ESPECIALLY for you piper

i had a really tiring day! it’s very late and my legs are sorely aching, my eyes already twitching…i even conditioned myself that i would sleep a bit earlier tonight because i haven’t had enough sleep for 2 weeks now…but i cannot let this night pass without writing about a very special person, one friend i truly treasure and love so dearly.

i first thought of writing about her last Sunday- which was the “national thank you day” because if there are persons I’d like to say thank you to- she would definitely be one of those on top of my list.

looking back, i realized that she is a big part of my growing up- both as a person and as a career woman.

she was one of those who helped me in my tv career. i used to call her ate evette. when i started as a researcher for balitang k, she was already a writer/reporter. when i was training as a writer/reporter, she became my mentor. i was tasked to join in her coverage in benguet and baguio. she was never intimidating! she was generous enough to personally guide me in my first assignment. i couldn't have done my first story without her help.

i’ve learned so much from her— from mere watching how she worked, how she did her interviews, how she led the team and gave instructions to the crew etc.

she served as a good example for then newbies like me. she was one of the few who could always deliver thus earned the respect of her peers and our hard-to-please boss. on top of that, she was a nice person, approachable and easy to work with.

i am immensely happy that our work relationship has evolved into friendship— one that is worth keeping. she's one friend anyone would wish to have.

thank you friend for being just YOU—in so many ways you have taught me about life, about love, motherhood and so much more. you’ve also helped me discovered my self-worth.

you were never selfish. you’ve found a way to give me work to supplement my income when i needed it. you've made me feel welcome when i wanted to hold back asking for help.

you are my cheerleader! you were always there during my lowest and life-changing moments, or even without you knowing it. likewise, we have the most fun laughing together- just chatting, working out or playing badminton (i miss that!), just having coffee, or bonding with prue. it’s important that friends make each other happy.

sometimes, i feel guilty about not being always available when you text for a business meeting or just chika-moment or gym-bonding, it’s just either i’m pre-occupied with my motherly duties or ABS work. i felt even more guilty when i wasn’t able to go with u in bohol. but i know you have such an understanding heart. you know that i've planned to join and support you in your charity work but something got in the way.

and oh, i almost forgot, if it weren’t for you i wouldn’t be into blogging which i soo enjoy doing. you got me into this and it definitely added spice and fun to our friendship (with prue as well)!

on this very special day, i only have the best birthday wishes for you— may God continually bless you with a caring heart and a tranquil mind; good health and a loving family...and may HE finally send you a man who will truly love and respect you, one who is equally good a person as you are.

you’ve gone a long way friend, i am proud of your achievements…
and i am equally proud to be your friend!

Happy Birthday Evette!

i've been tagged too...

taken from my digicam

taken using the print screen command

nothing extraordinary about my desktop screen...
except for raph's photo. taken at a swimming pool in bataan, during one of our out-of-town trips with his tita ninang. the place was a mango orchard with a mini-resort inside. raph loves the water so much especially after his swimming lessons last summer.

so there...a bit disorganized, a lot of unused desktop shortcuts but nothing to be "OC" about.

prue, who else will i tag?...only you charmed ones and a few knew about this blogsite of mine. is this a chain letter kinda thing that if i don't get to tag others something bad will happen? i'm sure it isn't.

so when are we having coffee?

my long-lost love

i have a confession to make. recently, i reconnected with my ex. yes i am guilty but please do not judge me.

last wednesday, oct. 17, he came inside the studio. i was at the far end but my eyes readily saw him when he entered. i felt the sudden throbbing of my heart, how could I ignore that face? the face that I’ve long adored, the man that I’ve long cherished.

if i remember it right, i fell in love with him the very first time i saw him…
there was this sudden surge of ecstatic emotion, there was magic!

years of sweet romance came by…but as the song goes some good things never last. we’ve moved on with our own lives, and created our own fairy tales apart.

when he married his princess, there was a bit of sting…but i was more overwhelmed with happiness for the man who really deserved nothing less. i knew then it was time to just watch him from a distance.

and then came that night when everything seemed to have gone back to where it started. this time, the excitement is stronger, the feeling is more profound. i was nervous. his friend gave me a beso. but my guy- i was too anxious to even look at him! i tried to ignore him but how could I resist? he was in his most gorgeous, sexiest form ever, beaming as always with an irresistible smile!

and so i called out his name…

ags…pa-picture!hahaha!



he was whispering something here..."i missed you."

busy...but not complaining

toxic week!

marathon meetings- with the gknb prod team, separate meetings with the interactive dept, sales, client, direk... side by side with advance tapings and paper works.

last wednesday, had powerpoint presentation before the tv heads which included CVV and other VPs- my first so far! nerve-wracking? yeah in the beginning, it turned out positive! new concepts approved, got them excited and elicited good response. thank god!

stick...buti naisingit din last monday. prue and piper, i still miss u, bitin pa kwento!

vip pass is launching soon...have yet to preview the materials and write the VTR scripts. preview sked later at 11am after i bring raph to school. then scripting will follow.

raph's 2nd trimester exams next week...will have to allot time so i can review him. they actually started na last wed with exam in computer, then chinese yesterday and later. good thing his dadu had time to review him and bring him to school for 2 consecutive days. raph said the exams were easy so far! haha! more to come on the 23rd (language, math & filipino) and on the 25th (reading, science & christian living). review/rest days in between.

oh i almost forgot! he has a birthday party to attend later, hopefully nothing gets in the way so i can accompany him.

saturday...review raph in the morning then taping for 1 vs 100 in the afternoon...last week, was still able to watch babyface after the taping. enjoyed the concert, though came late already...superb sound!

sunday, preview additional materials for VIP Pass and write the VTR scripts. shouldn't miss out on church too!

but i'm missing out on something! piper, when are we gonna have our morning "platinum" bonding again?

almost 4am now, gotta get some sleep...and do motherly duties later. raph asked me to cook pancakes for breakfast, and ronald has a 7am flight for bacolod which means there's no one else to drive raph to school.

i can almost here raph saying: mommy it's morning na wake up!

fateful dates to remember

what's with the date?

it's october 13 today. in our family, we remember this day for two different reasons. it used to be a happy day because it's my sister Carol's birthday, BUT 2 years ago, October 13 became a tragic day when we lost our mom to cancer. definitely, the saddest birthday ever for my sis.

my birthday is on december 2. in year 1992, it was also the day my brother Tom met a car accident that took his life 3 days after. he was still at my party that night but i never thought that was also the last time i was ever gonna celebrate my birthday with him.

june 28 is my wedding day anniversary. this year is our fifth anniversary, but there wasn't any celebration at all as it was also the day my dad passed away. it will surely be difficult to celebrate our succeeding anniversaries.

3 important dates in my life...
3 incredibly important persons i had lost...and i'd miss everyday of my life.
3 dates i will never remember the same way again.

was it just a coincidence or the dictates of fate?

30 THINGS…that tell ALL or NOTHING about me!

(not necessarily in oder of importance...)

1. I am OPHIDIPHOBIC…I have this strong fear of snakes. I remember breaking down to tears and nearly had nervous breakdown when I saw the creature creeping in the props section of the studio one taping night…and I’d scream when I’d see one on tv or movie screen. Here’s my plea to everyone: Never, ever belittle anyone, adult or child, for his or her fears. We all fear something at sometime. Teasing or admonishing someone whose fear is already ingrained in her system, will NOT help overcome the fear, and will not help in any way at all!

2. I’m squeamish…Mere conversations about gross stuffs make me wanna puke. It’s disgusting when some people bring up distasteful or worse, sickening topics during inappropriate instances like during mealtime or when one is eating.

3. I couldn’t take looking at my mom in her coffin, so I didn’t. I wanted to just remember only her image when she was alive.

4. I wish I were tall and skinny slim (mowdel type hehe ) so I can dress up more fashionably.

5. I keep several medals and ribbons, probably lost some already, for academic achievements since grade school.Hihihi! Weno? And i got an almost-perfect score in Thesis Writing.

6. I am photo freak, especially of Raphael, and he and his dadu. I love arranging albums and making scrapbooks.

7. Back-stab me and I will never trust you again!

8. I love crunchy peanut butter. And banana with peanut butter. And peanut butter toast. And Reese's peanut butter chocolate. I love chocolates with nuts (almonds) and dark chocolates too.

9. I love pasta dishes— the not-so-complicated ones: putanesca, pesto, spaghetti, carbonara, lasagna, baked mac, even mac salad. And while most people don’t eat dinuguan, I love it! Hubby does too.

10. I love dining or attending brainstormings at Taste of LA. The food is great! And the place, quiet! We’re the loudest group there! They have the best cheesecake, the best pizza, the best rockefeller oysters and a lot others!

11. I'm a pizza freak! Spinach pizza from Taste of LA and all-cheese pizza from Yellow Cab are my faves. Yummy!

12. I’ve only been to Bora once. I haven’t even been to Bohol or Palawan, but been to places out of the country. Not that it's a big deal or what?

13. I love driving big cars, SUVs, wagons and the like, I have yet to drive a sedan or a smaller car.

14. I love riding at rollercoasters and bump cars. Fun places for me are Disneyland, Ocean Park and Enchanted Kingdom!

15. Spaghetti used to be the only food that I can decently cook. Now I can cook with pride arroz ala cubana, salpicao (gosh I think I forgot the recipe), and sinigang.

16. When I was a student, I idolized Korina Sanchez and Loren Legarda and dreamt of becoming like them. I even researched and read Loren’s thesis at the UP Library. Now I don’t remember a detail of it!... My first TV job was Balitang K, and my former AP dared me to tell Korina upfront that she was my idol at the same time ask for an autographed photo. I was just a newbie then, and no one dares approaching Korina, but I did! How Korina reacted? She just said while smiling: “Ginu-goodtime nyo ko!”

17. I have more than 20 nephews and nieces. Imagine how fun at the same time stressful (it means more gifts to buy) Christmasses and family reunions could be?

18. I traveled alone going to and from Canada, because hubby & son went there ahead of me. I waited for my sundo or ride at the Toronto Airport for excruciatingly 3 hours and a bit more because I gave the wrong Terminal No. I swear I asked migrant Filipinos to check If I were on the right terminal, and they said yes! Apparently, mali!

20. I only have a prepaid cellphone. I’m a fan of All-Text, where you can text all you want to all networks for just 35 pesos. Lasts me 2 days. That’s a steal!...Speaking of text, I despise it when someone close to me deliberately ignores or doesn’t bother to reply to my texts.

21. I don’t have a credit card. More bills to pay, more stress! I hate paying overdue bills and bills with O-A surcharges.

22. I never swore in my life before I worked at ABS-CBN. I despised people who do. Now I swear like everybody else (almost), but not to poke at people, expression lang. Excuses!? Uy totoo!

23. I don’t use just one type or brand of shampoo. I have more than 5 but less than 10 different kinds in the shower which I alternately use. I also use a variety of lotion. I have more than 5 but less than 10 different kinds on the dresser.

24. I have to ask for hot water before taking a bath BUT during a winter in Canada, my coldest experience ever, I was able to take a cold shower.

25. I love going to the Spa and have a massage but nanghihinayang ako sa time, that’s why I tend not to indulge in the jacuzi, or steam because it will eat up much time.

26. I tried not eating rice for more than a month, just before hubby arrived from the States. I lost weight. I really did! Though I still wanna lose weight, I wonder if I can do that again this time!

27. I already lost, more or less, 10 cell phones, always leaving behind a charger or extra battery behind. 3 of those units were given by Kris Aquino. (I used to joke I collect cellphone chargers).

28. I once gulped down 11 shots of tequila and 4 glasses of vodka in one occasion, and still got home without my mom and ate noticing it. I don’t think I can do that again now. Give me 4 bottles of beer and I’d crash to bed.

29. I used to drive my car even when it’s color-coding, thanks to MMDA! I hardly get caught or I’d get away with it, by merely saying “Pasensya napo! (sabay pakita ng I.D.) Bad!!!

30. I want to have more kids, 2 girls and 2 boys, hahaha! And get rich! And migrate to Canada or US! And come back to the Philippines very rich! I want to be... complete! Hehe!:)