One big THANK YOU.

I just turned twenty-something last Saturday, and up to now I am very much grateful. I knew that day how much the Lord loves me through the people who made it extra special.

I appreciate all those you greeted me through SMS and FB wall. People whom I haven't heard from in months remembered and I really, really appreciated that. Although, I had class in the morning (to which I arrived late because prayers are already being said), I was happy to spend half of my day with Fr. Jocis and the rest of the AMOE volunteers. My classmates gave me little presents, some brought in food for us to share. I love the cake! :) Am happy they loved the food I brought also.

After class, I immediately went straight to Megatent in Ortigas for SE6 Reunion. Funny thing though, the theme the class chose was children's birthday party. We had the works--balloons, party hats, children's songs, loads of games and children's party food! I remembered as I child I always wished for balloons during parties. I was happy spending the other half of the day to my Single's family. They gave me a huge birthday card and lots of blessings. I just have to leave early because Zeny was demanding I'd meet her. So, off I went.

Zeny told me we'll see a movie and eat dinner. Ok, I said, still quite clueless of who will be joining us. At around, almost 8 in the evening, she picked me from home. (with Kathleen). She drove to her condo. Still puzzled why we have to go there because, I thought if we will see a movie, we might miss even the last full show. Nevertheless, I kept quiet and stopped fretting in my head. I felt that having two of my "sisters" around is much more fun than movie or whatever. As Kathleen was telling her stories and I was intently listening while we are entering Zen' unit, I was really surprised to see Roan, Sheldon, Mik, and Gen as the lights were turned on. They prepared a little feast for us to share! As if to top the ice cream with cherry, I received the a gift I secretly asked God days before: A bouquet of flowers! I was utterly speechless and I even caught my self jumping! We had simple food and I had to blow another candle on a cake. It's another cranium night. Fr. Deng called and made the surprise more fun. I had to go home at 4am.

Surely, my birthday was fabulous! It was filled with much love from the people very dear to me. I remember asking myself, what good must I have done to have deserved such shower of love. Then, I was sure it was grace--something freely given; something not worked for. Perhaps, I am now ready to receive undeserved love. I do not refuse nor resist. I just opened my arms and accepted what was given to me for I knew immediately that it was Jesus who was showing me how much He loves me, through this people whom I share my love for Him.

To my friends, thank you for allowing yourselves to be God's conduit of sweetest blessings. More than the gifts and the surprises (which I appreciate a lot), you are my presents wrapped neatly in different shapes and sizes. :) Pray with me that we'll share more of God's goodness as I walk through another chapter of my life.

a letter from daddy

As if our tribute for our dear President Cory is not enough, I would like to share this letter which Ninoy wrote for Ballsy--the eldest of the Aquino siblings. Among all the five siblings, Ballsy was the one who certainly captured my admiration during the telecasts of the wake and burial of the last President. I remember telling my sister that she resembles Cory very much, from her demeanor even to the way she dresses. The following letter was sent to me through email by a friend and it certain filled my eyes with tears.

August 18, 1973
Fort Bonifacio
Makati, Rizal

Ms. Maria Elena C. Aquino
25 Times St. Quezon City

My dearest Ballsy,

I write you this letter with tears in my eyes and as if steel fingers are crushing my heart because I wanted so much to be with you as you celebrate your legal emancipation. Now that you have come of age, my love, a voice tells me that I am no longer young and suddenly, I feel old.

An old poet gave this advice very long ago “when you are sad, remember the roses will bloom in December.” I want to send you bouquet of roses, big red roses from my dreamland garden. Unfortunately for the present, my roses are not in bloom, in fact they have dropped all their petals and only the thorns are left to keep me company. I do think it is fitting to send you a thicket of thorns on this memorable day!

I am very proud of you because you have inherited all the best traits of your mother. You are sensible, responsible, even-tempered and sincere with the least pretenses and affection which vehemently detest in a woman. I am sure like your mother, you will possess that rare brand of silent courage and that combination of fidelity and fortitude that will be the life vest of your man in the tragic moments of his life.

During my lonely hours of solitary confinement in Fort Magsaysay, Laur, Nueva Ecija last March and April with nothing else to do but pray and daydream, with only my fond memories to keep me company, I planned a weekend barrio fiesta for you in Tarlac for your 18th birthday. I fooled myself into believing that my ordeal would end with the fiscal year. I planned to invite all your classmates and friends and their families for the weekends.

The schedule called for an early departure by bus from Manila and the first stop will be Concepcion, where lunch will be served by the pool. And after lunch, you were to visit the Santa Rita Elementary School to distribute cookies and ice cream to the children of that public school where you were first enrolled.

I guess sheer nostalgia prompted me to include Santa Rita. We were only three then: Mommie, you and I. Those were the days of happy memories little responsibilities, tremendous freedom, a great future ahead and capped by a fulfillment of love. You are the first fruit of our union, the first proof of our love and the first seal of our affections

From Concepcion we were to proceed to Luisita for the barrio fiesta. I intended to invite a friend who could roast an entire cow succulently. Swimming, pelota, dancing and eating would have been the order of the day.

Sunday morning was reserved for a trip around the Hacienda and the mill and maybe golf for some of the parents and later a picnic-lunch on Uncle Tony’s Island. Return to Manila after lunch. I am afraid this will have to remain as one of the many dreams I had in Laur.

Our future has suddenly become uncertain and our fate unknown. I am even now beginning to doubt whether I’ll ever be able to return to you and the family. Hence, I would like to ask you these special favors. Love your mother, whose love for you, you will never be able to match. She is not the greatest mother in the world, she is your sincerest friend.

Take care of your younger sisters and brother and lavish them with the love and care I would like to continue giving them but am unable to do so. Help Noy-noy along and pray hard that he will grow to be a real, responsible man who in later years will protect you all. You are the model for your three younger sisters. Your responsibility is therefore great. Please endeavor to live up to our highest expectations. Be more tolerant to Pinky, more accessible to Viel, our little genius-princess, and more charitable to Krissy, our baby doll, and make up for my neglect.

Finally, forgive me, my love, for not having been an ideal, good and thoughtful father to you all as I pursued public office. I had hopes and high resolve of making up, but I am afraid my destiny will not oblige.

I seal this letter with a drop of tear and a prayer in my heart, that somehow, somewhere we shall meet again and I will finally be able to make up for all my lapses, in the kingdom where justice reigns supreme and love is eternal.

I love you,
Dad

God's lovely maid

This morning, the morning news show which we frequently watch featured a segment speaking about the song dedicated for President Cory. Apparently, it was a poem which Ninoy wrote for her during the time he was incarcerated for opposing the Marcos government. Jose Mari Chan was requested by one of the supporters of the August Twenty One Movement (ATOM) put melody on the exultation.

I was intrigued by the title: "I Have Fallen In Love (with the same woman three times)" How romantic can it be! How noble for a man to fall in love more than once to the same woman. How praiseworthy it is for him to express it to his beloved. I was deeply drawn and moved by the lyrics as I listened to it. I felt the overflowing love of Ninoy for Cory. I also felt how much he must really felt blessed by God for picking Cory as his partner in a very meaningful life. He adored his wife. He saw that gentle courage in her--seeing her as the source of strength during the times of despair. With that, I had a glimpse of how much heart and grace Cory must have to have moved a very intellectual man. Ninoy unselfishly honors his wife saying:

I have fallen in love
with the same woman three times;
In a day spanning 19 years
of tearful joys..and joyful tears.

I loved her first when she was young,
enchanting and vibrant, eternally new..
she was brilliant, fragrant,
and cool as the morning dew.

I fell in love with her the second time;
when first she bore her child and mine
always by my side, the source of my strength,
helping to turn the tide..

But there were candles to burn
the world was my concern;
while our home was her domain..
and the people were mine
while the children were hers to maintain;

So it was in those eighteen years and a day..
’till I was detained; forced in prison to stay.

Suddenly she’s our sole support;
source of comfort,
our wellspring of Hope..
on her shoulders felt the burden of Life..

I fell in love again,
with the same woman the third time.
Looming from the battle,
her courage will never fade

Amidst the hardships she has remained,
undaunted and unafraid..
she is calm and composed,
she is God’s lovely maid..

I was reminded of the Proverbs wife (Proverbs 31: 10-31). It says:

¹⁰ The truly capable woman -- who can find her? She is far beyond the price of pearls.

¹¹ Her husband's heart has confidence in her, from her he will derive no little profit.

¹² Advantage and not hurt she brings him all the days of her life.

¹³ She selects wool and flax, she does her work with eager hands.

¹⁴ She is like those merchant vessels, bringing her food from far away.

¹⁵ She gets up while it is still dark giving her household their food, giving orders to her serving girls.

¹⁶ She sets her mind on a field, then she buys it; with what her hands have earned she plants a vineyard.

¹⁷ She puts her back into her work and shows how strong her arms can be.

¹⁸ She knows that her affairs are going well; her lamp does not go out at night.

¹⁹ She sets her hands to the distaff, her fingers grasp the spindle.

²⁰ She holds out her hands to the poor, she opens her arms to the needy.

²¹ Snow may come, she has no fears for her household, with all her servants warmly clothed.

²² She makes her own quilts, she is dressed in fine linen and purple.

²³ Her husband is respected at the city gates, taking his seat among the elders of the land.

²⁴ She weaves materials and sells them, she supplies the merchant with sashes.

²⁵ She is clothed in strength and dignity, she can laugh at the day to come.

²⁶ When she opens her mouth, she does so wisely; on her tongue is kindly instruction.

²⁷ She keeps good watch on the conduct of her household, no bread of idleness for her.

²⁸ Her children stand up and proclaim her blessed, her husband, too, sings her praises:

²⁹ 'Many women have done admirable things, but you surpass them all!'

³⁰ Charm is deceitful, and beauty empty; the woman who fears Yahweh is the one to praise.

³¹ Give her a share in what her hands have worked for, and let her works tell her praises at the city gates.

I have seen through Cory, that a woman is indeed God's delicate handicraft--ordained with a special task to carry not only her children in her womb, but also her husband in her heart. If God then finds favor in one woman, he will certainly let her carry others in her heart as well. President Aquino is truly inspiring me--in her faith, as a Filipino, a leader, a friend, a wife and mother (if I will be) and ultimately as a woman abiding by God's design on how to live her life. I pray that by God's loving grace I will also be transformed to that woman He always desired me to be. May every woman discover her true identity and live it up. Together with that, I pray that every man will also celebrate the presence of every woman--the mother, sister, wife, friend, etc-- in their lives and how each influenced and shaped them.

Here is the song by Jose Mari Chan:

i have fallen in love (full song)

Be inspired. :)

tie that yellow ribbon again

Last Saturday, former President Corazon Aquino died from Colon Cancer. I only came to know about it when Father Anton (Pascual) offered the intention of her eternal repose during the opening mass of the LSE that morning. I was a little surprised, relieved and sad. I was surprised because probably, I too was hoping that her life will be extended a little more even if her death was something impending. I was relieved knowing that her physical suffering has finally come to an end. I have two close friends who's mom and aunt suffered cancer. I felt their pain from the discovery, to the treatment and until the death of their loved ones. It was something that although you have been preparing yourself for will just hit you with the same intensity. But I was sad because the Philippines lost a good political figure--one who exemplified integrity and good governance; one who delivered the Philippines from tyranny; one who became a beacon of hope.

I was still very small when the EDSA Revolution happened. I remember asking my parents one morning while they were preparing to leave, "San kayo pupunta?" They responded, "Sa EDSA." I immediately said, "Sama ako." I knew at my young age that EDSA was something big, something momentous. It excited me, more so, I wanted to witness what "EDSA" was myself. Of course, my parents did not heed to my request and I was left at home. Days later when things started heating up in Manila, I was brought to the province. I have only heard from the conversations of the adults that Marcos had left for Hawaii and the Philippines is finally free from his claws. Cory then became President. It was in the history books that I had fully understood more about why and how she became president, and I was happy she did.

I admired her courage for taking on the battle her husband left. A widow with five children could have chosen to mourn and be bitter with her misfortune, yet she did not. She shared in her husband's cause and believed it was noble and indeed worthy to be fought for. She fought head on to reclaim the leadership of the land even without any political experience. She knew her responsibility as a Filipino and used all the opportunities presented for the well-being of the motherland. She believed in her identity and fought for it passionately for the freedom of the country from the oppression of the Marcoses. I could surmise that her feat might have been stirred by a personal loss of the man she loves. Nevertheless, I salute her for using that pain to lead the Philippines out of misery of injustice and excessive human rights violation. She redeemed every Filipino's dignity by restoring democracy. Her greatest achievement as a political leader is the restoration of democracy and guarding it from any attack.

I admire her love for the Philippines. Just as the true essence of love, she sacrificed her comfort and took on a challenge that she had never took on ever in her life--only seek what is good for the beloved. One would see her integrity in service, when she did not sought for any extension in office neither taking on any position in government. All she desired was to serve the Filipinos by leading them in crossing over a new form of government where freedom exists.

I salute her for remaining to be a good mother despite the demands of her political obligations. I would like to believe that, indeed, she was able to raise good Filipinos in her children. Her moral values held her family together. Her youngest daughter, Kris' , failures might have been a national disappointment but Cory's motherly heart remained forgiving and I would rest to believe she made it a point that Kris will repair her life. In the various interviews that Kris will be in on TV, she will never fail in mention her mother and the pieces of advice she'd give her. My heart goes to her knowing that she will now be left to herself without a mother by her side.

Most of all, I see her deep faith in God and I would like to believe that she was very instrumental in order that God will be able to work for His Filipino people. Her faith kept her resilient amid the criticisms during her term as president. Her faith kept her wise and prudent in her actions. Her faith kept her family together despite the absence of a father.

Many would now call Cory a "Saint of People Power." I say, we leave that for the Catholic Church to decide. Undoubtedly, however, Cory is indeed an inspiration to most Filipinos. Let us not allow her efforts, and that of Ninoy, to die with them all in vain. I would like to quote, Jim Paredes when he said, that the overwhelming support and condolences of the people along the streets will be much more appreciated if we will keep it aflame until the next coming election in May 2010. I agree. Perhaps, if we do really love and appreciate President Cory (and Ninoy) let us continue fighting for democracy and good governance. It is also my prayer that the Philippines will have competent, committed and selfless leaders. EDSA I and II had already happened. Let us take on a new challenge by giving valuable meaning to of our right of suffrage.

Thank you, President Corazon Aquino. Thank you for restoring democracy and giving us the rights we now enjoy. You have lived by your name. You have become the heart of the Philippines and you will definitely remain in the hearts of every Filipino. May you rest peacefully in the bosom of our Creator.

Follow this link for the last part of her last State of the Nation Address in 1991.

first weekend of august.

day one

day two

meaningfully spent.