Celebrating Life

Last Friday, I flew back to Singapore just in time for my husband's birthday. I stayed in Manila for a month and being away from Juriz even for a short time filled my tummy with butterflies as soon as the plane touched down. Yes I was so excited to see him parang PBB teens lang hahaha! I even retouched my makeup before I headed to the immigration.

Yummy cake for the birthday celebrant

Birthday Boy, so excited to blow his candles

Well I guess the feeling was mutual upon seeing his post on FB, honestly let me say nakakakilig pa rin, even if we were married for more than 2 years and known each other for 19 years, hahaha puppy love or young love sweet love days. I love the look in his eyes as he saw me walking out the airport door and of course kissed me and hugged me tightly not minding the bunch of people around. After all these years he remained sweet and that made me fall in love with him over and over again...

Well please excuse me for being so cheesy. I just feel very blessed by God to have this man as my husband and best friend for life.

I got this Blue Mountain card from a small bookstore at Rob place in Manila. I want to share what the card says because those were the exact words that I wanted to tell him.

My Husband, You Are My Forever Love written by Linda Sackett-Morrison

Your friendship and love, and all of the wonderful things that they bring to my life, are like nothing else I’ve ever known. My heart is complete with the love we share, and our love grows more beautiful each day... As long as I have you, my husband, I have everything I need. Moments of success may come and go, and material things bring us momentary joy. But you are with me always... in a smile, a touch, a feeling, or a moment we share.

Friends enter our lives, sometimes only for a short time, but the friendship we share is deep and secure. Even if everyone else suddenly left me, I know that I’d still have you as my best friend.

We pass through different phases of life with all their changes and challenges, and one day turns into another. But through it all, our love is constant. You lend me strength when I need it most, and give me a precious gift each day by loving me just the way I am.

I don’t know how you do it, but in your own special way, you fill my life and heart with a wondrous joy that will always be present. You make my life complete, and I love you.

Of course with the cook, the happy wifey!

Sweetheart, thank you so much for the life, friendship, and marriage that we share. Looking at you in the morning and feeling all the love that you have for me makes me feel how God loves me for the gift of Life and Love.

With all his gifts

Happy Birthday Sweetheart! I love you so much! God bless you always!

Charming Details

Whenever we come home to Manila for vacation we always stay in our Uncle Mario and Aunt Gina’s house. During my wedding, since we already moved to US our whole family stayed here, their three bedrooms were stretched to accommodate seven of us, my dad, my grandma, my husband, and my sisters. May I mention that this house once accommodated four families who were in the country for our grandparents’ 50^th wedding anniversary back in 2004. I wonder how we managed to fit in. Nevertheless, our family feels that this house is our second home here in the Philippines.

Maximizing this 120-square foot lot made every space functional. The unique decors collected by my aunt from their trips gave a personalized touch. Coordinating pieces made the collection more interesting and pleasing to the eyes. 

Timeless Chic

Vintage phone and customized lamp

Wooden carvings from Vietnam

Antique Ceba pendulum clock circa 1950's from our grandparents' house 

Stylish clock from Malaysia

Ceramic balls as centerpiece

Spanish Inspired, Baldosa tiles 

Ikea hanging lamp to light up the staircase

I admire my aunt with her taste of choosing the chic curtains and colorful printed pillowcases which she said shouldn't go beyond her budget. She loves shopping at department stores like Trinoma and sometimes having the luxury of time visits Divisoria to get a better deal. The secret is knowing the trick of "mix and match" that can create more different looks for the house.

Classic Corners

Sepak Takraw balls made of rattan

Antique table from my grandfather's barber shop circa 1950's 

Personalized Spaces

Customized dinning table

Cozy customized day bed from Abubot, SM North Edsa

Zen Space in the Backyard

Relaxes the senses

This is one of the many reasons why we keep coming back to the Philippines. This house reminds us that we can go miles away but we will always have a family to come home to. Philippines is still Home Sweet Home.

Captured and edited using Iphone 4s photos

New Hope after Death

We all know that death is the last page of our book of life. And death of a loved one is one of the most painful to get through. Some were taken in a snap and the others grieve in suffering of disease. Though any of these, we all caught unprepared to let them go.

My mother died of ovarian cancer she battled with the disease for 2 years. I could still remember clearly the last hour I locked myself inside the comfort room my tummy was aching terribly because of great stress. Somebody from my family knocked on the door and told me that my mom wanted to talk to me.

Sad place, the final resting place for those who left us and a painful
remembrance that they are not coming back.
Location: Himlayang Pilipino, Quezon City Philippines

I went out and stood on the side of her bed, my mom looked at me with tears rolling down her cheeks, she was too weak to utter any word and I said, “Mommy, its ok sleep now and go home to heaven.” I never said this during her battle because I was trying to give her strength to continue fighting.  As she closed her eyes our family knew that it was the end of it. My mom left us that morning and we were forced to accept it as winning the battle than thinking we lost it.

My mom won because she accepted cancer and surrendered her fate to God. She died but she got her freedom from pain and suffering. Our family kept her spirit burning inside us as we pray that she left this world for a better place. She found her peace and has received an eternal life in God’s kingdom.

But we could look at this place with HOPE that our loved ones left for a better place.
Death brings eternal life to those who believe in Christ's kingdom.
Location: Himlayang Pilipino, Quezon City Philippines

And for us, who lost a loved one hold on to this verse from the bible;

“Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.” - Psalm 23:4

For my SuperTATAY

Dearest Tatay,

I am very happy with my married life. God blessed me with a loving and wonderful husband. But there are still times I wish I can go back being your baby girl... I terribly miss our movie marathons, how you say, “Ang sarap ng luto mo Anak!” (kahit parang bola lang minsan), I miss our morning jogging, I miss our trips to thrift stores, I miss everything of you Tatay. Miles away from you is not easy at all. 

Yesterday, we attended church service at Every Nation and they shared some clips from the movie “Courageous”, it’s about four men who are serving as law enforcement officers yet find it hard to face and tackle the real meaning of, fatherhood. All the father’s were given a copy of The Father’s Resolution, and as I read it, you exactly did all what was mentioned a father should do to fulfill his duties.

Tatay, we are so blessed to have you. I have witnessed how you loved Mommy dearly and dedicated your life until her last breath. You were very hurt to see her go but you stood strongly for us. Until now it still amazes me how you covered your pain with strength so that it will be easier for us to accept and let her go. You brought us up with God’s words in our hearts. Your love gave us the right direction in life. Your faith in God gave us strength to accept the trials and face it through prayers.

Your life reflects what a father should be. Your kindness to all the people around you makes me so proud being your daughter. Tatay, thank you for the great love that you have showered us, this same love made me a complete and better person. Soon, I promise you will be a happy grandpa! But for now, let me savor the moments being your baby girl...  

I love you Tatay! Happy Father’s Day

To my Grandfather and Uncles who are Super TATAYS as well, I love you all! 

It's Mommy's Day

I bought an expensive bouquet of red roses, beautifully arranged I guess the most beautiful I ever got for you Mommy. I was trying very hard to come up with something very special, something that I have never given you and the best that I could ever give you.

I said, “Happy Mother’s Day Mom! This is for the Mother’s day that I am not going to spend with you. I love you so much!”

Unfortunately it wasn’t Mother’s Day at all but rather it was your wake. Eight long years have passed and still that speech I made in front of our families and friends was still very fresh in my mind. I guess still painful for the very reason I could have given you more Mom, especially now that I earn my own money and I can take you out and treat you for a relaxing spa massage, shopping, movie date, dinner, but these moments will just be an imagination. You left us so early and I will trade anything just to have one Mother’s Day with you…

Last night, me and my husband went to a friend’s birthday party. We took a cab on our way to their house and it happened we met with a nice taxi driver. He started sharing a story of the old lady who took the ride before us. He said, the old lady got five children her husband who passed away 3 years ago didn’t work as the children were growing up leaving her the sole responsibility to raise the family.

And now, this old mother who brought out children to this world and have given them a good life, a better future, and love them unconditionally refused to take care of her in her old age. She even told the taxi driver that one of her daughters treated her like a maid. The old lady said it will be Mother’s day tomorrow and admitted that not a single instance that she could recall that her children remembered her for this special day dedicated for mothers.

As the taxi driver has said, "I am very angry with these people who got a good paying job, nice house, nice cars, but don't have the heart to love their own mothers, simply don't deserve any respect at all." 

Irony of life, I lost a mom but I am willing to trade anything to spend just one day with her but I believe there were also children who has mothers, fathers who were in their last years of their lives who were just treated badly and worst, being totally forgotten.

We were born to this world by a MOTHER, and these women were God’s angels to nurture and love each one of us.They deserve our love and respect in return. Their sacrifices were unconditionally and they should be recognized.

HAPPY MOTHER’S DAY!

A step forward to a new Role

A month ago I started to work again after being a housewife for a year. Staying at home was a fulfillment for me that I was able to give my full attention to my husband. I learned to cook different dishes, I became meticulous with my laundry, I had time to blog and I had fun discovering that I can bake cupcakes straight from the box hahaha!

This job is actually a blessing from heaven! One year of applying for different jobs, passing hundreds of resume to companies I cannot even recall now, thinking of paying $3,000 to an employment agency just to help me find a job made me feel a bit depressed. But of course during those low moments my husband tried reminding me to just have faith in God that in His own time our prayers will be granted.

True enough I got a job and my work pass here in Singapore was approved easily.  I am very fortunate that I have a very nice collegues at work and my bosses are very nice as well. With this new career I got a chance to visit Malaysia and see Petronas Tower, such a beauty! 

 Petronas Tower, a beauty that made me super EXCITED!

A perfect view by our hotel window

Lucky to have lunch just beneath Petronas Tower

I met with brand managers of different companies in Kuala Lumpur and all of them were very warm and welcoming. Me and my bosses stayed at a very chic hotel and in my 3-day stay I didn’t spend anything. Simply an amazing blessing from God. And next week I will be visiting Manila all expense paid meaning FREE! Sometimes best things in life are still officially up for grabs! Praise God!

 

Malaysia traffic

 GSK Malaysia

 Nestle Malaysia

I’m so happy for this new career, trying to enjoy every perks that come along with it but at the end of the day I go back to my most important role in this life, a WIFE… 

(To my friends and families who helped me with my Manila meetings, my BIGGEST THANKS!!!)

Remembering Lolo Gerry

LOLO and the little ME

At five years old my mornings were greeted with AM radio station and with the sound of you scrubbing the floor with your bunot (coconut husk used for polishing wooden floors). I have known you as the BOSS of your barbershop. Your senior citizen barkadas were starting to arrive by 8 am for your daily dose of men's chikahan. You were always wearing your white v-neck Crispa shirt and goes for a ride on your red vintage bike for your morning exercise. You dropped me and picked me up at school everyday. Asked me to take a nap at 1 pm after lunch. In the afternoon, you let me play in front of the shop with my playmates. At 6 in the evening we go home and have supper. We have two TV's one was colored and the other one was black and white. You loved watching PBA basketball but I used to cry because I wanted to watch my kiddie shows in the colored TV so you ended up watching at the old black and white TV. I believed that at five I was the boss being your first apo (grandchild). Every night I slept in the middle between you and Lola. My childhood was indeed PERFECT and it's because of you and Lola Ely. 

My cousin Paolo with Lolo 

Lolo, I miss you terribly! I miss your unending stories of Japanese era! I know that when I was 23, you asked me when I am getting married because you want to see your great grandchild from me and I could still remember what you said, "Siguro pagkatapos 'nun pagnakita ko na yung magiging anak mo pwede na akong mamatay." (I think when I get to see your baby I can go.) When I got married I was thinking of you because I was so sure that you're going to be the most excited one. 

My cousin May with LOLO

My cousin Nadine with Lola Ely and Lolo Gerry

We have many reasons to miss you, your music, your sweetness and your love... You were a great man, a great father, a loving husband, and a sweet grandfather. But most of all, for each one of us you're an ANGEL who filled our lives with wonderful memories. WE LOVE YOU LOLO! 

Lolo and Lola's priceless treasure...US!

From my father's blog about Lolo
http://superlolongpinoy.wordpress.com/?s=iskilar