Quantity is not quality. In relationships, the number of partners we had in a lifetime is not reflective of the type of partner we are – it is the commitment to only one that counts. In the academe, the grade that we garnered after the semester is not reflective of the kind of education we receive – it is what we learn at the end of the day. Much like in politics, the number of votes we get does not prove how we are as a leader – it is the number of people who truly believe in our worth.

They have the money, we do not. What we have is your pure heart, your real aspiration to serve. They have the machinery, we do not. What we have is your noble intention, your aim to give people a better life they deserve. They have the name, we do not. What you have is the intellect, the talents you are ready to share.

Pessimists will say that the people will get the government they deserve. That is why the Philippines never really progressed. We chose leaders who are loyal to themselves alone. But this is not a blame game, Daddy. Do not listen to them. What we have is a country in which people are misinformed. It is our duty to open the eyes of our people, Daddy.

Regardless of the numbers, I see for myself and believe in my heart that we won, Daddy. Yes, we won.

We won, Daddy. We won in the hearts of the people whom you served – whom you served so well.

We won, Daddy. We won in the hearts of the people you gave free medical assistance to, you saved their lives. You were an instrument for them to have an added quality time to spend with their loved ones.

We won, Daddy. We won in the hearts of the people you gave capital to in their small businesses, you gave them livelihood and a chance to a better life, an opportunity to sustain the needs of their families.

We won, Daddy. We won in the hearts of the people you gave free education to. You offered them a brighter future and the chance to see life in a better perspective. You have proven that not only those who have brains deserve scholarship, but also those who strive hard to learn.

We won, Daddy. We won in the hearts of people with open minds. We won the trust of intelligent voters. We won a better run than politics – we won the hearts of the people you love to serve.

Fret not, Daddy. Election is not the solution to our community’s problem, to our country’s problem. I, with all other people whose hearts and minds are open enough to embrace reality, firmly believe that a REVOLUTION is.

I’m a one,big Daddy’s girl… But of all the things we do not agree at, of all the principles we clash on, of all the arguments we spend time for every single day, I cannot deny that most of what I have become is because of you, all the good genes and all the great talents are from you…

And most of all, my longing to serve the people, especially the poor and the needy, is nurtured by you…

I will forever be grateful. I will forever be blessed. You are one astonishingly unique mother anyone on this Earth could have.

With the loving arms of your husband and the thankfulness of your children, I hope you are very much, and still, in love today. I hope that you will find peace and solace in our family’s togetherness. I hope that you will find joy in the littlest of things. And I fervently hope and pray that now, much more than ever, you’ll be closer to God.

For all things great and divine, and for giving me a Mother who pushed me to the limits of greatness and not just potential, God may be glorified!

“I love you” cannot even suffice. It is plain understatement. I OWE MY LIFE TO YOU. And I will, until eternity, do everything to honor you.

Mommy and Daddy: My Idea of Commitment

Mommy and Kate @ Boracay Island

My Lovely Parents

Summer, they say, is the best time to hang out and be free. Well, I guess not. No time of year has ever been as busy as my summer now.

But it is great to let loose from time to time. And I did it just this Saturday with a day out with my girls… Who says exes can’t be friends? (*evil grin)

Bea Valerie and Kate Aubrey

Bea, Kate, Ruby at Starbucks, Iloilo City

Bea Valerie and Kate Aubrey

This may seem like one ordinary summer day for this year. I woke up at 4 in the morning to start working because I have to save up for my tuition in law school. Then by 9, I had to commute going to summer class because I cannot anymore afford to gas up every day, election expenses took so much toll on my family (my father ran for a local post, Independent). I took 9 units this summer so I can comply with my Certificate of Eligibility in Law.

By lunch, I had to go to the bank so I can get myself tickets back to Manila ASAP. And before returning to my summer class, I saw that big Jollibee sign in Jalandoni St. That branch is memorable. I had lots of good chat with friends and loved ones in that very branch since about eight long years ago. I decided to stop by for lunch, which I usually do not take because of the weather and the lack of time.

I ordered my usual Jollibee meal (3 sets). I am not starved, I am just a Jollibee baby who happened to miss fast food since I vacationed in my hometown. And then I saw MILO BLAST. I ordered one for myself. The nice guy cashier asked me which one, I looked again and saw that there are two new options: Pretzel and Strawberry. I am not really certain so I said, the ORIGINAL one (thinking of what I usually get from bad-day-turned-good-treats). But it is not anymore available. So I took about a minute to decide, and finally said Pretzel.

This seems so mundane. But this means a lot to me. Maybe this is why I took pains in writing this blog. It is not just about buying ice cream on a hot summer day. Or remembering the bad days that turned good because of the Milo Blast treat. It is a lot more.

I realized that change, indeed, is the only thing that is constant – even with the things we are most familiar with. It is pretty amazing that we get so used to things that used to be that we tend to forget the fact that sooner or later we have to embrace the possibility of them gone and forgotten. It is quite surprising that we depend so much on things that we know, never really realizing that in one way or another they have already evolved and we are left behind. It is as much scary.

Milo Blast meant a lot to me. It still means a lot to me now. It is comfort after so much pain. It is happiness after a big disappointment. It is reconciliation after a fight.

But even the Milo Blast I know changed. Was I ready? I guess not. But hey, I chose the Pretzel variety, didn’t I?… I made a choice. And that choice is something I did consciously. Milo Blast indeed changed. But what the hell? It is still the Milo Blast I know. It is still the Milo Blast I loved. And yes, it is still the Milo Blast I expect to share very soon.

I swear I’d rather die than live a day without your touch… If I held you in my arms you know I’d never let you go…

“I don’t want to hear that song again from the night that we first met. I don’t want to hear you whispering the things I’d rather forget. I don’t want to look into your eyes ‘coz you know what happens next… We’ll be MAKING LOVE and then I FALL ALL OVER AGAIN…”

I can’t believe you’re gone…

…I don’t want to remember the things we used to do, all the things that remind me of you. I don’t want to hear the songs, the songs we used to sing. ‘Coz I don’t want to feel the pain in my heart…

Yes, let me take the chance.

You gave me strength to stand alone again
To face the world out on my own again
You put me high upon a pedestal
So high that I could almost see eternity
You needed me, you needed me.

‘Coz there will be no goodbyes…

Everybody wants us apart,

But all we want is a brand new start.

Some say what we have is not anymore healthy,

They even advise us to set each other free.

 

But what the hell do they know about us?

Ours is the kind of love that lasts.

What right do they have to tell us what to do?

Whatever happens, this love we will pursue.

 

Even to us together, we do falter

There are a million and one sorts of pain we cause each other.

Even beside each other, we do commit mistakes

That is one reality, we can never escape.

 

But to hell with all the pain which caused doubt

Screw all the moments of fear and walking out.

We are but weak hearts, victims of our emotions,

We only live in fear which made us build a wall of precautions.

 

I am not afraid of anything but I live in fear because of you.

You love so deeply but you are scared as hell to be with me.

But come hell or high waters, very soon, I’ll come and get you

I’ll move mountains, one day, and you can be free – with me.