I have known Ate Joy for almost four years, and I believe our friendship had grown stronger by the second. Today, we got to discuss a lot of things, we got to laugh out loud – competing with the “ultra loud” speakers of the shop, we got to know each other more – detail by detail, including Ate Mariz, and we got to share our different experiences.
One hundred seventy five thousand and two hundred hours have gone by since my mother gave birth to me via a quick Caesarean Section last July 14, 1990. I just can’t believe I have reached this age – practically alive and still a natural child-at-heart. And browsing through piles of memorable beginnings I had when I was a little girl gave me a thousand reasons to smile and to be thankful for a precious and blessed life.
The Integrity Angels of Ateneo de Iloilo BATCH 2007.
TEN QUICK FACTS ABOUT THE ILONGGA (since I am already twenty years young!) Ready?
- I was 2.27 kilograms when I was first brought into this complicated world.
- Three years after I was born, I had my first ever MAJOR RESPIRATORY disease -ASTHMA.
- My doctor prescribed me with steroids so at the age of FOUR, I was a very fat child.
- One event in my life, I was hospitalized – as told by my father. The nurses could not find a vein for the Intravenous Fluid to be inserted so they placed the IV cannula on my forehead – thus, a little scar.
- I joined my first “art” competition when I was at the age of 6 – and that was a PAPER BOAT making contest.
- At the age of 7, I won my first regional poster making competition – topping kids from different places and with different ages.
- I had a crush once named “Oliver” – and until now, I still remember our so-called “puppy love.”
- Nine years of age I was a FINALIST in the National Painting Contest hosted by the ROAC foundation or otherwise known as the National Commission on Culture and the Arts. My entry was a Juror’s choice.
- I joined the Citizen’s Army Training – known in my Alma Mater as the “Blue Knights” when I was in high school. After the training, I lost a LOT OF WEIGHT!
- For seven years I had an obsession for saxophones. At nineteen, I was given one.
HOW WAS YOUR BIRTHDAY, REG?
On the 14th of July, 2010 – It was a regular duty day at the Operating and Delivery Rooms of St. Paul’s Hospital. I had no plan. During the entire shift I kept on thinking about how many of my friends were trying to get in touch, to greet me on my special day – we were not allowed to have our mobile phones on hand. I was anxious to find out, really. But a simple birthday in the OR/DR is what I had in mind before entering the premises of the school. I was thinking about the operations to be performed on that day, the patients I will be attending, and probably a delivery.
It seem endless that day. The OR rush hour, the stat operations, the four laboring mothers – typical “this-is-not-what-you-have-wished-for” on your birthday. But somehow, it simply felt right. I was 20 – no more teenage la-di-dahs. It was directly a birthday with no ribbons on the side. My Shakey’s dinner arrived and we had seven boxes of their Bunch of Lunch. At around 7pm we ate, the seven of us. A birthday song was sung – and I smiled. It was a special day because one mother asked me for my name so that she will name her child after me. Heck! It was even my first time to perform cord care. Everything fell into place.
PARTY PLANS?
The BEST COLLEGE FRIENDS you could ever have!
I celebrated my birthday with both my high school classmates and best college friends. I moved the party on the 17th, a Saturday, so that nobody will have an excuse of not attending. It was a simple get together at The Grand Tower. We had multiple iced tea towers, sumptuous meals, and best of all, karaoke! – I guess everybody enjoyed the singing and dancing part. I know I did!
There were a lot of things to remember that night – not to mention a BIG reminder that I just stepped in the ultimate “two zero” of life! *chuckles* But really, my high school classmates were showing off – I could really tell the difference of four years since we last had a class together. I missed them and we learned one lesson too – “Cherish every high school memory you have. It will eventually bridge you together through the years.” As for the college pals? I could never ask for more. I was even too happy that I forgot to thank them for their presence in celebrating my change of age. Truly, a hilarious night like that will be forever remembered.
With the highschool men, and amiga, Ces, who turned 20 on the 12th.
Talk about surprises. The day after that “partying and revelation of feelings,” I was called up to celebrate with my family and relatives. They prepared food and everything – and best of all, I was tired, my eyes looked sunken, and all I need to do is to take a good bath, get dressed, and have a taste of their effort. I was surely blessed with a great family – despite the imperfection, I was downright happy.
HOW ABOUT GIFTS?
I am a person who is always ecstatic when it comes to gift-giving. And as for my birthday, I just had one wish – and that is to be completely happy. Apart from all the material things given to me by these special people, I had what I wanted. It can’t be bought, though. I had love and I felt it deeply. Yes, I may sound dramatic. It is in these cases that I give value to people – they are the best gifts a girl like me could ever have.
It was simply a night of amazing friends and amazing memories!
Recently, a dear friend gave me something irreplaceable, something I have never even expected. I cried because I was so touched by the gesture. It really struck me. It made me realize my worth. Needless to say, I felt special. And somehow, it gave me even more reasons to love – to love even deeply and genuinely. They are all my inspiration. Somehow, it made my 2010 birthday delightfully sweeter than the icing on my cake!
My friends made this for me. This is just irreplaceable! I love them so much that I want to tell the whole world! Hope I could live up to 75! Kidding! More to come! Ciao!
The last time I called to check up on her, she was pretty much pleased about everything. She has a stable career, a caring family, a nice school to go to, and of course she has all the support she needs from her friends and relatives. Everything seems perfect – at least that’s what I know for a fact that we’ve been acquaintances since the beginning. I really thought that nothing could ever shake her off to where she is standing now, not until she called me yesterday telling me drastic news about her so-called “happy life.”
A tranquil view of Boracay Island.
Sure, we all have friends like that. But knowing Jessie, the kind of girl that would be your shoulder to cry on, the type of person that would do anything to cheer you up even when you least expect them, someone who is perceived to be problem-free – may have crumbled into her worst nightmare. You would never have estimated how several things like this could happen. I could somehow tell from her voice that something is definitely wrong. When I found out about it, I was in for a shock.
Back when we were just playmates, her house was across ours, we share the same likes – painting, playing with clay, monopoly, tea parties, and perhaps pretending to be chefs with an appetizer of “water plus leaves” soup. Those were the days worth reminiscing. And a few years after that, they instantly decided to move away. I was not expecting that to happen but it indeed taught me how to let go of the people I don’t want to lose. Jessie is such an extraordinary person I look up to.
With our conversation, I stayed silent and listened to her outpourings intently. She was upset, depressed, anxious, and furious – a mix of emotions thrown into a bowl of problems. I actually thought that this was just those regular discussions where your friend tries to burst the bubble and tells you that she and he have broken up, or that he and she were finally dating, or those juicy gossips your ears are dying to hear. Sadly, her words slapped me in the face.
Little did I found out that her parents decided to call the marriage off and separate. It is extremely painful to think about it. I would want to tell her last night that everything is going to be OK, but when I reviewed the situation, it is not in my power to predict what will happen next. I sympathized with her and even shared my own experiences to somehow make an effort to make her smile. She appreciated the gesture but went back to being disappointed and hopeless.
So what if they are not together? It doesn’t mean that everything will fall apart. Quite frankly, it is not the end of the world. No problem could ever hinder your dreams in life – I mean, it is not her fault. Parents will settle what needs to be settled. It is not the role of the child to try to fix everything. Like what I always say “Let God do the rest.”
Probably she needs time. Wounds will heal soon. And I do deem that she will certainly be a strong woman. I am always here for her. Ciao.
“I was never really into cars. But when I saw the Bentley Collection – it made me drool.” Yesterday afternoon, around two thirty, my close friend, Carl, gave me a nice ride to school after I woke up from my SECOND operating room SCRUB. I was absolutely late for the program and the traffic was driving me crazy. At the time when we had our stop, Carl explained to me the latest features of his newly bought car – of course I am not the first one to ride it. Going back, when he was busy blabbering about his birthday and the things about the new 2010-released Honda City, I was thinking of a car that I would possibly be driving several years from now.
Mulsanne images were taken from the official website of Bentley Motors.
Recently, from my classic movie marathon, I have heard of several automobile brands that were mentioned, and with that, Bentley appealed to my senses. It was particularly in the scene of the movie “Paris when it Sizzles”, a 1967 film, where Richard seemingly visualizes a white Bentley moving slowly towards him as he narrates the story he was writing. The car featured in the film caught my attention because it resembled elegance and class. With that in mind, I imagined myself driving an old model of the now-luxury-car-classified Bentley. Wishful thinking, I guess.
So, as a typical teenager, I made use of my available resources – the amazing world of the internet and dusty books from the untouched bookshelf. I just marvelled at those literary works for a few minutes and I immediately decided to browse through the world wide web. I was astonished that I was able to find the official Bentley Motors website – from there, I studied their concrete history, the reputation of the car, specific features of every model, plus the users and proud owners of the brand. I felt as if I am willing to purchase a $500,000 2010-released Bentley Mulsanne on the spot.
Seeing the price tag of my precious little obsession made me think of ways on how to come up with that sum of money for the least amount of time. I will give myself an estimate of 5 years as a target span of my money-saving. But I guess it may never be enough. As highlighted in the text written by several authors, “A Bentley is not just an ordinary car, it is a luxury car not everyone could afford.” Well then enough said. Some international artists like Paris Hilton owned a Bentley. Am I as rich as the Hiltons? No. But I might if I will make good decisions soon.
Ok. So a Mulsanne is too much for me to handle! Plus the fact that it results to Php22,500,000. Where in the world could I dig millions? Since I was still fancying about cars (not a girl thing, right?), I made notes on my second choice – and that would be a nice 2011 Toyota Camry. I believe I can afford this – in time, of course! Well, I’d settle for the simpler things in life – cabs, hitching a ride from close friends, jeepneys, and the very famous Philippines’ trisikad. I had fun fantasizing! Ciao. 
Bossa Nova is a Brazilian type of music that evolved from samba. It was popularized by the well-known Antonio Carlos Jobim. Here in the Philippines, there’s a growing number of people who made Bossa Nova as their genre of choice. I, for one, am a lover of “Bossa” and more so with Smooth Jazz. Today, we recognize one of those who made this style of music heard in all corners of the country - Sitti Navarro. She is, as far as I could recall, one of the pioneers in making this kind of music known.
It has been more than a month since I last saw the Philippines’ Bossa Nova Princess in person. But it does seem and feel like two or three days ago. That’s just me. Yesterday in my facebook account, Ms. MJ tagged a picture of Sitti. (Check the one below this paragraph)
A FANSIGN from Sitti herself.
I smiled when I got to see this. I said to myself that she is really, really, really amazing. Not only is she beautiful and talented – her entire personality speaks of humility and wit. I browsed through the whole album and there were more than 130 images to all of her supporters called “Sittizens.” Now I asked myself: “Who does that?” Well, the answer is Sitti.
Not all blessed singers could do that – what I mean is… sparing some of your work-time just to write those messages to the people who had and who probably will embrace and support you. She is entirely different – I do think that the ratio between music and her fans is 1:1. This is certainly a great way to balance her career and her social relationships too. 
From having lunch with her at Breakthrough three years ago, or from having the opportunity to stay in her hotel room to hang out in Westown Hotel, or from all the multitude of concerts and invitational events I have been in and have witnessed – she is still that down-to-earth. Knowing what she has accomplished up to this very moment – I am happy to say that “Yes. She is Sitti. She deserves everything that she had worked for. No known scandals nor negative gossips.” She should be an example to struggling artists in the music industry.
I salute you ate. More power! As for this entry… more to come! Ciao!
I was delightfully savoring the breaded chicken enclosing that creamy cheese and ham center. The drizzle of chili sauce covering that steamed rice truly perfected the combination of my Monday dinner. More so, I continued nibbling on an obvious guilty pleasure – then again, I found myself utterly joining my friends in a sizzling topic of interest.
Meet my dear friends: Rowie and Gelique. Yeah we’re having a juicy-blabberish-dinner at JD.
The rain was falling like little splashes of water from an old-fashioned sprinkler, and we we’re looking for a place to hang out after our 6pm class. We went straight to the closest bakeshop and grabbed some food with some hopes that the outside raindrops will have its stop. There we sat on a long table – our heads turning sideways glancing over a sumptuous variety of baked goods and cooked meals. We did have different choices. And as we took our last bites… the ultimate fun began.
WHAT’S WITH DINNER AND FUN?
It all started with simple discussions regarding the subjects we took up since this morning. It was followed by a Karmela’s business offer – goals, priorities, investment, compensation plan – that sort of thing. The more that we elaborated on an issue lies another sub-issue intertwined. Skeptical as we may be, those sub-issues branched into tales of love. Like in the movies – a switch on a switch – there’s also a story about a man who was seemingly desperate and more likely throwing everything for a failed attempt of romance. Topics of multiple categories filled the bakeshop as we hilariously laughed about our experiences when we were in the 2nd year of college. Those minute chitchats brought about new pondering points literally on the table. We were all smiles as we tackled a friend of a friend of a friend who was seen dancing with an average joe in a certain bar – let’s not go into details (she looks dazzling as described). *chuckles*
IS THAT ALL?
Of course not. There’s plenty where that came from.
As what Elbert Hubbard had written “The desire for friendship is strong in every human heart. We crave the COMPANIONSHIP of those who understand. The nostalgia of life presses, we sigh for HOME and long for the presence of those who sympathizes with our ASPIRATIONS, comprehends our HOPES, and is able to partake our JOYS.”
I always am glad to have found angels like Gailard, Alvin, Gelique, Rowie, and Karmela. (Others went home after the class – still they are all angels!) Dinner with all of you started my week just right. Thank you for the unforgettable laughs — Remember the MELON. *giggles* Ciao!
I was in my scrub suit in the first hour today. It was a very cool morning because of the “pittering and pattering” of the rain. Indeed, I was tired of the eight-hour duty we had yesterday from 2pm to 10pm. As I was drooling with a good nap (along with my pink pillow and an array of chairs for my sleeping comfort), the Operating Room phone rang. A patient was to be wheeled in from the Emergency Room and the scheduled surgery will be in an hour. Just when I thought I could have that undisturbed sleep, one thing will lead to another. Alas my first Operating Room Experience!
The most awaited part of one’s nursing life is probably the opportunity to “scrub in” with the surgeon during an operation. Right? Well, I had one hours ago. I was really unprepared since all I did was sleep was pure rest with no clue that the next case will be presented upon us. But the real experience – all those minutes of anxieties, the tremors, the butterflies in the stomach – lifted me up like I was a helium balloon. The patient had a successful operation and also a good recovery. But inches away from the doctors and the patient was so amazing. Passing the instruments to the surgeon for the first time, talking to the Doctor beside you during the intra-operative phase, and staring blankly at the blood being suctioned and the patient’s over-all health being restored gave me no reason to regret. It was really tiring – standing there for several hours and concentrating on what to do. All was paid off. Definitely.
WHAT DID THE SURGEON DO ACTUALLY?
The patient was at the Emergency Room with abdominal pain complaints. She is two years younger than me (around 17) and she was 9 weeks and 6 days pregnant. My case was revolving around Pelvic Laparotomy. Her physician had suspected that there might be a possibility that she has a ruptured Ectopic Pregnancy. This means that her pregnancy did not occur in her uterus, but outside the uterus, and to that extent – it ruptured. What the doctors did was they opened the abdomen – they made incisions on the skin, layer after layer after layer. Of course, blood was oozing and they kept on controlling the bleed. And by the minute they asked me to pass the Richardson retractor, there I saw multiple blood clots around the intestines. They did some maneuvering and acquired a bowl of clots. They proceeded to the fallopian tube and I passed the Big Curves to the Surgeon – there I amazingly saw the tiny unformed fetus along the isthmus. They had no choice but to remove it (Salpingiectomy) and save the young mother. A liter of blood loss had passed and they hurriedly and carefully checked for complications – luckily, they were about to close.
I guess that remarkable “FIRST” I had in the Hospital is a start of a whole new perspective. A new area in Nursing where there’s more challenge. One Major Scrub Down – I must say.
When I was as young as 7 years of age, I had no intention of watching films that were as old as my great grandparents. Now, 12 years had passed, I have learned to appreciate those types of movies you rarely see today. In fact, I prefer the earlier films produced compared to what we could see in this timeline. The quality of those before was remarkable. Based on the 20+ motion pictures I have watched and still counting. Hey, call me a classic movie enthusiast if you please.
If you think “The Devil Wears Prada” is the best movie ever produced in line with fashion, I will proudly admit that the 1957 “Funny Face” is one of my top picks for the theme. Photography in the film depicts the early styles of the world of fashion. Even the angles and the colors portrayed so much beauty that it pulls you back to live in the early years.
Fred Astaire stars with Audrey Hepburn in this regard. Personally it’s more of a classic-elegant film with touches of simplicity and unexpected romance. The musical scores could only bring you closer to the pioneers of the industry. Quite frankly, watching Funny Face not only brought me joy and pleasure, it also brought me tears in some of the parts which I found very significant.
The story revolves around Audrey (Jo) in her journey of becoming a fashion model and icon of Quality Magazine. Along the transformation of a book shop keeper to a beautiful face in the papers lays a little romance between her and the Photographer. Their love blossomed when they first met. Amidst all the confusions of their feelings, Audrey fell heavily in love with Fred (Dick) in Paris. Marvellous plot I must say. With the singing and the dancing – it completes the whole thing.
I have a whole lot of brief reviews in every film. I wish I could update them sooner. Seeing this romantic film sends chills up my spine. Love is simply overpowering. Ciao!
Several months before June, me and my closest highschool friends planned for the ultimate “summer vacation” – and it was not in Cebu at first. Our tentative plan was the very popularHongkong. Tables turned when my father told me that he will not allow me to go with my friends. I was really bummed and I have forgotten about the issue ever since. A few months nearing June, Marianne, a good friend of mine, messaged us that Cebu will be our destination for this summer. I was hyped about the plan because I had a good feeling that I will be allowed to go. And so, for two months, we did the planning — from plane tickets, maps, hotels, to itineraries, to van drivers, to whatever is needed to be booked and researched about.
YUMMY! This is me getting ready for a Sea Urchin Treat in Panglao! Tastes like squash actually.
We went to Cebu last June 3, 2010. It was indeed a memorable adventure. Not to mention that I got sick on the third day and missing out the experience of a lifetime – a night out with friends to celebrate a job well done. 
Well, I stayed in the hotel. I meditated and rested have the energy I needed. Enough about my rants! *giggles*
WHAT DID YOU DO IN CEBU?
As first-time tourists in the area (when I say first time it means it is our first time to gotogether there), we checked in at Hotel Pier Cuatro on our Day 1 adventure. We went directly to Ayala and strolled down the huge mall. We were in awe because you can’t find a mall that big here in our hometown. Ayala is massive. Then we went off for a good and sumptuous buffet at Don Henrico’s – it was more of an Italian Buffet. We were all craving for Cebu’s best Lechon that night. But we had our stomachs full too. We toured I.T. Park also. My friends grabbed some grub atStarbuck’s. Maybe around 12am we still had a nice conversation. Pier One was next and we just had drinks. We took a good look at the Loft but it was already closed – too bad we really wanted to party. Upon going home, my friends decided to have a late-night-karaoke at K-1 bar. We checked out Vudu as well. Nice Place. So that was Cebu, ey?
IS THAT ALL? I THOUGHT YOU WERE THERE FOR FOUR DAYS?
Ok. Ok. Day 1 was just the “getting-to-know-the-place” stage. On Day 2 we sailed to Tagbilaran City, Bohol. That was a 2-hour ferry ride from the port of Cebu. Upon our arrival, we had our driver waiting, and a nice cool van to take us to wherever we wanted to go in Bohol. Yes we did everything! We had lunch at the amazing floating restaurant at Loboc River. We went to see the popular Busay Falls and not to mention the Tarsiers that everybody was talking about all these years. We were blocked with ultimate surprises once we got to the chocolaty Chocolate Hills Bohol is known for. We traveled back to the second oldest Church in the Philippines – Baclayon Church and we also ventured towards the Blood Compact Site.
Day 3 was mainly for Island Hopping. We rented a boat. It was really the MEAT of our vacation because it was on that day that we get to appreciate the beach. It was the view of paradise! We tried to wake up as early as possible in order to see thedolphins. We were so late but thank goodness we had a glimpse of those creatures. We also visited the well-known Balicasag Island and we had our snorkeling there. Hello to Nemo!
WHAT? CEBU AGAIN?
I hate to break it to you but it was a group decision. Panglao – yes it is a great paradise island, we can’t deny that. But the night life? Goodbye.
Boo-hoo!
The six of us ENJOYED the SUMMER TRIP together! Really! And next year, we will be prepared! Cebu was really something. Memories. Memories! Ciao!
May 20th of this year, for the boring stuff – I had my final examinations. On that same day, I had my second dose of Hepatitis B Vaccine (That’s really and “ouch” on my left arm!). Still on the 20th, I had a scheduled flight to Manila at 6:55pm. Prior to that “day of excitement,” I already packed my things. Uhh, the usual – pants, blouses, dress, heels, shoes, slippers, shorts, toiletries, same same. Some of my friends knew the reason why I was so hyped about the Manila trip, and others would just say “ahh. It might be again another business trip.” I guess many would have perceived me to be the BUSY type.
My friends were pretty much excited for me as I was for myself. You see, it is not just a regular trip. I was invited to join the first ever Sittilympics 2010 (I made the shirt design! – go figure!). Sitti, as most of you know, is a Bossa Nova singer here in the Philippines. We named the event after her because she is the center of the so-called gathering. I have known and personally met Sitti when I was a freshman in my college. Yes, I was too shy to even talk to her and maybe I was just in awe meeting up with a big celebrity. *giggles*
So, OK. Maybe I was that ecstatic.
That night I got the opportunity to meet with Aisaku and Yumi, both singers of Stonehouse and probably potential OPM hitmakers. I really had my night there. But what was more important to me was having my sleep. But that’s not all that happened. I’d rather not talk about it.
Back to “meeting-up-with-Sitti” story. In the morning of May 21, all of us gathered in Prince Towers. We all waited for Sitti and we rode a bus going to Lucban, Quezon. Before that we had several stops. We had our tree planting, we had our FREE lunch at Palaisdaan, and we went straight to Batis Aramin. What is unique about this three-day-event is that you get to now a lot of people at at the same time bond with them. Those three days were memorable! Sitti was very fun to be with and in my point of view, she’s not “just” a singer, there’s more to that statement. She plays volleyball, she likes adventures, she is very enthusiastic! There were games like “The Amazing Race”, Basketball, Volleyball, Badminton, also included were “Diyosa ng Batis” and “Talentadong Sittizen.” My time there with all of them will always be treasured.
Perhaps this is not the last of it. There will be another activity with the Sittizens in 2011. I am hoping for the best. My thanks to Sitti and the organizers of the event. It was really a surprise! Ciao.
