For One More Day

For One More Day writted by Mitch Albom talks about how a son- Charley Benetto, also known as Chick- treated her mom when she was still alive. He was a daddy’s son. All the things his dad tells him to do, he will follow it without showing any hesitation. Sometimes, he forgot to love his parents equally. It was more obvious when his dad left them when he and his younger sister were still young. Not knowing the reason why their dad left them. He hated his mom very much because he believed that it was her fault why their dad left. Then one day, his dad called and asked him to play baseball in one event. He followed what his dad told him AGAIN and left his mom on her birthday because of the game. He told his mom that he has a client to meet up with and promised to be home the next day. Unfortunately, when he went back after the game, his mom was dead. That’s when his depression has started. Within the span of time that he was depressed, everything became a mess. He felt so much guilt because the last thing he told his mom was a lie. But his mom never said anything. She just let everything be as it is. Even though she knew that Chick was more favorable to his father, it didn’t matter for her. In the depressed days of Chick, he sort of dreamt of hallucinated that he was with her mother for one whole day. In that day, Posey- mom of Chick- revealed many things to him. The biggest of those is the reason why she let her husband left them when she was still alive. Posey knew all the pain and sufferings of Chick, how he’s heart filled with anger towards her but she didn’t say any word.

I guess in the story, I am Posey. I don’t want conflicts and misunderstandings so I tend to keep quiet and just go with the flow. I tend to say “Yes, it’s good” or “Okay, I’ll do it” just to avoid further discussions. I hate enemies or fight that whenever I tried to defend my side or myself then the other side was insisting that they were right or their ideas were better, I just say “Okay” and live with it. Posey was like that. She kept all the hurts and brokenness on how her son treated her for so many years. She brought the heaviness of her heart with a light aura and that made her liked by everyone. She wore a mask for the years that Chick was treating her indifferently yet she didn’t say any word. She accepted it wholly and never defended herself. I see myself in her. Though sometimes, I am weaker than her because when my heart was filled with negative things, I tend to cry and not to speak to anyone and the like but still, the martyr side of me/us was still there. I can relate myself with Posey too in handling the situation. I can accept all the hurts just to protect the one I love. I want to feel all the pains just to free my love from it. And that’s how Posey lived her life until the day that she spent another day with her son.

I know being Posey is hard especially the part where she kept the reason behind the divorce of her and Len. She lets Chick treat her like an enemy and allowed him to answer him disrespectfully. Yes I understand fully why she kept the real reason from her children but the treatment she was getting was too much. It will be painful for Chick and Roberta- her daughter- to accept what had happened but what can she do? It was the truth. I know it will be hard for them to understand their situation but it was her children’s right to know what was really going on. Another thing I would like to do differently is how Len- her husband- and Posey handled their marriage. It was too visible in the story that Len controlled his family especially Chick. He says harsh things towards Posey in front of their children. Of course, it was painful but still, she didn’t say any word. For me, I believe that marriage is not about superiority of one over the other. It is how they face each responsibility, each situation TOGETHER EQUALLY. It is how they support each other and not to bring down the other.

Reading the book made me reflect in Posey’s and Chick’s point of view. With Posey’s situation, I asked myself, “Did I ever make my mom feel such pains as Posey?”- absolutely YES. Maybe in different way but of course, I did give my mom heartaches- consciously or not, the pain was still the same. On the other hand, Chick didn’t live his life well enough with his family. He became selfish and forgot that he has his own family to support with. He gave many pains to many people especially his mom and his wife. Again, I asked myself, “Are there times that I thought of myself first before anyone else?” unfortunately, yes. Though I was like Posey, there are still times that I tend to be emotionally-driven. I hurt people and disregard their concern because I am not feeling good.

Reflecting on those two situations, I came up with one learning. I should think first before I act. I should learn how to weigh things and always consider other people’s feeling. Ever since I was a child, my mom always tell me to think first before I say or do anything because sometimes, I am tactless, insensitive of the things I do or say. Reading the book helped me realize how much pain I could give to anyone with that kind of attitude. I felt the pain they had because I am guilty in letting others feel the pain they once felt.

Hope. Faith. Love.

“A great film with great characters portrayed by immense actors.” That’s how I can describe the film, My Sister’s Keeper -- a story about family, relationships and life. Though the story is somehow predictable at first due to some scenes showing how Kate (the daughter who’s suffering from leukemia) suffer from her disease, the movie inspired a lot of people.

In the movie, the love of each family member is visible. It shows how Kate’s parents love her so much that when they knew that Kate is suffering from a disease, they decided to have another child (Anna) through genetic engineering that would become a perfect genetic match with Kate’s need in order to have a healthy life like others. On the other hand, Anna knew all along that it is the purpose of her living-to supply Kate anything to live a better life. Kate’s mom stopped working to take good care of her two daughters and her husband supported her decision. Their relationships with each other never change until Anna decided not to donate her kidney to Kate anymore. She asked help with a known lawyer for her medical emancipation and her case was up to court. Her mom who happens to be a non-practicing lawyer was her opponent in that case. Her mom fight for Kate’s right and with much focus of her sick daughter, she almost leave her other children alone. Until one day, at the hearing, Kate’s and Anna’s brother revealed that all the things happening were all about Kate. She asked Anna to file a case because it’s the only way to stop her mom in letting Anna supply everything for Kate. Kate also told Anna that she knew all along that even the surgery will not help her live a longer life anymore, she knew that she will going to die sooner or later. Her mom was shocked but sooner faced that fact.

The love is evident in almost all of the scenes. The actors feel their characters well enough and their acting really shows their grief. Personally, I was touched on how they face and handle all the challenges in their lives. I was inspired and I learned to acknowledge my blessings more than my losses. Their strong personalities in the film moved me and gave me strength to face my own dilemmas. However, I was confused when watching the film because of many flashbacks without any signs. I was asking my friends, “Present na ba ulit yan o flashback pa din?” but in the end, it helped me understand the story more because the flashbacks are the scenes that show why a certain decision was made.

It was a great movie because of its content and the story itself. Hope, faith and love are seen and I believe that many people were able to relate in the content of the story because it has a deeper meaning- not just about a sick person, or a caring mother, or a sister’s keeper itself but the virtues shown in it are the most important above all.

B.B.B. (Broken But Blessed)

I’m WEAK trying to be strong. I’m SAD trying to look happy. I’m BROKEN and feeling LONELY yet my façade didn’t show any of these signs. Yes, I am wearing a mask for the past weeks and I know that it’s effective. No one noticed my brokenness until I broke down.

Last Thursday night, I broke down. I cried so many tears with my pillow to comfort me. My roommates were sleeping; I didn’t text any of my friends or even my mom. I faced everything alone because I know that I’m in the process of healing. I thought crying will help me ease the pain and let it go but it did not. I prayed and I was hit by His message. I felt guilty, I felt bad and again, I felt unworthy. I almost step down in my position because of this emotional battle. Still, I continued praying and discerning but all of His responses still didn’t change. I know this is all about ME and MY BROKEN HEART. I am having a hard time accepting everything and scared of what will happen next. But God embraced me with His love and comfort. Still, my battle continues. The feeling of unworthiness grew and my discerning prolonged. But God still didn’t change His response. That cycle repeated for almost 3-4 times.  I felt lonely, I felt worst! I don’t know to whom I should share with what my heart’s going through, I don’t know who will comfort me the best.
Right now, I am still facing this battle; still with a broken heart but with so much blessings. I felt lonely this time but God gave me my friends to comfort me. He used them to feel that I am loved and worth loving. I was too emotionally-driven this past weeks that I overlooked my blessings and focused on the brokenness that I am feeling. My heart is still thirsty but the love of my friends and my family is filling me. I am still fighting with this battle but I know that I’m in the process of winning. And my heart may be broken, but God is blessing me with His endless grace.



PS: Thank you Phoebe-my partner in Christ, Gelli- partner in sickness, Ria- partner in the dancefloor and Kikx-my TF Angel for being my strength and for always being there. I’m so blessed to have you guys in my life

Week-long Blessings:)

A week full of blessings, a week full of exciting, that’s how I can describe my whole week. At this very moment, I can still feel the happiness that marked my heart. Here’s the start of my week long blessing.



June 29, 2009, Monday, was my 18th birthday. Luckily, Miriam College doesn’t have classes every Monday and I don’t have meetings either. So I spent time with my family on that special day of my life. I failed to attend mass but I was still blessed. My family woke me up by splashing water all over my body. When I opened my eyes, there was a cake with candles and they were singing “happy birthday.” We ate breakfast together until my two sisters went off to school. For our lunch, we ate at Palaisadaan with my mom, dad and my youngest sister. It was just the four of us but it truly made my day. After eating, we went straight at home to rest and to do things for my birthday celebration. Around 3-4 in the afternoon, a good friend of mine visited me at home, greeted me and gave me a special gift that he made – bouquet of lollipops. In my 18 years, I never received a real bouquet so I was so happy when I saw his gift. In addition to that, lollipop is my simple joy so combining lollipop and bouquet made my heart melt. My lolas, tita and lolo were all happy and ‘kinikilig’ for me. Then my dad came with our foods to eat. We ate dinner all together to celebrate my womanhood.



June 30, Tuesday, was my going-back-to-Manila day. I wasn’t feeling well that after two weeks of staying with them due to my quarantine, I need to go back to Manila to catch some lessons that I’ve missed. I was sad a bit but excited too. I will see my classmates again. I thought it’ll be an ordinary school day BUT after our Journalism class (our last class), my 6sational, Alex and Avon surprised me.i saw a tarp of my face in one of the kubo in our school and when I get in, there were two boxes of pizza, a bottle of softdrinks, and a mini scrapbook. I was thankful to the highest level yet I was speechless in front of them.

July 1-3, was an ordinary day I thought. But in these days, my 6sational were busy doing a surprise for me. I thought their surprise will end last June 30 but their journey continued all through out the week. They were busy shooting, editing and making stories for me to leave them. Haha. Claps claps for them for a very successful plan.



July 4, 2009, Thursday, the BIGGEST and MOST SPECIAL NIGHT in my life happened. It was my 18th birthday celebration. It was a blast! I was full of blessings! It was not the same thing that I ever imagined. My mom and dad were so happy especially Papa. He was very emotional that day and everyone said that he was so happy. I really felt the love of everyone. I felt how special I am for those people that exert an effort in making my wish come true. Although my 6sational didn’t make it to my celebration, I felt their presence through their video presentation. Not just that! My parents had a surprise gift for me. When I opened it, it was my dream camera! Digital Single Lens Reflex or DSLR! I didn’t expect any of the two especially the DSLR because my parents made me decide whether I will be celebrating my debut or they’ll just give me the camera I want. Thankfully, I got the both! In addition to that, the party was so GREAT! My most unforgettable night will be this night! Thank you for the people who became part of my life and who guided me in the journey of my life.

GUESS WHAT!

CFC-Youth for Christ Campus Based promotes its fresh party for the year 2009. On July 18th, 5 o’clock in the afternoon at College of Saint Benilde Theatre, Manila, YFC will launch its new face for the fresh party, the YFC PINOY FRESH 2009, opening it to different kinds of youths in Metro Manila campuses such as Ateneo de Manila Uniersity, De La Salle University, University of the Philippines, University of Sto. Tomas, Miriam College, Assumption Academy and others.
Last year, YFC held their fresh party at Crossroads77, Quezon City with a theme of “It’s Everything You Want To Be,” was a very successful event with almost 5,000 students from different campuses gathered in one place to give praise to our God. Three representatives from Miriam College showcased their talent in this event. It started off with Dana Bulaon who played the guitar with YFC-UP band which after, Carmela Vizcocho and Diane Belgado participated in the Praise and Fashion portion of the program. Other students also from Miriam College were part of the production staff such as Kaiz Ambrocio and Nina Fernandez.
Now, the YFC community decide to open the event to everyone and for everyone. They thought of the theme “Pinoy Fresh” to make it more “pang-masa.” 7 different kinds of youths today will represent each of the 7 Pillars of YFC to inspire and to make other youth feel that they belong to the community. These are, “The Fashionista” being the Model of Excellence, “Blogger” is being the Single-Minded for God, “Athletic” for Champion for the Poor, “Emo” being the Source of Unity in the Family, “Traveller” as Missionary, “Dancer” being 100% Pure and“The Rocker” being patriotic who uses music for country. Every school is expected to have delegates for their campus. Now, the YFC-Miriam core is preparing for the upcoming event and is inviting more people to join the fresh party 2009. They are also encouraging some YFCs to be part of the production staff of the event to make it more exciting for their campus.
So what are you waiting for? No one’s expected to be out-of-place because everyone is in. So come and join the coolest party this July, the Pinoy Fresh 2009.

They say it's LEGAL.

Yesterday, June 29, 2009, I celebrated my 18th birthday. My day was full of emotions. I was happy and starting to feel the butterflies in tummy because in less than five days, I will be celebrating my 18th with my relatives and closest friends, I was conscious about the changes in my life because I am now finally legal and the most funny part is, I still don’t want to accept the fact that I am NOW 18 years old. I even asked my mom what was the exact time when I was born, and up to that last minute, I started to accept that I am now really 18!

My special day started at exactly 12 midnight. Two of my closest friends made an effort to call and greet me. I was touched and very happy that they started my day. After the two phone calls, many text messages came and my computer screen was filled with many YM windows. On the contrary, my mom was still awake and she waited until 12 midnight to greet me BUT when she went down from her room she saw her favorite actor, John Lloyd Cruz in TV. I was watching the awards night at ABS-CBN and the main award, Box Office King & Queen, was the part that she saw. I already had two callers and got many greetings from different people, my mom was STILL watching her favorite actor. I was laughing and teasing her, “Ma, ang dami ng bumati sa’kin, 12:00am na, hindi mo pa ko nababati. Inuna mo pa si John Lloyd.” She just laughed at me and finally, she greeted me and kissed me. Haha. After her greeting, she went back to her room and slept with my dad and sisters. I continued surfing the net, checking my mails and doing some stuffs for my debut until 4am. I also slept in my parents’ room that night.

I was having a hard time sleeping, maybe because I am excited? Or maybe because my cellphone didn’t stop beeping until the battery was empty. I fell asleep at around 4:30. After few hours, I heard my mom waking my two sisters for them to prepare for school. UGH! Too early yet it was too noisy. I was having the time to find my sleep again when my dad poured me water to wake me up. When I opened my eyes, they were all in front of me, singing happy birthday and holding a cake with candles. I was touched. They kissed me happy birthday and I kissed back with thank you.

When my two sisters left the house for school, never ending text messages were still coming. Then lunch time came. We ate at Palaisdaan then went back home to finish some stuffs. While doing those things, one of my friends texted me telling that he will drop by to get the invitations. I was not expecting anything from him but he gave me something. When he left, my tita, lolas and my mom were all excited and curious about his gift. When I opened it, I smiled. I liked it very much. It was a bouquet of lollipops. It was my first time to receive a bouquet and lollipop is my simple joy. So he hit two birds in one stone. My parents prepared a simple dinner to celebrate the exact day of my 18th birthday. So, together with my lolo and lolas, we ate dinner here at home.

I thought my day will be just an ordinary day. Yes, I am expecting something that I didn’t got BUT celebrating this special day with special people made me realize how blessed I am. It felt like it beaten my expectations for this day. I was blessed with people who really care and love me the way I am, the people who are always there in good or bad times, my source of strength, my supporters, my prayer warriors. This day, is a simple but a very special day for me that I will sure treasure to the ends of the earth.

Quarantine.

The word that I hate most since last week- QUARANTINE. Yes, I have been in my quarantine due to a close encounter with someone who had the Influenza A (H1N1) virus. So, Miriam College asked me to go for 10 days self-quarantine. That’s when my quarantine-story has started.

I immediately called my parents in Quezon to tell the news and they asked me to go home (in Quezon) that same day. I rode a bus alone, wearing a mask and not feeling well because I have bad colds and cough that time but I’m pretty sure that it was just my normal colds and cough. When I got home, my dad fetched me in the bus terminal and went home. When my two sisters saw me, they just said “Hi ate. Miss you.” But we can’t kiss nor hug each other. I went straight into my room to take a rest. I fell asleep as soon as I lay down in my own bed.

The first day of my quarantine (Friday) was not too good. I can’t get out of my room because I may have the virus and I may spread it all over the house. My parents decided to send my sisters in my grandmother’s house over the weekend. I thought weekend is enough but when I went to see my doctor, she advised my mom to let my sisters live in my lola’s house for my whole quarantine period. When I heard it, I was shocked and hurt. Why do they have to leave the house for a week? I can just stay inside my room and never get out until this crap ends just to let my sisters stay in our house but I can’t do anything. I feel helpless. That’s the most hurting part of my quarantine. I never get to see them, kiss them, hug them or even play with them. Telephone is the only way I can communicate with them and I hate it. We’re on the same place yet we don’t get the chance to see each other. It feels like I’m still in Manila. Well, I think it’s better than this way. Ugh!! Another thing is, I’M MISSING A LOT FROM SCHOOL! I missed my group reports, my papers, quizzes, recitations and all yet I can’t do anything!

Then my mom talked to me. She told me that I am not making this burden lighter but I’m making it harder to carry. She said that I’m being too selfish, self-centered. All I was thinking was my lessons and my schools. Yes, I’m being too selfish. I didn’t think that if my sisters are sacrificing, it was for me and for their health as well. My mom said that I should need to accept things as they were and to lighten up the burdens. Think that I’m still blessed because I was not the one who had the virus and I’m helping my school to prevent the virus.

Being quarantine for 10 days sucks but it is still a blessing. I got to do what I should do with regards to my 18th birthday, I got to help my mom in preparing for my grandfather’s birthday and I got the chance to rest for 10 more days. Of course, it is hard. I need to sacrifice a lot of things and I know that my family is sacrificing too but we all know that these sacrifices are all worth it.