Follow Your Bliss

     I met a guy more than 8 years ago and I did not expect that he’ll play a big role in my life. I was a junior student then.. too young huh? Well, this guy turned out to be my boyfriend of 7 years & 5 months, alan. We’ve had major problems before but luckily, with God’s help, we surpassed those problems. We’re pretty contended right now because everything fall into place.

     We were introduced to each other back in highschool. After courting and stuff, I finally said yes. I admit it. The so-called courting was very short, indeed. This guy has a very good sense of humor. He always makes me smile kahit to the highest level na ang galit ko. Haha!

     Bad things happened before. But when we talk about it now, we just laugh the hell out of it. But there are things that I just can’t forget. There are three sections on our batch and I was part of the star section of course. Funniest thing is that one of my friends told me that we’re like pigs trying to fight over a ball (ball, referring to alan). She said that he has a GF on each section. So one thing came to my mind, that SLY DEVIL! I have to know the truth. So me and my peers investigate. But can’t get concrete info about it..hmm (galing magtago). They said that one of them would be the ‘nigger’, ‘the slut’ and me (the sweet angel, hehe). That is the most unforgettable thing , ever. 

     But right now, we’re happy. We’re not a perfect couple but we’re happy. We have adjusted on our differences and still trying to make the relationship better. But who knows.. everything comes to an end. But I hope that this will last forever. I know that we have each other right now because God has a purpose. I feel like I’m on my home. You know that feeling? I could not stay away from him. I could not stop staring and loving him and I STILL can’t stop loving him. He completes me.                                                                                                                                                                  

     I guess I just want to write here my own personal experience with this kind of relationship as a testament to the fact that regardless of the obstacles that stand in the way, *anything* is possible if two people are genuinely meant for each other. I am convinced today that nothing happens by coincidence… True love exists for those who are blessed…as I believe we all are in some way.

    December 26, 2004.. The day the tsunami happened. People died. Survivors can’t cope. Some people are still missing. It took a week before I heard about the tragedy. My job is very demanding and tiring so I just sleep after my work. Anyway, after hearing the news, I researched for it on the web and realized how massive were the damages. I’m not referring to the buildings, houses, cars, etc. but I’m referring to people’s lives. People who lost their loved-ones, most of them their WHOLE FAMILY. I think this is the reason why I’m writing this.. because I never want to go through the same experience and I can’t afford to lose any one of them. How many of us would ever really understand what it is like to lose not just loved ones, but a whole family. I DON’T.

    I have read several stories the day it happened. They were traumatizing. Their stories were very detailed. I can picture how they were pushed under the water. Some of them were lucky to be alive right now because they were able to grabbed a stray log.  Some of them have to climbed a tree and wait for several days to be rescued w/ a python clinging  on the same tree. 2/3 of a town were immediately erased from a map. 90,000 people were dead in a matter of seconds.

    I remember one story that a couple lost their son who has down syndrome. For me, this is the depressing part. A lot of children died. Somehow this tragedy took away the good life ahead of them. It’s something that they can’t control. I’ve seen various pictures of victims on the internet, a few of them were children. I can’t stand it. I dunno why, but I really can’t. Seeing their pictures reminds me the feeling on how bereaving it is to see victims of famine and yes, most of them were innocent children. I got into a site wherein pictures were posted into a wall of missing children. I just wanna show you part of the phrases that were listed:

• Max Werkelm is four…his big brother Charlie is all of 6.

• Charlotte Svensson’s would have her tenth birthday in just two weeks

• Tim Leger is five. He was almost surely lost because he was in the area hardest hit.

• Their Christmas gathering of family and friends totaled seventeen people. Fourteen are missing, including all the children.

• WE ARE SEARCHING FOR 20 HOURS A DAY, SLEEPING ALMOST NOTHING.

• Sometimes a picture brought a smile…a happy moment just a few days ago.

• DON’T WORRY. IF THEY ARE DEAD, IF THEY DIED…THEY DIED HAPPY BECAUSE THEY WERE SO HAPPY HERE.

• Teemu loved playing ice hockey.

• Four year old Julia was, said her grandmother, my own little angel.

    I know that a lot of people are contributing and volunteering to help the victims. I offer them my prayers. Both for the victims and for the good-hearted people who offer services to help.

This is a tribute for the victims of this tragedy, most especially for people who lost their loved ones. I admire your courage and strength. As I’ve said earlier, I can’t afford to go through to the same experience, I’d probably die too! A year later, there could be a lot of tourists again on that area, and that means there are children. And I wished them an ordinary life. A chance to grow and spend their youth at its best. May I never see another picture posted on bulletin boards, because I have enough pictures, already in my mind.

    Reading stories like this makes me realize how important life is and how short it can be. So live your life to the fullest. Don’t waste a moment to make someone’s day. Kaya kung sino man nagbabasa nito ngayon…mahal kita dude!! hehe.

     Hmm.. This is my very first blog. I never thought that I would do something like this because as we all know.. blog is only for people who can write. But who cares..! I’m here to enjoy this freedom and tell something about ‘whatever’!

    To start off, I’m here because I wanna share a story about my so-called life. We are 8 in the family.. me + lec + malay + talia + itot + asar + mama + papa… hehe! I grew up in Manila and lived there for 13 years, 13 years full of memories! Felix Huertas Street, I think this is a good explanation of what you call ‘gangsta place’. I still remember 2 fraternity group fighting and throwing ‘pilbox’ to each other, YES, each other! My dad would always tell me not to look at the window because there’s a white lady at the Narra tree. But I never believed him because he just don’t want me to see kids fighting and probably ‘killing’ each other.

    At the other side of the street, we have this what we call ‘iskinita’ where aling manlulugaw (I forgot her name) and the japayuki sisters lived. Aling manlulugaw has a husband named Mang Romy. Aside from the fact the he looks like a rapist, I always see him sleeping  on the side of the street because he was too drunk to walk home. Then, there’s this japayuki sisters, most of the time, an old man would always go to there place and some ‘chismosas’ said that they can see them doing ’something’ in the car.. and I have a good idea what it is!!

    We also have this house of ‘madyungan’. It was raid several times but the operation still continues, for some reason. I remember my dad would go home late at night and would have an argument w/ my mom due to ’swimming reasons’, if you know what I mean.

    This iskinita leads to a street named Sulu. I remember seeing some teens dancing in the tune of ‘My Girl’ hahaha! The only time that I’d see them is when I buy this P5.50 chicken sandwich from Mang Tony, w/c is absolutely delicious!!

    There was a nearby Jonis (old version of Red Ribbon/ Goldilocks) at our home. It was caught on a fire and people said that the owner died because he jumped from his rooftop because firemen can’t reach him from the top…  some rich guy huh? Anyway, the fire was near the bakery called ‘El Cielo’. I heard one guy telling my mom that they they did call the firemen but only to make sure that their house will not be caught on fire. That time it came to my mind that some rich people are crazy, stupid and selfish…!!

    There’s a lot of story at this what i call ‘gangsta place’…. the girl that was raped at the iskinita, the daughter of a japanese guy who ran away w/ her BF, the ‘El Cielo’ family, the Gianan family, who owned a humongous German Sheperd dog, wherein his eldest and youngest daughter got pregnant at the same time, coincidence huh?!!

    Hmm.. us? We live at this old house owned by Imang Ada (May God bless her soul). There were 3 rooms at the first floor and 4 rooms at the second floor. It’s one of the dirtiest and creepiest house ever! There were 7 families living at that house. But never in my life I went at the bathroom alone coz it’s really scary.  I remember my mom swearing that we have to move to another house or we will die of dirt and germs. I thought that it was a bad idea bec I don’t wanna leave my old school and friends. But after 13 years of dirt and germs we moved to Quezon City.

    My family is composed of Batch 1 and 2 because there is a big age gap between child no. 2 and 3. Eleven years, I think. Leslie, now 20 years of age, is a nursing student. I know that she will have a good career knowing  that I’m stuck here at call center. Tele and Text babad  tong sis ko na ‘to!! There are times I thought that she’s irresposible because she would rather use the phone that do household chores w/c is expected from us since we are the eldest in the family. She’s a bit immature but I HOPE she’ll change in God’s time. But I love her…! I miss the times when we were kids when things are really simple.

    Malay… the beauty queen in the family. Just 10 years old and has been a muse for several times.. Ms. SNNS, Ms. UN, Ms. Intrams.. haay. Aside from the fact that she ’s always part of top 15 in the class. I remember one time telling her to play outside (FYI: It was weekend!)and she answered me ‘Ate, basa nlng ako libro.’  Whoah!!

    Talia.. the tomboy in the family. Haha! Her classmates calls her Ate Talia bec she’s the tallest in the class. We call her tomboy because one time my mom bought her spaghetti strap blouse and said that she don’t wanna wear it, ever. She also loves breakdancing and playing basketball.

    Itot.. the gay in the family. Crazy!! Hmm.. we’re not really sure. Soft spoken. Sweet. Thoughtful. Gwapo. We think that it’s because of the environment —> 4 girls + 2 boys = what do you expect?! But it’s ok. Que sera sera.

    Asar.. My life!

    My dad.. He worked as a butler in London for several years. As a kid, he really spoiled me w/ material stuff. The only time that I met him was when I turned 10 years old , I think. I can call him alcoholic bec I see him w/  drunk most of the times. Hmm.. a very strict person but  super sipag!!

    My mom.. mahal na mahal ko to! I want to give everything to her, if only I can.

    Pretty long for a first blog, huh?!