25 Random things about me

(This is something I posted in my Facebook account. And as I was browsing through my notes/blog posts there, I thought this is something I would have to post here. So here goes. You may make your own in your blog sites, too. Just let me know so I could read through them, too.)

1. I never really cooked at home before I got married, but now, I do, and Bong and Kara love whatever I cook, and that’s what’s most important to me.

2. I love kissing and cuddling, so whatever chance I get to kiss and cuddle my children, I grab it. And yes, I LOVE doing this too with Bong.

3. I cry a lot—in the movies, even at home watching an episode of MMK, when there’s a misunderstanding between me and the people I love, when I share and hear sad stories, the first time I saw my babies after giving birth to them—the list goes on.

4. I once dreamed of becoming a lawyer after finishing my Journalism course. Then I had Kara. But you know, I would never trade Kara for any dream in this world. I love my daughter (and the two little ones) to pieces!

5. If I argue with you in English, then that means I am really really mad.

6. I feel I am always put in situations where I need to fight for my rights or my loved ones’, for that matter, that’s why I almost always come off too strong/mataray. But then, I was never a pushover, either.

7. I had difficult pregnancies because we discovered I had APAS (Antiphospholipid Antibody Syndrome), an autoimmune condition which makes my body reject the developing baby. To save the baby, I had heparin injections twice a day which would leave purple bruises on my belly. Which reminds me…

8. I don’t drink coffee that much anymore. Ever since I got pregnant twice in a row, I have somehow gotten coffee out of my system, and even the usual 3-in-1 could give me heart palpitations now. (funny though, fraps work well for me)

9. The only regret I had marrying Bong was that we didn’t have a wedding singer as good as him. sad.

10. Surprisingly, I liked the Sex and the City Movie. I can’t wait for the next one.

11. I once sang the part of Asaka in our college production of “Once on this Island .” And I would also sometimes pitch in for an orgmate who played the part of Ti Moune whenever she’d get hoarse from singing.

12. I used to commute from Sta. Rosa to UP Diliman and back during College. My parents didn’t consider having me live in a dorm or a boarding house.

13. I once wrote a balagtasan piece for our annual celebration of the priests’ day in High School.

14. I passed the first exam given to wannabes of PSHS, but wasn’t able to take the second exam because the schoolmate tasked to give me the letter informing me I passed the exam failed to do so.

15. I turned down Bong not once, but thrice. And just when he was no longer interested in me, that was the time I discovered I had feelings for him. The rest, as they say, is history.

16. I once auditioned for UPSA (UP Singing Ambassadors) only to prove to an ex that I could get in and sing with the group. And when the novelty of it all wore out, I started losing interest, too. It was also hard to keep up especially when you have to go home to Laguna after rehearsals at around 10-11pm. (but I was able to perform with the group a few times, so to me, that was already enough)

17. What first attracted me to my company was the piped-in music they were playing during my entrance exams—classical music, would you believe!

18. I took over the responsibility of enrolling myself and my siblings to school (including my cousins pa pala) when I was only in grade five. Since my mom has work, she trusted me with the enrollment money. That taught me to be more independent.

19. I was able to watch two Oblation runs in UP. I realized after the second time that once you’ve seen it, you’ve seen all.

20. I used to be good in math. Really. Unfortunately, years without practice really make one forget the whole thing. Fortunately for me, Kara very seldom needs help with Math.

21. After giving birth to Kara while inside the recovery room, I was in such high spirits that I couldn’t care less if everywhere, other women were either throwing up or plain knocked out after giving birth themselves. I just remember being impatient, and to while away the time, I was singing “Build me Up Buttercup.”

22. I am allergic to all kinds of pain killers except celebrex, and anything containing aspirin.

23. I always tell my friends who are still single to look for a man who shares the same faith as theirs. Worshiping together is very important to me. And I am very lucky Bong and I share the same beliefs and practices when it comes to our faith.

24. Kara used to tell me I make harder (review) exams than her teachers’ actual exams.

25. If there is one person I would want to be with again, that would be my deceased brother, Lon. I miss him and I would want to tell him face to face that I love him so much.

There you go. Your turn.

Base Awards and prizes

This morning, I received a package in the office. Upon seeing the LBC plastic bag it came with, I immediately knew what it was. Needless to say, I was already expecting its arrival. I just wasn’t sure where it would be sent. So seeing the company roving messenger approach my table with a rather large package already brought a smile to my face.

And what was it? Well, just a new Nikon D90 Fr. Felmar’s gifts…the two 2010 SVD Bible Diaries and the batik shirt which I am sharing with my dear hubby Bong.

After signing the receiving copy, I immediately tore it open and smiled from ear to ear upon seeing the diaries which contain the writings of SVD priests and sisters, and the shirt. One of the diaries will be stationed here in the office and the other will be used at home. And the shirt. Yes, the shirt. Bong has already asked me for it, so it will go to him. (See? I’m a generous wife. I share my awards with my hubby. hehe)

Thanks to Fr. Felmar and his base contest, I won these two SVD Bible Diaries and the really nice batik shirt

I couldn’t resist taking a photo of my prizes so I could display it here. Forgive the inferior quality though, of the pic, as I only took this with the use of my phone. hehe.

Anyway, I would like to thank Fr. Felmar again for the very nice gifts/prizes I received from him. But mostly, I would like to thank him for his unique way of spreading God’s word, and for all the friends I gained because of his site. God bless, everyone!

Hindi…

Hindi ko palaging naitatanong sayo kung anong nararamdaman mo lalo’t alam kong may mga problema sa trabaho.

Hindi kita palaging nayayakap kapag nagsabi ka sa akin na may masakit sa katawan mo at alam ko namang kelangan mo lang ng yayakap sayo para madama mo namang beybi pa rin kita kahit papano…

Hindi rin kita palaging nahahalikan pag dumadating ka sa lugar na ating pagtatagpuan upang sabay na umuwi matapos ang isang maghapon sa trabaho…

Hindi ko palaging nasasabi sayo ang thank you, o salamat, kahit na araw araw sa pagpasok natin sa trabaho, natutulog ako sa balikat mo habang humahalik ka sa noo ko at magkahawak kamay tayo.

Hndi ko rin nasasabi palagi ang salamat kapag gumigising tayo sa umaga matapos mag-alarm ang cellphone ko at nakikiusap akong mauna ka nang bumangon dahil gusto ko pang matulog, kahit alam kong may mga panahong talagang pagud na pagod ka at kulang ka sa tulog dahil may nilamay kang trabaho nung nakaraang gabi.

Hindi ko rin palaging nasasabi sayo ang salamat sa twing babangon ka sa gabi para magtimpla ng gatas o magpalit ng diaper, o di kaya maglinis ng ating mga maliliit na chikiting bago sila matulog.

Hindi kita laging napapasalamatan sa pagsisikap mong gawin ang lahat para maibigay mo ang maganda at mabuting buhay para sa amin ng mga bata

Hindi ko nasasabi sayo kung gaano ko nararamdaman na maswerte ako dahil kasakasama kitang magdasal sa umaga at sumimba linggo linggo.

Hindi ko nasasabi sayo na mabuti na lang at ikaw ang nakatuluyan ko kasi ikaw lang ata ang nakakaintindi sa kung minsa’y magulo kong utak.

Hindi ko palaging nasasabi sayo ng harapan ang mga salitang I love you, kung minsan, kahit pa nga sa text lang. At kung minsan nakakaguilty kapag nagtetext ka ng mga ganitong matatamis na salita, at sobrang busy naman ako sa trabaho. Pagkabasa, babalik na ang atensyon ko sa kung anumang pinagkakaabalahan kong gawin.

Marami pa akong di palaging naipadadama o nasasabi sayo…pero ang hindi mo laging alam… na lagi akong nagpapasalamat kay Lord kasi kahit ang tigas ng ulo ko noong mga panahong tinatanggihan kita (tatlong beses yun, di ba?) di ka pa rin sumuko. At ngayong nagdiriwang ka ng iyong kaarawan, isang malaking pasasalamat ko sa Kanya dahil nung isilang ka, siguro’y iginuhit na Niya ang tadhana mo…na magiging matiisin at mapagpasensiya ka dahil sa akin ka mapupunta.

Happy birthday, dad. Simple lang naman ang gusto kong sabihin sayo…Mahal na mahal kita. Yun lang.

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Update lang po ito…

Ito ay mga larawang kuha nung gabing magdiwang kami ni Bong ng kanyang kaarawan.

Ako at ang aking si Bong bago kami kumain sa Kanin Club

Dalawa lang kaming kakain kaya ito lang muna ang aming pinagsaluhan. Marami pa ring natira kaya't inuwi na lang namin. Stuffed squid, Laing, Crispy dinuguan at hototai ang nakikita nyo.

At shempre pa'y di mawawala ang Kanin... ito ang Loaded KC rice.

Singing Partner

(My husband, Bong, is celebrating his birthday in a few days, three to be exact. And as I was browsing in my multiply site, I found this one which I wrote two months after I gave birth to our little boy, Jeremy.

He has told me more than a few times not to give him anything fancy during his birthday. In fact, he doesn’t want me to give him any gift, seeing that there have been a lot of expenses the past few days. So as a fitting tribute to this man who has proven to be everything the song “Wind Beneath My Wings” says, I am reposting this here…)

Bong sings "The Promise" while being accompanied by the Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra during the show "PPO and IL In Harmony."

A few weeks ago, in the wee hours of the morning while tending to Jeremy during his feeding, Bong who was fast asleep, suddenly opened his eyes and began humming to the song that was playing in our dvd player. You see, we put music every night in the player to help Jeremy sleep better. That night (or was it already early morning?), David Benoit’s Land of the loving was playing. And there was Bong, humming the song, which ended as abruptly as it started. He just suddenly stopped humming and went back immediately to his sleep. I didn’t know whether to laugh or not because I suspected he wasn’t aware of what he just did. The day after, I asked him if he knew what he did, and he told me he didn’t. heehee! I told him I found it funny but nice because he was really “musical” even in his sleep.

Well, almost the same thing happened two nights ago. This time, the song was David Benoit’s Take a look inside my heart. He woke up from his sleep, and this time, he didn’t just hum. He sang the song, but before he went back to sleep, he told me he was now fully aware that he was singing. Which meant, he was not dreaming or something. But which still brought smile to my lips. I mean, my husband was only half-awake while singing, yet, I swear, I fell in love all over again with his voice.

I remembered then the first time I found out he was musically inclined (that’s putting it very mildly, actually). It was in 1995, and we were in CMC (College of Mass comm or Plaridel Hall for you–in UP) He told me he could play the piano and so we went to nearby Abelardo Hall (college of Music which was also where I used to take my voice lessons and where UPSA rehearsals were held). We found a room with a piano in it, and he began playing Les Mis’ On My Own which, at the time, was one of my voice pieces. I sang while he played, but I didn’t know then that he could sing too, because he didn’t sing, anyway. At the time, I already knew he liked me, but I was too stubborn to acknowledge it.

Fast forward to 2002. My ex and I had just broken up, and who was there for me? Turns out Bong was. He asked if he could visit me at home in Laguna, and I said ok. Here, I found out he could sing, and that he actually had a nice voice. He unabashedly sang songs in the videoke while I just listened. I was too shy to sing in front of him, anyway. At the time, I knew he still liked me, or liked me again, (whichever would apply), but I wasn’t ready yet. Besides, at the time, he had a girlfriend, and I didn’t want to be the one to ruin what they had. So we just remained friends.

Then, two years after, it suddenly happened. We were together a day after my birthday. He had already broken up with his ex, and I realized I was now ready to fall in love again. To cut the long story short, we were soon a couple, and not only that, we also started singing together. In weddings, mostly. A year after, we were married, and to this day, we still sing together.

Made me realize how nice it really is to have a partner you can sing with, Literally and figuratively. In the years we have been together, Bong has taught me to be more confident and appreciate what talent I had been given. Of course, there are still times when I would just want to take the backseat, and just watch and listen to him while he sings. He really has a beautiful, beautiful voice, after all, and I know, no matter what I do, I will never be able to match that. But what the heck. He is mine, and I could forever, listen to him sing. Just like two nights ago, when he sang Take a look inside my heart. *sigh* I’d have to ask him to sing again later tonight.

Dengue alert: my longest post ever

(Forgive me for this very long post. I do not expect you to have patience to read everything, but if you do, then I thank you.)

November 26. I was still in the office when Kara sent me a text message that she has high-grade fever. I wasn’t planning on going home at once since I was trying to finish my writing assignments for the souvenir program of our The Outstanding Filipino (TOFIL) Awards Ceremony on December 11. I was tasked to write on former Agriculture Secretary Senen Bacani and Dr. Arturo Cunanan’s accomplishments. But the minute I got Kara’s text message, I knew there was something really wrong. I called my sister so she could take Kara’s temperature and what I got alarmed me: 40.2. That was not normal at all.

So I decided to leave at once and meet them at my brother-in-law’s clinic. After one and a half hours, I was finally with my Kara and I saw how weak and sick she was. At the time, she just had her CBC and platelet count, and everything seemed normal. Platelet was 226, but at the back of my mind, I knew that we would be battling something really big. Call it intuition or something, but I had a really bad feeling it was not the usual fever one has.

At the clinic, she was given a shot of Aeknil to lower her body temperature. But I already decided to bring her to Asian Hospital because I didn’t want her at home when her fever was too high. On the way though, there was heavy traffic from Balibago Complex going to SLEX so we decided to take the Mamplasan exit. But again, while on our way to Mamplasan, Kara’s temperature suddenly dropped. It became 37 so we decided to turn back and head home. However, a few minutes after that, her temperature started going up again, so that in two hours, it was again back to 40.3. This time, I called my mom and my sister Anne so we could bring Kara to the hospital. (Bong and I agreed he would stay with the kids).

At Asian Hospital, Kara was immediately attended to, and when the emergency doctor found out that she hadn’t had her fever for more than 24 hours, he told us Kara could not be confined. I didn’t agree to that. I told him, we live far from the hospital and I didn’t want my daughter to experience another emergency before they finally believed she needed to be hospitalized. So maybe seeing my determination, he relented and ordered another round of laboratory exams. This time, at around 12 midnight, Kara’s platelets were down to 149, 1 point lower than the normal value. This time, he decided Kara should indeed be admitted to the hospital. Since Kara is still technically a kid, he recommended a pediatrician who lives nearby: Dra. Abigail Pia Suntay.

Dr. Suntay proved to be a wise choice. First time I saw her, I was immediately smitten. hehe. Yeah, she’s one very beautiful doctor, soft-spoken, very accommodating, and patient with my numerous questions. Anybody who knows me would agree when I say I am makulit. I ask questions and I am not ashamed to do so because it’s my daughter’s life at stake.

So on the following day, when Dr. Suntay first visited Kara, her platelet count, from 149, went down to 115. Subsequent tests yielded the same result. Platelet count going down from 115 to 89, to 78, to 56, then to 50; WBC going down to as low as 1.2. At this time, Dr. Suntay called another specialist, Dr. Michelle Rodriguez (who I think is more beautiful than the actress–hmmm…isn’t that a good sign? Beautiful doctors being assigned to take care of my daughter!)

Sunday came and I got the news that Kara’s platelet count has gone down to 50. It was also when I was informed that we would have to source platelets for type O+. I went out of Kara’s room to call family and friends for possible donors. I was able to get 8 PNRC donor cards from my office, and a few people who were willing to be screened for donation. Out of those who volunteered, only Bong was able to donate blood. Some didn’t qualify for various reasons. Nevertheless, I was still very thankful to them because they went out of their way to help us. While all these were happening, I was close to having a nervous breakdown. I was crying, I was praying, I was pleading to God to take care of my daughter. Kara, albeit already 12 years old, is still, after all, my baby. I was forced to calm down when relatives started coming in to visit. When everybody was settled inside Kara’s room, I went out and collapsed in Bong’s arms. I cried so hard.

On the night of November 29, when Kara’s platelet count went down to 50, Dr. Rodriguez ordered plasma transfusion. Aside from the low platelet and WBC count, her other blood parameters were not normal (PTT, PT, clotting time, etc.–I am quite familiar with these as I had to undergo the same tests while I was pregnant with the two piglets) Dr. Rodriguez said the plasma transfusion would hopefully help get things back to normal, though there was still no sure sign that her platelets would go up. So Kara had two bags of plasma that night, and in between, a shot of Furosemide in her IV. It’s a diuretic, used to ensure that there won’t be fluid accumulation in my baby’s body. The second phase of plasma transfusion was to happen 6 hours after.

The next day, November 30, at around 4am, the third bag of plasma was transfused. However, the nurse on duty thought there was something funny in the fourth bag so it was delayed and it wasn’t until 7 am when that last bag was transfused. In between however, Kara experienced difficulty in breathing. We thought she was having an attack of asthma, but later realized that the nurse failed to infuse Furosemide in her IV, which might have been the reason she had a hard time breathing. Subsequent xray confirmed that there was a bit of fluid in her lungs. (Good thing I can’t remember anymore the name of the nurse who forgot to do this, otherwise, I’d have wrung her neck. At the time, I was more concerned about Kara breathing more easily so even if I try my darnest to remember, I just can’t. Good for you, nurse!) Anyway, after the Furosemide was injected, Kara had to go to the bathroom to urinate, and later, was able to breathe more properly. So we all heaved a big sigh of relief.

The next round of tests was done that afternoon. We were hopeful Kara’s blood parameters were getting better but we were informed her platelets went down to 30. However, Dr. Rodriguez said she tried to count manually and said that hers was 60 instead. She said the machine sometimes makes errors and so we tried to end the day on a happier note. After all, Kara’s next blood extraction was not scheduled until the next day.

The next day, December 1, at 6am, another blood test was done, and this time, Kara’s platelets went down further: 23. Dr. Rodriguez delivered the bad news and apologized for she said the machine might have been right after all. She counted manually again, and this time, she said, she didn’t see anymore the platelets she saw the day before. At this point, we were ready with about 7 bags of platelets at the hospital’s blood bank. Dr. Rodriguez immediately ordered platelet transfusion. I, on the other hand, kept texting family and friends, asking for prayers for Kara. That day, I was truly scared we wouldn’t be able to bring Kara home alive. At times, I would just again go out of the room to cry. I was scared. I remember receiving an email from a friend a few weeks back, about a young woman, 24 years of age, who died of dengue. She was allegedly misdiagnosed while in St. Luke’s Hospital. They said what she had was just a bad case of UTI even when her platelets were already spiralling downwards. She later went on coma, and finally succumbed to dengue when her platelet count reached 28. During those moments, I just kept praying and telling myself that no, that wouldn’t happen to my girl. She has very capable doctors who kept on visiting her and checking on her even late at night. Her doctor, Dra. Abi Suntay also always made sure I was always updated. She also always patiently explained to me things I couldn’t understand, and even invited questions just so I could be pacified. She was always reassuring me and telling me they would do everything to make Kara better.

At 9am that day, Kara had her 4 bags of platelet transfusion. At this time, her fever had already subsided and skin rashes, albeit very small, started to appear. That was a good sign, I was told since that would mean the virus was slowly making its way out of my daughter’s body. But just to be sure, our company’s HRD still asked for blood donors in case we needed to have more platelet transfusions. Out of the 6 who volunteered, one was able to pass the stringent screening process and donate blood.

At 7pm that night, another blood test was done, and lo and behold! her platelet count went up. This time, it was 36. At the time, I was pretty sure we wouldn’t need another round of transfusion.

The next day, December 2, another round of tests was done, and this time, we were to hear more good news. Her platelet count steadily went up, this time, to 44. Dr. Suntay was beaming when she visited us in Kara’s room. She told us the good news, and even said we could go home the next day if Kara’s platelet count reaches at least 80. The normal platelet count is at least 150, but 80 would be a good time to send us home since that would mean the trend is for Kara’s platelet count to go up. Everybody was in high spirits, and it was the first time I really really smiled. Add to that the fact that Fr. Felmar visited us that morning. I sent text messages to everybody to thank them for praying for our Kara.That night, I decided to go home for the first time since I had to check on the two piglets who were already looking for their Mama.

Early the following morning, while preparing to go back to the hospital, I heard the happiest news: Kara’s platelet had gone up to 90. Imagine that! We were just batting for 80, but we were given 90! How could God be so good to us, huh? But He really is and so with a very happy heart, I immediately went to Asian Hospital. Needless to say, we were given the go signal to go home and after a short while settling the bill (Hmmmm…cost us P120K) we were on our way home.

But the story doesn’t end there.

This morning, Kara had another blood test at my brother-in-law’s clinic and the great thing is, her platelet count has gone up to 296. Wow. I was so overwhelmed, and I felt truly blessed. God is just so good! And He loves Kara so much, doesn’t he?

So here I am back in the office, recounting what had been a few of my darkest days. It was a very long, scary, and at times, painful journey for all of us. There were a lot of uncertainties, but what was certain, was the love we felt from our family and friends (some of them even live quite far from us). It really touched me to know that even those I have yet to meet (dear blogging friends) took the time to pray for us. I also feel blessed to have had exceptional doctors taking care of Kara. (If you want a really nice pediatrician for your kids, I recommend Dr. Abi Suntay who holds clinic at Asian Hospital and Tokyo Healthlink in Alabang) We also had two favorite nurses and even the maintenance personnel (Beverly and Ronald) were really nice. I am planning to write a letter of commendation for all the wonderful people who took good care of us, and especially Kara, but I just had to write this first, lest I forget.

I do not know if I should be thankful this happened. For sure, it was not a happy thing. But this incident made us realize that only God could tide us over any difficult phase in our lives. Sometimes I still ask what I did to deserve His mercy, but He is, after all, All-Knowing, powerful and loving. Who am I to question that?

And oh, Kara also had very good reasons to get well soon. When we came home yesterday, a brand new touch phone was waiting for her from my mom. And my papa (her grandpa) already promised a new digital camera. So yeah, she should really be well by now.

Thank you!

As I write this, we are still in Asian Hospital where Ate Kara is confined due to a bout with dengue fever which started last Thursday, November 26.

This morning, (a day after 4 bags of platelet transfusion) her platelet count registered 44, from a low of 23 yesterday morning.

I have yet to post a longer account of what happened from Day 1. I haven’t finished it yet since I have to finish a writing assignment I brought home last Thursday. But since I haven’t finished that post yet, I  hope this will suffice for the time being.

Needless to say, the past few days were very very difficult for a mom like me. It was not easy waiting, trying to dismiss your fears because you knew you had to at least appear strong in front of your child. It was not easy watching your daughter get hurt, pricked, and all. And it wasn’t easy reading the lab results telling you that her blood parameters were far from normal, her platelet count going down, reaching 23 at one point. During those times, I could only go out of the room while people, relatives and friends were inside, so I could let go of my emotions and just cry. All the time, I wished it were me instead of my precious daughter. During those times, I could only resort to kissing her and trying to assure her these were needed because they were just trying to make her better. It was just a blessing that Kara is already 12 years old, and understood that all these were needed. I had a very good patient who tried her mightiest to fight off whatever it was that was making her sick, so it was only rational that I followed suit… fighting off this virus with my daughter.

Last night, another round of tests was done, and this time, her platelet count increased to 36, up from 23 in the morning. This morning, her platelet count has gone up to 44, and that was probably the most beautiful thing I have ever heard (hmmm…aside from Bong telling me I looked beautiful this morning even when I had not had the chance to fix myself during the past several days) We are just waiting for Kara’s platelet count to at least reach 80 before the doctor permits us to finally go home.

The medicines helped. The doctors (very very good pediatricians in the persons of Dr. Abigail Pia Laurel-Suntay and Dr. Michelle Rodriguez who is a Pediatrician-Hematologist Oncologist) helped immensely. The camote tops and lots of fluids helped. But I believe, Kara has gotten out of that dangerous phase because of prayers from both family and friends, including blogger-friends.

Yup, that’s you. I have never met anyone of you (save for a very very nice blogger friend, who I was blessed to meet jsut this morning when he went out of his way to visit us, Fr. Felmar Fiel) but even if we have remained faceless up to this day, you have all taken time to say a prayer for us, most especially for my dear daughter. Through Fr. Felmar and Lhen, blogger friends texted their words of encouragement which helped a great deal in easing the fears and anxiety I felt during those frightful moments.

And so, please allow me to thank you all. Cliche as it may sound, my husband Bong and I thank you from the bottom of our hearts. It gives us great comfort to know that we were able to rely on the goodness of your hearts. I do not wish to repay the favor to you since that would mean any one of you and your families getting sick, but I truly wish to be able to pay it forward…to be able to pray for, and offer words of encouragement to somebody else in need. When I decided to make my presence known in WP late September, (since I used to blog in FS, Multiply and FB) I only wanted to share my thoughts with whoever would care to read what I had to say. But I never really realized I would gain so many friends in so little time. God is truly good. I realized, even when I wasn’t deserving of His favor and miracles, He continues to selflessly give. And the blessings include you.

Our war isn’t over yet. We have to wait til ate Kara’s platelet count gets up to at least 80 (normal count is at least 150), but I trust in the Lord that He will make this possible.

CNN Hero of the Year: Efren Penaflorida

It comes as no surprise to finally know that Efren Penaflorida was named as 2009 CNN Hero of the Year. After all, he has been a great inspiration to so many people, especially to us, Filipinos. And this very recent honor bestowed on him, is as well an honor for us. Thank you, Efren, and thank you to all who voted for him online.

In his words, “Our planet is filled with heroes, young and old, rich and poor, man, woman of different colors, shapes and sizes. We are one great tapestry, each person has a hidden hero within, you just have to look inside you and search it in your heart, and be the hero to the next one in need.

“So to each and every person inside in this theater and for those who are watching at home, the hero in you is waiting to be unleashed. Serve, serve well, serve others above yourself and be happy to serve. As I always tell to my co-volunteers … you are the change that you dream as I am the change that I dream and collectively we are the change that this world needs to be.”

How nice it is to be reminded that in each of us lies a hero. I just wish it wouldn’t take another calamity just like the recent supertyphoons that visited this country for us to really look inside ourselves and realize that hey, we can all be heroes to our fellowmen. (Full story on Pushcart educator named CNN Hero of the Year)

Mabuhay ka, Efren Penaflorida! You have truly made us proud. And I hope, through your example, we can really be the change this world needs, we can truly be the change we want for this country.

Harana

Bong, Kara and I had the privilege of witnessing the world-class performance of the Philippine Opera Company last Saturday, November 14, at the Insular Life Auditorium in Alabang. The Program was titled “Harana,” and featured Philippine Classical and contemporary music, divided into 6 suites: Igorot, Maria Clara (which included Pamaypay ng Maynila and Iyo Kailan pa man), Rural (which had the ibon medly and Kalesa, my most favorite pieces), Muslim, Folk, and the Contemporary Suites (which included Nais ko, Anak, and Bayan Ko).

Harana is the Philippine term for serenade, which is a traditional form of courtship in which a man woos a woman’s affection by singing underneath her window. “Harana” showcased the evolution of Philippine Music through song, movement, and drama.

Performers included Philippine Opera Company’s Artistic and Managing Director Karla Gutierrez (who was very very exceptional), Florence Aguilar, Arlynne Tecson (not sure, though if that’s her name), Sherwin Sozon, Noel Rayos, Miguel Castro, and Juan Alberto Gaerlan whose lapel mic malfunctioned but whose voice nevertheless defied the circumstances.

Words aren’t enough to describe how they performed. The whole show was just superb (for lack of proper words to define it). While watching (and listening), one couldn’t help but be transformed to that distant past when life was so much simpler, and one’s form of entertainment consisted of singing and swaying to music. It made me appreciate Philippine classical music more, the kundimans and folk music our lolos and lolas grew up to. My most favorite number was “Kalesa,” sung by the male members of the ensemble. I know this one by heart because a few years back, our company choir (of which I am a part), sang this during a Company awards programme. It also helped that it’s a funny, fast song. (Kabayo ay di natin problema, Pulot at damo lang ay tama na. Matulin din sa kalsada, Tumatakbong maginhawa, Wala pang gasolina). And yeah, it brought back memories of my once-upon-a-time ambition of being a classical singer. haha!

The show ended with an emotional rendition of “Bayan Ko.” Then, when all of us kept repeating our shouts of “More! More! More!”, the group obliged by singing (and inviting everybody to sing) “Gaano Kita Kamahal.” It surprised me to find out that I still know the song, so I sang with everybody wholeheartedly.

After the show, I asked Kara if she liked it, and she said YES! smiling widely. That was actually one of my night’s highlights–knowing that Kara enjoyed the performance as much as I did. Or maybe I was just a tad happier because all throughout the show, I just couldn’t help but smile. (haha! The last time I felt as giddy as this was when I watched The CompanY’s last concert at Aliw Theater). I realized it’s only very rare that I get the chance to watch genuinely great artists, so yeah, I was also very happy. Needless to say, Bong, was , too.

Harana was the last offering of Filfest Cultural Foundation’s second season, and was co-presented by Insular Life, which is celebrating its 99th founding anniversary this year.

Ayayu, ninami

On our way home from the church last Sunday, Cassie, who was sitting on my lap, began singing. Her words came out like this:

“Ayayu…ninami…dadadada…ayayu…ninami…dadadada…”

This went on, I think, for about 5 times. It was cute listening to her because she was singing the first few lines of her favorite show, Barney’s end song, “I love you.”  The song’s lyrics are:

I love you, you love me. We’re a happy family

With a great big hug, and a kiss from me to you

Won’t you say you love me too.

 

This song is sung to the tune of “This Old Man” –

(This old man, he played one, He played knick-knack on my thumb;

Knick-knack paddywhack, Give a dog a bone, This old man came rolling home.)

 

I thought it funny that she suddenly broke into a song, complete with her head swaying. I thought it was one of the nicest melodies I’ve heard. So when I heard what she was singing, I decided to sing along with her. And she supplemented the song with the customary hug and kiss (“With a great big hug, and a kiss from me to you”). Awww…what else could a mom ask for?

Papa, Papa-achi

The long weekend went by in a blur. Now, it’s back to reality. But let me thank God for my job.

Today, I just received good news. My almost P35K hospital bill from Asian Hospital was paid for by the Company. Good thing is, I received a check representing reimbursement of the medicines I bought after my hospitalization. This meant that I didn’t have an excess hospitalization bill though my hospital stay was not covered by Philhealth. I had less than 24 hours of confinement, and I was told that this wasn’t covered by Philhealth. Sad. But if only for this, I am very thankful to my Company (which is celebrating its 100th anniversary next year). I remember almost 2 1/2 years ago when I gave birth to my little boy also at Asian Hospital. My hospital bill amounted to around P275K, already with Philhealth deductions (yep, Asian Hospital charges a fortune, but I have to admit that the service is by far the best among hospitals I’ve been to) and my Company again paid for everything, even reimbursing my earlier expenses for medicines, diagnostic procedures, etc. (So when I gave birth to my little girl last year at another hospital, I had no doubt I woudn’t have any problems paying for my hospital bill. I was right again.)

Anyway, speaking of my little boy, I had one of the delightful moments with him last night. I was watching the tv (for some reason, somebody tuned in to the Kapamilya teleseryes. At the time, I think they were showing Lovers in Paris) when I noticed my little boy saying “papa, papa, papa achi” over and over again. I thought he was calling his lolo, my papa. And I thought it weird because my papa was not there. He went to the mall, I think. So this went on for a couple more minutes when I finally decided to listen. Then I thought I could recognize a tune. He repeated “papa, papa achi.”

Then it hit me, he was singing! You see, earlier, we went to Manila to my in-laws for a visit, as well as to go to the South cemetery to visit my bro-in-law, my husband’s other relatives, and my paternal grandmother. On our way to Manila, we listened to Lady Gaga’s two albums so Bong wouldn’t have a hard time keeping alert and awake during the trip. He slept very late the previous night, since he was laying out something. So we were listening to Lady Gaga, and I guess the song Paparazzi stuck to the little boy’s mind, much like what we call LSS (last song syndrome).

And so, there he was, my little boy, singing Papa, Paparazzi while playing with  his new toy car. The nice thing was, he got the tune correctly, which was also why I recognized it as Lady Gaga’s song. Hahaha!

Kids really say the darnest things. Or make it Kids really sing the darnest things. Which reminded me I would have to expose him to classical music again so he’d have an appreciation for really nice music.