Twenty- Two Years Later...

Lydia and Raffy were happily married for eight years. They had two adorable kids, a boy and a girl. All is well with the family. You would say that their life was fine, an average income, living in one roof with the rest of the clan not to mention contentment and happiness.

Since February is the love month...should I really tell you more about it?? Little did the couple know that in the end of February of 1988, exciting thing would happen to their family. Lydia missed a day in her count and voila! Nine months later, a bouncing baby girl was born.

Her name is Ma. Rachel T. Valencia. That's me, me, me!!! :) I came in this world surprising my parents. I wasn't really part of the plan but come to think of it, had I not been conceived your life would suck! hahaha! I do believe that I am God's little angel to my mother and father and the little devil to my siblings. ;p

I grew up feeling left out by my siblings because of the age gap. I am six years apart from my kuya and five years apart from my ate. So while I was playing with my toys they were out it the streets playing. My kuya constantly teased me that I am adopted that stuck in my head for years! It was until I turned sixteen that I stopped asking my mom if it was true. She had to scold me for being makulit about it. She asked me what made me think that I'm adopted. I was a kid and I believed everything that people told me. Up to this day, my brother thinks it is funny that I seriously fell for his silly joke!

As a kid, I could say that I was lucky to have almost everything that I wanted. Though we were trained to earn it the hard way, it taught me to appreciate the value of hard work.

I was sent to a good school which I have attended for twelve years. It was indeed my second home. I met the coolest, painfully honest, sweetest friends there. The kids from school were my childhood friends. I had more friends in school than from where I am living. It is in this school that I have met the mean, pain in the a** kids who try to mess up with me and my crew. The school was the place where I had the sweetest eyecandies (or so I thought) and experienced failures left and right.

It was a shame to leave this school when I had to attend college. I had too much difficulty in college! The school was enormously huge, the class had 45 students and it was 1 and 1-/2 (2 if traffic) away from home. I literally stepped out of my comfort zone! I had to adjust to the new environment and thankfully, I met awesome friends who like me were struggling with college life. I wouldn't have survived college without them. :)

College was done and I was out in the "real" world. I struggled for the second time. The change of environment shook me big time! I wanted to see the world so I pursued this job that would enable me to pursue that dream. Fate was testing me how far I would go. I had a taste of that dream only to find out that it was just that, taste. I felt really devasted over it but life goes on as they say.

Shortly after I got my dream shattered, I got a call from my Alma Mater asking me if I could do a College Career Seminar for its Junior and Senior students. I gladly accepted it and thought it was the perfect time to swing by the school. When I saw the kids, I made a mental note to myself that I had to go back. How? The answer came to me a month after...

I saw myself walking in the school grounds, went to the guidance counselor and handed my resume. I took the exam and passed it. I've been taking exams left and right. At that time, I remained a bum, a personal choice. The school offered me a teaching post... I had another offer in a private company which I eventually declined.

There is something magnetic about the school. I struggled in the start and slowly but surely, I have managed. I have survived over half of the school year already.

Twenty-two years later, never in my wildest dreams have I seen myself teaching! But to tell you the truth, I love it. I can safely say that I am THE HAPPIEST person alive! :D I have the best family who supports me all the way whatever decision I make. My friends have been tremendously awesome through thick and thin. My colleagues serve as the solid unit that keeps me sane in school, they make life so much bearable.

To all the people who have been/ are still part of my life, a GAZILLION thanks for making my life insanely challenging yet worth-living. :) Thank you Lord for showing me a glimpse of heaven through these people. ♥♥♥ 'til then... :D

From Manila with ♥

Prologue: I haven’t blogged for quite a while now. My busy schedule hinders me from blogging and most of the time, I’m too tired to blog when I do have the time. Anyway, this day is special that despite my very tight schedule, time stops for you. I hope this will make your birthday even better. :D

I woke up this day sleepy as hell but first thing that came to mind was your birthday. I thank God for giving you another year full of blessings and lessons in life. I survived a rather rough day in school and I looked forward to coming home. Mum cooked pancit for your birthday. :D

I took a breather and off we went to Church to give thanks on your behalf. I made an effort to look pretty nice for you because I know you want me to look prim and proper. On our way out from the Church, we ran into your favorite priest. I had no choice but to “mano”. I laughed and said to myself, “Si ate may paborito kay Father, hindi ako!” I knew that if you were here, you would be all giddy seeing Father Dennis.

It feels different celebrating your birthday without you. =( But I do know that you are happy there though sometimes homesickness could be a pain in the a**. I’m happy that your day turned out oh so fine. :D

I could describe you in a gazillion words but I’d let the others get a piece of heaven through you. Thank you for all the love and patience throughout the years. We’ll you December. To the best sister in the world, an awesome friend, fellow beach bum, Happy, happy Birthday Ate! :D

Blood on your hands, Boss chief

WARNING: Blog contains some photos that are quite graphic. Please exit my page if you can not handle it. Thank you! Should you proceed, you have been warned…

Prologue: I had coffee with my friends to de-stress after a manic Monday in school. On my way home, I was silently walking and was singing a song inside my head. A frap with friends did its magic on me because it uplifted my spirit. I passed by the tricicyle terminal in our subdivision when I heard a part of the news about a hostage situation. I didn’t stop by to listen more thinking it was just another attention-seeking person who wanted media exposure. I got home, watched the television until it was news time…

Apparently, the hostage situation started early Monday morning while I was in school. I totally had no idea of what was going on until I saw it on the news. The attention-seeking person turned out to be a former policeman in Manila who was dismissed from service because of extortion. He demanded that he be reinstated to service. The man’s name was Rolando Mendoza, a policeman for 30 years. According to reports, he was a good man doing his service with utmost dedication. Sure, the man may have had his lapses but we should’ve listened to him at the least. Kulang lang siya sa panguunawa at pansin. I fully understand where he was coming from. It pains me that this man died a very painful death.

I was never a fan of hostage crisis. I remember I was caught in traffic for a M-A-J-O-R exam because of one hostage crisis. The professor did not believe that I got late because of the commotion caused by Jun Ducat in 2007. He seized the entire bus containing little tykes because he wanted reforms in the education system. The desire was there, it was for a good cause but the means was just utterly wrong! Kung hindi ako pinayagan kumuha ng exam at kung hindi ako pumasa, siguro habang buhay kong minumura si Ducat dahil sa ginawa niya. You can never get anything good from hostaging that’s why I never understood the essence of it.

Sure, Mr. Mendoza might have had his demands but I do believe that all of these were negotiable. However, we failed to give him that. Nagmatigas ang kabilang panig. We should’ve known better that we are at his mercy. We did not give in to his demands the main reason why he held these tourists as hostage. Screw negotiation! May naidulot ba itong maganda? WALA!!!

What triggered the man to run amok was when the police seized his brother. How they treated him was very inhuman! Kahit sinong kapatid magagalit sa ginawa ng pulisya! Respeto na lang sa kapwa tao. Gregorio Mendoza is also a policeman. Yung respeto na lang sa kapwa pulis eh. Walang-wala.

Captain Mendoza started to shoot randomly inside the bus. The bus driver was able to escape and told the police that everyone inside was already dead. The assault team now advanced toward the bus. It took them over an hour before the siege finally ended. It was the longest torture I have ever experienced. My knees weakened when the driver said that everyone is dead. Deep inside my heart, I was praying may this be a speculation only.

A total failure on the part of the SWAT. Misters, what the f*ck were you doing?? Where is crisis management and strategic plan? Tira lang kayo ng tira wala namang kwenta. There could have been a gazillion and one ways to solve this crisis in which could’ve turned out pretty well but we opted to do it the other way around. We opted to risk the lives of the hostages and hostage taker.

Eight of the tourists died, three under observation, four injured and heavily traumatized. The hostage taker sustained eight shots, one in the head that probably killed him. =(

These people who died were all victims. Yes, including Mr. Mendoza. These Hong Kong nationals were merely exploring, enjoying and perhaps adoring our beautiful land and this is what we give them in return – hell on earth. What a way to treat them. =(

My sadness is beyond words with what happened last night. The sky wept for all those innocent victims and I joined the sky weeping. Never have I been ashamed of being a Filipino until two incidents, one of which is this. Masakit man sabihin, sana Pinoy na lang yung sakay nung bus. Para kahit papaano sariling mamamayan natin yun. In my opinion, it would have lessened the shame. It’s blood on our hands. The world is watching the country intently. There are a few countries that followed the lead of Hong Kong with regards to raising a travel ban here. ‘Wag na natin intindihin yung mawawala na kita eh, yung takot na lang na dinulot natin sa mga turista na dapat dadayo dito. The name of the Philippines itself was put at stake. =( That reason alone brings shame to my brown complexion.

Boss chief, people expect you to protect them from harm. We didn’t expect that in your hands would be blood shed by these innocent tourists. =(

From the bottom of my heart and with all sincerity, I am sorry because our citizens screwed up BIG TIME. We are at your mercy that deep within your hearts you may be able to forgive us one day. I am extremely sorry young lad, it is because of us that you are now an orphan =( I am one with your grievance and suffering mother for you have lost your husband, two daughters and now your son is in the ICU. May he survive this dark stage.

Everyone is to be blamed for this tragedy. Mr. Mendoza for hostaging this particular tourist bus so as to be heard of his complaints. The PNP for being so reckless of all their actions especially in times of crisis. The SWAT for their inept strategy and moves. The media for aggravating the situation because of their coverage. The bystanders who caused difficulty on the part of the rescue team. We all had our part, so it is our duty as Filipinos to bring back the glory and dignity that was lost because of this very sad outcome.

Let us be one in prayer for all the people who have passed away in this hostage crisis. God bless the Philippines and its people.

PAPA= ALL-AROUND :)

It's this day of the year again when we celebrate the special day of the man that raised us... It's Father's Day and I'm thinking of what to write about my dad.

There's a gazillion words to say but I'm finding it hard where to begin. Let me start by describing him. Papa's the MAN. He's been there for me since I could remember. I remember him dropping me off to school and patiently waited for me until class is over. We would walk to the nearest ice cream place just to buy twin pops.

He was and still is my bestfriend. I got my hairdo from him. Hindi kasi marunong magtali ng buhok kaya one-sided ang ginawang hati ng buhok ko. I remember doing pigtails on my own, result was lopsided. nyahaha!

From the one who used to comb my hair, pap became my buddy whenever I needed company. He's constantly there for me.

Allow me to share a few of the lessons pap has taught me through out the years... Here's a few:

1. Whistling while walking

2. Kicking stones while walking to kill boredom. Magugulat ka na lang nakarating ka na pala sa pupuntahan mo kakasipa ng bato :))

3. Biking will save you money ;p

4. Wear boots whenever necessary aka always! hahaha!

5. Be malambing to mama to the point that you annoy her

That's just five of the things I learned from my father. I can feel that somewhere in Japan my sister would be laughing and nodding in agreement with me with these lessons. ;p

Papa's indeed all-around for me and my siblings. Mum says that pa babied us too much. Until now, my siblings and I take hot bath. Nasanay na mainit and tubig pag naliligo kasi iniinitan kami ng tubig ni papa. That's how loving and dedicated my father is to all of us. :)

I look forward to many more years of being Papa's little princess. Kaya wag kang pasaway with your meds and health okay? We still have to tag along mama and tour the world!

To the solar system's coolest, in-the-know, childlike dad, Master Cedie, I ♥♥♥ you!!! Thank you for being whatever and whoever I need you to be. Father's Happy Day to you Papa! 'til then...

Japan 101

The recent trip to Japan was ultimately awesome. :D I learned a lot of things and I mean A LOT! Culture, history, fashion, lifestyle, health, the list goes on and on. Let me share with you some of the things I enjoyed during this trip.

SAKURA is L-O-V-E as in ♥♥♥

It was perfect timing to see sakura in full bloom. :D Ate really wanted us to visit her at that time because of this. She missed it last year and all of us would see it together. I instantly fell in love with it. It’s love at first sight. ♥♥♥ One has to see it for his/her self to fully understand and appreciate what I mean..

Get me a sakura in full bloom here in Pinas and I swear we’ll be the bestest best friends or lovers for life. hahaha! Good luck with that. ;p Seriously, it’s a sight to see..

Tokyo Fashion

Japan defines FASHION. Get inspired with Japanese as they express themselves through fashion. For some, it would be radical but radical exists in this awesome place. :D So if you’re a little bit on the reserved side when it comes to fashion, go to Tokyo or any place in Japan to explore and express a fashion statement. This was the only place I get to wear whatever I want without fearing of being branded as baduy. Lahat cool. For that, two thumbs up for fashionistas! =).

Temple galore

Buddhism is one of the main religions has a lot of temples. We visited a few and it was such a solemn place. No wonder monks can really meditate. I finally met the Big Guy, my God in a different form..

You would definitely adore the temple structure if you are a fan of architecture. Hanep lang sa pagkakagawa. It’s an amazing sight to see. :D.

Discipline and respect

I believe that for a country to progress, discipline is a MUST. I can safely say that Japs are a bunch or disciplined people. =) From trash to escalator to train seats and whole lot more..

Ang hindi ay HINDI. They strictly abide by their laws. They also have high regards for respect. Bowing is a sign of courtesy and even in their language, they are very respectful. May iba’t-ibang level depende kung katanda, mas bata o mas matanda ang kausap mo. Ibang level ang respeto sa kanila. Bow down talaga ako..

Generation gap

Japanese are hard-working people. They can be compared to bees ‘coz they work for almost all their life. The problem is they have an ageing population. Sa sobrang busy ng mga tao kakatrabaho eh kulang ang baby production. The government had to offer incentives to those couples who would bear kids. Imagine that! Dito satin, baby boom, sa kanila wala naman..

Old people still go to work. They are built that way. But babies are coming to the rescue. hehehe! Yun lang kailangan pa maghintay ng mga 18 years or more bago sila mapakinabangan pero kahit papaano eh meron ng papalit na henerasyon..

These are just a few of the things that you would love, learn and appreciate in the Land of the Rising Sun. I have so much to tell but this blog is quite long already. Besides, if I tell you everything about my trip, there’s a chance that you won’t see it for yourself anymore right? Ano, tara lets sa Sushilandia?? :D ‘til then…