|  | finally... not the house that i wanted but this can do for now.. until i get that place of my own... |
I’m seated here at the laptop station of the the pre-departure area of the Centennial airport waiting for my flight back to Iloilo. When I was in college, I have always thought of airports as one of the most fascinating places- it forces people to meet and in matters of hours (or maybe minutes), they become hundreds of kilometres apart. Fascinating yet very poignant. I’m going home today for to greet the new year with my mom. I went back to manila for three days hoping to finish some work yet it was too short. Now, I can’t wait for this year to end. I have been in this airport about thirty times this year. A lot of which I will never forget for the rest of my life as this has been a year plagued with a series of unfortunate events.
About two years ago, a soothsayer told me that I will have everything I wanted in 2008. I have been asking myself if indeed it has come to past. A friend told me that indeed, I did. I really can’t tell if I can agree with him. Maybe yes, and more- including the things I don’t want.
2008 started well for me. I closed a contract, moved-in to a new unit (much better than what I had before), my bank accounts all beefed up, and a future that looked bright. It was in the latter part that everything got the better of me. I never got to cry in my father’s wake. It was during my birthday three weeks after when I broke down into shameless wailing. A few days after, my projects became too shaky as my contractor would falter in meeting his deadlines. He continues to be the same until this very moment, with projects that I have hoped to include in my portfolio.
A few weeks back, my broker told me that I have to move out of my unit when my contract ends (two months from now). I was fuming mad when I heard the news yet I can not do anything and wish that the owner will actually take care of the unit when I get to leave it. As of now, I am totally penniless as everything that I have is reserved for the bills that has started to arrive two days ago. I honestly do not know how to go about my finances now. I am just thankful that I don’t have debts to pay, except for the car and hopefully for the new unit I am planning to transfer to.
I am going home to my mother - one person I have valued more than any other in this world. Through these years, She had shown strength and fortitude for our family. What my late father lacked, she provided and gave. She showed me the meaning of hope. She also showed me the meaning of faith.
I am going home to my mother to welcome the new year. I am assured that 2009 will be a better year. kung galing kang Up at nagawa mong tambayan ang A.S.-- palma hall ng kahit isang taon lang... malamang nakita mo ang taong tinutukoy sa kwentong ito...
isinulat ni mike rivera...
http://mikersindahawz.multiply.com/journal/item/11/Paying_It_Back_for_Mang_Meliton_a.k.a_Mang_Milton
| | get your copies of november REAL LIVING now!!!
yep yep!!! that's my house! yipee!!!! |
 I arrived home late last night only to find out my starlet of a cat is nowhere to be found. Lyn-lyn told me that Miu-miu has not been home since 6 in the evening. I asked her if she has asked the guards downstairs regarding the cat and she answered me with the head movement-- something that was not likely a nod. About to burst, from stress since my house is about to be shot the following day for a feature, I stopped myself from screaming at her to go downstairs and inform the guards of the missing cat. She was gone for half an hour and upon coming back, she was carrying the frightened cat. Miu-miu ws found on the roof of the playground, his left leg trapped in one of the openings. Miu-miu fell from the 14th floor down to the polycarbonate roof of the ground floor! About thirty minutes later, his vet came and checked the injured limb. He then told me to bring the cat to the clinic for further check-up. No broken bone. Swollen legs from trauma. Cat in shock because of the fall. He then prescribed a ton of medicine and suggested that I observe the cat. I havent slept yet. Miu miu is still weak until now. He has not pooed yet tho he was already given laxatives. I gave him his first batch of drops for the day. I had two scratches on my thighs and three on my hands. I pity the cat that after the fall, he has to undergo this gruelling battle with medicine intakes. I hope he gets well. Though he does not want to go near me now... And I still have to prepare the house for the shoot later.  | Tatay | Sep 9, '08 6:46 AM
for everyone |
 It was about ten to ten last Monday, September 1, when I received a call from my sister, "To, wara run si Tatay."
I just came from the airport on my way home . I tried to collect myself inside the the cab and called my boss that I will be gone for one more week. I then called my friend and told him about the news hoping that he can help me with the errands that I have to do before actually flying back home to Antique. It was also September two years ago when we found out that my father's life will be greatly shortened due cancer. Since that time, our life was like, as my sister puts it, "suspended animation". I had to file my resignation and do consultancy work so I can go home anytime I am being summoned. It was the most meaningful two years of my life as I saw myself grew ten years older. As I look back on those two years in my thirty three years of knowing my father, I can't help but put a poignant smile and say that my father's last days were well lived with no regrets and he ended his sixty eight years according to how he wanted it. He told my mom everything what he wanted after his death. And everything was done as how he desired .
To say that he had been a strict father is an understatement. He had his own rules that should be followed by his children while living in his house. He had his set of standards when it comes to education, careers and success. I had to try doubly hard to make him believe that there are other ways outside those standards. To say that he was a loving father is also an understatement for he fully understood his children according to their wants. He had put his faith in me before I even got to prove my point. His was a life that may not be fit for poetry or songs but something that a lot of his peers can envy. His passion for the love of God and country has been an evident light on how he brought his family up. His love and respect for my mom continued and stayed up to his last breath. A father, a husband and an educator, Tatay lived his life just like how a God fearing man would. He would falter, but he knew how to get back on track. It was that Monday morning, only my mother with him, when he left and embraced eternal life in one of our Father's mansions. It has been a few weeks since that time. Now, I can't help but put a shy smile every time I remember him knowing that one day, we will meet again.
| | my sister and i went home on the request of our father... the two angels had the grandest time... |
| | WARNING: FOR 18 YEARS AND OLDER ONLY!!!
one of the highlights of this week--- to style the girls for Surbex in FHM 100 sexiest... hmmm...
thanks to ricky and ge of Innospecs...
to the faint of heart... hit the back button now... |
| | cosole na lang ang kulang... wala na talaga akong pera... hehehhe... |
click on link below and see how...
| | random photos..
wala muna ngayong 2008... baka next year naman...
can you tell me kung san sila nakuha? |
September of 2006 marked the start of trying times in our family. It happened when all spirits were high and things are going well then we found out that my father has hepa B and liver cancer. The news tore my mom apart. I can still remember that very morning my sister told me about it. I can still remember my mom breaking down at the corridor of St. Luke's. I have blogged it several times.
Amidst all that, we (my eldest sister most especially) sought all avenues and means to 'do something' about my dad's illness. While all these are happening, my mom, who is fervent in her faith, continued to sing her Psalms and brought her petitions to the Great Healer. We all did.
It was eighteen months ago. Eighteen months after his first doctor told him that he has an estimated six months left to live.
Exactly last month, we celebrated my dad's 68th birthday.
I just can't help but sing my Psalms in silence. Fervently.
| | We are doing it again!!!
Real Living Magazine is inviting everybody to attend the REAL HOME IDEAS 3 book launch at Powerbooks, Greenbelt 4 on May 29, 2008, 5pm. |
| Start: | May 29, '08 5:00p | | Location: | Powerbooks, Greenbelt 4 |
We are doing it again!!! Real Living Magazine is inviting everybody to attend the REAL HOME IDEAS 3 book launch at Powerbooks, Greenbelt 4 on May 29, 2008, 5pm.  | miu miu | May 5, '08 3:07 AM
for everyone |
| | he was four months old when i got him last november, scrawny siamese blend...
right now, he's the obese owner of the house. |
| Ploning | Apr 30, '08 2:43 PM
for everyone |
Quiet.
Pretty much like the islands of Cuyo, Ploning is one quiet movie. A story of a young man in search for his past pegged at a 30-year old spinster named Ploning, who in turn, has her own story to tell. Around Ploning, are stories of a cripple mother, a dying father, a city girl who tries to look for her life being due in giving one, a hermit wife left by her husband, a strong-willed mother who, just like salt melts down in the rain, and a young boy, with his fragile memory lapses, weaves the entire plot. All set in a picturesque island somewhere in the Sulu Sea where Taiwanese fishermen would often illegally fare. Just like Cuyo, Ploning is a visual feast. An excusable indulgence, I would say, how can you possibly not put postcard worthy scenes if your location is such a place?
Ploning, the character as portrayed by Judy Ann Santos parallels with the first scenes of the mysterious 'Malena'- beautiful and quiet, making everyone ask and later on, pass judgments. Admittedly, in as much as you want to think Ploning is mysterious, it is a bit difficult to rub Judy Ann Santos (the star) off the character. Yet her being such impales you to your seat to be more curious about the entire story. She is crisp and fresh and unpolluted. Eugene Domingo who portrayed the cripple mother to the young Digo, outshone everyone with her poignant comic timing. Very controlled at her finest moment though it became a bit indulgent at the very end of the scene. Still, she already mastered in giving one an emotional roller coaster ride. Another noteworthy actor is the young Cedric Amit. He exuded innocence with a bit of guilt. A character of perfect young boy, curious and clingy, Amit's presence was apt to be put side by side with the named actors in the movie. Meryl Soriano's Alma is understated and sympathetic while Ces Quesada (as Nieves) is as 'natural' as the island itself.
It is commendable that the movie employed Cuyun-on almost half the time. And mixing it with Tagalog is not distracting at all. Admittedly, a few of the actors fell short in mastering the language but generally, they succeeded in pinching the Cuyun-on/Kiniray-a/Hiligaynon speaking audience's heart. It was a bit disturbing though that Ilonggo was inserted while Meryl Soriano showed only a hint of the intonation amidst the trite 'guid' suffixed to almost all of her sentences.
Together with the language, the story on traditions and customs abound the island are scattered in the segmented plot. Keeping it just above the surface, the ati-ati, the baile, the can of lychee tell so much of the people in such locality. For me, this was the director's (Garcia) finest moments. To tell such story, one has to experience it at least once in his life. To capture it in film, one has to live it.
'Ploning' is a breath of fresh air. A quiet movie which is intelligent and a bit indulgent. Practically, what this industry needs nowadays. 
| | went home last sunday to celebrate my dad's 68th birthday... with God's grace, we will still be there when he celebrates his 70th... |
| | five thirty in the morning from where i sit... |
The last week was short of a trauma for me. No amount of work/projects/rakets can compete with 'moving houses'.
Thankfully, there's Lyn-lyn, my new ward. She stayed with me until five in the morning just trying to arrange and clean everything that was left from my already edited household stuff. There's Zaki and the boys of my contractor to transfer my furniture pieces and appliances making use of the trolley that Ricci sold me half the price.
Thankfully, Nanay and Tatay, and Mama Son got dragged to aid my already ailing finances.
Here's a glimpse of the house. It is not done yet. My table is still not here and so is my drop-light. I still dream of a flat TV though the wall for it is already done. There is no turning back now... Dining area. Still using my old table which will be converted to a study when the base of my dining table arrives.
 The bedroom. The bed is a gift from my contractor. Headboard is made of scrap hardwood.
The living area with the toille paded wall. At the far end is my work station. And yes, it is a view to behold.
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