breakfast at Abuhan Uno, Visited Casa Gorrido, Cebu Heritage Park, buy dried fish, coffee at Bo's Coffee, take the extreme Sky Walk and Edge Coaster.On the first week of October i went to Cagayan - Bukidnon trip with highschool YBL buddies, Chytzy and Juvy, meet with Jennifer at SM Cagayan de Oro, videoke at Green Box, river rafting with Bugsay Group, Zipline at Dahilayan Adventure Park, dinner at Maxs, ride Motorela,went to shop pasalubong at CDO's Divisoria, drink Tanduay Ice.....took an 8 hrs bus ride home via tacurong....
I can't asked for more but be thankful of the blessings I have in my life.......