Welcome to Las Pinas City

Last March 8, we move out from our small unit near Dela Rosa, Makati and transfer to a much bigger place - townhouse in Las Pinas. Well, it was not easy though since we don't have any help arround. It was just me and Tata, though we manage to leave Andre with her Ninang in Binondo. It was not easy but we are getting by. Thanks also to Joann, who allow us to rent her townhouse at a very affordable amount. Thanks to Tata's sister who help looking out for Andre while we are busy packing and unpacking. Whew. We are not settled yet, still a bit messy and things are still not in place yet though I am happy we are now living there.
Las Pinas is a bit far from Makati and the traffice is terrible. Yet, I have to be thankful for now since I am blessed to have officemates living nearby and I ride with them. Thanks to Eugene - our Director, who allow me to ride with him in the morning and to Libay - my officemate and a very dear friend who allow me to ride with her in the evening. Yey. So much to be thankful for and hopefully will settle soon.
My only wish for now is for us to find our permanent place after this. I hope this will be the last time we will be renting and hopefully we can have our own house too. Yeah! One day we will... soon!

Grey Day!

There are days we are confronted with real life drama... well... its all part of the journey. At the end of the day... all things will end and there will always be new beginnings. The good thing is the sun is still shining and setting to give us hope and reassurance that today will end and tomorrow will be another day. As Morrie said it: What one must do to grow: PACKING and UNPACKING!

For whatever it is and for whatever it takes... we are all fighting the good fight and someone would win our battles...

In you Lord, I submit everything!

A New Leaf!

It's been 2 months since the new year started. Every year, I blog about my thoughts for the coming years and the past year of course. This year is truly different... I have Andre and Tata to go home to at the end of the day!

I am turning a new leaf of my life now. I used to visualize what my life could be at the beginning of each year and I am so overwhelmed to realize now my life is not all about ME anymore. It's more of Andre and his future.

We spent our New Year in Negros with my family. Amidst the fireworks and the singing Andre was just in there sleeping. He wants to be were the party is... and I wonder where did he get that. Hehehe.

Tata and I were just starting and truly it takes more than any human effort to make things happen. I thought I was more than prepared for the new role and the new responsibility, things aren't happening the way I wanted it to be. I am just so blessed to see God's unconditional love for us to give us all that we need. There are days still, I felt anxious and afraid especially that I wanted to provide the best for Andre yet God's love is constantly reassuring me of the good life He promised to me, and then I know, I am fighting a good fight. I know there is so much to look forward to in the coming days... months and years. It always a one day at time basis.

Always and Never... in my Few Hours!

Today is my last day being 24... few hours left and I will be celebrating my silver year. Wow... this year truly calls for a celebration... I am in my quarter life now... and I am just so happy that it is not a crisis yet something I should celebrate and look forward all the more.

I do not know but every year I am having my birthday blues and this year I can't even seem to remember I have one... hahaha! There is so much joy within for I know in each year God has been so good to me... blessing me abundantly.

Last year was a mixed of bliss and sorrow. There were down moments yet the triumphs outnumbered it. Hay... I hope you can see God's victory in me.

I don't know what to expect tomorrow yet I am joyfully anticipating. Things are way different now... I missed my old friends who used to surprise me... yet there are few new people in my life who brings so much joy. I have been receiving a lot from people around me... maybe this year, I will do the other way around. I hope I can be a blessing to others all the more.

By the way, to start this year right. I had a vanity day with Face Shop last Saturday... so check this photos... sooo Naturally me... for it is a NATURAL STORY @ The FACE SHOP!

She's a BIG GIRL NOW!

Not sooo long time ago... Cathy's news of her getting married... was truly a shocked for Pot, Reng and Me... Whoa... who would've thought, Cathy is the most dorky, nerdy and so "manang" among the barkada. Not to mention that she does not even miss class no matter how much we convinced her and among the barkada I am the one who actually considers housewife my ultimate career. NOW she is finally a wife to Marvin and a mother to Yuri. Yuri is our first baby and with his coming I know it opens another avenue for us to be closer all the more. Actually, in all those tough times I know no matter the distance, we always have each other... Funny, how things can be so ironic at times. I always wanted that kind of life: Housewife and a Mom... But this isn't about me... This is about Cathy. Now seeing how are things with her and how she manages to see through it makes me soooooooo proud of her. She is sooooooooo grown up now. From us talking about work, books, latest cellphones and all sorts now to us talking about marriage, real-life issues, and most of all about YURI.

Congratulations Cathy and Marvin.

Relaunched again?

For a while now I am thinking if blogging is for me... hahaha... especially if you have friends who makes blogging part of their daily lives... well... i am really trying... so I can be as consistent as possible...

So this is it...

I am modifying my previous blog so I can share it to everyone... and of course... to grant my friend's request to make blogging really a hobby... well... what do you expect... HE IS THE FATHER OF PHILIPPINE BLOGGING and most of all a BLOG GURO! and yeah being one of his closest friends makes me just so proud of him: GWAPO NA... MATALINO... MAYAMAN PA... so single ladies what are you waiting for??? Visit his site: http://www.yugatech.com/blog/

So here's to more blogging...

Online Relationships...

On line friends? On line lovers? Familiar ba? I know this kind of relationships happen once in a while yet the fact remains it can be.

Sometime in 1999, this friendship was made. I was sixteen then and after all these years... the friendship have truly evolved... from us spending weekends on fun fun fun activities... from overnight outing to billiards to bowling or just simply chill out at Yuga's pad in Bangkal. Now we truly share each other's triumphs and defeats. We have gone this far to even healing broken relationships and keeps on forgiving each other. There were days of zero visibility and yet we always have that connection and bond. Most of all, we never leave no one behind yet we allow them to have their own space and time to be on their own.

How did it started? Well... we have knowned each other through the famous REBELDE.COm to Grabeh.com... who have thought after all these years... we still do have each other as family... There were new additions... there were those who left and we know as time changes and as we have our own different lives we still have each other.

How sure I am? Well... Kuya Alwell and Ate Vicky, Kuya Chuy and Ate Charmaine were online lovers... and after all the odds... they both are happy couple and all of us share the responsibility of rearing and making sure that Heaven, Louis and Thor will grow as a better individual.
Gen and Benee, wow after three long years of separate lives who would ever thought they can still share future together as a couple and even willing to go back to zero just to start all over again. At the end of the day, what is three years compare to eternity?

For Yuga and Me? There's more to us being single... hehehe. Yuga can testify how much the friendship have gone beyond our online community and even his current online communities... and for how far and great he is right now advocating blogging here in the country and outside, we truly are proud of him. "Si Yuga pa... anak nga naman ng Diyos yan..." Well, as for me, I am so assured that this is a friendship for keeps.

And asking for impossible? The reunion last Wednesday and the wedding last Thursday was a great start. Broken relationships? Well, Ali and I are somehow ok. All things that starts well, ends well. We have one great friendship then, we are still not there really friends... but we're getting there... in time. And for whatever happened in the past, I think it helps us become better and stronger... even the friendship becomes more enduring. With Tin's addition to the group, and surely more will, as we expand and grow in our own pace... and someday settling down.

Online relationships is a once in a lifetime opportunity... I know for I have seen few... at the end of the day, its how much you make things work and how much love you have given into it that matters. Compatibility and backgrounds are just secondary.

Hay... wish Kuya Chuy and Ate Charms were there... one day... soon...

You may visit this site for more pictures: http://www.yugatech.com/photos/

Where do you go when you're LONELY?

Wohoo... is this truly a nice start?
Well... not because I am lonely these days... and I am not being defensive here... because I don't think I am... this is just because one Saturday, I came across this YM status message of a friend/officemate... and it made me wonder? yeah... where do I go when I am lonely?

When all things failed and whenever I feel like the whole world is upon me... wow... lalim naman... but yeah... whenever I need someone to vent with... I usually seek refuge to my dad... I told my friend... I usually go home in my province just to breathe... So the next question is: How many times do I usually go home? Well... my answer to this would only equates to how many times I used to be lonely... well... and for the record... last year was a hit... I went home nine times in just a year... So it must really be a lonely year... LOL! Well... I guess I can't hide it...

But really... I know this is truly a cliche... but some people said that being alone doesn't mean their lonely... For years now, I have been living on my own... and there are days I just want to be with the crowd of people but there are days really that I wanted my own space... and yet there are days that even if I am with a crowd of people I still feel that I am invisible... HUh... Zero visibility... seems like a familiar line huh!

And with every phase... you learn... for at the end of the day... its the lesson learned from those circumstances that matters... ika nga... to each its own... and maturity comes from the way you handle it... for loneliness it just a phase and a state of being... it is truly healthy to be lonely at times only if you see yourself through it. As the line goes: "At the end of the day when it comes to it... all we really want is to be close with somebody..."

So that's why there's friends and families and special people in our lives ready to be there to hear our woes... Ayt?

So where do you go when you’re lonely?

One Great Adventure...

This is us... 14 different people... One goal: "ONE BIG FIGHT FOR THE LORD, YES LORD"

I HOPE YOU'LL BE BLESSED READING THIS AS I AM WHEN I HAVE THEM...

Rhod: very silent yet deep person... in his thoughts...How could you know it's the WILL of God when you have FREE WILL?

Melaine: sleep anyone??? Wow! I am truly amazed on how enthusiastic she is... not to mention she haven't slept for three straight days... Well, everything is GRACE in GOD!

Ems: she never ceases to smile... sweet and delicate... a faithful and committed partner!

Jhen: she almost would not make it... God tried to test her Faith then and truly a woman of strength...

Art: one great buddy... willing to do everything to help... willing to give her moves for the LORD>>> sayaw lang!!!

Tina: timid, shy... pretty... crush ng bayan... she can be extremely silent... but wait 'till you discover the humor inside her!

Claire: CLARA as we call her... she is the very friendly among... resident make up artist... she seems naive at times and can be extremely funny... she will quote your lines and imitate your moves! hay! CG is never funny with out you... and oh by the way, she has an eye for beauty!

Jean: a free spirited fashionista... she loves to dress up... thanks for lending us your wardrobe... you will be very overwhelmed when she dances... a graceful dancer and true servant... she never say no!

JR: our resident GUITARIST...CHOREOGRAPHER... and the very reason why all of us eventually love JAZZ Dance. He has been in the community longer than we thought of... KFC... YFC and Finally SFC... he is actually an active member of the community... a truly talented person and serves GOD with all his heart...

Irvin: he is our household head. I sometimes don't understand his views especially in a relationship but I am truly proud of him... we look up to him... he is very supportive in our Christian Walk and always willing to be with us no matter what... when and even how far it is... whenever we need a kuya... a friend or simply someone we just want to vent with!

Carmen: she is a true beauty inside and out... someone who never stop until she is there... she really manage to pamper us, be with us, share our sorrows, laugh with us, support us, especially me in all my "confused days"and even if how busy her schedule is she finds time... a very deep person and full of wisdom and always ready to embrace us in all our weakness!

Bryan: well... what can I say??? A true and committed friend... he is a person you will like to have as a best friend... he is always there and you can talk to him anything from a girl thing... life drama... mushy and cheesy love stories... sobrang lucky ng magiging girlfriend nito... a committed Christian and so in love with Christ... above all, will always find time for me and Hazel... Thanks Bry!

Hazel: someone I truly admired of! one woman who embodies a life of a true Christian... she never failed to lift up my spirit no matter how downhearted I am... my emotional support and someone I can be me... she will share your sorrows and joys with... she will really find time to seek and comfort you... she is everything to me... a friend... a sister and a family... above all, she is always there for me and Bryan...Thanks Haze!

To all of you: it will always be a joyful journey with you... thanks for all the love and support... i know life will never be the same without you and thanks really for the gift of friendship I shared with you... We may have different lives and different way of seeing it, I know we all have the same love for Christ and spirit in serving him... I am commiting myself to loving you in all your weakness...

God bless and may GOD be praised...All glory belongs to HIM...

R E N G

It's been days passed since Reng left and I cannot get over the feeling still...

Pot and I bid farewell to her last Saturday night. We went to see her before she left for Dubai... ganito pala un... We have not been together... as in really together lately... actually ever since Ali got into my life... but we knew we are always here for each other... I always know that... from the time I was so nothing and nobody... to the time I almost have everything... then to the time everything was taken from me... she was with me... in physical... in emotional... in her prayers...

We have ups and downs... We certainly have our differences but I know inspite of it all... she will always embrace me... whatever it takes!!!

Can this get any worst? Well, when she broke the news that she is leaving... I know, everything will change... alam mo yung feeling na andyan lang sya lagi... whew!!! hirap!!! Then all of the sudden she is gone... the selfish side of me... wanted to hold her... co'z life is never the same without her... but i know... she deserves it and I know in time, will be together again... I am truly happy seeing her thousand miles away from me because I know God has a perfect plan for her... i missed her and will always miss her...

God bless Reng... I'm just here... Keep on praying... love you!!!

for my mom...

I am not really in good shape right now... still struggling with my finances... people i am dealing with... who seems so nice yet kept their own prejudice on me... hay... I am indeed that in GOD's perfection HE is merciful. I will be going home in Negros tomorrow... just to attend to my mother who is in the hospital right now. Well, please pray for her fast recovery and thanks to those who have been praying... I will be inaccessible at this time... you may text me in case you need anything... got a lot of things to tell you but i need to go now. God bless... ingatz!!!

back to blogging... and more of me...

Wow... It took me more than two months... and you bet... I have a lot to write...
Well, happy New Year... this is indeed my first official post for the year. hehehe!!!

Last year was indeed a roller-coaster ride of emotions. I laugh a lot… cried a lot… loose weight a little… gain weight more… hehehe!!! Lose a friend… gain a new one... been in almost both extremes and the best part of it… I am fallen’ in love…

Well, had a wonderful start of the year. No more baggage and finally I could say I have moved on and accept my defeat and enjoy the blessings that come with it. I spend my new year in Negros at my Dad’s house… with my cousins, nieces and nephews, and relatives. It was fun… we went to the beach… I just relaxed and enjoy its tranquility… I have never been sooo relaxed in my whole life.

After my broke up with Ali and after me picking up the pieces again, I know I could finally say this… I have forgiven them… and I hope they will forgive me. Truly, it was a good relationship that ended bad and after all that has been said and done… I still would want to thank Ali for always letting me learned life’s best lessons… and I know Ali will always be a part of me. He was a great friend... a good provider and a shoulder to cry on... I know what we have gone through taught us a lot and it will surely help us become a better partner and individual. And I hope we will love our partner more than ever, alllowing ourselves to truly experience the very true essence of finding one's true love... I know in time... all wounds will be healed... Thanks Ali... Good luck and Stay in love...

This is indeed a wonderful year for me. I have been really blessed with true good friends. I will always be grateful for:

RA, Sam and Erick. I know, we don’t go out that often now since we are all busy with our lives. Sam in his struggles whether to leave for Dubai or not; RA with his new relationship; and Erick with his wedding.

I have not seen or talk with Cat, Pot and Reng for so long, but I know they're just there for me… and I missed them.

David on the other hand is still there cheering my day.

To my mobsters family, and specially to Jaja… hay!!! Who would have thought I could find friendship in this very quite and eccentric person… but I am indeed lucky and blessed she have come to trusts me and supports me… letting me see the other side when sometimes I am lost… hehehe!!!

Of course, to Kuya Alwell, Ate Vicks, Kuya Uly, Kuya Yugs and of course Kuya Bes, who still celebrate special occasions with me… and still support me in my struggles, always willing to accept me in my moods, defeats and triumphs...

And lastly, I am indeed blessed to know Jern… I never realized we could be really good friends… and that he would share his thoughts and his beings with me… trusting me with his deep-dark secrets… running to me when he is in need. It is indeed very overwhelming…

Now can you see how happy and blessed I am right now?And Wait there’s more:

I am indeed enjoying my relationship with GOD and I am proud to say that I am on the process of knowing HIM more… developing my relationship with HIM… giving up my worldly thoughts to follow HIM. Opps… don’t get me wrong… I am not there yet, but on the process… but one thing is certain, I will give up everything for HIM because that’s how much I love HIM.

And I am in love…
Well, who would have thought…? I have loved him all this time… and I know I wasn’t brave enough to admit it then since I am not sure if the feeling is the same. But I have crossed the bridge… whether he’ll be at the end of the bridge waiting for me or not… I love him not because he loves me… whatever is in store for us… I know, in time it’ll blossom… just like the missing piece…

I am still continuing praying for him and for us… as my old line goes… “You know what’s the worst thing in life, WAITING!!!” but now… it’s even worst... “I don’t mind waiting and experience all the worst in life… with HIM!!!” Luxury in life is indeed a bonus… but having him is more than that… and we know in God’s time… for now, we are both nourishing our relationship with GOD.

Truly, “everything works for good to those who LOVE the LORD”.

when you thought everything is gone...

I never got to verbalize this... but life would never be the same with out these people... and I know... THANK YOU would not be enough...

Wondering who are they? Well, my three best buddies at work and even outside of it... that's SAM, RA and ERICK...

Having them around you would twist your world around... would give you their best blows... and then lift you up to where you should be... they are not the type of person you'll thoughT you can be mushy with but trust me... their sweet... without meaning to... hehehe!!! They exists differently... but they have one thing in common... aside from the fact that I am special to the three of them... hehee!!! walang kokontra... I know I am, in their own special way... and I thank them for that... they are all passionate in what they're doing... they will stick with you when life is so tough... and when your wounded... they will help you get through it... and i am indeed blessed they are my friends...

To my Honey Sam: My Movie buddy... You may not see it but movie time without you is never complete... and thanks for the innocent way that you care... sa mga banat mong pa naive... for trusting me whenever your doubtful... as you always are... hehehe!!! I hope in time... you'll realize whatever makes you happy... and whether it will be in Dubai... or here... dito lang kami... dito lang ako...

To my Baby RA: My Boyfriend in Good times... hehehe!!! Thanks for always letting me see things objectively and even if it means hurting me... we may not talk as often as we did (sam, erick and me), i may not share with you eveything that I feel inside but I know and always been sure you'll be there for me... ikaw man ang pinakamayabang kong kaibigan... i love you for being so... I hope... whatever you have right now... will last and for real... I am happy for you and her...

To my friend ERICK: My Boyfriend in Bad TImes... kasi ginulo ko ang mundo nya... hehehe!!! Kidding aside... I have to be honest that among the four of us, we are the closest... well, we laugh a lot... talk a lot... even eat a lot!!! and we can always talk things comfortably with each other... whether it's about life... love... triumphs... and even defeats... Thanks for always being there friend in my worst time... God Bless you and Lally... stay in love forever...

TO SAM, RA and ERICK: True friends speak the truth in love... Thanks for being ONE!!! God bless... love yah!!!

"Ba happy... life is too short to be unhappy. Smile."

It's not goodbye... but see you later...

This was our send off party to Ms. Penny... Convergys, employee #1... and to her we owe a lot... it was indeed a very sentimental farewell... well, every goodbye is indeed sad... even if our hearts wanted her to stay... we know that she is indeed happy with her decision... and I do admire her composure and gracefulness in facing all her defeats... for sometime we'd want to question her strength... on how far she can fight for us... but bravery is not just about fighting just to prove something... but sometimes it's all about keeping your ground... holding on to it... silently doing what's best for everyone... sometimes... or most of the times... brave people never have to fight... it is eassier to deal with anger and resentment... but it takes more courage holding your ground and just get on with it... keeping silent and wait for the right time... for everything will come in HIS own time... .

Now I realized that in every crossroads... you really have to choose... in the words of Ms Penny... "don't be afraid... for there is no bad decision as long as you decide for it... for at the end of the day... LIFE IS WHAT YOU MAKE IT..."

To Ms. Penny, Thanks for all the support... for the lessons I have learned... even in a hard way... WOW!!! That's makes me more stronger and mature right now. We will always look up to you... not just a boss... but as a friend... a sister... and more... a mother... God bless... We are happy for you... You will always be CONVERGYS' Number 1 EMPLOYEE...

Will surely miss you...

For David...

See this pic??? Well you should! This is about being extra sexy, extra raunchy, extra cute and extra crazy. All these for one extraordinary person who makes my day! All for David!

You might not notice but Joanne and I were actually sick that night but we can't afford not to attend the surprise we had been preparing only for David.

It was indeed a success and kudos to them for being so creative: Eden, Rain, Joanne Yang and Joanne Parras (Hope I spelled their names right).

I have never done this in my entire life, not the surprise thingy but dressing up in "not the usual me" - modelling and all! Whew!

This is kinda emabarrassing but for DAVID I will do it again. I will do whatever it takes just to see this man happy! HE TRULY DESERVES IT and more!

Dave, thanks for all the support, for considering me as one of your friend, for trusting me with your deep-dark secrets (don't worry i won't tell) heehehe!!! Thanks for all your patience!

Most of all, thanks for styling me and making me modelled your dangling earrings. Thank you! Thank you!

Truly true friends speak the truth in love, thanks for being one! I Love You Friend!

More happiness on your birthday and the holidays to come!

some things never change...

I have a lot to write... hehehe!!!

Last weekend been the craziest weekend ever. As in the craziest yet the happiest...

Well, had a wonderful birthday bash at Gerrys' Jupiter... Thanks to those who came and celebrated our birthdays... Lhen, Milette, Roms, Eden, Sharon, Ms. M, Nonie, Bang, Sam, Eric, Ms. Cha, Erick and Kuya Bes... Just merely looking at these people and how happy they are on that night gave me such contentment within that I know I made the best decision in my life... Well, every decision is not easy... believe me... hehehe!!! And really now I realize that I am Blessed!!!

Well, some things never change... and that's Kuya Cias... hehehe!!! He arrived last Saturday all the way from New Zealancd, and mind you... he seem to be the same person we looked up to then... same old JEANS and SHIRT... hehehe!!! But I think he is more in love now. Looking at his eyes with all excitement and kilig seeing ate LIrs.. WOW!!! You'll be blessed seeing them and even if how painful I've been through... still I'd wish to fall in love again... well, it will come!!! it will come at HIS OWN Good time...

Anyway, to KUYA CIAS AND ATE LIRS... Best Wishes and Congratulations... I never got to verbalize this but thanks Ate Lirs for all the love and support... and for letting me feel beautiful everyday!!! Truly, you deserve each other... God bless... Best Wishes... a cheers to you on your wedding day...

"when was the last time you did something for the first time...?"

originally posted last: December 9, 2005:

I took a glimpsed on the new Starbucks Planner, to justify the need that I have to complete the 21 stickers (meaning 21 starbucks coffee/beverages)... so I can get one. Mind you it's not for sale... it's for free when you complete the required stickers. Well, I only need six... and looking forward to my new 2006 Planner...yahoo!!! thanks to Erick for helping me complete... Anyway, that's where I got my subject...

When was the last time I did something for the first time???... I am fixated... to many things... I hate change!!! I don't want to get out from the situation I know I am already comfortable... but certainly things happen... and you just have to face it... and this what I love about life... chances... fate... when you thought everything is going well and then all of the sudden... blagag!!! But you learned... and believe me it cuts me deep...(thanks ate ja for the line)

When was the last time I did something for the first time???... well, this morning... I ordered for HOT CAFE MOCHA at starbucks... I've waited and got one Cafe latte... whew!!! I got frustrated... knowing me... I would have to go back to the counter and have it change... but I did not... at that same moment, I decided to try it... did i enjoy the coffee? nah... but I felt surprisingly happy about trying it... it may not taste good to me... certainly, I woudn't know, not until this morning... :D

Life is indeed about choices... and staying happy even if you are defeated...

For the first time in so many years I enjoy being with myself alone... and I love it...
See yah!!!