Birthdays Through the Years

I just celebrated a milestone birthday. We just stayed home and ordered some food. Friends sent my favorite Makati Supermart spaghetti, barbecue, and cake all the way from Calea! Woohoo! I felt the love 😘 

I prefer to celebrate at home since that's what I'm used to since I was a child. I found photos from my first birthday on my archive. I couldn't help but giggle because I was seated in top of the dining table. If I did that today it would probably break, haha.

My second birthday was the same.

Eventually, my siblings took charge of my birthday parties. My 13th birthday was hosted by Kuya and Ate Joy.

My 18th birthday was one of my happiest. God gave me the best gift of all, my Miggy.

I don't remember much about my birthdays for the next decade and only found these -

29th

30th, Mom and Dad ordered the cake reminiscent of my first birthday. It was coincidentally my first day at Google.

33rd

My 35th birthday was the last birthday my Dad was still around. I had several get-togethers that year. One, in my childhood home and two separate get togethers for two sets of friends.

I never had a party in McDonald's or Jollibee, but Sweetie' surprised me with one for my 39th birthday.

Things were going well back then and I'm glad I got to celebrate my 40th with a lot of loved ones.

43, in the office.

And a surprise party for my 44th hosted by friends.

*dunno why it's upside down haha

Then the pandemic came. 2020 at home with the Besties (very limited headcount allowed).

I was quite sick in 2021, so it was just me and Sweetie.

Was sick in 2022, so I had a special celebration with a few friends at Chef Tatung's private dining place in 2023.

And back home in 2024 -

And for my 50th (I'm still not very mobile) -

If celebrating was just left up to me, Is probably just order some spaghetti and be done with it. It's my boys and my friends who make my birthdays special. I had different plans for my milestone birthday, but it got derailed. Maybe I can still catch up next month :)

#BeKind #StaySafe

Miracle Sundays: Grateful

It's my birthday today! I wanted to have a nice lunch celebration with family, but I've been having fever and severe asthma the past few days. I haven't gone out in the past two weeks and the test is negative, so it's likely just severe asthma due to the bad air quality. I really wanted to finally see my Mom, but for safety we're isolating again. 

The past few months have been challenging. The boys are well now and I'm still around to create more memories with them. It's almost ten years now since I had heart surgery and my doctors told me just before I went home they almost lost me back then. They've been quite fascinated on how I'm able to bounce back. 

It is a miracle brought about by faith and loads of prayers. I remind myself everyday that there is so much to be grateful for, never mind that I can't function like I used to. What's important is I still have time to create more happy memories with my family. 

And to celebrate my birthday, I thought I'd list ten things I'm grateful for:

1. My family for loving me and being the best support system in the universe.

2. My friends who always know when I need cheering up and providing kwento about the outside world. 

3. The surprises my friends send me. It's been hard to lose weight from all the food they keep sending, haha. 

4. Mom being okay. I was worrying a lot about my Mom because of the bad air quality. She's been unaffected. She has lungs made of steel. (Got mine from Dad).

5. Kuya, for being him.

6. Nosy neighbors who have been providing a lot of entertainment online, haha. Gais, chill lang kayo.

7. The person who has been cleaning up the foliage next door. Hope that helps alleviate the caterpillar issue. 

8. The yellow vented bulbuls who visit us everyday. 

9. Grab riders.

10. Everyone who prays for me. 

#BeKind #StaySafe

Gonna Make It the Best Year!

I'm celebrating two milestones today, the start of my 46th year and my 15th Googleversary! It's the beginning of a new year for me and I want it to be an amazing year! My one wish will be granted when I finally go home later this year -- for my family to be together again. 

The challenges I've been facing, I know it won't disappear overnight. I will continue to face them bravely with faith that God will answer my prayers in time. There's a lot I'm looking forward to in the coming months. A simpler life with family, reconnecting with old friends and I hope to create more happy memories. 

I spent a lot of time thinking in the past few months. I had to think about what's best for me and my family. I have accepted the fact that my body has changed. I'm no longer the young 30-year old that embarked on this exciting journey. I had been given an extraordinary opportunity in the last 15 years, but given my current circumstances today it is time for me to move on. 

Birthday, 2019.

I'll focus on transitioning back to my life in Manila in the next few months. I hope I'll be able to personally say goodbye to all my friends in Singapore. And I hope I'll get clearance to get vaccinated. Please pray for me :)

Day 28 Minimalism Challenge, Clear out your makeup collection.  I don't really have a lot of makeup since I rarely wear any. I started to check my stash a few weeks ago and found out some of my stuff have dried out. Some smell like a grandma already so I tossed out those things already. Easy peasy.

CB///*Yr2/139 #StuckAtHomeDay/Yr2/162 #NewG308 #Home66 #StayHome #BeKind 

My Greatest Gift, My Sweetie

Today is Sweetie's birthday! I stayed up until midnight last night to greet him. I sat quietly waiting for him come out of the kitchen so I could greet him. I also wanted to give him my gift which luckily went undetected when it arrived via courier (I hid it in between button and fabric deliveries haha). 

He was surprised to see me waiting for him and doubly surprised with the gift. He had no idea he received the box two weeks ago haha. The funny thing is he thought I got him an external hard drive! He kept mentioning it to me the past few weeks, but I prefer to give fun gifts for birthdays. I normally reserve practical gifts for Christmas. I got him a limited edition Calibur Optimus Prime from Takara Tomy (I'll let him explain more about it haha). 

I am grateful everyday God found me the right one. I never had an easy life, much less a rosy love life, but I was always hopeful that one day God would answer my prayer. Sweetie came and filled my life with love. With him I discovered a new kind of love. We just clicked instantly. Mind you, we are complete opposites in many aspects. He's organized, I'm chaotic. He prefers Western breakfasts, I'm a silog person. We opt for competing brands. He's masandal tulog, I take so long to fall asleep. He's the extrovert, I'm the introvert. 

Miggy feeds my will to live, Sweetie is the strength to hold on. I realized that when I woke up to a Disney movie dream last Monday after an invasive diagnostic imaging procedure. Many would be scared and anxious about going through medical procedures. I'm able to keep calm because Sweetie's always there for me. His love helps me power on everyday. I thank God everyday for writing our love story the way he did. 

Happy birthday my Sweetie! Love you forever. 

CB///*Yr2/74 #StuckAtHomeDay/Yr2/101 #StayHome #BeKind  

Celebrate the Force Behind My Will

It's the time of the year again! Time to celebrate the back to back birthdays of my boys. It's Miggy's birthday today and I got home in time for us to have a virtual dinner celebration. 

It's the second year we're celebrating the birthdays apart. We just ordered the same food so we could feel like we're eating together. We'll do it again tomorrow haha. 

I now find something to celebrate everyday and today I celebrate the gift of life. Miggy was given to me early in life. I was told back then that eventually it will be revealed why he came early. I've known for awhile now why. Miggy has been my reason to live. He's been the force behind my will to live. It is love after all that powers all of us. 

Happy birthday Miggy! Love you forever!

CB///*Yr2/73 #StuckAtHomeDay/Yr2/100 #StayHome #BeKind  

Forever 25, Not

It was my first time to celebrate my birthday away from my family. I seriously dreaded it so I planned a really busy day so I won't feel sad. Woke up extra early so I could get my "happy ticket home" (OEC!) from the Philippine Embassy. It started to rain hard half-way to the embassy and I just prayed I won't trip over my clogs (I usually wear sneakers!). I think I must've been the one first to get out of the embassy because I was done with my business 10 minutes after it opened (it pays to have complete docs!).

I think I've come to the age where I could just basically laugh at what happened to me in the past. All the failure I've gone through, the stupid decisions I've made and whatever transgressions I've done. They're all behind me now and I can say that I'm really happy and content now, which is good because it means I can give more and serve others more.

The past year has been a year of major changes in my life. Moved to a new role, moved to Singapore, been to many different places, met many new friends and have had a lot of "firsts". I never expected to be where I am. Never planned to work abroad or have many new friends from across the globe. I remember 5 years ago I was pleading to God to steer me in the right direction. During that time I was just lost and didn't really know where I was headed. Only Miguel kept me grounded.

I was lead to the right direction and I can say whatever I've gone through in the past is all water under the bridge. I'm just happy that I've been given a second chance in life (remember heart failure isn't curable, but I'm still hopping from one country to other now!). My mission isn't complete yet and I'm just happy to do what I'm here for.

To my family, friends, colleagues from Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao, Singapore, SouthEast Asia and the rest of the world, thank you for making my day special. I couldn't ask for more =)

Eighteen

OMG, I just realized I haven't blogged for almost 2 months now! I've just been so terribly busy. :(

I definitely need to make this post though since it's a major milestone in my life. My son, Miguel, turned eighteen last week! Time flies so fast and it seems just like yesterday when I brought Miguel to this world on a rainy day. I remember classes were suspended due to a typhoon (I think Typhoon Gading) and I only had my relatives visit me at the hospital.

I labored for about 18 hours before my 5.6 kgs., 18 inch boy finally decided to come out. Doctors were already considering doing a cesarean procedure because Miguel was distressed, but alas just before 8 in the evening my toes wiggled and the doctors did a dance of joy. They said that it was a sign that the baby was ready to come out. It was really hard and the doctor had to help push him out by massaging my tummy (I had some black and blues after) and out he went and cried loudly. They counted his fingers and toes and said everything was alright and he was healthy. The big surprise though, the baby was a boy.

I didn't really want to know the gender of my baby, but during an ultrasound someone said that a baby girl was coming. Apparently they read it wrong so unfortunately the quilt blanket I worked on was pink and not blue (haha). I was just happy that despite all the stress that I went through during my pregnancy my baby was healthy and peaceful.

I don't really talk much about Miguel here in blog because I don't want to encroach on his privacy and so he could make a mark on this world on his own. I'm really lucky to have a very intelligent, loving, understanding, simple and dependable son. I just wish sometimes he wasn't so shy, but I guess he'll eventually outgrow it (just like I did) and be more confident with his abilities. I'm going to stop here before I start embarrassing my son (haha). Just wanted to say that I cannot imagine my life without him. He's been my rock and my inspiration to do well and as one of my former bosses said, "The best achievement one can have is the accomplishments of your child."

Happy birthday Miguel. Welcome to the adult world :)

17 Years Ago

I thought I'd break out from hibernation on one of the most important days of my life - Miguel's birthday!

I had him 17 years ago in the midst of Typhoon Gading. He was tiny at 5.6 pounds, but quite a long kid already at 18 inches. My friends said back then that he was the most peaceful looking baby they've ever seen. And it was true despite all the turmoil I was going through during that time.

It wasn't easy, but with support from my family and real friends things just fell into place. What helped though was talking to my Ate's friend who went through the same thing. It was like talking to myself ten years forward. It was what set me off to follow the path that would ensure that my son would have a secure and stable future.

Miguel has been the driving force behind whatever I have achieved. After I had him I managed to become editor-in-chief of our university's literary publication, garner a best thesis award (for my Political Science degree), get a job at the country's leading telco even before I graduate and now work for an international company. I just realized recently something profound (to me at least!), "You can mess up your life, but make sure you don't mess up your kid's!"

It's just amazing how patient Miguel has been with me (not the other way around). I've dragged him around so much (he's my official assistant too) in the last 17 years without any fuss, although now I've been giving him a choice to just stay home (now I'm being a good Mommy). In the past week that I've been sick he's also been cooking for me! (And I hear he's planning to make some leche flan this weekend).

Thank you Papa God for sending me my angel :)

Happy, happy birthday to my one and only, Miguel.

The Heart of Healing

I wrote about a miracle last year. I was miraculously healed from heart failure. My Singaporean cardiologist was quite surprised that I was in good shape and took out most of my maintenance medicines. The planned heart surgery last year was postponed. It's been more than a year since the planned heart surgery and I've since been slowly getting over my allergies. I can now eat/drink chocolate, Coca-cola and I'm halfway over my allergies for crabs and shrimps! Hooray!

Early this year though, my cardio advised that I should still go through heart surgery so that I could live a normal life again and have more kids. I was really saddened over that and became a bit depressed over it. For a few weeks after my check-up I ended up having asthma attacks almost everyday and I was not my usual perky self.

Ardy Roberto's book "The Heart of Healing" was a token from a talk I gave. I was immediately hooked when I started reading the book while waiting for Sweetie to pick me up. The book is about Ardy's wife who had lupus. Lupus is a disease that isn't curable and Ardy's journey wasn't an easy one. I am glad though that I came across the book because it surely reminded me of what Fr. Faller said during his homily. He said that healing may not be immediate, but may come in phases.

The cloud that was on me for the past few months lifted half-way through the book. Healing is indeed a process which often takes time to happen. I continue to pray to be healed so I can continue my mission.

It's my birthday today and I'd just like to thank my family, friends and everyone who has touched my life for being there. And, of course, thank you Papa God for the healing grace.

Bongga!

Be a Hero!

I was ten years old when the 1986 EDSA Revolution happened. Prior to that I remember cutting up the yellow pages and joining in the daily Ayala confetti-run from my Dad's office. I'd come to school with yellow-ribbon pigtails, had all sorts of Ninoy buttons and what-nots and I remember being one of the salubong entourage when (Former President) Mrs. Cory Aquino visited St. Scholastica's College during her campaign. I also remember going to the musuem that showcased Ninoy's things, (President) Cory and Kris were there and I even got their autograph.

That was about 25 years ago and back then I just knew that something important was happening to my country. My Dad explained then that the Marcos regime had to end and we had to fight for our freedom. At that young age I did what I could and I recall being worried sick when my Kuya went to EDSA and did not come home for a few days.


Last Sunday night I got to watch a documentary about Ninoy. It detailed his life until his death. It certainly straightened out the stuff that I did not understand back then and explained clearly what really happened (which looks like it's happening again). I regret now not forcing Miguel to watch it since the docu certainly serves as a reminder to us that Ninoy died for his country, hopefully not in vain. And I ask myself, what am I doing to help? What about you?

There is still much to be done.

(I suggest checking out the IamNinoy campaign.)

On a lighter note:

It's my birthday today and I thought I'd just do my usual daily work routine and stay home with my family. Mom said she's going to get me some cake and Dad's getting me some balloons. Celebration with the Sweetie and loved ones will come after.

Happy birthday as well to Kleng, Jerome, the ex-GF and fiance of the Jakarta airport customs officer, and to all those born as well on this very special day.

*Photos taken from the plane at the break of dawn.

How to Un-Plan Your Birthday

I've wanted to blog about this since the other day, but I've just been extremely busy, I couldn't even Twitter! Arggghhh!

I never planned anything for my birthday. I guess I'm just bored with celebrating it year-in, year-out. I've been quite exhausted lately and thought I'd just hang-out at home and spend time with my family. I know my friends are disappointed that I didn't plan anything for my birthday. So sorry! But, I still have no plans to celebrate. Maybe I am really getting old... Nah!

All I could say though is that so many wonderful and unexpected things happened on my birthday and it made me giddily happy even thought I've been feeling sad lately. I also kept forgetting it was my birthday and I guess that made me really mababaw (more so) that day.

#1 First off was the salubong celebration through an IM conference with quite a number of bloggers! Thanks guys! I really, really appreciate it. Big hugs for all the virtual gifts/food/drinks you brought and all the well wishes! I will never forget how the birthday greetings popped one after the other like fireworks! (I did save the conference somewhere in my PC).

#2 Waking up to birthday greetings. Thanks so much! So sorry if it took me a while to answer back, I was utterly distracted with IMs from all over the world.

#3 Gifts sent through Facebook. Cool eh! (You guys can always give me the real thing soon!).

#4 The unexpected birthday bash at Manila Pen with the Philippine Internet Commerce Society. Nah, it wasn't a party, I just attended the induction ceremonies for the new officers. Thanks Mike for the invitation and the bunch of flowers, I thought it was really sweet. The funniest thing though happened and you just really got to watch this and find out what it is.

#5 I had a series of unfortunate events before the function and to make a long story short I wasn't able to borrow my Dad's driver which was supposed to be my excuse to go home early. Anyway, a colleague who has been vacationing here made me feel really, really guilty that I didn't have the time to spend any time with him and so he insisted on going out to celebrate my birthday. I had so much fun though and I was bowled over by the TGIFriday's crew for doing their birthday spiel on me. I never expected to blow a candle that night. (Thanks Dude! I'll see ya in 2 weeks!).

I think I must've gained all the weight I worked hard to lose the whole month in just a couple of days! Oh well, it is after all my birthday week and all I could say that it worked out well especially since I really didn't expect anything to happen. But guess what, it was filled to the brim the whole week!

What about you? Was there something unexpected that happened that made you really happy?

Happy-happy, joy-joy!

Happy 13th Birthday Miguel

I thought I was dreaming when I felt the sudden glow of happiness. I woke up and felt a happy feeling enveloping me. It was contagious and I just couldn't help but smile.

It was Miguel snuggling up to me early this morning while waiting for the schoolbus to fetch him. I knew he had a huge grin in his face even though it was dark.

My son was very happy. I know, I felt it. It's like the huge warm hug he gives me every day.

It's been 13 years since that fateful day where I labored for 37 hours. They would've cut me up already, but my toes suddenly wiggled and they knew he was coming. Even at birth my son was already mabait, he didn't want his Mommy cut up (pwede pa mag-bikini)! Funny how we all thought he would be female even though I walked like a duck, was as ugly as a gorilla and manas as a pig. It was what was the first ultrasound said. Yun pala naipit! LOL.

My bundle of joy has grown up and I can't help but cry coz I know he's got his own life already and Mommy cannot just drag him anywhere anymore. But he has promised to hug me and tell me he loves me every single day.

Girls! Keep out! This Mom's definitely the jealous type. LOL.

Happy birthday my dear sweetie! Mommy loves you very, very much!

P.S. Miguel turned down my offer to buy him a DS Lite, he said, "I want to have a party with the people I grew up with." Aww shucks, my son has truly grown up!

P.P.S. Miguel's birthday video.