Our Love Story: Ang Aming Muling Pagtanggap ng Basbas ng Kasal

Ngayong araw ang pagdiriwang ng kaarawan ni Mama Mary. Ngayong araw din ang ikalabinlimang anibersaryo ng aming kasal ni Jonjie…kasalang sibil, hindi sa simbahan. At ngayong araw nangyari ang muli naming pagtanggap ng basbas ng kasal...ibig sabihin, mula sa araw na ito, ang aming kasal sa sibil ay may basbas na rin ng simbahan.

At sa loob ng labinlimang taon, apat na beses na kaming ikinasal at binasbasan.

1. 09.08.1999 - The Civil Wedding at Imus Regional Trial Court
2. 12.27.1999 - The Church Wedding at the Presentation of the Child Jesus Christ Parish, BF Homes Paranaque
3. 12.29.2004 - The Renewal of Wedding Vows on our 5th Wedding Anniversary at Our Lady of the Pillar Parish, Pilar Village Las Pinas
4. 09.08.2014 - The Blessing of Marriage on our 15th Wedding Anniversary at St. Raphael Parish, Mabalacat City Pampanga

Kahapon
Napag-alaman ko na may mga kinausap pala si Jonjie para sa sana ay “renewal of marriage vows” namin na gaganapin sa mismong ika-8 ng Setyembre. Isa ang kaibigan naming si Bebette Briones na may usapan na pala sila ni Jonjie, tatlong linggo na ang nakakaraan. Kabilang din ang anak naming si Daniz na kinausap nya at dapat ay di ko malaman ang plano. Ngunit dahil sa isa pang mahalagang selebrasyon na magaganap sa pamilya Espiritu, na itinakda din sa malapit sapetsang iyon, minabuti ni Jonjie na hindi na ituloy ang pagpaplano.

Kahapon ng umaga habang nasa NLEX (North Luzon Expressway) kami at nagbabyahe papuntang Las Pinas upang dumalo sa binyag at unang taon ng kaarawan ng aming pamangkin, ka-text ko si Bebette. Nakisuyo ako kung pwede mag-alay sya ng thanksgiving mass para sa aming wedding anniversary ng umagang iyon, at kung aabot pa, pati na sa Lunes. Tinanong ko na rin sya kung pwede pa ituloy  ang plano nila ni Jonjie…at mas maganda kung sa ika-8 ng Setyembre mismo. Noong una sabi nya, hindi pwede ang mga pari dahil may selebrasyonng kaarawan ni Mama Mary sa San Fernando, Pampanga. Mahaba ang palitan namin ng mga mensahe. Malapit ng mag ika-1ng hapon ng makumpirma ang araw at oras…Ika-8 ng Setyembre pagkatapos ng misa ng 6:15 ng umaga sa Parokya ng San Rafael sa Mabalacat.

Gabi na kami nakarating sa bahay galing sa Las Pinas…kasama namin si Mommy Lydia…ina ni Jonjie. At noon lang din nya nalaman ang plano naming pagpapakasal ulit. Dahil maaga ang misa at kailanga pa naming makausap ang sekretarya ng simbahan, kailangan kami sa simbahan bago magsimula ang misa. At dahil din wala namang sapat na paghahanda…pagkatapos naming magpahinga ay saka pa lamang namin napag-usapan ang mga kailangang gawin.

1. Damit na isusuot – bestida para sa akin at long sleeved polo para kay Jonjie
2. Bulaklak at Belo – di na kailangan
3. Oras ng pag-alis papuntang simbahan – 5:45 ng umaga kaya kailangang 4:00 pa lamang ay gising na kami
4. Plano para kay Ate Bevs at Daniz – parehong maaga ang pasok kaya’t napagkasunduan na isasama na namin sila sa simbahan at doon na sila manggagaling papunta sa iskwelahan

Kanina 

Maaga pa lamang ay nasa simbahan na kami, ngunit sarado pa ang opisina. Mabuti na lamang at nakita ko na si Bebette, nakahinga na ako ng maluwag. Bago magsimula ang misa, binasa ang mga nag-alay at narinig naming binanggit ang “Thanksgiving Prayer nina Emmanuel at Aniceta Espiritu for their weddding anniversary”…at napatingin sa akin si Daniz, nakangiti. Nasa kalagitnaan ng misa ng ihatid sya ni Ate Bevs sa iskwelahan na nasa katapat lang ng simbahan. Mabilis na natapos ang misa alay kay Mama Mary at lumapit na kami kay Bebette upang alamin kung ano ang dapat gawin.

Magkakasama na kaming lumapit kay Father…nagmano kami. At sinimulan na ang aming Blessing of Marriage

Introductory Rite

We have come together to celebrate the anniversary of the marriage of our brother and sister. As we join them in their joy, we join them also in their gratitude. God has set them among us as a sign of his love and through the years they have remained faithful (and have fulfilled their responsibilities as parents). Let us give thanks for all the favors our brother and sister have received during their married life. May God keep them in their love for each other, so that they may be more and more of one mind and one heart.

Prayer of Blessing

Lord God and Creator, we bless and praise your name. In the beginning you made man and woman, so that they might enter a communion of life and love. You likewise blessed the union of our bother and sister, so that they might reflect the union of Christ with his Church: look with kindness on them today. Amid the joys and struggles of their life you have preserved the union between them; renew their marriage covenant, increase your love in them, and strengthen their bond of peace, so that (surrounded by their children) they may always rejoice in the gift of your blessing. We ask this through Christ our Lord.

Natapos ang seremonya at nagpasalamat kami kay Father at nagmano.

Sa mga sumusunod na piktyur ay katabi namin sa Mama Mary, kaya lang ay kapiraso lamang ng damit ang nakasama (pasensya na daw po, sabi ng aming opisyal na taga-piktyur na si Ate Bevs).


Matapos ang kaunting piktyur piktyur at maiksing kuwentuhan kasama si Bebette, kami ay nagpaalam na. 

Tumuloy kami sa Rumpa, isang restaurant sa Angeles City, upang mag-almusal. Apat lamang kami. Si Jonjie, Mommy Lydia, Ate Bevs at ako. Hindi pwedeng sumama si Bebette si Mommy (Bebette’s mother) ay kasama na nag iba pa na pumunta sa kumbento.

Footnote:

• Ang nakaplano nina Jonjie ay “renewal of marriage vows” ngunit dahil mabilisan at hindi napag-usapan ng malinaw ang tinagggap namin ay “blessing of marriage”.

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Our Love Story: 15 Years and Counting

As a newbie in the company

You became my instant enemy

You’re so arrogant, noisy and loud

So full of yourself and so proud

All along, that’s what I thought

 

And then one day out of the blue

We talked, shared our thoughts

And in just a short span of time

I see a different side of you

Contemplative, thoughtful, true

For one whole week afterwards

Getting to know each other, we did

We spent much time, talking, sharing

Enjoying, laughing and even crying

Together…discovering, exploring

I knew and I saw the sign clearly

I still doubted if we’re meant to be

‘Coz of our differences, you and me

Your way of life and my insecurities

But then again…so what

And even before the week ends

There’s no denying even to myself

That you really are meant for me

Mama Mary’s answer to my prayers

And so, I let it be…

 

We built our house, made it a home

Struggled to make a life of our own

We made mistakes along the way

But we braved everything together

To have our “happy ever after”

On our seventh year of togetherness

God had granted our fervent prayers

A precious gift was sent from above

An adorable little angel we love so much

Ever since, a complete family we become

We named her Shemaella Daniz

Precious and beloved child of our hearts

Our source of pride,  joy and happiness

And we will be grateful, for always

To the One above, for His loving grace

 

One week into getting to know stage

One month of being in a relationship

With God’s infinite love and grace

And Mama Mary’s eternal blessing

We are in our 15 years and counting!

Please also read:

• Our Love Story: Isang Linggong Pag-Ibig Version 1999
• Our Love Story: Meeting The Parents, The Sabenianos
• Our Love Story: The Civil Wedding
• Our Love Story: Ang Aming Muling Pagtanggap ng Basbas ng Kasal

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Our Love Story: The Civil Wedding

It was never our plan to have a civil wedding.

As early as August 15, even before we formally informed The Sabenianos of our plan, we already started preparing for December church wedding. And to save money for my room rental in Cavite and other daily expenses, we decided that I moved in with Jonjie to his parents’ house in Las Pinas.

But with that decision, we realized we are not setting a good moral values to the three young minds, Jonjie’s nephews and niece, with whom we have daily interactions.

It happened when Kuya Hernan, Jonjie’s eldest brother, informed us that the kids asked him, “Why Tita Annie is already living with Tito Jonjie but they are not yet married?”

And so right there and then, we decided to have a civil wedding. And Jonjie immediately thought of Carrie as the one to help us. According to Jonjie it was Carrie Parcero (now Magno) who coordinated the civil wedding of one of their friend, Ed Sison. And most of the time, he accompanied Carrie because he owned a transport. Coincidence? I would like to think, divine intervention…

When we informed Carrie of our plan, she immediately started coordinating with her contacts at the Municipal Hall of Imus, Cavite. The days that followed were hullaballoos of completing and signing of documents, filing for the marriage license and going to Bulacan to buy our wedding rings. Not to mention, trying really hard not to show the real status of our relationship to our colleagues at work.

Why hide it? Because while all the preparations were happening, they, especially the ladies, are discouraging me not to fall in love with Jonjie. They have one common comment, 

“Huwag na huwag kang mai in-love kay Jonjie o kay Sir Jonjie…lahat ng bago dito sa kompanya, nililigawan nya…lalo na ung mga OJT nurses”. 

How can I convince them differently…most of them knew and worked with Jonjie for four years, since the company's start-up. And my best option is to keep our wedding a secret…and Jonjie agreed.

We set the wedding ceremony, September 8, in time for the celebration of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary. But…few days before the date, Carrie was informed that Mayor Oscar Jaro will not be available to officiate the ceremony because of an important appointment. 

I was devastated…I really want our wedding date to have a connection with Mama Mary. Remember...

My Novena Prayer every Wednesday in Baclaran: “Mama Mary, kung lumipas na po ang lalaking nakatadhana para sa akin, tulungan mo po akong maging masayang matandang dalaga…ayoko ko pong maging masungit. Kung hindi pa naman po at may nakalaan pa, pakibigay na po sa akin, ngayon na kasi nagkakaedad na ako (30 o 31 na ako noon). Kung pwede po sana kahit dalawang M lang…ung mamahalin ako at magsisimba kasama ko. At pwede po ba bigyan mo ako ng maliwanag na maliwang na sign na sya na ang lalaki para sa akin”

My sign, August 3, 4^th day of our getting to know stage: Nalaman ko na Don Dosco graduate sya noong high school. Nagsisimba sya pero hindi fan ng mga novena at ung mga lumalapit sa imahen. Sabi ko sa kanya, “di pala tayo magkakasama bukas, kasi tuwing Miyerkules nagsisimba ako sa Baclaran”. Mabilis syang sumagot, “sasamahan kita”. Dasal ko sa sarili ko “thank you po Mama Mary, sya na ang lalaking ibinigay mo upang makasama ko”.

Carrie understood my sentiments…she did everything she could to make it happen. And finally, we received the good news.

 

Instead of the Mayor’s Office, they were able to arrange it with Imus Reqional Trial Court. The five of us, Jonjie and I plus our three  accomplices Carrie Parcero, Ed Sison and Olan Angus sat down and discuss our game plan on the scheduled date, since it’s a working day.

Why the planning? During Ed’s wedding, the four of them did not report for work on the same day…and eventually it was known that the reason was Ed’s civil wedding. After deliberation, it was finally decided that Ed will report for work and hold the port for us…to break the pattern they previously set.
 

And so on September 8, 1999 at 10 o’clock in the morning, Jonjie and I were pronounced husband and wife by the Honorable Dolores L. Espanol in her office at the Regional Trial Court. Rolan Angus, Jonjie’s friend and Thess Espiritu, my friend, stood as our principal witnesses. Kuya Hernan joined us and of course, it will not be complete without Carrie.

A simple reception followed at Barrio Fiesta Imus with their famous Kare-Kare, Crispy Pata and other side dishes.

Please also read:

• Our Love Story: Isang Linggong Pag-Ibig Version 1999
• Our Love Story: Meeting The Parents, The Sabenianos
• Our Love Story: 15 Years and Counting
• Our Love Story: Ang Aming Muling Pagtanggap ng Basbas ng Kasal

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Our Love Story: Meeting The Parents, The Sabenianos

Jonjie never asked me formally if I want to marry him. But after our “Isang Linggong Pag-Ibig” we’ve talked about marriage and started preparing for it.

Then last August 27, 1999, we traveled to Bicol to inform my parents about our plan. From work, we went directly to Philtranco terminal in Pasay. We rode the bus going to Paracale, a province of Camarines Norte…it was an 8-hour trip. We arrived at around three in the morning and slept for a few hours.

When we woke up, we did the customary “mano po”  and I formally introduced Jonjie to Itay and Inay. “Si Jonjie po…Emmanuel Espiritu, kasama ko po sa trabaho, taga Las Pinas. Boyfriend ko po."

Itay said, “nakahanda na ang almusal, kain na tayo”.

I did not remember what we talked about during breakfast. But I remembered clearly what happen afterwards. Inay was washing the dishes while the three of us remained at the table.

“Umuwi po kami para magpaalam na magpapakasal na po kami sa darating na Disyembre…sa Las Pinas po ang plano namin.”

And a long silence followed. Then Itay stood up, with a big smile that lit up his whole face and said, “Sa wakas, ikakasal na ang Nene ko”. Then he hugged me and lifted me up.

And while it is happening, I was looking at Inay, still washing the dishes, her back on us. She stopped what she was doing, her hands holding a plate she’s washing…as if turned into a statue. After a few minutes in that condition, she turned to face us…a brilliant smile on her face with unshed tears on her eyes. She never said anything…she just hugged me.

Itay and Inay always called me Nene, which means small girl, never Annie or Cita but when they are angry, it’s Aniceta. And their reaction to our news was understandable…I was 33 years old that time…already an old-maid by society’s standard. And for the longest time, ever since I turned 30, every time an opportunity arise Itay would asked when am I going to get married.

Years later, I remembered asking Inay about her reaction the first time we told her that we are getting married. Why the long silence and the statue-like pose? Her answer,

“Nagdasal ako at nagpasalamat sa Diyos, dahil sa wakas, mag-aasawa ka na.”

Please also read:

• Our Love Story: Isang Linggong Pag-Ibig Version 1999
• Our Love Story: The Civil Wedding
• Our Love Story: 15 Years and Counting
• Our Love Stroy: AngAming Muling Pagtanggap ng Basbas ng Kasal

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Our Love Story: Isang Linggong Pag-Ibig Version 1999

Nagsimula ang lahat noong Ika-2 ng Hulyo, 1999…ikalawang araw ko sa kompanyang pinagtatrabahuhan ni Jonjie sa Cavite. Pagpapakilala pa lang sa akin, malakas na ang dating nya…antipatiko. Dumating ang tanghalian, nakita ko sya sa kantina kausap ang ibang engineers, nakatayo at nakataas ang isang paa sa upuan habang kumakain at nagsasalita…ang ingay, balasubas. Dakong hapon nakasalubong ko sya nakabukas ang unipormeng “shirt jock” at kung maglakad parang sya ang boss…ang yabang. Iyan ang mga unang impresyon ko sa kanya…tandang-tanda ko pa, parang kaylan lang.

Ganun tumakbo ang pakikitungo ko sa kanya. May isang pagkakataon pa na sinabihan ko sya, “hindi ka pa nanliligaw, basted ka na”. At ang sagot nya, “bakit, sinong maysabi sa ‘yong liligawan kita”. Grrrrrr…lagi na lang sya ay may huling salita….hmmmmp. Hanggang isang araw, wala noon ang manager ko, nagkakwentuhan kami tungkol sa buhay-buhay, likes and dislikes, mountain climbing…sabi ko sa sarili ko “hmmmn, malalim din pala sya…maingay nga lang talaga at malakas ang boses”.

Sabado, ika-31 ng Hulyo, habang nasa kantina kasama ang mga katropa nya nagkayayaan manood ng sine sa Filinvest Festival Mall, Alabang…bago pa iyon noon. Di ko matandaan kung bakit nakasama ako sa usapan at kung bakit napa-oo ako. Paglabas sa trabaho, sakay kami sa jeep ni Jonjie…tatlo kaming natuloy kasama si Ed. “Wild, wild West starring Will Smith and Kevin Kline” ang pinanood namin. Paglabas ng sinehan umuwi na si Ed. Ako naman masakit ang ulo kasi di ako sanay manood sa ibaba at gutom na gutom ako dahil wala kaming baon.

Nagyayang kumain si Jonjie…”hay salamat”, sabi ko sa sarili ko. Sa McDonald malapit sa Alabang Town Center kami napadpad…di ko na matandaan kung anong inorder ko…burger yata. Ang alam ko lang…masaya akong kausap sya. Di ko namalayan ang oras…malalim na ang gabi. Inihatid nya ako sa Dasmarinas, Cavite kung saan ako nangungupahan. Sa daan hanggang makarating kami, tuloy-tuloy ang kuwentuhan na para bang ayaw ng maghiwalay.

Maghapon ng Linggo, masayang-masaya ako…gusto ko Lunes na kaagad para makita ko sya (parang bagets lang…unang pag-ibig ba ito)…

Lunes (ika-2 ng Agosto)

Ang simula ng aming isang linggong pag-ibig. “Excited” akong pumasok. Siya agad ang hanap ng mata ko…may munting note akong nakahanda ng ang nakasulat “Thank you for last Saturday. I really had a wonderful time. I haven’t felt it in a long while”. 

Masaya ako buong maghapon…may ngiti ang mga labi at kaygaang ng pakiramdam.

Martes (ika-3 ng Agosto)

Inimbita nya akong mamasyal at nakarating kami sa Tagaytay. Kuwentuhan na naman ng tungkol sa buhay ng bawat isa, “getting to know stage”, sabi nga. Nalaman ko na Don Bosco graduate sya noong high school. Nagsisimba sya pero hindi fan ng mga novena at ung mga lumalapit sa imahen. Sabi ko sa kanya, “di pala tayo magkakasama bukas, kasi tuwing Miyerkules nagsisimba ako sa Baclaran”. Mabilis syang sumagot, “sasamahan kita”. Dasal ko sa sarili ko “thank you po Mama Mary, sya na ang lalaking ibinigay mo upang makasama ko”.

Pagbabalik-tanaw: Mga huling buwan ng 1996 o maaga ng 1997 ng magsimula akong sumimba sa Baclaran dahilan sa kaibigan kong si Thess at dahil may pinagdadaanan akong kalungkutan. Umaraw, umulan, kahit bumabagyo (wag lang baha)…di kami pumapalya. Simple lang ang dasal ko,

“Mama Mary, kung lumipas na po ang lalaking nakatadhana para sa akin, tulungan mo po akong maging masayang matandang dalaga…ayoko ko pong maging masungit. Kung hindi pa naman po at may nakalaan pa, pakibigay na po sa akin, ngayon na...kasi nagkakaedad na ako (30 o 31 na ako noon).

Kung pwede po sana kahit dalawang M lang…ung mamahalin ako at magsisimba kasama ko. At pwede po ba bigyan mo ako ng maliwanag na maliwang na sign na sya na ang lalaki para sa akin”

Ano pa bang pinakamaliwang na sign ang kailangan ko…hindi sya fan ng novena, pero sasamahan nya ako sa Baclaran…kay Mama Mary. Sya na…at wala ng iba!

Miyerkules (ika-4 ng Agosto)

Paglabas sa trabaho, derecho na kami sa Baclaran. Pagkatapos ng novena, lumapit ako sa imahen ni Mama Mary at sinamahan nya ako. Sya na talaga ang nakalaan sa akin! 

Eh kaso, isinama nya ako sa Pilar Village, Las Pinas at ipinakilala sa dalawa nyang kapatid, sa hipag nya at mga pamangkin. Nakalimutan ko ang sign ni Mama Mary…natakot ako, hindi ako bagay sa pamilya nila. Mahirap lang kami…may kaya sila. Ang gagaling nilang mag-ingles…ako hindi. Probinsyana ako at anak ng magsasaka…siya ay laki sa Maynila at ang mga magulang ay nasa US.

Habang daan, tahimik ako. Naramdaman nya ang pagdistansya ko at nagtanong kung bakit. Sinabi ko ang takot ko at ginawa nya ang lahat para makampante ako. Pagdating sa bahay, medyo nahimasmasan na ako…

Huwebes (ika-5 ng Agosto)

Magkasama ulit kami pagdating ng hapon…hindi kami lumabas o namasyal. Nasa harap lang kami ng inuupahan ko, sa loob ng jeep at nagkukuwentuhan…hanggang alas kuwatro ng madaling-araw. Pareho kami ng dream house…lumang bahay ng Pinoy na palibot ng balkonahe at walang screen…open air. Napag-usapan din ang tungkol sa mga gusto kapag ikakasal. At kung anu-ano pa. 

Masaya ako kapag kausap ko sya…

Biyernes (ika-6 ng Agosto)

Hindi ko matandaan kung paano namin pinag-usapan. Dahil paglabas sa trabaho, umuwi kami sa boarding house ko, iniwan ang jeep at sumakay kami ng bus papuntang Robinson Imus. Nanood kami ng Notting Hill starring Julia Roberts and Hugh Grant.

Feel good ang movie at idagdag pa na paborito ko si Julia Roberts magmula ng mapanood ko sya sa Pretty Woman. At higit sa lahat, enjoy ako dahil magkasama kami…

Ang famous line ni Julia Roberts bilang si Anna Scott, ”After all... I'm just a girl, standing in front of a boy, asking him to love her.” 

Sabado (ika-7 ng Agosto)

May lakad ang tropang Casio, mga dati kong kasama sa trabaho. Sa Laguna ang punta namin para sa isang get-together. Siyempre, di ko naman pwedeng isama si Jonjie kasi baka ma-out of place sya. 

At hindi ko alam kung paano ko sya ipapakilala. Di ko pwedeng sabihin…si Jonjie pala, magiging asawa ko pero di ko pa boyfriend…hala. Kaya inihatid nya lang ako kung saan magkikita-kita ang tropa.

Linggo (ika-8 ng Agosto)

Maaga niya akong sinundo upang sabay kaming magsimba sa Nature’s Church sa Moonwalk, Las Pinas. Unang beses kong mararating at makikita ang pamosong simbahan.

At namangha ako sa aking nakita. Ang bubong ay yari sa anahaw, walang dingding, ang mga upuan ay pinutol na katawan ng kahoy at ang imahen ni Hesukristo na nakadipa hindi sa krus ngunit sa buhay na malaking punongkahoy na nasa likod nito. Nasabi ko sa sarili, “dito ko gustong ikasal”.

Sa unahang upuan sa kaliwa, paharap sa altar kami naupo. Pagkatapos ng misa, lumuhod ako at nagdasal. Tumingin ako sa kanya at hinawakan nya ang kamay ko. Hindi na kinailangan ng mga salita, dahil alam ko simula sa oras na iyon, boyfriend ko na sya…

Basahin ang ikalawang yugto:

• Our Love Story: Meeting the Parents, The Sabenianos

• Our Love Story: The Civil Wedding
• Our Love Story: 15 Years and Counting
• Our Love Story: Ang Aming Muling Pagtanggap ng Basbas ng Kasal

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Pagkakaibigan Pagkatapos ng UP Diliman

Nagkita-kita kami isang araw ng Abril ng taong kasalukuyan sa Mequeni Restaurant, Holiday Inn Clark. Ang naging hashtag habang nag-uusap sa pamamagitan ng “text messages” at “facebook pms” ay “lunch ‘til dinner”. Ang dahilan ng pagkikita ay si Jojo na umuwi galing sa pagtatrabaho sa ibang bansa at naka-iskedyul ng bumalik dahil tapos na ang bakasyon.

Mula sa kaliwa paikot: Jojo (Rogelio Martinez), She (Shella Patio), Annie, Bette (Bebette Briones), Gie (Gina Vallejo), Dex (Dexter Alfonso), Cious (Precious Anne Cruz). Wala sina Issa (Isabel Del Rosario), Roehl Lawingco at Col Ryan (Ryan Reynie Sonza)

O ngiti muna, mamaya na ang subo...kaya lang si ako may laman ang bibig ;)

Kasama ko si Jonjie at dumating kami sa Mequeni Restaurant pasado ikadalawa ng hapon. Nadatnan na namin sina Jojo, She, Cious at Bebette, at ilang saglit ay kasunod naman namin si Gie. Si Dex ay “til dinner” pa makakarating dahil kasalukuyan syang nasa eroplano, galing sa trabaho sa ibang lugar. Si Issa ay may lakad sa Makati at susubukan ding humabol sa “til dinner”. Si Roehl, sabi ni Gie, ay hindi makakarating at si Col. Ryan ay hindi namin nakausap.

Medyo matagal din kaming hindi nagkita-kita, kaya sa pagitan ng pagkain ay ang walang humpay na kuwentuhan…at tawanan…at kulitan. Tamang-tama lang din, kasi “eat-all-you-can” kami sa Mequeni. Wala mang piktyur ang mga pangunahing pagkain (main courses) dahil sa dami pero di pwedeng palagpasin ang panghimagas. At ang “hashtags of the day”, #upmm2013, #friendsforlife, #goodfoods, #happinessandlaughters, #friendshipandstories, #brewedcoffee, #carrotcakeandcheesecake, #applepieandcrepe

Ang magkakaedad...

Look-up...para masanay si Jojo :)

Pagkatapos ng kainan, piktyur-piktyur naman…ang “highlight”, turuan si Jojo kung paano mag “selfie” at mag “look-up”. At dahil matagal namin syang di nakasama, siya ang naging “bida” sa biruan at kulitan…pinagtripan at ginawan ng kuwento ang mga piktyur nya sa iPad.  Ngunit di pa dito nagtatapos…may karugtong pa…ayun o sa baba.

Jojo...di ka pa rin ligtas sa mga makukulit

Ang mga magagandang dilag...Issa, miss ka namin.

 

Pagbabalik Tanaw...

11.04.2011_Ang larawan ay galing sa FB ni Roehl

Nabuo ang aming samahan tatlong taon na ang nakakaraan

Sa isang silid-aralan sa Clark Extension ng UP Diliman

 Iba-iba ang aming edad, estado sa buhay at pinanggalingan

Iba't-ibang kumpanya din ang aming pinagtatrabahuhan

Ngunit kami'y pinagtagpo ng tadhana sa iisang hangarin

Ang mag-aral ng kursong Master in Management.

  11.04.2011_Pagkatapos ng pag-uulat (galing sa FB ni Dex)

03.05.2012_Sa harap ng UP Campus (galing sa FB ni Dex)

12.15.2012 (galing ulit sa FB NI Dex)

03.23.2013_Pagkatapos kumain sa White House Korean Restaurant Clark (galing na naman sa FB ni Dex)

04.06.2013_Sa Munting Tahanan ng Nazareth (galing ulit sa FB ni Dex)

Dalawang grupo kami noong una, ngunit isang araw sa hindi sinasadyang pagkakataon ay nagkasama-sama sa tanghalian. At simula noon ay hindi na naghiwalay pa. Sa loob ng dalawampu’t isang buwan, mula ikawalo’t kalahati ng umaga hanggang ikalima’t kalahati ng hapon tuwing Sabado, ay magkakasama kami…sa pag-uulat, grupo man o indibidwal…sa pag-aaral bago ang pagsusulit…at sa araw ng pagsusulit…sa kainan…sa kulitan…umaraw at umulan.

Nagtapos kami sa UP noong nakaraang taon, ikadalawampu’t pito ng Abril. Kulang man kami...subalit, hindi doon natapos ang aming pagkakaibigan. Hindi man kami madalas nagkakasama-sama pero alam naming may kaibigan kaming babalikan sa isa’t-isa. 

Salamat UP Diliman,,,salamat sa pagkakaibigang nasimulan…na habang buhay aalagaan.

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Rainbow on a Clear Morning Sky

This morning started as any other morning…

Jonjie and I were on our way to the office...lately, he's been driving me to and from work and I am just a willing passenger :). We were so intent with our conversation regarding Daniz and her quarterly exams for the day…our worries if she will be able to follow instructions and answer the tests correctly. But our biggest fear is if we will be able to raise her to be a good person...if we are doing the right thing with her.

And when I look up…the sky is so clear and as blue, with clouds as white and as soft as cotton. Some days were like this, except…a rainbow!!! On a clear morning sky… 

Lamentations 3:22-23

²² The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases;     his mercies never come to an end;²³ they are new every morning;    great is your faithfulness.

Taken 7:45am using iPhone4S inside Clark, Pampanga

Genesis 9:13

¹³ I set My rainbow in the cloud, and it shall be for the sign of the covenant between Me and the earth.

Morning is a start of a brand new day...a new beginning. And the rainbow is a symbol of God's promise to mankind...a sign of the covenant between Him and His people.

What a better way to start our day! Reminding us that we've been through a lot with Daniz...and together with His guiding hands, we can do all things. Not to mention, His "angels on earth" that will  lend their helping hands whenever we are in need, wherever we may be.

Thank you Lord for every morning in our lives...and for the rainbows, though seldom  seen but always a welcome sight. Thank you for today!

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A Look Back at July: My Birthday Month

With all that had happened and much as I wanted to remember only the good times but July is a bittersweet month for me. My emotions were on a roller coaster especially those few days before and after my birthday…being happy that I was blessed with another year, that I am surrounded by the people who love me and then suddenly a feeling of sadness deep in my heart because of a gesture or a memory or a picture…of anything that reminds me of my mother.

July 7

After 21 days in the hospital, my mother undergone a brain shunt surgery to relieve pressure from hydrocephalus. Before the operation, every small responses: opening her eyes; lifting an eyebrow; twitching her mouth; moving her arms; folding her left leg…those are small triumphs, our signs from her that she's fighting to live and for us to keep the faith.

July 11

My beloved mother, Nanay Nor, breathe her last at 10:30am, I was just a few feet away from her. This is one of my favorite pictures of her…embracing life…enjoying the moment…with her signature smile…and this is how I would like to remember her always.

July 12

Our last night with Nanay Nor. We are overwhelmed by all the people who came to pay their last respect and for the understanding that they accorded us when we decided to hold a 2-night wake.

 

July 13

Nanay Nor was laid to rest…beside our father, Itay Pacio… attended by all the people whose lives she touched. Her passing was one of the saddest times in our lives, but we would like to celebrate her life and how she lived it. 

“Nagawa nya ang dapat nyang gawin bilang isang asawa at ina. Nagawa nya ang mga gusto nyang gawin bilang isang tao, babae, mamamayan, kagawad ng barangay at lingkod ng simbahan.” 

Our family were very grateful for all the people who were with us, for the prayers and sympathies…it really touched our hearts and lifted our spirits.


   

July 18

Received a gift from the four ladies of S’Next Quality Assurance and Control Department…a beautiful tri-color dangling earrings…fit for my pixie hair. In the evening, we had Dinner at Mila’s Tokwa’t Baboy and Sisig…one of the pioneers kainan in Angeles City…trying to be happy but thinking of Inay.

  

July 19

I woke up realizing my mother will not be there to greet me on my birthday…and cried bucket of tears. In the afternoon we had lunch at Lee Foo Panciteria in Malolos, Bulacan…then went to Barasoain Church to pay homage to the relic of Saint Pope John Paul II.

  

July 20

I celebrated my 48^th birthday…the whole day is all about me…with Daday Jonjie and Daniz beside me.

July 21

When I arrived at the office, on my table was a gift from S’Next Human Resources and General Affairs Departments…a lovely scarf. And in the afternoon, S’Next Family joined me for a birthday merienda…thank you for the birthday cake.

   

July 23

Birthday dinner at home with SFs Ma’am Jeannie, Ma’am Lilet and Sir Ramel. Thank you very much Daday for the sumptuous Flintstone Meal (Garden Salad with Homemade Vinaigrette, Shepherd’s Pie, a choice of Back Ribs or Salisbury Steak) with Chili Con Carne Soup and Turon Sundae for dessert. I loved the single sunflower arrangement that they gave me…

 

July 25

I received a birthday gift from my mother-in-law, Mommy Lydia…2 books by Gretchen Rubin: The Happiness Project and The Happiness Project One Sentence Journal. I felt so special and I know I am loved…

  

July 28

We took advantage of my “no work” day and declared it with hashtags: #jonjieandanniesday, #justhetwoofus, #justlikeoldtimes. We had lunch at Downtown Café…and visited the Shrine of the Miraculous Apung Mamacalulu.

 

July 30

I received good news about Daniz’ improving conduct and behavior at school…what a fitting way to end the month…cause for a celebration…had dinner at Mesa Filipino Moderne, The Meeting Place, SM City Clark.

Life goes on...and I pray that August will be a little better. That the love of Jonjie and Daniz, my siblings and all the people who cared will overshadow the pain of losing Inay.

In case you missed the related posts, please click on the link below:

• Farewell, Dearest Mother
• Remembering Mother A Day Before My Birthday
• Historical Church: Barasoain Church of Malolos, Bulacan
• How Did I Celebrate My Birthday Despite the Sorrow?
• Downtown Cafe, The Quad @ Nepo Center...Just the 2 of Us
• Shrine of the Miraculous Apung Mamacalulu, Angeles City, Pampanga

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