These Little Wonders

I welcomed the "merry" month of May with much enthusiasm and excitement. Aside from it being the month of Mary, my Mama's birth month, and my parents' wedding month, it is also the month of mothers. And I was hoping I could also be celebrated this year as one of those brave and strong women we call mom (or mama or nanay or lola) Why not? I know a lot of women who are either pregnant or have just given birth, and just this week, I learned that Assunta de Rossi is finally pregnant despite having endometriosis. So my hopes were really high. I haven't forgotten that I have severe endometriosis, but I thought, if Assunta had her miracle, maybe mine is also just around the corner. However, on that same day, my period came, after four long months. We've made several lifestyle changes since last year and I've been taking meds to treat my condition. I know it will take a miracle, but as what my OB tells me, nothing is impossible . We just have to keep trying. And s...

I got worried when I saw the missed calls earlier today. So I immediately called back to check if there's anything wrong. When Papa picked up the phone, I asked at once, "Bakit Pa, ano pong nangyari?"  His reply both gave me a sigh of relief and a greater urge to come home.  "Wala naman, anak. Miss na miss lang kita."  Huhu. Why do you have to be such a drama king, Papa? Nagmamana tuloy ako sa 'yo e.  Papa used to be so bad with words but as he aged, he became more expressive. Now that he's just attained his dual citizenship (senior citizenship :p), he's even more emotional. Sometimes, out of the blue, he would send a message (or like today, call) just to say he misses us.  And I'm not complaining. In fact, I feel blessed and privileged to have such loving parents and such a sweet father. ♥ Now I can't wait to come home and give them a warm hug. I really miss them. It's hard to live alone. I know kids these days want...

During one of the activities in our teambuilding last month, we were asked to share about our greatest accomplishment.  Honestly, I couldn't think of any because I have never accomplished anything I consider significant for the past 30 years of my life. Such a waste, huh? Seriously, I think all of my so-called "accomplishments" were just normal, little milestones. I mean they can all be achieved by everybody else, so there's nothing I could really boast of.  And so I told Kuya Rommel (who was my partner during the activity), "wala pa po sa ngayon, pero kung ma-pull off ko po yung fundraising activity (my goal is to raise at least Php100k sa screening ng Moana) for Raia, siguro po yun na."  The first ever event poster. ♥ I will not forget that fateful day, October 25, Tuesday.  Paolo just called to wake me up (he is my alarm clock when I need to wake up earlier than usual). And I was still struggling to get out of bed when I read the t...

Last year, my best friend got married. And I wrote about it here . :)  This year, she got pregnant! And we're all very excited to meet her baby girl. Little did we know, that she was more excited to meet us. And so, even before her seventh month, baby Raia was already out! She is currently at the neonatal ICU for close monitoring and medication until she gets ready to face the bigger world as an awesome baby. ♥ So, to aid in her medical expenses (mind you, they're overwhelming!), we're having a movie screening of Moana at SM Megamall Cinema 6 on the upcoming holiday, November 30, 2PM , which is also the 1st day of screening. Since this is a fundraising activity, ticket price is Php500 each. Visit our page for more info: #ForTheLoveOfRaia Let me give you three simple reasons why you should go, watch, and support our event:  1. Moana is not your typical fairy-tale Disney movie. Much like Frozen (they have the same creators, by the way), it shows that...

I was only fourteen years old then, but I had it all planned already. You said you can peacefully go when you reach the age of 80. So I thought that you would still be around by the time I graduate from high school, and it would only be fitting for you to come up to the stage with me. You know you have always been my inspiration. And you're actually the reason why I studied so hard to earn all those medals. Your achievements were my motivation. I wanted to be just like you.  I once told you I wanted to have as much medals as you had. You told me to study and work hard for them. And I did. Thank you for the inspiration, Lolo. ♥ But everything changed on that Good Friday, fourteen years ago. I woke up to Mama's voice, crying inconsolably. I knew something happened. You left us to join our Creator. 13 April 2001. From then on, I hated Friday the 13ths. Because it was Friday the 13th when I first had my heart broken. And it remains to be the hardest to deal with. I gue...

Ganito magmahal. :)  13 May 2012 (oo, more than 3 years ago na, pero ang sarap pa ring balik-balikan) I went home a little late dahil napahaba ang homily ni Father Mark. Pero gaya nga ng sinabi niya, sinadya niyang pahabain ang homily dahil ang tunay raw na nagmamahal, hindi binibilang ang oras na inilalagi niya sa piling ng kanyang minamahal . :) Thus, if one truly loves the Lord, he won't mind spending more than an hour with Him in His very temple, the church. :) So there, around 10pm na ako nakauwi. And it was only then when I had dinner. I never liked dinuguan. But tonight, I feasted on dinuguan for dinner. Guess who cooked it. Not Mama (she's a very good cook, though) but Papa. :) And this is the story behind the dinuguan. Yesterday, nagpaparinig daw si Mama about Mothers' Day. She was asking Papa to treat us sa Mang Inasal or Chicboy . Sabi niya ang tagal na raw niyang hindi nakakain ng dinuguan at puto. Napa-compute naman si Papa kung magkano ang magaga...

I get a little emotional. :)  You can't blame me. I'm alone. My parents are in the province and my brother is with them (for a week-long vacation). *inggit much*  Just this evening, I had my usual conversation with them. Thank God for Sun's unlimited tri-net calls. :)  After several minutes of "kamustahan"... Mama: Anak, magtitinda lang ako ha? May bibili sa tindahan. Kausapin mo muna si Papa.  Me: Okay, Ma.  Papa: Anak, kamusta? Miss na miss ka na namin ....  *insert more questions about my work, CFC, Baguio, etc.* We're about to end the night when this happened:  Papa: Ay anak, kamusta na pala yung kinukwento mo?  Me: Ha? Ano po yun?  Papa: Yung ano...  Me: Ah. Wala po e. Wala naman.  Papa: Wala pa rin ba? Hayaan mo anak, maghintay ka lang.  Me: Ano pa nga ba, Pa. Wala naman po akong magagawa kundi maghintay. Papa: Basta anak, alam ko the best ang ibibigay sa'yo ng Diyos . Kasi...

They say that a father is a son's first hero and a daughter's first love . It must be true because Papa has always been my first love, and Lolo Amen, my first hero. :) I won't share much because I might end up crying again, because I miss them terribly, but suffice to say, I am so blessed to have a father as loving, as nurturing, as faithful, and as responsible as Papa.  Three of my maternal aunts remained single by choice and their common reason is that they have never met someone like my father. And I agree with them, Papa is my benchmark, too. But I know very well that I won't find another Heide Escuadero Garnica. Nag-iisa lang ang tatay ko!  I am sure though that if I'm going to marry, he would have to be just like Papa - loving, nurturing, faithful, and responsible.  Lolo Amen had only one reminder to his daughters (and to me, being the eldest granddaughter) - marry someone responsible. By that he meant someone who can manage his time well, who ca...

What would you do if you're left alone in the office with this song playing in the background?  Sa gitna ng dilim Ako ay nakatanaw Ng ilaw na kay panglaw Halos 'di ko makita Tulungan mo ako Ituro ang daan Sapagkat ako'y sabik Sa aking pinagmulan Bayan ko, nahan ka Ako ngayo'y nag-iisa Nais kong magbalik Sa iyo, bayan ko Patawarin mo ako Kung ako'y nagkamali Sa landas na aking Tinahak Sa pagsibol ng araw Hanggang dapit-hapon Malamig na hangin Ang aking kayakap Huwag sanang hadlangan Ang aking nilalandas Sapagkat ako'y sabik Sa aking sinilangan Cry.  Not because you're alone. Not because of the song. But because you miss your father. Because you remember that every time he hears this song, he cries. Why? Long story. But I'll try to make it short and sweet.  Papa left Negros Oriental in 1979 to escape his painful past and to start a new...

I was waiting for my turn to pay at the Meralco Business Center when my attention was caught by a woman wearing a black shirt with the statement "I LOVE MY HUSBAND" (bold and white). Yeah, loud and proud. However, I also noticed some gray texts in between those words. At first I thought they were just embellishments but when I got close enough to see them clearly, I found out they're actually words that complete this statement: I LOVE it when MY HUSBAND gives me money. I tried my best not to judge the woman but if I were her, I wouldn't wear something contrary to my personality. Neither would I wear a statement I don't personally agree to. But then again, that's just me.  But thanks to her and her attention-grabber shirt, I was reminded of what true love is. Unconditional . Today, we thank the good Lord for adding another year in Mama's life. Next to Mama Mary, she is the most important woman in my life, and the most beautiful woman I have ever...

13 May 2015 1:45 AM Today, I officially finished cleaning the apartment unit. Hooray! :)  I guess that's what loneliness can do to a person: to never stop until she's done.  Wait, what did I just say? Am I really lonely? How is that possible?! Me? The strong, independent, Aiza? I may be alone, but I'll never be lonely. Right? Wrong. :)  Fr. Benedict, in his homily yesterday explained it beautifully (and for the nth time, I felt that his homily was intended just for me :D I just so love him. He truly is a "father" to me.). According to him, it is stupid (yeah, that's the word he used :D) to say that people are alone but not lonely. He said that may be true at times, but not all the time. We would all come to a point of loneliness, whether we admit it or not.  As for me, I must admit that I am terribly sad (lonely) right now. I so miss my parents and my brother. I would cry at times, just like at this time (because most of the time I resi...

I am so grateful for my teammates who recommended me to handle live steaming in this year's KFC International Kids Village. :) It's such a win-win situation because aside from being nourished by the conference itself, I also got the opportunity to visit my parents for free! :)  It's just like the Strawberry Mango Smoothie of Dunkin Donuts - my two favorites in one drink. :D I have a confession to make: this is actually my first time to conduct live streaming on my own. Even after several practices with Kuya Elmar, it still is different when you're already there, in my case, I'm already here. This is it. I spent the whole morning setting up and trying to make things work. Thanks to Kuya Elmar and Kuya Cesar who supported me all the way and to everyone who prayed for the success of this event. The first day is about to end but the challenge to find new ways to love more continues.  Tonight, let me just share the important points that I got from the firs...

Today should have been your 91st birthday. Still a happy birthday to you, Lolo!  I love you and I miss you so much!  Have you seen Lola already? She was called home on the day of my birthday. I didn't want to let her go just yet but because I knew she would be spending eternity with you and with God, I finally surrendered and allowed the Lord to do what is best for her. I bet she brought you your favorite food. Enjoy your feast there in heaven. :) Thank you for your lives, I am alive. Thank you for your inspiration, I am inspired. Thank you for your legacy, I am motivated to live life to the fullest. I will never forget you both. You are forever in my heart. ♥ Eternally grateful, Your most beautiful apo :D   Lolo and Lola so happy together. :) This will always be my most favorite photo of us. :)

God has prepared me well for the worst that could happen. On my way to Iloilo, He pampered me and filled my heart with so much joy and gratitude. He filled my love tank to the brim because He knew I would be needing all the love, joy, peace, and sense of gratitude for what was bound to happen on my 28th birthday.  Unlike in the previous years, I never had any cake this year, I wasn't surrounded by friends and there wasn't really a birthday feast. It was just an ordinary day in the province. I spent most of the day beside Lola Rosa, praying for and with her, singing songs of praise and worship, reading the Gospel, and some chapters of the book, The Fifth Mountain .  After lunch, I cooked spaghetti and went back beside Lola. She was struggling to stay alive. She was barely breathing. I knew she was already tired of fighting for every breath, but she seemed not ready to go yet. Mama and I spoke to her as we witness how her nails turn to violet. I whispered in her ear h...