For most of us, February is known to be the Love Month, or the Season of Hearts. It is the time when guys go out of their way to make it special for their one true love (even for those who have extra ones hehehe), or even the time when everyone feels in love even if they’re single or just for the ride of it. But for me, February is something else. It is somewhat a month of challenge. Why? Because apart from being the season for Valentine’s, it’s also Kaye’s (my wife) Birthday month! So every year, thinking of a style or gimmick that’s far different from what I did last year is indeed a “go hard or go home” kind of ordeal for me. S’yempre, more than just impressing Kaye, outdoing your old tricks is the name of the game. And I think this year, I did outsmart myself, even brought home more than just the bacon in accomplishing what I want for her on Valentine’s and her birthday!

 

PLOT 1: The Concert

Yup! I did perform once on the Insular Life stage for a special presentation of IL talents which also features the Manila Philharmonic Orchestra. But ironically, what I did for Kaye on Valentine’s was unthinkable. Rendering my own composition (which I will post here later), having it arranged on short notice from the talented Mr. Gabby Ocampo of IL Claims Division, and Kaye’s co-PR division colleague Ai Dionisio, everything was just perfect. A little skit from the two plus my spy camera cohort My at the bystanders ready to shoot the whole surprise, I was a nervous wreck when I started to sing my piece. Eventually, I ended up breaking my voice when Kaye started to cry (yeah, cry baby rin ako basta singing to someone I truly dear), and later held my composure to finish it kahit there were parts that were not as perfect as I wanted them to sound. But I was still happy to achieve it, the song I have longed to sing to Kaye, which was written way before we were together (college years pa). And what better way to end the performance but with a kiss and embrace that says every part of it was utterly beautiful to the ears.

 

PLOT 2: The Flowers

Actually, this was supposed to be part of the skit to cap the one-song concert. Unfortunately, the flower people were late. No worries. But after an hour I have left, the 3 yellow roses that were supposed to be given to Kaye after the surprise show, came. Ai handed the flowers to Kaye at her workstation. To her surprise, she never thought the show was the only one up my sleeve. This again made her cry tears of joy… and ironically, the late flower surprise was even a better set-up than I thought.

 

FINAL PLOT: The FB Request

This one is already a giveaway since I’ve purchased 3 tickets for the Company Lighthearted Concert last week of January pa. What Kaye didn’t know is that I conversed with two of the group’s singers, Moy Ortiz and Jay Marquez, earlier that afternoon to sing a particular song, so to complete the surprises for Kaye. And boy was I surprised too during the concert. Though Moy sang just the first stanza, that was enough to make the evening right and awesome as Valentine’s Day closes with a blast.

 

And so what happened during her B-day? Just a quiet simple Brunch Buffet at the 2nd time around Vikings Restaurant in SM MOA (My treat, hehe). Then we did a couple of errands at Bambang, before heading home since there was also a dinner treat courtesy of my mother-in-Law. So I guess, with all these things in place, February 2012 is truly a remarkable month for me this time around. The only fear I’d be facing next is the next gimmick I’d be doing to top this for next February.

 

Any suggestions?

 

Ps. As promised to my wife, Kaye… am publishing the song I sang for your reading . Hope you guys like this as much as I cherish singing it for Kaye. Next time na lang yung may music at rendition ha? Hehehe

 

IN YOU

Lyrics & Music by: Bong Plata

Arranged by: Gabby Ocampo

 

I

In you I found a picture of what life can be

Such a wondrous thing to have

In you I see a face that fills my heart with glee

Then my days are not so bad

Each time when you just glance at me

In my mind I know you’ll always be

Someone I could count on and believe.

 

II

At times when things are not so kind, you’d smile my way

Suddenly everything just seems okay

Sometimes it’s never hard to be so close to you.

But sometimes, I’m just afraid.

It’s not the very fact you’re all the friend inside of me.

You’ve always been so special to me.

 

Chorus:

In you I’ve found a world of harmony.

With you this life can be so heaven blessed

Let us make the most of time for today will never stay

To be with you forever remains

 

Let’s make each day a brand new start.

And swear that we may never be apart

Just hold on to me tight and everything will be alright

My love will always be in you.

 

III

As time goes by we live each day so perfectly

Making dreams that we can share

To realize you’re all this life can always have

A friend for life, a friend beyond compare

There’s nothing I would ask of you than to stay forever, baby

‘Coz loving you is all my heart can say.

Hear me say…

(Chorus 1^st paragraph only)

 

Let’s make each day a brand new start

Promise that we’ll never be apart.

Just hold on to me tight and everything will be alright

For in my eyes I see

There’s always you and me

My love will always be…

…IN YOU.

 

Related posts here & here.

Today, my sister Ayette and her husband RG are on their way back to Australia. They’ll be having a stopover via Singapore and leave there tonight for Adelaide. Good thing, I got the chance to talk to her still even before boarding (flight was around 2PM). As I was talking to her, I was reminded of her first trip way back 2005 right after a few weeks of getting married to Kaye. I got a bit teary-eyed talking to her (good thing, walang nahulog na luha hehehe) as I checked on them and RG. Well, their vacation is one of those memorable ones since they got married lang last year. Why’s that?

You see, they really didn’t plan of coming home last December. Originally, my parents were supposed to go there and spend the holidays up to February. That is, if only the “stork” was kind enough to be patient with them at least for 3 months. Sadly, the “stork” was not. And so the plans changed. Anyhow, all is good pa rin because they were able to come home just in time for the Christmas merry making. And what’s more special with this one is because it was the first Christmas with the family as a married couple. It was more fun and happy because she was here, and not alone for the Holidays. Besides, it was also great to have a new “brother” in the person of RG. He had the first taste of the Plata Christmas tradition. Apart from that, they afforded time to stay with us overnight in our Sta. Rosa residence, spend time with Kara, Jeremy and Cassie (oo si Principal) to their heart’s delight! And thenof course, everyone got to relax and have some water fun at the Pool on The Hill in Pansol, Laguna just last weekend. Though Kaye and I, together with the kids, didn’t spend the night because of a prior arrangement, I saw how everyone enjoyed, especially the kulets, with all the splashes and tumbles in the pool, not to mention the videoke, and the XBOX sessions with RG, and my cousins Miah and Paolo. But more importantly, intimate fun moments are rare to happen nowadays since she lives abroad. So that was at least the only chance that everyone again had a blast with all the kulitan and bungisngisan on the pool and even during eating time. Their month-long stay was capped with a dinner despedida last night at Amici in DonBosco Makati. Sayang the kids weren’t around since no one can bring them to Makati for that, but at least Kaye and I were there. We had a simple dinner of some of Amici’s delicous menu (Amici is an Italian restaurant started by people behind the DBTI Printing press). 4 big pizzas, 5 different pasta dishes, and 3 pitchers of various Pepsi products were served and nibbled. We also had different desserts, which ranged from gelatto to the uber sarap Di Lusso ice cream cake!

And so and the last moments of the pichur-pichur and exchanging stories, we parted ways, saying our final goodbyes to everyone, especially to Ateyet and RG. Even when we reached home around past 11, I dialed Papa’s mobile so the kids can say goodbye to their Tita Ninang and Tito RG for the last time.

It’s almost 5pm in my watch (Manila time). Soon they’ll be landing at Singapore for a stopover before their connecting flight to Adelaide. But yeah, it will be a long while again before I see Ateyet again. Nevertheless, it has been fun that they were here. And hoping next time, if not this time soon, me, Kaye and  the kids will be the ones to go there naman for whatever the season or ocassion. Besides, am praying that this year, the stork will be patient with them this time around.

Thank Ateyet and RG! Will see you soon again! Ingats!

Now, before anyone thinks I’m creating my own billboard charts of the hottest songs in the country, I’m not. This one is actually a personal selection, the crème de la crème of what I wanted to happen given that my birthday is just around the corner (exactly 3 days from today). Besides, I haven’t posted anything latest nor even visited my blogsite for almost 2 months (my gad, sayang ang bayad sa GoDaddy!) siyet! Hahaha)

 

Anyways, so what is it with the Ultimate Ten? Well, let’s just say these are the top 10 things I wish to accomplish, either for myself or for my family in the coming year. Since I’ll be entering a new chapter in my life (turning 37 already! Wala sa hitsura noh? Haha) I thought it will serve as a gauge on how far I will achieve things without overdoing it or going over the top. I get that tendency sometimes, resulting to overlooking what else is to be done and just finishing a few. So… as I pledge myself to the stuff I will state here (and with a good financial back-up), I hope to get them all done, or 90% at the most,  and not get stuck  with some pending “targets” prior to the next birthday next year.

 

Now for my Ultimate Ten:

1. Creative Advertising books/magazines

Being in graphic design, it helps if you have inspiration (apart from Kaye and the kids) to come up with OTB ideas for my clients. Of course, I am not getting any younger and thinking sometimes is not as sharp as it used to be. So these books or magazines can help give me the craziest or most serious concepts I can cook up. These references are really hard to find, or even worse, expensive if available. But I guess, if I want it, I think I will get one or two given the budget. Sayang lang, there are places I’ve known where there are a few available. Kaya lang they’re either abroad or they have already vacated the place since they don’t sell as hot as FHM.

 

2. A New Laptop.

Prior to December, Kaye and I were scouting for a new laptop for almost 2 months since my 4-year old Dell Inspiron e1505 has been “electronically dead” from time to time. “Electronically” meaning 90% does not open, 10% springing back to life. I had it repaired once but then, they said it’s going to recur. In short, nagbabadya na s’yang mamaalam. Good thing (pating!) my sister Ayette, who’s in Adelaide, Australia, knew about it and said she’ll send financial aid when I find one. A few weeks after, Ateyet tried to reach me and ask the specs I want for a new laptop. There was an ongoing sale at their place and she thought of getting me the laptop there instead. I gave her the specs Kaye and I wanted,  but she got a laptop with much better specs. Kaya heto, wait na lang for December 20, since she’s coming home for the Holidays, and of course, to bring home my new toy! Isn’t it great to have a generous sister?!?

 

3. Bye-bye Utangs

Hmmm… well, this is really something I don’t think will end, not until 2013, especially with Christmas just around the corner, and other stuff to budget, this might not happen at once. But, at least, am hoping that 70% will possibly be lessened by the 1^st half of 2012. Just hope I can control myself and budget more wisely. Anyways, staying positive naman ako that this will happen. Ikanga ng karamihan, lotto lang ang katapat n’yan!

 

4. Baguio Escape

Been raving about this for so long. Yun lang, we haven’t found the right sked to set it. But definitely, I wanted to go there again real soon, maybe the first 2 months of 2012 is the ideal date to plan it. Venue wise, well, siguro meron na (what do you think Be?)  All I have to do is really be ready about it, finances, number of people, etc. Plus the fun thing, it’s going to be the kulets’ first taste of the cold weather of Baguio! If this pushes through, sana they will enjoy it! Well I know they will.

 

5. “Ako si McQueen!”

So far, I already have 3 versions, one (the original look with Rust-eze) which I already gave to Jeremy as a prize. The others I have are Radiator Springs and Dinoco McQueen. So far, there are still 7 or 8 (I think) versions of McQueen, including the elusive BluRay McQueen! Haay… wish I could complete them all…

 

6. Raketeer

I used to be a very active mangraraket. Copywriting, singing engagements, designing, account management, kahit ano! After I got busy with work, I laid low for a long time in most. The only one left was my singing invites on weddings. Kaya I am praying again that my wedding gigs will increase, my copywriting connections will be beefed up again, and I will be able to re-establish ties with past clients so I could get projects that would bring extra (big) bucks!!! Besides, I miss doing “rakets”, and the additional bucks for family and personal use.

 

7. Bonus, Bonus!!!

This one is really inevitable (Or I could be wrong!) Why? In my company now, we usually have these profit sharing come the start of the year. So whatever the company earns (net of expenses) that will be the employee’s share. Like a bonus so to speak. But not all of it will be shared kung hindi close shop kami bigla hahaha!!! It depends on what is written in one’s contract. The lowest given is 1%. For me, it’s… sikret muna! Hehehe!

 

8. Next Gadget?

Actually, since the time my Olympus camera’s battery got “fat” (sign that it was already defective) 3 years ago, I never got the chance to replace it ever since. I even learned that a digicam not being used for so long will develop moulds on the lens already. So I said to myself, if ever I’ll be getting one, no more digicams. Instead, I’ll definitely get a DSLR. Besides, I can improve my photography skills once I get to have the right tools for business. Afterwhich, I realized, why the hell didn’t I search the net for a battery for the old one? Kaya ayun! I’ll get a battery first for the old one. The DSLR can wait. Hehe!

 

9. Health mean Swimming

I used to be a good swimmer during my younger days. Yup I used to compete before, but that was ages ago. Now, I seldom swim, my muscles already replaced with flabs, and obviously, I’ve grown fat! Plus the fact that I don’t have much exercise, I have become more exposed to allergens that not a week passes by without me having an allergy attack (when before, I would seldom get allergies.) So this time, I wish to go back to swimming so I can shape up, and live again a healthier lifestyle. Am not getting any younger so better be wise about health. Besides, swimming is regarded as a total cardiovascular workout, it helps your lungs get stronger against respiratory illnesses like asthma. Which reminds me, dapat maturuan ko na rin sina Jeremy and Cassie so their asthma will go away for good, and toughen their lungs as well. Maganda ring channel ang swimming para sa kanilang kakulitan para pagod agad. Hehehe!

 

10. Australia

And yes! The elusive Australia migration. Ewan ko ba! The fulfillment of our wish to go there seems quite far pa rin. But I know that will still come. Probably when the time comes that Ateyet becomes an official Aussie resident, they can already sponsor me, Kaye and the kids to go there. Ikanga ni Ate, sayang ang opportunity because there’s a much better life waiting for us especially since it is a fact that the government supports families, including migrating foreigners who live in the Land Down Under, SA’N KA PA?!? Kung bakit naman kasi mailap ang mga professions namin dun. Anyways, we can still wait. No worries. Besides, when we leave, there’s no turning back!

 

So there it is! I guess, there are a lot of things still to consider to accomplish everything. But at the very least, this listing will be my guiding light for the next year. Again thanks for keeping in touch here. I know it’s been a while since my last post. I’ll try to write anew again, maybe one before Christmas and New Year na rin. Well, let’s see. Sana maalala ko hehehe…

 

Btw, Happy birthday, dear Jon and Lola Pem! Hope both of you will have a blast of fun wherever you may be celebrating our big day! Love and miss you both!

Hay… sa dami ng mga inaasikaso sa trabaho at bahay, di ko namalayan na medyo matagal na rin pala akong di nakakasulat ng bagong post dito sa bloghay ko… naisip ko bigla kung di na ako makakasulat e sayang naman ang pagre-renew ko ng renta sa domain ko. Heniweys, kaya’t heto naisipan kong sumulat ng bago para naman umusad na ako mula sa huli kong post.

Speaking of bago, di ko namalayan na marami rin palang bagong nangyari sa ‘kin. Kaya’t umupo ka muna’t sumandal, magrelaks, at ikukuwento ko ang mga bagong pangyayaring naganap sa ‘kin mula nung ating huling pagsasama. Teka at aking iisiping mabuti ang ititipa ko para wala akong makaligtaan… ehem…

UNA — Bagong Trabaho

Oo tama ang nababasa mo. Pero actually, bagong luma s’yang trabaho. Eto kasi yung dati kong work na kinuha ulit ako at a better price! hehehe! Kaya balik ako ulit sa Cityland Pasong Tamo. At least ngayon mas malapit na ‘ko sa kabihasnan kung saan may mall at maraming building. Mas nakakatipid na ako sa pamasahe at nakakasimba pa ako. Yun nga lang, wala na ‘kong McDo! Hahaha pero okay lang… mas okay nga yun e!!! Besides, may malapit na Jollibee dito! Oha!!!

 

PANGALAWA – Bagong Bloghay Theme

Well, baka lang maisip n’yo na common yung theme ko na kape. Siguro… pero ayos nga e. Na-deviate lang from my usual na chairs, sofas or benches theme. But mind you, tahi pa rin naman sa kung anong layunin ng bloghay ko — ang makipagkwentuhan ng kung anu-anong siyet o chismax sa buhay. At kapag may kwentuhan, ano pang masarap na kasama… edi kape! Teka, kailan kaya tayo naman pede mag-Coffee EB? Para maiba naman!

PANGATLO — Bagong Pants

Sa tagal ng panahon, medyo limitado ako sa pagbili ng kahit anong gamit ko lalo na sa pang-araw-araw na gamit. Sympre mas pagtutuunan ko ng pansin ang mas importante kaysa sa sarili ko. Pero nung magbigayan ang ilan kong mga maong (nagkanda-punit na sa gamit), lumiit na ang baywang (oo, tumaba ako!) o di kaya’y mabutas ng di-oras ng di ko nalalaman, aba’y talagang wala na ‘kong magagawa at bumili ng mga kapalit. Kaya ayun, dalawa agad ang naibili ko since last week. Galante ba kamo? Di naman. Kailangan lang talaga dahil wala na akong natitirang maong na pamalit. Yung dalawang punit ko ay naremedyohan pero malamang di na magtatagal din. Kaya okay na rin ang pamalit. Isang maong na halos skinny jeans ang dating, at isang tamang tama sa aking katayuan na kulay maong din. Basta isang araw, makikita n’yo rin ‘to.

PANG-APAT — Bagong Trip

Teka nga… ano nga ‘yun? Ah oo yun! Bago nyo maisip kung sino, bagay ang tinutukoy ko, okie? Ang bago kong trip… ay mangolekta ng mga laruang kinalakihan ko nung bata pa ako. Actually, naumpisahan ko na. Makaraang makapanood nung Transformers: Dark of the Moon nung June, ayun may mga naglabasang diecast versions. Ang una kong nabili ay si Optimus Prime na naka-truck form lang. Natuwa kasi ako sa hitsura nito kaya naisip ko, tutal P100, kolektahin ko kaya? At dun na nga ako nag-umpisa. Sa ngayon, meron na rin akong Bumbolbe at Saydswayp. Iniisip ko pa si Ayronhayd kasi napapangitan ako sa disenyo sa kanya. Pero malay mo.

Apart from Transformers, andyan din ang grupo ng Disney Cars. Ang ganda kaya nung kay Lightning McQueen?!? Pero kasi kay Jeremy yun e. Pero naisip ko rin kolektahin yun kasi marami s’yang bersyon e. May kamahalan lang nga kasi budget ko lang ay P100 din. Huwel, bahala na. Pero gusto ko rin makolekta yun at maitabi kahit yung McQueen lang. Basta, update ko kayo ‘pag meron na. Hehehe! Ang sarap ng feeling bata noh!!!

at…

PANG-LIMA — Bagong Bahay

Hahaha! Etong parteng ‘to ay walang istir!!! Mula sa dating apartment namin na parang 3-storey (kasama attic), nakalipat na kami sa bagong bahay na parehong sabdibisyon pa rin at napakalapit sa mga pangalawang magulang ko (aka parents-in-law). Pero bago ko pa maidetalye lahat, pipigilin ko muna sarili at kailangang mabigyan muna ng permiso ni kumander bago ko makwento lahat. So sa susunod na post na lang kung sakali.

Haayyy… imagine sa dami ngang nangyari na di mo mapapansin kung marami kang ginagawa. Pero ayos lang. At least, may bagong kwento akong nailathala dito at naibahagi. Gaano man kapayak o kagulo ang nasulat ko, naipaalam ko sa inyo na andito pa rin ako para makichika, makausap at makaututang dila kung kinakailangan.

O teka post ko na ‘to para mabasa n’yo na. Besides, kailangan ko pa mag-DL ng ilang movies na atat kong makuha. Free kasi dito sa opisina e!!! O s’ya! Sa susunod ulit ha! Ciao!!!

 

Last May, I experienced one of the most taxing yet memorable events in my career as an Advertising person. That is, handling my first (and last… whew!) Kiddie Crew Graduation stint! So why was it a stressful and tiring experience? Well, apart from it being a month-long event, with week-long preparations in key cities nationwide including Manila, planning started way back December of last year. So you can really imagine the stakes my company put in, organizing such a tedious annual event.

 

For everyone’s knowledge, the Kiddie Crew Workshop is an annual event under McDonald’s Philippines that takes place just in time for summer. It’s for kids 6-12 years old and it’s one of those activities that is highly anticipated by children who enjoy trooping to their nearest McDonald’s store. The summer gig for kids starts off with a 5-day workshop, involving arts and craft, fun and games, and the best of all, the in-store training where participants have the chance to become a McDonald’s crew doing counter or drive thru chores, or simply assisting customers with their order. After the 5-day training, a series of Graduations are held in cities like Sta. Rosa for Laguna, Cebu, Davao and last in Manila.

 

Actually, this was the  2^nd KC event I was part of, the first being a behind-the-stage sort of participation, as an instant Voiceover Announcer at the grand show in Manila (without any fees involved ha? Bad trip!), and as writer for the program show script of the provincial leg. What’s different with this year is that I got to manage the whole event from the start to finish. This included coming up with a concept (this year played on the idea of Hogwarts theme), scriptwriting, sourcing of production suppliers, talents like magicians and acrobats and dancers, stage design, fabrication, logistics, collaterals, hotel and travel expenses, coordination meetings, and the list goes on. Good thing, I had very reliable people under my wing, including a highly trained (via experience heheh!) events person,  JC Brion. With him and Erika Rodriguez as my wing men, everything turned out to be a very successful show especially in the provincial legs of KC.

 

I realized that it was enjoyable most of the time, from the video shoot for documentation to the hurried preps in my home city Sta. Rosa where the first provincial leg began. What made things a lot more exciting though hectic, was when we flew for our Cebu and Davao shows. Yep, we held 2 of our major shows down south, and boy, was it a blast! Not because I got to travel, but it was the feeling of satisfaction of seeing what you’ve conceptualized now coming to life. Of course, there were a few bumps and pitfalls along the way. But hey, there was nothing a quick decision could not solve. The good thing, everything went smoothly as planned. With a select accounts and creatives team (JC, Erika and Carol Ildefonso) I brought with me, and an experienced production team headed by my good friend Mark Santos, I was pretty sure the Kiddie Crew graduation in all 3 provincial areas this year were one for the books.

 

As May came to an end, the last leg of KC also culminated, this time, in Manila at the World Trade Center in Pasay City. Kid participants, as well as their parents were treated to something different. From magicians, slide & Velcro wall inflatables, jugglers, Cosplayers, moving statues, toy bazaars, face painting, a mini science station, celebrities like Jackie Lou Blanco and kid wonder Jillian Ward, and of course, to the treat of seeing Ronald McDonald, Grimace, Birdie and Hamburglar live, everything spelled magic for all. The smiles and the satisfaction of all the kids present kept all of us afloat. With all the hardwork (not to mention leg work) involved, and only a few hours sleep, it was truly rewarding and it made me feel so happy inside. I will always remain grateful for having the chance to manage it with flying colors.

 

I know  won’t be part of next year’s Kiddie Crew anymore. Definitely I’ll be missing a lot of those 2-hour sleep and preparation involved, especially those people whom I’ve met and encountered during rehearsals and show proper. But at least my experience will be cherished in the years to come.

 

Kiddie Crew, thanks for making me a part of you. ‘Til next time!

 

At salamat ulit sa inyo!

McDo Marketing: Fidel, Dothy, Cez

Team Ronald: Philip, Rayn, Cris, Gilbert

JC, Erika, Carol, Van, Meann & direk Mark

Logistics: Jeff, Chona & Melvin,

Production: Cha, Ariel, EddieBoy, Ben, Lakay & the Finishing Team

Jon (choreographer)

 

As I am writing this post, I’m still here at Mactan Airport waiting for my flight to come. You will be surprised because originally, my 8:00PM flight with Air Philippines was cancelled due to “airplane situation” (whatever that is). If that wasn’t enough, my new flight was changed a couple of times as well, starting off with a chance flight with PAL at 8:30 (Air Phil is also owned by PAL), then going back to AirPhil for the 10:40PM flyout. Little did I know, at the last minute, as the personnel prepared my boarding pass, she announced the flight was even moved to 11:40PM. HUUUUUWWWATTT!!! WTF!!!!

It was really weird why these things happened today. As I traced my day  (May 14), I also noticed other incidents that ironically turned unusual since it started. First, our rehearsals for today’s Cebu event for McDonald’s Kiddie Crew finished almost 5:30AM where in fact run thrus could have polished around 2AM. The dancers we commissioned threatened of boycotting the event at the last minute because of miscommunication (read: nag-iinarte lang yung manager/choreographer kuno nila at sobrang pinuyat raw ang kanyang alaga). During the event proper, my acrobats failed to show up, hence, my morning show was affected. Partly related to the acrobats, we already made downpayment to them, so technically it was a double blow for me who was directing the whole show. Oh I almost forgot! Didn’t I mention that my special guest arrived ultra delayed because of their flight from Manila? And now, they’re staying at a very posh 5-star hotel because their flight to Manila was inexplicably cancelled?!? Haaaaayyyy…

Honestly, I couldn’t even fathom what the hell went wrong with what transpired today. It was like Friday the 13^th happening on a Saturday. Ironically, Friday the 13^th was indeed yesterday, but the bad luck came out late. And as a price for that, here I am still typing this blog, still sleepy and still body beaten from all of it, while awaiting my flight home. Really hoping things would be better. Yun lang, after I get my flight home, I still have to travel all the way to Pansol, Laguna to join my family for some overnight relaxation. Oh well, I’ll just think ganun talaga… that when things go wrong, sometimes, hanggang the last minute may humahabol…

Sige na nga lang.

Last weekend, Kaye, Kara and I went to Alabang for a scheduled trip to Wilcon. We did some inspecting of bathroom fixtures for the currently being renovated apartment home Kaye & my family will be transferring into come April (we hope!). We arrived at Festival Mall almost 8:30am and had Kaye and Kara dropped off at Aplaya for a hearty breakfast. Me, I went to Festival’s basement offices to go with the examination for a job I was applying for. Bad trip though, ‘coz Kaye was already asking me to have breakfast with them first before taking the exam but I didn’t, hoping that I could finish the exam quickly. Not only did I didn’t have breakfast, I started the exam after waiting for more than 30mins. and it lasted for more than 2 hours!!! Well, at least that was already done. After the long exam, the HR person told me that I’ll be contacted after a week for the results (do pray that I eventually get it!!!) In a few minutes, I resurfaced from the basement and followed Kaye and Kara at Savemore, who were already doing the grocery after their Aplaya breakfast.

 

So finishing our grocery errands, we then went to Wilcon and inspected nice bathroom fixtures that will be placed on 2 bathrooms at our future home. Kaye already looked at the Pozzi designs as this was recommended by my father-in-law. They were actually nice, but Kaye love them! So I guess it’s going to be Pozzi at our toiletry (hehehe trying to do some rhyming lang. sorry na!!!). After a trip to “bathroom city”, I sort of visited the shower section to check on overhead showers, which I thought it may be cool to have in the bathroom as well. But of course, that will still depend on what’s priority for installation.

 

Anyways, as we left Wilcon, Kara and I got ourselves some treats as well. Her buying a mocha frappe (which was just a large sized beverage but priced the same as a grande in Starbucks) and me, a mouth-watering double choco brownie, which the three of us shared in the car. Ironically, the brownie got us hungry for lunch so we decided to eat  in the nearby westgate area, at Army Navy Burger + Burritto. All of us were first timers kaya sobra happy kami because the food was really good and sulit for the price! Kaye was busog with her burger while Kara got really full with her Starving Sailor Sandwich, a submarine-like sandwich full with pork strips and other delectable additions. I had the 2-pc Fearless Fried Chicken which I also enjoyed since it was riddled with pepper and even adding pepper sauce makes it sarap to the bones. But the only problem I had was their LiberTea because it was too bitter, since I think it was really concocted from actual tea leaves and not powder based. I did finish it though, for the experience. But generally, everything we ordered at Army Navy was good. I will definitely go back there one time, maybe to date Kaye if ever…

 

Next stop? Well, just across Army Navy was Fruiti Froyo. I didn’t order anymore as I was full already but had a taste of what Kaye got for herself for dessert. But hers was really good too, very relaxing to the palate! I never got to taste Kara’s yogurt treat, but am sure it was also delicious!

 

After the whole morning stay at Festivall, to our trip to Wilcon along Zapote Road, and our hearty lunch and dessert at Westgate, I suddenly realize one thing — I am missing a lot of possibilities in Alabang. More than the fun, the places and all, I know there’s much more in store for me to experience. That is,  if ever I get the chance to get work here the soonest. Plus the fact that being in Alabang brings me closer to Kaye, as well as closer to home.  Maybe a lot of things can change for the better if I make it in Alabang (or Australia, whichever is first to come! hehehe) But until then, there’s nothing wrong with dreaming (and praying for it), right?

 

Para sa ‘yo, BE…

Kailan lang ay inaasam kang makasama sa aking pagtahak sa buhay
Ang iyong ngiti at mga mata’y labis na sa aki’y nakabighani
Ramdam ko ang bawat silakbo t’wing ika’y natatanaw na
Eksakto naman sa pagtalon ng puso ‘pag pangalan ko’y mabibigkas pa
Nananabik bawa’t sandali sa pag-ibig na sa aki’y iyong ibinigay at pinagkatiwala

Likas na s’yo ang bigyan ako ng inspirasyon sa araw-araw
Iniinda ang mga magagandang pangarap na matatamasang kasama ka
Aliw at saya ang bawa’t oras nating dalawa, lalo pa’t kasama ang mga bata
Nilalayag ang buhay na may layunin at pusong matibay dahil kaakibat kita
Gaya ng hanging minsang dumaraan at naghahatid ng ibayong ginhawa
Cool ka na maituturing mapa-kaibigan, kakilala, katrabaho o kapamilya man…
Oo, ikaw ang ginhawang laging hanap nitong kalamnan at magulong kaisipan

Pagkaraan ng anim na taon, tayong dalawa’y nandidito pa rin
Lubos ang pagsuporta, pagtitiyaga, pagpapasensiya at pagmamahal sa isa’t isa
Aking dasal sa tuwina ay nawa’y lagi kang gabayan ng Maykapal
Tumagal ang ating buhay para makapiling ang isa’t isa, maging sa tagumpay o kalungkutan
At tumibay ang puso’t diwa para sa pag-ibig na nagbuklod sa ‘tin hanggang magpakailanman.

Mahal kita… at sobrang nag-uumapaw ang aking pagmamahal sa ‘yo…

Asawa. Ina. Anak. Kapatid. Katropa. Ka-blogger. At Best Friend ko ng panghabang-buhay –
Maligayang kaarawan sa aking pinakamamahal na Kaye! Sana’y pumalagi sa ‘yo ang ligaya at biyayang hatid ng Maykapal sa lahat ng pagkakataon…

Alam ko… na maraming pagkakataon na ika’y aking napabayaan at ako’y naging makasarili, di ko inasam kung ano ang iyong hangarin para man lamang matamasa ang ninanais sa buhay…

Alam ko… na sa di mabilang na kamaliang nagawa ay nalunod kita sa kahihiyan at di man lang naisipang masagip sa malalim na balong puno ng hinagpis at pasakit…

Alam ko… na ang bawat araw mo ay dapat parang higaan puno ng rosas at masasayang alaala, subalit ika’y nahimlay ko sa papag na puno ng tinik at batong nakakasugat at nakamamatay…

Alam ko… na sa maraming taong lumipas umaasa tayo ng maliwanag na bukas, puno ng pag-asa at walang alinlangan, pero mas maraming unos at bagyo pa ang sumalakay sa iyong mayuming katayuan…

At alam ko… sa maraming importante at ispesyal na araw na dapat ay ating pinagsasaluhan ng saya at may ngiti sa ating mga mukha, ay parating kabaligtaran ang iyong nakakamit…

Marahil sa mga bagay na aking nabanggit, ang hindi ko alam ay…

… ay kung pa’no dapat kita laging pinasasaya at binibigyang halaga sa lahat ng oras…

Siguro nga ay tama ka… wala akong alam sa mga dapat na alam na alam ko na tungkol s’yo.

Sana di pa huli… kumatok man ang pagsisisi, nais ko pa rin sanang ituwid at makabawi sa pagkakamali…

Sana’y payagan muli… sana… kung hindi… di ko na talaga alam…

January 16, 1999, 4 o’clock in the morning. I was awakened by some strange moaning coming from my brother’s bed. Thought he was again having some bad dreams of sort. I rose and went up to him. He was actually within my reach anyways. I called  to awaken him up, but he was still in his sleep. I called again. Still no response. I tried slapping his face gently, just to inflict a little pain to wake him up. No movement. I became worried. Tried calling his name again and again. None. Was shaking him vigorously now, and making harder slaps. But only dull sounds and heavy breathing were all I got from him. Now I was really concerned. I don’t want to entertain anything at that point. But signs of Jon not moving indicated something was wrong. I tried listening to his breathing… same unusual pattern. Because of it, I already started CPR. Hoping that would help to wake him or revive him. Then I noticed the bed was excessively wet from his waist down to the edge of the bed. Now i was more than alarmed than the first time I saw him that morning. I instantly went to my parents’ room and woke them up. I said Jon’s not responding. Papa instantly went to our room and decided that we had to bring him to PGH. So we carried him down the stairs while someone was getting a cab. Boy! He was extremely and unusually heavy, like dead weight. I was afraid to think about it.

We arrived at PGH and instantly I looked for my sister, who was in her  1^st year then as resident. Fetching her, I told her what happened. She rushed to where Jon was, being revived by another doctor. After more than 10 minutes of CPR and M2M resuscitation, the doctor already made his pronouncement . Ate didn’t want to give up, and insisted that the doctor continue on for another 5 minutes. But as they were desperately trying to revive my brother still, my parents and I were already in tears. Everything all came as a shock, especially for me who was with him from the previous night until the wee hours of that fateful morning. Ididn’t want to think that it was really happening to us. You see, he was about to leave for the States already that same month to work as an occupational therapist.  He just delayed his plan to leave the country because he wanted to spend Christmas and New Year with us prior to his US work. But not like this. Especially at that time that we were getting closer as brothers, more so because he was also my twin brother. But that’s what maybe the Lord had planned for him. He wasn’t stricken with sickness… he wasn’t involved in any accident… he just slept and the next thing I knew he was gone. I couldn’t explain the pain that morning. Even harder was going home to change clothes, going back to the same room again. Was crying so hard… like my heart was about to jump out of me. I called a few close friends, even a friend in the states and Canada, telling them the sad news. Afterwards, I cried once more before I prepared again to go back to PGH.

It has been 12 years from the time Jon left us. Today is that day, his new birthday. Honestly, it’s not anymore as hard to think that he’s gone. But truly, I miss him a lot. The only time I get to talk to him is when I pass by South Cemetery and say hi or ask him in passing to pray for me for anything. I got to think that I know he’s just there, watching over me and my family, my sister who’s in Australia, and my parents who are now all alone and retired at our Manila home. I guess it’s also nice to know that he’ll always be my guardian angel (not because he’s my twin), always the Jon I knew who would stay with you and be ready to help you in any way he can. My only regret is that I never got to tell him how much I love him. But I guess as twins, he already knew that ever since.

To you, Jon, thanks for everything. Though, it may be too soon that you left, am glad that you’ve been a great part of my life. And I wouldn’t ask the Lord for anyone else to be my brother, whether here or the next life. Thanks again, Bro! We’ll see again soon… but not yet now… not yet…

Request: For those who will get to read this, can I ask you guys to offer him a short prayer? I will surely appreciate it. Thanks!!!