Mother and Daughter

We don’t always get along, and I remember we used to have shouting matches here at home over some petty thing. However, there are moments when I remember crying because I was afraid you’d get hurt, or crying because you feel bad about something. Whenever we argue, I always, always feel my worst. But you know what? We’re more similar than I thought we were. And you know what (again)? I don’t mind being like you. :)

I know I may not be the best daughter around, but I know that you always try to be the best mother you can be, and I really, really appreciate that. I may not show it as much, but believe me, I do. Thank you for being so forgiving, for always praying for us, for always putting our best interest at hand, and for loving us completely. I know that by the end of the day, you’ll be the one waiting for me to get home (and texting me relentlessly about where I am and all that).

I’m happy that you’re given another year to spend with us, and I pray that there will be many many more years to come. :) HAPPY BIRTHDAY, MAMA! ♥ I love you! ♥ ♥ ♥

POOH!

I remember seeing you the first time during my covenant orientation, I think, where you gave a talk. I was always shy around you then, because I really didn’t know how to talk to you. The first words you actually spoke to me was during the Sumulong Mega Camp, when I was looking at the participants in our classroom while Talk 4 was being given…I think you said, “Don’t be afraid…the light will shine in the darkness. God loves you.” Something like that. :)

Then I missent you a text quote, and then you asked me if I wanted to have YFC in my high school alma mater. Of course I said yes, because I’ve been dreaming of that since I got into YFC. It was then I became “volunteer-ed”. :P Haha.

You’re one of the people who really inspired me in my service in YFC. Your famous, “Mahal mo ba si God/Do you love God?” line always gets to us when you’re asking us to do something difficult but important. Your words are always comforting, and you never failed to make us happy just by smiling and greeting us. :)

I’m really, really thankful that I missent that message because if not, I wouldn’t have known someone as great as you. :) Happy birthday, Kuya Don, East High School’s own Winnie the Pooh! :) I miss you so much! Hope to see you soon. God bless you! ♥

Father Dearest

One of the things I realized while I was being stressed out by our thesis is that one calming word from a parent can easily dissolve all your fears. And it’s true, because back then, during the times I was scared silly of our upcoming thesis things, I would hear/read an assuring word from my parents and I know that everything will be okay.

If I try to write all the things you’ve done for me here, I’d never finish. So I won’t, because I think that even if I don’t write it, people can see how good of a father you are to us. :) We’ll always be grateful that God blessed us with a good father like you. :) Swerte talaga kami.

Thank you for everything. :) I think I can say that I am a daddy’s girl because I always feel calm and protected when I’m with you, or when I hear you assuring me that things will be okay. Kaya idol kita eh. :) I don’t know how to say this without sounding so sentimental…but you’re one of the reasons why I know I need not be afraid of tomorrow. :)

Haha, ang drama! :P HAPPY BIRTHDAY PAPA! ♥ Many more birthdays to come! I love you! ♥ ♥ ♥

To the (future) “Father of Philippine Reality TV”

I still can’t remember how I met you eight years ago. All I know is that you’re classmates with Toni, and because I have so much friendship issues back then, I ended up hanging out with you guys during lunch. I guess I just got to know you eventually. To be honest, I was intimidated by you at first, probably because of your strong personality but after some time, we just clicked.

And you know what? I probably wouldn’t have liked high school as much if it wasn’t for you. You certainly made competitions interesting, and I remember being so pissed off at you because of something so shallow — like borrowing costumes for a stageplay or something like that. But then again, you were also the only one who understood how I felt during those directing times because we were in the same spot.

You were and still the one who listened to my rants, who never tired from listening to my oh-so-colorful love life, who challenged and respected my opinions at the same time. You are the one who kept in touch after all these years, even if I don’t reply to text messages and even if I continue to not show up because of last minute things. You’ve heard me crying about my failures, we’ve ran for elections, we’ve planned dances and parties together, we’ve even been on TV! :)

You’re one of the dearest people in my heart, and I know that this friendship is meant to last for as long as we are alive because I know it’s meant to be like that. :) I’m glad that even we never got to share the same classroom ever, I found a friend in you. :D

Okay, ang drama! HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ONE OF MY DEAREST FRIENDS, CHRISTOPHER! :) I pray that God will grant you your heart’s deepest desires, and I pray that our friendship will last “millions of years”, as you said. :) Waboo! ♥

Then and now.

Some of the people I know ask me if we are close, and if that was asked to me a few years earlier, I would’ve hesitated before answering. But now, whenever they ask me that, I say a big YES immediately. Because we are. Even if we don’t kiss when it’s peace-giving time during mass, or hug or whatever, I know that the casual text messages of “Labyu” mean the real thing.

I love that we can talk about almost anything, that you put up with me even if you have to fetch me from all places whenever I have no way of going home, that you tell me of your plans for the future. I love how we could laugh about our family quirks and our old childish fights and that you can be so protective of me if you want to. :) There are so many things I want to say to you, but I know you’re not much of a word-y and thoughts-spill-over person…so I’ll keep this simple. :)

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, KUYA! Like what the graphic says…I’m so lucky to have you as a brother! I know eventually we’ll have to settle down with our own families (naks) and stuff, but I will always be your little sister. :) And you will always be my one and only Kuya. :) I LOVE YOU! ♥ ♥ ♥