Travel: Central Philippine University, ILOILO

When my niece Frances decided to pursue a degree in Medicine, not in our city but one across the sea, I was a bit hesitant. Too far, although it's just an hour ferry ride, but still the feeling of uncertainty was there. 

Before the semester ended, I made sure I visit her apartment where she's sharing with other three med students, and dropped by her university as well. 

I was impressed. The huge 24-hectares campus, with its century old trees and old style buildings, it was not just an educational institution but a community conducive for learning. 

Although I still worry about Frances' safety in Iloilo, I still have that hesitance, but then I am positive that this kind of independence will make her stronger, experienced, and bring her to places. 

Travel: ILOILO

Before the school break came to an end, Mabe and I went on a short vacation. I wanted Mabe to explore the other island across Negros, although she's been in Iloilo for a couple of times already. This time however, we came to visit her cousin Frances, who's taking up Medicine, visit her school and her apartment as well.  

I only brought a 50mm lens in my camera 'coz I'm too lazy to carry the bigger lens. The photos in this entry were all taken at the 8th and 21st floor of Injap Tower Hotel where we stayed.

So here's Iloilo, The City of Love, from the highest peak in Western Visayas.

Madre de Cacao

These are photos I took last May...never had the chance to post.

Madre de Cacao. Leaves shed around December and the flowers bloom in summer, Madre de Cacao is a natural insect repellant tree. Almost all fightingcock gamefarms near ours grow this tree as living fence and at the same time it can provide shades to rooster's teepee.

Hope Springs Eternal: Eulogy for Joy

I am posting my Eulogy for Joy, a good friend and a confidante. It was never an easy task to write a tribute and it was beyond difficult to deliver it in front of many. 

September last year, Joy and I were texting and talking about the inspiring video she sent me. It was about Love, Peace, Faith…and HOPE.

Joy then said, “HOPE springs eternal”. This sayings means, even if things cannot turn out the way we possibly want things to be, people still and will continue to HOPE. Joy as we knew her, was full of Hope, full of Optimism. Always positive. Pirme lg ‘Okies’ ‘Okies lg ko’. That’s Joy.

I am here today, not only representing the fellow parents of Joy at La Consolacion College Bacolod – Integrated School but as a friend of Joy as well. 

For the last three years, Joy’s world focused on Aika and Meg, we have seen all her efforts being a hands-on mom. In every school activities of Meg and Aika, meetings, rehearsals, out of school trips, swimming lessons, Joy was always present. Joy, the stagemother was there.

As Joy’s friend, we both took driving lessons at the same time. Joy conquered her fear of driving in heavy traffic so that she can bring and pick-up Aika and Meg to school everyday. Joy was full of positivity, that even BAHA can never bring her spirits down. She waded through the dirty water, put plastic cellophanes on her feet, carried her shoes, not caring how she looks, bahala kamu da ya, just to bring Aika home.

As a stage mother, we have seen Joy literally ara sa kilid stage when Meg joined a pageant in school. Our friends and I were at the audience cheering, and Joy was assisting Meg the whole time. During the question and answer portion, we even saw Joy sa kilid stage, yelling at the emcee to translate the question in English because Meg cannot understand Ilonggo that well. Joy was hilarious, and we love her for that.

Since Joy and I were used in doing things together, one summer, we both enrolled our daughters (Aika and Mabe) in swimming classes. Joy would wake up so early in the morning and bring Aika to Panaad Park at 6:30am. There was one time when Aika was a bit hesitant to jump in a 6-ft deep swimming pool, Joy and I were so loud shouting and cheering for Aika. Go! Go! Aika Go!! then Joy screamed 'Lumpat Aika! Lumpat!'. Then after the class Aika said, ‘kagahod sa inyo we can’t concentrate sa jump’. Always the cheerer of Aika and Meg, that’s how Joy LOVES her daughters.

Full of Hope, that months after her operation, when she was physically ready for light exercise, Joy and I did morning walks at the Capitol Lagoon after sending the kids in school. Joy embraced healthy living and healthy eating.

And of course, Joy religiously hear mass every day. The Faith of Joy remained stronger than ever.

Later on, when her body was getting weaker, we seldom see Joy in school anymore. She would just send me text messages asking about the class schedules, the activities, and then she would give me updates about her condition.

Joy’s WILL to live was undeniably greater than expected. Joy as we knew her, full of Hope, full of Optimism. Hope springs eternal, because according to Joy…with HOPE in our hearts, each of us can live with Peace, Faith, and Love. 

We love you Joy. We love you dearly…we will miss you a lot.

Quick and Unplanned: Baguio 2015

Since the trip to Baguio was unplanned and there's no time to prepare, I just brought a small backpack and a tote bag that doubles as camera bag. I cannot believe at first that I can carry a backpack on a 5-day trip, but I did actually survived (i had to request a laundry service though).

It was not just my grandmother's burial, it was a REUNION with my beloved cousins and the oldies in the family. It has been a practice among Filipino families to gather and be reunited during baptisms, weddings, AND burials. In my family, oh well...we are a huge clan, it was indeed a once in a lifetime get together.

I stayed at Hotel 45 just across SM, same hotel where we stayed 3 years ago with Mabe and JITB but this time, I had a great view of the sunset from my window. 

Coffee everyday to keep me going, then I tried green tea and matcha too for more energy. Baguio during this month is actually sunny in the morning, there's no need for a jacket, a thin wrap will do, but at night you need a thicker one since sometimes it gets chilly and you might catch a cold.

It was a fun trip but a sad one as well. Quick and unplanned but will forever be remembered. 

Lola Conching

I never thought I'll be in Baguio in the middle of March. The time amidst Mabe's hectic schedule in school that includes graduation rehearsals, etc. 

My paternal grandmother passed away.

She's 97 years old, pure Ilocano by blood and embraced being Ilonggo by heart, she died peacefully last March 11, 2015.

Lola Conching, the strongest woman in our family and the tie that binds everyone in the clan. 

For me, she's part of my growth as I deal with my young angst mind, trying to find my place and battling with the so-called 'individuality'. It was in the mid-90s, the grunge era and it wasn't easy. When I decided to study in Baguio, I stayed with Lola Conching. It was then that I discovered a lot of things about my own self. The freedom, the strength and weaknesses, the tolerance, self-preservation, everything that a young woman should learn, for the good and worst, I had my own taste of it in Baguio.

In my heart and in my mind, I am grateful to Lola Conching. Forever I will cherish and share the lessons I have learned to my daughter. I will never be the person I am today without the Baguio experience I had growing up.

As I went back to Bacolod last week, in my heart were memories of Lola Conching, alive and inspiring. 

I arrived home just in time for Mabe's graduation ball by the way.

Full-packed January 2015

January 2015.

The first month of the new year has come to an end. I never thought this month was as quick as this. The last time I remember, I was glued in front of the television awaiting the arrival of Pope Francis. Hanging around Twitter for updates, and shed a tear when I heard the Pope apologized in Leyte and asked the audience to help him pray to Mama Mary. 

A week after, it was all about Mabe, her exams, and the Honors Assembly in school. She's graduating this March and will soon be a high school freshman. Whew.

Then days before the month ends, 44 families and its members together with the rest of the Filipino people mourned for the death of the PNP SAF combatants who died in battle in Mindanao. 

The whole event was so heavy that sometimes I avoid watching the news, though I try read some articles online.

AND then yesterday, January 30, I never expected an unfortunate thing to capped the month. Mabe lost her watch in school, no NOT lost, it was STOLEN. The watch was stolen inside the classroom. I was calmer than I thought I could be in handling it. Other than the class adviser, I already reported the matter to the Guidance Office, then on Monday I will follow up the Discipline Officer and hopefully, hopefully, hopefully the watch will be recovered. 

It was a full-packed month.

Now all I need to do to say is...goodbye to you January 2015.