My Fridays and Sundays.

"Today is Friday, but Sunday is coming!" This is the theme of Bo Sanchez's preaching during the Grand Easter celebration at the SMX. After attending this grand celebration, I have come to reflect on my Fridays and Sundays in life.

I used to gorge on nilagang saging, camote, balinghoy, and any edible root crops for breakfast, now I can have bacon, egg, ham, bread, and anything I like.

I used salt in brushing my teeth, now I can have any toothpaste and toothbrush that I want.

I used to have cooking oil for my dry skin, now I am using branded lotion.

I used to borrow pants and jeans for school activity, now I can buy pants of my own.

I used to stand in the jeepney because, aside from my height, I have no money for my fare, now I can ride a taxi everyday in going to work if I like.

I used to wear shoes that are dilapidated and are "smiling at you even from afar", now I can buy shoes that are of the latest style.

I used to wear hand-me-downs from my rich cousins, now I can already buy new dresses for my cousins.

I used to work as a house-helper just for me to get a college degree, now I am sending house-helper to school.

My family used to eat one full meal a day, now we can have as many meals as we like.

These are just but a few list of my Fridays and Sundays in life. Looking back, I may have lots of sufferings, trials and failures (Fridays), but I also have so many victories, triumphs and successes (Sundays). Those Fridays are actually the ones which encourage me to work harder and made me become more determined in pursuing goals that I set. When I was in those Fridays, I made a resolve that I am going to make my life and my family's life better. I am not saying that I am already there, but life is better now. Life is comfortable now; life is good now. Hence any Fridays that would come can easily be looked at with the eyes of faith that sooner or later Sundays would come.

I am grateful for those Fridays. Without them, I would not have my Sundays. I would not have realized how blessed I am. And because I am blessed, I am trying my best to bless the world, too.

So if you think you are in your Friday, just wait. I am sure your Sunday is coming soon.

Jomelle, my number one.

Jomelle. Photo taken at the Kennon Road View Deck, Baguio. 2009

Her full name is Ma. Jomelle Alexa. She's a bright and smart kid. She started singing songs when she was one and a half years old; reading when she was two and writing followed. She's turning 12 this year, and because she's bright and intelligent, she studies at the Center for Excellence.

But who is she, and why am I writing about her? Just like others who live in my house, Jomelle became maternally orphaned when she was six. Her mother, my second cousin, died of kidney malfunction after six years of getting a transplant. I can vividly remember how Jomelle's mother suffered after giving birth to her under CS section. We never had any idea that she was suffering then from kidney trouble. It's only after a series of check ups that it was confirmed - her two kidneys reacted to the anesthesia and that made her vomit from time to time. To cut the long story short, Jomelle was only two weeks old when her mother was brought to the hospital, and form then on, we took on shifting sched in taking care of her - her lolas during the day and I during the night.

No wonder this girl is super close to me now. If only her Lola Auntie would allow, she would like to stay with me all the time. But because the olds would like to take care of her, she only stays with me on weekends. Yes, only during weekends, but I am also helping in financing her needs in school like shoes, bags, field trips fee, etc. But she told me that when she gets into high school she would live me. Well, let's see.

With her intelligence, I know Jomelle will go a long, long way. She has lots of potentials and talents. She may be maternally orphaned, but a bright future awaits her. I am sure that the universe will be kind to her. This I claim for my beloved Jomelle, who is my number endorser of Nestle Bear Brand Probiotic - Original Flavor. :-D

Richard, the graduate.

Richard. March 30, 2011. SMX Convention Center

Richard is my eldest nephew. Just like Reign, Richard has been maternally orphaned since he was three years old. Her mother died when she was giving birth to his sister. Sadly, the baby died, too. It was such a sad sight way back in 1994 when there were two coffins at home, one for my sister, Richard's mother, and one for her baby, supposedly Richard's sister.

Anyway, Richard grew up with his grandmother, my mother. Since he was orphaned at a very early age, we (my brothers and I) tried our very best to give him all the love and care he needs. Basically, I was the one who provided for him of almost everything albeit the mother's love that he has not experienced.

While growing up, he always has been reminded to pursue his own dream, to design his own future. Hence when he told me that he wanted to study in Manila in college, I agreed.

Today, Richard reaped the fruits of his labor. He may not have studied in an expensive, exclusive school nor finished his degree with flying colors but at least he never had any failing mark. I think having studied in an expensive, exclusive school and finishing a degree with honors is great, but what could be greater than being offered a job even before you graduate? Yes, Richard will not be joining the ranks of those who are unemployed right after graduation. As a matter of fact, he already signed a contract with a Japanese company where he spent his on-the-job training for nine months. Yes, that company offered him a job after seeing that he was performing great!

I know deep in my heart that Richard's dreams and our dreams for him have started to come true. Being maternally orphaned, we only dream that he could have his own life in the future, a life that is anchored on the right values. But Richard has his own dream for himself, too.

And those dreams have started to unfold today.

Five big blessings for the week.

It's CG meeting again tonight. And I cannot wait to share the blessings I have for this week. My heart is overflowing with joy and happiness for the many blessings, big and small, that have been outpouring in me.

1. My nephew Richard is graduating tomorrow, March 30. Finally, I have another scholar graduating! Not only that. Right after getting his BSIT degree tomorrow, he will start working by April 15. Why? The Japanese company where he spent his on-the-job training takes him in as probationary employee. I am so proud and happy!

2. My mini-bus in Iloilo is earning well. Yes, earning well and good! It has been my dream to buy a jeepney for my brother, but God has been so gracious! Without me knowing it, the one that I purchased was classified as mini-bus, not a jeepney. :-D

3. My mother's staying with me for almost three months has been a big blessing. You see I left home when I was just 13, so I really didn't have the chance to get to know my mother's attitude and behavior that well. All I know is that she is my mother. But now I get to know her better - this time when I'm in my 40's and she in her 70's. With her around, I am called to be more patient and more understanding.

4. My new bed is done according to my taste and style. It's simple but comfortable. Thank you to Kuya Teddy's excellent craftsmanship. (Kuya Teddy is an experienced carpenter who makes bed, cabinets and other home furniture according to your taste and style).

5. My blog is starting to have its own audience. I am touched by the generous comments I'm getting through the comment page of this blogsite, SMS, and facebook. Regarding this, I have a secret to tell: I never thought that there are people who would love my brand of writing. As far as I am concerned, I don't know how to write. I don't know how to write creatively. I have difficulty playing with words. That's why it took me some time to broadcast that I am blogging. So thanks to you - my readers - who inspire me. Most especially, thanks to Aileen Siroy, whose passion is contagious :-D

Again, thank you. My heart is indeed full.

Reign.

Rizalyn Reign.
Photo taken March 2011. Star City, Manila

Her full name is Rizalyn Reign. She was born three years ago. She’s got cute dimple in her right cheek. At her age of three, she’s very talkative and full of energy. She can easily memorize songs taught to her, but sometimes she has difficulty following instructions.

Why? Let me tell you her story.

Reign became totally orphaned in a matter of one year. In August 2008, she lost her mother; June 2009, she lost her father. She’s left in the arms of her lola, my maternal aunt, together with her three other siblings. And because of my aunt’s family’s economic condition, Reign has never been to a doctor, and seldom can have vitamins or a full drink of milk in a day. I learned too that when her mother was pregnant of her, she never had any vitamins nor had nutritious food for the baby Reign in her womb.

Last year, when I went to visit my relatives I got her and brought her home. That was intended for a brief vacation. I just wanted her to be fed right. But three nights after having stayed with us, Reign showed some signs of asthma. On the fourth day, I brought her to the doctor (it was first time for her), and she was diagnosed to have pneumonia. I had her treated for that. Then she underwent several tests and labs. Finally, it was found out that aside from pneumonia, she has primary complex! I had her treated for that for six months. Good enough her system responded well to the medication, and her primary complex was gone in just six months! After her treatment, I gave her back to her lola and three siblings.

Every time my mother comes to Manila, I would get Reign and bring her home. I do this every time I know that someone can take care of her in my home while I go to work. Recently, she stayed with me for almost three months. I would have wanted her to study in the nursery school near my place come June, but this will remain a wishful thinking.

Yesterday, I brought back Reign to her lola and three siblings. I am sad that I have to do this to her. I am sad because I know that there in her lola's, she's not given much care and attention, that she's not well fed. But I also find comfort in the thought that she's happy there with her three other siblings whom she'd always mention.

I am sad, but what can I do? The circumstances forced me to return to her lola and siblings again. Yesterday. Yes, just yesterday. And I am saddened by the fact that I don't know when I can get her back again. Not that I want Reign to be my own, but I just want her to be taken care of and to be fed well.

And I can only hope for the best for her.