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!

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!!!

Last weekend, me and my family experienced the first ever cool breeze that swept the alley of our apartment compound. Clearly, Christmas is in the air! Apart from December was just around the corner, the coolness of the night reminded me of my childhood days when the Christmas season comes. That means I can ask for toys I’d like to have! Yeah, yeah, I know a lot of us were fixated to the idea that Santa did exist (of course, he was really a believable person to everyone. ang tumanggi, di ko reregaluhan?!?). Anyhow, there were a lot of stuff I really wanted to have, especially during the holidays. But of course, whatever’s given to me is truly enough, even if these were not the latest toys or the preferred things I wanted. Now that I am a grown-up myself (cue song here “My Grownup Christmas List by Amy Grant), I realized that there’s more than just toys and other stuff to receive. And believe me, these are things that are far more important to others than for me. So when Christmas Eve comes, and I get to see Santa face to face, here are a couple of wishes that I would want to happen, especially for my family.

1. That our precious kids will always be HEALTHY and be free especially from asthma. Ate Kara, Jeremy and Cassie are the best things that ever happened to me and Kaye, so we really hope that they will remain healthy and strong all the time. It’s just weakening to think when they’re sick…

2. That as parents, me and mommy Kaye will have more than enough financial backup for unexpected events especially when the kids get sick or for meds. Actually even for treating the whole family for leisure occasions can also be good. I kinda miss that for quite some time now.

3. in line with this, of course long life to everyone that we love, especially our parents, sisters, and close relatives! (isama na rin kami of course!!!)

4.  Win a lotto game, even if the prize is just a measly 50M (compared to the last one di ba). Actually kahit sa Scratch It lang which the prize is an instant 100k, enough for expenses and a little enjoyment on the side. hehehe

5. Better opportunities for me as a professional, preferably Alabang area (para magkalapit na kami ni mommy Kaye) or Laguna area (paging companies in the area. helloo!!!)

6. Additional for number 5 is that me and mommy Kaye can find good work in Australia real soon! Opportunities there are very much acceptable especially for migrating families kaya we hope to make it before September next year. Besides our IELTS will expire by then kaya kelangan na!!!

7.  Wii or XBOX 360 not for me but for the kids (hehehe pasimple pa ‘ko! ahahaha!)

8. A dream business that Mommy Kaye and I are wishing for which we intended to keep on a long term basis. Of course, capital na rin to support its startup and maintenance.

9. Plans of travelling again back to places me and mommy Kaye have gone before (Bohol, Boracay, Cebu, Mindoro) so the piglets can also experience it and other places we still dream on going to (Palawan, Subic, Davao, Baguio, Pagudpud, Mt. Province, and list goes on…)

10. A long overdue getaway with mommy Kaye either local trip or abroad, kahit 3-4 days. It’s been a long time since magsolo kaming dalawa e. I know, I know nakakaguilty leaving the kids behind. But may kapalit naman sya — ultra daming pasalubong for them!!!

11. An oven for mommy Kaye which she has been asking for so long! If ever sabay na rito, a nice kitchen as well!!!

12. A clean slate for my credit card and SSS loan. These things also are eating up din my finances. Haaayyy…

13. My own mini theater room, with 20 people sitting capacity

14. To have an joint album with either Jim Brickman or David Foster. Sorry but I am really a piano addict, that’s why I chose them for that. Hehehe of course may duet kami ni mommy Kaye if ever.

15. World peace!!! (Just making sure at least there’s something I’m aspiring for the whole of humanity)

Wow! Really big dreams and requests from the big ol’ Santa! And I know most of these are not possible still even in the near future. But what the heck! There’s nothing wrong in aspiring, especially for this season! It’s the only thing that’s left FREE for everyone!

So… if Santa was here, what’s yours?

This post is made especially Para sa Make a Wish List Raffle ni Salbehe