It's the Most Wonderful Time

 2025!! What?! Yes, today it's Christmas 2025.

I have been seeing Christmas posts on the Facebook lately regarding how simple back it was in the days. I wanted to share my pang MMK, SIMPLE Christmas experiences too, (yes experiences, kasi madami! haha) but I decided to just revive this decade year old blog.

Am I ready to share without cutting onions? Haha

CHRISTMAS CARD

Okay, so first, I was around 10 years old. It was the 24th and Mom and I were in a rush to buy something for Christmas feast. By that time, I think the 500 peso trending challenge of today is more than enough for Noche Buena. Haha! Kidding aside, I am sure that Mom's money was less than that. Anyway, I told my mom to just leave me in Goodluck Department Store as I am tired of walking. So she then went ahead. I went straight inside the store and bought that Christmas Card that I was eyeing for 2 weeks. Got all the coins from my pocket and gave it to the cashier. I hid it at my back and waited for mom to come back. 

Come 25th, me and my sister gave the Christmas Card to our mom. I cant remember her reaction. All I can remember is our little success to atleast gave her her first Christmas card and the struggle to save the 25 peso. Back in the days, our baon was food and juice or no baon at all! When I saw the card, I really wanted to give it to her, but how can I even buy it. I dont know how my sister saved the 5 peso but the rest, I gathered from asking my classmates and friends to pay me and I will do something for them in return. I made their homeworks, I wrote lesson notes in their notebooks, I switched to be a cleaner, I sold yema. I was able to gather 18 pesos and can't remember upto now where the 2 peso came from. The feeling when I gave the coins to the cashier and the excitement when we finally have something for mom still lingers to me till now. I guess this was the start why I love surprises and giving gifts. 

And yes, that was our Christmas! 

NOCHE BUENA

On the 24th of December, at almost 7pm, we were just boiling water for coffee. After couple of minutes, mom asked me to cook rice and fry tuyo. We ate together ON the small table of our sari-sari store just beside the road. Every time someone would pass by, mom will greet Merry Christmas and "Kaon!". And that's it, that's our Christmas, no gifts, no spaghetti, no Ham. As a child who's always excited for Christmas, this became my saddest Christmas experience. I wanted to promise to myself to not let this happen again, but how ? We couldn't even afford to pay the 20 peso contribution for our Christmas party. 

During the midnight mass, my 11 year-old self was crying while praying. I cant remember what I was praying for (for sure to be rich hahaha)  and as I was praying, I was looking on the big white circle in the altar. From then on, every time I go for mass in that same chapel, I would always look on the circle and would wish and pray. It became like wishing well (well circle, lol) and a symbol of my Christmas.

There's also another noche buena story a year after or 2 years after that. 24th of December, again, no plans for noche buena. Luckily, our neighbor's sister was looking for someone to clean their entire house for Christmas.  Without hesitation, we jumped in (me and my friend) and cleaned the house. We started cleaning at around 12 or 1 pm and finished around 5:30 pm. They gave us 350 pesos each and ladies and gentlemen, I was once again so excited to give the money to my mom who was already waiting for me outside the grocery store. 

Again, I attended the midnight mass and cried. Thanking God for His providence, for His miracle, for His Great Love for us. That same circle in the altar saw my tears, the happiness in my heart, for atlast --- noche buena! 

CHRISTMAS GIFT

Mom used to buy us gifts every Christmas. She's once of the moms pretending to be Santa. She would hide gifts somewhere (usually in the hospital across our sari sari store) so that we wont see it until Christmas. But life gave us lemons and we didnt know how make lemonades. Haha! She suddenly couldnt afford to buy us anything anymore. 

There was this one Christmas that I really wanted to have a pair of shoes or a t-shirt atleast. My shoes were worn out and I was borrowing shoes from my aunt and cousin every school time. I didnt have any decent shirt to wear whenever we would have school activities. There was a school competition one time that was held on a weekend, I didnt show up because I dont have anything to wear. 

So imagine my eagerness, but I know obviously we cant afford. 

I was around 12 yo during this time, and this was the awkward phase for a teenager to ask gifts from ninangs/ninongs. So I went to mom's garden and chose the best plant with a nice pot, cleaned the pot and the leaves, tied some of the stems with colorful ribbons and wrapped the whole thing with a clear plastic cover. Ready for delivery! Guess to whom? And why? Hahaha.

I gave the plant to my ninang who never skipped in giving me gifts for Christmas. I know no more gifts for me that time, but I just gave it a shot. I know she is the only person who can afford to give me money so I can buy shoes or shirt. And yes, she gave me 100 pesos!!!! I was sooooooo happy (and upto this now thankful to her)!! I went home with excitement and told my mom while screaming. "Mom at last I can buy something!"

26th, when all stores opened, I bought my first ever brand new brown "Bunny Brand" tshirt. I used this shirt I think till my high school days and some time on my early working days as pambahay na.

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I may not want to be on those same situations again, but I miss those Christmas.  I miss the feeling, the simplicity, the vibe, the simple wishes and thanksgiving that I cried over while praying. I missed how we were before, the passers by that we greeted, our little family eating together, me and my sister going to midnight mass, me with my cousins waiting for the sun to rise to brag to other kids that we didnt sleep on Christmas eve. I miss Christmas at home.

 

 

 

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2018 - what happened?

 2018 - what happened? 

Yesterday, I watched the vlog of Roxanne Barcelo regarding her 12 updates of her life. And I was like, yeah, what happened with my 2019? no, my 2018? So sige, simulan ko sa 2018.

December 18,2018 - I got married. He's the same man na naiblog ko na dito. My best friend, the first man I truly love. May mga naiblog na din ako dito that I thought na love ko, crush lang pala, like they are just image of men I liked.

"Dear" – sya yun. Siya yung blog ko last November 2012. Same month that I told the Lord that I’m in love with the person na friend lang ang tingin saken. Sobrang nalilito ako during those times, I was falling hard, and I didn’t know what to do. I prayed, nagnovena ako, nagbigay ako ng mga conditions kay Lord. Kung hindi sya, sana ilayo nya ako sa kanya or sya saken, sana magka girlfriend sya, or mabaling ang atensyon ko sa iba.   I was so scared kasi lagi ko na sya hinahanap, every morning nasanay na ako na makakausap ko sya. And it felt so different sa mga inakala kong mahal ko. Everytime magkikita kami, I was just so excited, I didn’t feel nervous, hindi ako na aawkwardan, masaya ako pagnagkikita kami at masaya ako pagnakakasama ko sya. I can just be me to him and we became so close at kahit anong topic pag usapan namen, it was always never ending. Also the first time na umamin ako kay Lord and sa mga closest friend ko na may iba na akong nararamdaman! Haha

Sa sobrang takot ko, nagtry ako iwasan mga text and calls niya. Hahaha! Hindi ko kaya but I was so proud that from January – February 2013, bilang lang mga exchanges of messages namen noon. I felt so relieved kasi akala ko, keri ko na, kelangan lang pala ang iwasan. But I was wrong again! Hahaha! Lagi kong binabantayan ang phone ko, mga nakadrafts na messages, kung isesend ko ba or hindi. Tapos pag tinataong niya ako kung sobrang busy ko daw ba bat di ako nagrereply, feeling ko nun, he was falling for me na din. Kapal. Hahaha! Kasi feeling ko he misses me na! Anyway, nung birthday ko nung March, nagmessage sya ng happy birthday, sa sobrang rupok ko, ininvite ko sya sa celebration namen. And sa sobrang arte at pabebe ko na din, nagpahatid ako sa bahay ng lasing. Haha! Nung nahimasmasan ako kinaumagahan, di na ulit ako nagparamdam. From that time till end of May, solid na hindi na kami masyado nag-uusap. I felt good pero sobrang namimiss ko talaga. I asked the Lord then, eto na ba yun Lord, yung sagot mo na hindi pa sya yung right man?

During those iwas time ko, I searched-in. Pumunta ako sa isang seminary. I discerned and asked guidance kung ano ba talaga ang plano ni Lord for me. Once in a while, we exchanged messages pero sobrang dalang ko na talaga magreply, I was so serious na sabi ko, kelangan may answer na for me. I don’t want to waste time, kasi di na ako bata.  

Right before my second seminary visit, he called and asked me kung pwede ba daw kami magdinner? Tutuparin niya lang daw promise niya saken dati na he will treat me dinner pag first salary niya sa new job niya. I was like, Lord what is this? Marupok pa din ako and I really need guidance. So sabi ko, sige fine. Sasama ako to try kung ano ang mararamdaman ko ulit pagnagmeet kami. Well, guess what? Bumalik kami sa dati, we became so close again, we talked about life, plans and the influence of SFC to our lives. Mas nakilala ko sya ng malalim.

After our MMC recon, nagkaron pa kami ng issue with our brothers and sisters kasi sa Tita niya kami natulog. But during those time, mas lalong naggrow yung feelings ko for him, I don’t know why, pero I knew na he likes me na rin (kapal! Haha!) So ayun, after the recon, I told him I love him. Hindi lang yung gusto, kundi mahal. Sobrang strong na ng pakiramdam ko na kelangan ko na sya iconfess no matter what, positive or hindi man ang sagot. So I did it. And the reply? Tadaaaaaaaa…

Friend… He likes me as a friend and masaya daw sya na kasama ako. I told the Lord, enough na. If friendship, fine, friends. Hindi na ako umiwas, pero nabunutan ako ng tinik. Hindi na din ako umasa, but we remained friends, nag oopen up padin sya saken, and give advices kung kelangan. But I controlled myself and moved on little by little. Not so good ang feeling pero nagtry na akong iopen ang chances ko to look on to others. Naks! Hahaha! I started texting some random people from the past, mga nirereto and all. But nothing compares! Char! But! I. remained. Strong!

So ayun na nga, sabi nila mapagbiro ang tadhana. November, I got sick, naadmit ako sa hospital and di ko sinabi sa mga friends ko, pero sympre, nakarating pa din sa kanya ang balita. He went there drunk, iniwan daw niya ang tito at pinsan niya na nag-iinuman when he our friend told him na nasa hospital ako. Di ko alam kung matutuwa ako, or maiinis. But he was there. He stayed 5 days sa hospital.

The rest is history. He went to Sorsogon December 26,2013, and officially, in front ni Mamadear, December 30, mag GG na kami.

Obviously, the Lord wanted us to be together. We got married and we were both happy that we made our promise to the Lord. December 18, we sealed it.

<More on 2013 pala ang update ko. Haha! Medyo shy pa ako noon iblog ang totoong feelings ko for him kasi nga may iwas factor pa, but yeah, 2013 is actually about us>

 2019 --- to be continued pag sinipag. 

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Bucharest

02.14.2017

Bucharest, Romania

Yes, im here. This is my first time going outside Ph. Very nice experience, sooo many firsts, so many memorable moments, sooo many nice people.

I dont have to say that much, my pictures will say a whole lot!

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life at 2013

Yey!! 29 days more and we're all saying goodbye to the most dramatic year. Despite of so many things that happened to me and to our world, I am still here, standing strong with love and with God. Here are some places that made my 2013 a good one to remember:

Holyweek - Bicol
(March 2013)
legaspi, albay-- as promised to my dear friend Paolo -- I introduced him to our dear Mayon na magayon.
* After a tiring 12-hour ride, we witnessed that majestic volcano. :)
*Sunday was the best. We rejoiced on His glory. Salubong on a Sunday morning and paguriran beach after. 







Puerto Galera
(April 2013)

The much awaited office friends get-away. Kaya lang, only three of us made it. But it was fun, my first banana experience. The resort is cool. A good place away from stress in Manila. Foods were great lalo na yung sinigang na isda. So fresh, relaxing and renewed!










 
Heller Baler!
(May 2013)

How can I forget this. My dearest ping's birthday celebration. A not so wallet friendly type of celeb. But good thing, we became cool surfers in an instant. After two attempts, we made it! so proud! :) Aha! Yung birthday song kinanta sa surfer's lane! haha!
We also experienced the super lamig falls situated at the tagong tagong part ng baler.. :) I dont know the exact place. Lol!

MMC - Subic
(July 2013)
It's Lord's time! Despite problems and challenges, I still managed to enjoy and trust this weekend retreat with the Lord. Together with my brothers and sisters in SFC, we made the conference successful! Experiences of different sharers were all amazing. I learned so many things! Who else would love us but the one and only true Lover of all times. ♥




First Pilgrimage(September 2013)

It was my very first pilgrimage. An event held by Jesus of Nazareth - EDSA Shrine Parish. Together with my partners in lakwatsas, we visited four churches in the province of Quezon. First stop was at Kamay ni Hesus in Lucban. Noah's Arc, Garden of Eden, Station of the Cross Images and other biblical figures. Relaxing indeed! The healing mass was also soul relieving.  The next church was at Tayabas - St. Michael the Archangel Parish. One of the oldest church we visited during that time. We found there the wishing chair, our personal archangels and others. Third church we visited was St. Francis of Assisi Church in Sariaya.. and ..The last stop was at St. John in Tiaong, the church known as the pink one.  :)

So definitely, those are the highlights of my travels this year. hopefully I can visit some other interesting places in years to come!

To God be the Glory! ♥

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throwback thursday

Hindi ko alam kung bakit sa loob ng isang araw dalawang beses kang naging subject sa mga pag uusap namen ng mga kaibigan ko. Bakit nga ba? May kailangan ba akong ayusin at balikan?

Halos apat na taon na ang nakaraan ng nagdesisyon akong tapusin ang kung ano man ang meron tayo. Nagdesisyon akong mag isa. hindi ko na kaya, at pakiramdam ko wala namang magandang maidudulot satin ang kung anu man ang meron tayo. Ayaw mo, gusto ko, wala kang nagawa. 

naalala ko lang to.. :)

Minahal kita sa paraang alam ko. Hindi ko alam kung anong pagmamahal ang gusto mo pero yun ako at yun ang alam kong paraan ng pagpapakitang mahal kita. Alam kong marami akong pagkukulang at maaring naabuso ko ang kabaitan mo sakin. Alam ko kasing hindi mo ako matitis at aantayin mo ako ano man ang gawin ko.   

Masaya ako sa maikling oras na nakasama kita. At mas higit na masaya ako sa maraming taong naghintay ka. Pero siguro nga may mga bagay na hindi talaga para satin. 

Nasaktan ako nung nakita kong masaya kana din sa iba. Unfair talaga ako kasi nagsimula na naman akong magparamdam sayo. Hindi ko lang talaga kayang tanggapin sa mga panahong yon na hindi na ako ang priority mo. Na pwede ka palang ngumiti na hindi na ako ang rason.

salamat sa kantang to..

Hindi ko alam kung anong nangyari sayo. Kung isa man ako sa naging rason kung bakit ka ganyan, sana magkaron tayo ng oras na magkausap ulit. Kung bakit pa kasi ngayon ko lang din napag isipan ang mga bagay na ito. Baka nga may kailangan pa tayong ayusin at tuluyang tapusin.

Mahal kita bilang isang kaibigan, at hindi mawawala yun kasi dun tayo nagsimula.

Salamat sa pagmamahal mo sakin araw araw. Ramdam ko yun, hanggang ngayon.

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2011-2012

coron - 09.2012

vigan - 05.2012

magallanes - 04.2012

sorsogon baywalk - 04.2012

bohol - 02.2012

cebu - 02.2012

boracay - 02.2012

corregidor - 01.2012

baguio - 10.2011

PMA - 10.2011

EK - 06.2011

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2012 Life's Travel

life's version this year is another celebration of love and hope.. a celebration of how life is given to us freely..decisions are all base on our own..we are the writer of our own story.. and God made the final edit..

my 2012 is a lot of ups and downs, love and pain, laughter and tears, blessings and challenges..

January-as a year opener,  opened my heart and soul for searching of what my heart wanted. Island of Corregidor witnessed how I leaped for joy seeing the entire place.. The island of my dreams. The island that my heart longed, long ago.. Truly God is an amazing God.. Truly, dreams do come true..

The month of hearts was a double header.. A food for my eyes and a food for my soul.. Boracay has been one of the most talked about places in the country, and with the help of angels around, I was there week before heart's celebration..A great experience with great friends.

SFC International Conference came on its way week after that sexy beach adventure.. It was my 3rd time in Cebu and 2nd time in Bohol yet the fun was a brand new one.. Dealing with our Creator's best teaching will always be a great experience.. The conference was a soul purifier, a magnificent experience of God..

Service is a service, with side trips literally on my side, my service for the Lord is still in my heart. God already knew those things.. Right? :))

Love grower month- MAY 2012- love for the children of God and teaching them everyday of that month was simply amazing. And I got one free inspiration from that. Shhhhh.. :)) And I got again a travel experience with the very first person i shed tears this year..Alam na! :)) But then, love grows!!

Middle this year was the busiest one, in work, in service, in family, in friends, in relationships, in love and in God..It was my first day of work, my lipat bahay moment, God's first concrete answer to my prayers, my great acting experience of pretending and trying to feel normal of everything that was happening, my first ever confession of what I felt, and my first ever record breaking heartache.. Nice share of midyear..

Good thing God is always present in everything. Bad times never seemed so bad at all because of Him. Following months all lead to heart exercise.. Love push overs, tumbling relationships.. It was a hard time, and God is always there.. Tears all over and sleepless nights were all uninvited yet always present..Good thing God is always present in everything, really.. :))

BER months, are now gifts.. From fresh Coron travel, relationships started to bloom, new beginnings are great, love's celebrations are so cool, forgiveness is refreshing!! The year is approaching its last day yet God still gives pahabol happiness that no one can explain.. Sobrang saya!!!

Life indeed is a circus, sometimes we cry, we shout, we hate..But later on, we start to smile, to laugh, to love, to forgive, to heal.. 2012 is soon to be a closed chapter in my life, but people will remain and will again play another role in my 2013.. :))

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