Heartbreaking Friday the 13th

Was it a mere coincidence or fated to happen? Last Friday, the 13th, shocked the whole world hours or days later. I don't want to believe in a Friday the 13th that it comes with a bad luck or something not nice will happen. After all it was a payday and many of us got already our partial pay bonus. That is not a bad luck after all, you think? This is what I saw in my Facebook newsfeed today...

I was stunned to read that Japan and Mexico was struck by a magnitude 8 and 4.3 earthquake, respectively. Honestly, I wasn't really shock of Beirut and Baghdad's bombing attacks because for me, it is kind of a usual happening that I hear and see in news of places being part of the Middle East and Muslim areas because of this ISIS thing. Seeing and hearing these news every time in that side of the globe breaks my heart especially if affected people are family with children. Even the Muslim people condemn these kind of terrorist attacks. It's against the law of Islam and their Quran. But what terrifies me the most is it was a random and planned event that lead to Paris terrorist attack that led to hundreds of death and seriously injured. It is disturbing to hear these news because its target are public places were innocent people are put in danger. More so a lot of tourist flock in the City of Lights all year round. It is frightening that there's no safe place anymore even if you're in the compounds of your own home. Christmas time is already a few days away and it's saddening to note all of these chaos happening in our world when it should be excitement, hope and joy we feel as we wait for the holidays draws nearer. 

Here in our country, we experienced a magnitude of 4.0 quake in Davao City last Nov. 7, 2015 and it was said that it is possible that we'll be experiencing a 7.0M quake noting that their are new fault lines discovered. Yesterday's local newspaper wrote about recent bombings in Mindanao particularly in Kabacan, North Cotabato hurting 7 people including minors.

I wish for world peace and that people should be sensitive to others in order to have a loving and happy environment to live in. So much anger in one's heart makes a destructive world that we don't care anymore of others but only our own. I pray that God will touch these bad people's hearts and minds that they may see how cruelty they've caused. A change of heart and a total surrender to God will make a big difference. 

Now That You're Gone

I received a phone call yesterday that took me seconds to digest on it. A heartbreaking news of a sudden loss of a loved one. One of my close guy friend and classmate in high school lost his mother because of a sudden heart attack. The tragic death of her mom shocked me and is still unbelievable to me. This guyfriend of mine, we haven't seen each other for 18 long years. The last time we saw each other was at our high school graduation. Even though we still studied college in the same city, we had our respective circle of friends in our college years and time didn't permit us to meet once in a while. Two years after graduating from college, he flew to United Kingdom and worked there as a nurse. Even though for that span of time he comes home for a vacation here but I don't know why we could not meet. Thankfully, through the efforts of one of our classmate, we were able to meet just last week. It was a Thursday. It feels like nothing has changed and it feels good to be reunited.


His name is Jon. He's an only child. He lost his father a couple of years ago. I got to catch up with him during our meeting: his life alone in England. It's good to know how he has become a responsible son and a family to his relatives. I so admire him with all the accomplishments he had made for himself and for his relatives. Such a genuine heart at that. He always want to give the best for his mother. He said the only family he has right now is his mom. I felt a bit of guilt because I asked him a question pertaining to her long term plans whether to stay in UK for good or settle here. If not for his mom, there's no reason for him to get back here, he said. Maybe for a vacation just to reminisce the country where he grew up from. Then I shoot a question, what if your mom will be gone? Then he just shrugged. Then 3 days after that meeting, that question became a reality. I should have not asked that. Parang 'usog'? I felt weird and sorry.


It dawned to me again that in whatever way, God has its way of ending our lives in the right time and place. Who would have thought about dying when at that moment you are on for a great vacation with your mother? All plans are ready to be fulfilled. You are already in the pre-departure area ready to board the plane who'd bring you to your destination. You know your mom is in good shape and fit to do fun-filled activities. And then all of a sudden, it comes to a full stop. With Jon's mom, the unusual more than a month vacation that he spent here in the Philippines that should have been the usual 3-week vacation only gave more time of him and his mom to bond and be together. But it's such a bitter ending. Seeing your loved one pass away in your own eyes and feeling the pain she is undergoing, those seconds are like hours full of agony and hell. You wish that that moment will finally end and can easily be mended. You wish that everything will be okay but damn not. 


Right now, I just want to hug my friend really tight. I know he is not okay. I wish him to be but I know how it feels to have lost a loved one. I wish that hug could take away a bit of pain he is now feeling. But I know it is not too soon. I worry about him a lot. I feel so sorry for his loss. To you my friend Jon, I really wish you well and peace. I know it's hard because your mom is in good condition. You wouldn't expect that this all happen in a flash. But it happened. I pray for strength, for hope and comfort in this trying times. Just keep in mind and heart that God has reasons and that we should trust on that purpose for what happened. Cheng said, everything is in perfect timing. I guess it is. 

On Yolanda's Aftermath

It's almost a week after the raging super typhoon hit Central Philippines that left thousands in doom. Our country has been the headlines on television, radio, print ads and the social media locally and even internationally. It breaks my heart seeing and hearing the plight of these people because of misery and that are in dire help. Everything is like a nightmare and unimaginable to happen. What we see in movies came as a reality for us. HELP is the immediate need we can extend for the victims of this catastrophe.

I thought we are already prepared enough on this predicted super typhoon as it has been reported all around the news days before its coming. I thought that the casualties are manageable and minimal. But I realized you can never be totally prepared for anything. There would always be some lapses but at least we can have it prevented. Being complacent was what happened for some because it was just a "storm" and that we were used to having it, some would just say "we can manage it." There is also insufficiency to information, I personally think, to the people as to how this super typhoon would impact. Stating in figures as to how strong "Yolanda" is, I will never understand. Yes, they said it's the strongest to be ever recorded in history but it was not mentally pictured out. However, if it was explained in layman's term, I would think people will fear and will flock on higher grounds. Storm surge literally could be understood. But its effect, I wouldn't know. Natural phenomena is something we should not be taking for granted and consider seriously especially now that the environmental condition is unstable and unpredictable unlike before. The issue on climate change is not a joke and now we are getting its effects. Recycling is a simple and humble step to care for our world. In the long run, it has great positive impact on humanity.

I was kind of disgusted, frustrated, dismayed, disheartened, in disbelief on how the government took the initial steps to make immediate relief to those affected. A lot already questioned the leadership of our President and how slow things are being remedied. I understand very well this is a major challenge for our President and our countrymen as a whole and it's a serious matter. With this scenario, I think, as the leader of this country, he has the authority, the power and the command responsibility to impose certain steps to address the immediate needs of the survivors. Delegate, delegate and delegate to speed up process, Mr. President. I know people will raise eyebrows on me saying this. Because as the leader of this country, I believe you have every means (if not all) to do what is right that's why people are pushing you to do something. How could one still follow protocols, SOP's in the midst of everybody hungry, homeless, orphaned, sick, mournful, hopeless and worst anger. We don't have time to just sit back and relax because it's a life that is at stake now. Every second counts. Big amount of donations are pouring in from all parts of the globe since day 1 of the relief operations. It is overwhelming. But where is it now? People only want for that moment food to eat, water to drink, temporary shelter and a concerning leader for his people. If there's a will, there's a way as the saying goes. A lot of reasons and explanations are being said on why it took longer to deliver these goods to the concerned people but I find it very shallow. Good thing that there are concerned civic organizations or private individuals who go there own way to help. If not, these people would have been dead by now not because of the typhoon but because of hunger and sickness. The relief goods are useless if it is not distributed to the afflicted community right away and it defeats the purpose of these donations.

I hope that God will shower each and everyone of us wisdom, strength, generosity, hope and a humble heart to extend in any help we can give to those affected by the calamity. May our Almighty Father embrace our heavy hearts with love and assurance for a brighter days to come in time for Christmas and in all the days of our lives. Let us be one in this trials and we can rise above it all. To God be the glory!

A Weekend: Not Your Usual Day

My weekends is mostly is spent in home. Call me a bore but I choose to be like that for the following reasons: (1) to rest from a 5-day work week, (2) to spend quality time with my kids, (3) to find something in the house that needs to be cleaned, cleared, organized and improved, and (4) to avoid unnecessary spending being the woman that I am. (Backgrounder: I've already declared myself a domestic diva ever since high school days. Maybe I was used to being a stay-at-home-person being a super obedient child. My daily routine would be that of school and home. That's it. I'm also a late bloomer being not too exposed to the real world. It's not that we were not allowed to stroll around the city but I choose not to. I love staying at home. Being outside means setting a different environment for a change.)

Anyway, back to the real stuff. As I was saying, last weekend was mostly spent outside the abode. The activities I had were the unusual kind. First, I met a relative which I only knew then. It was a happy feeling and reunion knowing you can't have it in an ordinary day. She's related to the grieving family which happens to be the funeral rites of her MIL. It was a grieving moment yet a happy reunion of sorts. Second, we proceeded to the farm of hubby's family. It was a refreshing afternoon despite the heat we experienced during the burial. What I love being in the farm is the freshness and relaxing atmosphere you can hardly experience in a city life. The breeze of the air is so natural and cool. My FIL said, during the night it is like you have a free airconditioner that you won't have to worry of the electric bill. Every time I am there, fruits are abundantly sourced such as these:

Fruit bearing trees such as Banana and Cacao.

Notice this shot? I wasn't able to capture the whole tree because of how big and tall the tree is.
It's an old Durian tree that ages I don't know when. But it really is an old tree.

This is the family's old hut. I'm shooting from the present house they are presently using. 

By Sunday, we went to my family's side. It is the 36th wedding anniversary of my parents and the birthday of Mama Mary (for the Catholics). It is indeed a fun-filled and blessed weekend celebrating life and not an ordinary day in a lifetime you can experience it in one great weekend. It is indeed blessings like these that we celebrate the bounty and beauty of life brings. 

Have a Peaceful Rest, Dearest Baby Bo!

He is the youngest member of our family. His name is Bo. He's born on April 14, 2006 to a Lhasa Apso and Japanese Spitz or Shih Tzu (I'm not really sure which of the two breeds) parents. He was given to us by my mother's co-worker. When he was brought home, I remembered vividly, his bark almost delighted me when I reached home. There was excitement seeing him in an instant. We gathered around him and played with him because he was days old when we had him. He is really cute like a stuff toy. My brother who is an animal lover is the one who really is hands on with him. Taking care of his food and his needs. Our lives has never been the same when Bo came. He is pure joy and happiness combined.

My brother took this photo. He was sitting on my brother's bed.

For my brother's love of Bo, he even made a Facebook homepage for him.

The veterinarian ruled out that Bo has a kidney problem showing yellowish discharges when he throws up. My father who told us that everytime Bo eats and drinks, he spills it out. We thought there might be something that stuck in his throat or he ate something that makes him vomit. After 3 days of that, after not eating or drinking for that span of days, my sister told my mother to have him send in the Veterinary clinic for our peace of mind and Bo's condition to be better. I say that because my parents didn't sleep well because they kept in observing Bo day in and out. Bo is like my parents baby since we all got married. So they were very worried when Bo got sick.

The veterinarian shared also to my parents that eating human food is not good at all for animals. Human food or our food has a lot of preservatives (salty, sweet) that don't help in giving nutrients for the animals. Dog food is designed to give the proper nutrition that animals need that cannot be found in our food. So that was an eye-opener for us. We don't know that being first time to take care of a dog with breed.

My brother is very worried when he knew about Bo's sickness and even Bo's friends in the Facebook. An outpour of well-wishes for him.


Bo passed away yesterday in the occasion of our scheduled monthly family gathering. It was my first time to see him after he was confined in a Veterinary clinic for almost a week. Then sent home to recuperate. He bid goodbye a couple of minutes after we arrive. He might have waited for us to be complete and the children around. It was heartbreaking! Good thing the night before yesterday, my brother was able to see Bo, talk to him and took pictures of him via Skype. Bo cannot walk anymore or bark. He cannot even move and just lie on the floor. He responded when he saw and heard my brother's voice and face in the monitor screen. Maybe that was Bo's time that he was able to see us all including my brother the night before.

For 7 wonderful years, he gave joy in our family. It was an ordeal worthy of you. Thank you Bo! We love you. You made us cry of your passing. We grieve of your loss. But we know you're pain-free now. It's time for you to take a good rest forever.

Passing Away

Today, around 12 noon, our grandmother passed away in her death bed. Not in the hospital but at home. She's the mother of my mother-in-law. We were just there last night to visit. But the entire family is just waiting for her farewell. They knew that it will be coming soon. My Mother-in-law pass by yesterday at my grandmother's doctor and honestly told her there's nothing more they can do because her kidney is totally not functioning well. The doctor even told her that eating in solid and liquid form is avoided already. More so, even if admitting her in the hospital won't help because she can easily acquire virus now that her immune system is very weak. The aunt of my husband told me that half her body down has no sensation at all. This morning the siblings of my mother-in-law were at their house because they knew they're just waiting for hours.

At this time, I recalled how also my other grandmother passed away. I was there in the hospital in her last breath. My grandmother passed away peacefully like she's just sleeping. But it was really painful seeing my grandfather beside my grandma. He talked to my grandma like she just listens. That's why I was kind of traumatized this time. I only saw once the grandmother of my husband in her bed. But I never came to take a peek on her after that because it pains my heart. Now, the entire family grieves with the lost of a family member.  And I pray, that "Lola Toling" will rest in peace. She's now pain-free and worry-free because she's now with the Lord.